This is amazing! I'm so sad the show never followed up on the hint Hotch dropped in this episode, but on the other hand, the mystery and lack of closure about it is almost more poignant.

I like how human Hotch and Gideon are here. When I re-watched the show what surprised me most was how compassionate and...almost soft Gideon is; I'd remembered him as much sharper and more dismissive. Hotch, too, is one of the more compassionate characters on the show, and the interplay between him and Gideon always led to some really deep scenes. This story really does the dynamic between them justice.

Great story!

Thanks for the team support for Hotch. Nice introspective.

We want to see real unburdening. Tears, perhaps a hug. Hotch needs closure on his abuse. Well, that's just me... It's out of character for the show, but...

LOL, heck ,that made me question things. nice fic. c:

I really do miss Gideon. A lot. And I adored this story - it's great to read an exploration of Hotch's past, especially one where both he and Gideon are perfectly in character. Thanks so much for sharing and posting it. I quite enjoyed it. :)

Oh Aaron, at least you are thinking about it.

Cracked Columnist John Cheese has a really shitty Oprah ish childhood where his parents was an alcoholic, his father beats them and teach them to steal stuff, and his brother went to jail for thief.

He said, that usually, if your primary question as a parent is how not to screw your kids up, as oppose to how kids will fit into your life, it's a good sign.

Wonderful story! Great look into Hotch's thoughts, and a decent explanation for how Hotch can so easily talk about his father in a positive light when he's with Sean. Thanks for sharing!

It's a great fic. I always thought that the writers should show more about Hotch's past and what happened with his father.

Love it!

I enjoyed this story, and have always wondered if there was more to what he said to Perotta, but in the episode The Tribe with Hotch's brother Sean I always got the impression that Hotch respected his father, especially at the end when they are talking about following their instincts and Hotch says that their father knew how important it was, that he had forgotten, and that Sean had reminded him. But also Sean says then said that being a jackass is hereditary which could be implying something, so I don't know.

I like that you took the challenge to write about Hotch past. You did write Hotch and Gideon just how I imagine them. Hotch would be scared to be just like his dad but his caring nature would not allow this. Glad you saw this with Gideon saying Hotch was a protector.

Thanks for sharing this story.

I always love fics with Hotch and Gideon. The two characters just mesh so well. Plus, it annoys me how something significant like this (what Hotch said in 1x08) is never again brought up.

Great job. The internal monologue was especially haunting.

Oh, very nice. Some great argumentation and food for thought in there alongside the character study. ~ Kitty

Loved it!