"Did you double check to make certain that you had everything you wanted to bring back to the facility?" Aaron asked as they climbed into the car that evening. A part of him was sad to know that she would be leaving them so soon, as the weekend had passed much too quickly for his liking, and he knew that he was looking for a reason to delay their departure.

"I did, and thank you for allowing me to leave some things here, for the next time I visit. Knowing that I have a second home here, with Jack, and Jessica, and you, I think that will truly help my recovery. You've given me a safe harbor, with people who want the best for me. And I am so deeply grateful for that." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she handed him her bags, allowing him to place them in the trunk before she slipped into the passenger seat and made herself comfortable. Aaron could see the tears that glistened in her eyes and knew that she wanted a moment to compose herself, so he took his time placing the bags in the trunk before he got behind the wheel and backed out of the garage.

"We enjoyed having you here, and I think that Jack has really taken a shine to you, which is something that I am grateful for. He hasn't really taken to new people since what happened with Haley and Foyet, and I don't blame him for that, at all. He went through something no child should have to go through, and while the therapy helps, I still wonder if he's going to be all right in the end. So seeing him open up to you, and want to be around you, has made my worries a little lighter."

Erin nodded as she reached over and squeezed his forearm a few times as he continued to drive towards the facility. "I didn't think that I would so easily fit into your family, honestly. I know that I'm a bit of cold fish, but I've kept my heart under control for too long, and I'm learning to feel and heal while I'm in rehab. I think that this time, everything is going to work out for me, and it's because you cared enough to come visit me, and make certain that everything would be all right."

There were no pretty words to answer Erin in that moment, as he didn't want to cheapen that precious gift of trust that she had given him, and he hoped that she understood why he was so quiet as he slipped one hand off the steering wheel and held it towards her. In moments, she was gripping his hand tightly, as if she was using it as an anchor to keep her in place. For the rest of the drive to the facility, even though it was awkward, they held hands, a melancholy callback to when he and Haley were first dating, and that thought made him smile as he pulled into the parking lot.

"Aaron…" she murmured as he parked in a spot close to the doors.

"I don't want to let you go, either. I know that you have to, that you need to continue the work you began and finish strong, but there's a part of me that wants you to come right back home with me." Aaron didn't know where those words were coming from, since he hadn't been this open with anyone since Haley had been murdered, but they felt right. Erin gazed at him, her lips trembling a little as she hunched up one shoulder, an almost pained expression on her face. Before he could say another word, before he could ask what was upsetting her, Erin leaned in and kissed him possessively.

He didn't know why she had taken the lead in that moment, but his body reacted to her passion by encircling his arms around her waist as he tugged her closer, one hand snaking up her back to tangle in her hair as he held her in place, fairly devouring her lips even as she pressed back with just as much fervor. He didn't know how much time they spent locked in the embrace, but he did know that he didn't want to do anything that would break this delicate balance between the two of them. Finally, Erin was the one who pulled away, cupping his face with her hands as she stared into his eyes. Tears were sparkling there, and he opened his lips to speak, only for her to slide one hand to his mouth, covering his lips with her fingers as she gave him a small smile. "I have to go inside now, before we do something rash. You're right, I need to see this through to completion, even as my heart wants to be more open with you. Now is not that time, however, but we will reach that place, I promise. Be patient with me."

"Of course, Erin." He stroked her cheek tenderly, and her expression softened into a smile as she nuzzled against the touch. "I don't know if I'll be here next Saturday…"

"I wouldn't expect you to be, since we just spent the entire weekend together. Though I will look forward to a call or two from you, if you have the time." He nodded, and Erin kissed him again, quickly, before she climbed out of the car and motioned to the trunk, so that she could grab her bags.

"Don't you want me to…"

"No. It will make saying goodbye too hard. I want to be strong enough to do this, Aaron." He nodded as she closed the door to the car and then made her way up to the walkway before turning to watch him, raising one hand to give him a small wave. Taking the hint, he waved at her as he backed out of the parking spot, watching her in the rearview mirror before pulling out into traffic when there was a clear moment. He didn't know why he was a bit unsettled by her reaction at the end of their weekend together, and he actively pushed those thoughts away to instead focus on the way she had felt in his arms when he had woken up that morning, the way she had kissed him with an intensity that had taken his breath away.

As he drove, his phone rang, and he answered without thinking. "Hotchner."

"Is she back?"

He relaxed a little at the sound of Jessica's voice, nodding a little. "She is, and we kissed like teenagers in the car. I'm already looking forward to the next weekend that we can spend together, away from the facility."

Jessica laughed a little, and he could almost picture her shaking her head at the way he spoke. "You are thoroughly smitten, and I am glad that I get to see this side of you again. Haley would be so glad to know that you're finding happiness once more. I listened to the recording of your last call with her, and I know that she asked you to not be so serious, to find joy once more. I never thought that it would happen like this, but I like her. Jack likes her. And you quite obviously like her. Believe me, I heard all about how you fell asleep in the guest room last night."

"Jack told you?"

"He did, since he wanted you to help him get back to sleep after a bad dream. When he didn't find you, he brought your pillow back to his room, though I told him to put it back for you tonight. If you want to grab a snack for us on your way home, we wouldn't say no, by the way. I'm getting that look."

Aaron let out his own laugh at those words. "I will see about what I can bring home. Since it's still early, we can watch a movie while we eat the snack. Hopefully that will appease Jack."

"I think that that would be perfect. See you soon!" They hung up at the same time and he smiled as he thought about what he would bring home for them all to enjoy, wondering how Erin would spend the rest of her evening, and if she would think about him as much as he was currently thinking about her.