#constantcravingwrites

The team were sat around the table in the briefing room. Garcia presented a series of murders in Michigan, all taking place in Lakeshore national park.

“The unsub kidnaps and beats the women he captures. He then releases them into the forest and hunts them with a rifle. He makes no efforts to bury the bodies. He’s leaving them for the animals in the park,” Morgan spoke.

“The absence of sexual assault would imply that he gets enough pleasure out of the hunt, he may be a loner. He was likely raised in an isolated environment, leading him to become reclusive and insecure around women,” y/n spoke.

“No,” Hotch interrupted.

The team fell quiet. Y/n was still the newest member to the team, she had been in the BAU for just over three months. Hotch never warmed to people quickly, but it seemed that something about y/n just rubbed him the wrong way.

“No?” Y/n questioned cautiously.

Hotch sighed, closing the file with slap, “I believe this unsub is socially confident. He lures the women he captures with charm. He can’t do that if he was raised in isolation. It’s ridiculous to assume he’s getting them to the park any other way. Read between the lines before you make stupid suggestions. Wheels up in 20.”

With that, Hotch stood up and left the room. The team sat silently for a second before slowly following suit. Y/n was the last to do so, shakily picking up her file from the table and closing it.

Rossi walked with her out of the briefing room and placed a hand on her shoulder when they reached his office, “Try not to take it to heart, kid. He’s just not comfortable with you yet.”

Y/n but her lip, trying to keep a brave face, her voice betraying her as it cracked, “I don’t know what more I can do, Dave.”

“Just hold on a bit longer. For what it’s worth, I think your profile is right. We’ll just have to see when we get out there,” Rossi smiled softly before retreating into his office.

Y/n walked down to the bullpen and collapsed into her desk chair. Placing her head in her hands she sighed before opening her desk drawer, pulling out an envelope. In it contained a letter of resignation. She didn’t want to give Hotch the satisfaction of her quitting, she really didn’t but she also knew that, sometimes, you just have to realise when you’re not wanted.

“What’s that?” She heard Spencer gently ask from his desk.

She looked up at him, twirling the envelope in her hands, “What do you think.”

Reid smiled at her sadly, “Just… hold off. At least until this case is over. You’re really good y/n, the team needs you.”

“I’m not so sure, Spence,” she smiled sadly, slipping the envelope into her inside pocket.

---

The team were now in the jet, y/n sat alone, gazing out the window at the clouds below.

Two rows down, Hotch sat looking over paper work. Footsteps approached him and he looked up to see Morgan. There was a moment of silence as Morgan sat down, looking at him. Sighing, Hotch put the file down and raised an eyebrow at him, “Do you need something?”

“What is going on with you Hotch? I understand not trusting a new agent but y/n’s been with us for months. She’s good at what she does, I think you’re being way too harsh on ‘er, man,” Morgan spoke.

Hotch’s jaw clenched tightly as he leant forward, “Is she? The way I see it I have an inexperienced agent on our team. She’s untrustworthy and foolish. She can hardly put together a profile let alone chase an unsub. I don’t want someone like that on my team.”

Silence fell through the jet.

“I- um. I thought you might want coffee,” a tiny voice muttered from beside them.

Y/n stood with two mugs, gently placing them down in front of the men. She silently turned around and retreated to her isolated spot on the plane. She bit her lip so hard it started to bleed, the taste of copper staining her tongue. She was trying her best not to cry, that was the last thing Hotch wanted to see, she thought.

---

The team had been in Michigan for the last three days. Y/n hadn’t spoken much since the plane, only chipping in when asked a question. The profile had led them to a 35 year old male, raised in a cabin by his uncle away from the city. Even when her profile was right she didn’t mention it, afraid she would unsettle the team.

They were walking through the forest towards the location of the unsubs property.

Seeing the house in the distance Morgan spoke, “Reid and I will take the front. Prentiss, Rossi you guys cover us. Hotch and y/n go round the back in case he tries to escape.”

They followed Morgan’s instructions, splitting up and running quietly to the back of the house. Hotch scanned the trees as y/n heard the rest of the team and S.W.A.T kicking in the front door.

Hotch wasn’t paying attention to the back door as the unsub ran out, shotgun in hand. In an instant, y/n saw the unsub raise his gun for Hotch.

Time slowed. She could shout for him to drop, but by then he would be dead. He would turn first to see what was happening and then his son would be without his only parent.

So she pushed him to the ground, a bullet piercing her abdomen.

Another two shots rung out. One hit her shoulder, the next one landed in between the unsubs eyes. Hotch had shot him from his place on the floor.

The rest of the team ran through the door, first seeing the unsub on the ground, then y/n swaying. Her hand came up to her stomach in shock, blood seeping onto her hands.

Emily gasped from the door way, Morgan muttered, ‘oh my god.’

Y/n let out a spluttering cough as blood poured from her mouth.

She collapsed.

She heard them running to her from across the yard but the first thing she saw was Hotch’s distraught face above her. His hands open her jacket and push into her abdomen. She groaned as the pain suddenly hit. The rest of the team appeared around them as Reid screamed for an ambulance. Y/n felt as though she couldn’t breathe, she was choking on blood. She could see their mouths moving but couldn’t hear what they were saying until one voice cut through.

“Come on, y/n! Stay with me!”

It was Hotch.

Her eyes roamed the sky as she spluttered, “I-it hurts.”

“I know, I know. Help is coming, you’re going to be okay, I promise,” Hotch said.

She didn’t think she was crying until she felt something trickle down her cheeks. Prentiss had her hands pressed against the wound on her shoulder, Morgan was pacing distraught in the background and Spencer had gone to guide the paramedics. Rossi was holding her hand. He reaches up and wipes the tears from her face.

“I-I’m sorry,” she coughed.

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, bella,” Rossi with conviction.

“I-I shouldn’t h-have interfered with t-the team. Hotch was r-right,” she stuttered. She could hear the sirens coming now, but she couldn’t help but feel as though the ringing was pulling her somewhere else.

“Just-“ Hotch paused, guilt flowing through him, “Try not to talk. The paramedics are coming now.”

Hotch looked away from the paramedics who were being led by a frantic looking Reid and back down to y/n.

She wasn’t breathing.

“H-help! She’s not breathing!” Hotch near screamed, distress echoing through his voice. The paramedics shoved their way through and began attaching the monitors and paddles to y/n’s chest.

“I’m not getting a pulse,” one spoke.

The team stood together, Prentiss and Hotchner looking broken and bloodied.

The heart monitor beeped slowly through the hospital room.

Y/n was alive.

The bullet had ricocheted through her abdomen, piercing one of her lungs. The other that had that hit her shoulder was a through and through. In the grand scheme of things, it hadn’t done too much damage.

The paramedics had shocked her another four times before she spluttered a breathe, the team letting out cries of relief. She had flatlined twice more in surgery while the team sat helplessly in the waiting room.

Hotch had never felt worse. He had lost many people. Victims, family, friends. But his guilt had manifested into a brutal attachment to y/n. Morgan could see it on his face.

“It’s not your fault Hotch,” Derek spoke softly from across the waiting room. The rest of the team sat silently. They agreed, it wasn’t Hotch’s fault that y/n got shot, but he had treated her so badly. Worse than any other BAU newbie.

“I wasn’t paying attention. I was scanning the trees in case he was already outside. It is my fault,” he spoke monotonously, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

“She made a choice, Aaron. Any one of us would have done the same, you know that,” Dave spoke from the plastic chair. It was blue and creaked loudly and was probably covered in germs.

“Agent Y/n-“ A doctor started to call out, the team all cutting him off before he could finish her name.

“Her injuries are extensive. The bullet from her abdomen ricocheted and punctured her lung. It was difficult but the surgeon was able to repair it. The wound to her shoulder was mostly superficial but she will need extensive physical rehabilitation-“

“W-wait, she needs physical therapy so-so she’s okay?” Penelope stuttered, she had flown to Michigan as soon as she heard y/n had been hurt.

“Yes. She’s okay. She’s out of surgery now but we’re going to keep her in the ICU for the next few days. You can see her in the morning,” The doctor finished before reaching into his pocket and pulling out and envelope.

“This was found in her personal belongings. Which one of you is ‘Hotch?’” They asked.

“I am,” Aaron spoke softly, the tension leaving his body when he heard that y/n would be alright. The doctor handed him a cream coloured envelope, it was crumpled and the top left hand corner was stained very slightly red.

Hotch walked quietly to his chair, the team gathered around him. Garcia and Morgan stayed standing, as did Emily who was to his right. Dave sat beside him again, JJ on his other side and Reid beside her.

“Dear Hotch,

First of all I want to apologise. I knew when I joined the BAU I was surrounded by a remarkable team but I do not believe I ever thought to give much credit to the leader of such a group of individuals. Their skill and passion are a reflection of your leadership. I can only apologise that I have been unable to meet your standards. I have learnt so much in such a short time at the BAU and that can never be taken away.

Secondly, although I doubt you would give much consideration to my opinions, I ask that you treat them better. A person can only take so much.

Therefore, it is with regret that I inform you I am resigning from the Behavioural Analysis Unit with immediate effect.

I wish you only the best, you are an excellent leader and a credit to those around you.

Signed,

Supervisory Special Agent Y/n Y/l/n.”

Hotch hung his head.

And he cried.

---

12 hours had passed since Hotch had read y/n’s letter. Since he had cried and been comforted by his team. He knew he didn’t deserve it. He now sat at her bedside, waiting for her to wake up. She looked pale and tired, but alive was alive.

He sat with his head in his hands until he felt the sheet shift. He quickly sat up to see y/n squinting her eyes at the light. Hotch stood and picked up a cup of water from her bedside and stood in her line of sight, “You’re alright, y/n. You’re in the hospital.”

She coughed out a measly, “W-water.”

Hotch delicately slipped his hand behind her head and lowered the cup to her lips. She tentatively drank until Hotch took the cup back.

There was quiet between them for a moment before y/n spoke up, “Y’know, judging on the way you’re looking right now I’d say you’d been shot, not me.”

Hotch frowned before collapsing into the seat again, raking his hands through his hair, “Y/n I…”

Hotch paused, his throat constricted and tears spring to his eyes, “I can’t begin to-“

“I am so sorry,” he spluttered, tears pouring down his cheeks.

She was quiet for a moment, trying to think of what to say next. But all she could say was, “I forgive you.”

He looked up from the hospital bed confused and whispered, “What?”

“I forgive you,” she said, holding out her hand for him to take. He did so, softly.

“I forgive you, Hotch. I know how much your team has been through, I know you see any outsider as a threat to them,” she whispered.

“That’s no reason for the way I’ve treated you-“

“It’s plenty reason. Hotch, look at me. Please,” she said.

He lifted his head and looked at her, her eyes full of conviction, “This was not your fault.”

He choked back a sob, lifting her hand to his mouth and softly pressing a kiss to the back of it. They sat in silence for a long time before he found the strength to look at her again.

She looked back at him, her eyes crinkling with her smile, “Have I passed, at least?”

He frowned slightly and he wiped his eyes, “Passed what?”

“The BAU initiation? I kind of just assumed that being shot was in the test.”

She laughed.

And Hotch cracked a smiled.

And for a moment, they got the sense that everything would be okay.

Because they were alive.

The team were sat on the jet after solving a case of teen suicide in Wyoming. Y/n walked over to where Emily and Spencer were sat, passing Spence a cup of coffee. He smiled shyly at her as she sat beside him, their legs knocking softly into each others. There was a running bet going on within the team about how long it would take for them to confess they had feelings for each other. Even Hotch had placed a bet, he thought Y/n would be the one to confess mid-march. 

Y/n looked over to where her brunette friend was sat, playing with some kind of wooden object, “What is that?” 

Emily smiled and said, “It’s called a star puzzle. It’s basically impossible to figure out.” 

The team, who were scattered through the plane, started listening in to the story, “You have to put all of the pieces back together to form a perfect star. But, the origin of it is, um, kind of a romantic tale.” 

Emily placed the puzzle down on the table as she leant back into her chair, “There was this young prince who wanted to win the heart of the fairest maiden in the land, so he climbed to the top of the tallest tower in the kingdom and he caught a falling star for her. Unfortunately, he was so excited that he dropped it and it smashed into all of these pieces.” 

Y/n watched as Reid picked the puzzle up and started to examine the pieces. She look back over to Prentiss as she continued, “So, he frantically put it back together again to prove his undying love to her and he succeeded and they lived happily every after.” 

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Spencer frowned. 

Emily made a face at him, “What do you mean?” 

“You can’t catch a falling star...It would burn up in the atmosphere.” 

Y/n laughed softly at his confusion, he always took things so literally. Thankfully, that was just one of the things she liked about him. 

“Yeah, but it’s not literal Reid, it’s a fable,” Prentiss said. 

“But there’s no moral... fables have morals,” His lips pouted. 

“Well, I think it’s romantic,” Y/n chipped in. 

“Exactly, it’s just a romantic little story and the point is it’s basically impossible to do because you have to take all of those pieces and fit them together exactly...” 

And just like that, Reid held the solved star puzzle in his hands. Emily’s mouth dropped open and she scoffed. 

She clapped her hands together softly and spoke, “There’s a lot to hate about you Dr. Reid.” 

“Play poker with him sometime,” Rossi sighed from behind them. 

Y/n giggled as Morgan chipped in, “Try playing chess with him.” 

“Or go!” Garcia joked. 

Y/n knew they were kidding but she turned her head to look at him anyway. He had a sad little pout gracing his lips and so she nudged his shoulder, him turning to look at her. 

With a sheepish smile she said quietly, “I like playing chess with you Spence.” 

Reid flushed, a small grin gracing his lips. Y/n turned back in her seat to face Emily and found her friend smirking at her. Before she could tease her, however, the small wooden puzzle was placed onto the table in front of her. 

Y/n snapped her head over to look at Reid who, still blushing, was smiling at her shyly. Looking back to the puzzle, she picked it up and turned it in her hands, her cheeks dusted pink. 

After a few minutes she leant forward to give the puzzle back to Emily but her friend quickly spoke up, a teasing tone in her voice, “Oh no, that’s yours now.” 

---

It was the next day and Y/n was sat at her desk, the star puzzle placed neatly underneath her computer monitor. She was tapping her pen against the files on the table, smiling absentmindedly at the puzzle. It’s not like Spencer had admitted he had feelings for her or anything but...it was sweet. 

“Hi.” 

Y/n jumped as Spencer spoke from beside her desk,”Sorry, I didn’t-I didn’t mean to scare you.” 

He smiled sheepishly, he looked nervous. 

“No, that’s okay. Everything alright?” 

“I was just- Well, I was thinking that we could, we could do something this weekend. Like a, um, a date...type...thing. Actually, statistically most dates take place during the week due to work schedules and-” He started rambling his eyes seemingly looking anywhere but her. 

She smiled interrupting him, “Spence.” 

“Hmm?” He said, looking at her nervously as she cut his anxious rambling off. 

“I would love to go on a date with you.” 

“Oh, cool,” He flushed, “Well, um, S-Saturday?” 

“Saturday sounds good,” She bit her lip, as he nodded and walked over to his desk. 

Her heart fluttered as she looked back at the star puzzle on her desk and picked it up in her hands. Unbeknownst to the two young agents, the rest of the team were stood beside Rossi’s office having watched the whole encounter go down. 

Grumbling, Hotch dug his wallet out from his pocket and pulled a 50 dollar bill, and placed it into Morgans open palm. 

“Told you pretty boy would come to play,” Derek laughed. 

“Well, at least I’m still in on the bet. I got 100 bucks on him asking her to Comic Con,” Prentiss laughed. 

---

navigation

Des Plains PD was chaos. Cops swarmed desks, coffee covered files were poured across counter tops and crime scene photos were pinned up on boards, connect by pieces of red string. The team had just analysed the park where a sniper had targeted his last three victims. 

Hotch, Reid and Morgan were stood looking over it with Detective Calvin. Reid scanned over it before turning to her, “Detective Calvin, how far out of your jurisdiction was crime scene number two?” 

“About a sixth of a mile. Why?” She frowned. 

“If he knew how difficult it is for local police departments to interact with each other, he may have intentionally crossed jurisdiction lines,” He responded.

“Y’all are saying the shooters a cop.” 

“We’re saying it’s a possibility,” Hotch continued. “He scouted and prepped each crime scene. He chose an elevated position with excellent enfilade and perfect field of fire.”

Detective Calvin interrupted, “That’s textbook military practice.” 

“True,” Hotch said. 

“Yeah, but maybe he was in the army,” She continued. 

Morgan spoke up from beside her, “He was probably a marine, ranger or other specialized unit. Garcia said the bullet was a .223 fired from the m-4 variant of the m-16.” 

“All the services use an m-4,” Reid confirmed. 

“It’s got a shorter barrel than the m-16. It’s less accurate, harder to fire, especially at these distances. This level of specialized training, he knows exactly what he’s doing.” 

Hotch looked up from the file in his hand again and said, “Have you worked with anyone that matches this profile? They’ll be highly trained, most likely ex-military. They talk little about their service but you know they were a leader in their field.” 

Calvin’s brows raised, a look of shock crossing her features, “Yes but... it’s not a man. Her name is Y/n Miller. She was a part of the Special Forces. She’s the Captain of our S.W.A.T.” 

Reid looked to Hotch, “We never profiled the shooter could have been a woman.”

“Well, with what we have so far we have little to zero evidence except for that bullet. Detective, do you have any idea of where she’s been the last few days?” 

Calvin glanced around the precinct, “She took some vacation days but I called her in an hour ago to help with the investigation. I thought-I thought she could help because of her background.” 

Morgan looked around, “Is she here?” 

The group looked around, trying to spot the woman when Calvin spoke quietly, “She’s walking in right now. Over there.” 

At that moment a young woman walked through the door of the precinct, nodding to an office whom she passed on the way in. Hotch, ever the profiler, analysed her. She was wearing workout gear, all black, a cropped long-sleeve shirt and matching shorts were covered by the standard issue S.W.A.T bomber jacket. She had a standard issue shot-gun strapped to her waist, he scanned down her body and spotted another gun strapped to her ankle, tucked in underneath black socks. Her hair was tied up into a pony tail, which swung back and forth with her steps. 

“What do we do?” Calvin broke his concentration. 

Hotch felt Spencer and Dereks gaze on him, “We walk over there calmly. If she is our unsub and she feels threatened on her on turf there’s no telling what she’ll do. Calvin, you lead, she knows you, trusts you. Ask her to follow you into your office. When we get in there, be honest. She is a person of interest but as long as she answer our questions she can be on her way.” 

The Detective nods and they begin walking over the the young woman, who now stood looking at the board. 

---

She heard footsteps making their way across the precincts. She tore her gaze away from the board and saw Detective Calvin and three unknowns walking towards her. She scanned each one of the men walking her way, they looked professional. One looked particularly young, he had glasses on and looked more like a college student than a member of the F.B.I. The other was strong and muscular, sunglasses hung from the neckline of his shirt and his eyes were fixed solely on her, as though he was doing exactly what she was. Profiling. 

The last, now he was something different. His suit was fitted exactly to his body, he was tall and his features sharp. He carried an heir of stoicism, yet, she felt as though he could be read with one look. His job weighed heavily on him, she could see that in the frown lines etched on his face, but that was something to which she could relate. He looked right through her. 

Calvin seemed uneasy, was the first thing she though when her superior stopped in front of her, “Captain Miller. Could you follow me?” 

Her eyes flitted from her face and cast a quick glance to the handsome one. His gaze kept her stilled as she looks back to the Detective, “What’s going on? Is this about the sniper?” 

“If you follow me I’ll fill you in.” 

Something was off. Her posture was stiff, she wasn’t holding eye contact with her and she addressed her as ‘Captain.’ Despite this, Calvin was a trusted friend and so she started walking. She brushed past Hotch, looking up at him, she said, “Excuse me.” She wanted to show him she wasn’t intimidated by him. Or any of his F.B.I cronies. They followed her into Calvin’s office, Morgan promptly shutting the door behind him. 

“Please, take a seat,” Calvin said to her. 

“I’ll stand.” 

“Captain Miller, I’m SSA Hotchner. This is SSA Morgan and Dr. Reid. We’re with the F.B.I,” Hotch spoke, walking further into the room away from the door. “If you don’t mind we’d like to ask you some questions. Please place your weapons on the desk.” 

She froze. This cannot be happening again. 

“You-You think this is me? You think I’m killing these people?” She stuttered. 

“Miller, we just want to ask you some questions,” Calvin spoke, “But to do that we need your cooperation.” 

“You want my cooperation? I thought I was coming in here to help you? You said you wanted my expertise to come catch this guy and now you’re accusing me of shooting six people?” She said 

“Captain Miller, you have the skills and experience to commit these murders-” Hotch was cut off. 

“No. I didn’t do this. I would never- You know what. I’m not doing this again. Come back to me when you want my help,” She spat before ripping the door open and storming out. 

The team ran out after her. She was nearing the door when Hotch caught her arm, wrenching it behind her back and pushed her face down against a desk. 

“Y/n Miller you are under arrest on the suspicion of the murder of Henry Sachs and the attempted murder of five others,” Hotch recited her rights as Morgan came up beside him and cuffing her. He wrenched her off of the desk. She started to show panic on her face and as Morgan took hold of her arm she did something no one expected. 

She head-butted Agent Morgan. 

He let out a cry of pain and stumbled back, holding his now very bleeding and potentially broken nose. Hotch pulled her pack from him as she kept fighting and started dragging her to the interrogation rooms, “That’s enough.” 

Without giving her a second glance he attached her cuffs to the desk, took her weapons and walked out, leaving her to her own devices. 

---

“Morgan, are you alright?” Hotch asked, walking back out into the bullpen. 

He was now holding his head up high with JJ holding a box of tissues. The commotion had drawn the rest of the team out of the conference room, Reid having briefed them as Hotch had arrested her. 

Elle stood on the other side, Gideon beside her, “Why’d she freak out like that? If she wanted to help with the investigation surely she’d cooperate?” 

Reid was frowning as he looked at Morgan, “She said, ‘I’m not doing this again.’”

“What?” Morgan spluttered from behind a mountain of tissues. 

“When she walked out. She said, ‘I’m not doing this again.’” Reid paused before picking up the phone on the desk Morgan was sat on and put it on speaker, “Hey Garcia.” 

“Captain my captain, what can I do you for?” She asked. 

“Garcia, we’ve got a suspect in custody but we need some background. Can you find out if a Captain Y/n Miller has any criminal history. She may have been in jail or had some sort of charge against her. She’s the head of the Des Plains PD S.W.A.T.,” Spencer asked. 

“Of course I can, sugar. Okay let’s see. Ah, here we are. Y/n Miller, 28 years old, ex-special forces. She did three tours, one in Iraq, the other two are classified. She joined right out of high-school after graduating at 16 and was honourably discharged. After that she went to, oh wow, she got a full scholarship to Harvard to study psychology and sociology and after that she joined Des Plains PD and became S.W.A.T Captain after three years. And then...oh. Oh no,” Garcia stopped. 

“What is it Penelope?” JJ asked. 

“She did time in Logan Correctional Centre, Illinois for the murder of her college Professor. She pleaded not guilty but it wasn’t until two years later that the real killer, a Mr James Hanson, was arrested after killing another Professor and a TA that she was released,” Garcia rattled off quietly. 

“Garcia, was there ever any settlement made?” Elle asked. 

“No, nothing. She didn’t even sue. The state of Illinois offered her a hefty sum of $50 million but she only accepted part of it on their insistence. She took $10 million but her one request was that any charge against her be expunged and that she would still be able to serve in law enforcement,” Garcia said. 

The team stood quietly for a moment until Gideon spoke, “So, we have two potential angles here. Either, Miller is a woman lashing out against a system that wrongly incarcerated her, taking years of her life for a murder she didn’t commit or-” 

“Or we just wrongly arrested an ex-special forces sniper who was potentially our biggest insight into this case,” Hotch interrupted. 

---

“God, that’s him!” Garcia said from her place on the couch. Jason Battle, the cop who had shot her was stood in the bullpen of the BAU. As Morgan, Garcia and Emily watched the camera’s from her apartment, the unsub took the agent who had escorted him hostage, holding him against his chest and shoving the gun to his temple. The agents all drew their guns on him, Hotch and Rossi doing so from the stair well. 

“I want this place locked down or I kill him!” Battle shouted. 

“We can resolve this peacefully,” Hotch attempted to negotiate. 

“No! Put your guns down or he dies!” He screamed, shoving the gun up to the hostages temple. 

“You’re outnumbered, you’re not getting out of this,” Rossi spoke calmly. 

“I’m holding a machine gun, best outcome is I go down shooting. So, put down your weapons!” He shouted. 

Dave looked to Hotch who nodded and soon the office of agents had put their weapons down. 

Meanwhile, Morgan called JJ’s cell. At first, the call was declined but after trying twice more she picked up, “JJ! You need to alert security there is a shooter in the BAU, it’s the guy that shot Penelope. Get Strauss and S.W.A.T! Right now!” 

“Oh my god,” JJ spoke, “Okay, I-I’ll call you back but get here as soon as you can!” 

--- 

“Miller!” She heard from across the room. Y/n turned around to see Chief Strauss looking flushed and out of breath beside the elevators. She quickly dropped the file she was holding onto her desk and ran over to her, “What is it? What’s going on?” 

“There’s a shooter on the fifth floor, I need S.W.A.T and a sniper stationed outside right now,” Strauss said quietly. 

“I’m on it,” Y/n said before quickly running back through the third floor and gathering the agents together. 

“Oh and Miller!” Strauss called out. 

“Yes, Ma’am?” 

“If you get the shot, take it.”

--- 

Y/n was knelt on the tall hill that stood opposite the F.B.I Building, but it still wasn’t high enough to look in on the fifth floor. Scanning the area she saw a street light a couple of feet away. There was no other way she could get a line of sight into the building. 

“I’m gonna scale the light,” She called out to the team of F.B.I Agents that stood with her, for her own safety. You can’t exactly hold a sniper rifle outside of the F.B.I headquarters and not expect to get shot if you’re not protected. 

She heaved herself up the light, feeling thankful to herself for going to the gym, and wrapped her legs tightly around it and secured herself with rope. Lifting the gun, she looked through the scope and saw a clear view into the BAU. She can’t deny that when she found out the shooter was on their floor, her mind jumped to the 6ft 1″, broad shouldered man she met two years ago. 

She could see the suspect holding a machine gun to the temple of a smaller man with glasses in the middle of the room. She could shoot while he was holding the hostage, but it would be risky. If he moved even an inch with him it could prove fatal to the wrong man. She thought back to her orders. 

“If you see the shot, take it.” 

And so she did. 

--- 

“The best minds of the F.B.I and you can’t even stop me,” The unsub bragged. 

A bullet then struck Jason Battle right between the eyes, the blood splattered on the glasses of the hostage as he fell to the ground. Every agent in the room jumped as it happened, quickly picking up their weapons from the floor as S.W.A.T swarmed the room. JJ, Morgan, Prentiss and Garcia all coming in quickly after them. 

The team gathered together making sure Hotch and Rossi were alright. Hotch split from the group after a moment, and walked to Strauss who was stood watching as the unsubs body was covered with a white sheet, “A shooter made his way into the F.B.I. I never thought I’d see the day,” Strauss shook her head. 

“Well, at least it was over before anyone else could get hurt,” Aaron responded. 

“Ah yes, how is your technical analyst?” She asked. 

“She’ll be okay. Thank you for getting people in here so quickly. I take it you’re to thank for that,” Hotch said. 

“Don’t thank me, thank the sharp shooter,” Strauss near joked.

Aaron cracked a tight lipped smile. While he surveyed the damage, he heard a sharp laugh from across the room.

“Well, I’ll be damned!” Morgan spoke as he walked towards the glass doors. Hotch followed his line of sight and his breath caught in this throat. 

Morgan smiled as he shook her hand, “I should have known it was you.”

“Damn right you should have,” Y/n smiled back at him, her eyes creasing at the sides.

“How’s the nose doing?” She joked.

“Fantastic, seeing as it’s not been anywhere near you for the last two years!” Derek jested.

“Y/n, it’s good to see you again,” JJ smiled, walking from across the room to give the woman a hug.

Reid had walked over after hearing all the commotion, “Captain Miller, it’s good to see you again.”

“You too, genius,” She responded.

“Excuse me,” Hotch said to Strauss, his eyes not leaving Y/n. 

Emily and David followed behind him, curious to see who the woman at the door was, and why she drew all of Hotch’s attention. Y/n looked to her left. Hotch looked just the same. His hair was the same cut, the same length, he still walked with a heavy right foot and his eyes were still as expressive. 

He came to a stop in front of her, she looked up at him and smiled, “Hotchner.” 

“Captain Miller, it’s good to see you,” He smiled. He genuinely smiled. 

“How was the White House?” He joked. 

She let out a laugh, “Big.” 

Emily turned to Rossi and whispered, “Is he joking? Did he just make a joke?”

“I think he did.” 

Aaron heard the whispers from behind him, suddenly realising Emily and Dave had no idea who they were talking to, “Oh! Dave, Emily, this is Captain Y/n Miller, we worked a case together in Illinois two years ago. Y/n this is Emily Prentiss and David Rossi.” 

Y/n walked forward and shook their hands, “It’s nice to meet you both.” 

“And you.” 

“So,” Morgan started, “You’re in the F.B.I now? How long has that been a thing?” 

“Well, the summer after you guys left Illinois I decided to take Gideon's advice. I enrolled in the academy, took the course and I’ve been here for about year, working my way up,” She explained. 

“You never thought to say hello?” Hotch inquired. 

Y/n’s eyes quickly flitted from him hand, seeing there was no longer a ring there, to his face before smirking, “Why? You miss me?” 

Hotch felt his neck flush, it traveled up across the tops of his cheeks. Rossi looked at his friend in surprise, he’d never seen him so flustered around a woman before. Even in the face of serial killers Aaron kept his composure, yet, when it came to Y/n Miller, he blushed like a school boy. 

Thankfully, Y/n spoke again before Hotch had the chance to embarrass himself, “You know how your interim year is, they drown you in cases and then double the paperwork. I’m glad I finally get to catch up with you all though, I’m just sorry it’s under these circumstances.” 

They all cast a glance to the paramedics who were wheeling out the unsubs body.

“You’re a hell of a shot, if I may say. Are you ex-military?” Rossi asked. 

“Yes, Sir. Ex-special forces. I did three tours before joining S.W.A.T in Illinois,” She responded, graciously skipping over the mention of jail time.

Penelope then rounded the corner slowly having picked up some of her colourful decor from her office. She stopped beside the group, looking at Y/n and smiling, “Who’s this here?” 

“Y/n Miller, you must be Garcia. It’s nice to finally meet you,” She smiled. 

“Oh! You’re the Captain from Illinois! I remember you, you’re to one who had the stalker and went to jail!” 

And there it is. 

Y/n grimaced slightly before Penelope realised what she said, “I-I am so sorry, I have zero filter right now, i-it’s the pain meds.” 

“That’s alright, I’m just glad you’re okay,” Y/n smiled. She understood that her being in jail was probably one of the most interesting things about her. 

“Alright mama, let’s get you back to the hospital,” Morgan spoke before he and Garcia shuffled out of the BAU. 

“I should probably go and de-brief,” Y/n broke the silence, “I’ll hopefully catch up with you guys soon.” 

“You know, Y/n, it’s been a long day and I can’t think of anything better than to gather with friends and cook some traditional Italian carbonara, maybe crack open a nice bottle of wine. My mansion, at, shall we say, seven?” Dave proposed, a scheming smile gracing his lips. He could feel Aarons stare on the side of his face but simply continued with his plotting. 

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Y/n started but was soon cut off by Emily, who had caught onto Rossi’s scheming. 

“Please, I’d love to hear more about the mysterious Captain Miller everyone seems to know. Really you’d be doing me a favour by coming,” Prentiss insisted. 

“Well, alright. If you’re sure you don’t mind,” Y/n smiled. Rossi gave her the address before she retreated, JJ, Emily, Spencer and Rossi turning back to each other as she did. Hotch remained watching her until the doors of the elevator closed.

Hotch turned back to look at his colleagues, noticing the sly smiles that were being shared, he frowned and asked, “What?” 

Rossi shrugged, “What a lovely woman.” 

“Dave,” Aaron responded, a warning tone in his voice. 

“What? I’m just inviting a new colleague to dinner, nothing else,” Rossi sang as he started walking back to his office. The team snickered as the man walked away with a skip in his step. 

--- 

Y/n stood in her bedroom, holding clothes up to her body, trying to figure out what on earth she was going to wear. Was it casual or dressy? She didn’t want to wear a skirt and then be the only one not wearing heels. Before she could stress even more a knock sounded at her door. Frowning, she walked through the house and looked through the peephole. 

She opened the door, “Hey, what are you doing here?” 

JJ smiled at her, “Well, I thought you might want some help getting ready. I brought wine.” 

Letting out a sigh of relief Y/n pulled the door open wider, “Come in, I’m actually glad you’re here I have no idea what I’m doing.” 

As JJ walked into the house JJ looked around before Y/n realised something, “Hold on, how do you know where I live?” 

JJ smiled guiltily at her, “I may have asked Garcia to look it up.” 

They walked to her bedroom and Y/n replied, “Well, as long as you help me figure out what to wear you are forgiven.” 

JJ laughed as she walked into her closet, “You’ve got a deal.” 

--- 

“You looke nice,” Dave said to Hotch as he opened his door, “It’s almost as though there’s someone you want to impress.” 

Aaron simply ‘hmmed’ before walking in the house, seeing everyone except for JJ and Y/n stood around the island. 

“Wow, no tie Hotch? That’s a first,” Emily jested. 

“Don’t start,” He grumbled. 

“So, I have a question,” Dave spoke as he walked in behind Aaron and walked over to the stove, picking up a spatula, “Was Penelope really that hopped up on paid meds or did Captain Miller actually go to jail?” 

Spencer and Hotch shared a quick glance before Reid spoke, “She was wrongly incarcerated after her stalker murdered her college professor. It wasn’t until two years later when he had killed another two people that he confessed and she was released.” 

“Wow,” Prentiss breathed out, “Talk about unlucky.” 

“Let’s, maybe, not mention it when she arrives,” Hotch spoke. 

And just like that, the bell rang. 

Dave clapped with a smile, “Aha! That must be our guest!” 

The Italian man strutted to the front of the house, leaving the rest of the team to chat. He opened the door and greeted JJ first, as she stood in front of Y/n. 

He kissed both of her cheeks and let her walk through before turning to Y/n, giving her a welcoming hug, “Buonasera bellissima! You are in for a wonderful evening!” 

He offered her his arm, and she looped hers through it with a laugh and they walked through the home and into the kitchen as she said, “Come sta?”

He turned his head to her with a brow raised, “You know Italian?” 

She smiled, “Only a little, I took a couple electives in college.” 

They walked into the kitchen and the team turned to the pair as Rossi declared, “I am liking this woman more and more. She speaks Italian!” 

Y/n scoffed lightly, “That’s a gross exaggeration.” 

Rossi patted her hand and walked round the island, picking up the pan once more, “More than any of them know. You’d think after being with them for so long they would learn to appreciate my culture!” 

She stood awkwardly for a second until she caught Aarons eye, he stood with two glasses of red wine in his hand. He shuffled over to her and held his hand out, “Hi.” 

“Hi,” She smiled, Aaron would have thought she looked a little shy if he didn’t know her better. 

“You um, you look lovely,” He said

She took the glass from his hands, her fingers gently grazing his as she did so, “Thank you, I’m lucky JJ decided to track me down. I was kind of lost on the whole ‘what do I wear’ thing.” 

“Well, it paid off,” He smiled awkwardly. 

She took a brief glance at the collar of his shirt, it showing the top of his chest. She smiled to herself, glancing up at him with a raised brow, “No tie, Agent Hotchner?” 

His cheeks flushed lightly, hoping she wouldn’t notice, he joked, “Thought I’d give the relaxed look a shot.” 

“Well, it suits you,” She smirked. 

“I-” 

“Y/n!” Emily called across the island, waving her hand at her, “Come sit! I want to get to know the infamous Captain Miller!” 

Y/n looked back at Hotch once more before she walked over to where Emily sat, smiling at her as she sat down. Dave was stood whistling as he stirred the pasta, shooting Hotch a teasing look while Reid walked over to stand beside him. 

Reid cleared his throat and lifted his water to his lips, smiling he said, “I think that’s what us kids call ‘whipped.” 

“Shut up, Reid.” 

---

“Alright! Dinner’s up,” Rossi called out just as the door bell rung. 

“Ah!” He continued, “That will be Morgan. Penelope sent him packing from the hospital, insisted he come and enjoy some family bonding time.” 

Dave walked out and soon returned with Derek in tow. Derek, ever the player, took one look at Y/n as he strutted in and let out a low whistle, “Look at you, mama! You. Look. Gorgeous.” 

Y/n laughed as he offered her a hug, lifting her off her feet, “Good to see you too, Morgan.”

“Right,” Morgan whispered, “I’m gonna set you down now, I’m getting glares from the bossman.” 

Y/n snuck a glance at Hotch as Rossi started setting bowls on the dining table and he did, in fact, have that somehow gorgeous frown on his face.

“Let’s eat!” Rossi called out. Y/n went to follow Emily, who had been stood next to her, but she felt a large palm on her lower back guiding her round the opposite side of the table. Hotch pulled a chair out for her, she looked up at him as he tucked it in for her, saying a quiet ‘thank you.’ The team dug in and before long the dishes were empty and the glasses were, actually, still full thanks to Rossi. 

“So, Y/n,” Morgan spoke, “You got any idea which department you want to end up in? Your probation should be done soon right?” 

“Yeah, actually, it ends in seven months so I’ve still got a while. I guess it depends where has a spot open,” Y/n spoke. 

“Well, I happen to know the chief of the behavioural analysis unit, I’ve heard he’s a real softy. I’m sure I could put in a word,” Dave joked, the team following suit, even Hotch letting out a laugh as he lifted the wine glass to his lips. 

“I can’t lie and say it’s not something I’ve considered,” Y/n folded her arms on the table, “But, I also don’t want to force my way into something without there being a spot open.” 

“We’ve had more than six profilers before! First in 1982, there was actually a team of 12 Agents and in 1996, when Hotch joined there were eight!” Reid rattled off. 

“You’d be more than welcome to apply when the time comes, Y/n. We’d love to have you,” Hotch interrupted, his deep voice ringing through the room. 

Y/n smiled softly at him, before turning back to the others, “Well, I’ve still got to finish off the year. I’m actually being sent on assignment to New York for a while, you know how the Bureau likes to push you outside your comfort zone. So, I’ll be splitting my time between Washington and there for the rest of the year.” 

Dave cast a quick glance to Hotch who’s frown had returned before speaking up, “How much time will you be spending in New York? I’d hate to miss my new friend after just meeting her.” 

“Oh, I’ll only be there for a couple weeks at a time and then I’ll have a couple days in Washington every now and again. It’ll be tough but after that I’ll be back in Washington for good.” She said. 

“Good,” Hotch spoke before he could stop himself, quickly clearing his throat he continued, “I mean, that’s good for you to get the experience in New York. Lots of...crime...there.” 

Emily choked on her wine as she laughed at her boss, Derek giving her a quick tap on the back. Rossi just smiled while Reid chipped in, “Actually New York is ranked as the 11th safest city to...” 

Y/n smiled to herself at Hotch’s comment and she felt his arm brush against hers on the table. It was subtle, his pinky touched the back of her left hand. 

“Well, I should head out. Will’s flying in to see me in the morning, Y/n do you still want a ride?” JJ spoke, standing up from the table. 

“Yeah, that’d be great JJ,” She spoke, pushing her chair out from the dining table. Everyone stood with them, saying their goodbyes. Hugs were shared and JJ went to grab her purse as Hotch walked up to Y/n, his hands firmly in his trouser pockets. 

“So...when do you leave for New York?” He asked. 

“Two weeks today, actually. Why, you gonna miss me?” She teased. 

He flushed as JJ walked up beside them and smiled at Y/n, “I’ll be in the car.” 

“Okay,” she smiled before turning back to Hotch, “If you’re lucky I’ll pay the BAU a visit before I leave. That is, if that’s alright with you?” 

“Yes! Um,” Hotch cleared his throat, “Of course, I’m sure the others will want to say goodbye.” 

He trailed off and Y/n shook her head lightly, “See you soon, Aaron.” 

He watched as she walked out the front door and into JJ’s car and drove away. He sighed, turning around to see Reid, Emily, Morgan and Dave all stood there grinning at him. 

Emily giggled before speaking, “Lot’s of crime there?” 

“Shut up,” Hotch grumbled. 

- - -

Meanwhile, in JJ’s car Y/n sat with a secret smile until JJ cleared her throat and with a deep voice mimicked, “Lots of...crime...there.” 

The two women burst out laughing, tears almost falling from JJ’s eyes. 

“What was that about?” Y/n spoke, her hands pressing against her cheeks, feeling how flushed they were. 

“He likes you!” 

“JJ!” 

“What? He does! He was clearly happy when you said you’d be coming back to Washington once you’re finished in New York!” JJ smiled, wiggling her eyebrows at her. 

“Okay, enough with the eyebrows,” Y/n rolled her eyes. 

“I’m just saying,” The blonde sang. 

Y/n sighed before looking out the window at the road ahead, “I’m not saying I’m interested, but...if I was...the last time I saw him he was married-” 

“And now he’s not. He hasn’t been married for a year, Y/n. I’ve never seen Hotch act the way he does around you, not on a case, not with any random detective who’s flirted with him. I’m just saying, if you wanted his number I could just put it right in your phone,” JJ teased. 

“JJ I’m not going to steal the mans phone number-” 

“It’s not stealing if I’m giving it to you!” 

“I’d rather get it from him myself,” Y/n interrupted, a small smile gracing her lips, “Maybe when I pay the fifth floor a visit in two weeks before I leave for New York.” 

JJ glanced over at her, noticing the smile her new friend had. She couldn’t help but feel she was witnessing the start of something good. 

---

Just like that, two weeks had passed from ‘dinner party a la Rossi.’ Y/n had kept in touch with most of the team, Garcia having hacked into her personnel file and giving her number to all of the team. All of the team, that is, except for Hotch, who she hadn’t heard from. At all. 

And so, with her duffle bag set on her shoulder, she walked into the BAU. She paused in the entryway, unsure of where to start. 

Thankfully, her start came to her, “Y/n!” 

Reid was stood grinning at his desk and waved to her. She briskly walked over to the young genius who, surprisingly, gave her a tight hug, “It’s good to see you! You’re headed off to New York, right?” 

“Yeah, flights in a couple hours so I’m just heading straight there,” She said. 

“I’m sure you’ll do great,” He smiled. 

“Thanks, Reid.” 

“Hey mama, you flying away from me?” She heard from behind her. 

“Sadly so, handsome,” She smiled as she turned around to see Morgan stood with his arms open, beckoning her in for a hug. She walked into his arms and heard footsteps approaching, when she pulled back she saw JJ, Emily, Garcia and Rossi stood around. They all offered her quick hugs, asking her questions about her flight and if she knew anything about her first assignments. 

After 10 minutes or so she glanced at her watch, “Y’know, I’ve gotta head off soon. Flights in a couple hours so...” 

She took a quick glance up to where Hotch’s office was, which didn’t go unnoticed. Emily spoke up with a sly smile, “You know, Hotch is in his office.” 

Contemplating going up she quickly made up her mind, “Yeah, um, I’ve got a few minutes so...” 

“Good luck in New York, kid,” Rossi smiled, the group dispersing as the woman made her way up to the office, knocking lightly on the open frame. 

Hotch didn’t look up from the paperwork, clearly expecting someone else, “Is that the Jefferson file, Garcia?” 

“Garcia? That’s a new one,” She joked. 

Hotch’s head snapped up immediately, “Y/n, I’m sorry I thought, well I thought you were Penelope.” 

“Clearly,” She stepped further into the office, “Nice place you got here.” 

“Well, it’s not much but it’s home,” He joked, standing up and rounding his desk to stand in from of her. 

She laughed and cast her gaze on him, “Well, my flights in a couple hours so, here I am. As promised.” 

“Well...I wish you luck,” He stuck out his hand. 

Y/n looked at it for a second, a little confused, before shaking it. She took a step back, gripping the strap of her bag before starting to back out of the room, “See ya, Hotch.” 

She smiled softly, feeling a little disappointed, before turning fully. As she was almost out of the room she heard Hotch speak up again “I have a cell phone.” 

She turned around to face him again. “What?” 

“I have a cell phone. I, um, I...I thought, maybe, I could get your number?” He stumbled through the question, an adorable blush making his way to his cheeks. 

She smiled for a second and walked towards him with her palm upwards. Hotch immediately grabbed his phone from his desk and passed it to her.

“I’ll see you soon, Aaron,” She smiled, handing him the phone before making her way out of the office. Garcia and Morgan were still stood at his desk together and she shot Penelope a wink before making her way out of the building and onto a flight to New York. 

Little did she know a case would bring Agent Aaron Hotchner and the BAU to New York, straight to little old her, sooner than she thought. 

---

next chapter

---

Taglist: 

The door to the interrogation room opened slowly as Agent Gideon stepped into the room. y/n had her head in her hands until he stepped into the room and she sat upright. 

She waited until he sat down to speak, “Is um- is your Agent alright?” 

Gideon slightly cocked his brow, not speaking. He thought it was curious that she inquired into his well-being. The profile they had put together while in the conference room established the unsub as a narcissist. 

They sat in silence until she continued, “If you could pass on my apologies, I would appreciate it. That was wrong of me, I shouldn’t have done that.” 

Unbeknownst to her, the team sat behind the one way glass, listening to her every word. Morgan’s nose had stopped bleeding but it was broken, he had it reset by the precinct medic who had advised him to keep it, and himself, out of trouble until it healed. 

Gideon sighed, opening the file in front of him, taking out the crime scene photos, “My name is Agent Gideon. I’m with the F.B.I’s behavioural analysis unit. Ex-special forces, huh? You did three tours, that’s impressive. You went to college, you’re educated. You’re a functioning member of society and, yet, none of that stopped them from incarcerating you.” 

He watched her for any movement. He thought he’d see her freeze, see her jaw lock or tears spring in her eyes. She just sat there, looking back at him. 

“So, you got angry,” he continued, “you wanted to cause as much trauma and pain for other people as the state of Illinois put you through. So you shot six people and murdered one.” 

He slapped the images of the victims closer to her on the table.

She shook her head, jaw now clenching, “I didn’t do this.” 

“Just like you didn’t murder your college professor? You know, it wouldn’t surprise me if you did. It was such a convenience when someone else claimed your crimes wasn’t it? Did you know him? I’m sure he was your biggest fan and just had to follow in your footsteps of murdering college professors. Probably made sure that you would get out of jail, continue the legacy huh?” Gideon raised his voice at her. 

This is when she jerked forward, “You know nothing about me! Nothing! I didn’t kill anyone, that much was proven in court. Yes, I was in jail for a crime I didn’t commit but I moved past that a long time ago, Agent. I went to therapy, I shed my tears and I moved on.” 

---

Hotch watched her from behind the glass, feeling as though he had made a mistake. He watched the way her mouth moved as she spoke, her lip split and bleeding from being pushed on the table. Her forehead was bruised but her eyes were focused on Gideon. 

Derek stood up from his seat and wandered closer to the glass before speaking, “I don’t think this is our unsub. Think about it, she has the position, she has the admiration. We profiled they would feel unseen, unheard. They are narcissistic and have a severe paranoid personality disorder. She’s not showing any of those signs.” 

Hotch sighed, rubbing his hand on his neck before looking at the team, “I still think it’s a good idea to keep her in custody until she can provide an alibi. I don’t want to take any chances.” 

“Don’t you think she could still be of help to us Hotch? She is a professional marksman, she’d have more insight into the L.D.S.K than most of us here. If what Gideon said was true, that we’ve never caught one of these guys with a profile, maybe we should let her go, ask her for help?” Elle spoke. 

“That’s assuming she would still be willing to help us. I almost feel bad for her, she may have broken my damn nose but she was likely reliving the trauma of being arrested for a crime she knows she didn’t commit,” Morgan spoke again. 

---

“Where were you then? During the shootings? You say you’re innocent, prove it,” Gideon asked her. 

She hesitated. 

“There’s a florist, along the high-street. It’s called Bluebells nursery. I was there at the time of the first shooting, before you were called in. I used my credit card there to purchase a bouquet of chrysanthemums. There’ll be a receipt and security footage,” She spoke softly. 

Gideon analysed her movements, “And after that?” 

She sighed, leaning back in her chair, looking up to the ceiling before looking back to Gideon, “Livingstone Cemetery.” 

Gideon fell quiet, taking the time to consider his next move. Before he could continue she spoke, “I may not have killed her, Agent Gideon. But it’s because of me they’re dead.” 

“How do you figure?” Gideon asks, genuinely curious as to how this young woman carried so much guilt over a murder that wasn’t her doing. 

“In your investigation of my background you will have missed some things due to my expunged record...” y/n stopped, leaning forward she clasped her hands together on the table, “Professor Jennings was helping me prep for my interview with the admissions panel for the masters programme. So, naturally, we spent some time together. James Hanson, was a high school senior who had been stalking me after he watched me speak in a debate hosted by their school for prospective Harvard students. He had been following me for 6 months and when he saw I was spending time with someone that wasn’t him he broke into her office and murdered her after one of our meetings. He wore gloves, cleaned up after himself. My prints were all of her office. Once he started killing he couldn’t stop, even after I went to jail. He then killed another Professor and their TA, who had walked in on him. He got sloppy. The TA, her name was Alison Brown, she dialled 911 before he strangled her with her own belt. The other Professor was on my admissions panel, his name was Russo Bianchi. When he was arrested he admitted to the all of the murders and said that he did it because he loved me, and they were standing in the way of my success.” 

She paused, making sure she looked Gideon right in the eye, “So, no. You don’t get to sit there and accuse me of gunning down the father of three children. You don’t get to sit there say that I am grateful to the man who killed three people in my name and you sure as hell don’t call him my biggest fan...” She paused. “So, if you are not charging me with anything, I would like to leave. Now.” 

--- 

Hotch lent an arm against then wall and sighed. Morgan sat back down in his chair, his head in his hands. The team sat in silence. 

Morgan sat up straight and said, “Jesus, man. We just traumatised this woman and for what? The fact she slightly fit our preliminary profile? God damn it!” 

“There was no way you guys could have known, it’s not your fault,” JJ spoke softly from across the room. 

The door to their side of the room opened and Detective Calvin stepped in, “There’s been another shooting at a restaurant downtown. Three more victims, all non-fatal wounds again.”

“Greenway, Morgan, you come with me to the scene. I’ll go tell Gideon he can let Captain Miller go,” Hotch said as the team dispersed. 

--- 

Before Gideon could respond Hotch knocked on the door and walked in the room. Y/n’s eyes jump to him, her face still stern. Something Hotch noticed while profiling her is that her eyes were always expressive. 

Meanwhile, y/n looked at him. He was tall, handsome, clearly admired by his colleagues. He was the leader, despite Agent Gideon clearly being the oldest. 

“There’s been another shooting,” He spoke, stepping fully into the room. Gideon looked from his colleague, back to y/n. If Gideon hadn’t spent so many years in the BAU, learning how to hide his facial expressions and disguise his body language, his face would show guilt. Remorse. Gideon leaned forward and unlocked her handcuffs, letting her stand up from the desk. She didn’t look at Gideon as she walked out, gently brushing Hotch’s chest as she squeezed between him and the door frame. 

Hotch’s gaze followed her as she spotted her weapons on the desk directly opposite the interrogation room. Her colleagues stopped their work and looked at her, before looking away again as though nothing had happened. They have complete trust in her, Hotch thought to himself. Even when she was arrested, her coworkers didn’t believe she had done anything. The team had received many distasteful looks and refusals to help them since they’d arrested Captain Y/n Miller. 

Gideon stepped up beside him, watching as y/n walked out of the precinct and into her car. Frowning, Gideon spoke, “In my thirty years of profiling, I don’t think I have ever regretted interviewing a potential suspect. Until today.” 

---

Y/n stood in her bathroom, cleaning her bleeding lip in the mirror. She dropped the q-tip and gripped the sink. Logically, she knew it wasn’t the F.B.I’s fault that they dug up her past. She was a sniper, ex-special forces and she had a motive. They had every right to question her. That’s keeping her from flying off the handle. 

Her entire life had been one of servitude. One of saving lives. And that’s why, as her phone rung and ‘Detective Calvin’ flashed on the screen, she picked up. She was asking for her help. They could still benefit from her expertise. People were still at risk and if she can save one person by putting her ego aside, that’s what she’ll do. 

Y/n changed into her S.W.A.T Uniform, placing her Captain jacket on she grabbed her weapons bag which, of course, contained her primary sniper rifle. She arrived at the park before the F.B.I pulled in. Taking a breath, she went out and started calling orders to her officers to set up. 

As she was speaking orders into a radio, she saw the black SUV’s pull into the parking lot, beside the staged sedan. Some time passed and soon y/n stood beside the operations table with her back to the Agents and Calvin. 

“Detective Calvin, I’d like to apologise on behalf of our team for the arrest of your Captain earlier. It was too early in the formation of our profile to make an arrest and it was an error in our- in my judgement. I’m afraid we may have lost a useful resource and was hoping that, with your persuasion, we may be able to ask for her assistance in this case,” Hotch spoke. 

“Ain’t that sweet,” Y/n voiced, her back still turned to Hotch. Sometimes, she just couldn’t help herself. Calvin laughed to herself before nodding Hotch over in her direction. 

Hotch cleared his throat, suddenly feeling awkward for the first time in college and walked to stand beside her as she was prepping her rifle, “Captain Miller, I apologise for-” 

“I heard you. Apology accepted. You weren’t to know, I’m sure if you had you wouldn’t have been such a colossal asshole,” she smirked, clicking the barrel into place. She looked up at him, her neck near staining at the height difference. 

“I value saving lives over my ego, Agent Hotchner,” She slung the weapon around her shoulder and reached up to adjust her pony tail. 

Hotch was never a man to struggle with words, but something about her made him stumble. Luckily, she spoke again, “What do you want to know?” 

He quickly cleared his throat, “There are multiple vantage points in this area but only a few would have access to all three of the victims. I was wondering if you could deduce where he was shooting from.” 

Her brow quirked slightly, “That it? Well, he wants to be under cover. A weapon like that, as your profilers deduced, could only be disguised within an adequately sized vehicle.” 

She started walking toward the parking lot, and gestured for him to follow her, “Look around, what do you notice?” 

He paused, looking more over the park, “Wide grass plane, very flat land. The wind probably would have been his biggest concern when firing the gun.” 

“That eliminates three vantage points,” she proceeds to point them out to him, leaning over his shoulder in one instance, he looks at her in his peripheral vision as she does so. “You’re missing the obvious profiler. Look at your feet. The disabled bay couldn’t be further away from the entrance to the community center. I would hazard a guess the your unsub came here the night before and spray painted the symbol on to ensure that the space was empty the next day.” 

“Of course, he’s a methodical and prepared killer. He wouldn’t risk being unable to execute his plan. With this type of killer, they typically would want to be up close to their victim, to watch their suffering first hand.” Hotch said. 

“Well,” she walked closer, “If you have a powerful enough scope he wouldn’t have that issue. Want to take a look?” 

She lifted the gun over her head and held it up to him, gesturing for him to take it from her. He hesitated at first, but then slowly reached out, his hands brushing hers as he took it from her. Lifting the scope to eye he looked through and saw Morgan walking through the grass beside Reid. 

He lowered the gun, placing it back into her hands before speaking, “Thank you. That’s very helpful.” 

“Of course. Also the unsub wouldn’t need to fully pop the trunk to get the right angle. I expect that they are only flipping the license plate to get the barrel out. It’s a technique used by trained L.D.S.K’s across developed nations. It’s a popular technique amongst government employed gunmen so you’re not going to get any eye witness accounts of his appearance,” y/n said. 

Hotch nodded and looked over at her. She glanced up at him again and noted that his shoulders were broad and strong. He never broke eye contact. She couldn’t help but think that could make an interesting challenge. Maybe if she made him flustered he’d break. 

“I’m sure we’ll be asking for your help again soon Captain Miller, thank you,” Hotch said. 

She simply nodded before turning away and started walking down the hill towards the cones. Before she could get too far Hotch called out, “Captain Miller!” 

She turned back to face him as he continued, “I’m sorry about your lip. I didn’t mean to be so... I didn’t mean you any harm.” 

Sensing the perfect opportunity, she simply responded, “Don’t worry about it Agent. Just make sure the next time you shove me against a desk, it’s for a good reason.” 

He flushed quickly, his cheeks staining a lovely shade of pink. Her lip tugged into a smirk as she walked away, satisfied with the outcome. Shame about the ring on his finger. 

---

“Y/n,” was spoken into her ear-piece, “We need S.W.A.T in the lot asap. It’s McCarty. We come heavy and we take him clean.” 

“Shit,” she whispered to herself, she raised pressed respond in her earpiece before speaking, “Copy. This is Captain Miller to S.W.A.T Officers. We need a tactical assault on the staged vehicle. McCarty is our unsub. Gear up, meet me in 5 minutes.” 

Y/n walked calmly out of the park, away from the gunmans line of sight and gathered around the officers as she pulled on her vest. 

“You, pull the smoke grenade and toss it under the vehicle on my count. I’ll take the negotiation to get him out from the vehicle. He is our prime suspect, we want him alive,” She spoke, pulling her gun from its place on her belt. 

From across the park, Hotch was watching her command the officers. She was a natural leader, she commanded the admiration of her peers without trying. Even in a male dominated field. She was beautiful. There was no denying that. Hotch couldn’t help but feel guilty for noticing that. He was married, he loved his wife. He was a stubborn man and stuck to his morals, he would never cheat on Haley, but noticing someone else’s beauty felt a lot like it. 

S.W.A.T advanced on the car, y/n shouted, “Toss your rifle and your side arm out of the vehicle and show us your hands!” 

“I don't understand!” McCarty called. back. 

“We know what you did, Scotty.” 

“Look, I can explain.” 

“Don’t make me give the order!” She shouted. 

“Ok, alright! Alright!” McCarty tossed his weapons out of the car and onto the group, an officer came in and kicked them away from him. 

“Now, open the trunk lid slowly. Come on. That’s it. Slowly!” She commanded, McCarty landed on the ground with a thud.

“Get him up,” Y/n said, as the officers hoisted him and started to walk him towards the surveillance van. 

She was leading the men, she passed by Gideon who nodded at her and said, “Good job.” 

Before she could respond to him a shot rung out, hitting McCarty right between the eyes. 

“Get down!” Y/n shouted, dropping to the floor. Near everyone followed suit, except for one. Gideon was only crouched behind a vehicle. 

Something was wrong. There was no sound of a vehicle leaving the park. The shooter was still watching. He was looking for another target. Y/n look around from her place on the floor, searching for the vehicle. 

There. 

About 30 feet away there was a sedan without a number plate, the barrel of a sniper was sticking out. She followed its direction. 

It was pointed right at Agent Gideon, who had started to stand up. 

Without another thought she stood and started running towards him. 

“Get down! He’s still here! Down, down, down!” She screamed, tackling him to the floor as another shot run out. 

Everyone dropped again and this time the noise of screeching tyres was heard as the shooter left the area.

“Get the plate!” Gideon screamed, standing up from the ground where y/n had tackled him. Officers ran after the vehicle but stopped once it was out of sight. Gideon let out a frustrated sigh before turning back to thank y/n.

She was still the floor. 

“Medic!” Gideon screamed, “I need a medic!” 

He dropped to his knees and grabbed y/n’s shoulder. Once she was on her back, he let out a sigh of relief. 

Y/n gripped her arm, blood was dripping down the sleeve of her jacket. Hotch and the team soon ran up from the park after seeing Gideon tackled. 

Y/n let out a pained groan, before sitting up. Hotch knelt down and placed his hands on her waist, helping her to her feet. 

“Are you an idiot?” She spoke, looking at Gideon, “You’d thinking after being in the F.B.I for so long you’d know not to stand in front of a sniper rifle.” 

An ambulance pulled in as Gideon responded, “Are you alright?” 

She looked at her arm before gently lifting her hand, blood pouring out again, “Yeah. It’s just a flesh wound, a couple stitches and it’ll be fine.” 

Two paramedics hopped out of the ambulance. One ran over to the group while another opens the back. 

“Come with me, I’ll get you stitched up ma’am,” the paramedic spoke. 

Hotch felt her pull away from his hand as she walked with the paramedic. Once he saw she was sat in the ambulance, he turned to Gideon, “Are you okay? That was a close call?” 

He nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine. Hell of a tackle. Lucky she was there, with our shooter I would have been dead in seconds.” 

Y/n sat in the back of the ambulance, the paramedics having cut away her jacket and the sleeve of her shirt. They raised a needle to her arm before she interrupted, “No pain meds, please. I want to get back out there as soon as possible.” 

“Ma’am, you need to rest your arm to not tear the stitches-” 

“I’ve had my fair share of stitches Doc, worst comes to worst I’ll just have to pay the hospital a visit,” she joked. 

The medic sighed before looping the stitch and piercing her skin with the needle. Y/n winced slightly as a voice sounded, “That was reckless Captain.” 

A slight smirk tugged at her lips as she watched the medics work, “Reckless or heroic, Sir? From what I see you still have six members on your team. If I hadn’t have intervened you’d be looking for a replacement.” 

Hotch looked at her arm, “I hope you recover quickly, Captain. I’ll have my analyst check in on you at the hospital later.” 

She raised her brow and laughed, “No need. I’m not going. We’ve still got a killer to catch.” 

“I’m not sure if that’s wise-” 

“Im a big girl, Hotchner. I know my limits,” She said. He still look unsure, so she continued, “This guy, he’s taken our training, this role and manipulated it into something perverse. He is not a sniper. He lost that title as soon as he started killing innocent people. I’ll rest when he’s caught.” 

The paramedic finished wrapping her arm and pinned the white bandage together. She smiled at them and said thank you before standing. 

She met Hotch’s eyes as she stopped in front of him, “The question is, do you want me or not?” 

---

New York had a serial killer. At least, that’s what the current evidence suggested. The team had boarded the jet and headed to assist in the investigation, the pilot taking off as they discussed the case. 

Once they finished the brief and settled into their seats, Reid spoke up, “Do you think we’ll see Y/n? She’s been in New York for, what, four months now?”  

Hotch suddenly seemed very interested in the files in front of him. He and y/n had kept in contact. About a week after she left, a letter sealed in a crinkled envelope with her name on it had found its way onto her desk. He’d written her a letter. She’d opened it quickly, but was careful not to tear it. It was mostly about the team, their cases and how they were. He spoke a little about his son Jack and had asked how she was getting on in her new city. He made sure to write ‘temporary city,’ not letting her get any ideas about staying. 

She planned on writing him back but wanted to tease him a little and so she texted him. 

Y/n: You wrote me a letter. 

A few moments went by before her phone buzzed and she picked it up eagerly. 

Hotch: I did. 

Y/n: You know, you could just text me? 

Hotch: A letter is more personal. 

Y/n: Is that something you want from me, Aaron? To be personal? 

Y/n smirked to herself and pressed the tip of her pen to her cheek, biding her time until Hotch responded. She thought she had the upper-hand. She was always able to make him flustered. 

Hotch: Yes. 

Suddenly she was the one blushing. 

On the jet, Hotch smiled at the memory of their messages. A letter had, in fact, found its way onto his desk in Washington a few days later. It included a Polaroid of the Empire State building and one of Y/n holding up a hot dog in front of a food stand and a random sign post. She had obviously taken it herself, turning the camera around and just managed to catch her smile in the frame, her chin not appearing in the picture. He wouldn’t admit to anyone that he kept the latter in his brief case. He felt slightly ridiculous about it, they weren’t dating, he’d never even touched her with the exception of a pinky finger that had grazed the back of her hand at Rossi’s. 

“Hotch?” 

The man quickly tuned back into the conversation, seeing his team all looking at him, Garcia smiling cheekily from her seat. 

“Do you know if she’s working on this?” Emily asked him. 

“Um, no. I’m not sure,” He responded. 

“Well, I hope she is. It’d be great to see her. Such a lovely girl,” Rossi subtly jabbed with a smile. 

The team quietly laughed, trying not to make fun of their boss too much. Hotch simply rolled his eyes, a soft smile on his face. 

--- 

“Aaron,” Kate spoke as she shook hands with him. 

“How have you been?” He asked, mostly out of courtesy. 

“Well, thank you.” 

“This is my team,” He said, going around and introducing everyone. 

“Have you two worked together before?” JJ asked. 

“Yes we lia-” 

Before he could finish speaking, he heard footsteps coming around the corner and in his peripheral, there was his Captain. 

She hadn’t spotted him yet, her attention focused on a clipboard. She pointed to something on it before handing it off to the man she was walking with. And then she looked up. And there he was. 

She held eye contact with him for a moment, almost as if trying to figure out if he was actually stood there. Then she smiled and started walking towards the group. 

“Hotchner,” She grinned. 

“Hey trouble,” He responded before he could help himself, a discrete smile making its way onto his face. 

“Trouble? I don’t know what you mean,” She teased. 

The team stood smiling behind the two before Rossi cleared his throat, “Good to see you too, kid.” 

Hotch stepped slightly to the side so she could see the team. She was about to respond but Agent Joyner butted in, “I see you’ve already met Agent Miller?” 

“Um, yes, we’re acquainted,” Hotch said quickly, having forgotten Joyner was stood with them. 

“They’re acquainted alright,” JJ whispered to Garcia, who had to bite her lip to refrain from giggling. 

“Well, there will be time to play catch-up later,” Kate dove into an explanation of the surveillance system to Garcia and soon the two detectives that caught the first shooting walked in. 

Joyner took a large step closer to Hotch, standing far too close to him for Y/n’s liking, and asked, “Can I have a word with you in private?” 

“Sure,” He responded, stealing a glance at Y/n before walking away. 

“Do they...know each other?” Y/n asked as she turned back to the group. 

“They did some work together when she was at Scotland Yard,” Prentiss told her. 

Y/n ‘hmmed’ to herself as she cast a glance into Kate’s office. It was safe to say her new boss wasn’t overly fond of her, or any of her employees. Everyone in the New York office had heard that she was getting some heat from her superiors and that they may even be looking for a replacement. 

When she turned back around to speak to the team they were stood smiling at her, “What?” 

“Is that a little jealously we hear in your voice, Captain Miller?” Rossi teased. 

“And what exactly would I be jealous of?” 

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe that another woman seems very interested in your little boyfriend over there,” Morgan grinned, walking closer to her. 

“Well, lucky for you, hot stuff, I am very much single so when are you gonna take me out on a date?” She teased right back. Was she trying to avoid confessing that she was, in fact, a little jealous? Absolutely. 

“I will take you out any time baby girl, just let me know when your heart’s not occupied by another man and I’m yours,” He retorted, shooting a wink at her. 

“Shut up, Morgan,” She whacked him lightly on his chest, him stumbling back as though he was in pain. 

Another agent walked up and said something to Y/n, handing her a file before she spoke again, “We should get to work.” 

---

The team had taken the day to construct a profile, delivering it to the NYPD and the F.B.I New York office. The next morning came quickly and Hotch was more than aware of the fact he had barely seen Y/n. Soon, another day had flown by without them having the chance to talk properly. 

It was 8AM when Y/n was stood at her desk, strapping an F.B.I bullet proof vest on. She had her button down and suit jacket slung over the desk chair, just stood in a white cami. She needed to look enough like a civilian to not attract attention when walking around. 

“Hi.” 

She smiled, hearing the deep voice behind her. She looked behind her and then turned around, “Hey, stranger.” 

Hotch let a sheepish smile come to his face, “I’m sorry, we’ve not really had too much time to talk.” 

“That’s okay,” She said, “We’re working the same case, Hotch. I know how important it is we catch them.” 

Y/n grabbed the shirt from her desk chair and started buttoning it on. Hotch watched her nervously as she did so before speaking, “Are you going somewhere?” 

“Yeah, I’m patrolling the street with Prentiss and Detective Cooper. Figure you can’t be too careful with these guys,” She smiled as she picked up the suit jacket. 

“Hold on,” Hotch interrupted as he stepped closer to her. He raised his hand to her shoulder and picked up the velcro strap of her vest and fastened it in place properly, it had been poking out the side of her collar. He let his hand linger for a second before snapping out of it and placing it back at his side. His eyes flickered to her and he found her already looking at him. 

“Thanks,” She spoke softly. 

“Be careful. We don’t know where they’re going to hit next,” Hotch replied, speaking as softly. 

“I’m a big girl Hotchner, I’ll be okay.” 

“I-” 

“Aaron,” Kate interrupted as she strutted through the office, raising an eyebrow at the lack of distance between the two. 

“You ready to review? I want to get as far ahead of these blokes as possible,” She continued and gestured for him to follow her. 

“Of course, give me a minute?” He responded, not paying too much attention to her. The Agent humphed to herself before turning and walking away. 

Y/n crossed her arms across her chest, “Emily said you two liased?” 

Hotch smirked at her, raising an eyebrow, “Now, that wouldn’t be jealousy in your tone would it?” 

She leant further back on her desk and averted her gaze, “Nope.” 

“Because,” He stepped closer again with a smirk, “If it were, I would have to tell you our relationship is, and has always been, professional.” 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Yes.” 

“And ours?” 

Hotch smiled and went to respond- 

“Anyone seen Miller?” 

Damn it, Emily. 

Hotch cleared his throat and stepped back from her, a discrete blush rising to his cheeks. 

Y/n laughed a little before standing up straight and putting her blazer on, “I’m just coming!” 

She shot Hotch a quick wink before she retreated, walking up to Emily with a smile, “Let’s go.” 

The pair stepped into the elevator before Y/n spoke again, “Where’s Detective Cooper?” 

“He’s waiting for us outside,” Emily replied. A moment of quiet hovered in the air, the two trying to hold in their smiles.

“I’m just saying, but I think if Hotch got any closer to you he would have been mounting you,” Emily finally spoke. 

“Emily Prentiss!!” Y/n spat out in shock. 

The dark haired woman laughed, “What! I’m just saying what I saw!” 

---

Y/n, Emily and Detective Cooper were all stood on the street, having just exited the subway station. Out of nowhere a loud gunshot echoed through the street, Y/n’s head snapping up and looking around for any sign of where it came from. 

“Garcia!” Emily spoke into her comms.

“I’m on it,” The analyst spoke back, stress lacing her voice, “16th and Broadway! He’s running East on 16th!” 

“He’s headed our way,” Y/n spoke and they took off. 

They rounded the corner and slowed, taking in the street. Suddenly a black male, approximately 20-30 years old wearing a dark grey hoodie turned and started running away. The group drew their guns and started chasing him down, pedestrians flying out of their way, pushing themselves against the wall to avoid being hit. 

“Move! Move!” Cooper shouted, narrowly pulling in front of Emily and Y/n. 

“Out of the way!” Y/n shouted, following quickly behind him. 

The unsub quickly glanced round, checking if he was still being followed and fired his gun. The bullet hit the wall beside Y/n’s head, pieces of brick and dust fell on her skin, cutting her cheek open. She hissed in pain but kept running, she’d be damned if she let this guy get away. 

She saw Cooper round the corner seconds before her and a gun shot sounded. She quickly followed him but before she could pull the trigger on her own gun, she was shot in the abdomen. The impact of the shot pushed her down, falling with a crash against the asphalt. In her peripheral, she saw Emily catch up and shoot the unsub twice in the chest.

Panicked, Emily ran over to Y/n who only wheezed, “I’m okay, I’m okay! I’m wearing a vest, go help him!” 

Prentiss let out a huge sigh of relief, thankful that her friend hadn’t actually been hit, and ran over to cooper, “Garcia! We’ve got an officer down 16th West of Union Square!” 

Y/n was temporarily winded from the hit so she spent a second catching her breath. Her eye started stinging as the blood from her cheek started to run. She sat up slowly as an ambulance pulled up, the medics jumping out to help Cooper. 

One ran over to her but she quickly spoke, “I’m okay, just a flesh wound. Help him.” 

She pushed herself to her feet and stumbled over to Emily, still feeling a little woozy. She looked down at Cooper, assessing the hits he’d taken. They were both in his upper abdomen but he was still awake and still breathing so that was something.

Emily turned to face her, her hands still bloody, “Are you okay? I could have sworn he shot you!” 

“He did,” She paused, still breathing fast as she popped open her shirt and showed the vest, one bullet sitting directly over her heart. 

Emily laughed, partly because she was in shock and partly at the sheer luck of her friend, and pulled her in to a tight hug. 

“Oh, ow. Too tight,” Y/n said, patting her friends back. 

“Oh! I’m sorry,” She laughed, “Go take that off, let me see if there’s any bruising.” 

Prentiss helped undo the straps and, as predicted, a large bruise spanned from under her shirt across her left shoulder. 

Y/n winced assessing the damage and laughed ironically, “Well, it could have been worse.” 

“Yeah,” Emily smiled, her eyes still wide, “Let’s get you checked over.” 

“I’m fine-” 

“Y/n! You’re not fine, he almost killed you. Please, just see the damn paramedic,” Prentiss interrupted with a stern voice. 

She sighed, ultimately giving in, and let Emily put her arm around her for support. As they were walking to the second ambulance JJ and Morgan were running up. 

“Oh my god!” JJ spoke as they reached the pair, “Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine-” 

“She’s not fine! She was wearing a vest but you were still shot. And your face needs cleaning too,” Emily rattled off. 

“Alright,” Morgan started, “You’re coming with me.” 

Morgan quickly took her from Emily’s hold, letting Y/n lean on him as they walked over to the ambulance. A medic was already there with a tray of supplies and started cleaning her face right away. 

“You’re one lucky son of a bitch, you know that right?” Derek said, a deep frown etched on his features. 

“I know,” She spoke timidly. Morgan clapped his hand on her shoulder before walking back over to JJ and Emily. 

For the next five minutes all she could hear were the sounds of pedestrians walking by; sirens ringing a couple of blocks away; police tape being stretched and cut to map out the scene. 

“Y/n!” She heard distantly. 

“Y/n!” There is was again, closer this time. 

The sound of police tape stretching caught her attention and she looked to her left. Hotch came running through. He quickly caught her eye and ran over, assessing her from head to toe. 

“What happened? Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine, really. He shot me but it hit my vest,” She explained. 

“But your face-” 

“Just a flesh wound. Right, Doc?” She smirked at the medic who just nodded at the pair. The medic finished cleaning her up and let her stand, telling her to check in at the hospital if it gets worse. 

“You must be freezing,” Hotch muttered, noticing she was only wearing a vest, “Take this.” 

“Hotch-” 

“Take. It.” He said firmly, clearly not taking no for an answer. She stood still as he draped the fabric over her shoulders. It was far too long and the sleeves came over her arms, but it was warm and it smelt like him. 

Laughing, she held her arms out in front of her face, “Why are your arms so freakishly long?” 

“They’re not,” He grumbled, “Just roll up your sleeves.” 

He took her arm in his hands and started rolling up the sleeves for her, his eyes glancing at the vest that was resting against the ambulance. Y/n took a brief glance at what he was looking at before going back to watching his frowning face as he concentrated on rolling the sleeves of his suit jacket. 

“Y’know, I might get that made into a necklace. Remind me of the fragility of life,” She jested quietly. 

“Don’t remind me,” He muttered, cuffing the other sleeve higher on her arm. 

His frown had deepened and her smile dropped from her face, “Hotch.” 

He paused, his fingers lingering on the base of her wrist. 

“I’m okay,” She spoke, looking in his eyes. 

“I know.” 

“Let’s go find out what’s going on,” Y/n said, and Hotch nodded before the pair walked over to where Rossi, Reid and Joyner were stood. 

“We think we might have a serious problem,” Rossi spoke as he saw them approaching. 

“What is it?” Hotch asked. 

“We have multiple unsubs. They’re disciplined, they’re using counter-surveillance, they know the F.B.I movements, there’s a hierarchy. What does that usually equal?” Dave continued. 

“Terrorism,” Y/n breathed out. 

--- 

“So, how does this work?” Morgan asked, perched on a desk. 

The group had traveled back to the office quickly, wanting to get ahead of the potential attack. Everyone was stood around being briefed on what was to come. 

“The murders simulate a bombing,” Spencer said, “From there they station someone to watch and gauge police response time.” 

Derek nodded, “At which point they know when to bring in a second bomb.” 

“The goal is always to take out the first round of civilians, followed by a second wave of emergency responders,” Y/n spoke. She was stood next to Hotch who towered over her. She was still wearing his jacket despite it being plenty warm in the office.

“It’s crazy but it’s ingenious. They get a practice run and if someone catches the shooter they think they just have a murderer,” Reid says. 

“It’s lo-fi,” Kate added, “Smartest way to plan for a terrorist event.” 

“Creating panic ensures that they see the most urgent response times short of a bombing,” Hotch said, his arm brushing up against Y/n’s. 

JJ frowned, “So, there’s been seven different shooters?” 

“Having followers do the shootings would ensure they’re willing to kill or be killed for the cause,” Rossi said. 

“It fits the profile,” Prentiss nodded, “There is something larger at play. It’s similar to a gang initiation.” 

“Especially if they’re home grown, they haven’t had the chance to prove themselves,” Hotch observed. 

The shootings took place near points of entry into the city. If a bombing were to happen the emergency protocols would shut down any way in or out. Garcia had told the group that the unsubs had also hacked into the security cameras and had footage of every crime scene. 

“They hacked into one camera at every crime scene,” Garcia said before Morgan hung up the call. 

“So much for a theory,” Y/n said as she gazed up at Hotch, their expressions mirroring each others. 

“We need to hit the ground running,” Kate quickly stood up from her place. 

“I’m gonna head to the hospital. I’ll check on Cooper and brief Detective Brustin,” Emily said. 

Y/n quickly stood from her place, “I’ll come with you.” 

Emily nodded and Y/n quickly picked her gun up from the desk and slotted it back into the holster clipped to her waist. She started to leave but felt a soft grip on her arm. 

Looking back she saw Hotch looking at her with a frown, “Be careful.” 

“You too,” She said before turning and running to catch up with Prentiss. 

---

Y/n was stood outside the hospital after they’d checked in on Cooper. He had lost a lot of blood and was going to be in a bit of pain for a while, but he’d be okay. 

“Y/n!” Emily shouted, running out of the hospital. She looked a little frantic and was followed by Detective Brustin who was running to his cop car. 

“What? What’s going on?” 

“There’s been an explosion outside of the F.B.I building! A black SUV!” Emily shouted, approaching her quickly. 

Y/n turned and unlocked the car, jumping into the drivers seat and Emily followed into the passenger side. She quickly pulled out after the cop car and started following him as Emily said, “Just follow Brustin.” 

“Have you heard from anyone?” Y/n asked frantically as she switched on the sirens. 

And just like that, Emily’s phone rung, and she put it on speaker, “Is everyone okay?” 

“I’ve spoken to Rossi and Reid and Morgan’s on the line,” Garcia spoke. 

“Emily, where are you?” He asked. 

“We’re following Detective Brustin to one of the NYPD’s critical incident command posts!” 

“We? Is Y/n still with you?” Garcia asked quickly. 

“I’m right here, baby. I’m okay,” She responded, stepping on the gas. 

“Okay,” Garcia let out a relieved breath before continuing, “Has anyone heard from JJ?” 

“She was headed back to the hotel,” Emily replied. 

“In an SUV?” 

“I think so!” 

“Stay with me a minute, I’ll dial her mobile,” The blonde spoke. 

The number rung out for a moment but there was no answer. 

“What was that? What happened?” Morgan asked. 

“Try her again, she’s probably back at the hotel already,” Emily said frantically. 

“Garcia, have you heard from Hotch?” Y/n asked, the fear suddenly catching up to her. 

There was no response. 

“Garcia! Where’s Hotch?” Y/n repeated, her voice catching as she spoke. She couldn’t let herself be overwhelmed, she still had a job to do but she felt almost powerless in that moment. 

The line suddenly cut out, Emily’s cell making a beep before she snapped it shut. 

“Fuck,” Y/n ran a hand through her hair before slamming it back down on the wheel. 

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next chapter

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