As it Seems - Twenty
Summary: The BAU is accustomed to change – different cases every day, agents coming and going, roles changing – so the addition of a new member, an Administrative Liaison, should be no different. But the moment you arrive, everything changes for the better (Hotch just doesn’t realize it at first)…
Chapter Summary: You join the team in the field for the first time when a case sends the BAU to an off-the-grid prison in Texas.
(A/N: This chapter is a two-parter! Twenty-one will follow immediately after the events at the end of this chapter. If I’m feeling particularly chaotic/in need of validation, I might post it early…we’ll see…)
Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Blood, Emotional and Physical Hurt/Comfort
You don’t know how to grocery shop anymore.
Between cases and spending most nights at Hotch’s apartment, you’re just not home as much as you used to be. Your apartment has become more of a waystation than anything else, a place to shower, to switch out the clothes in your stay-bag, to find a bag or a book. Although Hotch has some interesting reading material at his place. When you were working in his home office, you noticed a copy of the Bureau Academy’s textbook on negotiation tactics, for hostages, suicide, and other crises. You noticed it because Hotch’s name is on the cover as co-writer. You’ve picked it up now and again when you’ve been over at his place.
Which is often– three or four nights a week these days, so you rarely eat at home anymore. Maybe breakfast, if you haven’t spent the night at Hotch’s place. Your fridge is mostly empty these days, and for good reason, the last time you did a full grocery shop, you had to bring food over to Hotch’s apartment to keep it from going bad.
Now, you’ve noticed your usual staples appearing in his fridge and cabinets, exactly as you would have bought them for yourself. He doesn’t say anything about it, and when you tried to pay him back for the food he practically ran away from you.
You still need food, for the rare nights and mornings and afternoons you’re back home, but you try to stock up on shelf-stable stuff. It makes you feel like you’re in college again, buying cereal and mac and cheese cups and granola bars.
You’re wandering down the organic aisle with your half-full basket of snacks, trying to convince yourself you’re imagining the judgemental stares from the hippy-looking middle aged woman behind you, when your phone rings with a call from Hotch.
“Hi lover,” you answer teasingly, “Did you sense my location and discover you need something from the grocery store?”
“We have a case,” he says, and from the fact that he’s calling you, and the serious tone of his voice, you know it’s a big one.
“It’s coming from up top?” You guess, already heading for the exit.
“The assistant director.” He confirms, “Inmates are being mutilated and murdered at a private prison in Texas. The AD served with the warden, who’s calling in a special favor.”
“I can be at the office in less than an hour.” You abandon your basket on a mostly empty shelf, feeling guilty for whoever will have to restock your stuff, but continuing on your way anyway.
“We’re not going to the office.” Hotch says. “Cell service is blocked in the facility and their surveillance works on a closed system, so you and Garcia will have to be on-site with the rest of the team.”
You slow your hurried pace, faltering at the news. “On-site, meaning…”
“You and Garcia will fly to Texas with us and set up in a secure office in the complex. I don’t like it, but it’s our best option.” He says.
“Okay,” you breathe, picking up the pace and resuming your route to the car, “I’m on my way.”
“I’ll see you soon.” He says, and then his tone shifts to something softer and more personal. “I love you. And I’m sorry about the groceries.”
“Don’t worry about it.” You assure him, getting into the car and starting the engine, “I love you too.”
You get to the jet in a little under half an hour to find Hotch waiting for you by his car. He looks especially agent-like, standing next to the black Suburban in his black suit and black sunglasses and holding a file in his hands. It makes this all feel very…official. Your stomach flutters with nerves as you get out of the car and grab your duffel from the trunk. It seems your stay-bag is finally a go-bag.
I braced myself as soon as i saw the gif at the top 😭😭
