Scars

Chapter Ten

*Hotch's POV*

Seeing Mikey walk up to the killer brought things up that I didn't want to bring up until after we got back. If something would've happened to her, I would never forgive myself. Now, standing here on the side of the road, her telling me her story, it made sense, but I still wasn't comfortable with it. The fact that she was getting hurt and there was no one there to protect her made me feel mad and sorry.

"But I love you," I said out loud. I felt my breath catch in my throat. I had no idea how Mikey would react.

"You love me?" she whispered. I took my hands from her face.

"I never stopped. As soon as you left, I was a broken man. I loved Haley yes, but you were my forever. You will be my always. You were my first everything. I have no secrets from you, Mikey."

"You were a broken man? After what you said to me, I fell apart! There's been no one since you! Yes, I've had a one night stand every now and again, but I never allowed myself to love again."

"You stuck your nose where it didn't belong," I said. This was going to be a fight. We had never talked about what happened when we split.

*Sara's POV*

"I was trying to help! Sean was like a little brother to me! You should have known there was nothing there."

"If Sean had a problem, he would've come to me." I knew I shouldn't be hurt but I was. This happened years ago, and he had no right to still be upset about it. When we were in high school, Sean got in trouble with some older adults about drugs. Instead of calling Hotch, he called me. Hotch took it the wrong way.

"You know that he struggled talking to you. He always has. I was just there as a friend and you called me names I would rather not repeat." I said quietly. Hotch didn't say anything right away. "Or would you rather have me bring them up?"

"You have to know...surely, you have to know I didn't mean any of it," Hotch said.

"And how would I know that?!" I yelled. Hotch took a step back because I never raise my voice to him. I took a deep breath and found my center. "I left the next week. You didn't talk to me at all. You didn't say good-bye. You didn't apologize. This is the first time I've seen you since you accused me of being a vicious bitch who was fucking your brother on the side." I regretted it as soon as I said it. I knew it would open old wounds for Hotch.

"I'm sorry Sara. I am so sorry I ever said any of that. I'm sorry I accused you of things I knew weren't true. But mostly I'm sorry I ever let you go," Hotch said. Before I knew what was happening, Hotch rushed me. He grabbed me around the neck and kissed me. His taste was familiar and all the anger I had rushed out of my body. I wrapped my hands around his waist and pulled him close. When we finally came up for air, he smiled.

"There's the man I'm inlove with," I said quietly. He let out a chuckle and kissed me again.