Alexis went through her morning routine with a practiced calm. She fed her dog, a small but energetic terrier, making sure to fill his bowl with enough food for the day. As the dog eagerly gobbled it up, Alexis moved to her bedroom, pulling her brown hair into a half-up, half-down style that framed her face just right. She opted for a pretty yet professional outfit—an elegant blouse paired with tailored pants—before heading to the kitchen.
She made herself a quick breakfast of eggs with a generous drizzle of hot sauce, savoring the comforting heat as it warmed her up for the busy day ahead.
When she entered the kitchen, she found Steve already there, sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. His gaze lifted briefly as she walked in, but his expression remained cold. He muttered something under his breath as she went to grab a plate.
"You're late again," he remarked, his tone sharp.
Alexis didn't respond, trying to keep her focus on preparing her breakfast. But as she set the plate down, Steve's hand shot out, grabbing her arm with surprising force, his fingers digging into her skin. Alexis flinched, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Don't be so slow," Steve sneered, his grip tightening for a moment before he released her, a cruel smirk on his face.
Alexis pulled her arm back quickly, the pain lingering in her muscles. She didn't want to react, didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her upset, but it was hard to push the sting of his touch from her mind.
"Sorry," she muttered, but the word felt hollow.
She didn't stay any longer. With a final glance at Steve, she grabbed her bag and rushed out the door, heading to the bus stop, trying to ignore the ache in her arm and the unease twisting in her stomach. She couldn't let herself think about what had just happened; she had work to do.
At the BAU, she stepped off the bus and into the familiar bustle of the building. She forced a smile as she passed the front desk and made her way to the bullpen. Seeing her colleagues made her feel a little better, though the thoughts of home still clung to her like a shadow.
As she sat down at her desk, she took a deep breath, trying to push everything aside and focus on the case ahead. There was no room for weakness here—only the work. Alexis walked briskly down the hallway of the BAU, her mind still reeling from the tension at home. She knew she was pushing herself too hard, juggling so many jobs, but it was the only way she could keep her mind off everything else. When she heard Jason Gideon's voice booming down the corridor, she froze.
"Alexis, in my office now!"
She knew it wasn't a request, and as much as she dreaded the inevitable confrontation, she couldn't avoid it. With a sigh, she walked to Gideon's office, her stomach churning. As she entered, she saw both Gideon and Aaron Hotchner seated, their faces serious.
Gideon didn't waste a second. "Doctor Potter," he began, his voice sharp, "You're working as a doctor and an FBI agent, and you're doing neither well. You're burning the candle at both ends, and it's going to catch up with you. What is going on with you?"
Alexis opened her mouth to respond, but the words stuck in her throat. She had to lie, to brush it off, to make them believe she had everything under control. But her heart was pounding in her chest.
"I'm fine," she managed to say, trying to sound convincing, though she knew it was a lie. "I'm just busy, that's all."
Gideon's piercing gaze locked on her, his eyes full of concern. "Busy doesn't explain everything, Alexis. You're exhausted. You're running yourself ragged. What's really going on?"
Aaron leaned forward, his expression more intense. "You've been struggling to keep up. And you're hiding something. This isn't just about your job, is it?"
