Lone Wolf

Chapter 4

Weeks earlier

I was standing in Erin's office when I got the news that I was being fired. I was pacing in circles and came to a halt.

"That's it. There's nothing you can do?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not." I ran my hand over my face.

"So what do I now?"

"Pack your things. Alex,-."

"Don't." I handed her my badge and gun. "You win. And for the record Erin, the only reason why I didn't tell anyone about my past is, it's supposed to stay that way." I left her office just as the team looked up from their work.

"Alex." Reid said as I started to gather my belongings.

"What's going on?"

"It seems that I no longer work here." This made Morgan walk over.

"There's gotta be some mistake." I looked at them and felt Aaron's eyes on my body.

"There's no mistake."

I was taking my morning run through Rosewood and saw the girls entering our usual morning hangouts, The Brew. None of them actually knew I was prenatally back yet, which was good on my part. For me I just wasn't ready to explain to them what happen back in Quantico. Just as I rounded the corner of the Brew, Spencer glanced over her shoulder.

"Spence, you ok?" Aria asked.

"Yeah. I could have sworn I saw Alex."

"You know what I'm taking you off caffeine." Hanna said earning her an eye roll from Spencer.

I ran up the steps and entered my apartment to see the unpacked boxes that were still taunting me. After changing into clean clothes, I started to unpack but instead pulled out the wine glasses.

Though I didn't start my new job until the end of week, I figure it would be best if I went ahead and moved back to get settled in. Knowing that Rosewood was a small town and that it was a risk to be seen by one of the girls, I grabbed my jacket and keys and left my small apartment.

I walked into the Brew and paid for latte and took in the once familiar scene that I had shared with the girls back in high school.

I found an empty table by the window and started to write down some notes on what I needed for my new place but was soon interrupted by Toby who sat his cup of coffee down.

"Toby. Hi." We exchanged hugs.

"Hi back. How are you?"

"Good."

"So do the others know-?"

"That I'm back?" He nodded. "No actually, you're the first."

"Well I'll be sure to not let the others know." I smiled at him as he checked the time. "I should go. We should get together sometime and catch up." I smiled.

"I'd like that."

"It's good seeing you again, Alex." I gave him a nod.

"You too Toby."

Later that day, I finally had the motivation to start unpacking the boxes, putting away the dishes when then a knock on the door occurred. I walked over to the peep-hole and smiled when I saw Spencer, Emily, Hanna and Aria standing with what looked like to be take-out.

"Hey guys."

"Hey." Aria said.

"Hope we're not interrupting anything?"

"Not at all." They placed the take-out food on the counter.

"Hope you don't mind we brought some food." I gave them a tiny smile.

"I don't." Then Hanna's mind clicked as she saw the boxes in the middle of the living room.

After we finished eating, I poured the girls more wine, Aria saw Jack's stuff dog that was off to the side of the end table and picked it up.

"Alex, if you don't mind me asking, what is Jack's dog doing here?" I took a big gulp of the wine.

"Easy there on the wine." Hanna said.

"Aaron and I broke up." They looked at me.

"We had no-." Emily started to say but I cut her off.

"It's partly my fault. I should have told him about 'A'."

"You couldn't have -." Spencer started to say.

"Known? Trust me. The last five years of being a profiler. I," I brought my knees to my chest. "Should have."

"Don't beat yourself up. You couldn't have known." Hanna said making me raise an eyebrow at her.

"For once Hanna is right." Hanna's eyes grow in achievement.

"Don't let get to your head." I added as she rolled her at me while the others let out a laugh.

"At least you haven't lost your sense of humor." Emily said. I looked over at Jack's toy dog.

"I still can't believe he gave that to me." With that said, Spencer's cell ranged. "Message from 'A'?" I asked.

"No. It's Toby."

"Go." I said.

"Call if you need anything." I returned a small nod.

The next morning I found myself laying in my bed listening to what sounded to be like dishes to be putting up in my living room. I was about to grab my pistol which I remember was still in Quantico sitting in a safety deposit box but also remember that the girls stayed over. I slowly made my way into the living room and saw Aria at the island drinking coffee.

"Morning." She said as a yawn escaped my mouth and I scratched the back of my head.

"Hey. Find everything ok?"

"Yeah. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Really. Although I just realized I still have some stuff I left back Quantico." I ran my hand over my face.

"You seem like you don't want to go?" I took a sip of the coffee.

"There's part of me that I doesn't want to."

Thankfully JJ agreed to meet me at the airport I smiled as I saw her at the baggage claim area and the two of exchanged hugs as I gathered my things.

"It's good to see you."

"Same to you."

We started to drive to our destination with the radio on low.

"How are things in Rosewood?" I let out a tired laugh.

"Surprisingly the same. How are things at the BAU?"

"Things have been tough."

"And Aaron?" I asked hopefully, but knowing he was happy.

"He's happy." I gave a small smile as we pulled into the BAU parking lot.

The two of us walk off the elevator as I was messing with the visitor pass on my shirt. Morgan was walking towards the glass doors with Blake and Rossi who both had surprised looks on their faces.

"Alex." Morgan said making me look up from my visitor's pass.

"Hey Derek." Rossi and I exchanged hugs.

"So you're the famous Alex Brooks I've been hearing about?" I looked at the woman. "Alex Blake." I gave a court nod.

"Nice to meet you."

"So are you back?" Rossi asked.

"Actually, I came to pick up couple of things I left behind. Hopefully my locker is still the same?" I heard Garcia's voice rounding the corner.

"I made sure of it." I couldn't help but shake my head at her as she came walking with files in hand. "I'd loved to stay and chat-." I moved out of her way.

"Your highness." I said trying to hold back my laughter.

I made my way towards Aaron's office to at least and try to make things right. Just as I was about to knock on his door frame, he open it with a surprised look on his face.

"Alex. Hi."

"Hi. I know I should have called." He ushered me in.

"It's ok."

"Can we talk?"

"Sure." He closed the door behind us.

"I wish I could take back what happened between us."

"Alex it wasn't-."

"My fault?" He nodded. "Then why do I feel responsible for it?" Next thing I knew he closed the gap between us and brushed back some fallen hair out of my face.

"Because I know you." I gave him a tiny smile.

"Beth seems like a keeper." He smiled.

"You'd like her." He cleared his throat. "I should go. The team is probably waiting for me." I could feel tears falling from eyes as he wiped them away with his thumb as I kissed the inside of his palm. "I'll see you later." He gave a quick nod and kissed my forehead as he left.

Days later I made it back into Rosewood a little better than I was before or at least I thought I was when I walked into my empty apartment, closed the door behind and slid down as the tears fell from my eyes as my hand covered my mouth as a gasp escaped from it.

Later that day, I walked into the Grille and found sitting the back and walked towards them as I told the waiter what I wanted.

"Hey. You're back." Spencer said. I gave a tiny smile and a nod as I sat down.

"How'd it go in Quantico?"

"Good." Unfortunately Aria saw right through me. "So what did I miss while I was gone?"

"Aria's dating again." Hanna said making nearly choke on my drink seeing her eyes grow big which earn her a kick in the leg. "What?"

"You ok there, Alex?" Spencer asked as I continued to cough.

"Yeah. Did Hanna say that you're dating again?" Aria just nodded.

"I hope you're ok with it-."

"Hey someone in this group deserves to be happy for once."

"So you're ok?"

"Totally." I lied.

Later I found myself walking through the cool winter breeze and entered Tony's to find it surprisingly somewhat empty. I walked up to the bar just as the night shift bartender walked up.

"What can I get you?"

"Anything you have on tap." He gave a nod and walked off.

"Everything ok down there?" I looked down to the right to see a handsome man.

"Yeah. I just haven't gotten used to the small town feel." He took interest and moved closer towards me.

"Really?" I gave a nod. "I'm Gabe."

"Alex." We exchanged handshakes.

"So where are you from?"

"Originally?" He nodded. "From here."

"So if you're here…originally," He smiled, making me smile. "Quantico."

"Really?" He asked.

"You seem surprised."

"A little."

We talked for hours and several drinks later we ended back at my place in a heated make out session to my bedroom.

The morning came along with sun blinding through the curtains letting a groan escape from my mouth just as the shrill of a cell phone went off. I slowly opened my eyes to see an empty spot next to me and hearing my cell phone still going off, I turned to the night stand and grabbed it and saw that I had a miss call from Hanna knowing that I needed to call her later.

I made my way towards the kitchen to find the same man I ended up home with standing in front of my stove making breakfast.

"Morning." He said. I smiled while I scratched the back of my head. "Hope you don't mind that I made breakfast."

"Not at all."

"Sleep well?"

"If you consider having a pounding headache then yes." He gave a tiny smile as he handed a cup of coffee and Advil.

"Maybe these will help."

"Thanks." His cell rang.

"Holbrook…I'll be right there." He looked at me disappointed.

"Go save the world, detective." I smiled as we exchanged kisses.

...

Weeks later

I pulled into town on my motorcycle and saw the familiar black SUV's drive up to the police station. Sighing as I was taking off my helmet, I spotted Holbrook greeting them making a mental note in my head to see what's going on. The buzz of my cell phone got me out of my thoughts seeing that it was a text from Aria to see if I was going to meet with them at the Brew, I quickly replied before I was noticed by Hotch.

I paid the cashier for my usual latté and met the girls in the far corner where I couldn't be seen which Emily took notice.

"Everything ok?"

"Not exactly." Just then the doors open to reveal Hotch ordering coffee and gave him a semi-wave along with a smile.

"So are you talking?" Hanna asked.

"Seeing that he has girlfriend, Hanna I don't think it's a good idea." Realizing that I said that a little harsher than intended I sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just that I didn't get the near amount of sleep that I should and the caffeine hasn't kicked yet." She nodded.

"Do you have any idea why they're here?" Emily asked.

"No. But I can probably find out."

As I was getting ready for my next class, I was tuning my guitar when I saw my classroom door open slowly making me stop.

"Don't stop on m y account." Gabe said.

"Actually class starts in the next fifteen minutes." He leaned in for a kiss but I stopped.

"Something wrong?"

"What's my old team doing here?" He sighed as he leaned against one of the student's desks.

"You know I can't talk-."

"About it I know." I placed my hand on top of his. "Is it about Ali?"

"I can't say." He pulled out a card that I haven't seen before. "But I do need to ask you a few questions."

"What's this?"

"I was hoping you would know." I opened it and read it. "Do you recognize the handwriting?"

"No. I never saw it before."

"Look I'm not-."

"I know. Like I said I never saw this letter before." The bell ranged. "If you'll excuse me, I have a class to get ready for." He nodded and left.

The day went slow for my take. I was watching my students figuring out the chords to their guitars and looked outside my classroom door to see Ella standing outside.

"Is everything ok, Miss Brooks?" I gave her a soft smile.

"I'm sure it is." I cleared my throat. "Mike, can you take over?" He nodded as I stepped out. "Ella, is there something wrong?"

"The F.B.I. is here to talk to you." I gave her a weird look.

"Ok. I have Mike taking over my class." She nodded. The two of us walked into the teacher's lounge to see Hotch and Morgan making my body already tense than it is.

"Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery." She gave a nod and left.

"Ok what the hell is going on?" I asked. "James Mordecai isn't he?" Hotch nodded as I sat down slowly in a nearby chair. "When?"

"We got the call last night." Morgan said as I ran my over my face.

"What now?"

"Are you still staying at your parent's place?"

"I actually have an apartment just outside of town."

"I'll have JJ-."

"Is this really necessary? I mean do we really know if he's coming here?"

"I don't want to take chances." Hotch said leaving the room. Sighing, I sat down on the arm of the couch and saw the look on Derek's face.

"Don't even say it."

"Say what? You know he's just looking out for you. We all are."

"Yeah. I know." Derek left just as the bell rang and as Aria entered the lounged with a confused look on her face.

"You ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to bail on dinner tonight."

"Ok. Maybe some other time then?" I nodded.

I was standing in the gun range emptying my last clip when Hotch walked in looking suspiciously.

"I thought I might find you here."

"Where else would I be?"

"I know you hate being put up with a body-guard." My cell ranged with Aria's name flashing across.

"I have to meet Aria and the others for lunch."

I walked into the Grille and found the girls sitting in the back. Nodding over at the girls as Aria waved me over to join them. Trying to hide my recent emotional state that was taken place over at the high school between Aaron somehow I didn't do a good job.

"Everything ok?" Spencer asked.

"Hotch and the team are back." They gave me and gave me concern look.

"Are you ok with it?" Emily asked.

"The truth?" They nodded. "It's good to see them."

"But?" Hanna added.

"But, they're here on a case involving me." Spencer's eyebrow's raised in question.

"Why you?" Hanna asked.

"It's an old case I used work on."

Later that day I was sitting in my classroom writing up some final touches for next week's lesson's when I zone out.

Few Months earlier.

The room was dark but yet I could see some light shining in the room as my eyes were starting to focus. I could feel my hands attach to some chains as I was lying on a double bed. The door opened to see both Prentiss and Morgan coming towards me. My head was still fuzzy from the drugs that Mordecai had given me.

"Derek." I said in a weak in voice as she bent down to unchained from the bed.

"Alex."

I grabbed my pistol when I heard footsteps coming towards my classroom, knowing that I was the only teacher left, I didn't want to take chances. What came to my surprise was to see Aria standing at my door with two cups of coffee in hand.

"Easy there killer." She said smiling. I placed it on my desk and ran my hands over my face as she walked in. "You ok?"

"Yeah. I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here."

"I saw your light on." She handed me the extra cup. "Thought you could use a cup." I gave a tiny smile.

"Thanks. And sorry about-."

"Don't worry about it." I sighed as she pulled a chair up. "So what has you here so late?"

"Next week's lessons plans." She pulled a face.

"Fun." I let out a small laugh just as a car back fire making us both jump. "You wanna get out here?" I gave a nod.

"Yeah."

Both Aria and I were about to enter my apartment but was surprise to see Morgan standing outside my door. He smiled and waved at us.

"I could turn you for stalking me." I said just as one of my neighbors walked by earning a look from them.

"She's kidding, Mrs. Williams." Aria said as the three of us walked in.

"I already told you and Hotch-." I placed my keys in the bowel near my house phone.

"You know Hotch won't budge." Derek had a point.

"Ok, clearly I'm lost." Aria said. Sighing I leaned against the back of the couch and looked at Morgan who nodded.

"Call the others and have them to come over."

As we were eating Chinese take-out, I couldn't help but feel the dead silence in my living room apartment, which was driving me insane.

"Come one, someone please say something."

"What are we supposed to say?" Hanna started to say. "I mean you pulled your gun on Aria for crying out loud." I stabbed my chop sticks into my noodles.

"I wasn't expecting anyone to show up." It may have come out a little harsh but Hanna was starting to piss me off. I looked over at Aria. "No offense."

"None taken."

"Will you give it a rest, Hanna?" Just then Gabe walked in with a surprise look on his face making me get up.

"Oh. I probably should have called."

"It's fine." I said leading him outside to talk.

"Everything ok? It seems pretty intense in there."

"I told them about Mordecai." He gave me a sincere look and placed his hands on my shoulder.

"I'm guessing they didn't take well?"

"Before or after I pulled my gun on Aria?" He gave me a confused look. "Long story. Look, Morgan is going to have stay for security detail."

"Bummer." I gave him a tiny smile as I placed my hands on his chest. "How long do you think they'll ask-?"

"About us?" He nodded. "Knowing them, they're probably talking about us right now." He nodded.

"I'll call in the morning." We kissed each other goodbye.

"Not unless I call first."

The next morning I made my way through the living and saw the girls asleep, shaking my head, I saw Morgan drinking coffee and reading a newspaper.

"Morning sunshine."

"Is it?" I went straight for the coffee pot.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Hardly."

"Still having nightmares?"

"Every time I close my eyes, I still see his face." Hanna's voice piped up.

"Can you two keep your voices down in there? Some of us are actually trying to sleep." She said walking in while scratching the back of her head.

"Coffee?" I asked her.

"Please." She took a sip as Derek stepped outside to make a phone call. "So, what were you and mister sexy talking about?" I nearly spit out my coffee.

"I'm sorry what did you call him?"

"Sexy. Don't tell you don't think of that way?"

"Han, we worked together. Besides, he's taken."

"That hasn't stopped any one of us-." I held up hand and stopped her from going father.

"Ok I get your point. And to answer your question, we were talking about bête noirs." She pulled a face.

"Wait bête noirs about 'A'?" I semi gave a nod.

"Yes and no."

Thankfully the day went smoothly with the classes. Just as the bell ranged, I saw Gabe walking in with his hands in his back pockets of his jeans and smiling.

"Well, to what do I owe this surprise to?"

"I'm assuming you haven't had lunch yet." I felt a smile appear on my face.

"Are you asking me out on a date, detective?"

"I guess I am." He gave me a lopsided grin just as I saw Spencer at my door making me remember that I was having lunch with her today.

"I'm going to have a rain check on that lunch date." He turned around and saw Spencer, who smiled and waved at us.

"I guess I'll see you later?" I gave a nod while I place a simply but yet sweet kiss on his cheek and grabbed my stuff on the way out.

Alright guys, here is Chap 3 with a cliff hanger. Like always, let me know what you think. And if there's any mistakes let me know. Enjoy.