Abbey Road [Aaron Hotchner x OC]

5. Crest Cottages

Amelia

I spent the whole week of my suspension down in California. I did go to dinner with Ethan but turns out he was a total jerk so I blew him of after our 'date'. I didn't think it was a date but apparently that was his intention. Or more just get me into bed. Which didn't happen.

Right now I was sitting in my apartment staring at the wall. Today I was going back to work. It's funny because this is exactly what I did last week before going in. But this time I wasn't exited. Last week I was practically jumping with joy to get back, but now I was dreading it.

Everyone on the team knew about my past. They knew Erin was my aunt, which most likely meant that Hotch figured out how I got the position. I mean he was a total jerkwad who definitely hated my guts, but he wasn't stupid.

I heard Hotch door close and that meant he was right outside. Which meant I couldn't leave right now.

To be honest. I'd been avoiding him since I came back yesterday afternoon. He'd knocked on my door late last night but I didn't have the energy for him to argue with me again. So I pretended I wasn't home. I know it's stupid, even childish but he brings out the absolute worst of me. I can't think straight around him.

A few minutes passed since I heard him leave. So I got up just in time so I wouldn't be late and headed out. I usually didn't drive but today I didn't want to rely on anyone but myself. A car is always an easy escape if something goes wrong.

The car ride to work wasn't that long. There was barely any traffic.

Walking into the building gave me an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was something I don't think I've felt before. Or at least for a very long time.

As I walked through the doors to the bullpen a bunch of bright smiles washed away the feeling in my stomach.

"Hi guys" I smiled.

"Wow she's alive" Derek said from his desk.

"Yeah I'm sorry for not calling or texting." 

I hadn't had any contact since they left me in Bakersfield. Which I did feel very guilty about. I just didn't want any of them to tell Hotch where I was. Even though I doubt he would have cared.

"It's okay. You're here now" Emily said as I walked around to my desk put my things down.

"Agent Woods" I heard a voice behind me that sent a shiver down my spine. I turned around. "May I have a word" Hotch said.

"Of course" I put on a brave face. I walked up to his office and closed the door behind me.

"Please sit" He more ordered than suggested. So I sat down in the chair at the front of his desk.

"Where have you been? I checked on you but you weren't home." He asked sternly while leaning lightly forward with his forearms on his desk.

"Uhm I stayed back in California." I swallowed harshly as I tried my best to keep eye contact.

"No one's been able to contact you for days Woods." Hotch said as his head tilted slightly to the left giving me a more relaxed expression.

"Sorry, I turned my phone off sir." I was aware that some of the team members had tried to call or text. Because when I turned my phone on last night before going to bed it blew up with notifications. It was probably stupid to not call anyone back or at least send someone a text, but I was to damn tired. I see now that I look back at it how that may have been selfish.

"We've all been worried sick."

That actually made me puff out a small breathy laugh. Small enough to go unnoticed to the untrained eye, but I'd forgotten I was in front of a former profiler so his expression turned cold again.