Let's play a little game called 'Cat and Mouse.'
Chapter 1
In this series, Haley and Jack don't exist. Not that I have anything against them. Alex and Hotch are together, and it takes place right after he comes back from overseas with his beard.
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. Ernest Hemingway."
The sunbeams were making their appearance through the curtains as I scooted closer towards Aaron's body in the tangled sheets. It had been three days since he had gotten back from Pakistan and I have yet gotten used to his beard that he had grown while he was over there.
I was in Rosewood for a reunion when Aaron stopped by to surprise me one night when I was with the girls for a night of catching up.
His eyes began to open as I rubbed his facial hair and greeted me with a kiss.
"Morning." I smiled.
"Don't ever leave me again." He mirrored the smiled as he brought me closer to him.
"I'll keep that in mind." As we continued our make out session, my cell phone decided to ring earning a groan from me. "Are you gonna get that?" I glanced at Hanna's name flashing name across the screen and cut it off.
"No. Hanna can wait."
…
I walked into the Grille and met the girls at a back table for brunch while sending a quick text to Aaron to see if I needing to pick him up any lunch while I was there and noticed the quick glances that both Ali and Spencer shared.
"Ok what?" I asked.
"Nothing." I arched an eyebrow at Ali as she took a drink.
"You know there's no use of lying to her, I mean Alex does work as a profiler as a living." Aria added. I smiled as I took a bit of the bread stick that was in front of me.
"Yeah, when did that happen?" Hanna asked.
"Things changed."
We continued to talk about old times and how I'd used to sneak out of my bedroom window to meet my old boyfriends and when I was late for curfew, I would sneak back into Spencer's bedroom.
"Wait, so that's why you'd sneak into my room late night?" I was about to answer when my cell went with Garcia's name flashing across.
"You gotta be kidding me."
"Don't they know you're on vacation?" Emily asked as I began to gather my things.
"Tell that to the bad guys. Brooks."
…
Flashback
It was lunchtime when I met the girls inside the hallway when Principal Hackett walked towards us eyeing at me.
"Miss Jonson."
"Principal Hackett. What can I do for you?"
"I need to have a word with you." He looked at the rest of the group. "Alone."
"Sure."
"You want us-?" A seventeen year old Spencer asked.
"I'm good." They nodded and left.
I sat in his office across from his desk. I turned my head just as he walked in with Detective Tanner, which could mean only one thing.
"This is about my father isn't it?" She just nodded. "How bad?"
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," Hackett started. "Your mother didn't make it." I ran a hand over my face fighting the threatening tears.
…
I met the team in the DiLaurentis' backyard, seeing a distraught Jessica off to the side as I took off my sunglasses and I notice that Morgan was talking to Detective Holbrook as JJ was walking up.
"Sorry to pull you away from your vacation." JJ said.
"Just another day's work. Where's Reid?"
"Visiting his mother." Hotch said walking up.
"Lucky him." I said sarcastically.
"When did you get back, Hotch?" Morgan asked walking up.
"Late last night. What do have?" We met Holbrook as he was looking at the deceased.
"Male, mid-thirties-." My face went pale.
"Jason?" Gabe turned around with a shock look on his face.
"You know him?" Aaron asked.
I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. "Yeah, Jason and I dated a few times before I moved."
Silence filled the house of the DiLaurentis' home as both Jessica and Alison sat quiet until Jessica broke the silence.
"I think it's best that you leave"
"Mom!"
"Obviously, she's right. Call if you need anything." I walked myself out.
…
Scratching the back of my head as I walked into the precinct, Holbrook saw me as I was pouring myself a cup of coffee.
"Agent Brooks."
"Yes?"
"How'd it go?"
"Just like with any other parent losing a child." Then my mind clicked I haven't told Spencer.
"Something wrong?"
"I hope not. If my team is looking for me, tell them I'm out in field." He nodded as I tossed the cup in the trashcan.
…
I was watching Spencer pace in the living room of her house and stopped in mid step as if she was in train of thought.
"So you're saying, that both my and Alison's brother is dead?" I nodded.
"Look, Spence, I thought-."
"Don't! Just don't!" Toby walked in with a bag of food.
"Spencer, is everything ok?"
"No Toby everything's not." I stood up.
"I should probably go."
"Yeah you should." Spencer said a little bitterly.
…
Later that day, I was sitting in my living room with my second beer just as Hanna walked in with what looked like to be some comfort food.
"Figured you could use some company." I gave her a tiny smile.
"At least you're still talking to me."
"Spencer and Ali can't be mad at you forever."
"Yeah, well try telling them that after telling your older brother is found dead." I took another swig of my Jack Daniel's.
"I think you had enough." She took the bottle from me and I just looked at her as she walked over to the sink and poured it out.
"Did you know that Jason and I used to date?" She turned around with a blank look on her face.
"You and Jason dated?"
She walked over to the couch to see that I was asleep and draped a blanket across my body just as Aaron walked in.
"Sorry I'm late. It took longer than expect." Hanna looked up from her current magazine.
"No worries."
"How is she?"
"Let's just say that Jack Daniels won't be her friend in morning."
…
The sun was glaring through the window making my eyes quint as I rolled over to Aaron's empty side of the bed. The smell of pancakes emerged from the kitchen as I walked in surprised to find Hanna in front of the stove.
"You're up."
"And you're actually cooking." She stuck out her tongue at me as I pour a cup of coffee. "I'm guessing Aaron had an early meeting?" She nodded as I stole a piece of bacon.
"How's your head?"
"Surprisingly, not pounding." I took a sip of the warm liquid. "Did I happen to say to anything last night?" she placed the pancakes on the table and sat down.
"You said that you and Jason dated." I ran a hand over my face.
…
Later that day I found myself going through some old boxes in my parents barn that had some pictures of all of us when were kids. The six of us were lying by the pool; it was the middle of summer during junior high year. I placed it aside when I saw Aria standing in the doorway.
"Morning."
"Hey."
"Going through old pictures?"
"Gotta do somethin' to keep busy."
"I'm guessing neither Spencer nor Alison is talking to you still?" I leaned against my dad's old motorcycle that was still in the barn.
"No. And I probably don't blame them." She stepped closer to the pile of pictures and saw the one of me and Jason hugging at my parent's place in Nashville.
"When was this?" She picked it up and I smiled some.
"Junior year."
Hastings-Cavanaugh household-
"Come on Spence, talk to her."
"No. Alex should have told both Alison and I what was going on."
"I agree. She also had protocol to follow."
"Screw protocol."
…
Philly Prison
I found myself sitting facing my father who was wearing an orange jumpsuit. A guard was standing next to the door as he placed his hands on top of the table.
"I'm surprised you came."
"I am too."
"Did you get my letters I sent?" I placed them in front of him. "You didn't read them?"
"No."
"Then why did you come?" I let out a bitter laugh.
"I asked the same question myself." I resituated myself in the metal chair. "On second thought, this was a bad idea." I began to leave with the letters in hand.
I tossed the box of letters in the back of the trunk of my car just as I saw Spencer walking up.
"I'm guessing you saw?" She nodded.
"You haven't read the letters that he sent you?"
"No."
"Something's bothering you isn't there?"
"Maybe coming back wasn't such a good idea." My cell phone went off before Spencer could open her mouth. "Brooks. Whoa, slow down Hanna. Wait what?" I sighed. "We'll be right there."
"What's wrong?"
"Ali's been brought in for questioning."
...
Both Spencer and I walked into Rosewood PD and met Hanna outside the interview room with Emily.
"What's going on?"
"They won't tell us anything." Hanna said.
"Who exactly?" I asked.
"Your team." Emily said. Letting out a sigh I ran through my hair just as Morgan walked by.
"Morgan. Got a second."
Conference room-
I was leaning against one of the tables with my arms crossed.
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah. What can you tell me about-?"
"You know I can't."
"Come on Derek. Just because I'm connected to the DiLaurentis'-."
"Exactly because of that. Look I wish I could tell you somethin'."
"You're just doin' your job. I know." Just as he was about to leave he saw that my face had changed.
"Are you sure you're ok?" I swallowed.
"Yeah. I'm sure it's cause I've skipped breakfast." He nodded.
"Ok then." He began to leave. "Make sure you eat something." I returned a small smile and nodded.
"Dully noted."
...
The roof-
I was leaning against the edge of the police building letting the wind blow my hair and playing with my academy ring when Aaron walked up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist and kissed my temple.
"What's going on in that in brain of yours?"
"Why this is happening? Why now?" He turned me around to face him.
"We'll find out who is behind this."
"Will we?"
"It's what we do." He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "How does Paris sound?"
"Paris?" He nodded.
"Paris. I've gotta a lot of vacation time piled up, and assuming you do as well..." I cut him off with a kiss. "I'll take that as a yes." I smiled and kissed him again just as JJ walked up.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"What is it JJ?" He asked.
"Detective Holbrook needs to speak to Alex."
...
I was sitting nervously in the interview room waiting for Holbrook to interrogate me. As for a habit I was twisting my ring on my left hand wondering what he had to ask. On the other side of the mirror, both Hotch and JJ stood patiently.
"Have you called her lawyer?"
"You think she needs one?" JJ asked.
"Only for precaution."
"You don't trust Holbrook do you?"
"It's just something Alex said on the roof."
"You want to fill me in?" He pulled out a familiar number.
"Have everyone meet at the hotel."
"Ok. What are you going to do?"
"Call reinforcements."
Few hours later back in the room Holbrook had my file in front of her and opened it as she took some notes just as the door open to reveal Prentiss carrying a brief case.
"I'm sorry who are you?" I gave her a surprise look.
"I'm Agent Brooks' attorney."
...
Back at my parent's place both Prentiss and I walked and placed our things by the door.
"Boy, am I glad you walked in." I poured the two of cups of coffees.
"When Hotch called, I thought he was joking."
"Nope. It's like high school all over again."
"Have you talked him since that day you found out?" She took a sip.
"Today was the first time." She was about to say when the rest of the team walked in with a surprise look on their faces.
"Emily!" Garcia said walking towards her to give her a hug just as my cell phone ranged.
"Brooks." I stepped on the back porch. "Yes, I understand. Thank you." The back door open and I could hear the team laugh as Aaron stepped out and closed the door behind him. He brought me into a hug just as Emily noticed.
"How long have-?" Garcia cut her off.
"Since the-." I walked back in with Aaron's arm wrapped around my waist.
"Everything ok?" Blake asked.
"Yeah." JJ was about to take a drink of her wine until Rossi spoke up.
"That's for after the pasta is done." We all shared a laugh.
...
The next day Paris, France-
It was late at night when we reach our hotel which was located right across Eiffel Tower, the concierge brought our bags in and we both return a nod.
"Enjoy you're stay Mr. and Mrs. Hotchner." Noticing that our room was the honeymoon suite, I looked at Hotch with a concern look.
"Aaron."
"Yes?"
"This is a honeymoon suite."
"I know. It was the on-." I cut him off with a kiss but then remember the 'do not disturb sign'. "What?" He asked as I was walking towards and grabbed the sign. "Ah." He added smiling. After locking the door, I walked back to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Now where we?" I asked as I felt his hands trailing to the zipper of my dress.
"Right about here." The walk that we had planned for that evening was forgotten as our trails of clothes hit the floor.
The next day the sun began to shine through windows while both Aaron and I were lying in bed with the TV on, I felt his lips leaving trails of kisses on my bare back as I looked up at him lazily.
"Morning, sleepy head." I smiled some.
"Mm. Hi. What's on the agenda today?"
"Well," He said as he tucked some of my hair behind my ear and started to kiss my forehead and down towards my jawline to my lips. "I'm thinking we can get breakfast and do some site seeing." I rubbed his neckline.
"I like that idea. Besides, I do need to update some of my wardrobe." He raised an eyebrow.
"Why do I have a feeling this is going to cost me a lot?"
"Babe." He cut me off.
"I'm kidding."
...
The weather was cooler was rather chilly. As Hotch and I were walking and taking in the different sites, he wrapped an arm around my waist and brought me closer towards him as we came to a baby store which made him stop in mid step.
"Whatever you're thinking, stop." I looked at him sheepishly.
"What?"
"You really want to go in there don't you?" I walked in front of him and grabbed his coat.
"Just to look." I eyed the clothes that were in the window just as gunfire went off making both of us duck for cover. People scattered in terror as I started to get up but felt blood then everything went black.
...
Quantico-
The team was talking amongst the bullpen when Rossi walked down the stairs talking on his cell phone.
"Can we do anything? Ok then, keep us updated."
"Rossi, what's up?" Kate asked.
"Alex's been shot." They all grew concern as JJ spoke.
"How is she?"
"Hotch says she's in surgery."
"How is he holding up?" Reid asked.
"He's holding."
"We should be there." Garcia said.
"Hotch would want us to work the case." Morgan said.
"And that's what we'll do."
...
My eyes began to adjust to the bright hospital lights and to see that a woman was in my present as I tried to scoot up, I quickly realized that it was a bad move.
"Yeah, I wouldn't try to move."
"Emily, what a-?"
"Hotch called." I nodded.
"Where is he?"
"Filling in the team. You should get some rest." I swallowed just as Hotch walked back in the room.
"She's right." I looked over at him.
"I'll go let the doctor know you're awake." I gave her a nod.
"I should call-." Hotch took the empty seat and took my hand in his.
"You should rest." I was going to argue, but the drowsiness took over my body.
Days later-
Both Aaron and I walked off the elevators and met Morgan who was talking to Garcia about her and Kevin's latest dilemma.
"Alex." I gave a small nod.
"You're back." Garcia said while giving me hug.
"Welcome back."
"It's good to be back." Hotch walked to his office.
"You ok?" Morgan asked.
"Yeah I'm just tired from being cooped up." Just then my cell phone ranged with Toby's name on it. "Hey Toby...What when?" I ran a hand over my face. "Thanks for the heads up."
"Something wrong?"
"I'm not sure." I said heading towards Hotch's office.
Seeing that he was already on the phone, I gently knocked on the door and walked in closed the door behind me.
"I'll call you back when I have more details."
"That Emily?" He nodded.
"What's up?"
"Evidently the sniper that shot at us was found in Rosewood."
"That can't be-."
"A coincidence?" He nodded.
"You're thinking something else aren't you?"
"I think Ali could be back at her old ways."
"What do you want to do?"
"I think I have an idea." He raised an eyebrow.
There's chapter one. Sorry I've been away. I'm still working on the 'Playing Game' series but this one came to mind so here it is. And like always, tell me what y'all think.