#hotchners

*Aaron’s POV*

I hated undercover work. It wasn’t because I couldn’t do it, I could, too well, actually. I could slip into roles with the same controlled precision I used everywhere else in my life. Calm voice, measured posture, unreadable face, I understood how to disappear into a character and make people trust me. But I hated the lack of control. Hated relying on variables. Hated not having immediate backup. And most of all, I hated undercover work when Y/N was involved. Which was unfortunate, considering Special Agent Y/N Y/L/N was one of the best undercover operatives the FBI had ever produced. 

“She’s our best chance at getting close to him.” Strauss said from the front of the conference room. 

My jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Around the table, the BAu exchanged looks while Y/N leaned back in her chair, looking annoyingly calm. The case file spread across the table showed photos of bruised women, warehouse exteriors, crime scene shorts, and surveillance stills. Three women dead. Two missing. All connected to an underground trafficking ring operating across Virginia and Maryland. The unsub, Elias Vance, targeted vulnerable women through fake modeling and hostess opportunities before auctioning them through private parties attended by wealthy clients. We finally got a break when Y/N’s unit traced one of Vance’s recruiters, which had led directly here. 

“To get into the parties, we need a believable buyer profile and someone Vance would view as valuable inventory.” Strauss continued. 

Reid grimaced slightly. Morgan muttered a curse under his breath. I already knew where this conversation was going. 

“I can get in as the buyer.” I said immediately. 

Y/N’s eyes flicked toward me briefly. 

“And me?” She asked knowingly. 

Strauss nodded. 

“You’ll pose as his wife.” 

I felt every muscle in my body tense because this was it, the exact reason I hated this. Not the danger to myself, but for her. Always her. Y/N specialized in deep undercover work because she was terrifyingly good at adapting. She could become anyone. Slip into personalities so convincingly that it unsettled people who knew her. But that also meant she usually got close to monsters. Too close. 

“She shouldn’t go in alone.” I said flatly. 

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “I appreciate the caveman routine, Aaron, but I do know how to do my job.” 

Emily immediately looked between us. 

“Oh, this is personal personal. 

Morgan leaned back slowly. “Wait a minute…” 

Garcia’s mouth dropped open. “You two are dating!?” 

Y/N sighed dramatically. “Wonderful… Great timing.” 

Reid blinked rapidly at me. “Statistically speaking, I should’ve noticed that sooner.” 

“Well cats outta the bag.” Dave said with a smirk. 

I ignored all of them, eyes fixed on Strauss instead. 

“She goes in with backup.”

“I already said you’re the backup.’ Strauss replied calmly. 

Y/N crossed one leg over the other, infuriatingly composed. “We’ve done couples covers before.” 

“Yes.” I said tightly. “With agents trained specifically for undercover support.” 

“And you think I can’t handle it?” 

“That’s not what I said.” 

“It’s what you implied.” 

The tension between us sharpened instantly. The room had gone awkwardly quiet because everyone could tell this wasn’t really about professionalism anymore. This was fear. I finally exhaled slowly through my nose. 

“What’s the cover?” 

Strauss slid a folder toward us. 

“Johnathan and Elise Mercer. Wealthy East Coast investors. Married six years.” 

Y/N opened the file, then smirked faintly. 

“Oh, this is fun.” 

I stared at her. 

“How is any of this fun?” 

She looked up innocently. “Fake marriage? Fancy clothes? Crime rings? It’s like a very stressful date night.” 

Morgan barked a laugh. 

I did not look amused. Y/N’s expression softened slightly as she noticed. 

“Aaron.” 

No response. 

“Aaron.” 

Finally, I looked at her. Her voice gentled just slightly. 

“I know what I’m doing.” 

And logically? I knew that too. Y/N had spent years undercover. She survived operations most agents never would’ve walked away from. But loving someone changed the math of fear. Because now every risk felt personal. 

Three nights later, I stood in front of a hotel mirror adjusting cufflinks while Y/N applied lipstick behind me. The suit was expensive enough to fit our cover story perfectly. Soft jazz drifted through hidden speakers while city lights glowed outside massive windows. Y/N looked devastating, which was part of the problem. The black dress she wore was elegant enough to blend into wealthy circles while still designed to attract attention. Her hair fell in soft waves over bare shoulders, and every movement radiated confidence. She looked like someone born for high society manipulation. I hated how well she fit into this world. 

“You’re staring.” Y/N observed casually. 

“You look like bait.” 

“That’s because I am bait.” 

My jaw tightened. Y/N met my eyes in the mirror and sighed softly. 

“You glower more when you’re worried.” 

“I’m not worried.” 

“Right.” 

She walked toward me then, heels clicking softly against hardwood floors. 

“Aaron.” 

Her hands smoothed lightly over the front of my suit jacket. 

“You know what your biggest undercover problem is?” 

I looked down at her. 

“What?” 

“You care too much.” 

“I’d argue that’s not a flaw.” 

“It is in undercover work.” 

Her fingers adjusted my tie gently. 

“You hesitated when emotions get involved.” 

“And you don’t?” 

Y/N smiled faintly. 

“No, I compartmentalize.” 

That answer bothered me more than it should have. Before I could respond, her expression shifted back into mission mode. 

“Okay.” She said professionally. “Once we’re inside, stay close but not protective. Jonathan Mercer is rich, arrogant, and used to control. Elise is decorative but intelligent enough to be useful.” 

I nodded slightly. 

“You’ll handle most conversation initially.” She continued. “Vance likes women, but he respects money more.” 

“And if he separates us?” 

Y/N’s eyes darkened slightly. 

“Then you trust me to handle myself.” 

Easier said than done. A comms tech’s voice crackled quietly through the hidden earpiece. 

“Vehicles are in position.” 

Y/N stepped back slightly, and just like that, she transformed. The softness vanished from her face entirely. Her posture shifted, her smile became sharper, colder, polished into something wealthy and untouchable. Elise Mercer. I watched it happen in real time and understood again why Y/N was so good at this. It was almost frightening. 

She glanced up at me expectantly. “You coming, darling?” 

Even her voice had changed. I forced myself into character too. One hand settled against the small of her back naturally as we headed for the door. 

“After you.” 

The party took place inside a sprawling private estate nearly an hour outside Quantico. Luxury cars lined the circular driveway while wealthy guests drifted through the mansion laughing softly over champagne. At first glance, it looked normal. Elegant. Refined. But I could see the cracks immediately. Too much security. Too many locked doors. Women moving carefully through the crowd with trained smiles and empty eyes. Predators hiding behind expensive suits. Y/N leaned subtly against me as we entered. 

“Vance is near the bar.” She murmured quietly enough that only I could hear. I spooted him instantly. Mid-forties. Expensive watch. Predatory smile. Eyes that lingered too long on women. Vance noticed us approaching and smiled broadly. 

“Jonathan Mercer.” He greeted warmly, extending a hand. “Glad you could make it.” 

I shook it firmly. 

“Wouldn’t miss it.” 

Vance’s attention shifted immediately to Y/N. And stayed there. I felt something ugly twist sharply in my chest. 

“Elise.” Vance said smoothly. 

Y/N smiled perfectly. 

“Elias.” The way she said it sounded flirtatious enough to sell the coer while still controlled. Professional. But I still hated it. Vance gestured toward the ballroom. 

“Enjoy yourselves. We’ll discuss business later.” 

Y/N’s hand slid naturally around my arm as we walked away. 

“Relax your shoulders.” She murmured. 

“I’m relaxed.” 

“You look like you want to kill him.” 

“Maybe I do.” 

Y/N hid a smile behind her champagne glass. 

“That’s actually kind of sweet.” 

Hours passed slowly. Too slowly. I stayed hyperaware of everything around us while Y/N moved effortlessly through conversations, collecting information without appearing obvious. She danced with me once to maintain appearances, and for one brief, dangerous moment, it almost felt real. The ballroom glowed gold beneath chandeliers while soft music drifted through the room. Y/N’s body moved perfectly against mine, close enough that I could smell her perfume. Close enough that her voice brushed warm against my ear. 

“You’re overthinking again.” 

“This entire operation is overthinking.” 

“Aaron.” Her hand squeezed my shoulder lightly. 

“I’m okay.” 

I looked down at her. 

“You always say that.” 

“Because I usually am.” 

The song ended too quickly, then everything went wrong. It happened during a private conversation with Vance near the balcony. Y/N had been steering him carefully toward discussing shipment locations while I played the role of detached husband. And I made one mistake. One tiny mistake… 

Vance casually mentioned a previous trafficking investigation in Chicago, and without thinking, I responded too quickly. Too professionally. Just one phrase. One detail only law enforcement would’ve focused on. But it was enough. Y/N noticed immediately. Her eyes flicked sharply toward me. Warning. Too late. Vance’s smile changed instantly. Not visibly to most people, but enough. Predatory suspicion sharpened in his face. I felt cold realization settle heavily in my stomach. Damn it… 

Vance leaned back slowly. “You know,” He said conversationally. “you two are very interesting.” 

Y/N laughed softly, perfectly in character. “That’s usually considered a compliment.” 

“I don’t think you’re who you say you are.” 

The room suddenly felt much smaller. My hand twitched slightly toward the concealed weapon at my back. Three armed guards appeared almost immediately. Fast. Organized. Y/N’s voice stayed clam. 

“If you’re going to accuse us of something, Elias, at least be entertaining about it.” 

Vance smiled, then punched me hard across the face. Chaos exploded instantly. I lunged forward automatically, but multiple guards grabbed me before I could reach Vance. Y/N fought too. Violently. A guard grabbed her arm, and she slammed an elbow into his throat hard enough to drop him. Another caught her from behind. 

“Enough.” Vance snapped coldly. 

A gun pressed against Y/N’s ribs immediately. I froze, and Vance smiled because he noticed. 

“There it is.” He said softly. “That’s real.” 

Fear. 

My fear for her had exposed us completely. Y/N looked at me briefly. Not angry. Worse… Understanding. 

“Bind them.” Vance ordered. 

The warehouse smelled like blood and rust. I sat tied to a metal chair, wrists burning against restraints while bruises darkened across my face. Twenty feet away, Y/N was restrained the same way, only she looked worse. Much worse. Blood streaked from a split lip, one eye swollen slightly, her breathing uneven, and every injury was my fault. Vance paced slowly between us. 

“You know, I almost believed your cover.” He mused casually. 

Y/N spat blood at his shoes. 

“Then you’re dumber than you look.” 

One of the guards hit her hard across the face instantly. I surged violently against the restraints. 

“Don’t touch her!” 

Vance smiled. 

“There’s the problem.” He crouched in front of me calmly. “You love her too much for undercover work.” 

My jaw clenched painfully. Across the room, Y/N lifted her head slightly despite ovvious pain. 

“Aaron.” She said quietly. A warning. Don’t react. Too late for that. Vance stood again. 

“I was military intelligence once.” He explained conversationally. “People always think undercover work is about lies.” He glanced toward Y/N. “It isn’t. It’s about emotional control.” 

His gaze shifted back to me. 

“And you lost yours.” 

The guilt hit like a physical blow, because he was right. Y/N caught my eyes again and shook her head almost imperceptibly. Don’t. Don’t blame yourself right now. But how could I not? A guard suddenly grabbed Y/N’s hair harshly, yanking her head back. I saw red instantly. 

“STOP!” 

Vance ignored me completly. 

“You,” He said to Y/N. “are very good.” 

Y/N smiled weakly despite everything. “I know.” 

Another hit landed across her ribs hard enough to make her gasp sharply. I nearly broke the chair struggling against restraints. 

“Enough!” I roared. 

Vance crouched beside Y/N now. 

“And you trained him badly.” 

Y/N laughed faintly through blood. 

“That one’s on me.” 

God… 

Even now she was trying to protect me emotionally. I felt sick. Minutes blurred together horribly after that. Questions. Threats. Violence. Mostly directed at Y/N because Vance had correctly identified her as the more experienced operative. And I had to sit there helplessly watching it happen. Every instinct screamed to protect her. Every second I couldn’t felt unbearable. At one point, Y/N couched hard enough that blood stained the floor beneath her chair. My entire body went cold. 

“Y/N.” 

She lifted her head slowly, still conscious. Barely. 

“I’m okay.” She whispered hoarsely. 

The lie nearly destroyed me. 

Vance laughed softly nearby. “She says that a lot, doesn’t she?” 

I glared murderously at him. “You’re dead.” 

“Probably.” Vance admitted calmly. “But not before you watch her suffer for your mistake.” 

The words hit exactly where intended, because they were true. I had compromised the operation. I had gotten them caught… And Y/N was paying for it. 

Hours seemed to pass, maybe less, maybe more. I lost track completely after the third time Y/N nearly blacked out. Then suddenly, gunshots echoed outside the warehouse. Everyone froze. Vance cursed sharply. More gunfire erupted immediately after. FBI. Relief hit so hard it almost hurt. Chaos exploded around us as shouting filled the warehouse. The doors burst open. 

“FBI!” 

Morgan. 

Emily. 

SWAT flooded the building fast and brutal. 

Guards dropped rapidly under tactical fire while agents cleared rooms with practiced precision. Vance reached for Y/N instinctively, using her as leverage. Bit mistake. I slammed my chair sideways hard enough to knock one guard off balance, creating just enough distraction. A sniper shot rang out. Vance dropped instantly. Then suddenly Emily was beside me, cutting restraints, while Morgan rushed toward Y/N. The second I was free, I was moving. Straight to her. Y/N barely looked conscious now. Her head hung forward slightly while blood streaked down her temple and across her neck. 

“Y/N.” My voice broke. God… 

Her eyes fluttered open weakly at the sound. “Aaron?” 

I dropped to my knees in front of her while Morgan cut the restraints. 

“I’m here.” 

The moment she was free, Y/N nearly collapsed forward. I caught her immediately, carefully. Terrified of hurting her worse. 

“I’m sorry.” I said instantly, voice rough with panic and guilt. 

“Y/N, I’m so sorry.” 

Her breathing hitched painfully. 

“Aaron-” 

“This is my fault.” 

“No.” 

“Yes.” I choked out. “I compromised the cover. I got you hurt.” 

Y/N somehow managed a weak crooked smile despite blood on her teeth. Then, very softly, 

“You’re still a rookie at undercover.” She whispered. “Don’t worry.” 

I laughed one helplessly. Half broken, half relieved, because even barely conscious and covered in bruises, she was still trying to make me feel better. Paramedics rushed in around us. Someone said her name. Someone mentioned internal bleeding. I barely heard any of it. All I could focus on was keeping her awake. 

“Stay were me.” I murmured urgently, brushing blood-matted hair back from her face. 

“Y/N, look at me.” 

Her eyes struggled to focus. 

“Tired…” 

“I know.” 

“Hurts…” 

That nearly killed me, because Y/N rarely admitted pain out loud. I pressed my forehead briefly against hers. 

“I’ve got you.” 

Her hand weakly found my wrist. 

“You okay?” 

The question stunned me speechless for half a second. She was barely holding consciousness together and still worried about me. 

“I’m fine.” He whispered. 

She gave me the faintest look, clearly not believing that. Then her eyes slipped shut again. 

“Y/N.” Panic surged immediately. 

A medic knelt beside them quickly. “Sir, we need to move her now.” 

I nodded numbly but didn’t let go until they physically had to separate us. And even then, I stayed beside the stretcher the entire way to the ambulance, blood staining my suit while guilt hollowed me out from the inside. Because all I could see every time I closed my eyes was Y/N tied to that chair because of me. And all I could hear was her teasing voice afterward anyway. You’re still a rookie at undercover. Don’t worry. God… I loved her so much it hurt. 

My older brother Aaron was a big time FBI agent. I also worked for the FBI, but I was in a different area then him. I worked with trying to find children, but I was trained in profiling, Aaron made sure of that. Currently someone was after the team, specifically my brother. If he was after my brother that means he was after me as well. They brought me in on the investigation. 

“Alright, what do we got?” I asked walking into the round room. 

“What are you doing here?” Aaron asked. 

“I was brought in, this guy’s after you which means he’s after me.” I said. 

“I know, but you should be in protection.” He said and I shrugged. 

“You and I both know I would be more useful here.” I said and he sighed. 

“So what do we have?” I asked. 

“We just got approved to go to Foyet’s hideout. We found him.” Rossi said. 

“Great, let’s get this fucker.” I said and walked out of the room. 

We were in the building across the street watching for any movement in Foyet’s apartment. There was nothing. It was annoying, but we needed to wait for Morgan’s call. 

“Swt’s getting antsy.” JJ said coming up to us. 

“I’ll tell them when it’s time to go. Right now we sit tight. Let them know.” Morgan responded and JJ walked back over to them. 

“These guys are trained to move, not just sit around. I can’t really say that I blame them.” He said. 

“He might not even be there anymore.” Spencer said. 

“I know and the longer we sit here, the further away he gets.” Morgan said. 

“You make the best clal you can, kid.” Rossi said. 

“I say we go in.” I said. 

“It could be a trap.” Spencer said. 

“Yeah, but like Morgan said. The longer we sit here the further away he gets.” I said. 

“Alright, this is what we’re gonna do. We’ll send someone with a camera to look under the door and see if he’s there. Undercover.” He said and we nodded. 

“Better than doing nothing.” I said and texted my brother the plan. Him and Emily came up to watch. 

“You getting the signal?” The undercover agent asked. 

“Copy.” Morgan said. 

“No warm bodies. Looks like a kitchen table, chair.” 

“Is that a laptop on the table?” Spencer asked. 

“It could be useful.” Emily said. 

“Is that food?” Morgan asked. 

“Get closer to that.” Rossi said. 

“Wait, go back. What’s that on the floor?” Aaron asked. 

“It’s his mail.” I said. 

“Yeah.” Aaron said and pulled his gun out. We all followed and rushed to the apartment. Swat broke down the door and we rushed inside. 

“What happened?” Emily asked. 

“He’s not coming back here. He left an untouched meal.” Aaron said. 

“You drop your mail like this when you’re startled, when you need to get out of dodge quick.” Rossi said. 

“So something tipped him off. He knew we were coming.” I said. 

“Suitcases are open, some clothes are missing. There’s a safe with a stash of guns in it.” Morgan said. 

“He didn’t even bother to lock them up again.” JJ said. 

“If he’s in a hurry, he’ll make a mistake.” Rossi said. 

“Yeah, but when Foyet gets cornered, he starts killing.” Aaron said and walked off. 

“We’re not gonna let that happen.” Morgan said. 

“We need to get Garcia on this.” Emily said looking at the laptop.

“I’ll talk to my brother.” I said and followed him into the other room. 

“He’s ahead of us…” He said. 

“I know, but you need to focus. Don’t let him get into your head.” I said and he sighed. 

“He’s already in it.” He said and I sighed. 

“Aaron, you’re strong and with two Hotchner’s on this case, We’ll catch him.” I said and he turned to face me. 

“You shouldn’t be on this case at all.” He said and I rolled my eyes.

“You really thought I would be okay with just being on the sidelines with some psycho after my family?” I asked and he sighed. 

“You should know me better than that by now Aaron.” I said and he nodded. 

“I do know you, that’s why you should be in protection.” He said and I shurgged. 

“Well not gonna happen, so get over it.” I said with a smirk and he rolled his eyes. 

“Guys! We got something!” Morgan called and we walked back into the room. 

“He is creepy good.” Garcia said. 

“How good?” Spencer asked. 

“He wiped his hard drive. Might have been in a hurry to leave, but whatever was on there, he did not want us to see it.” She answered. 

“Garcia, tell me that you’re hacked in and that you can rebuild it.” Morgan said. 

“Whatch me work, darling.” She said. 

“Hello.” She said after a moment. 

“What have you got?” Aaron asked. 

“Um, he had an internet alarm on the name Peter Rhea. it alerted him as soon as we ran a check on it.” Garcia said. 

“What else did he wipe?” I asked and pictures started flashing on the screen. 

“Garcia, wait a minute. Freeze it right there.” Morgan said and she did. 

“Oh my God, isn’t that-” JJ cut herself off. 

“That’s the U.S. Marshal assigned to my family.” Aaron said pulling out his phone. 

“Foyet’s been watching him this whole time?” Emily asked. 

“Sam, it’s Aaron. We found Foyet’s location, but he has surveillance photos of you. Call me for a meet location or we’re on our way to you.” He said and hung up. 

“We’re gonna need to deploy another Swat unit.” Morgan said. 

“That’s gonna take another half hour.” JJ said. My brother turned and left the room. 

“Hotch?” Rossi called. 

“Go. Go!” Morgan said. We followed him out. We rushed to the Marshall’s house and Rossi and Hotch went in first. We followed behind. 

“I tried. I’m sorry.” He said.

“What are you sorry for?” Aaron asked. 

“I… I tried.” He said again. 

“Are Jack and Haley safe?” My brother asked. Sam just started breathing havily. 

“Sam, tell me what happened.” He begged. 

“I don’t know how he got in...” Sam said. 

“I need to understand. Does he know where Jack and Haley are?” He asked. 

“I didn’t…” Sam said. 

“What about her phone number? What her safe phone number?” He asked. 

“I didn’t… It won’t matter. ” Sam said. 

“I- It tried, Hotch.” Sam said and the paramedics came. My brother got in the back with them and that was it. My brother called Morgan and told us what was happening. My brother had a car and he knew a location, you didn’t need to be a profiler to know what was happening next. 

“Hotch is calling Foyet.” Garcia said. 

“Damn it Aaron!” I said shaking my head. Garcia put the call on speaker and he was telling him his life story. We were listening in to hear what he was doing. The called ended and we didn’t know where he was, yet. 

“Alright, Foyet has to be in control. He had Haley come to him.” Morgan said. 

“Yeah, but where would he take her?” Spencer asked. 

“He’d want Hotch to find him, to see where he was, to see what he did.” JJ said. 

“Which means he-”

“He said something on that call that tells hotch where to go.” Rossi said cutting Emily off. 

“Reid, what did he say exactly?” Morgan asked. 

“”Haley’s hair looks good dark. She’s lost some weight. It must be because of all the stress you caused her. Where’s the little man? Oh, there he is now. Do you think he likes Captain America because of you? That’s your wife on the other line. Hold, please. 

“Hi. Open the gate and I’ll drive in.” Spencer said quickly. 

“Open the gate?” Rossi said. 

“It would be someplace with the biggest emotional impact for Hotch.” Emily said. 

“And Haley has access to the gate.” Morgan said. 

“He took them to their house. When they lived together.” I said realizing where they were. 

“Of course. Foyet planned this all the way to the end. It’s everything to him.” Emily said. 

“We don’t have time to talk, we need to go.” I said already on my way out. I had my phone out calling my brother. 

“Y/N.” He answered. 

“He’s going to your house.” I said. 

“I know.” He said. 

“Morgan is sending out a full tactical deployment.” I said. 

“Good.” He said. 

“We’re on our way. Don’t do anything stupid big bro.” I said and he hung up. 

“Foyet’s calling Hotch.” Garcia said. 

“Garcia, can you get us on?” Morgan asked. 

“Foyet.” Aaron answered. 

“Aaron?” Haley’s voice rang through. 

“You’re okay?” She asked. 

“I’m fine.” He answered. 

“But… He said that… Oh Aaron.” She said. 

“He can hear us, right?” He asked. 

“Yes. I am so sorry.” She said. 

“Haley, show him no weakness, no fear.” He said. 

“I know. Sam told me all about him. Is he, uh…”

“No, Sam is fine.” Aaron said cutting her off. 

“Aaron, Aaron, Aaron. Is that why your marriage broke up, because you’re a liar?” Foyet asked. 

“Don’t listen to him, Haley.” My brother said. 

“I have Sam’s service phone right here. They sent out a mass text about his death. You can take a look if you want.” Foyet said. 

“He’s trying to scare you.” Aaron said. 

“Did you even tell her what this was about? About the deal?” Foyet asked and I looked at the team confused. 

“He’s just trying to make you angry.” Aaron said. 

“Well, she should be. She’s gonna… D-I-E because of your inflated ego.” Foyet said. 

“Ignore him, Haley.” Aaron said. 

“I’m sure you don’t want her to know this part either. You know, all he had to do was stop looking for me and you wouldn’t be in this mess.” Foyet said. 

“Don’t react.” Aaron said. 

“What is he talking about?” Haley asked. 

“Tell Jack I need him working the case.” Aaron said. 

“What?” She asked. 

“Tell Jack I need him working the case.” He repeated. 

“Jack. Did you hear that?” She asked. 

“Hi, Daddy.” Jack’s voice came through the phone and I felt my heart clench. 

“Hi, buddy.” My brother said choked up. 

“Is George a bad guy?” Jack asked. 

“Yes, he is. Jack, I need you on this case with me. Do you understand? I need you to work the case with me.” Aaron said. 

“Okay, Daddy.” He said and my eyes started watering. 

“Jack, hug your mom for me.” Aaron said.  

“Mommy hug me too tight.” He said. 

“I’m sorry.” She siad. 

“Why are you sad?” He asked. 

“Oh, I just love you so much.” She said. 

“Mommy, I gotta go. I’m working the case.” He said.

“Okay.” She said. 

“He’s so cute. He’s like a little juniot G-man. I’ll be right up, Jackie boy!” Foyet shouted.  

“Is he gone?” Aaron asked. 

“Yes.” She said.

“You’re so strong, Haley. You’re stronger than I ever was.” He said. 

“You’ll hurry, right?” She asked. 

“I know you didn’t sign on for this.” He said. 

“Neither did you.” She said. 

“I’m sorry for everything.” He said. 

“Promise me that you will tell him how we met and how you used to make me laugh.” She said. 

“Haley…” He said. 

“He needs to know that you weren’t always so serious, Aaron. I want him to believe in love, becuase it is the most important thing. But you need to show him. Promise me.” She said. 

“I promise.” He said. I was already in tears, but when I heard those three gunshot go off I broke. We were in the dark now. It was only my brother that could actually do anything… By the time we go there Aaron was beating the shit out of Foyet. Morgan pulled him off him and he was dead. He ran off and I followed him. He ran to his office and opened up a chest that was next to his dead. 

“I work the case Daddy, just like you said.” Jack said and I felt relief flud my vein. 

“You did a great job, buddy.” He said. 

“What happened to you, Daddy?” Jack asked. 

“I’m okay. I want you to go outside with Aunt Y/N okay?” He said and gently pushed him my way. 

“Aunt Y/N!” He said and ran to me. 

“Hey buddy.” I said picking him up. 

“Is Daddy okay?” He asked. 

“Daddy is gonna be fine, how about we go outside and draw. You wanna draw?” I asked. 

“Yeah!” He said with a smile. 

The next day I was brought in to talk about my brother. 

“Do you think Agent Hotchner was in the right mind set?” Strauss asked. 

“No my brother was not in the right mind set. His family was in danger and he would do anything to save them. If he didn’t kill Foyet, I would have.” I said and she looked at me. 

“You would have killed him?” She asked. 

“He was after my family too.” I said and she nodded. 

“That’s all we need to know.” She said and I nodded. I left and I went into the round table room where everyone was watching Jack. I smiled at him smiling, he still didn’t really know what was happening…