Oxytocin [aaron hotchner]

one

It's been about six months since you joined the Behavioural Analysis Unit at Quantico. Even though your entrance came during a bitter time for the team, you feel like you've been accepted into this little family. Which somewhat surprises you, looking back on it now. Since you were replacing someone on the team who was killed during an ambush on a case.

The team members have all been incredibly kind to you, despite the great loss they all suffered. All of them went out of their way to make you feel welcome and loved. You've made one very dear friend in particular, Penelope. Of course everyone is super nice, but Penelope is an actual ray of sunshine, always doing the most to make us feel good.

There has been one team member who has been a little less open and welcoming though. Well technically he is your unit chief anyway, so his reserved attitude is understandable and admirable even sometimes. We all go through and witness so much horror, you often wonder how he is still so composed.
Not that he hasn't been kind to you whatsoever, that's not it. He's just not as into you, you assume.

It's 7:55 am and you walk into the BAU, dragging your feet behind you walking straight to the kitchen. Derek is already in there pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Good morning sunshine", he grins at your unamused face. You've never been the one to be cheerful in the mornings. You let out a groan as a way of saying "good morning" and snatch his mug from the counter and immediately take a sip. "Hey! That was not for you baby girl", Derek says trying to get his cup back but you kindly slap his hand back and walk out of the kitchen and into the office spaces.

Derek follows you quickly with another cup of coffee in his hands. "Busy night?"
You let out another groan as you set your mug down on your desk, letting your heavy go-bag slide off your arm and hit the floor at the same time. "Not at all actually. I just find this an extremely inhumane hour to be at work." You say as you take off your coat and hang it on your office chair. You slide down onto it and take the warm cup in your hands. "It's 8 AM", Derek chuckles into his coffee.

"What's inhumane?" JJ asks happily as she struts into the office. She's followed by Reid and Emily. Derek greets them and says "she's complaining about how early it is." Reid chimes in without greeting anyone "you know there's an average of about 150 million Americans that are starting work at 8 am or even earlier every day. So it really isn't that early."

You close your eyes but still offer him a smile. Reid's comment has earned some chuckles from the team just as your unit chief walks out of his office and kindly asks you all to join him in the conference room. Emily pulls you up from your chair and you all start walking towards where you are being expected. You rub your eyes one more time as you're getting ready to start the day, knowing what you're about to hear and see isn't going to be fun.

"Go ahead Garcia", Hotchner says as you're all taking your seats. You look around and see the files and iPads scattered around the table. You decide to grab one of each as Garcia begins the presentation. As your hand reaches for the case file in the middle of the table, your fingers brush slightly over Hotch's, he was actually reaching for the same file from across the table. You realise there aren't enough files. You quickly make eye contact and hand it him "I'll follow along with Emily", you whisper as you nudge your head in her direction. He quickly nods and takes a seat, immediately burying his head in the documents. Emily is sitting next to you and as the words left your mouth, she's already scooting closer to you and opens the file. You sink in your seat and pay attention to Penelope.