In The Light

Bless Your Heart (Affectionate)

"Good evening, we have a reservation for eight rooms. Should be under the name Hotchner," Aaron said, his voice low and scratchy after a long day of giving orders. Tor glanced at him as the receptionist looked up their information. She knew he could see her peripherally, but she did not care. It had been days since the two of them had any time together, and she was craving him like she'd been wandering a desert for days in search of water. She knew he was tired. But some small, selfish part of her still hoped he would be willing to stay up for just a few minutes with her. After all, they were due to have rooms next to each other lest the rest of the unit start fearing that he was avoiding her again. If they got extra lucky, they might even get a connecting door. Then she could just slip through it and into his waiting arms.

"I'm sorry, you said eight rooms?" the receptionist asked.

"That's right," Aaron confirmed, worry starting to marr his brow.

"I have a note here that someone called and changed your reservation to four," she said slowly.

"What?"

"Yes, I see that Aaron Hotchner called this afternoon and informed us that he would only need four rooms," she explained, reading the information off her screen.

"I'm Aaron Hotchner," he said, his voice taking on that dangerously calm tone that warned Tor he was livid. "And I never made that phone call." Tor winced. She had been by Aaron's side all day, and he'd hardly had enough time to breathe, let alone make such a phone call. Memories of the enraged sergeant getting up in both of their faces burst in, reminding her of his threats that she would regret offending him. A messed-up hotel reservation was hardly the worst thing a man had done to her, but she supposed there were only so many ways a cop could try to hurt the BAU without being blatant about it.

"Sir, I'm terribly sorry, but my notes say-"

"We know it's not your fault," Tor quickly interjected, soaking her words in Southern charm and giving the woman a winning smile. "But we've had a very long day and need those eight rooms. Is it possible for us to book an additional four?"

Aaron shot her a grateful look as the receptionist began to type. Tor returned the favor with a shadow of a smile. She did not dare to brighten it, even if she did feel like beaming. The rest of the team would be entering with their bags any minute. The last thing Tor and Aaron needed after the day they'd had was to be caught dating all because Tor could not contain herself for another five minutes.

"I am so sorry, but we have no vacancies," the receptionist said, wincing as if bracing for impact. "It's the height of the vacation season, and every room is booked."

"Every room?" Aaron repeated incredulously.

"I'm afraid so."

"And I'm guessing it's the same at the other hotels and motels in the area?" Tor asked, already trying to figure out how sleeping arrangements would work with half as many rooms as they were supposed to have.

The woman nodded sadly.

"I have no idea how this happened, Mister Hotchner. I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience-"

"That's alright," Tor quickly assured her. "We've had worse accommodations than this. Isn't that right?" she asked Aaron brightly. He glowered but did not contradict her. "We'll make do."

The woman flashed her an appreciative smile and quickly collected their room keys.

"I'm going to upgrade you to our deluxe breakfast and waive any minibar fees for your rooms," she promised as she handed them the envelopes.

"Thank you so much," Tor said before Aaron could open his mouth. Not that she had to worry about him being polite to the poor hospitality worker just doing her job. She had never seen him be unkind to anyone who could not return his words to him. But he had just spent the past twenty-nine hours giving orders, solving problems, and dealing with every headache under the sun, including the one she had created. The poor man needed some painkillers and sleep, and she was willing to do just about anything to get it for him.