My Partner Against Crime

Chapter 65

I get back to my own room somewhere around four in the morning. I check my phone to see many missed messages from Spencer, I guess I just completely forgot to tell him we were leaving. I shoot him a quick text letting him know we ended up in Texas then toss my phone onto my bed.

Shit, I need a shower. I strip off the already minimal clothing and turn the shower on hot enough to warm me to the bone. I take my time scrubbing off sweat and reminiscing on my night. My mind flashes to Aaron gripping at my waist, I look down to see the fresh bruises splattered carelessly around my body. I shut off the water, throw on a T-shirt and underwear then collapse onto the decently comfortable bed. 

I don't regret what I've done. Maybe that makes me a horrible person that I'm not sitting here pulling my hair out and punishing myself for my actions, but for once in long time I feel satisified. I have no idea what this means for my future, and to be honest I haven't even thought that far. Maybe this was just some one night stand before I return to my unfaithful, disconnected husband along with our son and baby on the way.

I'm not too stressed about anything right now, aside from maybe the lack of energy I'll have tomorrow. I'm tired and alone and for once not letting Spencer ruin how I feel.
-

This morning is rough. I hear my alarm ringing and I debate how important it is for me to show up to work.

I roll over in bed and blindly search for my screaming phone. I squint at the brightness and realize Spencer's calling.

"Hello?" I lay back down and leave my phone resting on my chest.

"Hi, I'm sorry it's so early. I just couldn't sleep, and I was thinking about you." Even with my eyes closed I roll them.

"It's okay. What time are you picking up Marshall?" I miss my boy. Being away from him is never easy.

"He has an early flight so in about an hour. I talked to Anthony a bit ago and Marshall's so excited to see you. Hopefully you'll be home soon." I'm disappointed I won't be at the airport to pick him up. He always rambles with excitement like Spencer.

"Hopefully." I glance at the time. My alarm's about to go off any minute.

"You sound tired. Are you going to go back to sleep?" I hear him making coffee in the background.

"No, I have to get up and head over to the police department." I sit up so I don't fall into a deep sleep, and turn on the light.

"Okay, I'll text you when I pick up Marshall. I love you." He nearly sighs out the last bit.

"You too. I'll try and call if I get a minute, talk to you later." I hang up and nearly scream into my pillow. I'm. So. Tired.

I brew two cups of coffee and take a hot shower. I still don't have a weird feeling about seeing Aaron, though I know I should. Cheating isn't meant to be this easy.

I down the first cup of coffee, get dressed, do a few jumping jacks, and down the second. I sit on the bathroom counter as I do my makeup and play a random upbeat playlist off my phone.

By the time I get down to the lobby Emily and Morgan are helping themselves to the breakfast buffet.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." Morgan smirks and gives Emily a little shoulder shove.

"Are we heading out soon?" I sit at the table and steal a muffin off Morgan's plate.

"Hotch, Rossi and JJ left about thirty minutes ago. I guess there's been another incident so they're trying to handle the press."

I tune out Emily and Derek's banter with flashes of last night. My finger start to tingle at the thought of seeing Hotch. Maybe shock is starting to wear off and I'm finally feeling something.

"Are you going to finish that?" I'm pulled back to reality as Derek stands up from the table and points to my neatly untouched muffin.

"Go for it." I hand it to him and follow Emily out of the hotel entrance.

Derek pulls out our car keys from his pocket and races us to the car. It's way to early and I'm too tired to play with him so I take my time and walk behind the two.

The drive to the station is quiet aside from the pop songs playing on the radio. I don't recognize any, maybe it's time I get out more.

We pull into the station, I suddenly feel sick to my stomach. Maybe it's the baby, or maybe it's a wave of overwhelming guilt finally setting in.

I rush out of the car and unload whatever food is left in me out onto the grass. Emily holds my hair back as I slightly bend over with my hands on my knees attempting to ground myself.

"Awe honey, it's finally starting, huh?" She speaks softly as to not out me and Spencer's child.

"I guess so." I manage to get out. I rinse my mouth out with a water bottle that was conveniently placed in the car, and hold two minty tic tacs against the side of my teeth hoping the freshness might linger.

"Thanks, you guys can head in, I'll be right behind you." Emily and Derek give each other a worried look before walking away to the station.

I can do this. I sit on the curb and try my best to collect myself. I make a choice and I'm just going to have to face that, even if that means working with my boss whom I just fucked while my husband and son were sleeping back home.

I keep my eyes closed and gently rub my temples in attempt to stay calm. "Marina?" My eyes shoot up at the painfully familiar voice. Hotch rushes over to me, he kneels down on the asphalt in front of me.

"What happened? Are you okay?" He reaches out and gently pressed the back of his hand against my forehead.

"I'm fine, just a little morning sickness I think." He pulls off his sunglasses and sits on the ground.

"I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you, last night was on me, I shouldn't have kissed you that was way out of line-." I cut him off. Whether I regret last night or not I don't want to hear him apologize over it.

"Aaron, it's fine." I sigh and regretfully imagine Marshall and Spencer finding out about this. My family broken up over one night.

"Is there anything I can do for you? I can have you work remotely if you'd like to work from Quantico. We need more research than anything on this case." We're already down an agent, since Spencer's home with Marshall. Plus if JJ can work nearly full term I should be able to push through at my state.

"No no, I'm okay. I'm just going to have to get used to all this." I gesture to my changing body.

"Did I hurt you? Last night?" His pleading soft eyes stare into mine.

"No, not at all. Last night was... amazing. But Aaron, I'm married. I have a son, and a baby on the way, I don't know what last night was but I'm sorry if I messed anything up." I watch as he takes in the information.

"I know, I didn't mean to make anything complicated. I acted on my feelings for you, and didn't think much about what that would do. Marina I have so much respect for you, please tell me what you want from me and I'll do it. Even if that means limiting my time with you." My heart skips a beat at his confession.

"I don't want to limit my time with you, I just need to figure things out with my family." He nods.

"I understand. Take your time out here, okay? You'll have JJ, and Spencer is doing some remote work for us." He stands up and starts to walk back to the station. "Call me if you need anything."

I don't stay outside for much longer. I really don't want to cloud my mind with all that just went down, including last night.

I head inside and get started on researching with JJ.
-

The day comes and goes. We got much further in the case than anyone expected, and tomorrow we plan on giving out the profile and calling in our narrowed down suspects.

When I get to my hotel room I'm dead. I slide off my shoes and drop onto my bed. Just as I feel myself starting to drift off, there's a soft knock at my door.