Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The knock on Hotch's office door is quiet but insistent, and they both look up. Hotch gets up and opens the door to find Rossi, his expression unreadable but his presence unexpectedly solemn. He nods at Emily, but his eyes quickly return to Hotch.

"Sorry to interrupt," Rossi says quickly. Then glances between the two, weighing his next words. "Jack's had a bit of an accident. He's fallen down the stairs... but he's fine... Paramedics said there's a slight possibility he might have a sprained ankle though, but it doesn't look dangerous."

"They said they have to do basic tests to rule out the concussion, but I told them he didn't hit his head, I caught him before it could happen," His voice starts speeding up, and he starts speaking very abruptly.

"He was running down, cause he thought you were the one knocking on the door but it was just a mailman. I mean seriously why the hell are they delivering in the afternoon now!! The kid just got up from his bed and rushed to the door." He catches a breath at the end after speaking so fast.

"I just came from the hospital.... "

Rossi calms down. He finds time to focus on something else now... His gaze flickers between them, his expression subtly questioning, maybe even curious. What are these two doing in Hotch's office in the middle of the night?

Hotch barely meets his eyes. He doesn't even look as if he's listened to a thing Rossi said after a word "accident". He's already standing, his shoulders stiffening as worry for Jack overtakes everything else.

Emily, meanwhile, has listened to every word Rossi said carefully. She assumes Rossi was there to babysit Jack for the night.

She feels her own tension rising, not only from her concern for Jack, but from seeing Hotch so visibly rattled, a rare sight that makes her stomach twist.

As Hotch moves to grab his keys, Emily steps forward without thinking. "Hotch," she says quietly, "I can drive, if you need."

The offer hangs heavy in the room. For a moment, he looks at her as if weighing the idea, then shakes his head sharply. "No, I can manage."

Her hands clench slightly at her sides, not because he refused but because she's slightly frustrated by her own impulse. She feels this overwhelming need to help, to support him, and she knows with the amount of stress he's under, he shouldn't be driving right now. Usually they're both in control, always in control, and right now, they're both slipping.

Seeing the tension between them, Rossi clears his throat. "Maybe you could both use some company," he suggests gently. "The ER can be a long wait."

Hotch hesitates, but Emily's steady, unspoken support is grounding. He finally nods and passes her the keys.

In the car
The ride is mostly silent, tension thick between them. Emily finally says, without taking her eyes off the road, gripping the wheel tighter. "Jack will be fine... You know it wasn't Rossi's fault, right? Accidents happen"

"Yeah, I know. I should've made sure he knows that I think so too." But the words feel hollow, his mind racing through worst-case scenarios. "I just... I can't stand the fact that something happened to him, and also... and especially, that I wasn't there for him"

"You can't seriously be blaming yourself." There's a brief silence, which Emily understands as a confirmation. "Well, don't do that" she says firmly. "It's not your fault either. You do everything you can for him. You're his hero."

Emily reaches for words, any words that might help. "Jack's tough," she says softly. "He takes after his father."

The compliment feels raw, and Hotch's gaze darts her way, a flicker of gratitude, or maybe something more. He smiles slightly. He doesn't reply, but the space between them feels smaller, more comfortable.

Emily feels warmth, she's glad she managed to make him feel slightly better.