Aaron Hotchner- Oneshot (Criminal Minds) Extra
It took about two months for you to be cleared. Technically you were up and running a month ago, but Hotch refused to let you back into the field until he was certain you were alright.
What bothered him wasn’t your quick recovery back into the bureau. But you’d passed every evaluation. Given your record, it wasn’t surprising. You were fully equipped to trick the system if you needed to. So he placed it upon himself to keep an eye out. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary.
Not even this case seems to phase you.
Rossi and Prentiss had given their own little observations as they watched you review the file on the plane.
“She seems alright. If I had to say, she’s more focused. Vigilant.” Rossi comments.
Was your vigilance merely a mask to hide that trauma? You were shot. Then you watched the very man who attacked you get shot down right before your eyes. You must have picked up on his stare, because you looked up. You held his gaze for a few seconds before looking away.
He decided not to dwell on it.
“We’ll give you whatever you need to catch this scumbag.”
The Texas Police Department was completely on board. Hotch knew in cases like this, sometimes the local officers often got in the way.
“Can you show us what you have?” The detective nodded.
“Right this way.” He led them to the conference room. The sight of the victims taped to the wall. Reid stepped forward, and you were right next to him.
“All brunette.” Reid spoke.
“With the same first and last initials.” You commented. You both exchanged a look, one that the team had grown used to from Reid whenever he made a breakthrough.
“What is it?” Hotch questioned.
“He’s killing in alphabetical and numerical order.” You and Reid said simultaneously.
The detectives present just wore slight looks of confusion. You sent Reid a small smile which he returned.
“We should make a list of women within a ten mile radius with similar initials and birthdates that closely collaborate.” Reid advises.
“He’s too sloppy, he’s been killing in his area, there’s a good chance all these women were connected, or he knew them in some way or another. “ You add.
Hotch wastes no time. Everyone falls out, taking up other tasks while you get busy yourself. Reid is formulating a geographical profile, and you step into the office, to grab a stack of files to make some kind of connection. Hotch is in the room on the phone, possibly talking to Garcia from his facial expression.
You were right. Eyes directed on the papers, Hotch slips his phone into his pocket as he stands there, watching you. It goes unnoticed at first, but then you pick up on it, and you look over.
You’re not even surprised by the question.
“I was cleared for duty.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
You close your eyes, letting out a breath.
You try to give nothing away. But Hotch has been doing this long enough. Of course he can spot it. It’s clear that you’re not ready to talk.
For the next couple days, you all do your best to catch the unsub. When it was time to make an arrest, Hotch didn’t miss the hesitance you showed to follow them.
Everyone noticed the manner you looked at him. It was as if the both of you were having some kind of silent conversation. You didn’t argue. Just followed his order. The rest of the team along with a few officers and the lead detectives were heading out.
You had a feeling you knew how this would play out. This man is taking revenge. So trying to reason would be difficult. But if anyone could do it, your team would. That’s why when the man is finally apprehended and you see them on the news, You’re not surprised. The officers were exchanging relieved looks as a few walked over to shake your hand for a job well done. Your gaze drifted back to the television screen. For the first time since you started the case, you felt relaxed.
When you were all on the jet, taking off to Quantico, everyone was invested in their own little tasks. Reid was reading a book. Morgan listened to his tracks. JJ was snacking on her cheetos and Prentiss seemed to be in an intense game of chess with Rossi. You barely said a word. Since you were all set to get back just in time for dinner, Rossi invited everyone to his house for a nice meal. It was well deserved after that stressful case.
The moment the jet landed, everyone was eager for dinner. So after picking up Garcia, everyone made a trip to Rossi’s. Easy conversation slipped through. Stories of past flops in their lives and the office. You smiled at some of Garcia’s jokes and Morgan’s tall tales. It’s a very calm atmosphere. When the festivities begin to die down, you try to find a secluded place to gather your thoughts.
Hotch caught you admiring Rossi’s very spacious backyard. You were still adjusting to the team.
While you got along well with everyone. There was a part of you that thought you had no right to be there.
“All of you worked hard to get where you are. I got shot in the head and came back with super powers. “ You let out a dry laugh.
“If I can even call it that. These headaches are hell in itself. But hey, at least I’m alive right.”
“Not every case will have a happy ending.”
“Don’t patronize me, I’m not some child. You think I’m that naive.” Your tone is bitter. Hotch has learned that you tend to become hostile when you feel helpless.
“For five months I played dumb teasers and word puzzles when I could have been protecting people. Saving people. “
“You can’t expect to save everyone.”
Your yell was expected. You caught yourself, looking down at your shoes. You had not intended to lose your temper, especially in front of him, but the pain in your chest wouldn’t leave.
That’s all he said, and you wiped the side of your cheek when the stray tear fell. Because it feels a bit unfair. You’ve managed to evade death not once, but twice.
“You survived that shooting, but two others died. A man and a woman with less fatal injuries. You blame yourself.”
“It’s my fault. They probably had ten doctors in my room. What about those two! Why didn’t they help them first? I was a lost cause!!”
You let out a scoff, because you know he’s about to spout some fortune cookie nonsense. But he doesn’t. Hotch takes a step closer, and you hold your breath at the way his eyes bore into you.
“You’re important.” His tone is much softer.
This is more than just simple reassurance. When his thumb wipes your tear stained cheek, it’s one of the few times since your accident that your brain isn’t going a mile a minute. It’s all so quiet now.
Your lips quiver at his words.
This is not what you expected at all.
