The Expansion of Two Natures, part five-b; Hotch/Rossi; NC-17

[innerslytherin]

Title: The Expansion of Two Natures, part five-b
Authors: innerslytherin and severity_softly
Pairing: Hotch/Rossi, and a little Hotch/Haley
Rating: PG-13 for this part, NC-17 overall
Summary: When Aaron Hotchner is new to the BAU, he finds himself working closely with SSA David Rossi--one of the original founders of the department. As their relationship progresses, they realize what they have together is more than friendship...but circumstances keep them from having all that they knew they could have together. Years later, Dave has a second chance, just when Aaron needs a friend the most...
Word count: ~11,700 for this part, ~78,000 overall
Notes: RP format. Mild AU, as we played fast and loose with Hotch's already screwy back story (especially in regards to his work history and the timeline of his marriage to Haley). Beginning with this chapter we are in season three.

Previous parts: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four-a, Part Four-b, Part Five-a

"Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other." - Felix Adler



 
Dave woke up early the next day, though at least it was daylight out.  He sat up, rubbing a hand over his face, then swung his legs over the edge of the bed.  He thought he could hear a shower running somewhere in the house, which meant Aaron was probably going in to the office.  Somehow that didn't surprise him.  The Aaron of today wasn't quite his Aaron, who had given everything he had to his job, but had also known how to relax.
 
Dave pulled on a t-shirt and decided t-shirt and boxers was dressed enough, then headed out to the kitchen, where he rummaged around in the refrigerator and cabinets until he found the fixings for Italian omelets.  There was some microwave bacon in the freezer, so by the time the shower turned off, Dave had managed a halfway decent breakfast, and had a pot of tea brewed on the counter.
 
Dave hadn't been awake when Aaron had gotten in the shower, but when Aaron emerged from the bathroom the house smelled far too good.  Aaron ignored the way his stomach insisted on going to the kitchen, and went back to his room in his boxers and undershirt to tug on his shirt and a pair of pants.  He didn't bother to dry his hair or button his shirt before he went down to the kitchen, though, and he walked inside and went straight for... not coffee.  Tea.  He sincerely hoped Dave hadn't made the decaf, and frowned at his coffee mug.  "I thought you slept in on Saturdays."

"I heard the shower and suspected you were planning to go to work today," Dave said, his voice serene.  "So I decided to disrupt your plans."
 
Aaron sighed and looked at the food.  It had taken more effort than he had expended the night before.  He gave Dave a look half-way between appreciation and exasperation.  "I'll stay and eat," he conceded.

"You'll eat, and then you'll put on jeans, if you still own any, and we're not going in to the office today," Dave said, looking calmly at him.  He did his best to make his voice as implacable as possible in the hopes that Aaron wouldn't argue with him.
 
"I still own a pair of jeans or two."  Aaron poured himself some tea and sat down next to Dave.  "I'll eat, then leave you a key to lock up, and I'm going in."  He was starting to think that he might not win this argument no matter what he said, however, if the look on Dave's face was any indication.

"You're not going to work today, Aaron," Dave said again.  "You need to learn to take a day off now and then.  In fact, if I have anything to say about it--and I have do plenty to say about it, actually--you won't go in tomorrow, either."
 
Aaron stared at Dave for a moment, then decided not to argue.  If he really wanted to leave, Aaron seriously doubted Dave would actually physically stop him from leaving the house.  He hoped.  He looked down at his plate.  "When did you learn how to cook?" he asked.

Dave shrugged.  "After Rita left me.  She took the microwave.  The omelets would be better if you had real Parmesan, by the way."  He gave Aaron a faint smile.

Aaron gave Dave a look.  "When did you become so impossible to please?" he asked, and then smiled and took a bite of his breakfast.

Dave snorted.  "Some time before I met Rita, apparently."

I never had trouble pleasing you before, though, Aaron thought, but just shook his head and kept eating.

Aaron apparently wasn't ready for ex-wife jokes, so Dave shrugged.  "I'm really not that hard to please," he murmured.  "Spend today with me, and I'll be pleased."

Aaron laughed softly, and thought about ignoring it, but then looked at Dave again.  "You're not going to relent, are you?"

"Nope.  You know how stubborn I am."  Dave finished his omelet and started carrying dishes to the dishwasher.

Aaron lifted his eyebrows and watched Dave with a sigh, though he was mildly amused that Dave had just made himself right at home.  Aaron shifted in his seat to watch Dave move around the kitchen.

When Dave had cleaned up everything but Aaron's plate, he turned and leaned against the counter, looking back at Aaron.  "Finished?"  It occurred to him that Aaron was mostly dressed and he was...in boxers and a t-shirt.  Somehow it had seemed like a better idea before he was completely awake.

Aaron looked back at his plate, realizing a moment too late that he'd been staring at Dave.  "Yeah, I'm done," he said.  "Thanks."

Dave nudged Aaron's shoulder.  "Jeans.  And maybe even a t-shirt.  You have any of those left?"  He glanced over his shoulder so Aaron could see he was teasing.  "And maybe you'll let me use your shower."

Aaron turned in his seat to face Dave and forced his eyes not to wander.  "So you're keeping me from work.  What do you plan on doing with me?"  It was slightly suggestive.  Just maybe.  But it could just as easily be taken as a simple question too.

Dave raised his eyebrows.  "Oh, the possibilities are endless," he said lightly.  He could think of quite a few things he'd like to do with him, of course, but he was still trying to think of something that wasn't indecent.

"Mmm, I'm not sure that's a good enough answer," Aaron said, and got up to put his cup in the sink and run water in it.

"I'll make sure it involves something dirty," Dave promised, and let just a hint of innuendo creep into his voice.  Aaron didn't have to know he was thinking about hiking.

Aaron's eyebrows went up and he looked at Dave.  Was he supposed to take that the way Dave was seemingly implying it?  "You can talk me into a lot of things, Dave," he said, walking toward the hall, because he apparently was going to have to dig his jeans out.  "But if you think you can talk me into mud wrestling, you're going to be sorely disappointed."

Dave laughed and shook his head.  "Fine, I'll think of something else.  You're no fun."

Twenty minutes later Dave was showered and dressed in jeans and a button-down khaki shirt, which was all he'd had left clean.  It was strange, wondering if Aaron would even want to go hiking.  They never had really spent a lot of recreation time together when they were actually doing something.  They'd had meals and movies and plenty of time relaxing in front of the TV, but Dave didn't have much to draw on when he tried to think of what to suggest they do for the day.

Aaron had found jeans easily, but a t-shirt that wasn't an undershirt was more of a challenge.  Still, he wandered out into the living room dressed casually and looked at Dave.  "Did you have enough time to come up with something?" he asked, fully intent on letting Dave choose, considering he'd ruined Aaron's plans for the day.  Admittedly, Aaron's plans hadn't been overly exciting, but that wasn't the point.

"I was thinking about Prince William Forest Park, actually," Dave said, shoving his hands in his pockets.  God, Aaron looked good dressed down.  It startled Dave into giving him a quick once-over, though when he caught himself he tried to make light of it.  "I see you found a t-shirt."

Aaron looked down at himself, then back at Dave.  "What were you thinking about Prince William Forest Park?"

"It's a good place for hiking.  Thirty-seven miles of trails, lots of wildlife.  I promise not to shoot anything."  Dave kept looking at Aaron, hoping for a clue about whether it sounded like fun or torture.

Aaron nodded.  It wouldn't have been his first choice.  Actually, he couldn't remember the last time he'd done anything quite so... 'outdoorsy'.  But it wasn't a bad suggestion.  "Okay.  I suppose we've spent enough time on the couch because of me."

"Not that I'm objecting to couches in general, but it is getting harder to pass my physical every year," Dave joked.  He headed for the front door.  "I'll drive.  I don't suppose I can get you to promise to leave your cell phone in the truck."

"Absolutely not," Aaron said, and headed out the door behind Dave.  "You have realized by now that you're going to be doing a lot more running around now that your back at the BAU than you did on book tours, though, right?"

Dave sighed and shook his head.  "Yeah, and climbing places like Black Eagle Peak, I get it.  Need to get back in shape, I guess."

Aaron glanced back at Dave, but got in the car without comment.  The drive to the park was filled with quiet conversation, and when they got there, Aaron got out and squinted into the sun for a moment before putting his sunglasses on.  "I have to be honest, I'm not sure I've ever gone hiking when it wasn't required of me on the job," he said, looking around.

Dave glanced at him anxiously.  "Bad choice?" he asked, unhappy at the thought.

Aaron looked over at Dave.  "No."  He wasn't certain of that, actually, but Dave didn't need to know that.

Dave smiled.  "I'll take it easy on you," he promised, and had to drag his gaze away from Aaron.  He led the way to a trailhead and set off through the trees, trying to keep to a moderate-to-easy pace.  Aaron was in good shape--you had to be, in their work--but Dave wasn't really interested in exercise today.  He just wanted quiet companionship, and this was one of the places he'd always liked.

The trails weren't particularly difficult, and Aaron still wasn't certain this would have ever been his choice for a day trip, but he had to admit it had its good points.  It was relaxing--though Aaron had to concede to himself he'd been more at ease outside of work with Dave at his side than he had been outside of work in a long time--and the scenery was nice.

Late in the morning they came across a cabin camp that seemed mostly empty.  One of the cabins had blankets and towels spread over the stairway railing, but the others looked unoccupied, and no one was around.  Dave went over to the nearest cabin and settled down on the steps.  It had been a good morning, though occasionally the thought had drifted through his head that maybe it was time to talk about the past.  Their past, specifically, rather than past cases and catching up.

He still didn't think either of them were ready for that conversation, though.  Every time he thought about confessing that he still loved Aaron, his chest clenched up a little.  He just shaded his eyes and squinted up at the sky.

Aaron sat next to Dave and didn't say anything for a moment.  The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but when David Rossi was silent for too long, it never failed to catch Aaron's notice.  "Should I be worried?" he asked mildly.

"Worried?"  Dave glanced over at him, amused.  "I didn't lure you out here to kill you."

"I would hope I would have noticed if you were that off balance this morning.  I have known you an awfully long time," Aaron replied.

"Longer than anyone else has been able to put up with me," Dave said, leaning back on his elbows.

Aaron looked back at Dave and smiled softly.  "You're usually never quiet for such an extended period of time."

Dave shrugged.  "I dunno.  I'm feeling nostalgic."  He glanced over at Aaron, warmed by the expression on his face.

"Yeah?"  Aaron pressed the heels of his hands against the wood step and gripped the edge lightly, looking back at the landscape, watching the scattering of leaves drifting from the trees on the breeze.

"Having you around again."  Dave closed his eyes, tilting his face up to the sun.  "I forgot how happy I was when we were younger."

That comment made something in Aaron's chest ache a little, and he nodded.  "Things were easier then."  Aaron shifted to lean against the side of the railing.  "Most things, anyway.  Not all."  It had been one of the hardest decisions in his life having to choose between Dave and Haley, but outside of that, life was easier in general.

Dave nodded, not opening his eyes.  "Most things."  Hell, loving Aaron had been simple.  Walking away had been what was hard.  "You ever hear from Conover or Leming these days?"

"Leming kept in touch for a while.  We were partners, you know," Aaron said wryly.  It had never been the same after Dave left, and Aaron was certain Dave probably knew that.  "Conover disappeared off the grid."

"I get Christmas cards from Leming sometimes."  Dave shook his head.  "I've never met a man with less sense of humor.  Good man, though.  Solid.  He a good partner?"  Not as good as me, was he?

"He wasn't bad.  He was good at what he did."  Aaron glanced back at Dave.  "We never worked together quite as well as you and I did, but it did work."  If Aaron was honest, part of the reason he preferred the team dynamic was that they all complimented each other in a way Aaron had never had since Dave had left the Bureau.  It was easier to mesh with a team than an individual, even if Dave had always seemed to balance him so well.

Dave laughed faintly and looked sideways at Aaron.  "I don't think I've ever gotten along with anyone the way you and I did."  He turned to look at Aaron more openly.  "Do," he corrected.  He admired Aaron--his dedication and drive, his humility, his passion--and he trusted him.  More than anything, that was why Dave had been willing to come back and work under Aaron's leadership.

Aaron couldn't help but smile at that.  "You push me beyond my comfort zone, and I reign you in."  It was how it had usually worked when they were younger, and Aaron had always felt good that Dave let Aaron reign him in, even when Aaron had been fairly new to the Bureau.  It spoke volumes about how much trust Dave put in him, and Aaron supposed it was why they worked so well together even now that Aaron was technically Dave's boss.  Aaron looked away again.  "I clean up your messes, and you clean up mine."  He shrugged and squinted at the sun.

"You're the only one who ever could," Dave said.  "God, I'm getting maudlin."  He stood up to keep himself from doing or saying something wrong.  He kept thinking he must be utterly transparent to Aaron.  History, after all, could be a burden as well as a blessing.

"I promise not to tell anyone," Aaron said softly.

Dave glanced down at him, knowing he should say something flippant, something to direct this conversation out of the deep waters it had suddenly veered into.  But no words came, and he just smiled, watching him.

Aaron held Dave's gaze for a long moment, and then pushed off the step he was sitting on.  "You said at breakfast that if you had anything to say about it, I wouldn't go to work tomorrow either," he said, not sure why he was just realizing this.  "Are you planning on staying over another night to do that?"

The words sent a thrill through Dave, but he just shrugged.  "That an invitation?"  His smile warmed.

Aaron breathed a small laugh.  "You never needed one."

Dave laughed, too.  "No, I just barged into your life without waiting for permission, let alone an invitation, didn't I?" he said.  He turned and headed for the trail, not sure why he was so confident Aaron would follow.  Aaron wasn't a follower these days, he was a leader.  But out here, just them, there was no need for either of them to prove anything.

Aaron started down the trail behind Dave, grinning.  "Oh, but you did it with such panache.  Honestly, you're quite irresistible."  He hadn't really meant to say that last part, and he looked down at the ground as they walked.  It was the truth, but he didn't need to let himself fall into flirting with Dave, no matter how easy it was to do.

"I don't know, you seemed to manage it all right," Dave said, and instantly regretted it.  He had never spent much time being angry about the way things happened; he'd been lucky to have even a few weeks with Aaron, considering the man was as good as married when he showed up, and one of his defining characteristics was loyalty.  Dave cleared his throat.  "Sorry."
 
That stopped Aaron in his tracks and he looked up and watched Dave for a moment until Dave turned around.  He was surprised by the subtle underpinnings of hurt in Dave's voice--it felt strange to rehash this when Aaron thought it was all long past.  It felt strange to think he should feel guilty about how things had ended ten years ago when they had both agreed it was for the best.  But he did suddenly feel a little guilty for reasons he couldn't pin down, and he suddenly didn't feel quite so relaxed anymore.  "What else was I supposed to have done, Dave?"

Dave sighed and shook his head.  "Nothing, Aaron.  That...I shouldn't have said that."  He forced himself to meet Aaron's gaze.  "I never blamed you."
 
"But you're still hurt," Aaron said, not really know why he was pushing.  Maybe it was out of habit; he was so used to pushing people for information.  But maybe they really did need to talk about this.

Dave's heart thumped harder in his chest.  Hell, yeah, he was still hurt, but whose fault was it?  Not Aaron's.  Maybe not even Haley's.  It was just one of those stupid things that happened.  He licked his lips and shrugged, looking away.  "I've always regretted the way things happened," he said finally.  "But it wasn't your fault."
 
Aaron nodded and started walking again after a moment.  "I would have done things differently if I knew then what I know now," he said quietly.

Dave swallowed.  "That's easy to say, but you have a beautiful son that you wouldn't have without her.  And you were happy, Aaron.  Even if she did eventually hurt you again."  There was a brief silence as they walked.  "None of us are perfect.  It's in our nature to disappoint each other."  He glanced over at Aaron with a faint smile on his face.  "I, apparently, am an expert at it."

"I'm not denying that I was happy for... a long time, or that there's not a single thing I regret about Jack, other than that I don't see him nearly enough."  Aaron sighed and looked out along the trail.  "I just..."  He shrugged.  He tried to think of how to put what he was thinking in a way that sounded neither bitter, hurt, or unfair.  "I over-estimated her."

Dave was having a hard time paying attention to where he was walking, because he didn't want to look away from Aaron.  He put his hands in his pockets, slowing his stride a little.  "I feel like I ought to say something profound or helpful, but...Well, I've left three unhappy women in my past.  I don't think I have any room to judge."  Of course, I know how I failed the last two.
 
Aaron sighed, his frown deepening.  "I just thought she understood--the job, me..."  He shrugged and watched the ground as he walked.  "And I thought we were alike, and I'm not sure now where that changed, or if it was ever even true."

"Sometimes people change.  Their priorities, their feelings change."  Aaron looked sort of forlorn, and Dave felt that old urge to hug him and promise things would be all right.  "I guess maybe that's what happened with Haley."
 
"Priorities and feelings change, yes, but loyalties shouldn't," Aaron said, and then didn't really want to talk about it anymore.  He looked out over the landscape and avoided the gaze he could feel on him.

Dave's brows drew together.  "Aaron, what happened?" he asked softly.  He had a feeling Aaron wouldn't answer him, but he had to ask.
 
Aaron shook his head and kept walking, shoving his hands into his pockets to keep from doing anything that would betray his sudden discomfort.  He was silent for a long time, and too his credit, Dave didn't push.  Finally, Aaron drew a long breath and forced himself to speak.  He obviously needed to talk about this, and he couldn't think of a single other person he felt close enough to to tell.  "Years ago, when you and I...  I really believed she would have never done the same thing," he started.
 
"The same thing," Dave repeated, trying to figure out what Aaron meant.  "You...don't think she could be attracted to someone else while she was with you?"  Frankly, Dave couldn't understand that, either.
 
Aaron turned and gave Dave a look, and then turned back around.  More than that.  "I don't know how long it's been going on, but I'm fairly certain it started before the word 'divorce' was ever actually spoken by either of us."

"God, Aaron.  She was actually seeing someone else?"  Dave shook his head and looked away, trying to hide his sudden anger.  How could she?  Dave might be a jackass in a lot of ways, but he'd never been unfaithful.  Yes, he'd married Rita before he was over Aaron, and he'd failed Doris and Kay in other ways, but he'd never even considered cheating on them.  Then he drew in a slow breath as another realization hit him.  "Aaron, you and I...what we did wasn't wrong.  You thought she had walked away."
 
"I know," Aaron said, and he did know that.  "But it still felt like a betrayal then.  And now..."  He shook his head.  "She sat there and told me she loved me and tried to get me to leave my job, all while sleeping with another man."  He shook his head, wondering how it could feel so good to say something out loud even when it also felt so awful.  "And I know that I have no one to blame but myself."

Dave stopped walking, trying to find the words.  "She tried again to get you to leave the BAU?  I thought she'd..."  He trailed off and sighed.  "Maybe I shouldn't have let you go so easily."  He shook his head.  "God, I'm so...I hate that she put you through this, Aaron."  He ignored for the moment the suggestion that it had been Aaron's fault.
 
Aaron laughed softly, but it didn't sound overly amused.  "Can't change the past, can we?"  Aaron considered telling Dave that Haley had called his suspension a blessing in disguise, but Dave already understood, and Dave had never gotten along with Strauss.  There was no use in having him know that she had ever had anything out for Aaron.  He shook his head.  "Not your fault."

"I think we've had this conversation before, too," Dave said mildly.  "It may not be my fault, but I hate to see you hurting.  You deserve better treatment than that."  After a moment he started walking again.  He had a feeling Aaron needed to talk about this--Aaron probably hadn't told anyone about this, after all--but he was tempted to change the subject, try to lighten the hurt in Aaron's expression.
 
"And she deserved more than what I gave her," Aaron said, then smiled sadly.  "This conversation could become very circular."

"She knew who you were when she married you," Dave replied.  He sighed.  "Sorry, Hotshot.  Maybe I'm a little protective of my partner."
 
"I changed," Aaron said, and then shook his head and laughed softly.  "And so did the BAU.  No partners on a team," he said and smiled at Dave, then reached out and pressed the back of his hand to Dave's arm, hoping Dave would understand it as the silent 'thank you' Aaron meant the gesture to be.

Part Six

Comments

[laura-trekkie.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to see an update to this story, even if it was a bit melancholy. I liked Aaron and Dave trying to find their footing again- it felt very realistic. I could really see how they would try to compare todays version with the man they knew ten years ago and see what the differences were, then work out how to deal with those differences. Of course, the underlying attraction is still there and that just adds another layer for them to work out: Do they both still feel the same? Is there a way to talk about it without ruining the new relationship? Can they make anything of it, or is too much water under the bridge?

I'm glad to see that things look positive, if still a little tentative.

Laura.

[innerslytherin]

Thanks! It's completely my fault the post took so long. I needed to fact-check something and put it off. I'm going to try to get the rest posted more quickly. :D

I'm glad you feel this is realistic. They know each other fundamentally, but there's a lot of catching up to do. :)

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

A lot has changed, and they're still trying to figure out what hasn't. I'm so glad you're liking it! Thanks!

[munin.livejournal.com]

Finally caught up with this and I love it. I can see this happening so easily. You can see an undercurrent with the two of them on the show. I absolutely can believe that Dave loved Aaron and that Haley got in the way. I loved Gideon's note to Rossi--such a Gideon thing to do. Can't wait for more!

[innerslytherin]

Thanks! :D The history between them is just fascinating, and I know we had a lot of fun exploring it in this fic. I promise not to make you wait as long between chapters this time. :D

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[shinealightonme]

Considering how eagerly I've been awaiting each installment, I think I've been rather remiss in not commenting. So, long rambly comment of doom! (warnings in advance because I'M TIRED and I don't tend to make sense when I'M TIRED):

I completely, utterly love this fic. For one thing, the issues, they are abundant! And handled so well! Loyalty is one of Hotch's defining characteristics and having him torn between two people he loves...you do such a good job of showing the toll that takes and how hard a decision it is for him to make. And while I'm not exactly a fan of Haley, I don't like when fans make her just an uber bitch with no feelings or motivations, and that's NOT what you guys do; you're not exactly making me like her much, but you do make me feel kinda bad for her and understand why she does what she does (except the affair, cause really, who would cheat on Hotch?!)

For another, it has excellent characterization (not that I'd expect any less from you two). I especially enjoy seeing the first reactions to meeting again after their time apart; how Hotch has changed so much and how he doesn't really want Rossi to know about that, and how Rossi hasn't changed and how that's more problematic than you'd think - loved the line about Hotch changing for the both of them. Also, how the nature of their working relationship is different from the last time Rossi was in the BAU - student becoming the master sort of thing - since it's something you see in canon but isn't really addressed, and it's interesting to consider.

And let's not forget the miscommunication. Cause there's nothing better than a couple of profilers missing what's right under their noses.

Rossi's commentary on Strauss was excellent - Dave remembered Erin Strauss as an ambitious, cast-iron bitch. It was nice to see some things never changed. Ha! Hilarious, sums up both of them, and works well as a lead-in to the newer time frame.

Epically flail-happy moment when Gideon sent Rossi the letter. Because despite the hurt and anger and the fact that I really really love Rossi, I still really love and miss Gideon, and it's nice to think that he would have taken a little more consideration for his friends before he rode off into the freakin' sunset.

I have kind of a stupidly small nitpicky thing to point out but: when Hotch tells Rossi about Reid's eidetic memory, that scene is after About Face and before Identity, right? But in Lucky, when Reid quotes from his books, Rossi is surprised - doesn't seem to know about Reid's memory yet. But I probably wouldn't even have noticed except I rewatched that episode recently and it's so damn freaky it's seared into my memory for all eternity.

Favorite thing so far? Rossi effectively holding Hotch captive. Because he cares, but he just shows it a little bit differently from how most people would. And because Hotch is so damn stubborn that less drastic measures would have no effect.

In summary: LOVE THIS FIC. It's one of my favorites of yours. So looking forward to the next chapter.

[innerslytherin]

Okay, you totally made me SO FREAKING HAPPY with this big long comment. :D

*sigh* You caught me on the canon thing. I had forgotten Dave was surprised by that in Lucky. Drat. ;) I hope you'll forgive me. *G*

It was hard, we're trying not to demonize Haley, but neither of us like her. LOL So that can be a challenge. I'm glad you feel we did all right.

I'm so glad you're enjoying this. Hotch/Rossi is my total comfort pairing. But of course, how they GET that way is not always a smooth ride. I'm trying to get the next chapter out faster. (We have too much unposted fic. O.o If only we wrote our original stuff as fast as we churn out fanfic...)

[shinealightonme]

Well if I made you happy, I suppose my work here is done. =D

Eh, the canon thing, no biggie. Maybe Rossi was pretending not to know, just to see how the others would react and if anyone would bother to explain? Or maybe he was playing some sort of elaborate joke?

But if it was a smooth ride, think how boring that would be ;D I've always found the sorting out the issues part to be more interesting than the lovey-dovey and/or smutty parts or any romance.

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. This comment made me so happy. I'm so sorry the reply took so long!

I'm glad that Haley is coming across as sympathetic. I don't really like her (though I doubt any Hotch fan does), but she's still human, and I can objectively completely understand her stance in the divorce, even if I would never let a man like Hotch go.

And I'm glad this is all playing out right for you. It was important, I think, after Dave's 2nd and 3rd marriages and successful career #2, Jack, and Aaron's divorce, as well as all that time apart, to not forget that things were definitely different. They're both mature adults, and they'd think about these things instead of jumping directly into bed with one another. :P

UGH. Stupid canon error just slipped past us both. Well, it is technically a mild AU, right? RIGHT? *grins* Oh well. Can't be perfect. LOL

I am so glad you're liking this, and this comment really did make me squee, regardless of the late reply. THANK YOU!

[shinealightonme]

*takes out to-do list, finds where it says "make someone squee"*

*crosses it off*

Haley never stood a chance. I mean, even BEFORE she became the bitch extraordinaire, she was never a well developed character. All we ever saw her doing was cooing to Jack, sighing about how much Hotch worked, or yelling at Hotch about how much he worked. *rolls eyes* (And for me personally, the second I recognized her from Dawson's Creek, I hated her for it) Still, she was able to produce offspring with Hotch, so we have to assume she's a human being, and therefore capable of emotions and reasoning. This fic has a good balance in that respect.

One of the first things I learned about writing fanfiction - slap an AU label on it, that makes everything better! Though I maintain that Rossi could have been faking ignorance for some as-yet unknown reason. He's a sneaky bastard like that, which is why Hotch and the fans love him, after all XD

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

Still, she was able to produce offspring with Hotch, so we have to assume she's a human being, and therefore capable of emotions and reasoning.

LOL Yes, there is that. I never watch Dawson's Creek though. I assume she was not a likeable character there either? *g*

Oh, see, that would have really bothered me that we missed the canon thing if this wasn't already AU. I'm not fussed, as it is, but yes, I can go along with Dave being scheming... for some undetermined reason. LOL

[shinealightonme]

Actually, as far as Dawson's Creek characters go, she wasn't too bad. It's just that I hate that show SO MUCH, yet had it inflicted upon me for years by my sister. *shudders* Dawson was...intolerable. One of my least favorite fictional characters, from anything, ever. That's why I'm still a little amazed, sometimes, by how much I love Hankel *hugs poor abused psychopath*

[ivy-b.livejournal.com]

Great update! I'm glad we're up to the present (well last season). It's great seeing the two trying to figure where they stand with each other out again, trying to see if they're even the same person and have the same feelings. I'm also glad Aaron told Rossi about Haley cheating and opened up about his issues, it's a step in the right direction. I'm interested in seeing where you take this. Oh and how much do I love that Gideon sent Rossi the note about Hotch? I was kinda mad when Gideon left the show and only left Reid a note. Hello- what about Hotch? *end of rant*

Can I have Hotch in jeans and a T-shirt for a prezzie? Not fair that Rossi gets THAT all to himself.

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

I think the note in this fic put a tiny Bandaid on the not saying goodbye to Hotch think for me, but I still want to hug Hotch lots.

Can I have Hotch in jeans and a T-shirt for a prezzie?

NO KIDDING!

Thank you!

[darkhawkhealer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had to sleep for about seven hours right after I left my last review. Something about the way the words kept blurring on the screen told me it may have been time for bed. =P

I like where this is heading. I like where Dave's at; wanting to push but not too hard. *snerk* Hiking. Lucky Aaron was up for it. *amused*

Aaron...I don't know what to say about him. He's still the same battered and bruised man that we've seen, which I like. I like that Dave is seeing how Aaron has evolved, and is prepared to deal with that as it stands.

I would have Gibbs-slapped Aaron for making that 'no partners on a team' comment, because obviously that's not where Dave was heading with that.

[innerslytherin]

Gibbs-slapped Aaron? Awww. Poor w00bie, I just want to snuggle him, myself. :D

He's still the same battered and bruised man that we've seen, which I like.

This is a very good description of him. He really has been battered by life, and I think it's hard for him to accept that he's allowed to be happy.

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

When Dave suggested hiking, I was like "Hiking + Aaron Hotchner = Funneh FTW." :DDD