Yes Sir [Hotch X Reader]

Chapter 31

⚠️TW: depictions of violence and strangling⚠️

While the team discussed the profile, your mind strayed. Something about it was off. He wasn't interested in Davenport, he was interested in his daughter. Why?

You could tell you weren't the only one lost deep in thought. You couldn't help but notice Hotch standing in the corner of the room, pacing back and forth.

There came a point in every case where the decision was his. The difficult decisions, the ones full of risk where neither choice seemed like a good one. And it was all on his shoulders every time. Sensing his dilemma, you stand up and make your way over to him.

"What are you thinking?" You ask, crossing your arms over your chest and keeping an appropriate distance from him.

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" He says, almost to himself "we have to send the girl."

"We don't know yet. There may be another option. We have to wait for them to call again" you remind him.

"How are you so sure he'll call again?" He questions, tilting his head slightly.

"An unsub that needs that level of control wouldn't leave us with that little instruction. He's probably leaving us on edge before giving us the actual instruction" you shrug.

"You're right" he nods, his eyes leaving you and moving back to the team "well, if he's trying to keep us on edge, it's working."

"Hey," you say gently, commanding his attention "you know we're going to catch this guy. We'll find the girl, too. We always do, right?"

"Of course." he nods. It didn't take a profiler to tell he wasn't exactly confident about his choice. Whether the facade was for your benefit or his, you couldn't tell.

"Do you think she'll be able to do it?" You ask.

"I guess we'll see" he shakes his head. You're almost surprised at his lack of confidence. For the first time, you could see clearly how unsure he was. How worried he was that his decision would have the wrong outcome. And yet when he walked back to the team and told them what his plan was, he displayed complete confidence. Like he was completely sure it would be alright.

And maybe he had to be. If a leader wasn't confident in his plan, how was a team expected to follow? But it seemed unfair to you that he and he alone was the one that always had to carry that weight and hide how he felt.

You're interrupted from your thoughts when the machine lights up again, signifying another call. In an instant, the entire team takes their positions and the Davenport family nervously wait for Hotch to accept it.

"This is most likely going to be ransom instructions," you inform them gently "just agree with what he says. Try not to aggravate him, alright?" They both agree and you nod at Hotch, signaling him to answer.

"Hello?" Evan answers with a shaky voice.

"I have new instructions," the voice said with much more confidence "you will listen carefully if you ever want to see your daughter again. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand" he replied after noticing your reassuring nod.

"Good," the unsub said "now, you will find $50,000 and placed it in a sealed duffle bag. You will have Cherryl and one agent come to the lot I selected. The agent will not have any weapons. You will drop the bag behind the dumpster and leave. Any surveillance will not be tolerated. Staying after you drop the money will not be tolerated. If you break my rules, you will never see Trisha again. You will do this all by 4 AM today." Without another word, the call ended.