Chapter 3: I Wish That This all Could end

The Arizona case had been a bad one. They had spent nearly five days trying to catch the unsub. Six dead girls between the ages of fifteen and nineteen, abducted, tortured and then killed. Why? Because some psychopath thought killing teenage girls resembling his own daughter would be a good way to punish her for taking her own life.

They had been too late to save the last girl. Aaron had gotten to her first. She was still alive when they found her but she had lost too much blood. She died before the medics could get to her.

Even though they had caught the Unsub, the team still felt as if they had failed. If only they had gotten there sooner... That was what they were all thinking as they quietly boarded the jet and took up their usual seats. Each profiler was lost in their own little world, trying to block out their recent case.

Soon they had all drifted off to sleep, except Hotch. The case hit too close to home for him. Pretty brunette teenage girls. Throughout the case, all he could think about was Aria. That could've been her, he thought. He wanted to call her, make sure that she was okay and that she was safe. But he couldn't risk the team finding out. At least not yet.

They had noticed he was a bit different on this particular case but shrugged it off. With the last victim practically dying in his arms, they figured he just needed some time to work through it.

A few hours later, the team was back at Quantico, working on some last minute paperwork before heading home to rest. The last case had been exhausting and it wasn't long until they said their goodbyes one by one and left.

Just as Rossi was about to leave, he noticed that Hotch's office light was still on. He made his way over there to check on the unit chief. He knocked softly before opening the door.

Hotch was staring blankly at an open case file, leaning his elbow against the desk with one hand on his forehead. Rossi could tell he was distracted because he never even noticed Rossi was there until he spoke.

"Everything okay, Aaron?" He asked quietly. Hotch looked up from his desk.

"Yeah. Fine." He said then looked back at the folder in front of him. Rossi didn't believe him.

"You know the last victim dying wasn't your fault, right? We did everything we could to try and save her."

Aaron took a deep breath then released it. He dropped the folder then looked up at Rossi.

"I know." He sighed. "It doesn't make it any easier though." Dave gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Get some rest Aaron. Paperwork will still be there in the morning."

"Yeah, you're right." He rubbed a hand over his tired face. "I just have to finish this up then I'll head home."

"Alright. Don't stay too late." Aaron nodded. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Rossi headed towards the door. "Hey Dave?" He turned around. "Thanks." Dave nodded.

"Anytime." He said with a smile, then left.

With Rossi gone, Hotch pulled out his cellphone and scrolled to Aria's contact. He stared at it for a while, contemplating whether or not he should call her. Just for his own peace of mind. He'd feel a lot better if he heard her voice. It would assure him that she really was okay.

He glanced at his watch: 21:40pm. There was a good chance that she was already in bed sleeping, since it was a school night. What time do teenagers go sleep on a school night anyway? He wondered.

21:42pm. Guess only one way to find out.

He hit the call button then waited.

It rang 3 times before she answered.

"Aria, hello." He paused, not expecting her to answer.

"Hello?" She answered again.

"Hi." He greeted softly, feeling relieved.

"Aaron?" She asked unsure.

"Yes. It's me." He smiled. "I didn't wake you, did I?" He asked.

"No, I was up studying. I have a Bio test in the morning." She explained to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. I should go..." She cut in before he can continue.

"No, it's okay. I've been going at it for over 2 hours. I'm due for a break anyway." She told him.

He smiled. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How about you?"

"Fine." He said quietly.

"I'm guessing you just got back from your case." He sighed.

"Yes. Landed a couple hours ago." She nodded, noticing how sad he sounded. She was just about to ask him if he was okay when he spoke again.

"Is it okay if we video chat? I just really need to see you right now." He said softly. She frowned.

"Uh, sure. Just give me a sec." He nodded, quickly switching to video call and silently thanking Garcia for showing him how when he had first gotten his iPhone.

A few seconds later, he saw Aria's face pop up on his screen. She smiled at him. He exhaled, relief washing over him. See Aaron, she's fine. She's safe.

He stared at her for a while without saying anything. Her smile slowly faded when she noticed how sad his eyes looked.

"You're wearing glasses." He said before she could say something first. She laughed and he's convinced that he's never heard anything sound more beautiful.

"Yeah. But only when I'm studying or doing homework." She paused. "Your case didn't end well, did it?" She asked him, already knowing the answer. He looked surprised for a moment, trying to figure out how she could of known that just by looking at him. He looked away then back to her.

"No." He shook his head. "No, it didn't.

"I'm sorry." She said sincerely while looking at him. He gave her a small smile then nodded.

"How'd you know?" He asked her, frowning slightly.

"Besides the late night phone call?" She asked, eyebrows raised. He smiled then nodded.

"Well, you look like you haven't slept in days. When I answered the phone, you sounded relieved. It was like you hadn't expected me to answer. You asked if we could video chat because you wanted to see for yourself that I really was okay." He opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off.

"And don't even try to deny it, because I saw your face after you saw me. So, I'm guessing something about your case reminded you of me. And that upset you so much that you called me even though there was a chance I'd already be asleep." She concluded.

He stared at her in awe. His own daughter had just profiled him. Maybe not intentionally but still. He remains silent for a moment, taking in what she had just told him. He didn't see it until she mentioned it to him. She was right. Was I really that easy to read? He wondered but couldn't help the surge of pride he felt.

"You do realize you just profiled me, right?" He said with a smirk.

She frowned. "I... I did?" She asked confused. He nodded. "Huh. Guess profiling's in my blood." she said amused.

"Guess so." He said smiling.

"Feel better?" She asked. "Now that you've seen for yourself that I really am okay."

"Yes, actually." He nodded.

"Good. I'm glad I could help." She yawned and tried to hide it but he saw it anyway. He noticed that it was nearly 10pm.

"You should get some rest. Don't want you falling asleep in the middle of your exam tomorrow." He said with a grin. She laughed.

"Yeah. Good point. I have a reputation to maintain." She said trying to sound serious. He chuckled.

"Well, good luck with that." They both smiled. "Is it okay if I call you tomorrow?" He asked.

She smiled. "Yeah. I'd like that. You still owe me dinner and movie, by the way." She said with a grin.

"Right. We'll discuss it tomorrow." He smiled. "Goodnight Aria." He said.

"Goodnight Aaron." She said then hung up.

She glanced out the window from the window seat in her bedroom with a smile on her face. I could get used to having a dad in my life. She thought.

After studying for another half an hour, she decided to call it a night. She packed up her books and climbed into bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out.

Aaron put his phone in his pocket and closed the case file he was working on. He grabbed his briefcase and got ready to leave. Suddenly, his day didn't seem so bad any more. Calling her was a good thing. She helped settle him, just like Jack would do whenever he spent time with him after a rough case. He was still getting used to having a sixteen year old daughter. But he couldn't imagine his life without her.

After making sure he had everything he needed, he turned the light off and left his office. Hopefully he'll be able to sleep better tonight.

"Some nights I wish that this all would end, Cause I could use some friends for a change." Fun - Some nights