SSA Aaron Hotchner is stepping down from his Unit Chief position for a 6-month period due to an assignment in overseas. To his temporary replacement comes SSA Alexandra Barnes, Chief of the Child Abductions Unit. Both Hotchner and Barnes have their...
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Aaron's voice pulls me out of my sleep. But he isn't talking to me, I actually have no idea what he's saying. I turn to his side slowly and I put my hand on his chest. I rub him gently and I call for him.
He wakes up with a gasp and I can feel his heart racing. "Hey, it's ok. It was just a dream. You're ok" I remind him as he tries to regulate his breathing.
He takes my hand from his chest and kisses it. "Do you want to talk about it?" I ask
"No. Not now" he answers
"Ok, then go back to sleep". He wraps his arms around me and holds me close to him. I close my eyes again and he kisses my head.
"What time is it?" I ask
"6:44" he answers and I groan. "Don't go yet" he says
"I won't. But in 16 minutes, my alarm will go off and I'll have to get up" I warn him.
But not even a minute later, my phone rings. I groan again and I reach over to the nightstand to get it.
"Barnes" I answer as I sit up
"Hey Lex, it's Evelyn" I hear my sister's voice in the other end
"Are you hurt?" I ask
"No"
"Are you in jail?"
"No"
"Then why are you calling me this early?"
"I am under your building and I remembered to ask if you have anyone over. I don't want to ruin anything again"
"No, I'm actually not home tonight. So, go ahead"
"Great, thanks" she hungs up.
I let my phone down and I lay back down. "Everything ok?" Aaron asks as he pulls me in his chest again
"Just my sister abusing my kindness and my apartment" I answer
"I remember she caught us one day, but is she actually staying with you?"
"No, she's just crashing there some times; most of the time actually. At least, she has started cleaning and cooking when she's there and I'm not".
"How old is she?"
"She's 20"
"Hm... And since when have you been taking care of her?" he asks.
I open my eyes and I pull away to look at him. "What?" I ask. Where did that come from?
"You put everyone else's needs and feelings before yours, with the most recent example being yesterday, when you sent Prentiss' to vacation while knowing how much paperwork you had to do already. Also, Dave has been telling me how much you work lately and that you forget to eat some times because of it. That tells me you've already been in a mother-like position in the past, where you had to take care of someone else before you. For the change to be so permanent, it usually means that it happened around teen's and since you just told me that your sister is 20, that would have made you 15-16 when she was born. "So now, deep down you want to let go and have someone take care of you for a little bit but you would never admit that because you don't like asking for help, you think it'll make you look weak. That's why I do it without you realizing it--"
"Enough. Stop profiling me!" I say and I get out of bed.
I lock myself in the bathroom for a bit. I hate being so transparent. I hate that he can see my flaws. But he's still here, despite having seen them...
When I pull myself together, I start getting ready for work. "I made breakfast" Aaron says as soon as I enter the room
"I'll pick up something from outside, I can take care of myself" I reply without looking at him
"I never said the opposite. I... I'm sorry I started profiling you" he says but I ignore him and I continue to get dressed. "Look, it's not a bad thing, I get it. I have a younger brother too".
"No, you don't get it" I reply. "And you know what I think?"
"What?" he asks folding his arms
"I think that you feel guilty for not convincing your brother to follow yours and your father's career; deep down you believe you failed them. So now you found someone you can take care of because you're just trying to prove a point. Also, another educated guess is that your wife left you because of your work, she needed more attention. So now you're giving me all the attention because you're scared that I'll leave".
"Well, the first part might be true. And the second... Maybe... But can you blame me? I found the most beautiful woman in the world. She is patient, kind, sweet and badass. I mean have you ever seen anyone else chase and make an arrest in heels?" he talks as he wraps his arms around me from behind "I am madly in love with this woman and I want to give her everything she needs and everything I can because she deserves all of it. And yes, some times I am scared of the fact that she could leave me but I can't do anything about it. I just want to show her how much she means to me" he continues.
"Don't profile me again, ok? I will talk to you when I'm ready" I say, in the verge of tears
"Ok. I'm sorry" he whispers in my ear and kisses my neck. I turn around and I hug him. "I love you" he says rubbing my back
"I love you too" I reply without pulling away yet.
"Now, are you going to come eat breakfast or are you going to continue being stubborn?" he asks
"I am perfectly capable of doing both at the same time" I answer and he chuckles.
After breakfast, I got ready for work. I was collecting last night's files and putting them in my briefcase when Aaron walked out of the bathroom with something missing.
"What did you do?" I ask
"I shaved" he says as he opens the closet
"Yeah, I noticed. I meant why?" I say disappointed.
He pulls out a suit from the closet. "Where do you think you're going with that?" I ask, knowing very well the answer
"The bureau" he answers
"Absolutely not. You just came back yesterday. You have to get some rest"
"I'm good. You said Emily is on vacation, right? I can fill in" he explains as he picks a tie
"Not without my approval" I remind him and he stops.
He turns around and comes back to me "I can't just sit here. I need to work" he says as he wraps his arms around me "Please..." he asks and kisses me "I'll be good..." he kisses me again
"I'm giving the orders. Right?"
"Yes ma'am" he kisses me one more time
"Then you're staying home" I insist and I pull away.
"It is MY job, Lexie"
"Not right now, my transfer lasts two more months. I will give you your position back earlier than that if you want but you'll sit and rest for at least a week. End of discussion".
I grab my briefcase and I go to kiss him goodbye. "Don't try to seduce me into letting you do something again. Find a hobby" I say, I kiss him and I walk to the door.
"And don't call Garcia, trying to fish information about the case!" I add and I shut the door.
