Written by dreamgoddess'92.
Its a Hotch/Jack story, including the Team and hints of Emily.:)
There will possibly be more parts.
Dear friend, do you know
Which way the wind will blow
No man is promised tomorrow
Still you make up excuses
You don’t know why, but you do it
You think a part of you is missing
Hotch looked on in amazement at his team, who surrounded his son as he sat in a familiar burnett’s lap.
Jack looked completely at home in the arms of Emily Prentiss and he laughed as Reid performed a basic magic trick. JJ stood on Emily’s right and had a gentle hand on the young boy’s shoulder as Morgan and Garcia stood behind them, laughing at Jack’s enthusiastic response when Reid pulled a quarter from behind his hear. Emily had both arms wrapped securely around Jack and the young Hotchner snuggled deeper into Emily’s embrace. He had taken a strong liking to Miss Emily and the team as well.
“For my next trick I’ll need a hair…” Reid said pulling out a white cloth. Reid turned to Jack and pretended to pluck a hair from the little boy who giggled at Reid’s sound effects. Emily and the others laughed with amusement. Reid asked Emily to hold the invisible ‘needle’ for him so he could prepare himself. Taking the needle from Emily, Reid threaded Jack’s hair threw the needle and stopped, smiling over at Jack.
“Now, watch.” Reid said and held the cloth out in front of everyone with a tail end sticking out. Reid inserted the needle into the tail end and the team watched, astounded, as the piece of cloth began to bend as Reid pulled the needle and thread through it. “It’s magic!” Jack exclaimed clapping his hands excitedly. “Agreed.” Emily said as the team nodded their heads.
Hotch felt his heart squeeze as he watched his team take care of his son. They had formed a protective half circle around him and Jack seemed to capture everyone’s attention. For the first time in hours Hotch felt a sense of peace as he watched his team with his son.
Dave came up beside Hotch and watched as Emily began telling Jack a story. “Oh, this is a good one,” they heard Morgan say taking a seat on the table in front of them. The team hadn’t noticed the older men yet, and Hotch was glad. He didn’t want to deter from the bonding time Jack was engaged in with the team. Emily’s laugh made Jack laugh and she began talking in a lower voice about a mishap in Georgia during a case.
David Rossi turned to look at his friend and sighed as he saw the dark circles under his eyes. “I’m not going to waste my breath telling you to quit with the guilt trip Aaron, but I am going to tell you that you and Jack will get through this.” Dave said just loud enough for the man next to him to hear.
“Technically you just told me to quit with the guilt trip Dave.” Hotch replied cracking a small smile as Jack looked up at Emily intensely.
Dave chuckled, “You know what I meant Aaron. I could stand here and lecture you about how what happened was none of your fault, but after trying countless times and failing I’ve decided no more lectures for you.” Hotch turned and looked at his old friend.
“Promise?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his dark eyes. Dave rolled his eyes. He was glad that Aaron was a little less depressed though, so he let his comment slide.
“Look at how at home he is.” Dave said looking back towards Jack and the team. At this point the entire team was laughing loudly and the older men were seized with curiosity as they wondered what story Emily had told. Hotch nodded wordlessly, not trusting his voice.
“Aaron, I know this is hard for you, but you need to realize that under no circumstances will you have to do this on your own. The team is working on few hours of sleep, and I can tell by the ladies’ eyes that they have cried their fair share; but here they all are, entertaining your son who seems to be attached to Emily right now.” Dave said smiling a little as Emily rubbed her hands up and down Jack’s little arms.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s so attracted to her. Emily has a gift with children, yours in no exception.” Dave continued, deciding a lecture was just what Hotch needed.
Hotch watched as Jack relaxed into Emily’s strong arms and smiled as she began another humorous story. This time Garcia almost choked on her bottled water. Morgan patted her back and the others continued to laugh. Their voices washed over Hotch like a calming wave of a peaceful ocean.
Since Haley died it was like his entire being was wrapped in chaos, being torn this way and that. Jack was the only thing keeping him grounded to this broken world which didn’t take such a toll on him before. His entire team looked beaten down now that Hotch thought about it. Hit after hit they kept coming back for more. Hotch wondered it that made them all masochists in some fashion.
“Aaron, I’m only gonna say this once, so do me a favor and listen up.” Dave said firmly, making Hotch turn away from his dark thoughts to look at him. Hotch’s eyes told him to continue, but held that familiar incredulous light. Dave was tempted to hit Aaron upside the head, but decided it wasn’t worth it this time.
“We’re more than a team Aaron, we’re a family and we care about you and Jack. We’re not gonna make you raise that little boy in there by yourself. You’ve just gotta let us in to help you.” Dave said looking Hotch directly in the eyes. Hotch’s eyes widened a little at his friends statement and Dave decided to push him a little further. God knew he needed a good push here and there.
“Also, if you’re gonna teach Jack about love…” Dave began then turned to look at the woman Jack was currently enamored with, “you gotta let yourself love again.” Hotch froze then followed his friend’s eyes towards the dark beauty across the room. Dave was pleased as he took in the subtle reactions his words caused in the man next to him. Yeah, a little push never hurt anyone.
Emily looked up from Jack and saw Hotch: Her smile brightened and Hotch felt his heart flip. Emily bent down and whispered into the little boy’s ear. Jack’s head snapped up and Emily put him down so he could run to his Dad.
“Daddy!” Jack exclaimed and ran into Hotch’s arms. Hotch took a step forward and swung his son up, smiling at his laughter. Dave took a step in to stand with the team.
“Hi uncle Dave.” Jack said laughing at the older man. Dave smiled.
“Hey buddy, are you having fun with Miss Emily and the others?” he asked watching the little boy’s eyes light up at the mention of Miss Emily. Jack nodded quickly before Hotch put his son back down. Jack turned around and ran back into Emily’s waiting arms. She laughed as he bounced on her lap.
“So, what stories were you telling Jack that was making the entire team laugh so hard Emily?” Dave asked as he and Hotch walked to stand by the team. They all began chuckling, as Emily looked down a little embarrassed.
“Well, I told him about a certain mishap during the arrest of an unsub in a small Georgian town involving mud, a car door, and a lady of the streets.” Emily said repressing her own giggle at the horrified look on the older profiler’s face.
“Emily, you didn’t!” Dave exclaimed, ignoring the smirk on Hotch’s face and the howls of laughter from Morgan and Garcia. “You’re silly Uncle Dave.” Jack said just loud enough to them to hear which, of course, sent the team into more fits of laughter.
“You’re gonna wish you hadn’t told him that story Prentiss.” Dave said grumpily feeling his cheeks redden. Emily just laughed at him. “Doubt it Dave, but keep telling yourself that.”
Once the laughter had died down, Jack looked up at Emily. “Miss Emily, I’m hungry,” he said in his sweet little voice that melted Emily’s heart. Emily smiled at the young boy who looked so much like Hotch before reaching over into her bag by the floor.
“Well, luckily I managed to grab a few snacks from the vending machine…” Emily trailed off when she saw how wide Jack’s eyes got once the Chips Ahoy cookies were in his line of sight.
“I love cookies!” Jack exclaimed as he began to bounce on Emily’s lap once more. The team beamed at the little boy when Reid turned to look at Emily. He was eyeing the cookies, which Emily noticed, and once she opened them she handed two to Jack and two to Reid. Embarrassed, Reid tried to refuse them, but Emily shook her head affectionately.
“I know they’re your favorite.” Emily said smiling at her young friend. Jack looked over at Reid. “You like cookies too?” he asked amazed. Reid chuckled at Jack’s obvious disbelief and nodded his head as he popped the small cookie into his mouth.
“Hey, let me get some of that.” Morgan said grabbing two cookies out: one for him and Garcia. JJ and Dave helped themselves, despite Emily’s halfhearted protests that they were for Jack. “Lighten up Em, Jack doesn’t mind.” Morgan said smiling as Garcia fed him her cookie. In turn, Morgan gave her his.
Shaking her head, Emily looked and saw there was one more cookie left. She looked up at Hotch and smiled.
“You want a cookie Hotch?” she asked offering him the bag. Hotch was about to refuse, but the combine looks his son and Emily were shooting him made it impossible to resist. Leaning over Hotch took the last cookie out and smiled at them.
“I’d love one Emily, thank you.” Hotch said watching as her eyes slightly widened at the use of her first name. Dave watched, amused, and silently congratulated Hotch for stepping it up a bit. Sure, it wasn’t a declaration of love, but close enough.
Jack looked over at Miss Emily, who didn’t have a cookie, and handed her one. Emily looked down and smiled, but shook her head. “No sweetie that one’s for you,” she said her heart clenching at his actions.
“How come Reid and Jack get two and we only get one?” Morgan asked a little put out. Emily looked over at Reid then down to Jack who was insistent upon giving her the cookie. Deciding it would be best, Emily took the cookie and after popping it in her mouth then swallowing, Emily looked at Morgan and smiled. “Because I like them more.”
Garcia started laughing at Morgan’s expression, Reid blushed and Jack giggled, wrapping his arms around Emily’s neck.
JJ, catching on to the meaning in Emily’s words, laughed. “Don’t take it too hard Morgan, what she really means is Jack and Reid are ‘her boys’ therefore she can spoil them all she wants.” JJ said giving Emily a knowing look which made her laugh.
Reid looked over at Emily and felt that familiar feeling affection towards his ‘mother’ surrogate in their teams dynamic. He smiled at Emily as she patted his arm and buried her face in Jack’s hair. They were her boys in a manner of speaking of course.
Rossi laughed, “So what does that make me? The crazy uncle that pops up out of nowhere?” He was well aware of the roles they all seemed to take on out of habit.
They all laughed as Emily responded. “Yes, but you’re the uncle on Hotch’s side, not mine.” The team couldn’t contain their laugher. As silly as their conversation was, it made perfect sense. No one would doubt that Hotch and Emily were obviously the parental figures. Morgan, JJ and Reid were definitely the children and Dave and Garcia made up the eccentric Aunt and Uncle aspect of their family.
As Hotch looked upon his team he realized Dave was right. His team had become his family, albeit a strange misfit family, but a family nonetheless. They wouldn’t let Hotch and Jack survive on their own. Looking at Emily as she cuddled his son, made Hotch feel that maybe-just maybe-Dave had more of a point than he realized.
It was true that Strauss had proper cause to be concerned about his performance in the field, but it was apparent that his team disagreed with her strongly. None of them had blamed him for any of that day’s events. They defended Hotch’s actions and he couldn’t help but feel pride as he saw just how dedicated his team was to him. They thought Strauss was wrong to take his position away, and they weren’t shy about saying it.
Emily got out another bag of cookie and Hotch almost laughed as more hijinks ensued. Jack handed Emily another cookie as Morgan and Reid fought over one.
Everyday they saw horrible things and it amazed Hotch how they could sit there and laugh and smile. Even after Foyet’s attacks his team, tired and emotionally strung out, managed to act like nothing hurt and do magic tricks and tell stories to make Jack happy. They wouldn’t let anything else happen to his son and that realization made Hotch’s eyes tear up.
He was in no condition to raise his son by himself and the mere fact that his team-his family-wouldn’t dream of making him do it on his own made the pain in his heart dim to a dull ache. Suddenly Hotch couldn’t imagine living without his team. They made the job less horrifying and they made it easier for Hotch to breathe when it felt like the whole world was trying to suffocate him.
Emily looked up and felt her eyes soften as she saw the little moisture in Hotch’s eyes as he watched their family. Hotch looked up, feeling someone’s eyes on him, and met Emily’s. Feeling an overwhelming calm posses him, Hotch let loose a genuine smile at the woman who had been there for him since day one and would be there for his son as well.
Maybe, after more time had passed and he figured thing out, Hotch would follow Dave’s advice and let himself love a woman once more.
See through and shallow
You say you’re fine but you’re fragile
So don’t believe a word they say
They were wrong
We may fall down
Yeah we’re tired when we hit the ground
We can make it together
Its a Hotch/Jack story, including the Team and hints of Emily.:)
There will possibly be more parts.
Dear friend, do you know
Which way the wind will blow
No man is promised tomorrow
Still you make up excuses
You don’t know why, but you do it
You think a part of you is missing
Hotch looked on in amazement at his team, who surrounded his son as he sat in a familiar burnett’s lap.
Jack looked completely at home in the arms of Emily Prentiss and he laughed as Reid performed a basic magic trick. JJ stood on Emily’s right and had a gentle hand on the young boy’s shoulder as Morgan and Garcia stood behind them, laughing at Jack’s enthusiastic response when Reid pulled a quarter from behind his hear. Emily had both arms wrapped securely around Jack and the young Hotchner snuggled deeper into Emily’s embrace. He had taken a strong liking to Miss Emily and the team as well.
“For my next trick I’ll need a hair…” Reid said pulling out a white cloth. Reid turned to Jack and pretended to pluck a hair from the little boy who giggled at Reid’s sound effects. Emily and the others laughed with amusement. Reid asked Emily to hold the invisible ‘needle’ for him so he could prepare himself. Taking the needle from Emily, Reid threaded Jack’s hair threw the needle and stopped, smiling over at Jack.
“Now, watch.” Reid said and held the cloth out in front of everyone with a tail end sticking out. Reid inserted the needle into the tail end and the team watched, astounded, as the piece of cloth began to bend as Reid pulled the needle and thread through it. “It’s magic!” Jack exclaimed clapping his hands excitedly. “Agreed.” Emily said as the team nodded their heads.
Hotch felt his heart squeeze as he watched his team take care of his son. They had formed a protective half circle around him and Jack seemed to capture everyone’s attention. For the first time in hours Hotch felt a sense of peace as he watched his team with his son.
Dave came up beside Hotch and watched as Emily began telling Jack a story. “Oh, this is a good one,” they heard Morgan say taking a seat on the table in front of them. The team hadn’t noticed the older men yet, and Hotch was glad. He didn’t want to deter from the bonding time Jack was engaged in with the team. Emily’s laugh made Jack laugh and she began talking in a lower voice about a mishap in Georgia during a case.
David Rossi turned to look at his friend and sighed as he saw the dark circles under his eyes. “I’m not going to waste my breath telling you to quit with the guilt trip Aaron, but I am going to tell you that you and Jack will get through this.” Dave said just loud enough for the man next to him to hear.
“Technically you just told me to quit with the guilt trip Dave.” Hotch replied cracking a small smile as Jack looked up at Emily intensely.
Dave chuckled, “You know what I meant Aaron. I could stand here and lecture you about how what happened was none of your fault, but after trying countless times and failing I’ve decided no more lectures for you.” Hotch turned and looked at his old friend.
“Promise?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his dark eyes. Dave rolled his eyes. He was glad that Aaron was a little less depressed though, so he let his comment slide.
“Look at how at home he is.” Dave said looking back towards Jack and the team. At this point the entire team was laughing loudly and the older men were seized with curiosity as they wondered what story Emily had told. Hotch nodded wordlessly, not trusting his voice.
“Aaron, I know this is hard for you, but you need to realize that under no circumstances will you have to do this on your own. The team is working on few hours of sleep, and I can tell by the ladies’ eyes that they have cried their fair share; but here they all are, entertaining your son who seems to be attached to Emily right now.” Dave said smiling a little as Emily rubbed her hands up and down Jack’s little arms.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s so attracted to her. Emily has a gift with children, yours in no exception.” Dave continued, deciding a lecture was just what Hotch needed.
Hotch watched as Jack relaxed into Emily’s strong arms and smiled as she began another humorous story. This time Garcia almost choked on her bottled water. Morgan patted her back and the others continued to laugh. Their voices washed over Hotch like a calming wave of a peaceful ocean.
Since Haley died it was like his entire being was wrapped in chaos, being torn this way and that. Jack was the only thing keeping him grounded to this broken world which didn’t take such a toll on him before. His entire team looked beaten down now that Hotch thought about it. Hit after hit they kept coming back for more. Hotch wondered it that made them all masochists in some fashion.
“Aaron, I’m only gonna say this once, so do me a favor and listen up.” Dave said firmly, making Hotch turn away from his dark thoughts to look at him. Hotch’s eyes told him to continue, but held that familiar incredulous light. Dave was tempted to hit Aaron upside the head, but decided it wasn’t worth it this time.
“We’re more than a team Aaron, we’re a family and we care about you and Jack. We’re not gonna make you raise that little boy in there by yourself. You’ve just gotta let us in to help you.” Dave said looking Hotch directly in the eyes. Hotch’s eyes widened a little at his friends statement and Dave decided to push him a little further. God knew he needed a good push here and there.
“Also, if you’re gonna teach Jack about love…” Dave began then turned to look at the woman Jack was currently enamored with, “you gotta let yourself love again.” Hotch froze then followed his friend’s eyes towards the dark beauty across the room. Dave was pleased as he took in the subtle reactions his words caused in the man next to him. Yeah, a little push never hurt anyone.
Emily looked up from Jack and saw Hotch: Her smile brightened and Hotch felt his heart flip. Emily bent down and whispered into the little boy’s ear. Jack’s head snapped up and Emily put him down so he could run to his Dad.
“Daddy!” Jack exclaimed and ran into Hotch’s arms. Hotch took a step forward and swung his son up, smiling at his laughter. Dave took a step in to stand with the team.
“Hi uncle Dave.” Jack said laughing at the older man. Dave smiled.
“Hey buddy, are you having fun with Miss Emily and the others?” he asked watching the little boy’s eyes light up at the mention of Miss Emily. Jack nodded quickly before Hotch put his son back down. Jack turned around and ran back into Emily’s waiting arms. She laughed as he bounced on her lap.
“So, what stories were you telling Jack that was making the entire team laugh so hard Emily?” Dave asked as he and Hotch walked to stand by the team. They all began chuckling, as Emily looked down a little embarrassed.
“Well, I told him about a certain mishap during the arrest of an unsub in a small Georgian town involving mud, a car door, and a lady of the streets.” Emily said repressing her own giggle at the horrified look on the older profiler’s face.
“Emily, you didn’t!” Dave exclaimed, ignoring the smirk on Hotch’s face and the howls of laughter from Morgan and Garcia. “You’re silly Uncle Dave.” Jack said just loud enough to them to hear which, of course, sent the team into more fits of laughter.
“You’re gonna wish you hadn’t told him that story Prentiss.” Dave said grumpily feeling his cheeks redden. Emily just laughed at him. “Doubt it Dave, but keep telling yourself that.”
Once the laughter had died down, Jack looked up at Emily. “Miss Emily, I’m hungry,” he said in his sweet little voice that melted Emily’s heart. Emily smiled at the young boy who looked so much like Hotch before reaching over into her bag by the floor.
“Well, luckily I managed to grab a few snacks from the vending machine…” Emily trailed off when she saw how wide Jack’s eyes got once the Chips Ahoy cookies were in his line of sight.
“I love cookies!” Jack exclaimed as he began to bounce on Emily’s lap once more. The team beamed at the little boy when Reid turned to look at Emily. He was eyeing the cookies, which Emily noticed, and once she opened them she handed two to Jack and two to Reid. Embarrassed, Reid tried to refuse them, but Emily shook her head affectionately.
“I know they’re your favorite.” Emily said smiling at her young friend. Jack looked over at Reid. “You like cookies too?” he asked amazed. Reid chuckled at Jack’s obvious disbelief and nodded his head as he popped the small cookie into his mouth.
“Hey, let me get some of that.” Morgan said grabbing two cookies out: one for him and Garcia. JJ and Dave helped themselves, despite Emily’s halfhearted protests that they were for Jack. “Lighten up Em, Jack doesn’t mind.” Morgan said smiling as Garcia fed him her cookie. In turn, Morgan gave her his.
Shaking her head, Emily looked and saw there was one more cookie left. She looked up at Hotch and smiled.
“You want a cookie Hotch?” she asked offering him the bag. Hotch was about to refuse, but the combine looks his son and Emily were shooting him made it impossible to resist. Leaning over Hotch took the last cookie out and smiled at them.
“I’d love one Emily, thank you.” Hotch said watching as her eyes slightly widened at the use of her first name. Dave watched, amused, and silently congratulated Hotch for stepping it up a bit. Sure, it wasn’t a declaration of love, but close enough.
Jack looked over at Miss Emily, who didn’t have a cookie, and handed her one. Emily looked down and smiled, but shook her head. “No sweetie that one’s for you,” she said her heart clenching at his actions.
“How come Reid and Jack get two and we only get one?” Morgan asked a little put out. Emily looked over at Reid then down to Jack who was insistent upon giving her the cookie. Deciding it would be best, Emily took the cookie and after popping it in her mouth then swallowing, Emily looked at Morgan and smiled. “Because I like them more.”
Garcia started laughing at Morgan’s expression, Reid blushed and Jack giggled, wrapping his arms around Emily’s neck.
JJ, catching on to the meaning in Emily’s words, laughed. “Don’t take it too hard Morgan, what she really means is Jack and Reid are ‘her boys’ therefore she can spoil them all she wants.” JJ said giving Emily a knowing look which made her laugh.
Reid looked over at Emily and felt that familiar feeling affection towards his ‘mother’ surrogate in their teams dynamic. He smiled at Emily as she patted his arm and buried her face in Jack’s hair. They were her boys in a manner of speaking of course.
Rossi laughed, “So what does that make me? The crazy uncle that pops up out of nowhere?” He was well aware of the roles they all seemed to take on out of habit.
They all laughed as Emily responded. “Yes, but you’re the uncle on Hotch’s side, not mine.” The team couldn’t contain their laugher. As silly as their conversation was, it made perfect sense. No one would doubt that Hotch and Emily were obviously the parental figures. Morgan, JJ and Reid were definitely the children and Dave and Garcia made up the eccentric Aunt and Uncle aspect of their family.
As Hotch looked upon his team he realized Dave was right. His team had become his family, albeit a strange misfit family, but a family nonetheless. They wouldn’t let Hotch and Jack survive on their own. Looking at Emily as she cuddled his son, made Hotch feel that maybe-just maybe-Dave had more of a point than he realized.
It was true that Strauss had proper cause to be concerned about his performance in the field, but it was apparent that his team disagreed with her strongly. None of them had blamed him for any of that day’s events. They defended Hotch’s actions and he couldn’t help but feel pride as he saw just how dedicated his team was to him. They thought Strauss was wrong to take his position away, and they weren’t shy about saying it.
Emily got out another bag of cookie and Hotch almost laughed as more hijinks ensued. Jack handed Emily another cookie as Morgan and Reid fought over one.
Everyday they saw horrible things and it amazed Hotch how they could sit there and laugh and smile. Even after Foyet’s attacks his team, tired and emotionally strung out, managed to act like nothing hurt and do magic tricks and tell stories to make Jack happy. They wouldn’t let anything else happen to his son and that realization made Hotch’s eyes tear up.
He was in no condition to raise his son by himself and the mere fact that his team-his family-wouldn’t dream of making him do it on his own made the pain in his heart dim to a dull ache. Suddenly Hotch couldn’t imagine living without his team. They made the job less horrifying and they made it easier for Hotch to breathe when it felt like the whole world was trying to suffocate him.
Emily looked up and felt her eyes soften as she saw the little moisture in Hotch’s eyes as he watched their family. Hotch looked up, feeling someone’s eyes on him, and met Emily’s. Feeling an overwhelming calm posses him, Hotch let loose a genuine smile at the woman who had been there for him since day one and would be there for his son as well.
Maybe, after more time had passed and he figured thing out, Hotch would follow Dave’s advice and let himself love a woman once more.
See through and shallow
You say you’re fine but you’re fragile
So don’t believe a word they say
They were wrong
We may fall down
Yeah we’re tired when we hit the ground
We can make it together
