Undercover Love

There

He could seat, just like this, and watch the sky for hours.

Jessica had stopped by two days ago and dropped Jack off. The boy had been so excited he could hardly get a sensible sentence out.

Emily left later that day.

"Daddy?" Even though his age of seven makes him believe that he's to old for affection, Jack allowed himself the comfort of his father.

"What is it buddy?" Hotch rest his chin a top Jack's head.

Jack tucks his hand under his father's arm," when George killed mommy... He made me play hide and seek."

The sun delivering sweet warm kisses to their skin is hastily forgotten," he what?"

Jack turns his head so that it's safety tucked into his father's ribs," he said to go hide and he would come find me... except... I hide under my bed."

A pressure seats itself in Hotch's chest," you... you mean you didn't go to my office first?"

He thought he made sense. Thought his son understood clearly.

"No," Jack answers closing his eyes and turning away. "He found me, told me that I was to big for silly mistakes like that but that I could be forgiven. He helped me up and told me to hide again."

Hotch doesn't look down at his son, as if by avoiding eye contact the news isn't real," but you went to my office then? Right?"

Jack nods afraid to voice his answer.

"He didn't hurt you?" His voice breaks and he's terrified that Jack might say yes.

"No." Jack feels like he's failed his father. He should have told him sooner.

Hotch nods and his paternal instincts kick in," that's all that matters. You're safe. That's all.. that's all your m-..mother and I ever cared about."

Guilt is settling in the base of his stomach. It's boiling and itching. Clawing the insides of his stomach," dad?"

Hotch takes a deep breath to settle his nerves," yeah buddy?"

Jack seats up, concealing his emotions," can I go to my room?"

"Of course," Hotch's voice hardly raises to a whisper.

Jack's gone before another heartbeat can be shared between them.

_¡|《》¡_

"I think he's mad at me."

Emily turns away his allegation with the shake of her head," he could never be mad at you."

Jack, who's small hands are shoved deep within his pockets, shakes his head," he's mad."

Emily seats down on her knees and sweeps a stray strand of blond hair out of his face," honey, don't mistake melancholy for anger."

"Melancholy?"

"Sadness." She's never been a mother but unless she told you, you'd never know.

"Melancholy," Jack repeats letting it run over his tongue slowly. This time taking the time to enjoy the way it rolls off his tongue. "Do you think he's that? Melancholy?"

Emily nods," most likely. We can go ask. Want to?"

She takes his hand," let us venture into the unknown."