So, I once commented in a review that I wish someone would just lock these two in a room until they gave into the chemistry. I hope it's not too contrived. I wrote this a while ago and only just now felt comfortable or crazy enough to begin posting it. Even though I seriously love the writing on this board, I have only dipped my toe in the CM waters twice myself. So, gentle readers, this is a round about way of begging you all to be kind.
This chapter is not too steamy, but it will seriously earn the M rating as we go forward. You have been warned or teased, as you may take that.
DISCLAIMER: Oh the places I would go with my very own Hotch! Alas, I own my fevered imaginings only.
CHEMISTRY – Chapter 1
Aaron Hotchner pinned the hapless clerk with a steely glare. The unfortunate object of his anger was helpless, like a bug stuck on a pin. He had no control.
"I am sorry sir, but with the road closing, there really is only one cabin left. It happens here every 4 or 5 years. And we know it will take some time to open. Your best bet is to settle in until then. I really would love to help the FBI, but there is nothing I can do"
He held out the last two keys for Cabin 13 and tried not to let his hand shake. Hopefully, he could not be locked up for not forcing someone else out to accommodate the FBI, could he? Melvin Cleary wasn't the brightest of lights and the tall man with the scary eyes was beginning to make him doubt what they could do.
"Oh for God's sake, Hotch! Stop glowering at the man."
The pretty lady with the dark eyes smiled gently at him and grabbed one of the keys out of the man's hands. She looked at the key number and smiled larger.
"13? We are in cabin 13? Well that's just perfect. It's almost a theme for this whole investigation. You can stay here and try to terrify him if you want, but I am tired and want to change. Thank God we didn't send our Go bags with the rest of the team. What about food? Where can we eat?"
Melvin was torn between avoiding the angry stare of the man and being transfixed by the smile of the pretty woman. The jangle of the keys pulled him out of his reverie.
"Aunt Julia's has great food and she stays open late, when the road is being cleared. That way the men working can eat and continue on."
"How long does it normally take to clear the road?"
"Well sir, it used to take a long time. But now, we got some more modern machinery. So once the mudslide danger is for sure past, it won't take but a day or two. Of course that's if no major boulders have come down too."
"Day or two?"
"Yes sir!" Melvin was very proud of how far the town of Cliff Springs, had come. "Last time this happened, people were stuck for 2 weeks. Now you should be out within a week, I expect"
He was surprised to see the two agents didn't share his enthusiasm for the progress that had been made.
"There is no other way out of town?"
"Nope. There was some talk at one time about making another roadway, but that was just too expensive."
"And we have no cell service."
"No sir. They are talking about building one of those cell towers soon, though" He said it in the hopes that would stop him from being so angry. "We have regular phones here in all the cabins"
Cabin 13 was not as dismal as they had imagined. In fact, the clearly handmade curtains and quilt on the one bed made it look almost homey. But there was the problem. One bed. There was a small sofa, a big comfy chair, TV, small kitchenette and tiny table, but only one bed. Both Emily and Aaron noted this with similar reactions inwardly. Outwardly, they both remained calm.
Typically, Emily made a light joke.
"Well, isn't this cozy? Here we are home sweet home for the next almost week."
Hotch's mouth went dry at the thought of being forced to share a bed with Emily Prentiss for almost a week. He had a hard enough time controlling his feelings and body around her in professional setting. This would be torture.
"I better call in and let them know our status. It was bad enough the lead we chased was useless. At least we can let them know how to contact us so we can help on the case. I am pretty sure internet access is limited as well. Maybe we can arrange with the LEO to use theirs?"
"Yes, call in. But we stopped at that station, remember? Their computers were still running WINDOWS 95. I think their server will be anything but secure. Unless Garcia can remote access it and work some magic."
"I hadn't even noticed. I have to call Jessica about Jack as well."
Emily's face sobered at that. "Of course, you get going on that. I am taking advantage of this little break in the rain to get some hot food and some things we can make here in the kitchenette. I get the impression we might need to camp here a bit"
She left the room without noticing Aaron's eyes watching her. She never saw, never noticed. Considering she was a profiler and the most sensitive to the rest of the team, he was always surprised at that. He picked up the phone and started on the calls.
Emily could have kicked herself. There she was feeling a little gleeful about having Hotch to herself and the poor man was probably frantic about his son. She needed to get her feelings for Aaron under control. He had no interest in her at all. She could imagine making the ultimate fool of herself here. Food and some essentials she could handle. Everything else was about self control.
Ok, this is the part where you are kind and I try to figure out how to break up the next portion of this thing. My story bunnies crave chocolate and reviews.