25. Home is where the Heart is (Aaron Hotchner)

Home is where the Heart is

Tobias Fornell was now the Deputy Director of the FBI, his work and his sacrifices had meant he had more than earned the promotion.  It was the other two agents with him that got Derek curious. One was older, ex-military from the way he still carried himself and the other agent appeared mercurial and he liked it that way Derek could guess.  The second agent was gorgeous and wore suits to accentuate the fact but there was more there than what was on the surface, his eyes spoke of intelligence.

“What can the BAU do for Washington today?” Derek asked.

Fornell rolled his eyes. “Is Agent Hotchner in his office?”Derek wisely said nothing sarcastic, just a simple. “Yes Sir.”

*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

Fornell was too old to let other people’s opinions bother him so he simply strode into the office stating.  “You will accept the help of DiNozzo.”Hotchner looked up from his papers. “Sorry Sir. On what case?”

Fornell smirked knowing that Hotchner got even more formal when he was pissed with the situation.  “The Reaper has made a formal threat against you specifically and I will not tolerate it.”

Hotchner could hear an order there so didn’t bother to argue because he may be the leader of the BAU but he still had bosses. “Who is to be my shadow?”Tony smirked. “I am and you would be doing me a favour Agent Hotchner.”“Do I get a name?” Aaron asked bemused.

“Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, NCIS.”  The Agent responded already checking out the environment.

Hotchner watched because those actions were that of a soldier, not a Navy Cop.  “How would guarding me from a serial killer be a favour?”Tony smiled and damn, Aaron could almost hear the women of the unit sigh wistfully already.  “Well Sir, I’m presuming you won’t try to force a gay agent to seduce an innocent arm dealer’s daughter would you?”

Aaron was taken aback by the blunt response and if what he said was true, it was deplorable.  “No, I would definitely not.”Tony let his relief show. “Good to know.  I won’t be a handicap as I’m ABD in criminal profiling.”

Aaron found the phrasing interesting as it said a lot about the Agent.  He also noticed Gibbs wince ah, so he was at fault there, or at least knows of the problem and feels guilt.

Gibbs spoke up gruffly. “You were never the idiot, you played a role and I forgot because of the explosion DiNozzo.  I can’t change the past but I can fix this.”Tony nodded at his boss. “I know boss and I won’t let you down.”“You never did Tony, watch his six.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Aaron looked to his new bodyguard.  “Will you stay standing?”Tony shrugged. “Not if you stay in the office.”Aaron winced. “Well I need to interview Carl Arnold, he claims to have information about Foyet.”Tony picked up his suit jacket. “Let’s go then.”

Tony could see the frown mar the Agent’s face and Tony felt that was a tragedy.  “Don’t frown Hotchner and it is not negotiable. You heard Toby.”Aaron was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the Deputy Director got him a model bodyguard.  He was trying to shake his thoughts since the bold statement of DiNozzo being gay.  Oh well, Haley would be too shocked to have a fit when she found out.

Aaron was intrigued by his new bodyguard.  “You’re okay with going to a Supermax with the worst scum to have a chat.”Tony shrugged it off.  “Yeah I am, Hotchner I was handcuffed to Jeffery White for the last twenty-four hours of his life.”

Tony saw the widening of his eyebrows as he understood what Tony hadn’t said. He could tell the Agent was brooding and he had only the briefest facts of the previous encounter between Hotchner and Foyet - He had no idea what it was like between him and this Carl Arnold, aka the Fox.  “Well while you drive and brood I have some case files to read.”Aaron didn’t know what to say to that as the only other person who would call him on his moods was Rossi.  Speaking of the Devil, his phone went. “Why has our fearless leader abandoned us for a pretty boy?”

Aaron huffed but could see the amusement on DiNozzo’s face.  “You should stop repeating Garcia verbatim. Oh, and pretty boy is a respected Special Agent on loan by orders of the Deputy Director.”

Rossi sighed. “We’ve had words about me being left with the kids with no warning.”Hotchner was out of his funk.  “Well, I had to go and see the Fox so you’re just going to have to deal with it.”

Hotchner shut the call off, not wanting to say anything more.  Rossi would keep the office running and would soon see when he opened his email what Hotchner wanted to happen in his absence.

Tony put the case files back into his briefcase and sighed, he was no stranger to deviants.   “When I was on the force in Baltimore I had a run in with the Creeper and managed to bury him with one conversation.  Do I have permission to play my own games if I think it will yield results?”

Aaron switched from impressed to astonished at just how quickly DiNozzo managed to adapt to any situation.  “How do you play it? The interrogator, the seducer or the friend?”Tony gave him a blinding smile.  “I think you know the answer to that, don’t you?”

All three.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

Tony walked through the supermax hearing the leering calls and the several suggestive cat-calls.  He could see the man next to him tensing up and wanted to remind Hotchner that he was more than okay handling the nasty deviants of the world.  “Hey, it is reinforced glass and I know what I look like but Hotchner ... All they have left are bitter dreams and fantasies.”

Aaron nodded.  “Let’s go talk to Arnold and get out of here.”They stepped into the conference room and Tony just sat down.  He didn’t even bother with the niceties or let Hotchner introduce them.  He saw the fascination on Arnold’s face. “Agent Hotchner you didn’t tell me you were bringing me a gift?”Wow. Life goals, right there, to be considered a gift for a serial killer.

Hotchner was a skilled interrogator in his own right but he saw a tour-de-force.  He didn’t want Tony just as a guard, he wanted him in one of the units, even if it wasn’t his own.  He was too good to be wasted at NCIS.  Arnold was a sexual predator of the worst kind and yet Tony came in and sweet talked him into revealing everything they wanted.  Arnold was also so sure of himself and smug, wanting to take control of any meeting.  So of course, Aaron knew that at some point Arnold was going to try and poke at him - the lack of wedding ring being the obvious route.

“Yeah I took the wedding rings and you seem to have lost yours.”Tony smiled sweetly as he put his hand over Aaron’s looking to all the world like he was a man infatuated. “Yeah, it was a deal breaker before we said yes.”

Aaron would have to say he would treasure the shocked and horrified face on Arnold for a long time to come.  The serial killer lived to control his environment and while there were many things that Tony DiNozzo may be, controllable wasn’t one of them. Hotchner, who liked rules, was finding that idea more and more appealing.  

Arnold reared back in surprise. “I don’t believe you.”Well, that sounded like a challenge to Tony but he had his opening and went for it with ruthless efficiency.  He spoke in vivid detail about all the things he did to Aaron, and all the things that Aaron had wanted to do to him.  Aaron was a professional so he wouldn’t give anything away but he could admit to a few of those images flashing through his mind.

Arnold sneered.  “He will find out about your pretty boy you know and kill him to make you hurt.”

Tony had to laugh. “Will he? So he is in contact with you then, Carl.”

Arnold petted his hand and it took everything in Tony not to recoil.  He would react when he had what he need.  “I’m sorry you will be involved but Foyet feels like Agent Hotchner has emasculated him so he seeks retribution.”Tony leaned forward, “Will he come for me, or, his family?  Come on, tell me I deserve that much don’t I?”

Hotchner looked through the book Carl had brought with him.  “He knows about family ... He doesn’t know about you unless Carl tells him.”

Tony could see the vicious predatory grin and Tony knew the answer.  He needed to make sure though so he stacked the deck in his favour.  Tony used a classic cop move and Arnold didn’t even see the slam against the desk coming.  “I may be pretty but I only bend over for the Agent.”“HE WILL COME FOR YOU!” Arnold shouted as they left.

Aaron was impressed with how calm his guard was but had to ask.  “Do you often bait serial killers?”“I have to get my kicks somehow,” Tony replied with a smirk.

Aaron’s frustration was growing.  “He will go after Haley and she is in Federal Protection.”

Tony rolled his eyes.  “I’m an all action guard and your ex-wife and son are enjoying a holiday at the beach with the scariest CIA agent I know.”Aaron huffed. “You already guessed this might happen.”Tony shrugged it off. “I have a unique point of view, I am a cop and I worked inside the Mob. I asked myself what Don Mancuso would have done.”

Aaron found himself asking. “What level did you rise to?”Tony played it cool. “He called me son and to this day consider me his heir.  I am apparently more ruthless and therefore most likely to succeed and it was because I put him in prison. Strange guy really.”

Aaron just knew Tony was going to cause trouble and disruption but he figured maybe it was what his life needed.  “Why did you make Foyet come at you?”

Tony smiled. “I chose this life and its dangers - I can take care of myself and by focussing his interest on me, there’s less chance of him going after your family.  Plus you know I’ve set a trap, don’t you?”

Aaron rolled his eyes with sarcasm evident.  “Yes, I caught that.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Life went on, Tony kept a watch on Aaron’s ass and the team found him very useful for the weird music case.   He was then vital to the the military murders and his military connections were invaluable.  Dave was hovering in his doorway so Aaron asked him.

“Can I help you, Dave?”“Your gorgeous Italian shadow has disappeared,” his old friend commented in the way only an old friend can comment.  Aaron looked up from his paperwork. “His name is Tony which you well know.”“You didn’t deny my comment about his looks,”  Rossi noted.

Aaron snorted. “What response do you want to hear?”“A truthful one.”Aaron sighed as that was a loaded question.  “He is tasked as my protection by the Deputy Director, Dave.”

Dave smirked, knowing what to ask.  “So what will you do when he is no longer tasked with your protection?”Aaron stopped writing and for a second he let himself want.  He hadn’t done that since Haley had walked out of the door.  He had work and Jack, and he told himself he was okay with that - it had to be enough.

&&*&*&*&*&*&&*&

Tony had worked well with the BAU and enjoyed the job even with the heavy toll that these criminals can cause.  Tony had kept a careful watch on Aaron and as a result, he’d learned his mannerisms.  This phone-call had set him on edge, and as soon as it ended he was tearing out of the BAU.  Tony was having none of it, he phoned down to security and asked them to stall Hotchner until he got there.   The man was not allowed to get himself killed before he could even ask him on a date.

Morgan queried. “What are you doing?”“Something stupid.  Send backup to my position but keep them at least a block away for now.”

That got Derek’s attention and Tony had to placate him quickly.  “Look sometimes less is more and until I know what we’re dealing with ... more people could spook the situation.”Derek had to defer to Tony’s experience and he knew how skilled Tony was at undercover.  “The second you are worried don’t wait.”

Tony nodded and steeling himself for whatever situation he was walking into.  He’d had no confirmation but he could sense this was Foyet - finally making his move.In the foyer, Aaron was starting to shout.  “Why am I still here?”Tony took charge. “I asked him to keep you.”Aaron whirled around in surprise, almost as if he’d forgotten Tony.  “I have to go, he has Jack.”Tony rolled his eyes. “I would never stop you going for your son.  I just don’t want you to go alone ... That is a sure-fire way to end up dead.”

Aaron nodded.  “Thank you.”Tony chuckled. “Don’t thank me yet, let’s make sure we all survive.”

Aaron nodded and they went to his car.  Tony was on the phone, he wanted to know how the protective custody got broken  - and why the hell he wasn’t informed!  

“I need a trace on Haley Brooks and her son now!” Tony ordered.

Tony did not like what he was hearing.  “Kort you promised me they were the best so why does a serial killer have Jack Hotchner.”

Aaron clutched the wheel and put his foot down on the gas.  “He has him?”Tony sighed. “Your wife and son went out shopping today and they were in a store when Jack was snatched.”Aaron softly corrected. “Ex-wife and where is she?”Tony informed him. “She is receiving treatment and demanding updates apparently.”Aaron had to focus on the matter in hand.  He would not get into a conversation about Haley as she was no longer a part of his life.  The end of their marriage had hurt but she chose it.  “Foyet wants to make me hurt ... Taking Jack would do it.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&Aaron knocked his front door, gun raised.  He was the distraction for Tony to move around the back.   It was the way it had to go down if they were to have a chance - They would use the obsession he had to take him down.  

“He will hear the gun.” Aaron had said.

Tony smirked. “Oh, he won’t hear me coming I was trained by a Marine.”

“Do come in Aaron,” the nightmare voice ordered.  Aaron couldn’t freak out at seeing his son in the killer’s arms even though that is what he wanted to do. “Your quarrel is with me.”Foyet snorted. “My quarrel?  You emasculated me!”He hated every second of Jack sobbing, it was cutting him to the quick.   Aaron was usually so controlled but this was different - this was Jack, his son.  “You want me, not Jack ... There is no challenge.”Foyet thought about the words but the glittering hatred in those eyes didn’t conceal any of the Reapers madness.  “Challenge, no ... But the potential for your misery well, then he is just a means to an end.”Aaron watched as Tony stood to the side, just out of the eye line of him.  Tony’s voice rang out loud in the silence.  “Hey, douchebag.  He is a kid.”Foyet head whipped around with a grin. “So this is the new love interest. Oh, now he would cause pain more than killing your ex would.  That is why I didn’t kill her, I figured you would be rid of her then.”

Tony hated serial killers, they were crazier than a box of frogs.  “We haven’t even got to first base yet as I have been protecting him from your crazy ass.”Yep, he was going down the bait-the-serial-killer route.  He remembered Gibbs lecture the last time he used the tactic.

Foyet sneered, “Oh but he wants to. Just look in his eyes.”

Tony smirked.  “And you think you will get in the way of my life. Sweetheart you are barely a blip, just an inconvenience.”Aaron saw it, the anger and the desire to prove Tony wrong.  The gun moved away from Jack and Tony threw a knife straight at Foyet.  The knife hit him in the eye, Foyet got one good shot off at Tony before he fell back dead.   Jack scrambled over to his Dad who was lying by the pretty Agent.  “Is he going to be okay?”Tony chuckled but it was a little weak. He hated getting shot.  “Did I get him?”Aaron was keeping Jack away from the sight. “Yeah Tony you got him.”

“Good, god what an asshat ... How could he want to hurt Jack, he is awesome.”Jack giggled. “He is funny.”Aaron nodded. “I think he is in shock, help is on its way.”

Tony nodded knowing the drill. “Hate painkillers, they will make me loopy and spill all kinds of things.  Stupid Foyet bringing a knife to a gunfight.”Aaron understood what he meant.  “Don’t worry I won’t let anyone near you.”Tony started to lose his battle to stay awake.  “It’s your oh so fine ass I am worried I will speak poems about.”     

&*&*&*&*&*&

Aaron stood over Tony’s bed as he slept.  This beautiful stubborn man had killed his personal nightmare and all because Foyet dared to threaten his son and him.  There was a cry of Daddy disturbing his vigil.

Aaron didn’t think, he picked his son up and kissed his forehead, grateful that he would get a chance.  Aaron liked the fact he had Tony and Jack in one room.  He liked the appearance of his ex-wife far less, he could tell this wasn’t going to be a fun exchange due to the scorn on her face. He didn’t need bitterness, he needed Tony to wake up so he could see those beautiful green eyes.

“You are standing a little close for a co-worker Aaron.”Aaron could not believe she wanted to play that game here but he was up to the task.  “He is not my co-worker Haley and the divorce let’s me see who I like.  I was kind enough to wait until we divorced.”She flushed but her anger was stronger than her shame.  “He got hurt by your job too.”Now that was an arrow to the heart.  It was the one part of his job that he could never reconcile with, the idea of his loved ones or those closest to him being at risk.  

Tony may be injured and sleepy but there was no way he was going to let this woman hurt Aaron any further.  “Lady - I had the damn plague and survived, so a douchebag serial killer won’t scare me.”

Jack giggled.  “He’s still funny Daddy.”

Aaron’s relief showed on his face and he didn’t even try and stop the smile. “Yes, he is.”

Haley huffed.  “I don’t need to see this. I will go down to the coffee shop and be back in an hour.”

Tony frowned as he didn’t quite understand the scene.  He knew who the woman was, it was the Ex but she seemed jealous.  It didn’t make sense as she was the one who had divorced Aaron.

Jack peeked at Tony from his Daddy’s shoulder. “ Will he be okay Daddy ?”Aaron smiled because h is son had a big heart.  “Yeah, the doctors want to make sure the bad man didn’t hurt him too badly.”

Jack motioned to be put down and Aaron allowed him to, watching with eagle eyes his approach to Tony’s bed.  The gunshot was a through and through - the hospital was demanding an overnight stay at least so they could monitor his lungs.  His son approached Tony very carefully and mindful of the monitor hugged him.

Aaron could see the caution on Tony’s face but watched as he sunk into his son’s hug.  Finally the look of awe as he listened to what Jack said.  Aaron would love to ask what was said but it was clear it was a secret between the two people on the bed.  He felt a bit left out until Tony patted the bed.  “Come join us.”

&*&*&*&*&*&

Tony arrived at the BAU headquarters a week after Foyet was killed to see Gibbs standing there with an Agent he recognised.

“Tony it’s time you meet the new Director of NCIS, Leon Vance.”

Tony’s face had a dawning realisation so Jenny had not managed to survive her little attempted unsanctioned operation. Shame.   Not really, Tony would have probably survived by the skin of his teeth but if she had talked a newbie into it - They would have likely ended up dead, all for petty revenge. “Pleasure to meet you, Sir.”Vance shook his hand.  “I wanted to congratulate you on the fine work you did on resolving the Foyet threat.”Tony nodded but said little because it was his job and he had a personal interest in the matter.  He liked Aaron’s fine ass and he was invested in making sure it stayed alive.  “Does this mean I can come home?”

Vance looked at Aaron and asked the leader. “Could we avail yourselves of a conference room please?”Aaron wanted to be there but this was NCIS business and he had no right. He looked at Tony “You can use the BAU’s. It’s currently free.”Vance just nodded his head in thanks and Gibbs, Tony and Vance all went into the room alone.

“Let’s all take a seat.” Vance suggested in such a way that there was no option.

Tony took a seat next to Gibbs, falling into old habits.  “So I can now come back to NCIS, how will this work and what deal did they work out with Madam Director?”Vance was amused, now starting to see the seasoned professional behind the persona.  He would love to find out why people thought he was a clown and a casanova.  The only thing Vance could assume it was because that was what DiNozzo wanted them to think.

Vance took the lead, “With the evidence and logs you provided, Secretary Davenport suggested Sheppard should take medical retirement which she agreed with ... I would have preferred charges brought but that would put NCIS into some very undesirable political attention.”

Tony wasn’t too bothered as he would leave those decisions to the higher ups.  “Okay, so this was just a loan out as they were unsure what role I would take with Gibbs returning?”

Tony had thought a lot about it while he was the BAU and he realised something - He was no longer happy staying as the SFA for the MCRT.   He was no longer content to stay in the shadows.”

Vance nodded. “Well I have a proposition for you. The MCRT caseload is doubling and I propose a split of the teams... Gibbs’ team will focus on terrorism related cases: DiNozzo your team will focus on Serious Crimes thus utilising your specialisms.”

Tony’s smile was massive.  “That sounds like a fantastic opportunity Director, I won’t let you down.”Vance shook his hand. “Sorry but you’ll have to pick agents for your own team.”

Tony tried to play it cool. “No need to apologise, I will enjoy picking the members and getting the balance right for the focus shift.”Tony knew Vance had caught his implication, he just hoped Gibbs hadn’t as he wasn’t in the mood to fight.  “I will see you at the office. Gibbs and I will give you a chance to say goodbye.”Tony wondered why Gibbs was even there as he had barely said a word. Oh! That was too funny.  He was there because Vance was making a point - Leon Vance was in charge.  Tony found himself liking the new Director and he liked him more for the chance to start afresh with a new team of his own making.

Aaron walked in.  “So no more guard duty to brighten my day?”Tony snorted.  “No, I am back to my agency but this is a good thing.”“Oh?” Aaron asked stepping closer.  Tony closed the gap no longer having to hold back because of his job and kissed him the way he’d wanted to for the last three weeks.  “Yeah, it means I can date you, make Haley hate me and take Jack to the movies like I promised.”Aaron had mirth in his eyes because his ex-wife definitely did not like Tony.  “Do I get to be there?”Tony had a dazzling grin. “You get to play a co-lead role of course. So what do you think?”Aaron knew there was only one sensible answer. “How can I say no?”