Yes Sir [Hotch X Reader]

Chapter 32

"Hey guys," you greet nonchalantly as you enter the room. The entire team is staring through the glass at the unsub. He's cuffed to the table and looking straight ahead. Barely even blinking.

"There you are" Emily greets you, pulling you into a hug "is everything alright?"

"Of course, Em" you nod "why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, you saved Hotch from almost getting killed" Reid points out "We thought you might be a bit shaken."

"Saved him?" Cole questions, shooting you an impressed look.

"She did" Derek nods before you can respond "saw it myself. She's the one that caught the unsub too." He gives you a congratulatory pat on the shoulder.

"I just did what I could" you shrug, feeling heat rising to your face.

"I'm thoroughly impressed, y/n" Cole says "great work on your part."

"Thank you, ma'am" you accept the compliment politely.

"How's Hotch?" JJ asks lightly, placing a hand on your shoulder.

"I think he's trying to downplay it a bit, but he's fine," you say honestly. "I think it would be best if we didn't bring it up for now."

As if on cue, Aaron opened the door and walked in. You couldn't help but stare at him, and you had a feeling you weren't the only one. He had fixed his hair for starters, and the team obviously noticed his missing tie.

More than that, though, you couldn't help but smile at the button that was left purposefully undone. You couldn't be sure, but it looked like maybe he had unbuttoned another one, leaving just slightly more skin exposed for your benefit. You could tell he was suppressing a smile when he looked at you, and he quickly looked away.

"Has anyone talked to him yet?" He asks, decidedly ignoring the stares he was getting. The red lines were still visible on his neck. You were surprised that he took your advice and didn't try to hide them, given his feelings about the other scars on his body.

"No, not yet" Rossi is the first to reply "we figured you should have a fair shot at him."

"What do we know about him?" Hotch asks, taking a file that Reid hands him.

"Richard Newcrest, 37. Recently divorced and living in Manassas, Virginia."

"If I had to guess, I'd say he's the dominant partner" you suggest "it'll be hard to tell, though, until we talk to him."

"It would make sense" Emily nods "have the submissive grab and run and the dominant fight." It did make sense. No submissive partner would have enough confidence to fight someone like that, especially not Hotch. He was burly, tall, and intimidating physically. Definitely not someone a submissive partner would have the confidence to take on.

You all nod in agreement as Hotch stares through the glass window. He seemed deep in contemplation for a moment before turning back to face the team.

"I need to go talk to the Sheriff before I go in," he says "y/n, the thermostat please." And with that, he leaves the room.

"Thermostat?" Cole asks.

"It's a trick that Hotch tells all the new hires," you explain as you click the dial "you lower the temperature and make the room cold. It places the unsub on edge."

"She's a teacher's pet," Morgan teases "she knows all the old Hotchner tricks."

"Please," you chuckle "you act like he invented it."

"Speaking of Hotch," Cole said, "is he doing this by himself?"

"Um, maybe" you shrug. What did she care? "Why, did you want to go in?"