"This is great news!" Aaron told Dave slapping him on the back in a friendly gesture.
It was clear that Aaron was very happy for his friend.
He and Clare had yet to leave for their honeymoon, but they did have a flight to catch in a few hours so this was a good time for Dave to come by, even if they were still packing for their trip.
"It is, but it's rather ironic it's one of my best friends," Clare said. "I know you've never met her Aaron, but JJ and I have been friends since we were teenagers."
"She did say that you met when she was 13," Dave said.
"We did. I was 14, so I'm a few months older. Her parents moved into my neighborhood and we met at school. Even though we were in different grades we became instant friends. We just sort of clicked. We have managed to maintain that friendship, even though we both have busy lives."
"I hear she heard all about your trouble with Ricky Martin," Dave said.
"That's true she did," Clare said. "I had to complain to someone considering Chad wasn't listening to me about his friend at that point in time and JJ was a good sounding board."
"Everyone needs one of those when life gets too stressful," Aaron commented. "I'm glad you had JJ to complain too and that she listened without bias since your brother was being so stubborn."
"You finally did get him to leave me alone about Ricky though and I'm grateful. I felt like strangling Chad more than once when that particular subject came up. JJ calmed me down before I could actually go and do it, but I sure did feel like it," Clare explained.
"I can't really blame you for feeling that way as sometimes siblings just don't realize how annoying they can be when they harp on a particular subject. So any recommendations as to where I can take JJ for lunch or dinner?" Dave asked Clare. "You're bound to know some nice places we can go to. I'm only a visitor here, though I plan on moving as soon as possible to be closer to JJ."
"That's what I did," Aaron commented, kissing clash cheek. "I wanted to be closer to you once I knew you were my mate, so I moved here as soon as it could be arranged."
"Well, JJ is more of a casual restaurant sort of person, though she has been to more expensive places for special occasions," Clare said answering Dave's question.
Clare then gave Dave a list of places and Dave wrote them down.
"Thanks enjoy your honeymoon. I'll see you when you get back."
"I'm really happy you finally met your mate, Dave," Aaron told him. "I know how lonely you were."
"At least you have us around to help confirm your story about being immortal when you decide to tell her," Clare added. "I know how much trouble I had accepting Aaron's immortality despite it being demonstrated. JJ will likely be the same."
"That's for later, as it is a rather fantastical concept, supposedly to fantastic, to be reality, but you're probably right," Dave agreed. "I'll be sure to make use of you if I need to. Go enjoy your honeymoon, as I certainly won't tell her how different I am from anyone she has ever known for months. It will be at least six months or so, but probably closer to a year so go before I broach the subject, enjoy yourselves and I'll be here when you get back."
"We plan too," Clare said.
"Oh absolutely," Aaron said grinning.
Dave left them to finish packing as he knew that they were preparing to leave for three weeks and didn't need him around right now. He had plenty to do to start to really get to know his mate Jennifer Jareau. He couldn't believe his dream had finally come true and he thanked the goddess silently for him finally meeting the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. Well, so long as she accepted his immortality anyway. To get to that stage though she would have to accept the fact that he wasn't exactly a regular human. Oh, he looked human and everything and acted human, because that's what immortals basically were. Still, there were differences like the fact that immortals could lived forever unless they got themselves killed of course, which was hard to do, but not impossible.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~

"This is really nice, Dave," JJ told her date as she looked around the restaurant. "I've never been here, but you must've asked Clare what I like because this is the type of place I like to try."
"I did ask Clare what kind of restaurant you liked as I wanted to make sure that you enjoyed yourself and that you weren't uncomfortable," Dave admitted.
"That was so thoughtful of you Dave," JJ told him smiling.
"I wanted to make sure that you'd accept another date from me and not tell me that you didn't want to see me again, because I took you somewhere that made you deeply uncomfortable," Dave admitted. "I knew that you and Clare had been friends ever since high school, so I made sure I asked her about your likes and dislikes before she and Aaron went on their honeymoon."
"That was very considerate of you, Dave, even if Clare and Aaron were preparing to go on their honeymoon," JJ said.
"I knew they were, but it only took a few minutes and then I got out of their way," Dave said. "I wouldn't have thought about bothering them if I didn't want to mess it up with you, not since they were getting ready to be gone for weeks on their honeymoon."
"And why was it so important that you not make me uncomfortable by taking me someplace really fancy?" JJ asked
"Because I didn't want you to think I wasn't worth your time and so tell me that you wouldn't accept another date from me," Dave explained simply. "I really like you and I haven't liked anyone this much in a long time so I want things to go well."
"I wouldn't have told you to get lost just because you chose somewhere really fancy to take me to," JJ said. "Still, I understand your concern so even though Clare was preparing to go on her honeymoon I'm still glad she took a few minutes to tell you the best places to take me. I just would've told you that I prefer casual places and I think I mentioned that during our conversation at the reception anyway."
"You did, but I don't live here, so I have no idea what's casual and what's not," Dave said.
"Since you don't live here in Dallas, how do you expect a relationship to work out once you go home," JJ asked.
"I'm willing to fly back-and-forth as I am very wealthy if necessary," Dave shrugged causally. "I don't really have a job I need to get back to so I can simply stay here until we know if it's going to work out one way or the other."
It was definitely going to work out at least on his end, Dave thought, but then JJ didn't know that she was his mate, and he only hoped that she would accept the news like Clare had, but since this was the only first date he wasn't going to tell her for months. He didn't want to frighten JJ off by telling her he knew it was gonna work out because he wouldn't be able to tell her the reason why.
"Long distance relationships, almost never work out," JJ said.
"Don't sabotage us before our relationship really begins by saying that long distance relationship almost never work. In my opinion, the only reason they don't, is because one of the couple is putting in all the effort and they get tired of flying to see their significant other who isn't putting in the same effort and meeting their partner halfway. Even if both put in the effort, one of the couple can get tired of flying back-and-forth maybe even both of them so they decide they aren't suited to each other, because it takes to much effort and can also get expensive to fly constantly. As for me, I'm willing to settle here for the duration of our relationship, though I might have to be gone occasionally. I'm used to traveling from place to place on business so it's no bother for me to come and see you. I want this relationship to work out very much, Jennifer, and am willing to put in the effort required, are you?"
Please say yes, please say yes, Dave thought in his head as he waited for JJ to respond.
"You must really have liked me when you met me at the reception," JJ said studying him, rather touched at Dave's words. "I know of no man that is willing to travel to see his girlfriend, unless they are really committed to making the relationship work."
"I am committed," Dave said. "I would like things to work out very much between us, as I felt a connection to you the minute I laid eyes on you. I would like to see where that connection I felt goes, and if it leads to us eventually, marrying."
"I have to admit I felt connection to you as well," JJ said. "It's why I'm very glad you asked me out before I could ask you."
"Well good," Dave said very pleased grinning broadly. "That is excellent!"
"I suppose it is," JJ said suddenly amused digging into her food enthusiastically, as soon as it came.
The two of them talked about their lives and some of their experiences, even as they ate, the subject of them continuing to try to make such a long distance, relationship work tabled for now.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~

Three weeks later, Clare and Aaron returned from their honeymoon, tanned and looking very happy
"Well, I can see you enjoyed yourselves," Dave said smiling amused as soon as he saw them the day after they had gotten back from their honeymoon. They still had that honeymooners glow about them that told Dave they had a good time and almost certainly had constant sex while they had been gone. It was their honeymoon after all, and most honeymooning couples spent all night having sex, and also in the daytime too, never leaving their room and ordering room service instead of dining in a restaurant.
"Of course we did," Aaron told Dave, even as they shared a manly hug.
"We enjoyed ourselves very much," Clare agreed, smiling brightly.
"I can tell," Dave teased the pair making Aaron laugh.
"How's JJ?" Clare inquired once she had plopped down on the couch looking relaxed.
"JJ is fine and she should be here shortly but was out running errands," Dave said. "I know you too just got back late yesterday so I won't stay too long, I promise. She's anxious to see you, Clare as you haven't stalked to each other in three weeks since you were gone on your honeymoon."
"Well, this is the longest we haven't talked to each other ever since we met," Clare said. "We didn't see each other for a few years until JJ moved out here to be nearer to me but we did keeping contact while she was still living in Denver."
"Why would she move just to be closer to you, even if you were really good friends?" Aaron wondered. "I'm sure she had a job and a family that live in Denver."
"She moved out here about six years ago when her parents divorced," Clare said. "Things were apparently going downhill for her in her personal life as well as with her job and so she decided she needed a fresh start and since I had moved here to Dallas, this is where she came. It's not like it was anyone really miss to her other than her parents, as she was an only child. There was no boyfriend when she decided she needed a fresh start and while she had friends, I was her best friend until I moved because of Ricky. Even when I did move, we kept in contact and talked often."
"I'm so glad she was living here in Dallas as I never would've met her otherwise," Dave said with a goofy smile.
"Of course you are," Aaron said amused. "You're happy that Clare and JJ reconnected when things didn't work out for her in Denver. Your parents divorcing even if you're grown up when it happens, is always hardest on any children, even if they are adults at the time."
"Things at her job also weren't very good from what little JJ has told me, as you just don't leave everything you've ever known unless things get really bad," Clare said.
"Sometimes you just need a fresh start," Dave suggested. "Immortals are used to starting over every generation, but other people aren't and it's a big decision for most people."
"Yeah, it was certainly a big decision for me," Clare agreed, "since Ricky wouldn't leave me alone I moved here to Dallas and then he managed to find me after years of peace and quiet, well, other than Chad's badgering, just because I refused to date him.
Here Clare rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"I never would've left Denver if not for one Ricky Martin," added Clare.
"As sorry as I am for what happened to you, because of that scumbag we might never have met if you had stayed in Denver," Aaron said. "He's lucky that he didn't get prison time, because of what he did to you. If he dares tries anything else it will count against him when he goes before judge the second time."
"I know just as I know that he can't really hurt me now since I'm now immortal just like you are, but since the bruises will heal immediately, the cops probably won't realize how severe I could've been hurt so he might get off with no prison time again."
"I doubt that," Dave said. "For one thing, it shows a pattern of obsessive behavior and people have been the end of dead when someone becomes obsessed with them."
"Let's hope Ricky isn't stupid enough to come back here to Dallas and try to approach you again," Aaron said, looking fierce and protective.
"Ricky invented stupid," Clare snorted in contempt her opinion on Ricky's intelligence clear in her tone and words.
"I have to agree that someone who is obsessed isn't known for their common sense or their rationality," Dave said.
"That's true," Aaron said.
"Let's just forget about one Ricky Martin and start looking for a house as this apartment isn't going to be adequate for long," Clare said.
"Does that mean you're pregnant?" Dave asked with an excited gleam in his eyes.
"I might be for all I know, but I haven't been having morning sickness so I am not sure if I am or not, but it's certainly a possibility, as it's not like Aaron used protection on our honeymoon and I'm not on the pill," Clare said. "I simply meant that Aaron and I will eventually have children and this apartment is adequate for the two of us, but not anybody else. I'd rather find us a house before I get pregnant, as it's easier if we already are settled before, adding a baby."
"You'll have to buy a pregnancy test in a few weeks to see if you are or not, as I doubt very much, you'll get morning sickness since you're immortal. Of course I could be wrong." Aaron said, and Clare nodded.
"I will," Clare agreed.
The three chatted for a few minutes until JJ finally arrived having finally finished running her errands. She entered the apartment when the door was opened where she immediately hugged Clare.
"I have to say that your honeymoon agreed with you," JJ told her friend when she looked at how relaxed and tanned Clare was.
"Yes, it did," Clare grinned.
The two ladies chatted excitedly about Clare's recent honeymoon and JJ and Dave's relationship, even as the men watched them in bemusement.
Dave and Aaron exchanged bemused looks, but said nothing, as the two women talked, ignoring the two men in the room.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~

"So how is your relationship going with Aaron's friend?" Clare asked JJ a few weeks after she and Aaron had gotten back from their honeymoon.
She and JJ were out shopping together while Dave and Aaron also spent time together but the boys had gone to a bar and were sharing a few alcoholic beverages. Dave preferred a high-quality scotch while Aaron preferred whiskey also high quality, but since they could both afford good quality in their alcohol, it wasn't a problem for either man.
"It's going great!" JJ said enthusiastically. "I know you gave Dave some suggestions on where to take me and they were perfect so thanks."
"You're welcome," Clare said, smiling brightly. "Dave would've been able to find casual restaurants that you enjoyed on his own, but since he didn't live here, it would've been more difficult and time consuming for him and taken him longer to find some place to take you that you'd enjoy. Him asking for my help sped up the process considerably is all. I suppose, that he could've asked one of the hotel employees for some suggestions, as Aaron tells me he's staying at a high class place and that he never stays in anything less than a four star unless it's a bed breakfast. Aaron also will never stay in a dump, but since both him and Dave have plenty of money, I can see their point of view. Why stay in some cheap motel if you don't have to, if you can afford better?"
"So similar question, how's your marriage going now that you've been back from your honeymoon for over a month?" JJ asked.
"It's going fine," Clare said enthusiastically while smiling softly. "Aaron has got to be one of the most romantic men left in the world. He's so gentle and tender with me, and also very affectionate and loving. He also doesn't treat me like I'm some kind of damsel in distress, like I can't take care of myself in other words and believe me, that's something I definitely appreciate. I couldn't be happier."
"That's good to hear," JJ said. "I might be heading towards my own happy ending as things are going great with Dave."
Clare knew that JJ would be very happy with Dave if only she would let herself believe in something as strange as immortality. Clare remembered how much trouble she had had and accepting immortality, but had finally done so after Ricky had nearly strangled her. She had realized after that incident that she deeply loved one, Aaron Hotchner, and didn't want to consider a life without him in it. She loved him so deeply that she was willing to accept the fact that she was going to live for centuries now and have numerous children along the way.
Clare also knew that like Aaron and Dave had been searching for his mate for a very long time and in fact longer than his friend had because he was considerably older then her own husband.
"I really hope that you and Dave do get married and be just as happy as Aaron and I are," Clare declared.
"That's what I hope to," JJ agreed. "I'm getting to the age I really want a few children as I'm not getting any younger, you know?
"I know exactly what you mean," Clare agreed. "I often thought the same before I met Aaron Hotchner that is. I'm so glad I met him on my vacation to the moon."
"I'm glad you met him too," JJ agreed smiling.
"I wasn't entirely sure if I loved him enough to marry him until after that idiot Ricky nearly strangled me," Clare said. "Aaron was there for me all the way. He heat up canned soup for me and also made oatmeal for my sore throat and ate the same thing I did until my throat healed enough for to eat more solid food. Now if that doesn't show he loves me I don't know what does."
"Are you telling me that Aaron ate just soup and oatmeal when you couldn't have more solid food, because of Ricky nearly strangling you?" JJ whistled appreciatively. "I would say he definitely loved you even back then, as I know of no man that is willing to only drink liquids in a show of solidarity when the woman they are dating can't eat solid foods because of an idiot."
"Which is something I realized afterwards, as I had plenty of time to think, as it's not like I could talk because my voice was so hoarse, and I had a constant frog in my throat for days after that incident."
"At least Ricky didn't crush your windpipe and he could have very easily," JJ shuddered in sympathy.
"Believe me, I know it," Clare said grimacing. "Now you can see why I moved away from Denver in the first place and why I transferred to here where the company I work for has another branch. I was perfectly safe for years until Ricky went through my brother's things in order to get the area, though not the actual address of my apartment I was living in. He did this, just because Aaron finally convinced Chad to stop pestering me about going out on a date with Ricky."
"So it was Aaron that finally got your brother to stop being a pain about his supposed friend," JJ said not having known that.
"Yes, it was and believe me, I'm grateful, because as you know Chad certainly wasn't listening to me when I told him I couldn't stand Ricky. He made Chad realize that he was trying to force me to date Ricky, because he wanted to see both of us happy with each other, but was clueless about Ricky's creep tendencies. You know I've never liked the little creep and now I know my instincts were correct," Clare said.
"I'm just glad you want hurt any worse," JJ said. "I know it seemed like an ordeal at the time because you were living off liquids for all three meals of the day."
"Yeah, it's all my throat could handle, but I sure did lose weight as it took my throat a week to heal enough that I could eat something more solid than things like tomato soup. Aaron also only ate soup in a show of solidarity as you know and he also slept on my couch so he could be there for me when I needed him."
"Wow! I would say that's loyalty," JJ mumbled appreciatively like Aaron Hotchner more and more.
"Yeah, he really came through for me and took care of me while my throat was so sore which I appreciated at the time and now. You know that normally I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, but in that case, I accepted Aaron's coddling because I know he was worried about me," said Clare.
"I bet you Aaron wanted to deal with Ricky," JJ said.
"Yes, he did and still does. He wanted to beat Ricky to a pulp for what he did to me, but he also doesn't need to be in trouble with the law," said Clare.
"I can't blame Aaron for feeling that way though, considering that he had strong feelings for you even back then," JJ said.
"And I don't," promised Clare. "I actually thought it was really sweet of him to want to defend me."
"Well, hopefully, Ricky will stay in Denver and not come back here to Dallas, as you're married now," JJ said.
"We can hope, but Ricky always was an idiot, no matter what my brother believed," Clare said.
"Well, at least Chad has finally seen the light and has broken off his friendship with Ricky," JJ said.
"It was about damn time he did!" Clare exclaimed her tone angry and exasperated at her brother, "but yeah, I'm glad Chad has finally seen Ricky for what he really is."
"Which must be a great relief to you," JJ said, and Clare nodded and agreement immediately calming down after having felt so exasperated at her brother, which of course, came out in her tone.
"Believe me it is," Clare agreed. "Hopefully, Ricky, learned a lesson and won't come back because if he does, I'll take out a restraining order, which I should have done anyway after the last incident, but I didn't. I will, though, if Ricky doesn't behave himself and leave me alone."
"I wouldn't be able to blame you if you did. In fact, it's what you should've done the first time when he nearly strangled you," JJ said.
"Enough about that idiot. He'll know better than the show his face if he knows what's good for him!" Clare exclaimed her tone furious.
JJ couldn't help but agree with her friend's declaration.
The two old friends dropped the subject of Ricky Martin and continued chatting, even as they shopped together.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~