I spent all day texting with Garcia about her date tonight.
When I got a call at about 10:30, I figured she was calling me after the date to talk about how it went.
That wasn't the case.

I drove to the hospital as quickly as I could after Rossi's call. He didn't leave a lot of detail; just that she had been shot and was in surgery.
I sat with JJ in the waiting room, holding her hand. I could feel the fear and anxiety radiating off her.

When Morgan finally arrived and had his explanation, he paced around the room.
"Derek, sit down." I spoke softly. He threw his hand as if telling me to fuck off. Hotch and Rossi were speaking quietly to each other before standing. They told us they were going to her place to see the scene. "I'll call you when she's out." I smiled weakly at Hotch; even he was terrified.
Once they left and Morgan passed me again, I caught his hand and pulled him down to the seat next to me. He looked at me and he was about to snap, so I spoke first, "Your pacing is not helping their anxiety," I motioned to JJ and Reid, "Please just sit and I'll get you some coffee."

"I don't want coffee." He looked away from me briefly before dropping his head into his hands. I returned my attention to JJ as I noticed her starting to sob again.

Hotch called me and explained what they found at her apartment, which wasn't a lot for us to go on for now. We needed her to be out of surgery and able to speak to us to really begin the chase for this guy.
Just before we hung up, the doctor came out. He quickly told us about her condition and said we could see her soon – he would come and get us when we could. I relayed it onto Hotch, and he said he and Rossi were on their way back now.

I hung up the call and turned back, sitting next to JJ again across the room. She moved to rest her head on my shoulder and tightened her grip on my hand briefly, "She's going to be okay." She whispered.

When Rossi got harsh with Garcia and touched a nerve with the rest of us, I was the only subordinate that didn't comment – I hadn't known this team near long enough to feel like I should have a say in that. I had glanced to Hotch, but he was too focussed on Garcia to notice, understandably.

When we watched through the cameras and realised that he knew that Hotch and Rossi knew, I felt a wave of fear run through me. I didn't want to watch either of them get shot right there. We needed to be there.

When it was all over and Garcia went back to the hospital to make sure she was completely okay, I followed Hotch outside when he left the hospital. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked him, catching up.

He didn't seem surprised at my presence, "I'm fine. Are you okay?" He turned to look at me directly.

I sighed and smiled, "Yeah." Hearing him ask if I was okay almost broke me. I stopped the tears from falling but he could clearly see them in my eyes.

"She's okay, Emily. She's going to be fine. You did a great job at keeping the others calm during this; thank you for that," He took my hand briefly and then dropped it again, "I noticed you came in with Rossi. Would you like me to take you home?"

I shook my head, "I should stay and—"

"Morgan will absolutely be staying, and I'm sure the hospital isn't going to let you, JJ, or Reid stay as well."

I smiled, "I'll just run in and grab my bag," I nodded, "Thank you." I went back to her hospital room and explained that Hotch was giving me a ride home. I hugged Garcia as tightly as she could handle, and I told her to call me if she needed anything. I waved goodbye to the others and walked quickly back out; I didn't want Hotch to sit waiting for me too long.

He drove on autopilot and missed the turn to my place. I didn't say anything; I could see how exhausted he was and I didn't want him to stay up any longer than needed.
He apologised when he realised and I told him it was okay. He then hesitated a second before glancing at me, "Do you want to stay with me tonight?"
I wasn't sure that it was a good idea considering how dead he looked, but I just smiled and accepted his offer. He didn't need to take a detour to my place which would add another twenty minutes onto his trip now.
When he pulled up, I realised that I hadn't been to his apartment before. I followed him inside and put my bag down on the table by the door.
He left the lights off and headed straight down a small hall to his bedroom. I took a second before following.
I stood against his doorway as he changed his shirt from a button down to a simple grey shirt. "Would you like a drink or something to eat?"

I smiled, "No, thank you," I pushed off the doorway, "You look exhausted. I think I'll call a cab and let you sleep."

He stepped toward me and caught my arm as I went to turn away, "Please stay?" He whispered.

"Hotch, you're too tired for sex, and I'm honestly not in much of a mood for it."

"I didn't ask you for sex, I asked you to stay with me." He stepped back and grabbed a light sweater. He held it out to me and I saw the look in his eyes now; he really just wanted some company after this ordeal with Garcia. I smiled and took the sweater with quiet thanks. I left the room and across the hallway to the bathroom. I changed into the sweater and went to the bathroom. I washed my face off and then returned to his room. He was now in bed with just his lamp on.

I walked over and sat down on the side he left for me.
I made sure my phone was on sound so I would wake to any call regarding Garcia, and then I lay down beside him.
He rolled over to hover over me, kissing my softly. He continued for a while, intensifying his kisses. I pushed him away after a few minutes. I looked into his eyes, "I'm sorry Aaron, I really—"

"It's okay," He cut me off, moving a strand of hair behind my ear. It was tender moment. I bit my lip and he just shook his head, closing his eyes. I apologised quietly. "It's okay." He repeated. He lay back and pulled my opposite shoulder to roll me over. He lay his arm down and motioned for me to snuggle to his side.

"I'm so glad that you cuddle," I moved to lay close to him with my head on his shoulder, "Ryan hated it," I opened my eyes quickly, feeling awkward, "…Not that I'm comparing our…arrangement with my past relationship."

I felt the small laugh in his chest, "I understand what you meant." He kissed my hair and I closed my eyes again.

I woke to my phone ringing at seven in the morning. Hotch groaned and tried to keep me in place against his chest. I pulled away anyway and answered the call. It was Morgan, just updating me on Garcia; she would be going home tomorrow morning.
He apologised for snapping at me yesterday while we awaited the news on her condition. I brushed off his apology and told him that I understood.
When I hung up, Hotch pulled me back down to him.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked him quietly.

"I always do with you." He was almost hesitant with his words.
I decided not to read too much into that. I nuzzled his neck before relaxing against him again.
We fell back asleep for an hour before his alarm sounded. He got up and left the room momentarily. When he returned, he threw a soft bath towel at me. "I'll make some coffee."

I called out a thank you and got up. I got into the shower and let out a heavy breath as the hot water hit my back. I would go home, change, go to the hospital to see Garcia, and then maybe get some housework done.
After about five minutes in the shower, I heard the door open. Hotch closed the door behind him and undressed. He stepped in behind me and kissed my shoulder.
Was showering with someone else too intimate? I had showered with Ryan and it was, but I had also showered with men I barely knew after a night together and then never saw them again. I guess it depends on what happens before, during, or after the shower.

I felt him poking me in the arse, making it obvious that he was hard. I wasn't sure if he came in here expecting sex or if the sight of my naked body was enough to bring that physical reaction. Either way I decided he clearly wanted it, and so he'd get it.
I turned around and kissed him hard, pulling him to me as I leant against the wall. He was eager to intensify things, and it didn't take long for him to lift me up against the wall and start toying with me to prepare me.

Afterwards, I got out of the shower and dried myself, before grabbing my clothes and going back to the bedroom. I redressed and headed for the kitchen.
I poured out a mug of coffee and sipped at it as I opened a file on his counter island.

When Hotch finished his shower and came out dressed, I smiled. I rinsed my coffee mug out and kissed him lightly before grabbing my bag, "I'm going to head home, change, and go see Garcia."

He nodded, "Let me drive you."

"Hotch—"

"You're not calling a cab." He cut me off. He grabbed his badge, his gun out of his safe, and then his keys. I decided not to argue and left his apartment a step ahead of him.
I felt uncomfortable on our drive. He seemed off, but I didn't want to pry.

"…Are you okay?" I asked him quietly.

He looked at me for a second before returning his eyes to the road, and he nodded, "Yes."

"Are you coming to the hospital today to see Garcia?"

He nodded again, "At some point. I'm picking Jack up at 10, and Haley said she needed to talk to me so I'm not sure what time I'll get out of there."

I just nodded, and then he pulled up at my apartment. I smiled and thanked him. He placed one gentle kiss against my lips before I got out of the car. I wasn't sure if that was a normal thing to do in this situation; was kissing in a non-sexual environment weird? I had kissed him before we left his apartment, but that was sort of like a thank you.
I shook off the thoughts as I headed upstairs.

I hadn't ever really been a "friends-with-benefits" kind of person. I had men in the past who I would call if I wanted sex without having to work for it, but it wasn't like I saw them every day; they certainly weren't colleagues or close friends.
They would come over, we would have sex, and then they'd leave. They usually didn't even stay the night.
I wasn't sure what the protocol was.
Would JJ or Garcia have these answers for me? Neither of them seemed like that kind of girl either, but I could ask if they've ever had a situation like this.
Then again, that would raise questions. The last thing we needed was anyone finding out that Hotch and I were sleeping together on occasion.

I dropped the whole thing from my mind and instead thought about what I could do for Garcia today as I got dressed.
I would probably just stop at a store and grab some of her favourite chocolates. It seemed like a safe, simple option.