or what, sir? |a. hotchner| ✔️

four

The team went separate ways for the case, me with Reid and Morgan, Hotch with JJ, and Rossi with Prentiss. 

It was a pretty long case, four days too many. 

Usually, I would be relieved. However, I was trying to fight Hotch and Prentiss. 

"Come on, let me stay with him" I begged. Reid had been having a really hard time, and he lied about what he was doing for the week. He said he was going to take some personal days off to see his mother, however, he was really starting to look into another case. 

"Morgan and Rossi are already staying, we really need you home to help us" 

"With what, it's just paperwork!" I pointed out, and Aaron sighed. He looked at Prentiss, trying to ask for some help. She glanced back at him, shaking her head. 

"Don't look at me, she's stubborn" Aaron narrowed his eyes at the lack of help Emily had to offer. 

"You can help him when he asks Garcia for help, you can help him from home" He ensured, "I really need you back in Quantico" He almost whispered the last part, and shivers went down my spine. I shut my eyes for a moment, 

"Yep" I agreed almost instantly after that, and it made him look at me funny. I nodded and then opened my eyes, "Yeah, I'll come" I gave in, walking up the stairs and onto the plane. Prentiss and Hotch exchanged confused looks, but they followed me up and into the jet. 

I settled in, knowing the flight was going to be a longer one than usual. I grabbed my book out of my bag, followed by a blanket. JJ looked at me funny. "Why do carry that blanket with you every time?" I raised both my brows, 

"So I can use it on the plane?" I said as if it was obvious, a little smirk appearing on my lips. She chuckled, and I went back to reading my book. 

000

After about an hour, I picked my phone up. I flicked it open and typed in Reid's number. It took a few minutes because we were up in the air. 

"Ron?"

"Hey good-looking" I smirked, flipping the page of my book to the next, "How are you feeling?" I asked. He didn't answer for a moment, 

"I think my dad's the killer" I quickly shut the book, hanging my legs off of the small couch, taking the blanket and putting it next to me. 

"What?" was all I could think of to respond with. I couldn't believe the words that came from his mouth. Aaron looked up from his phone, raising an eyebrow at my strange reaction. I stared at him as Reid continued, 

"Can I talk to you about it later? I'm at the station right now" I sighed, still really worried about him. 

"But you have to promise to tell me" I only agreed under those terms. 

"Of course, obviously" I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Pinky?" I smiled faintly, 

"Pinky" I responded, and then he hung up. I put the phone down, still making eye contact with Hotch. He turned his phone off and put it next to him on the opposing couch. 

"Pinky?" He questioned, and I grabbed my blanket again. This time, I wrapped it around my shoulders. I got comfortable again, 

"Pinky promise" I started, "He promises to tell me everything as soon as he can" I grabbed my book, opening it up again. I flipped through to find where I had left off, but I glanced back up. He was still staring at me, he had been doing that an awful lot since I came back. "...Yes?" I tried to snap him out of it, but it was basically pointless. I leaned forward, copying the way he was sitting. With his forearms on his thighs. "Aaron"

He blinked, sitting back as he came back into reality. I looked him up and down, "Sorry, I don't know why I keep spacing out" I chuckled, leaning back in my seat as well. I started reading my book once again. 

"Guess you can't stop thinking about me" 

Another one of my stupid flirty lines. I guess I kept saying them because I wanted them to be true. I mean, I always said them. I would always tease him, especially before I left. But this time it was different, this time I meant it. 

"Maybe I can't" My eyes went wide, for one of two reasons. My head shot up to look at him, and I saw he was once again watching me. Secondly, I turned my head to see Prentiss and JJ. JJ was knocked out, fast asleep in one of the seats. Prentiss however was wide awake, finishing up some work with her headphones in. 

My heart was pounding as my head turned to look back at Aaron again. "W-What?" I responded with a stutter, which was totally embarrassing. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but then again, it was Aaron damn Hotchner. The guy didn't know how to make a joke, at least on purpose. 

He looked at me like he just made a huge mistake, like he regretted saying those three words. "Actually?" I finally spit out, but he couldn't open his mouth. It was like he was frozen. 

"We're landing" We were interrupted by the pilot over the loud speaker, and this made JJ start to wake up. Aaron started getting his stuff together, and JJ tapped Emily's shoulder.

I thought Hotch was the frozen one, but I was paralyzed. I literally couldn't move, I hadn't been expecting those words to ever exit that mans lips for the reason they did. I should have been shoving my blanket and book in my go bag, but I just sat there. Like a stupid statue. 

"Ronnie?" I blinked, looking to my left. Prentiss put her hand on my shoulder, "You okay?" I nodded, doing the things I should have done a few moments earlier. "We already landed, come on" That made me look around quickly. 

"Where did Hotch go?" I questioned. She hummed, examining the room around us as well. 

"I guess he already got off?" I shot up, grabbing my bag as I rushed out of the jet and down it's ten stairs. Once I reached the ground, I saw he was walking towards one of the cars. 

"Hotch!" I called, but he didn't turn. He kept walking, he was pretending as though he didn't hear me. I chased after him just like I had a few days earlier, and I finally caught up to him. I grabbed his hand, pulling him back slightly "Aaron," He stopped in his tracks, barely turning to look at me. It was really dark, the only light coming from the moon and a few lamp posts far away. "Did you really mean what you said?" I asked again, and he rubbed his eyes with one hand. 

He hesitantly spoke, "Yes" 

I let go of him, and then he finally finished turning to face me fully. He was looking down at me, the height difference all too noticeable in that moment. 

Then there was silence. 

The girl who spoke too much and the man who loved giving orders were both mute. 

Oh, the irony.