Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Part One

Hotch takes a moment, lingering by Emily's desk as he watches her furrowed brow deepen with concentration. The silence of the nearly deserted office presses in, creating an almost intimate atmosphere. "Hey, do you want some coffee while I'm up?" he asks, a hint of care in his voice, despite his usual composed demeanor.

Emily glances up, surprised by his offer. "Um, sure. That would be great, actually," she replies, her voice brightening slightly. She masks her relief with a smile, grateful for the small moment of normalcy amidst the weight of her thoughts.

"Black?" He asks, and she nods with a smile, looking up from the paperwork.

"Okay, I'll be right back," he responds, stepping back, the brief warmth of the interaction lingering between them like a soft tether.

He moves toward the kitchen, but as he walks away, he can't help but throw a glance over his shoulder. She's already returned to her work, the intensity of her focus captivating. She really is trying, he thinks, knowing just how much she's putting into this.

Emily's POV:

As she resumes her work, Emily feels a rush of gratitude that Hotch noticed her fatigue. She knows he's been overwhelmed too, with all the extra responsibilities since Strauss left. But 'this' part felt... nice.

She goes back to working on the paperwork, when she hears a noise of a mug being put down on her desk. She looks up and sees Hotch's concerned look.

She says "Thank you" giving him a reassuring smile "I'm fine, Hotch. I'm almost done, as well"

He nods and starts heading back to his office.

Hotch hesitates by the door, one last glance over his shoulder, sensing her struggle. "You don't have to keep proving yourself, Emily. You're already... back," he says, almost gently.

She meets his eyes, pausing as if unsure of what to say. Then, slowly, she replies, her voice barely above a whisper, "I know, but maybe I'm just reminding myself of that too."

Their gazes lock, just for a heartbeat. An invisible thread seems to pull them closer, one neither of them quite acknowledges, but it's there, bound by what remains unsaid.

Emily can't help but to walk him to his office with her gaze.

She can't afford to get distracted now, though. There's too much at stake, and she has to prove she belongs here. She glances at his office window, catching a glimpse of him through the window. Their eyes meet for a brief second, and she quickly looks down, heart racing. 'Why can't I just be normal?'

Hotch's POV:

Back in his office, Hotch settles into his chair, but the paperwork in front of him blurs. His mind drifts back to Emily, the way the light catches the curls in her hair and the vibrant red she wore. He peeks out the window again, catching her eye for just an instant. She looks down quickly, and a small smile plays at the corners of his mouth.

He shakes his head, trying to refocus. He can't afford distractions, not now, not ever. Yet, the desire to reach out to her, to understand her more deeply, tugs at him. He runs a hand through his hair. Their connection feels like an unsolved case, so close yet always out of reach.

Part Two

Minutes turn into over an hour, as the time passes.

Suddenly, there's a knock at his door, jolting him from his thoughts. He looks up to see Emily standing there, hesitating. The shadows under her eyes hint at the long hours she's been keeping - again. 'It's been what? Like, the forth night in a row' he thinks.

"May I come in?" she asks.

"Of course," he replies, gesturing for her to enter. As she steps into the room, he senses the familiar electric pull, the invisible string binding them closer. She's here, and for just a moment, the weight of their unspoken feelings fills the space between them.

"Hotch," she starts, then falters, the words hanging in the air like an unsaid confession.

"Yeah?" he prompts, leaning forward, intrigued.

"I..." She pauses, and the air thickens with tension. The silence stretches, each of them acutely aware of the moment. Her breath catches, and he can see the struggle in her eyes.

But before she can speak, the phone on his desk buzzes loudly, shattering the moment. The connection breaking like a thread pulled taut. Hotch's heart races as he glances at the screen, it's a call from the Director.

"Just a second," he says, rising to take the call. As he turns away, walks around the chair, he feels the air shift, whatever was about to be said hangs in the balance, leaving both of them suspended in uncertainty. Emily's gaze follows him, and as he answers.

And there they are, two difficult people, both struggling against their own hearts, waiting for the moment they might finally understand.

Two profilers unable to profile things happening right under their eyes.