A/N This is my entry for ilovetvalot's Fanfic Challenge 2010 - I was given the pairing of Hotch/Strauss, and romance just made me want to throw up a little, so this is what I came up with! Appropriate, I feel, in light of recent events. So I hope you like it anyway! :]
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Criminal Minds, and this is purely a hypothetical situation. Title and lyrics from 'Defender Of The Flag' by Bruce Hornsby and The Range.
the people in high places may defend you, but son you better hope they keep the peace
She thinks of him as arrogant and conceited, and barely able to keep his team under control. His agents are all but rogue - Elle Greenaway killed a suspect in cold blood, despite the lack of proof, Spencer Reid had struggled with a drug addiction, and God knows that Gideon and Rossi have enough problems between them.
There is no hiding the fact that the BAU is her most successful unit, and probably wouldn't be as such without Aaron Hotchner at its head.
The uncertainty is a well known fact, and she does nothing to dispel it.
But Aaron Hotchner is a good man. And she hates to do this to him.
"Agent Hotchner," she greets as he shuts the door to her office, "please, have a seat."
"Chief Strauss. What is this about?"
His polite curiosity might have put a smile on her face any other day, but not today. Now it only makes her sad.
"You may have heard rumours flying around regarding changes to the Bureau."
"No, ma'am," he replies swiftly, "Our case took us to Oregon. We just got back."
A hero's work is never done.
She takes a deep breath, sliding the memo across the desk.
Hotch reaches for it, the crease between his brows deepening with every second that passes.
"What is this?" he asks unnecessarily.
Strauss leans back in her chair.
"It came from the Director," she explains, although his comprehension of the situation is probably just as great as hers, "The FBI is not going untouched by the economic crisis, Agent Hotchner. There will be budget cuts. Units will be made smaller."
"And the BAU is one of those units?"
"One of them, yes. ATF are down to four members out of Quantico, CTU have lost Todd and Cameron."
He is angry, and she doesn't blame him. Strauss stays silent, letting him draw his own conclusions.
"What exactly does this mean?" Hotch asks. She feels a wave of sympathy.
"Due to the nature of the funding withdrawals," she goes on, "the BAU budget will only cover five salaries."
"Five? But there are seven..." His voice trails off in horrified understanding. "You want me to fire two of my team?"
Strauss nods slowly.
"Believe me, if I thought there was a way around this, I'd take it. Breaking up your team is the last thing I want to do, especially now, after these last few months."
Hotch feels sick. He tries to picture the team minus two and it doesn't work.
His boss watches him carefully. "Agent Hotchner?"
He clears the lump from his throat and swallows hard.
"Who?"
Strauss' eyes cloud in sympathy.
"It's your decision. If you'd like my input...I can give you names, but..."
Hotch appreciates the thought, but he shakes his head no. This is something he must do as Unit Chief.
And he knows it won't be easy.
He stands.
"Thank you," he says and for the first time, he truly means it.
Strauss nods simply. She watches as he pauses with his hand on the door handle, but then he opens it, and his team look up.
Strauss turns away.
Some days, she really hates her job.
if these guys are the good ones, i don't want to know the bad
So if you have a moment, I'd really love to hear what you think, because this is something totally new for me, LOL! :]