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TW: Slight mention of drugs + overdose
"IF you told me i'd be coming back to Miami a month ago, I would say no fucking way" I looked around the hotel lobby. Derek chuckled from next to me, holding my packed bag. "You say that like it's a bad thing, gorgeous."
"I mean i'm glad to be back but, I was locked up here like ten years ago" I shrugged. The rest of the team turned to me with their eyebrows raised. "Johanna" Aaron looked at me sternly. "Right, sorry, we're on a case" I tried to contain myself from letting out a laugh. Rossi started walking toward us from the front desk, "Let's just hope it doesn't awaken anything in you, wild child. Penelope and Derek, JJ and Emily, Johanna and Aaron," he listed off as he handed us each keys. "And we are not together. You get your own room" he narrowed his eyes at Spencer, who nodded quickly.
"Usually I would call that completely unfair but, no complaints" Derek smiled as he wrapped his arm around Penelope. "Meow, frisky" she playfully gasped.
"Everybody get some rest. It's late, we'll meet first thing in the morning" Aaron looked between the team, each of them nodding in response before walking off to their rooms. "Don't have too much fun" Emily smirked at us. I rolled my eyes, turning back to Aaron who had his typical poker face on. He bent down to pick up my bag before I stopped him. "I can hold it, it's fine" I shook my head. "I know you can, but you shouldn't" he walked up to our room, my bag resting in his hand.
I followed him in, fidgeting with my fingers unknowingly, when I realized. There was only one bed. He must've noticed too, judging by the small sigh he let out. I laughed loudly at the cliche, I could not believe the one bed-trope was actually happening to me. "I can sleep on the couch" he threw his bag on the long sofa in the corner. "I'm not letting you sleep on there, thats so uncomfortable" I instantly responded.
"I mean, unless you have a problem with sharing-" I backtracked, when he cut me off. "No, no, I don't. I just thought you might've." I shook my head, taking my jacket off. "I don't mind it."
There was a comfortable silence as he turned to the bathroom, changing out of his work clothes. I took the opportunity to slip into a loose white t shirt and white shorts. "Can I trust you in this city?" he walked out of the bathroom after a few minutes. I would've believed he meant it seriously if it weren't for the small smile playing on his lips. He was now in a tight fitting black t shirt along with gray sweatpants. Damn you, I thought.
I sighed, laughing softly as I turned my vulgar thoughts to my past experiences in Miami. "You should be able to," I nodded. "It's just weird to be back. The last time I was here..." I trailed off.
"You don't have to talk about it." I smiled at his choice of words. He seemed very careful with everything he said, afraid not to pry too deep into my personal life. "It isn't that serious. I was just doing a bunch of stupid shit i'd never do now." He was now sitting up on one side of the bed as I shifted on the other side to face him. "I was pretty coked out the entire time I'd been living here, which had to have been... maybe two years? I ended up in the hospital a few times... I played with my life. It was a really dark time" I picked at my nails. " And then of course I got in trouble with the police, did some time and disappeared. I guess I just never thought i'd be on the side of law enforcement."
"I'm very happy you're here today, Johanna" was all he said as he looked into my eyes. I recognized what washed over his, it was a look i'd seen one too many times from my mother. My little sister Evie, constantly had it glistening in her eyes too. He cared about me. Why? "You don't seem convinced."
"This is the second time since i've met you that you read my mind" I tilted my head. "Is there something I should know? Mind reading powers or something?" I narrowed my eyes playfully. He chuckled, "Im no Edward Cullen."
"No, you're the super cool Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner- Unit chief of the FBI's behavioral analysis unit" I raised my finger. "You did not" he genuinely laughed, a beautiful sight. "Mhm, the full government name" I laid down next to him and he turned to his side, so that we were now both facing each other. "I don't have mind-reading powers, I just pay attention" he repeated quietly.
I nodded slowly, avoiding eye contact. "Do you pay attention to everything?" I questioned. I silently cursed myself for speaking those words. What type of fool would I be if I believed for a second he was interested in my by any means- "Only to things that matter" he cut my thoughts off. I hesitantly raised my eyes to meet his, already on mine.
I was at a loss for words. The peaceful moment was so new to me, the mere innocence of sweet remarks was enough to give my stomach butterflies. I just couldn't help but wonder if I was overthinking everything he told me completely, trying to find some sort of romantic undertone. Before he could notice my overthinking, I shifted and propped my head up on my hand. "So, what are we doing tomorrow, boss man?"
He cleared his throat and mirrored my movement. "Our unsub has a pattern of capturing his victims on fridays, we don't know where yet. Tomorrow is thursday, we should spend as much time we can to build an accurate profile and follow anything that might lead us to him before friday."
"And if we can't get to him before that, we need to step in as bait on friday" I added, earning a nod. "Won't we have a lot of extra time on us, though? I mean it shouldn't take more than a few hours to follow every lead" I furrowed my eyebrows. "We never know if our unsub will stray from his pattern, we have to take every factor into account. If we do have extra time on us though, I suggest making the best out of it. You won't get another vacation for a while." I frowned at this, letting my head fall onto my pillow as I groaned.
He laughed once more. "I know, I know. You'll get used to it." I smiled up at him as I got more comfortable. "Well, I am going to sleep. Wake me up when you are."
"I will, goodnight Johanna" he smiled softly. "Sweet dreams, Aaron."
