Safe Haven ~ ✨Aaron Hotchner✨

Chapter 32

The tension in the air was palpable as the BAU team gathered outside the warehouse, a place that had quickly become their target. They had been tracking the unsub for weeks, piecing together evidence and profiling his behavior. Now, they had a solid lead—an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, believed to be where the unsub was hiding. It was the moment they had been waiting for, the moment to bring the criminal to justice and protect the next potential victim.

As the team piled out of the SUVs, each member fell into their usual rhythm—bulletproof vests were pulled from the vehicles and strapped on with practiced ease. The cold air bit at their skin, the tension in the air rising as they prepared to enter the warehouse.

Y/N stood by her SUV, fumbling with the straps of her bulletproof vest, trying to adjust it over her growing belly. She had been pregnant for seven months now, and though she'd managed to keep up with the rigors of fieldwork, the changes to her body were making even simple tasks more difficult.

She grunted in frustration as she tried to tug the vest over her belly, but the straps wouldn't align properly. Her arms were too short to reach around to adjust it, and she felt her patience wearing thin.

"Need some help?"

The familiar voice came from behind her, and she turned to see Aaron standing there, a look of concern on his face as he watched her struggle.

"I've got it, Aaron," Y/N said, trying to hide her frustration, but the effort only made her more tense. "Just... can't quite get it to fit right."

Aaron stepped forward without a word, his hands gently taking the vest from her. "Here, let me help," he said softly, his voice filled with an unspoken tenderness.

As he moved behind her to adjust the vest, he couldn't resist making a small joke. "I'd say you're the last person who needs extra padding, but... you've got a bit of a bump now." His hands moved expertly, securing the straps and adjusting them to fit her frame.

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. "Thanks for the reminder, Hotchner," she muttered playfully.

Aaron smiled back, his hands lingering on the vest for a moment longer than necessary. "I just want you to be safe, Y/N. We both know it's not always easy out here, but I can't have you getting hurt. Not now."

Her heart softened at his words, and for a moment, the weight of their reality hit her—this wasn't just a job anymore. They were risking their lives for justice, but there was something much bigger at stake now: the life of the child growing inside her.

Once the vest was secure, Y/N nodded gratefully. "Thanks."

Aaron placed a hand on her shoulder briefly, his eyes meeting hers. "Just stay behind me, okay? If things get rough, I want you safe."

She gave him a quick nod, then watched as the rest of the team began to move toward the entrance of the warehouse. The adrenaline started to pump through her veins as she fell in line with the others, her focus shifting entirely to the case at hand.

The warehouse loomed ahead, dark and ominous. A chill seemed to hang over the team as they approached, weapons drawn, the sound of their boots on the gravel the only noise in the otherwise silent night.

"Stay sharp," Aaron called out, his voice low but commanding as they spread out, each team member assuming their position.

Y/N's heart was racing, her thoughts focused entirely on what was ahead. Every instinct told her they were close. They had the unsub cornered, but nothing was ever certain in this line of work.

The team entered the warehouse with precision, clearing rooms one by one, moving as silently as possible. The tension was thick in the air as they made their way deeper into the building, following the faint sound of movement ahead.