The two of them were in the warehouse where Aaron was staying until he could leave town. It was the next day.
"You said you wanted to talk to me about something the other day, but it got to be too late and so you said you were saving the talk for today," Dannika said
"So I did," Aaron agreed, as he bit into the sandwich that Dannika had brought him from Fiona's Cafe and Coffee Shop.
The two of them were sitting on a pile of boxes that had been left to rot in the warehouse and they weren't very comfortable to sit on, but it was either that or the concrete floor.
"Thanks for the food," Aaron told her even as he crumpled up the wrapper it had been in. "You bought me breakfast when you didn't have to and now you bring me dinner, though in that case, I did ask you to bring me food, but still I'm grateful."
"You're welcome. I'm a doctor, even if that's for the dead, and I won't have you starving just because of this situation," Dannika told him firmly. "It's not your fault that you were at the wrong place at the wrong time and got killed, just because an idiot shot you with a stunner that had been modified."
Aaron chuckled at Dannika's words, because she was absolutely correct. "You're right, it shouldn't have happened, but it did."
"So what did you want to talk about? I have to work tomorrow so I can't be out too late," Dannika told him.
"It's Saturday and you're telling me you have to work?" Aaron asked with a raised eyebrow. "I was thinking this was a good time to talk because you were bound to have tomorrow off since it was the start of a weekend."
"Unfortunately, that is not the case, at least not this weekend. I do often have weekends off, but not always, and this just happens to be one of those I have to work. I do have Sunday off, though, just not tomorrow," Dannika said. "Medical examiners don't always get both days of on the weekend off, even in a small town like Dupar Woods."
"I just wanted to talk to you seriously to tell you that the reason I'm coming back to this charming town once everything blows over is because of you," Aaron told her.
"What does you have coming back have to do with me?" Dannika asked in genuine astonishment, shocked at Aaron's words.
"You see every immortal has what is known as a mate," Aaron explained. "Someone they can basically build a life with, that they can trust with any secret. Someone they can have children with. When you caught me trying to leave the morgue without being seen even in that dimly lit corridor close to the exit, I looked into your eyes and knew you were the one I had been searching for all my immortal life."
"So you're basically saying that we are soulmates and you want me to marry you and have your children," Dannika said.
"Eventually, yes, but not right away," Aaron said. "If those idiots hadn't shot first and asked questions later, then if we had met somewhere in town, the grocery store or a restaurant I would've asked you for a date once I realized you were my mate, but thanks to me being killed by a stunner with the power limiting chip removed here we sit.
"Normally, I would've left town immediately after I escaped the morgue and got my wallet back from you and got on the earliest bus and gone to the next town in a few hours. I could've been in Chicago or New York or any other big city in just a few days. I could've been lost among the masses of humanity until I was sure that no one was looking for me and it was safe for me to use my ID and my credit cards again."
Dannika was silent as she digested the scenario Aaron was painting after he had told her that she was his mate, which was why he was willing to come back to Dupar Woods as soon as the heat had died down and the case of the disappearing body was put on the back burner by the authorities, even though it would still be a little dangerous for him to do so.
Of course, if he was really going to come back in disguise so long as he didn't bring attention to himself, it was a little safer, but not completely.
There was always a chance is somebody would recognize him underneath his changed hair and eye color and whatever else he did to disguise himself.
"Say something, Dannika," Aaron begged her after a lengthy silence.
Aaron cursed under his breath muttering that he knew it was too soon to mention being his mate, as they barely knew each other when Dannika didn't speak for several minutes, seeming to be lost in thought.
"Sorry, I was thinking," Danika finally spoke. "I was thinking I felt an instant connection to you, even when you were dead and laying on my table. I remember being vaguely regretful about not getting a chance to get to know you, because of what had happened. Ever since you woke up and we've talked that feeling has only strengthened a lot and I'm not exactly sure why I feel that connection to you. Under normal circumstances, I never wouldn't've helped you escape and I would've reported you to the sheriff's department who would have questioned you about why you weren't dead."
"They wouldn't have been able to hold me for more than 72 hours, though, as I had committed no crimes, so there would have been no legit charges to press, but it would've been a pain in the butt to deal with," Aaron said. "I'm sure I would've been warned to leave town after I was released, as they wouldn't have wanted to deal with me once I was free. Being behind bars for three days wouldn't have killed me even if it wouldn't have been comfortable.
"Still, I'm happy to hear you do feel a connection to me, though it's a pale imitation of the one I feel to you, because I'm immortal and you're not and that does make a difference."
"So how did you become immortal," Dannika asked. "You'll have to forgive my curiosity as I had no idea immortals even existed."
"I don't blame you for being curious, as I would be too if I hadn't been born immortal," Aaron said. "Immortals have been around for thousands of years, but since we're basically human, most people never realize that they might know someone that's immortal. The only way to tell if one is immortal is if one is injured, like if they cut themselves and you happen to see them heal. Broken bones also heal much faster than they would for human like yourself, even without medical intervention. An immortal doesn't age once they reach their maturity, which is 30, which is why you look a few years older than I do. Their development is perfectly normal, until they reach their 30th birthdays, so there's no way to tell that they're different. Unless of course, you see one get hurt and then heal.
"As for where immortals come from that information has been lost in the mist of time, just that they've been around for many thousands of years, but they let very few know who and what they are, and they tend to move around every few decades to conceal the fact that they don't age. Nowadays, lifespans are longer, so we can stay someplace for years, even decades longer, then we used to be able to do, but eventually we have to move on. Just like everyone else we settle someplace buy property make friends and basically act like humans because we are, except for a few differences."
"That's quite fascinating," Danika said, "but how can I be your mate, because I'm completely mortal. I'll die eventually and I won't be around more than another 120 years or so if that long depending on my health as I get older."
"You see, if you agree to be my mate then all we have to do is start having sex where I spurt my seed into you and eventually, my DNA will change you into what I am," Aaron explained. "A lot of immortals who have found their mates, well, they started off as mortal as you are now, but were changed through the process, I just described. It takes awhile to absorb enough of an immortal's DNA, but it will happen."
"And if I don't?" Dannika wanted to know. "What will happen to me?"
"Nothing," Aaron shrugged. "I'll just leave Dupar Woods never to return unless you contact me and tell me you'll agree to be my mate and bear my children. I'll leave you my contact information before I leave this charming little town."
"I suppose my next question should be what will happen to you if I turn you down?" Dannika asked shrewdly.
"Do you mean physically, mentally or emotionally?" Aaron asked keeping his tone neutral.
"All three," Dannika said firmly.
"Physically, I'll be OK, as even if I stop eating or taking care of myself I'm not going to get sick or do something like starve to death. I can and will lose weight, as I'll feel you're rejection, so keenly that I just won't feel hungry, so I won't eat," Aaron stated in a monotone. "Think about all those cases of people who die within a year once their spouse passes away because they were deeply loved and what will happen to me will be similar, except I won't die unless I have someone do it for me."
"I thought you were immortal," Dannika asked with a raised eyebrow.
"My race are as close to immortal as anybody has ever come Dannika and there are only certain ways we can die, but we can't usually do it ourselves and have to have somebody we trust do it in a certain way," Aaron explained. "Immortals are not gods or goddesses, just very long lived so long as we aren't killed in a specific way."
"Well, I do know that a stunner beam set at it's highest setting with it's limiting chip removed won't kill you permanently, so I suppose that makes sense," Dannika said. "Now continue your previous explanation as we kind of got off track so how will my rejection affect you emotionally and mentally. I expect you to be honest with me don't lie just to salve my feelings."
"I will never lie to you," Aaron promised. "No matter how painful it is for me, as I need you to trust me, and if you can sense I'm lying to you, that's not a good way to gain it."
"Very good, make sure you keep that in mind," Dannika said in an approving tone.
"As for how your rejection will affect me mentally and emotionally?" Aaron continued without prompting. "It will be hard on me mentally. My mind won't be able to forget you and I'll likely dream of you and wake up just as tired as when I went to bed in the first place. I will remember your rejection, and the tone you spoke it in. It will likely play thousands or even millions of times in my head and I'll be unable to forget it or stop thinking about your words, your tone and your actions other than for a few minutes at a time because I've distracted myself.
"Emotionally, I'll be sad, angry, deep, neverending despair and every other negative emotion you can think of to name. I'll practically be drowning in grief and loneliness."
Dannika winced at Aaron's descriptions, and realized that this mate bond Aaron had told her about must be a major thing for immortals.
Of course it is, you idiot, were Dannika's thoughts. Why would he risk coming back here if it wasn't. I mean, seriously how dumb can you be, doctor? There is no way that Aaron Hotchner would risk coming back to town, even in disguise, if this mate bond wasn't a serious thing for one that was immortal.
"Eventually, I'll try to find someone to end my existence, though it'll have to be someone I trust, which won't be easy, so me permanently dying won't be fast and probably take decades to accomplish, because I have to find someone that can do the deed. Eventually, though I would find the right person to end my existence."
"Someone could go insane feeling so many negative emotions all at once," Dannika observed.
"I wouldn't care about anything at that point," Aaron told her bluntly "because you would have rejected me so yes, I might very well go insane. It's been known to happen in rare instances, though not in centuries."
"I won't reject you," Dannika told Aaron, as she touched his arm gently making Aaron's expression, brighten. "Still, you'll have to leave for at least a month or two until things die down. We'll keep in contact, though it's probably wise if you buy a temporary link, one that isn't registered, until you're sure that yours isn't being monitored."
"That's wise," Aaron agreed, relief sweeping through him now that he knew his mate wasn't going to reject him out of hand and that made his whole outlook on life brighten considerably. "I can certainly buy one or even several at least, but you'll have to answer your link from an unknown number when they pop up. I know the police can't trace the link if it's an unregistered number and I'll just buy a more expensive link later if necessary."
"I can't wait to go out on those dates with you, but for right now, it's just not safe," Dannika said. "You probably shouldn't even have gone back to your hotel room, but you did and you were lucky that you weren't caught."
"Yeah, it's a good thing that the police aren't moving very fast on this case," Aaron agreed. "It's why we're here now, as I figured it probably wasn't safe to stay in the hotel room any longer or show my face around town. I've never been in this type of situation at least not precisely, which is why it took me awhile to realize that going back to the hotel room wasn't the best plan. I'll know better if this ever happens again and really, it should've been obvious, but I just wasn't thinking clearly and I should've been."
"And here you claim your centuries old," Danika gently teased him. "I would think that you would know what to do in any type of situation."
"I do in most situations," Aaron shrugged, knowing that his mate was teasing him. "You'll have to forgive me for not knowing what to do in this rather unlikely situation I find myself in. Of course, to be fair, I found you, so it hasn't been a total loss."
"So how old are you Aaron?" Dannika wanted to know. Her tone was curious
Aaron told her and Dannika blinked in surprise then seemed to accept it.
"That's a lot longer than normal, even if, as you said, people can live much longer now than they did a long time ago," Dannika said.
"I'm not surprised you're so astonished. I knew you would be when I finally came clean about my age," Aaron chuckled.
"I had better go Aaron. It's getting late and I need to work tomorrow. Yes, I know it's Saturday, but I have to be in early," Dannika said. "I will keep in contact though, and you have my number. You call me after you reach wherever you're heading, let me know you're OK."
"Happy to," Aaron grinned feeling very contented despite the situation, though he wasn't looking forward to leaving town, but knew it was necessary until the hubbub died down. "You let me know when I can come back and I'll be here like a shot and that's a promise."
"I can also come see you if you don't go too far away," Dannika said. "If you're just in the next town over for instance, well, I can drive to see you, as it's not that far."
"I have no idea where I'll be. We'll have to see, though I would be very happy to see you, even if that's only for a few hours before you head back here. Can I kiss you, Dr.?" Aaron asked with a certain gleam in his eyes, and Dannika nodded eagerly.
Aaron stood up and Dannika followed him. Once standing, Aaron took Dannika into his arms and kissed her passionately for the first time and it felt like coming home, like belonging, like love, like affection and like tenderness, all rolled into one.
"Wow! That was some kiss," Dannika said dazed once Aaron released her. "You're bristles tickle by the way."
"There's more where that came from," Aaron promised his tone, arrogant and proud. "I plan on kissing you like that every day for the rest of eternity so get used to it. As for the whistles I left my sonic razor in my room on purpose so I'll buy me a new one. First chance I get next time you see me I'll be bristle free I promise."
"That's the best kiss I ever had hands-down, despite the bristles," Dannika commented, even as she snuggled back into Aaron's arms for a few brief moments. "I don't mind if you do kiss me like that again and again and again, but I really do need to get going. Believe me, if I didn't have to work tomorrow, I would stay with you a lot longer."
"I'll likely be gone on the next bus, but I'll contact you before I leave just so you know where I am," Aaron promised. "I'm not looking forward to leaving believe me, but it's necessary."
"I know and I'm not looking forward to you leaving either, as I've never felt this close to a guy and that's amazing to me, considering we've only known each other for less than two days," Dannika said.
"It's the bond, as I explained earlier. You're feeling a weak version of it, since you aren't immortal yet," Aaron told his mate. "It basically means we're soulmates."
"And why do immortals have such things?" Dannika asked
"I would think it would be obvious," Aaron said. "Think about it. Telling the wrong person that you believe you love the information about immortals is a good way for the world to find out about them. So many people are greedy and selfish, and would sell their own mother if they had a reason that it's just better if immortals have a bond with the person they can settle down with and have a family."
"That's a very good point and I hadn't thought about that, but you're absolutely right," Dannika said. "All I need is to think about what happened to you, to know that there are a lot of evil people in the world and even though there's no body. I'm hoping those men still go to prison for a long time."
"I'm sure that both of those men have records, which will count against them if that the case, which means they'll likely get more time in prison. I doubt very much that one of them having a modified stunner and killing someone is their first offense," Aaron said.
"I'll hear about what happened eventually as gossip runs through the law enforcement community just like everywhere else," Dannika said. "Medical examiners are still part of law enforcement, even if that's only the edges of it. I'll let you know what I learn as soon as you contact me."
"Be safe," Dannika added in farewell, kissing Aaron on the cheek before walking towards the door that had been boarded up long ago. The boards had mostly rotted away though, so Aaron had managed to open it enough to slip inside and any splinters he got he simply picked out and the small would healed instantly. Dannika slipped out of the opening that had been made before walking rapidly away.
Aaron watched her go, and once she had disappeared, he rubbed his cheek, smiling a little, as he sat back down on the very uncomfortable wood crates and thought about the conversation he'd had with his mate.
~~~Aaron and Dannika~~~
