No strings attached

Part thirty one

I yelled loudly into the phone causing the team to turn their attention to you, trying hard to keep tears from falling you tell them

"Our unsub has made another victim. He's got Scott, he called me to tell there was someone at his house and then there was a struggle." Everyone runs to SUVs putting on their vests.

"He called you?" Hotch asks slightly annoyed before entering the car, e was driving you by his side and JJ and Reid were on the back.

"This is unlike the unsub, breaking in and fighting" the blonde agent thinks out loud

"It's probably because he went to the police, the unsub it pissed so he changed his M.O" which meant there was still a chance Scotty was alive, you sigh relieved and watch as Aaron grips the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. The rest of the ride you just bounce off strategies.

"You guys take the back" he tells Rossi, JJ and Morgan "you take the front with me and y/n stays here for logistical support"

"What?" the annoyance is clear in your tone

"Well you clearly have some personal involvement with the victim so I can't risk you going in. You can try to argue but I'm not changing my mind and we don't have a lot of time." You storm back inside the car, shooting daggers with your eyes, you hated when Hotch acted like a bitch during cases.

You hear some noise, then a gunshot and next thing you know the unsub was running towards you. You jump out of the car and on top of him, punching away his gun and cuffing his hands behind his back, you see an EMT run inside the house and you shove your unsub in the back of a cop car before heading in, you see Hotch waiting for you outside with an apologetic look but you feel petty

"I hope I didn't screw up the arrest because of my personal involvement, sir" you walk away to Scott who was being taken care of by the paramedics "You alright?"

"Yep, just a couple cuts and bruises but nothing too bad and definitely not my worst ones" you laugh remembering all the times you took care of him after he got into a fight in school or at a bar. The doctor releases him and walks away and you take a quick look at Aaron who was trying to pretend like he wasn't observing the two of you "Is the FBI okay with you fucking your boss?" he asks with a smirk

"Fuck off" you roll your eyes

"Hey sorry princess didn't mean to sound rude, I just wanted to know. Cause I know you too damn well to see that that look right there on your face means you love him and for what I can see he feels the same way." You try to speak but he continues "I am happy for you y/n, happy that you found someone that understands that you are the most amazing girl in this world, someone who isn't weak and won't screw up with you, you deserve it. I mean it, even though I love you and I always will we don't work together, it's a shame but it's true." You nod softly "Thank you for saving my life, not just today but ever since I met you and I am sorry for everything." You feel your eyes water

"Bye Scotty" he kisses your cheek and you start walking away

"Hey y/n, don't forget me when you're handing out wedding invitations alright?" you nod and he smiles, making the tears you were fighting back fall. You knew he meant what he said, that even if he was a jerk, he cared for you the same way you did for him.

You make your way to the jet sitting in the back, head resting on the window. The team comes in and even though you had stopped crying you were sure you looked like hell cause they all shoot you a worried look, all but Hotchner who kept his eye locked at his feet.

"You went to school together?" Rossi asks handing you a cup of tea and sitting by Emily's side across from you, you take the tea from his hands and move away from Morgan's hug

"We.... hmm.... We dated" they all look at you begging for the whole story "I mean we were on and off throughout high school and college, it was a shitty relationship but I care for him"

"But that's not why you're crying is it?" Emily asks and you shake your head

"He told me he would always love me but he was happy I found someone I love" you use your head to point to Aaron "Of course right now he's pissed at me"

"Just talk to him bella, you know Aaron well by now, he was just trying to protect you." You see Hotch walking back to his seat so you follow

"Can we talk?" your voice is almost inaudible he nods, without really meeting your gaze "Look Aaron I'm sorry I didn't tell you we had... history but it was a long time ago."

"But you still have feelings for him"

"No, I don't, he is my friend and I care for him but I am in love with you. God, I love you so much nothing, no one can change that." You feel tears form again but he wipes them away with his thumb

"I'm sorry for making you stay behind, I just wanted to protect you and maybe" he clears his throat "maybe I was a little jealous, and I am sorry" you smile softly before a smirk shows on your face, you lower even more your voice to a literal whisper

"Don't be sorry daddy. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hot" his pupils dilate so much causing you to chuckle "Come on" you say out loud taking his hand so you could sit closer to the team

"Everything okay Aaron?" Rossi asks with a shit-eating grin

"Yea, everything is perfect" you both sit and he takes your hand. Emily watches you both intensely

"What is it man?" you ask rolling your eyes playfully

"It's funny" she says looking at Morgan "You my darling, have a very specific type when it comes to men" you throw your case file at her, Hotch's grip on your hand tightens and Derek seems to notice

"Never did I think I'd leave to see Mr. Aaron Hotchner jealous like that" Hotch starts to soften up a little

"I wasn't jealous" he says a little smile flashing in the corner of his lips

"Really Aaron" you laugh and so does Rossi

"Yeah, really Aaron?" JJ says mimicking your tone, the atmosphere is light you feel so comfortable joking around with them. As they discuss their plans for when they land you rest your head on Aaron's shoulder, you know his mind is already thinking about you two at home, you can see it in his eyes so you decide to take some rest. His hand draws patterns on your leg and he wraps one of his arms tightly around you.

"I love you" he whispers

God, how you wish the plane would go faster.