Dearest, Darling (S.R)

Chapter One

"Hey, can you hold the doors, please?" A soft voice shouted to me. I looked up, holding a hand out to top the doors from closing as a tall, lanky man stepped into the lift next to me.

"Thank you," he smiled, adjusting the strap of his bag on his shoulder.

"You're welcome," I replied, offering a small smile back. He reached in front of me to push the button for his floor only to drop his hand back down at his side as he realised I'd already pressed it. An awkward silence hung in the air and I glanced sideways at the strange man: he was so tall, I barely reached his shoulders. He must have noticed my not-so-subtle staring as he nervously tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear, adjusting his strap again. 

The lift doors opened and the tall man hurried out away from me, leaving only the oaky smell of his aftershave lingering behind. I followed him out, stopping in my tracks as I took in my surroundings, my heart suddenly beating hard in my chest. A lump formed in my throat, my stomach tightening as I started to feel very overwhelmed all of a sudden by the utter chaos of the bullpen. Maybe I wasn't cut out for this.

"Are you looking for Hotch's office?" The man asked, turning around to face my direction but not quite looking at me, pulling me back from my thoughts.

"Aaron Hotchner? Yeah," I nodded. It took all my strength to keep my hands still at my sides, not wanting to show how nervous I was. 

"It's just up those stairs, first door on your right." He offered up another small smile in encouragement before hurrying off towards his desk, his shoulders hunched over, eyes still scanning the floor.

"Thank you," I replied, heading in the direction that he'd gestured in. My felt boots awkwardly heavy as I made my way up the staircase as if I'd suddenly forgotten how to walk. One foot in front of the other moron, I thought, pull yourself together.

"You must be Special Agent Dr Madeline Parker," the man said as he opened the door. He stuck a hand out to me, "I'm Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, pleasure to have you on our team. I've heard excellent things about you."

"Please, call me Maddie but thank you, I'm excited to be here!" I replied, trying not to blush at the compliment as I shook his hand. I followed him into his office, sitting myself down in the seat opposite him. 

"Here is your badge, your gun and your work phone and ear piece. Garcia's sorted everything out so you should be able to contact all of us with no problem," he explained, sliding the items across the desk to me. "Did you get all of the paperwork signed and sent off?"

"Yes I did, thank you, sir." If i wasn't nervous before, I certainly was now. Hotch had to be one of the most intimidating people I had ever met, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd never smiled a day in his life. He was so neat and sharp, his suit fitting him perfectly and there wasn't a single piece of hair on his head out of place. I couldn't decide if it terrifying or just really really attractive. Definitely both, I mused to myself.

"If you don't have any questions, how about I show you to your desk and introduce you to the rest of the team?" He asked, moving towards his door before waiting for my reply.

"That would be great," I replied, standing up after him, "lead the way." 

As we descended back down the stairs, I couldn't focus on anything Agent Hotchner was saying to me due to the intense, not so subtle stares I was getting from a group of people stood gathering around a desk, the tall elevator guy included.

"Alright everyone, I'd like you to meet SSA Dr Maddie Parker, she's just transferred from Scotland Yard to join our team here." Hotch announced to the group.