Work Affairs A.H

Chapter 17

She blows him off making the way to the jet first trying not to talk to anyone. She thought this day ended weird. He wasn't even supposed to come. He came half way through the case and so did Emily. If he was so sure he didn't want to be the boss why was he still here? She was tired of the back and forth with him. She was here almost a year. The up's and downs and the fact that El might have killed someone. Reid comes up and says," Alice are you ok?"
The rest of the people come in to the jet looking exhausted. She noticed Aaron's eyes on her as he sits down. She watches his hand rub his temple and him lean back sighing. She nods at Reid. He smiles and says," Alice I love you. I know it was a stressful day but we got this. It won't be the same without Hotch but we will make it work."
Alice says," it's fine. Maybe this boss will actually like me."
Reid says," Hotch likes you. And of course they will you are a great addition to this team."
Alice says," thank you Reid it's just a lot of change. I don't do well with so many people leaving. Gideon left. Elle left. Emily's leaving I feel like we just got comfortable.."
Emily chimes in and says," I will always be one phone call away," walking off the jet before hugging everyone.
She grabs Spencer's hand and says," Atleast I'll always have my lover boy."
Morgan says," Dang I see how it is. I am exhausted. "
Hotch walks past carrying a bunch of files and says," turn your files in to Erin tonight."
We all walk into the office all together tired. We notice Emily sitting already working on paperwork. Gracia comes up and says," Welcome back BAU."
Someone is then brought in to the the building by another agent. The person says," Aaron Hotchner."
Hotch turns around and says," yes that's me."
The person hands him paperwork and says," you have been served."
Hotch goes to say something before the person runs out.
Hotch looks down throughly aggravated takes the opportunity to briskly walk upstairs before anyone can ask any questions.
Morgan says," I'll order pizza everyone just let's just get to work."
Reid says," Judging by his face I don't know what he got served with."
Emily says," maybe a case that needs him there to testify."
Morgan says," that might be it but I mean he's retiring why would they call him now."
Alice starts typing the report keeping an eye on the light in Hotch office.
Morgan taps on her shoulder and says," Love, Are you fine with any pizza ?"
Reid says," she likes pepperoni ."
Alice says," yes pepperoni is fine. Sorry I am just thinking about Gideon."
Emily says," Love, are you ok?"
Alice says," I just. Never mind."
Reid says," are you sure?"
She nods looks down at her phone texting a familiar number," Elle I miss you. Things are weird here. Alex is here."
She looks at the 20 messages she sent sadly. She thinks what am I doing? What's going on with hotch?"
Reid says," Alice can I talk to you for a min?"
Morgan says," ooo my man kiss kiss."
Reid pulls her aside and says," Are you sleeping with hotch?"
Her heart almost beats out her chest as she tries to think of a way to not tell him the truth. She scoffs and says," No why would you ask that ?"
Spencer says," the way he looks at you. And the way you were super concern about who was in his office. You haven't dated anyone in a while." Alice pulls Spencer in and says," love I haven't dated anyone because Alex is still around. I have a lot of unresolved trauma. Hotch reached out that night and has been helping me deal with it. And plus how can I date someone if you guys are all stalkers and I live with Morgan?"
And Reid says," so you two are getting along ? Any reason you would think of for him to get served?"
She hugs Reid and says ," I know I miss placed your trust but I have no idea. Yeah kind of." Her mind flashes back to hotch on top of her.
Reid says," Alice the foods here. Alice you ok?"
She nods and says," I am fine. I'll take a slice then I am going to head home Morgan you coming with?"
Emily laughs and says," I'll come with you."
Reid smiles and says," it's been a long night. I am ready to crash out."
Hotch comes down and says," I need paper work tonight."
Alice looks up at him and says," you can't be serious. We just go back from one of our most vicious cases and almost lost you and Emily to retirement."
Hotch says," yeah I need it tonight. I don't have to answer to you."
Alice says," ok boss man I don't know what is going on with you and your lack of personal life. I would actually like to have one."
Morgan swallows the pizza he's eating and says," Alice let's go take a walk."
All of them study Hotch's face in a familiar scowl . Hotch just stomps off up to his office and slams the door.
Reid looks at Alice with pizza on his face and says," Why was that about ?"
Emily says," that was weird. Let's just do the paperwork."
Morgan says," Alice did you just watch what I watched ? He didn't argue with you at all."
They start helping each other with the paperwork as Alice's mind starts to doze off. She checks her phone. Text from Alex," Hey I know I have been a jerk lately. can we meet up ?"
She disregards the message thinking about how hotch did not care to argue with her. She finished two slices of pizza tonight. She was stuffed but still wondering what Hotch got from the server.
She finishes her paperwork and says," I am done. I am going to bring it up to him."
Everyone ooos, she turns and says," Shut up." She walks up the cold staircase nervously fixing her shirt.
She knocks on the door and a calm voice from Hotch says," Come in."
She opens the door to see his desk a mess looked like he just picked up the papers from the floor and Hotchs head in his hands.
She says," I have my paperwork," She sets it on the table. She goes to leave when he says," Alice."
She turns and says," Yes sir?"