Sergeant At Arms Length

My House My Rules

*Please be aware that there are a couple of POV swaps between Hotch and Davina!!*

Hotches pov

Davina's message telling me she wasn't coming in yesterday didn't sit well with me at all. I had the impression that everything went good the day prior, but after getting her message something tells me she didn't feel the same. I didn't want to push the conversation over text so I just left it be.

Throughout the day Morgan kept asking why she wasn't in or replying to his messages and phone calls and I simply told him she was taking a personal day. After the long day filled with paperwork was finished, I was the last one to leave the office. As usual. The whole car ride home I contemplated messaging Davina to ask how she was doing but I decided against it just wanting to get home and kiss Jack goodnight and eat dinner before I crash for the night. And I did just that.

Now on my way to work, I catch myself hoping Davina will be in today. And walking into the BAU my wish is granted, as I see her standing outside the glass doors. But what I don't expect to see is her having a hushed conversation with Erin. I stop myself outside the elevator gauging their conversation to see if I should interrupt, but by the time I make up my mind they shake hands and Erin hands two files to Davina before wishing her good luck.

Right before it happened. She turned around and started walking toward the elevator. Right past me, but as she did she looked me in the eyes. I tried my hardest to read her face but it held nothing. No want. No sorrow. Nothing. She just left. And as those elevator doors shut, my mind went into overdrive. Why'd she leave? Was she coming back to the BAU? Back to...me?

I pushed the millions of questions out of my head as I continued on through the doors into the bullpen. I hadn't heard any of the voices of my team, I just kept walking. I set my briefcase on my desk and sat down just staring off. To say I'm relieved that we don't have a case would be an understatement because even while doing paperwork I found my thoughts drifting back to the brown hair blue eyed beauty. About halfway through the day was the first time I was interrupted by no other than Erin.

"Aaron, I need to discuss something with you in private." She said as she walked through the door and closed it behind her.

"Is this about your little meeting with agent Kasey this morning?" I asked with a bored tone while continuing to focus on the work in front of me.

"Actually it does. Agent Kasey has been recruited back to her old team in Iraq to solve an open case from the last 11 years. She was here earlier to pick up the case files that were sent from Marine Corp headquarters before she left for Iraq." she explains further standing in front of me.

She's going back to Iraq? Why now?

"Why wasn't I informed that one of my team members would be leaving? And why are just now informing me of her departure?" I mumble trying to keep my anger and worry at bay, knowing none of this is Erin's doing.

"You weren't informed earlier because you didn't need to know, until now. The Department of Homeland Security has reason to suspect that our nation's capital is being targeted more now with this case than they were 11 years ago. That is why I am coming to you." Erin added making me grow even more confused.

"What am I needed for exactly?" I asked timidly as my thoughts bounce back and forth to what might come out of her mouth next.

"You're needed to go to Iraq and gather details on agent Kasey and her team's case." She says and hands me a file on the case that Davina and her team are covering.

I take the file and look over it briefly before setting it down and closing the other files I was working on. I grab my briefcase and make sure everything is in its place on my desk before putting the file into my briefcase.