Change My Mind ~ Criminal Minds (Aaron Hotchner x OC)

47.0: Anything For Family

A/N: This story will be based on 6x17 Valhalla 

Trigger Warning: There is some light talk of sexual harassment, it's near the end of the chapter and I promise that it's very light and nothing bad happens

"You should never make fun of something that a person can't change about themselves."
― Phil Lester

Crystal walked into work the next morning a little on edge, she really didn't know if someone was watching her last night until this morning when her neighbor asked who was the man who was walking in front of her apartment. 

"He seemed to be looking for you, so I asked him if he needed to leave a message. He told me he must have the wrong address, but he stayed for a couple more minutes. It wasn't the nice gentleman that visits you from time to time, were you expecting someone else?" Mr. Vinny asked as he looked at Crystal, they had been in the elevator and she gave the kind old man a smile. "I wasn't, he was probably just lost Mr. Vinny. Thank you for looking out for me."

"Of course, I'll call you again if he shows up."

Crystal sighed as she sat at her desk, she jumped a bit when someone touched her shoulder and relaxed when she looked over to see it was Emily. Emily frowned, "You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry." Crystal smiled at her but Emily wasn't convinced, "Did something happen?" Crystal sighed, before she could say anything Hotch walked up to her desk with the paper frog in his hand. Crystal tried really hard to suppress her amused look, "Where'd you find that?"

Hotch gave her a look, "In the paperwork, it jumped out at me." Hotch's eyes betrayed the glare he was trying to give, his smile betrayed him even more when Crystal laughed. "I wish I would've seen you find it."

"I woke up to find you gone, I'm guessing I fell asleep." Hotch stated and Crystal nodded, "You looked pretty tired so I let you sleep, I went home..." When Crystal talked about her going home she tensed a bit, Hotch and Emily both noticed this. Emily sighed, "What happened Archer? You're really jumpy."

Crystal smiled at them, she cleared her throat. "Last night there seemed to be someone lurking around my apartment. I wasn't sure, but a neighbor told me that there was a man trying to see if I was home." Crystal watched as Hotch's eyes narrowed and Emily's eyes widen with her jaw clenched, "Why didn't you call me?"

"I thought my eyes were seeing things."

"You can't stay there, it's not safe." Emily stated firmly and Crystal raised an eyebrow, "Em, it was probably just a random guy." 

"That's not better Archer." Hotch stated, he had been silent the whole time but his frown had been evident. Crystal sighed, "Look I'll be fine-"

"Come stay at my apartment for a few days, at least until we know he won't return." Hotch stated as he walked away leaving no room for discussion, he turned around. "We also have a case." Crystal sighed as she watched him walk away, but she smiled as Emily clear her throat. "Did anything else happen?"

"Em, I promise I'm okay." Crystal smiled at her and Emily relaxed, "Sorry, just...the dream." Crystal gave an understanding nod, "It's fine, I'm sorry for worrying you."

"No, I should be sorry. I'm sorry for everything," Emily confessed and Crystal was confused, Emily looked at her with sad eyes. "I think I could use a hug, the one with no questions asked." Crystal nodded, but she was still uneasy about Emily's behavior. Crystal hugged Emily and she tighten her hold on her, "I'm right here Emily, no one's going to hurt you or me."

"Yeah, yeah they won't." Emily whispered as she held Crystal, "Promise me you won't stay at your apartment for a few days, just to be safe. Please."