The Stone Wall and His Weakness [A.H.]

XXXII

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I stared up at the ceiling, blinking slowly as I watched the fan spin around. I shifted every so often, the ache that had settled in my abdomen and chest rarely ceasing anymore. In the few weeks since Aaron's departure, I had noticed an uptick in my symptoms. The doctors had warned me before starting IVF that there were side effects, both temporary and permanent. I remained on the milder end of the symptom scale, with cramps, breast tenderness, and minor mood-swings, but it was getting harder to hide it from the team.

I had yet to tell them what was going on. They were worried, I could tell by the stares and quiet whispers when they thought I wasn't paying attention, but I wasn't ready to tell them, not when I still didn't have confirmation that I could be pregnant. Not when Aaron was off god knows where. Penelope, however, stayed by my side every chance she could.

I sighed as I dragged myself out of bed, making my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

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I chewed on my cheek as I made my way through the bullpen, noticing the empty desks of my team. I paused momentarily as I got to the top of the stairs, staring at the closed door to Aaron's office. The door and blinds had been closed since he left. I hadn't gone in since then, not wanting to risk the emotional toll it may take. I sighed heavily, shaking my head to bring myself back to the present.

I stood in the doorway as I took in the team, shoving my hands in the back pockets of my jeans as I tried to force down the smile that was threatening to take over my lips. After a few moments, though, I could tell something was wrong, and it took little effort to shove down the excitement. There was an uneasy silence settled over the room, like they had just learned something devastating.

Emily and Rossi stood at the front of the room, with everyone else grouped together around them.

I could feel my heart start to hammer against my chest as I stepped into the room, "Guys, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Alex." Emily breathed out my name, as if it hurt her to say. Everyone spun around to face me, their expressions a mix of emotions I couldn't quite pick out.

"Tell me it's not Aaron-" I gasped, "Tell me he's not-"

"He's okay!" Penelope rushed over to me, taking one of my hands in hers, "He's alive."

"Then- what-" I blinked back the burning in my eyes as they continued to stare.

Spencer whirled around to look at Rossi, "No one told her?"

Rossi shook his head, "We couldn't. No one could know."

"Tell me what?"

"Alex..." Emily took a step towards me, "Hotch wasn't on a special assignment. He and Jack, they entered witness protection. Peter Lewis was following Jack-"