Party

Lex looked at herself in the mirror, wearing a yellow sundress. She hadn't set out to buy anything. It was Sunday, a week after the eventful diner, and the day of Jack Hotchner's birthday, and she had wanted to take her mind off her 'dirtbag' boyfriend and decided that some window shopping would be the best thing to do.

She did a twirl in front of the mirror and found her mind wandering more then it should. She shook her head and checked the price. She did need a new dress for Jack's birthday. She began to wonder if..? She shook her head. Don't even think about it.

She walked up to the front door with Jack's gift in her arm, wearing her new sundress. She felt her heart start to beat faster and her breathing becoming restricted as she knocked on the door and waited. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and smiled. The door opened and Rossi greeted her. Her face fell.

"Hey, kiddo, you ok?" She nodded. "You look great... Jack's a very lucky boy. So far, all the girl's have dressed up just for him... Well, you and Jessica."

"Well, it's a milestone… Where're Hotch and the birthday boy?" she asked casually. Rossi stretched out his hand and led Lex to the kitchen, where Hotch and Jessica were putting finishing touches to the cake, laughing.

Hotch looked up. "Hi." He walked over to Lex.

"Hi. Hi, Jessica."

"Hey, Lex," she greeted, smiling.

"You look great," Hotch said. Lex smiled.

"Thank you. Ah, this is for Jack." She held out the small wrapped gift. "It's just small."

"Lessi!" Jack ran in and wrapped his arms round her legs.

"Hi." She bent down to eye level. "Happy Birthday." She handed him the present. "It's from me and Garcia."

Hotch smiled. "What do you say?"

"Thank you." Jack meekly took the present and looked up at Hotch. "Cans I open it now?" Hotch nodded and the boy fell to the floor, legs crossed and began tearing at the paper. "Aw, cool." Jack held up the video game to show his dad. He looked at Lex, smiling. "Cans we play later?"

"Sure... If you're not too tired."

Jack shook his head and ran off out to the back yard.

"Alright... What's going out?" Hotch asked. Jessica pointed to two plates of sandwiches.

"I can take those out," Lex offered.

Hotch made a face. "No, relax, have a drink."

"I don't mind."

"Ok... uh, you'll see the tables."

Lex took a plate in each hand and headed out. As she walked to the table she saw Jack, sitting on the swings. She placed the plates on the table and walked over to him.

"Hi." He looked up at her and then immediately back down again. "Can I sit here?" He nodded. "You ok?" He nodded. "Cause for a kid whose birthday it is today, you don't seem it." Jack looked up. "You want to tell what's the matter?" Jack shook his head. "I might be able to help. Or do you want me to tell your daddy that something's wrong?"

"I miss my mom."

Lex looked straight ahead. She hadn't known Haley all that well. Hotch had loved her and she was a good mother to Jack. From what she heard, Haley was a good person. "That's normal, to feel that way… on your birthdays, Christmas… It'll get… less painful."

"Tha's what daddy said."

"So…?"

"Well, Daddy said to Mr. Morgan that he thinks he needs a new lady in his life."

"That can't have been easy to hear."

Jack shook his head. "Not that… but aunt Jess reads me stories and the daddy always marries the new lady and the new lady is mean to the children." He jumped off the swing and buried his head in her lap.

Lex stroked his head. "But, Jack, they're not always mean… A lot of the time they're nice. "

"But what if she's not."

Lex pulled him onto her lap. "Remember your nanny, the really mean one?"

"Yeah.""And when your dad found out how mean she was he got rid of her, remember?"

"Yeah.""Jack. You're dad would move heaven and hell for you. He wouldn't let anyone into your lives' that you didn't want. You know that, right?"

Jack nodded. "I guess so."

"Yeah. So do you wanna go inside and watch a movie before your big party begins?" Jack nodded. "Ok."

He took her hand and gave her a big hug, whispering a, 'Thanks', into her dress.

Hotch intercepted them and he smiled as Jack broke away from Lex. "Is he alright?"

"Yeah…" Took a step towards him and lowered her voice. "Can I talk to you about something after the party?"

"About Jack?"Lex nodded. "Trust me, it can wait until after the party. Just have a good time."