𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 criminal minds

ch.1

Hotch stepped out of the elevator and checked his watch as he did. The time read 6 AM which meant the office would be empty until 7 AM. He lifted his head from his watch and pushed open the glass door to enter the bullpen. As he walked in, he noticed JJ's office door open with a slight mess.

It was hard to tell because of how far he was but it was noticeable. He didn't remember JJ leaving last night but he also didn't remember her staying.

His eyebrows creased in confusion and he continued to his office. The man went up the small set of steps and stopped when he reached the top. He was stuck between checking on JJ or resuming his schedule for the day.

For a minute he stood at the steps debating until he remembered his long list of "chores" to do. So the man moved his direction to his office and started to walk. He reached the door and opened it in a swift movement, he wanted to start his day and was in the mood to work.

As he stepped in, he was stopped by another surprise. A woman.

The brunette sat in his chair with her feet kicked up on the desk. A picture frame that belonged on the desk was held up covering her face. But the frame didn't stop Hotch from recognizing his old colleague.

"Elle," he whispered. Hotch raised his eyebrows and was speechless. He stood dumbfounded in the doorway and held his briefcase loosely in his hand.

"Aaron," the woman set down the picture frame and smiled. She looked different from when she left and had a scar that stood out on her face.

Elle pointed her hand to the couch opposite of the desk and brought her other to her mouth making a shushing motion. She held her finger to her lips and smiled again. The man furrowed his brows and turned his head in the direction she pointed.

When he looked, his eyes landed on a blonde woman unconscious on the couch. He noticed a small bruise on her cheekbone and a small amount of blood from her nose. Almost immediately, Hotch got fueled with anger and dropped his suitcase to reach for his gun.

"Let's just say she wasn't too keen on my visit," Elle stated. She was one step ahead of Hotch and had her gun pulled out. Hotch saw the gun in his peripheral vision and put his hands up slowly.

"What do you want?" the man inquired. He was interested in her visit but now wanted her gone. If she hurt JJ who knows what she'd do next.

"Just a few files," the brunette shrugged her shoulders and lowered her weapon. "After I get that, I'll be on my way."

"How do I know you're not lying?" Hotch put his hands down and fully turned his body to Elle. He didn't trust her since she proved the type of person she became.

"Because I'm on a clock and have no time to waste," Elle set the gun down on the desk but still stood. She leaned onto it and placed her hands on top of multiple papers and files. "So, what do say?"

Hotch kept quiet and thought about what to do. His friend was hurt and his old friend has proven herself as dangerous. If he got Elle the files there's no way to know her plan and what she would do after she gets them. But his main priority was getting Elle out and attending to JJ.

"What files do you need?" Hotch asked. He turned away from Elle and moved himself to the couch where JJ was.

"Everything you have on a Beau Wiley," Elle moved her eyes with Hotch's movements and sat down in the chair as she did.

"When do you need them by?" the man sat at the edge of the couch and placed JJ's feet on top of his legs. He creased his eyebrows as he examined the bruising from afar.

"As soon as possible. She's dangerous and unpredictable," Elle stated and whispered the last sentence. Memories about Beau entered her mind and she closed her eyes to shut them out.

"I'll have Garcia print them out when she gets here," Hotch removed his gaze at JJ to Elle and pursed his lips. He wanted Elle gone, so rather now than later.

"Alright, I left my number on your desk, call me when you have them ready," the woman stood up from the chair and grabbed the gun from the desk. She placed it back in the holster on her waist and grabbed her coat from the top of the chair. "Sorry about that by the way."

Elle pointed to JJ and chuckled softly. She paused in front of the chair and began putting on her jacket. Hotch pursed his lips again and widened his eyes slightly, he subconsciously made a sarcastic remark back and returned his gaze to JJ.

As he did, Elle walked out of the small office and left the door wide open. She adjusted her coat as she walked down the steps and headed to the elevator. All she had to do now was stay in the city long enough to receive her files and avoid her old friends at the same time.