Fanfic: Let's Talk (Hotch, Rossi, Gideon)
Title: Let's Talk.
Author: hotch_fan
Rating: FRT.
Characters: Aaron Hotchner, David Rossi, Jason Gideon.
Disclaimer: I don't owe Criminal Minds or any of its characters.
Spoilers: Set post 5x09 "100"
Summary: Eight months after Haley's death, Gideon come back to see how Hotch is doing. What he don't expect was to find David Rossi. [NO SLASH]
Notes: Thanks to nebula2 &
joey112 for the beta.
*****
"Absence blots people out. We really have no absent friends." - Ambrose Bierce.
The team had just returned from Seattle, after resolving a long and difficult case so Hotch decided gave them the weekend off. It seemed the team wouldn't solve the case quickly, so Jessica had took Jack to visit his grandparents.
Hotch could have gone to Georgia, where Mr. and Mrs. Brooks lived, but the truth was that after Haley's death, him and Haley's parents got along just fine.
Dave, knowing Hotch would be alone and surely working, had invited himself to Hotch's apartment on Saturday afternoon.
It was around 4:00 p.m. and they were in the living room watching a football game, eating pizza and drinking a few beers. Enjoying the little free time they had.
"Hey, you want another beer?" Dave asked, looking at the both empty bottles.
"Sure," Hotch replied after a moment. He didn't drink alcohol often, but it was just one more beer so it was not a problem.
Just as Dave got off the couch, there was a knock at the door.
"Waiting for someone?" Dave teased, as he walked toward the kitchen.
"No." Hotch said frowning as he went to open the door.
When Hotch opened the door, he saw someone he never thought to see again. Never. Standing in front of him. Staring back at him and looking almost the same way that the last time he had seen him. Three years ago. He opened his mouth to say something, anything. But nothing came.
"Aaron," The man said with a small smile on his lips.
This seemed to bring Hotch out of his shock. "Jason," was all it came out of his mouth, as a whisper.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here; The Great Jason Gideon. But tell us; to what do we owe the honor of your visit?" Dave said sarcastically, when he got to the door, next to Hotch.
"Dave? What are you doing here?" Gideon said astonished. He hadn't been expected to see David Rossi, Mr. Ego again, let alone here at Hotch's apartment. While it was true Dave and Hotch had always gotten along much better than himself and Dave had, he definitely hadn't been expecting find his former coworker here.
Dave shrugged, "Just came to see a friend, but what about you? What are you doing here? I mean, if I remember correctly you just left, without speaking to anyone, without even saying goodbye. You just disappeared. So why did you come back?"
Gideon sighed deeply; remembering why he and David Rossi had never gotten along, and how much he hated when Dave acted so smug. "I heard what happened to Haley and I... I wanted to know how you were doing." He said, focusing all his attention on Hotch.
Hotch couldn't help but blink at the mention of Haley's name, but other than that he didn't show any reaction. There were so many things he wanted to say, things he had wanted to say to the other man from the moment Spencer had told them about the letter and Gideon' departure, but the words wouldn't come out, they just wouldn't. So, he just stood there, looking at Gideon.
"So what? You hear what happened and thought he needed the help of the great Jason Gideon?" Dave shouted.
"Do you want to come in?" Hotch said quietly to Gideon.
"What? Are you really going to talk to him? After the way he left?" Dave said incredulously to Hotch, without looking away from Gideon.
Hotch don't said anything. He just fixed Dave with one of his famous glares, leaving no room for argument.
Gideon and Hotch went toward the dining area while Dave stayed in the living room. Close enough to hear what they said, but far enough to give the illusion of privacy.
Once both were sitting, Gideon took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about what happened. I wanted to come as soon as I heard but... I wasn't sure if it was a good idea." The only answer he got was a snort from Dave. Gideon looked where he was, annoyance written over his face, but Dave had his back to him, so he just took another deep breath and looked back at Hotch.
"How is Jack doing?"
"He's as good as could be expected. He's just getting used to living with me again," Hotch said quickly, catching a bit too late the last part, knowing Gideon wouldn't have missed and it would only bring more questions he curse himself for saying it.
"What do you mean he's getting used to living with you?" Gideon said with a confused look on his face.
"Haley and I were divorced. Jack lived with her." Hotch replied tensely.
"When-... I'm sorry" Gideon said uncomfortable. "And where is Jack now?"
"Jessica, Haley's sister took him to see his grandparents for a couple of days." Hotch replied.
"And how are you?" Gideon asked looking directly at Hotch.
Before Hotch could answer, Dave, who had been listening, stood up and walked towards them. "Don't tell me you care, because if you really did, you would have come back after Foyet attacked him in his own apartment. Or at least would have come to Haley's funeral" Dave said angrily.
"Dave that's enough," Hotch pinched the bridge of his nose. Dave crossed his arms over his chest, but showed no sign of returning to the living room.
Hotch sighed at Dave's attitude, but looked back at Gideon. "I'm fine. Jessica and all the team have been here all the time; supporting us both, Jack and me."
When Hotch said The Team, Gideon looked down at his hands that were in his lap. "How are they, The Team?"
Dave snorted, but Hotch glared at him, so he doesn't say anything.
"They are good. All of them have passed through hard times, but have come through it stronger." Hotch replied simply. He wasn't going to tell him about Penelope and Spencer being shot or that JJ had a son now, he had no right to be asking about people he had left behind. The only reason he had let Gideon in and was talking with him was because he had been his friend and mentor. Otherwise, he would have closed the door on his face without hesitation.
"And Spencer?" Gideon asked hopefully.
Dave knew Gideon's departure had been difficult for the whole team, but especially for Reid. Hotch had tell him about the relationship Spencer and Jason had. They were like father and son, so Gideon had left Reid a letter before disappearing. He was not sure if it had been better or worse.
Dave remembered when he joined the team. Reid was approaching him as a fan. Talking endlessly about cases in which Dave had worked and his books. But he never had talk about something personal. He was trying to put some distance between them, and Dave knew why.
And now Jason was here. Asking about Aaron, Spencer, the team; he was feeling a strong desire to beat up the man. Because this was not just a team. It was a family. And as such you couldn't just disappear without a warning and come back years later and act as if nothing had happened. He was brought out of his thoughts when Hotch replied.
"He is fine. He had to face some problems, but has gotten through becoming a better and stronger person. If you're going to be in town for a few more days you should go and visit him. He's still living in the same apartment. Maybe it would be good for both of you to talk." Hotch said sincerely.
Gideon nodded slightly, "I have to go now, just wanted to make sure you were doing okay." Gideon said standing up.
Hotch nodded standing up too.
"Well you shouldn't worry. Everyone and everything is fine. You want me to show you the way out?" Dave said gesturing toward the door.
"Dave, as always a pleasure to see you," Gideon replied forcing a smile.
"I know. I can imagine how sad you got after I leave the BAU." Dave replied smiling.
This time Hotch didn't intervene in the exchange. He just stood here, listening. They had always been like that, he remembered, ever since his first day in the BAU; both always pointing each other mistakes and insecurities. It was like that for over 4 years until Dave had retired. 4 years of sharp words and sarcasm between them, with him always in the middle.
"I just came to see how you were doing," Gideon said, looking at Hotch's eyes. "I'm glad you and Jack are ok."
"Thank you," Hotch said quietly.
And just like that Gideon was gone.
Hotch turned looking at Dave, "What was all that about?"
Dave just shrugged casually and answered as he went to the kitchen again.
"Just two friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time talking."
"Yeah, sure," Hotch said smiling at him. He took a deep breath. "I never thought I would see him again," he said sitting down on the couch.
"I'm surprised he came back at all, with what you said and the way he left I thought he just wanted to get as far away as possible and not look back," Dave said, giving Hotch a beer before sit down.
"I had thought the same," Hotch shook his head. "I don't know how I feel about seeing him again. I mean, I'm glad he seems okay and found the peace he was looking for. But I'm angry too. I still feel betrayed and now he just appeared as if nothing had happened, not even saying anything about the way he left." He said rubbing a hand over his face.
"I know. But we both know Jason and he have never found easy apologize or ask forgiveness, though I'm not sure if I should say something about it. After all, you know me too well." Dave said, trying to light a little the moment.
He cleared his throat. "So, I think we still can catch the end of the game."
Hotch rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but allowed himself a brief smile when Dave turned on the TV.
"Everyone is a friend, until they prove otherwise." - Anonymous.
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