For Old Times' Sake

Chapter 2

"Hotch..."

"Y/N."

You couldn't believe your eyes. Hotch had gone from a handsome young adult to a built, sexy man in a suit.
And you felt all of your old feelings for him bubble over in your heart like hot lava as he got up from his desk and stretched his hand out.
Tears stung your eyes. "It's been so long. Aren't you even going to hug me?" you asked in a broken voice.
He laughed nervously. "Y/N. This is my place of work."
This time, you laughed. "Same old Aaron, always shying away from physical contact," you said, walking over to him and putting your arms around his neck.
His scent took your breath away. You buried your head in the crook of his neck and for two seconds, the world slowed down around you as he embraced you.
His arms fitted perfectly around your middle, palms resting either side on your ribs.
And just like the hug from all those years back, he pulled away suddenly.

"You look great," he said, smiling.
"So do you. God, I missed you." Your heart was racing as the words rolled off your tongue, and for a moment you wondered whether Hotch would have felt your heartbeats banging against his chest.
"Sit down, please. How've you been? Did you get married?"
You cringed inwardly, taking a seat opposite him. "No, I didn't get married, Aaron. And I've been okay. You tell me. How's Jack doing?"
Regret filled you as you saw his face fall at the mention of his son. Recovering almost immediately, he said, "Jack is good. He's... getting used to the absence of his mother."
Silence blanketed the room.
"I'm so sorry about what happened. It must have been terrible. I can't even imagine."
Hotch smiled weakly. "It's okay. Anyway, forget about all that. Come, I'll introduce you to the team."
You got up half-heartedly, wanting to sit and talk to him and only him.

When you exited his office, five or six agents who had been gathered at a desk suddenly scrambled here and there. You shot Aaron a look, but he just shook his head.
"Team, this is our newest member, Y/N."
"Hi." You smiled at the agents who had a sheepish look on their face.
"She is joining us from the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Agent Y/N is an expert with guns and is regarded as one of the best shots in the Bureau. She also happens to be an old friend of mine from high school.
Y/N, these are SSAs Jennifer Jareau, Derek Morgan, Emily Prentiss, David Rossi and Dr. Spencer Reid. And this is our technical analyst, Penelope Garcia."
You shook hands with each of them as and when Hotch pointed to them, except the smart looking agent you had met earlier. He didn't lift his hand so you just nodded at him.

"Garcia will show you around while I arrange a desk for you. Welcome to the team, Y/N."
You looked at him go as the red haired analyst took your arm. "You knew Hotch in high school?" she asked excitedly. Your eyes widened in surprise- it was the first time you had heard someone other than yourself call Aaron 'Hotch'.
"You guys call him Hotch too?" You looked at all of them.
"He always asks anyone he meets to do so. Why do you ask?" Rossi said.
Blood rushed to your cheeks. Suddenly you giggled at the memory of his stern face years back.

"Why do you call me that?"
"I call you Hotch because I like it. It's personal, my name for you."
"He always asks anyone he meets to do so. Why do you ask?"

"He hated it when I used to call him that in high school. And now he makes everyone call him the same thing. I'm so not letting him hear the end of this." You crossed your arms over your chest, the thought that he kept the nickname you gave him making you grin.
Emily laughed. "Looks like we're finally going to see some cracks in Hotch's extra serious demeanor with you around, Agent Y/N."
"It's good to have you." Derek gave you a warm smile.
"Yeah. God knows we need some ass kicking chicks in here." JJ said.
You laughed. "I think three is enough, though."
Garcia looked at you. "I love you already," she said, tugging you away to show you the rest of the place.
You could hear the team laughing behind you.
***
"Can I come in?" you said, opening the door to Hotch's office slightly.
The rest of the team had gone home while you had stayed back to set up your desk and Hotch had stayed back to finish paperwork.
"Yeah, sure."
He didn't even look up from his files.
"Do you want to go get some dinner?" you asked, feeling your heart flutter a little as he made eye contact with you.
"I'd love to, but I have a lot of files left to be sorted."
You smiled. "Tell you what. Let's go get a bite to eat, and then we'll come back and tackle the shitty paperwork together."
"Y/N. Don't swear. Also, I don't know. It's a lot of files." Hotch said, looking doubtful.
"Hotch come on. For old times' sake?"
He sighed. "Alright fine."

"Shitty paperwork." You repeated, your own smile widening as you noticed his face break into a grin.
Rolling his eyes, he followed you out the door.
"My place or yours?" you teased.

"Oh my God, why did I approve your application! You haven't changed one bit."
"It's because you loooooove me." You crooned.
You could feel your confidence returning as his laughter sounded in your ears.
It was a melody you had longed to hear.

Butterflies erupted in your stomach as the elevator doors closed.