I'm back my lovlies! You're reviews are much appreciated!

Shout Outs:

MrsCriminalMinds: Thanks a bunch, my dear! :D I'm real glad you're loving this story! Do continue to read and leave your kind reviews!

p95000: Yes, thank you much, dove. The comment Hotch made, "Daddy jerk!", and Rossi's response was my attempt at a little comedy in this story. While my comedic skills in writing are usually flat and overlooked, this ones outcome was actually good. Thanks! And yes, I do believe Rossi would have the power to dip into Hotch's past. I mean, he is his mentor after all. Yes, and I thought that Strauss would be at least a little bit affectionate with Aaron now that he's a toddler. I mean, who wouldn't want to cuddle a de-aged Hotch? And yes, I thought the "get home!" a classic flustered Hotch reaction.

TheMysteriousGeek2345: Much obliged! I know, he is quite cute isn't he? Thanks, and your wish is my command, dear!

Sue1313: Yes, I know! However, I do so much adore Spencey as the baby of the team, I thought it was our lovable Hotch's turn to take the lime light.

ItsColdOutside: My faithful reader, as all everyones reviews do, you make me smile! :D I do so enjoy reading your thoughts of this fic! Thanks, again!

CSIflea: Glad you think so, friend! Hmm...I dunno? JC Penny in the cabbage patch section? (LOL!) Really? I do it mostly when I'm concentrating. Nowadays it's off and on, so I'm glad. It used to be constant. Intresting. I believe you're request has been fufilled. Ah, yes, I hoped that aspect was made clear. I see them in the show as very close, I hoped I was bringing that to attention in this story! Happy to see you like it!

judithya88: Thanks, pet! I did too! It was kinda fun to write that in! And yes, you're right! I do believe Garcia would mollycoddle our beloved Hotch. I may just toture him soon! Muahaha! xD

And finally...

Guest: Yes, it was wasn't it? I'm ecstatic to see that you think this story is great! You're wish is my command!

Disclaimer: Me: Hotch? Can I own you?

Hotch: (Glares his usual stoney glare which is made much cuter by his "de-aged-ness".) No way.

Me: Come on, please? I have your favorite! Three cheese lasagna!

Rossi: Hey! Who took my lunch from the fridge!?

Me: Uh oh! You will be MINE de-aged Hotch!

Nope, don't own him. Phooey.

"A hidden connection is stronger than an obvious one." -Heraclitus of Ephesus

As expected the day off didn't last as long as it should've. Seven hours was not enough time to get home, rest, and be bright eyed and bushy tailed by the morning. But of course, we had no choice, unless we wanted to join the club of the suspended. Or worse, the unemployed.

It was an emergency. There was a shooting downtown of Quantico in the Marine Corps Museum. There were said to be 10 gunmen total with 7 casualties injured. They had no motive other than wanting to get a few bucks and expensive items. The local police department who'd gotten the call had needed backup. So, they called for reinforcements, and the team had raced over to the scene. And where was I? Stuck with Garcia. I was half awake, and though I really wanted to be with my team, I wasn't complaining a whole lot. Garcia had her camera hacking skills, and multiple high-def monitors.

"Okay, my junior boss-man, I'm almost in." I had to roll my eyes at Penelope's new nickname for me, though I chose not to comment. "Just one last pass code…and there." The many numbered screens before me blinked and flashed before displaying over twenty different camera angles and positions.

"You think they're in yet?" The nervous blond asked biting her bubblegum pink fingernails.

"No. They've got to have a strategy, you know that Garcia." I looked at her pointedly before going back to the screen. I could already see 4 of the masked conmen, each barricading a separate group of people in different stores of the mall. Thankfully I couldn't hear any gunshots. "I just hope that whatever the guys are planning is good. If it isn't…"

"Let's not talk about any "ifs", my little one," the blonde looked down at me, her curls bounced around her shoulders. "They make me antsy."

I had to shake my head with a slight smile on my face. Garcia was a really panicky person in dire situations, and I, wasn't one to know how to deal with a person too well when they were near hysterics.

Penelope reached over to turn on the scanner, the usual garb of surrounding the building at different positions and angles going over the air. There was even talk of contacting the leader within the mall. I nodded, now they were heading in the right direction.

"They need to take out the leader first. If the main man is gone, the followers'll be running like chickens with their heads cut off." I said this more to myself than Garcia, but she responded with a ruffling of my hair. I glared over at her, although the pink color of my cheeks was making it hard to be serious.

"Sorry, my miniature boss-man. But you have to admit you're adorable the way you look right now."
I squinted at the woman. My hair was a mess, I was dressed in some hideous Wall-e pajamas, and I'm pretty sure I may have had a drool stain lining my mouth. I did not in the least look 'adorable'. I sighed and went back to looking back at the screens.

"Focus, Garcia." Although sitting in the technical analyst's office made it pretty hard to pay attention. She had various trinkets aligning her minimal desk space, anything from fluffy feather pens to a mini bejeweled recliner that housed her equally bejeweled cell phone. I again shook my head and looked back to the screen, only to be distracted by the police radio.

"…the structure is now completely surrounded. We are now going to attempt to contact the leader. We believe he is stationed in the Comerica bank and trust near the center of the building. Agent David Rossi will be directing this call…"

"Oh, I hope Rossi can convince him to give up."

I looked incredulously at the lady beside me. "If anyone can, it's Rossi. Don't be so negative, Garcia."

She swiveled over to look at me, a shocked expression on her face.

"Says the epicenter of rainbows and sunshine?" Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, her hands planted firmly on her curvy hips. Something about that look in her crystalline eyes made me want to retreat to the farthest corner of this room. Okay, upsetting Garcia wasn't the best thing to do. A mental note was taken for future reference; don't upset Garcia, under any circumstances.

"Sorry. It's just…" I sighed. "You and I both know that Rossi is a very talented profiler. He's been with this unit for years. He's very manipulative, believe me. He can do it, I know he can…"

Penelope was silent then, causing me to look over at the said woman. She was smiling. I looked quizzically at her. What was she all happy about?

"You and Rossi really have the bond, don't you?" I looked at her as if she had two heads. "I can see it. No need to deny it, Hotch."

I made a 'pffht' noise, and waved a hand in dismissal. Despite the fact that our conversation was straying from the case I couldn't help but take a minute to think about what the perceptive technical analysis had just said. Rossi and I, a connection? No way. We were friends, acquaintances if you will. Yes, he'd been a previous mentor when I had first joined the BAU, and then he'd retired. Although he'd made sure to keep in touch over the years with numerous letters. But unlike Gideon he'd come back and resumed his position. But Dave and I having a connection? I think Penelope had put a little too much sugar in her coffee this morning…

"Mr. Jeffries, this is Special Agent David Rossi. I'd like to have a little chat with you…"

"It's Rossi! He's talking with the leader now!" Garcia beside me had gasped, her bracelet-ed wrists jingling with the sudden movement.

"What is it that you want, Mr. Jeffries?"

"They must have gotten a view of him. They have his name." I ignored Penelope's previous comment.

"…what is it that I want? That's not really what you want to know is it? No, we all know better. You want to know what I want to trick me, and get me and my guys out of the building and in handcuffs. Am I right?"

"About me wanting you outside of the building? Yes, you are. 100%."

There was a pause before a low chuckle resounded over the line. It was silent until Jeffries' spoke. By the edge in his voice I could tell that this man had it all planned out, every single step. This wasn't going to be easy, not that it ever was to begin with.

"Really? Well, I don't think I can comply with your request, Agent Rossi. Because I have previous engagements." It seemed then that there was a shift and he was talking with someone in the background.

"And what might these "previous engagements" be, Mr. Jeffries?"

Another chortle.

"Well, originally I wasn't planning on telling you. But, since you've asked so nicely, I'll let you in on a little something. Growing up, my parents weren't the richest. Pop was a garbage man, Mom; well she was a regular homemaker. And when I got older, one day I thought, I deserve a bit of money. And the only way to get it was to take it…"

It seemed that Rossi was trying to do a bit more of manipulation with the guy. All the while my eyelids were growing increasingly heavy. I pinched myself.

"Ow!"

"What is it?" Garcia's head snapped towards me.

"Nothing. Shh!" I went back to listening, although failing miserably to stay awake. It wasn't long before I finally gave in.

BANG!

"OFFICER DOWN! OFFICER DOWN! I NEED A MEDIC!"

Criminal Minds

A/N:Please do not hesitate, pets, to press that lovely button and drop a line! Don't make me sick de-aged Hotchner on you!