Hotchner Has My Heart

Chapter 9

On the plane, Derek goes over to me. I'm once again sitting by myself, reading my magazine from earlier.

"Hey, you okay?" Derek asks, genuine concern on his face.

"Y- Yeah, I'm fine. Today was just crazy. I hope other sheriffs aren't like that though," I say, not looking up from my magazine.

"No, he's the first I've heard about. Today was tough, but you shouldn't quit. It'll get easier, I promise," Derek says. I look up to see him smiling at me, so I nod and smile back.

"Thank you. I'll ask for help if I need it," I tell him and he goes back to his seat.

"Hey, Y/N. You did good. I hope you aren't mad about earlier," Aaron says, sitting beside of me. I can't help but stare into his eyes. They're a beautiful shade of brown.

"I'm still a little upset, but you had a good reasoning. I wish you would've told me when he was being creepy towards me the first day we got here," I say, looking away after a second.

"I know, I should have. I'm sorry," Hotch says.

I nod and I blink away whatever sleep I need. I like talking to Aaron and I want to keep talking to him.

"Don't be. You had a good reason," I say, sleepily.

"You need some sleep. We'll talk later," Aaron stands up and touches my shoulder as he walks away.

I think about Aaron as I drift to sleep, my worries slipping away.

I wake up to Emily shaking me.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty. We've landed," Emily jokes. I hit her hand, letting her know I'm getting up.

Emily gets my bag for me and I grab my magazine. I stand up and take my bag, thanking Emily and we get off the jet together.

"Drinks at O'Keefe's? To congratulate Y/N on her first case," Rossi says out of nowhere.

"That's good with me," Derek says and everyone nods.

"I wish I could, but I got to get home to Jack. I'm sorry, Y/N, have fun," Aaron says, kind of sad.

"Oh okay. No problem, there's always next time," I say, attempting to mask my anger and sadness that he isn't going to be there.

Stupid Jack.

"See you all tomorrow," Aaron says, getting in his car. Emily pats my back and I watch as Aaron backs out of the parking spot.

"You okay?" Emily asks.

"No biggie," I fake smile and Derek looks at me.

"Yes, biggie. You like Hotch. You'll see him almost everyday for the rest of his BAU career," Derek says.

"Emily!" I looks at her.

"I didn't tell them," Emily raises her hands.

"Them?!" I whisper shouts.

"Yeah, Rossi and Reid knew before me and Derek did. They're legit some of the smartest people we know," Emily laughs.

"Ugh, and nobody was going to tell me I was being noticeable? Wait, does Hotch know?" I ask, frantically.

"No, he doesn't. He just thinks you're nervous," Derek chimes in. Rossi and Reid have already drove off once we got to our cars. We meet at O'Keefe's and I continue to drink my feelings away.