S.S.A. Hotchner

Independent, Semi-Canon Muse Semi-Selective OC Friendly

[child-of-the-amis]

“Aaron?” She asked looking over him as if she could fix what was happening. “Aaron. Please breathe.” She said letting tears well in her eyes as she was pushed back by other nurses. Was this goodbye? Did he see that she was safe and now he could give up? She couldn’t let him go like this.

“No. Derek.” She said turning on her heel and preparing to fight her way back to his beside. “Aaron.” She called as the tears came flooding down her cheeks. “Please.” She said but she couldn’t get her feet to carry her any further.

She felt herself being pulled out of the room but kept her eyes on Aaron as long as she could. Then once she was forced back into the waiting room she fully broke down letting sobs rack her body.

[ssa-ahotchner]

"Oxygen's dropping rapidly," A nurse called out as everyone else wash pushed to the door, "We're going to need to intubate if he loses consciousness!" Aaron winced again, grasping at his chest as the chest pain started to radiate into his collar bone. Was it a heart attack? What was happening? A doctor flew into the room, barking out different orders the nurses and techs who had raised Aaron's bed flat to a sitting position to help with his blood oxygen levels. "Agent Hotchner," One of the nurses was saying, "Stay with me, can you still hear me?" She began to wrap a blood pressure cuff around his arm, pulling his hand from his chest to do so. Aaron nodded, grimacing slightly, a huge departure from his usual stoic demeanor. "The heart's being starved of oxygen because of the smoke inhalation. Increase oxygen output immediately, I want an EKG in here stat," The doctor ordered, and an page went off over the hospital's intercom system.

As staff rushed in and out, the door swung close, closing everyone in the waiting room off from the chaos. *** A few hours later, Aaron lay in the room, staring at the ceiling. Any heart issues had been temporarily averted with extra oxygen intake and emergency medication that had been used to lower his blood pressure. The blood pressure had been an issue for several years now, as the stress of the job had begun to take its toll on his health. That, combined with the low oxygen levels being taken in by his smoke-damaged lungs, had almost had a disastrous outcome.

He'd asked to see her, so when the door opened, he turned his head toward her. "I'm sorry to scare you like that," He said gently, "They said I should be fine. I'll probably be released in the morning."

[asoulunbound-deactivated2024072]

Spencer stumbled over the sand towards Agent Hotchner. For someone growing up near a desert, the young doctor wasn’t particularly fond of sand. Or beaches. He could already feel the grains creeping into his shoes. It would drive him mad for the rest of the day. Put him on edge and make concentrating on the case harder. He would’ve preferred to stay at the precinct. But with a devolving unsub and more disappearing women, it was a luxury they couldn’t afford. And the work was always more important than his own comfort.

“And from the look of the ligature marks, he’s spending less time with them, too.” Well-trained eyes traveled over the body of the young woman. “Less signs of torture.” The first two bodies the locals had found told a different story to this one. Even with their state of decay, it had been clear that the unsub had spent several days with them. “And another woman was reported missing.” Spencer grimaced as he looked at the older man. “She fits the victimology. Morgan and JJ are on their way to her home.” They needed to find something fast if they didn’t want to discover another body.

Nervous hands fidgeted as Spencer turned his face towards the ocean. “There’s a marina five miles south of here, but I suspect he’s bringing his boat by car. This time of year, with recent temperatures, the current is moving south. So my guess is, he’s using the pier down there.” He pointed to a spot north, just close enough to still be visible. “He won’t need much space on the boat, and the toxicology found sedatives in the bodies. No risk of any of the women fighting back while he disposes of them.” He took a breath. “I had Garcia pull the traffic light recording from the area and send it to us. I’ll go through it once we’re back at the station.”

[ssa-ahotchner]

"Why the sedatives?" Hotch asked, looking toward his partner. "Ligature marks already imply the victims were bound. With a gag and tape, the unsub could easily keep them from making too much noise while being transported. And so far we've assumed he's been coming to the docks at night to dispose of the bodies-- there'd be even fewer people around to observe anything in the dark." Profiling often pushed them to place themselves in the unsub's shoes. Nothing was a coincidence, each choice revealed something about the killer they were pursuing. "So are the sedatives out of necessity, or out of an over abundance of caution? The ME said the initial blunt force trauma on each victim indicated blitz attacks, and shows signs of beginning to heal, which tells us these injuries were most likely sustained in the original abduction. So our killer likely lacks confidence, or the ability to charm these young women into his car as Bundy did." He paused for a moment, his dark eyes traveling to the wound on the girl's head.

"What if he needs to use the sedatives?" Aaron thought out loud, as they usually did, using the other members of the team as a sounding board. "This could tell us he either is physically weak, of has a physical handicap that makes controlling his captive difficult without it."

"Based on the demographics of the area- older, wealthy, suburban families, this may make him easier to pick out. We've already profiled he's a white male, between the ages of 25-30, but adding a physical handicap to that profile will narrow down our suspect pool significantly."

[child-of-the-amis]

Bailey frowned as he put the distance between them as she nodded trying to hide the pain she felt looking at him. She wanted nothing more than to sit right beside him and make sure that he accepted treatment.

“I…I’m fine. I have a…a small burn on my arm that they wrapped and my lungs are gunky but I’m safe. Thanks to you actually. ” She said, “The nurse told me you were fighting to get out of bed. To get back to work.” She said though she secretly hoped it was actually to check on her. “Please relax. Please stay here and let the doctors treat you.”

[ssa-ahotchner]

"I had to make sure you were safe," He said immediately, almost as if it was obvious. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he sucked in a sharp breath and the monitor next to his bed began to beep loudly. His face contorted in pain, and the oxygen saturation level indicator began to flash on the monitor as the numbers began to fall. The middle aged man raised a hand to his chest as an alarm began to ring out in the hallway. A nurse burst through the curtain at the door, calling out for additional staffing. "You need to leave," She said sharply, pushing Bailey toward the door. Additional nurses and a doctor rushed in, and Morgan appeared in the doorway, his eyes showing his concern. Morgan held out a hand, offering her help in leaving.

[ssa-ahotchner]

At his question it was like her energy had been renewed and she felt her body moving so fast that before she could register it she was at his side. Taking in how he looked…so fragile. She felt her tears falling down as she reached out to cup his cheek wiping at some of the soot that lingered there. “Aaron. Why on earth did you come in for me?” She asked more harshly than she wanted to. “You could have gotten yourself killed. What would we do without you?” She asked and in that moment she realized just how deeply she cared for the man laying before her. Then in a swift motion without another thought she moved to lay her head on his chest in a gentle hug. “Thank you.” She cried.

Aaron seemed to be fading for half a moment, before he tried to clear his throat and blinked several times, trying to hold on to consciousness. "You don't need to thank me," he said quietly, wincing as the deep breath he took burned his lungs. "You would have done the same for me." "Are you alright?" He asked quietly, pushing her away to look at her. "Are you hurt?"

[ssa-ahotchner]

Ashes and Dust (Cont.) || Aaron and Bailey || Closed Starter

"He's resting," The nurse argued, holding up a hand to block the tall agent's entrance into the hospital room. Her face was severe, accentuated by the deep lines from age, and dark circles under her eyes from being overworked. The fires on campus had not only been taxing on fire and police personnel, but the hospital staff too. This woman had clearly been held over long past the end of her usual 12 hour shift. "He's just regained consciousness-- any additional stress could be very detrimental to his health." "Ma'am, I understand that," Derek Morgan said, his tone soft. "I just want to keep him abreast of our investigation. I promise nothing more than a brief update." Despie Morgan's gentleness and respectfulness, the nurse shook her head firmly. "His body is going through enough physical stress right now," She argued, "I don't want you adding mental stress to it. You can wait until he's cleared by the doctor to resume working." The agent sighed, running a hand over his head as he made his way back to his seat in the waiting area. The nurse gave him a look of disaproval before looking down at her clipboard. "Ms.... Perrier?" The older woman looked up matter of factly. "His first question was about your welfare. He's rather determined to make sure you're alright, despite my reassurances. I'll allow a short visit so he'll stop arguing with the hospital staff about staying in bed." @child-of-the-amis

[child-of-the-amis]

Bailey had finally been released from the hospital though she hadn’t actually left it. She planted herself in a visitors chair outside of Aaron’s room and waiting. She had barely eaten or slept despite a myriad of federal agents telling her that she should. Those agents had come and gone. Some returning others kept their distance while the investigation was ongoing. Still at this moment she was plastered to the chair watching Morgan try desperately to get into his room.

After their first conversation or well lack their of Bailey had rehearsed over and over in her head what she would say to Aaron if given the chance. She had run through scenarios in which she confessed that she was feeling more. Scenarios where she lay beside him and cried as well as scenario is where he berated her for not getting out sooner. For making him come in after her. And each one equally terrified her.

So as the nurse mentioned that he’d been asking about her her heart and her stomach flipped in unison. And so for the first time in three days she pushed herself onto her weak legs and follow quietly behind to his room.

She was wrapped messily in a pair of black leggings and one of Aaron’s own BAU sweatshirts that he’d given her on a cold night as she headed home. It had become one of her favorite pieces of clothing though it seemed to swallow her whole. Her eyes had sunken in from lack of sleep and her hair had been thrown into a messy bun so that no one would realize quite how dirty it was.

None of that seemed to matter now as she stood just beyond the threshold fighting with every thought running through her head. Taking a deep breath she managed to force her legs to carry her beyond the door and into his space. The air around her felt oppressive as she opened her mouth to speak and a small but hoarse voice came out.

“A..Aaron? “

[ssa-ahotchner]

Aaron lay in the hospital bed, the oxygen tube feeding him air through his nose. His face was still blackened with soot, and his breathing was labored. At the sound of his name, his eyelids fluttered open, and he sucked in a breath. Consciousness was elusive, a state of being that flickered just behind a veil that he couldn't quite pull aside.

"I'm here," He said quietly, his voice raspy and hoarse. The smoke had done damage to his esophagus and lungs. Even with the boosted oxygen, his lungs were struggling to support him. "Are you okay?"

[ssa-ahotchner]

First Impressions || Behavioral Analysis Unit || Closed Starter

Aaron set his bag down beside the desk, his desk lamp the only light in the office. It was early-- they'd just flown in from Phoenix, and he'd had a couple hours of sleep on the plane. With JJ being out on maternity leave, their media and agency liaison responsibilities fell to him. Despite having been gone over the weekend, the job needed doing. Aaron moved the pile of folders into the center of his desk and sat down, the movement slow, revealing how sore and tired he was. So many requests for help, so few teams to send. A knock on his door echoed through out the office, bouncing off the windows and the stone walls. Aaron looked up from the paperwork, his eyebrows knitting together. At this time of morning? He glanced at his watch before closing the file before him and looking up toward the door. "Enter."

@vintage-rose-fiction

[ssa-ahotchner]

Ashes and Dust (Cont.) || Aaron and Bailey || Closed Starter

"He's resting," The nurse argued, holding up a hand to block the tall agent's entrance into the hospital room. Her face was severe, accentuated by the deep lines from age, and dark circles under her eyes from being overworked. The fires on campus had not only been taxing on fire and police personnel, but the hospital staff too. This woman had clearly been held over long past the end of her usual 12 hour shift. "He's just regained consciousness-- any additional stress could be very detrimental to his health." "Ma'am, I understand that," Derek Morgan said, his tone soft. "I just want to keep him abreast of our investigation. I promise nothing more than a brief update." Despie Morgan's gentleness and respectfulness, the nurse shook her head firmly. "His body is going through enough physical stress right now," She argued, "I don't want you adding mental stress to it. You can wait until he's cleared by the doctor to resume working." The agent sighed, running a hand over his head as he made his way back to his seat in the waiting area. The nurse gave him a look of disaproval before looking down at her clipboard. "Ms.... Perrier?" The older woman looked up matter of factly. "His first question was about your welfare. He's rather determined to make sure you're alright, despite my reassurances. I'll allow a short visit so he'll stop arguing with the hospital staff about staying in bed." @child-of-the-amis

[ssa-ahotchner]

From the Outside Looking In || Aaron Hotchner and Spencer Reid || Closed Starter

Aaron stood over the body of their fourth victim since arriving in Dana Point, California. The sun beat down upon them, seeming to superheat the sand beneath their feet. Aaron would have sworn he could feel the heat through his shoes. The body of the young woman lay partially buried in the sand, having been washed ashore during the high-tide in the early morning hours. An arm was visible, propped up at a weird angle, the skin ashen and swollen. Bits of the body were missing, having been eaten away by the sea life prior to washing up on the beach. Aaron's intense eyes took in the scene from behind dark sunglasses. The ligature marks on the wrists, along with the broken cord of rope around the woman's waist indicated this was the same unsub. The rope, which was stretched tight against the bloated skin of the corpse, had been the unsub's attempt to weigh down the body to keep it from being discovered. With this being the fourth body in two weeks to be found by beach-goers, he obviously wasn't doing a very good job at concealing his crimes. Aaron his head to look at Reid, carefully breathing through his nose to escape from the smell. "Allie Jenkins had only been missing 48 hours. His timeline is speeding up-- looks like he's devolving." The dark-haired agent looked out to the water, calm and dark, with several boats out on the horizon. "Any word from the Coast Guard's searches of the vessels anchored just off shore?"

@asoulunbound

[ssa-ahotchner]

Starter call for SSA Aaron Hotchner.

Canon characters, like this post and I will write up a starter and tag you (unless you want to plot, then feel free to shoot me a message. OCs or crossovers, like this and I'll jump into your inbox to discuss plots and threads! Looking to reopen this page and start regularly writing again. If we've written in the past, I am happy to start fresh!

Also- if anyone knows how to make these awesome edits that everyones using to advertise their rp pages, please reach out. Could definitely use some help!

[ssa-ahotchner]

Closed Starter || @child-of-the-amis || Ashes and Dust

Aaron, Morgan, Reid, and Prentiss stood with the Dean of the University of Virginia and the head of the University Police Department. After the 4th fire had been set, originating from the kitchen of a women's dormitory room that killed two students, the BAU had been called in. The two students, in addition to the first victim during the first fire, caused the case to be reclassified from serial arsonist to serial murder. They stood in the middle of an empty hallway, classrooms on either side. "Do we close the school?" The Dean asked, pulling his glasses from his face in frustration and defeat. Prentiss shook her head, and Aaron spoke up. "Evacuating the school would mean the possibility of evacuating the Unsub as well. If you clear out the campus now, our chances of catching the arsonist become close to nothing." The Chief of Police snorted in disgust. "You think catching this man is worth the lives of more students?" "We're not saying that," Derek interjected, holding up a hand towards the Chief in an attempt to placate her. "If you evacuate now, we won't catch the Unsub. When you eventually reopen, he'll most likely start setting fires again. All closing the campus and dorms would do would put off your problem." Everyone around the circle grew quiet, thinking and silently sharing their frustration, when in the distance, a faint ringing could be heard. Reid was the first to notice, as he was closest to the door. His head snapped up, his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed inquisitively. "Is that a fire alarm?" The young agent asked. The whole group looked in the same direction, and then the Dean said quickly, "The only building in that direction is the women's dorms." Aaron's mind quickly put two and two together- the women's dorms of the University of Virginia contained nearly two thousand female students... one of whom was Bailey. "Spread out," he said sharply. "Morgan, Prentiss, get into the building and start clearing floors as fast as you can with as many of the University cops you can round up. Reid, I want you to observe everyone who leaves the building but stays to watch. Use the profile to narrow down suspects, our Unsub may be one of them." He turned to the Dean and said quickly, "We'll need your help getting as many of the students out of the area as you can." The team took off running down the hall, blowing through the swinging doors into the outside air, already tainted by the smell of smoke. Aaron felt something other than the usual adrenaline rush as he ran toward the building, observing flames from several third-story windows: a knot forming in his stomach. Bailey was most likely inside her dorm room... which just happened to be on the third floor.

[child-of-the-amis]

Seeing Aaron laying there brought out a fear in her and she sucked in a deep breath and forced out a whimper. Then when asked if she were going to comply she nodded. “I…yes.” She whispered letting a steady stream of tears fall down her cheeks. “Please just hurry. I don’t want to lose him.” She cried knowing he crawled in to save her.

The entire ride to the hospital she was an anxious mess. She couldn’t push him from her thoughts. Why did he run in after her? What value did she hold for him to risk his life like that.

Once at the hospital and after being checked out she was holding her breath waiting for any update as to his health. She had been crying for the last several hours and trying to tell herself he would be fine.

JJ? Morgan?” She quizzed as she poked her head at the door. “Do you have an update? Is he awake yet?”

[ssa-ahotchner]

Aaron lay quietly in the hospital bed, unconscious, dressed in the typical hospital gown with an oxygen tube feeding air into his nose. The room was quiet beyond the beeping of the monitor and medical equipment. The curtains were closed in front of the sliding glass door for privacy, allowing him peace while he recovered. Derek and JJ sat outside the room on two folding chairs, having refused to leave their Unit Chief until he was at least conscious. Prentiss and Reid were working the case back on campus. At her question, Derek looked up at her, his face still dirty from the fire, one portion of his shirt singed.

"He's still unconscious. They're feeding him oxygen, but the truth is they won't know the extent of the damage until he wakes. Smoke inhalation can be very dangerous. He's lucky to be alive," He said quietly. JJ nodded her head toward the room. "You're welcome to go in to visit if you want," She said quietly. "If he wakes, just let us know so we can get his doctor."

[ssa-ahotchner]

Open Starter || Criminal Minds Verse

The rain pattered lightly on the office window in the semi-darkness of the early evening, slightly obscuring the view of the outside world with small droplets of rain.

Aaron Hotchner sat behind his desk, his eyes tired, his office lit solely by the single-blub desk lamp the fading sunlight from beyond the windows. They'd returned less than three hours ago and he was finishing up the reports from the team. As soon as he'd signed off on Morgan's report, he'd finally be able to go home and get some sleep. As he was reviewing the report, a knock echoed from his closed door, and he didn't look up from the report as he called out in a clear voice. "Enter."

[ssa-ahotchner]

Closed Starter || @child-of-the-amis || Ashes and Dust

Aaron, Morgan, Reid, and Prentiss stood with the Dean of the University of Virginia and the head of the University Police Department. After the 4th fire had been set, originating from the kitchen of a women's dormitory room that killed two students, the BAU had been called in. The two students, in addition to the first victim during the first fire, caused the case to be reclassified from serial arsonist to serial murder. They stood in the middle of an empty hallway, classrooms on either side. "Do we close the school?" The Dean asked, pulling his glasses from his face in frustration and defeat. Prentiss shook her head, and Aaron spoke up. "Evacuating the school would mean the possibility of evacuating the Unsub as well. If you clear out the campus now, our chances of catching the arsonist become close to nothing." The Chief of Police snorted in disgust. "You think catching this man is worth the lives of more students?" "We're not saying that," Derek interjected, holding up a hand towards the Chief in an attempt to placate her. "If you evacuate now, we won't catch the Unsub. When you eventually reopen, he'll most likely start setting fires again. All closing the campus and dorms would do would put off your problem." Everyone around the circle grew quiet, thinking and silently sharing their frustration, when in the distance, a faint ringing could be heard. Reid was the first to notice, as he was closest to the door. His head snapped up, his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed inquisitively. "Is that a fire alarm?" The young agent asked. The whole group looked in the same direction, and then the Dean said quickly, "The only building in that direction is the women's dorms." Aaron's mind quickly put two and two together- the women's dorms of the University of Virginia contained nearly two thousand female students... one of whom was Bailey. "Spread out," he said sharply. "Morgan, Prentiss, get into the building and start clearing floors as fast as you can with as many of the University cops you can round up. Reid, I want you to observe everyone who leaves the building but stays to watch. Use the profile to narrow down suspects, our Unsub may be one of them." He turned to the Dean and said quickly, "We'll need your help getting as many of the students out of the area as you can." The team took off running down the hall, blowing through the swinging doors into the outside air, already tainted by the smell of smoke. Aaron felt something other than the usual adrenaline rush as he ran toward the building, observing flames from several third-story windows: a knot forming in his stomach. Bailey was most likely inside her dorm room... which just happened to be on the third floor.

[child-of-the-amis]

After what seemed like forever JJ saw Morgan approaching with a blonde girl in his arms. She pushed into motion and approached them with an EMT.

“Is this Jacks babysitter? That’s why Aaron ran in there like an idiot?” She asked under her breath. As the EMT began working on Bailey.

“Where is Aaron?” JJ quizzed looking towards the door as the smoke continued to billow out. Most of the students had already been evacuated.

Bailey was laid down in the back of the ambulance on oxygen when she began coughing and trying to fight the oxygen. Her eyes opened wide “Aaron? Aaron?” She cried out. “Where’s Aaron!!!” She cried trying to fight and go back in for him.

[ssa-ahotchner]

Morgan turned to look behind him as the EMTs' struggled to hold her down. Aaron was nowhere to be seen.

"Stay here," He demanded of her, his eyes hidden by his dark glasses. He took off at a flat sprint across the schoolyard, his boots slapping loudly against the cement as he bobbed and weaved through the crowd of students leaving the burning building. The seconds passed slowly, and then faded into minutes. The crowd began to thin and then tapered off altogether. The archway that led into the courtyard of the building remained empty. And then Morgan appeared, Hotch across his shoulders in a fireman carry. Another set of paramedics rushed toward him with a gurney, and the unconscious Unit Chief was loaded onto it, his white shirt blackened from the smoke and ash. His face was similarly dirtied with soot. "Give me oxygen!" A paramedic yelled, wheeling him toward the waiting ambulance. Morgan coughed hard, and immediately an EMT was by his side, letting him lean on him to escort him to another waiting ambulance. The Paramedics strapped the mask to Aaron's face, feeding oxygen to the unconscious agent.

"We need to get them both moving," a Paramedic called. He turned to Bailey, looking at her with concern. "You're going to the same hospital. Are you going to comply or do we have to strap you down?"

[ssa-ahotchner]

Closed Starter || @child-of-the-amis || Ashes and Dust

Aaron, Morgan, Reid, and Prentiss stood with the Dean of the University of Virginia and the head of the University Police Department. After the 4th fire had been set, originating from the kitchen of a women's dormitory room that killed two students, the BAU had been called in. The two students, in addition to the first victim during the first fire, caused the case to be reclassified from serial arsonist to serial murder. They stood in the middle of an empty hallway, classrooms on either side. "Do we close the school?" The Dean asked, pulling his glasses from his face in frustration and defeat. Prentiss shook her head, and Aaron spoke up. "Evacuating the school would mean the possibility of evacuating the Unsub as well. If you clear out the campus now, our chances of catching the arsonist become close to nothing." The Chief of Police snorted in disgust. "You think catching this man is worth the lives of more students?" "We're not saying that," Derek interjected, holding up a hand towards the Chief in an attempt to placate her. "If you evacuate now, we won't catch the Unsub. When you eventually reopen, he'll most likely start setting fires again. All closing the campus and dorms would do would put off your problem." Everyone around the circle grew quiet, thinking and silently sharing their frustration, when in the distance, a faint ringing could be heard. Reid was the first to notice, as he was closest to the door. His head snapped up, his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed inquisitively. "Is that a fire alarm?" The young agent asked. The whole group looked in the same direction, and then the Dean said quickly, "The only building in that direction is the women's dorms." Aaron's mind quickly put two and two together- the women's dorms of the University of Virginia contained nearly two thousand female students... one of whom was Bailey. "Spread out," he said sharply. "Morgan, Prentiss, get into the building and start clearing floors as fast as you can with as many of the University cops you can round up. Reid, I want you to observe everyone who leaves the building but stays to watch. Use the profile to narrow down suspects, our Unsub may be one of them." He turned to the Dean and said quickly, "We'll need your help getting as many of the students out of the area as you can." The team took off running down the hall, blowing through the swinging doors into the outside air, already tainted by the smell of smoke. Aaron felt something other than the usual adrenaline rush as he ran toward the building, observing flames from several third-story windows: a knot forming in his stomach. Bailey was most likely inside her dorm room... which just happened to be on the third floor.

[child-of-the-amis]

As the smoke began to flood her room, Bailey felt her body slowing down. Her lungs were on fire. She couldn’t breath. She had laid down in her bed knowing that nothing was going to save her at this moment. She had almost completely given up until she heard what she thought was Aaron’s voice.

Wait that was Aaron. Her body suddenly kick started. Why was he here? Wrapped up in all these flames undoubtedly in a suit that would not protect him. Had he come for her?

“Aaron?” She called out as loudly as her scratchy through would allow. “I’m in here! 304!” She said and began coughing violently. She reached up and grabbed her large water bottle and began banging it on the ground hoping to lead him to her. “AARON!” she screamed one last time before she saw the door to the bathroom open.

“Aaron?” She asked as her mind went blank and her eyes fluttered shut.

[ssa-ahotchner]

The smoke continued to billow, filling the room as he realized how useless the handheld fire extinguisher would be. He was about to dart back out into the hallway when he heard a faint voice.

Keeping bent over to avoid the worst of the smoke, Aaron glanced around the room again, unable to located the source. Then his eyes locked on the bathroom door, and he heard his name again, clearer this time.

He quickly made his way across the room and pushed open the door, revealing a bathroom that lead into the next dorm room. Aaron spotted Bailey through the smoke, and he made a beeline for her.

Bailey’s unmoving form lay in a heap, the smoke inhalation rendering her unconscious before the flames could reach her. Aaron fell to his knees beside her, coughing out a weak, “Bailey?”

When she didn’t respond, Aaron got to his feet, remaining hunched, and began to drag her toward the door through the smoke and flames. Though she didnt weigh much, the smoke had already began to fill his lungs, and he couldn’t make it more than a few steps with stopping to cough. His vision began to swim before his eyes after each cough— it was clear they both were in very real danger.

Just when it seemed neither of them would find their way out, Bailey’s dorm door splintered open and Morgan rushed into the room, his mouth in his elbow as he coughed too, attempting to avoid inhaling too much smoke.

“Hotch!” He shouted, catching the team leader as he stumbled, trying to pull him from the room.

Aaron resisted, pointing to Bailey’s unconscious form on the floor. “Her first,” he demanded between coughs.

“No, man, there’s no time, we need to get you out of here-“ Morgan began to protest, but Aaron shook his head vehemently.

“Her first,” he commanded again. Once he was sure Morgan was listening, he crawled for the door, toward cleaner air, and hopefully, toward life.

[ssa-ahotchner]

Closed Starter || @child-of-the-amis || Ashes and Dust

Aaron, Morgan, Reid, and Prentiss stood with the Dean of the University of Virginia and the head of the University Police Department. After the 4th fire had been set, originating from the kitchen of a women's dormitory room that killed two students, the BAU had been called in. The two students, in addition to the first victim during the first fire, caused the case to be reclassified from serial arsonist to serial murder. They stood in the middle of an empty hallway, classrooms on either side. "Do we close the school?" The Dean asked, pulling his glasses from his face in frustration and defeat. Prentiss shook her head, and Aaron spoke up. "Evacuating the school would mean the possibility of evacuating the Unsub as well. If you clear out the campus now, our chances of catching the arsonist become close to nothing." The Chief of Police snorted in disgust. "You think catching this man is worth the lives of more students?" "We're not saying that," Derek interjected, holding up a hand towards the Chief in an attempt to placate her. "If you evacuate now, we won't catch the Unsub. When you eventually reopen, he'll most likely start setting fires again. All closing the campus and dorms would do would put off your problem." Everyone around the circle grew quiet, thinking and silently sharing their frustration, when in the distance, a faint ringing could be heard. Reid was the first to notice, as he was closest to the door. His head snapped up, his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed inquisitively. "Is that a fire alarm?" The young agent asked. The whole group looked in the same direction, and then the Dean said quickly, "The only building in that direction is the women's dorms." Aaron's mind quickly put two and two together- the women's dorms of the University of Virginia contained nearly two thousand female students... one of whom was Bailey. "Spread out," he said sharply. "Morgan, Prentiss, get into the building and start clearing floors as fast as you can with as many of the University cops you can round up. Reid, I want you to observe everyone who leaves the building but stays to watch. Use the profile to narrow down suspects, our Unsub may be one of them." He turned to the Dean and said quickly, "We'll need your help getting as many of the students out of the area as you can." The team took off running down the hall, blowing through the swinging doors into the outside air, already tainted by the smell of smoke. Aaron felt something other than the usual adrenaline rush as he ran toward the building, observing flames from several third-story windows: a knot forming in his stomach. Bailey was most likely inside her dorm room... which just happened to be on the third floor.

[child-of-the-amis]

Bailey had been following the news. She would be crazy not to. She felt a twinge of anxiety every time she walked into a building on campus. Since this was a home for Aaron and Jack she wasn’t staying overnight like she normally would, which filled her dreams with restless nightmares.

Now. As she watched the black smoke billowing into her dorm her nightmares were all to real. She couldn’t get her thoughts straight. But unfortunately she felt like everything was closing in around her.

She ran out to put her hands on the door but she pulled back after feeling the heat from flames no doubt right outside of her door. Still in that moment. When she felt like giving up her thoughts turned to them. To Jack. Jack the sweetest little boy she had ever met. A little boy who’s soccer games she has never missed. Now. She would miss all of them. Then she moved to his dad. Aaron. She had been fighting feelings for him from the very first time she met them. Something about the demeanor. All of it. Still now. She felt the need to apologize.

[text: Aaron, I’m sorry. I’m afraid you’ll need to find another sitter.]

She sent having no idea he was outside of the building.

[text: the fires. They are here. I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it out. Tell Jack I love him. And I love you. Thank you for everything.]

[ssa-ahotchner]

Aaron burst into the courtyard of the dorm building, looking up at each story of the building. The black smoke was clearly coming from the third floor, billowing out in dark, ominous clouds that spiraled into the open air of the courtyard and into the blue sky. Students were rushing along the balconies to the stairwells that would lead them to safety. Aaron searched the sea of faces. Bailey's was not among them. Morgan and Prentiss began to organize the exit of the escaping students as Hotch fought against the onslaught of bodies, struggling to climb the stairs and not be knocked down by the frantic crowd. When he finally made his way to the third floor, the smoke was so thick it was hard to see. Aaron ducked, trying to duck under the worst of it, as he made his way to the wall where a fire extinguisher hung. It was small, but it was better than nothing. As he came to the first door, Aaron planted his rear foot firmly and kicked it in, sending the doorframe splintering into the room. He ducked low as a large plume of flames shot out toward him, nearly singeing his hair. He knew this dorm was connected to the next one by a shared bathroom, hopefully both rooms were already evacuated. "Hello?!" He shouted, his voice carrying over the sounds of the crackling flames, "Is anyone in here?!"

[ssa-ahotchner]

Closed Starter || @child-of-the-amis || Ashes and Dust

Aaron, Morgan, Reid, and Prentiss stood with the Dean of the University of Virginia and the head of the University Police Department. After the 4th fire had been set, originating from the kitchen of a women's dormitory room that killed two students, the BAU had been called in. The two students, in addition to the first victim during the first fire, caused the case to be reclassified from serial arsonist to serial murder. They stood in the middle of an empty hallway, classrooms on either side. "Do we close the school?" The Dean asked, pulling his glasses from his face in frustration and defeat. Prentiss shook her head, and Aaron spoke up. "Evacuating the school would mean the possibility of evacuating the Unsub as well. If you clear out the campus now, our chances of catching the arsonist become close to nothing." The Chief of Police snorted in disgust. "You think catching this man is worth the lives of more students?" "We're not saying that," Derek interjected, holding up a hand towards the Chief in an attempt to placate her. "If you evacuate now, we won't catch the Unsub. When you eventually reopen, he'll most likely start setting fires again. All closing the campus and dorms would do would put off your problem." Everyone around the circle grew quiet, thinking and silently sharing their frustration, when in the distance, a faint ringing could be heard. Reid was the first to notice, as he was closest to the door. His head snapped up, his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed inquisitively. "Is that a fire alarm?" The young agent asked. The whole group looked in the same direction, and then the Dean said quickly, "The only building in that direction is the women's dorms." Aaron's mind quickly put two and two together- the women's dorms of the University of Virginia contained nearly two thousand female students... one of whom was Bailey. "Spread out," he said sharply. "Morgan, Prentiss, get into the building and start clearing floors as fast as you can with as many of the University cops you can round up. Reid, I want you to observe everyone who leaves the building but stays to watch. Use the profile to narrow down suspects, our Unsub may be one of them." He turned to the Dean and said quickly, "We'll need your help getting as many of the students out of the area as you can." The team took off running down the hall, blowing through the swinging doors into the outside air, already tainted by the smell of smoke. Aaron felt something other than the usual adrenaline rush as he ran toward the building, observing flames from several third-story windows: a knot forming in his stomach. Bailey was most likely inside her dorm room... which just happened to be on the third floor.

[ssa-ahotchner]

A soft starter call. If we've written a bit before, hit like. If we haven't please shoot me a message. Slowly easing back into writing Aaron.

[ssa-ahotchner]

hello, is this blog still active?

Hey there! I am still here but in a very limited capacity. I struggle a lot mentally, and unfortunately, it really impacts my motivation and my writing. I try to stop in as much as I am able!