Resilience [Aaron Hotchner]

I Can Do This

What. The. Hell.

What is that constant ringing? It is too early and my head hurts too much for this right now. I slowly blink my eyes open to find an unfamiliar room. When I move to find the origin of the ringing, I'm met with a weight draped across my stomach.

Oh.

I must've run out of liquor at my apartment and decided to visit a bar or two. All I can remember is leaving a bar and, unfortunately, only one of us ending the night in pleasure. Spoiler alert! It wasn't me.

By trying to retrace my steps from the night before, I momentarily forgot about what woke me up. After gently pushing the brunette's arm away, I searched the floor for my phone... naked. I didn't exactly have a choice considering it could be work.

SHIT.

How did I forget? The BAU is one of the most prestigious departments in the country and I forgot about my first day. When I found my phone at last, the caller ID was Jason. I hit accept, then placed the phone between my ear and shoulder so I had free hands to get dressed. "Hey..."

"Why did it take you so long to answer?," Jason called out just as I finished putting on my jeans from the floor.

"I was sleeping." I could sense he had a lecture brewing on the tip of his tongue, so I interrupted him. "Don't worry, I won't be late." It was only six o' clock in the morning, I had plenty of time.

"I know you're lying, but it'll have to wait." I rolled my eyes at his response. I know he's worried considering my past, but I had the right last night. I needed to calm my nerves before my big day. A day he pushed me into. "Hotch and I agreed you should come in early to go over everything before the team comes in. Be here at seven."

"Jason, I can't- Jason?" He hung up on me before I could respond. I quickly finished getting dressed and just as I was about to exit the motel, a raspy voice called out.

"Wait, I never got your number. Or name," he smirked at me.

"That's because I don't give it. I gotta keep it slick, small dick." I left before I could hear a response.

**********

Luckily the motel was next to the bar I left my car at, so I got home and ready pretty quick. I was in front of the FBI field office sitting in the parking lot. It was now 6:48 and I got here about five minutes ago. I haven't been able to go in.

With a new job, comes coworkers. They always want to know the new person by asking them a series of personal questions. To make matters worse, this is a group of profilers. Usually I can get away with lying or avoiding the question, but these guys will spot me in a second. Maybe this was a mistake.

Just as I start to put my seatbelt back on, Jason appears in front of my car. It's like our superpower; we always know when the other needs us. I let go of the seatbelt with a sigh and slowly exited the vehicle. Jason gives me a knowing look when our eyes meet.

Instead of questioning, he gave me exactly what I needed. He grabs my go-bag and guides me inside. If he hadn't come out, I never would've gone inside. We scan our badges and enter the elevator.

Almost immediately after Jason hit the button for the sixth floor, he pulled the emergency stop, and looked at me. "Don't let them take anything else from you. You earned this. Today, just do what you do best."

I didn't have anything to say so I nodded subtly instead. He understood and started the elevator again. When we exited to the BAU's floor, it was empty. Jason had told me agents usually didn't come in until eight when it wasn't necessary. "Make me proud" was the last thing I heard before he left.