𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 | hotchniss

And I fell from the pedestal

____

"So, how's the search for a new team member going? I know Strauss has been pressuring you to find someone" Beth asked, attempting to start some small talk.

They had been discussing this topic a lot recently. Strauss had been on his back about filling Emily's spot and he tried but Aaron had always had a hard time accepting new people into his team, Emily herself would know how much but he knew he had to make that choice, preferably before Strauss made it for him.

It had taken him by surprise when Emily had called back then, and he had been quick to agree to have her come back, not because it made him happy, of course.
but because he wouldn't have to bother with interviewing and looking into other candidates, plus he knew it would do the team good to have her back again.

"Yeah, I found someone" Aaron replied, biting back the smile that threatened to appear when he thought about her. "That's great! So, is he good?" Beth inquired, taking a bite of her food.

"Who?" Aaron did the same.

"The new agent, Aaron" she laughed, a bit puzzled as to why he didn't look as thrilled as she did. It was likely because of the agent in question.

"Agent Prentiss is a very talented woman" he replied, keeping his head down at his plate. He knew an argument was about to arise, and he really hoped it would be one of those where she just goes nonverbal and gives up.

"Agent Prentiss?" She whispered in shock, leaning forward with her head and digging her nails into the kitchen table. "As in Emily Prentiss? As in your ex who left the BAU, and now you're supposed to replace?" She asked, raising her voice with each mention of a detail.

Aaron put down his fork and leaned back in his chair. "Yes, she will be back" he replied simply, as if the simplification of the answer would do the same to her reaction.

"Since when?" She exclaimed, hurt that she was only hearing about it now. Why hadn't he talked to her about it?

"She's in DC for JJ's wedding, and she'll return to work permanently the following week" he explained, omitting the detail of the phone call they had.

"I can't believe you!" She yelled, standing up angrily, causing her chair's legs to scrape the floor noisily. Aaron stayed in his place. "Beth please calm down."

"How do you expect me to calm down, Aaron?" She asked, starting to pace in her place. "You're going back to working side by side with your ex!"

"So? Don't you trust me?" He asked back, narrowing his eyes as his own frustration started to come through uncontrollably. He wasn't sure he would be able to maintain it as gracefully as she did.

"Of course I do! It's her I'm not trusting" she answered, taking her seat back and bringing her chair closer to where he was sitting. "What do you mean?" the man questioned.

"Is she in a relationship?" Beth asked.

"Not that I'm aware of" he replied confused. In response, Beth just buried her head between her hands with a sigh. "See? You are in a relationship, but she isn't. She has no commitment to me-"

"But I do!" He called angrily. Aaron couldn't understand why she was so worried about that. The skies turning purple and pink were a more likely occurrence than Emily and him getting back together. He exhaled deeply, lowering his voice. "Look, it comes back to the same point, Do you trust me?"

Beth grabbed his hands. "I do" she confessed weakly.

"Then it's settled" Aaron smiled tensely. "Nothing is going to happen between me and Prentiss, regardless of her relationship status."