Alex felt like she couldn't breathe, MRI had flagged up a large mass on her brain. an inoperable tumor. It was most likely cancer. Yet Alex had refused to share the information and asked the doctor to do the same. It was her life. And she planned to work as much as she could. whether that was another 40 years or if it was a year. she would stay wondering until three days after the biopsy which was booked for 4 days time. One week. in one week she would know whether she had cancer or whether she would simply have to cope with migraines.
Hotch walked in to Alex's room. Smiling when he saw her curled up on her side, Sleeping but just as he expected, the moment he did walk in, her eyes began to open. With a gentle sigh, He opted to sit on the edge of the bed rather than the chair. Alex eased herself up, she'd been given painkillers. Which had helped her head.
"Blake, what did the doctor say? if it's going to keep effecting you at work, then i need to know, to keep you and the team safe..." Although Hotch was being firm with her, his voice carried a hint of softness. Alex sighed softly. "It's nothing. I'm fine" her voice was much firmer. now that her pain was manageable. Her vision was crisp and her words eloquent. swinging her bare legs over the bed. Alex stood up in her hospital gown. pulling the ECG leads off her body. She was going back to work, no matter how much Hotch disliked that.
With a light glare in his direction, she headed into the bathroom with a plastic bag containing her belongings. Coming back out minutes later. Fully dressed
Hotch stood to the left of the door. He didn't belive for one second that she was fine. "Blake.. You need wait to be discharged" Alex's eyes snapped up to meet his, darkening ever so slightly "I am fine and I am going back to work even if I have to walk there" Alex crossed her arms over her chest. The famous 'Blake death stare' on her face. Hotch opened his mouth to tell her otherwise but he knew if he had any chance of getting her to open up to him then he would have to let Alex get her way; as long as she didn't endanger anyone. That also included her own life.
"Alright Blake, let's head back to work, and we will grab a Starbucks on the way" Hotch held her eye contact, even though she was acting strong, deep within her dark eyes. He could see pain.
Alex allowed her shoulders to relax, her arms falling down to her side, causing the bottle of pills in her blazer to rattle like a box of tic tacs which in turn caused Hotch to raise a single eyebrow. Yet he didn't mention it. Alex gave him a small grateful smile. with a hint of surprise. she had not expected him to let her get her way especially without a fight.
Not a single word was shared between the pair as they walked out to the car park. As they got outside, Alex stopped and looked around the car park, Not knowing where the car until Hotch pointed out to her. Which caused an embarrassed blush to dance up her cheeks, as she rather quickly got in to the front passenger seat and fastened her belt. Every movement of Alex's seemed rather robotic. Alex knew exactly what she would do. she planned to work as much as she possibly could. Alex Blake did not sit around and mope. She faced her problems head on... well actually she ignored them till they had to be sorted out. Alex's slience rather concerened Hotch. He had tried a few times to start some sort of converstation however her replies were short and clippped. Even as they pulled up to the drive-thru starbucks,, she didn't look up from her hands. Nor did she reply to him asking what coffee she wanted. leaving him to order her normal; He assumed that was what she would want
Sliping the large cups in to the holders, he contemplated taking her home, but he knew she wouldn't stay there and if she was at work himself and multiple others could keep an eye on her.
Alex didn't notice the cup nor when he pulled in to the parking garage. She was far to deep in her thoughts to pay attention anything out side of her own being. "Blake... we are back and your coffee is in the cup holder" Hotch sighed softly wishing she would let hm in and allow someone to help her.
"Oh, urm thank you. My purse is inside so I will pay you back later" Alex looked up and removed her cup with a shaking hand and she got the car without another word before she walked in to the lift and pushed the correct button, her nails had a perfect manicure this morning but now it was chipped from her fiddling fingers.
Hotch took the stairs up to the bullpen, gathering the team with the exception of Alex.
"Look, we need to keep an eye on Alex"
