A/N: I do not own Criminal Minds or the characters. This is just a short and sweet one-shot following the episode 9x20 (Blood Relations). I am working on a longer story for them, but this was just stuck in my head and I needed to get it out. Please read and review.
He could tell something was wrong the minute she walked through the door. Her frizzy hair of natural curls hugging her face, her face cleared of all makeup, and the far-away look that was taking over her eyes. James knew something was wrong.
Even though he could see her, she hadn't seen him, yet. She had only just walked in the door and he was peering at her through the kitchen. She dropped her bag on the ground and took a look around, that was when she saw him. No matter how exhausted she was, how drained her body felt, she couldn't stop her feet from moving towards her husband, even if she wanted to. As soon as she reached him, her arms went up and locked around the back of his head. Alex could feel his arms circling her waist, pulling her in close. She rested her head against his chest, glad that he was home, that he was there with her.
They didn't move for several minutes, until she felt him slowly pulling away. Not completely, but enough that he could see her face. Alex hadn't realized that she was crying, not until she saw his blue shirt dotted with tiny, wet spots from where her head had just been. She looked up to her husband and let out a long sigh.
"Alex, what's going on? Did something happen?" His voice was soft, tender.
She shook her head, and tore her eyes away from his. She couldn't lie to him, not with him staring at her. "No, I'm—I'm fine." Even as the words came out, she knew how pitiful they sounded.
James took his hand a gently pulled her face up to his, making her look at him. "Alex, tell me the truth. If something happened, I can handle it." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"It was horrible, James. We had split up to find the unsub and I ended up alone. I had found the woman we were looking for, but I was waiting for the rest of the team to come. That was when I felt someone knocking me into the water. I took a shot, but I don't know if I hit him. I – I thought I was drowning. I couldn't breathe. I thought in that moment that it might really be the end. But then, I felt his weight go off of me and I pushed myself up." Once the words had started, Alex couldn't stop them from coming. "The team shot the water, at least thirty times. But James, they never found the body. And I just can't shake this feeling like something is wrong. I don't know what it is. I've never felt this way before. I was just so scared."
He didn't say anything for a moment, making sure she was finished; he pulled her tightly into his arms again. "Alex, it's okay. You are allowed to be scared, but you are safe, now. You are here and you are safe."
No one spoke, not for a while. The only thing that could be heard was the soft sobs that were leaving Alex's body. They might have been standing there for minutes, hours. But neither of them noticed.
"Thank you." The whisper was quiet, but James heard it and shook his head.
"No, don't thank me. This is what I am here for, Alex. Anytime you need me, it doesn't matter where I am or where you are, I will come." He buried his face into her hair, "You really could use a shower, though." He added with a chuckle.
She felt herself smiling, knowing that she must smell and look horrible. Alex nodded, "You're right, I do." She pushed herself onto the tips of her feet, placing a small kiss to her husband's lips. Turning around, she headed for the stairs. "Are you coming or are you just going to stand there all night?" She threw over her shoulder, not letting him see the smirk on her face when she heard the footsteps rushing up behind her.