What Hotch isn't, and has never been, is a talker. He internalises and he compartmentalises, and he does his job to the best of his ability, and he keeps going. He knows that he has yet to deal with Haley's death. He knows that, as clearly as he knows that Pepper will not be there when he does.

He can be honest, though. He can do that. He turns his head and grazes the palm of her hand with a kiss.

"Do you want to go back to bed?"