Save Me | Aaron Hotchner x Female OC

Chapter 2 - Sweet

Elena

I thanked the Gods that I wasn't in work the day after my night out. We'd managed to get the other tour guides to cover as Andrew and Suzy were still unwell and I was meant to be off for another two days.

My bad luck seemed to be coming to an end, as I'd had a great night out with my friends on Friday, gotten to know my local area much better, and made headway in making my new apartment feel more like home.

Over the two days I had off, I managed to get almost everything done. All that remained was one box. One box that had been untouched for five years, since my Uncle Tyler had died. One box that was handed to me by his estate manager and subsequently shoved in the back of a cupboard and to the back of my mind.

In my last place there had been an attic in which I could store the godforsaken thing, but my new apartment did not extend the same luxury. Here, there was no hiding it until my lack of object permanence could push it from my mind. Here, I would have to face it – I couldn't very well leave it in my living room to trip over for the rest of my life.
The box stared back at me, as if it was a living, breathing thing that could strike me at any moment. Anxiety rose in my chest, my heart beat beginning to thud loudly until I could feel it in my ears. I inhaled deeply and forced a smile.

Fuck it, the box could wait.

I shoved it in to the corner with the ugly lamp, made a mental note to get a new lamp, and set about my next and final task of the day; grocery shopping.

I'd wandered around the local neighbourhood the day before, and had a pretty good idea of where the important things were; the grocery store, the Chinese takeaway, the pharmacy, and the nearest bar. I grabbed my keys and headed out in to the cool, spring evening.

The grocery store was perfect. Big enough to have everything essential but not so large that I'd end up spending hours getting lost in aisles of stuff I didn't even need as I tended to do. I collected a cart full of a week's worth of food, important household items that I hadn't yet gotten, and plenty of wine. As I was rounding the corner to the checkouts, I heard someone call from behind me.

"Elena, is that you?"

Approaching me was one of Aaron's friends that I'd met in the bar a couple of nights prior. Derek, as I recalled.

"Hey," I smiled widely, "what brings you here?"

He gestured to the box of pastries in his basket. "Penelope specifically likes this supermarkets' Danish pastries, so I called by to get some for tomorrow on my way home from work."

"Awww," I exclaimed at the thoughtfulness of his gesture. "That is so sweet – so are you two dating?"

He chuckled. "No, no we're not dating. Just friends...actually, I'm glad I ran in to you."

"Why's that?" I questioned, although from the look on his face I knew where this was going.

"Well I was gonna ask Hotch to get me your number, but since you're here I might as well ask you for it myself..."

I smiled, flattered by the gesture but not so easily swayed. "And would that be because you're interested in my company or my bedroom?"

His eyes widened at my boldness before he let out a loud laugh. "You read people well, Elena. I'll be honest, I'm not looking for anything serious right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want to spend time with you both in and out of your bedroom."

I smirked and shook my head. "I appreciate your honesty Derek, and if it were a different time in my life I might take you up on it - but I don't really do 'casual'. Hook-up's and friends with benefits arrangements really aren't my thing."