ᴀɢᴇɴᴛ ɢʀᴇʏ~ ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ʜᴏᴛᴄʜɴᴇʀ

~Hotch~

                                                                    ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ⋆ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

"Agent Grey, I understand you have temporarily taken over Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner's responsibilities?" Strauss asked, staring at me as she sat on her chair, hands clasped in her lap. Forcing myself to stop scrutinising her desk, I dragged my eyes away from the family photos and many awards on her walls.

"Yes, ma'am. The team was in need of direction and leadership, something that I offered." I murmured, stifling a yawn and picking at the hem of my crisp tightly fitted shirt. Strauss decided to interview everyone in the BAU after the last case to be sure we were all fit to be working again. Despite finally sleeping properly for the first time in days, I felt drained as I continued to nod and politely agree in the lull of questions, desperate to get out of Strauss's office and into the bullpen before Hotch.

I still wasn't happy with the looming appearance of the Unit Chief, but I was determined to treat his time off as an opportunity to start fresh, a blank canvas. If only he would not make it difficult. "Agent, would you say you are at peace with losing the authority you had as acting Unit Chief?" Strauss asked, her gaze piercing into me, her frown lines more obvious the longer she spoke. I suspected she'd be first in line to inspect our brains if any of us ever died prematurely--Picking at the soft tissue, eager for secrets.

"Yes, ma'am. I am happy to welcome back Agent Hotchner." I grinned through grated teeth, silently pleading to all the gods I could think of to let me free. Smiling in return, Strauss nodded, picking up a clip board and writing something down. She lifted up her head, the same not-quite-real smile on her face, and continued to nod slowly.

"You are excused, Agent." Strauss stated, removing the glasses from her face and placing them on her spotless desk. Rising from my seat I thanked her and turned on my heel, eager to be released. "One last thing. If you see Hotchner, send him up." She ordered, a small smile ghosting her face. "Yes, ma'am" I replied, sighing loudly as I exited her office, glad of the noisy bustle in the hallway to drown out my discontent.

Huffing loudly, I walked towards the elevator and combed my slender fingers through my hair, untangling any curls that had woven tightly together. Poking the 'down' button on the wall, I tapped my heeled shoe on the lament flooring, resolving to head to the cafeteria for a small breakfast before facing the inevitability of coming face to face with the annoyingly familiar man.

Dragging my gaze up from the floor, the elevator dinged, opening its doors wide. Pausing to let a few people out before stepping in, I fished around for my phone in my short cardigan pocket, flicking it open swiftly to scan the screen for any messages. Looking up from the screen as the last person stepped out, I slipped through the doors as they closed behind me, sidling up to a middle aged man with dark hair.

I paused, my heart jumping as I turned to face the man. Frowning as I realised it was not in fact who I thought it was, I smiled apologetically at the warm brown eyes and handsome face and turned back towards the elevator doors. Forcing myself to ignore the rise of heat racing to my ears, I forced my phone back into my pocket and stared at the floor uncomfortably. "I'm James. I think I work on the floor below yours. You're Eleanor, right?" The man smiled, reaching out a firm hand for me to shake. Surprised, I let him take my hand, my skin prickling at the warmth. "How do you know my name?" I muttered, squinting at the man I now knew as James, attempting to place his face without staring anymore than I was already. 

"I sometimes deliver files to the BAU. So I, uh, saw you one time and handed you a file-- You probably don't remember." He explained, running a hand through his combed back hair nervously. "Oh, right. Well, nice to meet you James." I murmured, letting my hand finally slip from his. He chuckled slightly, before asking me a question. "I don't suppose you're doing anything tonight? I'm just planning to hit a bar or two for a drink if you'd like to join?" James questioned anxiously, watching my face closely. "Oh, I'm sorry... Now just isn't a good time." I sighed apologetically, tucking my hands into my cardigan pockets. "Oh, yeah, pfft, no problem." He mumbled, shifting his weight from foot to foot and staring at the floor as the elevator stopped at another floor.

How awkward! As if it could not get any worse, I resigned myself to never experiencing happiness ever again upon the ding of the lift, turning on my heel at the sound of the gravelly voice behind me. "Grey. I was hoping I would find you." Hotch stated stoutly, walking through the doors and standing on the other side of me. Sandwiched between two men who looked eerily similar, "Hotch..." I breathed out, almost forgetting how to speak. A moment passed with our eyes locked, drinking in his freshly shaven face and piercing eyes, before I shook my head slightly, snapping my mind from whatever had clouded my judgement. Regarding the man beside me with my usual masked bitter contempt, I smiled graciously. I knew he could see straight through me, I was as transparent as bulletproof glass. Not that I seemed to care in that moment.

"You're back! How wonderful." I clapped, my mind frantically trying to appear normal. Hotch continued to look at me, our close proximity making my ears a light pink colour. Snapping out of yet another weird moment, I pulled the other man beside me closer, tucking his arm round mine. "This is my friend, say hello!" I said cheerfully, patting James on the shoulder, ignoring his confused expression. Hotch glazed at the man painfully slowly, not speaking a word for a solid 10 seconds. "And you are...?" He finally asked, burning holes into the man hanging off my arm. "Um, I'm James... I deliver files..." James coughed, pushing a few loose hairs away from his face. "Right..." Hotch sighed, taking a step back before continuing. "I believe this is your floor, James." James looked towards the doors, puzzled. "I don't think it-" Before Hotch cut him off sharply. "Yes, it is."

Retracting his arm from mine, James smiled quickly before stumbling out of the elevator, confused as to which way to go. Glaring at the only other man in the elevator, I resisted the urge to push him out the doors to join James. "What was that for?!" I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest and shooting daggers at Hotch. "I need to speak with you." He pleaded, stepping closer towards me. Momentarily forgetting where we were, I matched him, moving closer. The lift halted to a stop once again, breaking us apart before we could close the last small gap. Pulling me out the elevator, he quickly surveyed the area before nimbly walking past the entrance to the BAU. "Where are we going?" I asked, swatting his hands away from my arm. "Just--Follow me." Hotch said, not caring to elaborate further, as usual.

After a few tense minutes, we reached the end of a carpeted hallway before Hotch took one last look around the deserted room and pushed me through a faded door with a swipe of his keycard.  

What the fuck is happening?

                                                                ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ⋆ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Author's note:

Hiya guys, guess who's posted another chapter! Can't believe we've reached 10k reads. Also please check out my two other new stories on my profile and feel free to vote and send me some feedback. Night everyone :)))

Word count: 1313