Criminal Minds Imagines

Nothing Breaks Like a Heart 💔 Aaron Hotchner

Prompt- Gabriela and Hotch break up after a horrible fight at the BAU.
Requested by- @JuanFernandoLenSaenz
Warnings- mention of rape; broken hearts 💔

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Everyone was stressed out. The case that had just been solved was absolutely heart-wrenching, stressful, and testing.

The unsub, Berk Kelly, was a forty-five year old man with a receding hairline, a charming smile, and an affinity for kidnapping young girls between the ages of 5 and 14, raping them, then killing them with a slow and torturous death; starvation and dehydration.

It had taken a toll on everyone, the case. Not a soul was left unaffected by it. JJ was left worrying over her little ones at home, Rossi was drowning his worries in alcohol, Reid was struggling to get some sleep; he opted for a book instead but couldn't focus on the words, Morgan was listening to his music, Hotch was attempting to get some rest, and Gabriela was staring blankly at the table before her.

All was silent except the occasional sigh or clearing throat. None dared to break the silence; they welcomed it, in fact. There were no words to be spoken, for they had already been said.

The jet eased out of the sky, landing on the strip as it always did. The team silently gathered their belongings, filing out of the aircraft. One by one, they entered the Quantico building, heading to the BAU's floor.

By this time, night had fallen, and the once grey clouds hanging in the sky were now camouflaged with the dark atmosphere. No stars were to be seen that night; no moon either.

The team sat in their respective desks, quietly filling out paperwork or gathering their items from their desk to take home.

Gabriela ran a hand over her face, feeling the burden of the previous arduous case. She was ready to leave, so she opted to say goodbye to her co-worker, boss, and boyfriend, Aaron Hotchner.

She rose from her desk, grabbing her overnight bag, phone, and keys. She made her way to Hotch's office. Gabriela understood that Hotch would likely be filling out paperwork, so she knocked on his door. A quiet "come in" was heard, and Gabriela opened the door slowly.

She didn't smile. She had no reason to. Gabriela was exhausted, and the strain from the taxing case the team had solved was getting to her.

Hotch didn't look up when the door opened; he knew it was Gabriela coming to wish him goodnight. The girl sat down in a chair across from Hotch's desk and sighed.

"I'm spent," Gabriela said simply. Hotch nodded in agreement, still jotting out words on his paperwork. Gabriela didn't mind; he was doing his job.

"I believe we all are," he responded after a minute or so. He placed the pen on the desk, folding his hands together and resting them atop his papers. He leaned back in his chair, observing Gabriela. She let out a puff of air, leaning forward.

"I'm so glad the case is over now. The families of those girls can finally find closure, knowing their daughters and sisters are no longer suffering the cruel torment of a twisted man," said Gabriela. Hotch nodded once, showing that he agreed.

"Are you leaving?" Hotch asked. He knew the answer but he wanted to change the subject to a lighter topic.

"Soon. Right now I just wanted to say goodnight and I'll see you tomorrow," Gabriela answered. Hotch nodded again.

"Before you leave, I need to discuss an imperative matter with you," Hotch remarked, leaning forward and pulling himself closer to his desk. Gabriela was curious as to what Hotch had to say. Normally, if he had something to say, he remained in a lazed position.

"I don't think you should work on the next case we receive," Hotch said. Gabriela raised an eyebrow.

"And why is that?" She asked, a little offended by the notion. She furrowed her brows, sitting up straighter.

"Gabriela, I say this with good intention. I feel as if it would be better if you didn't work the next case," Hotch said. Gabriela was confused. Why did he not want her to work the next case? Did he think she would ruin it? He still didn't answer her question.

"You said that, but why? Am I a hinderance to the process?" She asked, beginning to irritate. Aaron simply shook his head.

"No, I just feel it would be best if you didn't work the next case is all. I feel that after a small break from work, you'll be relaxed and more able-bodied to work the case after," Hotch said calmly. Gabriela glared at her boyfriend. What was he saying?

"Am I not able-bodied now?" She asked, fuming.

"Gabriela, you are able-bodied, I just feel that you should take a break. I want your mind and body fresh for the case after next," Aaron responded. Due to the anger swimming in her head, her stress, and her exhaustion, Gabriela mistook Aaron's polite offer for an offensive statement. She went berserk.

"Aaron, am I not good enough for this team?" She asked quietly. Aaron's brows furrowed this time.

"What do you mean, Gabriela? Of course you're good enough! You wouldn't be here if you weren't!" He exclaimed. Gabriela stood up, teeth gritted.

"If I'm good enough for the team, then why can't I work the next case?!" Gabriela was beyond mad. She was irked, vexed, irate, annoyed, and exasperated.

Hotch slammed his fist on the table.

"I already told you! I am giving you a break! You have done wonderful work, and as a reward, I have decided to give you a break from the next case! Now I'm regretting my decision!" Gabriela scoffed, getting her items.

"I'm done with you, Aaron. Done. We're done. There is no longer an us. Goodnight and goodbye," Gabriela said from the doorway. She turned on her heel and slammed the door closed.

She stopped and took a deep breath, noticing her entire team watching her worriedly.

"Goodnight everyone. I'm going home," she said simply, eyes welling with tears. Now that she had come to her senses, Gabriela realised that she had made an enormous, irreversible mistake.