Title: Late Night Musings
By: realityaskew
Pairing: Hotch/Prentiss & Hotch/Haley
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing from CM.
Summary: Hotch lays awake at night and thinks about a few things.

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When I think about life I think of Jack. He's so young and innocent. I envy that. To be so pure and clean and no nothing of hate, lies, deceit, and hurt is a gift. Eventually he'll grow up and I cannot keep him from those things but there is something about him that tells me he will always maintain that childlike innocence about him. He's lucky because so little do. Jack is my only child, my son. He has the entire World in front of him. Because I'm his father and I know I will be proud of him no matter what path he decides to take in life. To me Jack is life.

When I think about loss I think of Haley. We were both so in love once but we lost it. We argued over petty things and lost sight of the big picture. Haley will always be in my heart and mind but she is no longer the center of it. There is no hate between us just something almost indescribable that was lost and can never be found again. To me Haley is loss.

When I think about death I think of my job. All day long I deal with death. Helpless victims die and there isn't anything I can do to stop it. Then there are those who have died on the inside and can never come back to life. I' am surrounded by death but still manage to stay grounded somehow. To me my job is death.

When I think of love and happiness I think of her. Emily. When I first met her I was skeptical and pushed her away but I soon came to realize that she was only there to help. I became both physically and emotionally attracted to her. I do have eyes and she is a beautiful woman. We are also very similar in our moods and outlook on the World and the people around us. A simple attraction has quickly grown into love and as I lay here watching her sleep I know that I would give my life for her just like I would for Jack. She is the reason I manage to stay grounded. She is the reason I get up every single morning. She is the reason I smile. Emily Prentiss is the reason for my sanity. I love her and when she wakes up I will finally tell her.

THE END

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