Time of the Season [HotchxReader]

(1) Can you start today?

Note

As I did with my last fiction, this story is written from YOUR perspective. However, I prefer not to write something like Y/N. So, your name is Prof. Emilia Byrne.

Still, I use your name sparsely anyways. So it only comes up a few times. Otherwise you usually get referred to by •Professor•.

⚠️NSFW WARNING⚠️
General warning for canon-typical violence.

- - - - - - - - - -

Briefcase and small suitcase in one hand, your CV in the other, you wait for the elevator to take you to the right floor. You check the watch on your wrist: 7:37 a.m.

The bullpen lies quiet before you. You can hear the clocks on the wall, showing the time in different time zones, ticking. The bright lights on the ceiling make it even weirder. Like you're in a museum.

You straighten your blouse and take a deep breath, walking towards the office up the stairs. It's the only one a person seems to be in. The one you want to make hire you.

Knocking twice, you wait for them to call you in.

"Yes." A dark voice answers.

Opening the door, you ask: "SSA Hotchner?"

He gets up from his chair: "Yes. How can I help you?"

You walk to his desk and put your CV down, then you extend your arm to shake his hand.

Hotchner takes it, visibly surprised by your firm grip.

"I'd like to work as medical examiner for your team."

Obviously confused, he furrows his eyebrows: "We don't have such a position."

"I know, that's why I'm here."

Letting his hand sink, he looks you up and down.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Emilia Byrne. I was appointed to a professorship at the National Intelligence University three years ago. I hold the chair for forensics and criminology." You slide your CV in his direction. "Here is a list of my qualifications and degrees."

Astonished, Hotchner actually takes the piece of paper and quickly reads it.

"The BAU would be more effective if a medical examiner were appointed to them. It would not only speed up the process when handling bodies and crime scenes, the team would furthermore have a professional at hand to assist with building the profile based of medical observations. I read your case files, the time between bodies being found and you getting actual information about them is thirteen hours on average. That's valuable time, especially when you are dealing with serial offenders."

Hotchner's mouth falls open.

"I-" He clears his voice while still processing the information you bombarded him with. After he collected himself, he tells you: "Even if I would want to, we don't have the funding to hire another agent."

You smile. His eyes tell you that he wants you on the team.

"Right." You nod. "The NIU agreed to pay half of my salary if I am allowed to use the cases for teaching purposes."

Hotchner leans against his desk and stares at the floor. He's not as stern as he was described to you.

"What's your rate?" He crosses his arms to regain somewhat of a posture.