You joined the team about a year after Haley’s death.

After Foyet, Hotch grew even more cold. Closed off. Reserved. Hardly ever smiled.

The entire team had noticed it.

And they understood. It made sense that the tragedy left him scarred.

But then, Hotch met you.

Hired you.

Grew close to you.

It didn’t take a profiler to see his affections. And yet even so, you were completely oblivious.

Hotch was softer with you, gentler. He joked around with you more. And pretty much everybody had picked up on the lingering glances and the frequent physical contact between the two of you.

Today, you visited his apartment for the first time. Which in turn, meant meeting his son Jack for the first time.

You knelt down to shake his hand, a smile on your face.

You were good with kids…

Every single thing you did just made you more and more attractive to him.

“My dad talks about you a lot.” Jack said, causing Hotch’s eyes to widen a bit.

“Jack, I think that’s enough, buddy…” He muttered, his voice a bit shakier than usual.