Blinded by Hate | a.hotchner

Chapter 37

Trigger Warning: Mentions of Rape and Attempted Sexual Assault

The jet ride was about four hours, and it was fairly smooth. You and Aaron mostly cuddled on the couch, his fingers combing through your hair. You felt his unoccupied hand set on your chest, his fingertips tracing the scars under your collarbone. The touch was light, almost unrecognizable, the movement running over each letter.

When you landed, you sleepily gathered your bags and walked off the plane. The Texas air was dry and hot, sweat immediately pooling along your hairline.

There was an SUV waiting for you and Aaron, no doubt holding the Attorney General of Texas, Patrick Johnson. Aaron had gotten a direct call from him, the General hoping that he could keep the murders from the press.

"Mr. Johnson, it's a pleasure." Aaron said as he climbed into the car after you.

"You too Agent Hotchner, I just wish we weren't meeting under these circumstances." Patrick Johnson replied, gesturing to the driver to start driving.

"At the request of the men's lawyers, discretion is appreciated and advised. I doubt the bureau would like to deal with lawsuits." Mr. Johnson told Aaron, completely ignoring you.

You were used to it, at one point you were used to it from Aaron, but it was still off putting. Patrick barely acknowledged that you were there, until Aaron introduced you.

"Mr. Johnson, this is my colleague Agent y/l/n. She will be helping me with the initial assessment of the case, and judging whether the rest of my team will be needed." Aaron said, puffing his chest out. You were used to that too, his need to assert dominance to other dominant men.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. y/l/n." Patrick responded, his words leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

"Agent." You told him coolly.

"Right, nice to meet you Agent." He corrected himself, and you caught his eye roll.

The driver took the three of you to the hotel where the last victim was found. There was an odd tension in the car, Aaron's hand set possessively on your thigh. Every time the Attorney General spoke, his hand would tighten on your leg.

The few times that Mr. Johnson addressed you, Aaron's hand would twitch on your leg. You knew that he was acting weird because he loves you, but it still made you feel like he thought you couldn't defend yourself.

You were ready, and more likely than Aaron, to slap the shit out of Patrick if needed. He was one of the examples of why you distrust men, Aaron being one of the exceptions. Even then, Aaron worked hard to build and uphold your trust.

The hotel where the second victim was found, is also where you and Aaron were staying. Every now and then, the bureau would allow the team to stay at a nicer hotel. Other times, you would shack up in some dirty motel.

"Since Agent y/l/n and I will be staying here, I'm going to check our bags and I will join the two of you up in the room." Aaron told the Attorney General, grabbing your bags from the back of the car.

"Can't Agent y/l/n check you in? I asked for your help after all." Patrick said, his gaze running down your form and landing on your completely covered chest.

Aaron saw his gesture, stepping in front of you, "I will have you know that Agent y/l/n is more than able of profiling a killer, alone. She is the most proficient and capable Agent I have ever worked with, so if you don't mind, I will go check our bags while you take my Agent up to the crime scene."

He said sternly, his hand clenching tightly at his side. You couldn't have said it better yourself, and you knew that he would have said it no matter your relationship status. Aaron always defended his team, no matter what the circumstance was.