It had been almost a month since Emily's funeral.

While briefing there was always one chair next to you that was left open. But things were starting to get back to normal.

Looking forward to things was the only thing that kept you going. You and Aaron's anniversary was in a few months. Christmas and New Year's were getting closer.

But it was that time of the year where everyone had to test for their gun qualification. You had been sitting in some room that was in the basement of the building for hours. Watching people come up and shoot at a piece of paper. Naming various limbs was starting to get annoying.

You had already passed the other members of the other teams you oversee. You walked back into the little office and called Aaron's office line.

"Hotchner." He answered.

"Can you bring your sweet self, and the rest of the profilers down here." You smiled

"Yes, ma'am." He said and hung up. You made your way to the hallway. You sat in the open chairs that were lined up against the wall. Flipping through papers and checking old scores you saw Emily still had her sheet. You took it out from between the other papers and walked it over to the trash can.

"Have been down here in a while," JJ said.

"Yeah, it gets dusty." You said and looked around the hall. You gestured for everyone to take a seat.

"You all know how this goes. I'll tell you to unholster your gun and tell you what to shoot. You pass, you walk away with a gun, you don't pass, you come back in a week." Everyone nodded along. You gestured for JJ to follow you into the room.

You watched as she put on the glasses and earmuffs. She was waiting for you to speak and soon you did.

"Left-arm." You shouted and soon heard a loud gunshot.

You should be used to this by now cause you've been doing this all day.

After she finishes you give her your score and ask her to bring in Derek. He repeats the whole process and he passes too.

You had been training Spencer for a while because he wasn't the best shot. He had been doing better, just enough to pass.

"You did well." You said and took off the earmuffs.

"What did I get?" He asked and walked over to you.

"All you need to know is you did well."

"You tend to sugar coat things, so just give me a number." He looks over to your clipboard. You hold it against your body.

"78." He lets out a deep breath. "You were off some times, and when I said lower stomach you shot his junk, and I don't remember teaching you that."

"I think it's the only thing I've failed at." He hung his head.

"You didn't fail-"

"But I barely passed."

"You don't need to retake it, look at it like that."

He sighed and nodded his head. Putting a hand on his shoulder you walked him back to the hall. You watched as he walked to the elevator.

Once he was out of your eye line your eye fell to Aaron who was the only person left.

"Come on." You said and he followed you in. He had a devilish smirk on his face.

"Don't look at me like that." You said and took your seat in the corner.

"Look at you like what?" He asked and walked over to you.

"You know the look." He snaked his arms around your sides.

"I don't."

"The 'I'm gonna bend you over right here' look."

His eyes never left yours when he pulled you close to his chest. You wanted to kiss him so bad. But you two had strict rules about PDA at work. Ever since that day Emily walked in on you two.

He gave you a disappointed face when he stepped away. You straighten out your back telling him you were serious. He moved to the station.

It wasn't hard to stay professional, it was a lot easier when there was a gun in his hand.

"Good job." You said and he holstered his gun.

"What did I get?" He asked and walked back to you.

"You passed and that's all you need to know." You take out all the papers from the clipboard. Before you had a chance to take them out of reach he snatched them from your hand.

"99? Really?" He laughed.

"I don't make the rules." You said and took the papers back.

You both walked back to the elevator together. His hand was on your back. When you stopped and the elevator door, he wrapped himself around you. His arms coming around to your front.

Finally giving yourself a minute to relax. It seems like the past month went by in the blink of an eye. You all have been working nonstop. You were only home long enough to wash your clothes and maybe have a full meal.

Derek had come to you one day talking about finding Doyle and of course, you were on board. So keeping a huge secret from Aaron may be causing you to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. But you need to know now the man you killed your best friend is going to be caught. So throughout most days, you would sneak to Derek's office to talk with him and Penelope.

"Why are you so tense?" You were so caught up in your thought you hadn't noticed he was rubbing your shoulders.

"I have so much to do and it feels like I haven't slept in my bed for 2 weeks when I know that's where I was last night." You shut your eyes and enjoy his touch.

"Yeah, I was there I remember. You were wearing a tank top and no bra." He kissed your neck. "And if I remember correctly you were only wearing underwear." He brought his lips to your neck again.

"Can you blame me, it constantly feels like it's 80 degrees."

"That's why I said come home with me." He turns you in his arms so you're facing him. He lifts your chin with his finger. He brings his lips as lightly as possible.

The sound of the elevator door dinging brought your two back to earth.

"I don't know why I don't listen." You said stepping inside the elevator. He followed right behind you.

You had agreed to go back to his house because he keeps it much colder, and in this weather, it doesn't sound half bad.

The ride up was a good kinda silence. You were just enjoying the fact that he was with you.

When you reach your floor, you see that no one walked back to their desks. They were in a small huddle by the glass door. Before you had a chance to ask what they were doing Penelope came bursting out of her office.

She was stomping in her 5-inch heels.

"How bad is it?" You asked.

"These pictures- I've lost all faith for the people in Florida." Everyone laughed as she walked past.

"How was she hired again?" You asked jokingly.

"It was either hire her or arrest her," Aaron said and started walking to the bullpen.

"Wait what?!" You followed him. Everyone that was behind you started laughing.

Penelope getting arrested. No.

No one was answering your question. They just kept laughing. You walked up the stairs and turned your attention to Penelope.

"Is it true you were arrested?" You asked

Her eyes widened.

"3 bodies have been found in Miami, Florida in the past 2 weeks." She ignored your question. "They were all found severely beaten. Most of the bruises from on there's the stomach." The pictures of the girls popped up on the tv.

"Where were they found?" Derek asked.

"The alleyway of a factory. They were found by workers around the same time." She said and took a seat.

"Was it the same factory?" You asked but she shook her head.

"So he wasn't targeting a company or the CEO," Derek said and took a sip of his coffee.

"He has a type." Reid pointed to the pictures.

They all looked like you. Same colored hair. Same figure. Not again.

"Yeah...me." You said mostly to yourself. But when you looked up everyone was looking at you. Aaron was not amused.

"They were all last seen at a local bar, their friends said they were going to meet there," Penelope said.

Fuck they do look like me. The last time there was a case with girls that looked like me, 8 found out my piece of shit ex was assaulting other girls.

I could've stopped it. Just because I got out doesn't mean he was gonna stop with me. I know that. I know offenders will find another target. But I still didn't say anything.

Those girls could still be alive if I had reported him.

But who would've believed me? I put on such an act that even I started to think I was happy.

I could've saved those girls from their suffering.

"Wheels up in 30." Aaron stood up from his seat and everyone soon followed.

You picked up the pictures you had been staring at.

"You ok?" Penelope asked.

"Yeah." You put on the best smile you could. She bought it. She walked out the back going to meet with Derek.

Keeping your head down you walked across the catwalk to your desk. Someone was watching you. You didn't try to find the eyes, just kept your head down.

"Do you wanna sit this one out?" Aaron whispered. You didn't hear him come done from his office.

"I can handle it." You weren't looking you him, which told him everything he needed to know.

"I didn't ask if you could handle it, I asked if you wanted to sit this one out."

"I can do my job."

That was the best answer he was gonna get and he knew it. He watched you for another second then walked away. Letting your shoulders fall you grab your go-bag.

Thankfully it was only Derek who was waiting for the elevator.

"You ready for hot and sunny Miami?" He asked.

"Not when you wear slacks and a blazer all day." You gestured to your clothes.

"Yeah, you're gonna melt." He smiled.

The ride to the airport was very quiet but you didn't mind it. The flight was 2 long hours. Your thoughts were filled with regret.

He's in jail, stop letting him control your life.

You played chess with Reid and let him win. He noticed the win was too easy so you kept playing. But when you beat him he wouldn't accept it.

When he was going through the game in his head, the plane took a turn and the chessboard slid off the table. You laughed as he pouted at the fallen pieces.

"We'll play on the way back." You smiled and helped him pick everything up.

When the plane landed you could feel the heat coming through the window. When you stepped off is when you felt it.

"Yeah, I can't do this." You said and slipped out of your blazer. Everyone laughed. "Hey, I grew up in Connecticut where it snowed half of the time and summers weren't that hot."

Everyone packed away in the cars. Thankfully the police station wasn't that far.

Spencer groaned when he stepped out of the car. "Is it always this hot."

"Everyday all day," Derek said and pulled his sunglasses to the tip of his nose as he watched two girls walk by.

"Don't be a perv." You slapped his arm. There was laughter but it wasn't from anyone on the team. You looked up and saw some lady.

"FBI?" Her attention was already on Derek.

"Yes."

"Detective Lopez Miami P.D." She reached her hand and Derek happily took it.

"Morgan. Derek." He had his smirk.

"Tina."

Oh god

Her attention finally left Derek to face Aaron.

"Agent Hotchner." He shook her hand. "These are Agents Jareau, Rossi, and Morgan. These are Drs. Reid and L/N." You and Reid waved.

"I hope there's not a test cause I'm lousy with names." She said and her eyes landed back on Derek.

This should be fun.

~~~~~

"Let's get back to this tomorrow."

You and Reid and finally nailed down a geographic profile when Aaron called it a night. The profile was going to be given to the police tomorrow morning.

You hated to admit it but this guy was good. No trace, even having been to a bar. Penelope couldn't get an angle on the security cameras.

When it came to being in hotel rooms you and Aaron had come to an agreement that you take the first shower. He didn't mind because he went over files again, even though there was nothing new.

You walk out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped tightly around you. You walk over to the side of the bed and grab shorts and a shirt.

You heard him stand from the little desk in the front of the room, but you didn't both to look up. From the corner of your eye you saw him stand next to you.

When you turn to face him, his eyes are soft. He kissed your forehead and grabbed his bag. It was just a small gesture but you felt your face get hot and your eyes fill.

I must be getting my period.

You threw on your clothes and flopped on the bed. Flipping through channels, passing all the news stations. You were tired of seeing dead bodies. Giving up on the tv you stare out the balcony.

It's too hot.

Seeing palma trees move against the wind, you take that as an invitation to go out.

You unlock the door and step out. The rubber mat in the floor felt weird against your bare feet. You walked to the railing and looked out to the lit up city.

At least it cools down at night.

You start to rub your thumbs together as you cloud your minds with your thoughts.

A car honking blew you is what brought you back to earth. You shake your head and exhale deeply.

Bringing your hand to your face you rub your eyes realizing how tired you actually were. You were about to turn around when you felt some creep up behind you.

Balling your hands into a fist you turn on your heels. Being your hand mid air it was stopped.

"Hey." Aaron's voice was muffled. Your eyes were on his but you hadn't processed what was happening.

He squeezes your hand lightly.

"Oh shit." You whispered to yourself. "I'm so sorry." You were starting to choke on your words.

"It's ok." He wrapped your arm around him to bring you closer. His hand cradled the back of your head. Your forehead rested on his shoulder as you let out a sob.

You let out weak apologies but he didn't say anything, just held you tighter.

What the fuck is wrong with you.

He started to back up into the room. You opened your eyes when you felt the carpet under your feet.

Your legs hit the back of the bed. You sat down and hung your head trying to catch your breath. The bed dipped as he sat next to you. He rubbed circles on your back.

Licking your lips and exhaling deeply you lift your head. He had been watching you closely.

"I'm fine." You said before he had a chance to ask.

He raised his eyebrows and did not believe a word you said.

Even though he didn't believe you, he didn't say anything. He knew pushing you to talk wasn't going to do any good.

Once he felt you stop shaking he motioned for you to lay on the bed. You laid back on top of the covers. He shut off the light next to you and walked to his side of the bed.

"Can you do me a favor?" You asked.

"Anything." He didn't hesitate.

"Can you lay on top of me?" He couldn't hide your confusion.

"What?"

"To help settle the nervous system." You explained but he was still confused.

"So a hug?"

"Yeah but it's constant pressure." You opened up your arms.

"I would crush you." He said and laid down next to you.

Yet your arms were still open. After a second of watching you he knew you weren't going to keep asking, so he gave in.

He didn't put his whole body on you even after you reassured him he wasn't going to crush you. His head was on your chest and his arms wrapped around you.

This is all you needed.

~~~~~

Another day had come and gone, a lot of progress had been made but a killer was still out there.

If you guys had the timeline right he was going to take another girl today. Everyone had been doing there's best to make that not happen.

When 5 o'clock rolled around you were on your second redbull. After your first couple of months everyone stopped questioning your choices of caffeine.

"I have a headache." You fold your arms on the table and put your head in them.

"It's because of all the caffeine you're drinking." Aaron said and took the cab from you.

"I just opened that." You tried to grab it before it was out of reach.

There was a laugh from Rossi. He never understood caffeinated drinks. "Just drink coffee" is what he always said. The room fell silent as you walked up to the evidence board.

The girls had been dumped a good distance away from each other. So he was going out of his way to hide himself.

Victimology had been the same across the board. You could still see the girl's dead bodies covered in blood and bruises when you close your eyes.

"We could send in Y/N." JJ said breaking the silence.

"No." Aaron was the first to say something.

"Aaron." You said.

You gestured for him to follow you out. You found an empty interrogation room. He walked in first and you shut the door behind you.

"I'm not letting you go in there." He said.

"You have too, it's the only way we're gonna catch this guy."

"It's too dangerous." He was giving you his boss face. The crossed arms, emotionless face.

"The overprotective thing is cute, but I need to do this." You grab his hand.

"This guy is dangerous."

"I know I'm working the case." You smiled.

"Not funny." His face fell, if that was even possible.

You mumbled an apology and reached your hands up to the back of his head. His hands wrapped around your sides.

His eyes never left yours, his grip was tight. He was reading you so you stayed as calm as possible.

"Everyone's gonna be in a van right outside." He said.

"I know."

"And if anything goes wrong, we'll be in there before you know it."

"I know." You repeated.

You couldn't tell if he was trying to reassure you or him. You pulled his head down and placed your lips on his.

"You do know I have the ability to take him done on my own right?" You asked when you pulled him back.

"I know you can but-"

"Just kick him where the sun doesn't shine." You smiled.