Leaning on the side of the elevator leading up to the BAU Aaron Hotchner took a deep breath, it was going to be a long day. He put on his best game face as the doors of the elevator opened. So far so good. He pushed himself up off the wall and took a step out silently cursing when his knee almost went from under neath him.
He stood still and righted himself, doing his level best to act like nothing had happened. Fortunately it looked like the team were to busy teasing Reid over something and hadn't noticed his stumble.
"Aaron?"
Damn. Why was it always David Rossi that spotted him when he least wanted it. He squared his shoulders, forced his best stoney faced expression and turned to greet his friend.
"Morning Dave."
"Don't Good Morning me.. whats wrong?" He put a supporting hand on his friends arm.
"Nothing. I'm fine. Garcia has a case for us already we best get going."
He watched Dave and waited for the look that he new was coming. The typical 'I dont believe you but i'll go with it for now' expression. After a few seconds it came and Aaron allowed a small smile. All he had to do was make it to the Police Station of where ever they were going and he was golden, he could work sat down.
Another step into the bullpen and the limp was very very prominant. So much so now people were watching him. He inwardly sighed looking up at his office. Lousy idea putting steps up there any way. He felt someone catch his arm and knew with out turning that it was Dave again.
"Aaron you can hardly walk." He stopped the unit chief at the foot of the steps "Have you seen a doctor?"
"No. I don't need one."
"Of course you don't.. What happened?"
There it was.. The question he'd most dreaded, the question he new would come but deep down in some pit he'd hoped to avoid. He'd been fine when he left work the night before yet now he had a limp. He new they'd all be curious but he had hoped to keep them guessing. Privelage of Rank. But Dave had put pay to that as the team all came over they all looked concerned.
He made a mental note to kill Dave when he had a chance. For a split second he debated pulling his weight and insisting it was nothing and they should get on. But he also knew this team well enough that they wouldn't let it go if they were concerned.
He sighed and looked down at the knee in question, the pain still sending shockwaves throbbing around the limb. Glaring at it as if the patented Hotch Glare would suddenly make it stop. Make it cower in fear. Shockingly it didn't and he was forced to look up into the eyes of worried team mates.
"I.. Its..." He sighed and started again "I was rough housing with Jack, we got a little carried away play fighting and.. and i came off worst"
He waited for a second as the words sank in, Dave was of course the first to laugh. Closely followed by sniggers of amusement around the team. The concern from seconds earlier now developing into full blown humour.
Still laughing Dave proceeded to help Aaron up the stairs to the offices.
"The mighty Aaron Hotchner was taken down by a 7 year old!"
