𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 | 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐫 (1)

two

"Is that all you've got, newbie?" Derek Morgan teasingly eyeing my duffle bag, "We don't usually leave until we solve the damn thing."

"How long does that usually take?"

"Long enough for you to forget what sleeping in your own bed feels like," Emily laughed good-naturedly.

I was the last to board the jet and was now tasked with my least favourite decision of all time: where to sit. It was like high school all over again. Friendships were already forged, leaving no room for outsiders, which I decided was probably for the best. Unlike high school, there was no empty classroom to hide in. I sat by myself leaving one seat between myself and the rest of the team.

Throughout the journey, I listened. Conversation seemed so easy between them that I could never imagine being a part of the team.

It's for the best, Addy.

Just do your job and keep your head down.

I felt eyes on me every so often and usually I wouldn't have minded but, now that I had something to hide, it made me uncomfortable. In contrast to their stares, the lull of the plane's engines was so peaceful and when combined with my sleep deprivation,  I found it incredibly hard to resist the nagging temptation of rest. I succumbed, deciding that it was safe to close my eyes just for a second while I was in the air.

When I woke, Emily Prentiss was shaking my shoulder gently, "Looks like you slept well, I'm jealous."

Morgan was smirking at me and JJ was fighting back a laugh, "What?" I asked indignantly.

"So you're a sleep talker huh?"

"Be nice, Morgan," Rossi scolded.

"What, why what did I say?" Panic wormed its way into my chest, had I given myself up in my sleep?

"Relax, kiddo, you were just talking about flowers. Roses."

I failed to say more than, "Oh," as I instinctively reached for the tattoo on my left wrist, concealed by my blazer sleeve. I ran my thumb over it out of habit, instantly comforted.

"Does your husband owe you some?" JJ asked.

My stomach lurched uncomfortably, "I'm sorry?"

She gestured to the silver band on my wedding ring finger.

Ah. I'd forgotten to take it off this morning, I guess some habits never die. I twisted the silver band systematically around my finger —wrestling with my manipulative mind, begging it not to take me to where I didn't want to go.  I opted to lie to them, sparing us all from the ugly truth.

"We're separated," I said simply, not making eye contact with Hotch who likely knew the truth from my file. I watched out of the corner of my eye and noticed him stiffen. It was definitely in my file. I assumed he'd understand.

"Just an old habit." I slipped the ring of my finger and put it in my inside blazer pocket, making certain I zipped it up. But my finger felt so naked and my hand so light without the weight of it that I put it back on when no one was looking.

"What about kids?" Prentiss queried.

I hesitated,"I have a daughter, Rosie, she's four."

"Oh that's such a lovely age, I miss Henry being four," JJ gushed.

I nodded in agreement, "Every day she surprises me."

...

When we landed, Hotch was keen to dish out orders, "We've got cars meeting us outside, Rossi and Reid, I want you guys with me so we can discuss the changes in MO that Garcia alerted us to. The rest of you, take the other car. We'll meet at the local police department. Miss Reeves I've emailed you a list of people I want you to call and arrange meetings with, get our schedules from Garcia and don't double book us, it doesn't help," he sighed.