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for When That Diamond Ring Turns Brass

3/6/2015 c1 35drewandian
I love this one too . watching as Hotch struggles with balancing being a good dad with being married to his job has always struck me. I'm doing a rewatch of season 5 right now and my heart breaks every time he asks Rossi what Jack is going to remember about him when it's all said and done.

I've been the "weekend parent" for close to three years now (long messed up story, a chapter finally coming to a close thank goodness), so I can relate to Hotch's struggles. You've done a fantastic job of giving him a voice and the beginnings of forgiveness and closure.
12/29/2013 c1 SouthunLady
This was a lovely story. Pleasure is one of my favorite episodes and seeing a one shot written about Megan Kane and Hotch was really nice. Thank you.
12/29/2013 c1 33Annber03
It seems so obvious now that you bring it up in this story, but for some reason I never really considered the idea that Hotch would've been thinking of his relationship with Jack during this episode. Probably due to the fact that it was a father/daughter issue, first off, and second, he'd seemed to feel some sympathy for her prior to realizing just how screwed up her relationship with her father was. I chalked his overall reaction up to the whole thing of female unsubs generally getting more sympathy, and feeling bad for women who get mistreated and shoved aside while the men who use them get off scot-free (and there was that in there, too, of course-I love the way they stood up to those corporate creeps). When I first saw this episode, I thought it was going to go in a totally different direction, and while what I thought would happen could've been interesting, at the same time, I'm glad it didn't go that route, that Hotch's concern for Megan was much more innocent.

But of course, as always, I love the way you addressed that aspect of things. I always feel for Hotch and Jack when Hotch's job separates them as often as it does-Jack's so incredibly patient and understanding, and worships his father, and I love that. And it's obvious that Hotch is a very good father and does the absolute best he can-I admire him greatly. Yet I can't help but wonder if a day will ever come when Jack's patience finally runs out, or what will happen when he sees his father as less than perfect/heroic (which, given that it won't be too many more years before he becomes a teenager, seems pretty likely to happen soon). Knowing how much guilt Hotch already piles onto himself for what he's missed out on and lost over the years, the thought of Jack possibly one day lashing out and adding onto that guilt breaks my heart. Luckily, though, I think your story's reassurances are right-there's more than enough good history with Hotch and Jack, so I too believe it'll all ultimately work out for their relationship.

I also like the way you tied in the stuff with Hotch's own father, and the explanation you gave for why he might've behaved as he did with Aaron and Sean. That certainly makes a lot of sense (there's a "part of their past" storyline I wouldn't mind seeing them delve into a little more on the show). I like the thought of Hotch gaining a new understanding for his father and his actions, and learning to forgive and lift one weight (of many) from his shoulders.

And the bit with Haley made me go, "Awwww". Particularly his image of her with the phone against her neck/shoulder, and all the memories associated with that part of her body, and the longings he still held for her. And I like that Haley's so understanding about Hotch keeping in contact with Jack, too. It's moments like that that make what ultimately happened to Haley all the more heartbreaking, but I do love thinking that she and Hotch managed to let go of their past problems with each other and still cared about each other on some level, at least.

We need more parents and overall sympathetic, understanding people like Hotch out there. I love that he was with her at the end of that episode. She deserved a moment of peace and reassurance. Great story.
12/29/2013 c1 tannerose5
That was beautifully written. You've captured the heart of every father who wants to give their children all the love they have, even if the father thinks it's not enough.

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