(3) Leap in the Dark

The drive to the bar is quite fun. It's an about twenty-minute drive down to Georgetown. The fun part is that Prentiss sat down in the front, and you are now boxed in between JJ and Hotchner. Obviously, you lean closer to him so that your shoulders touch the entire time. He's wearing a trench coat just as you are, and they make a noise rubbing against each other.

You left your suitcase in the back of your car and only carry your bag. Hotchner has his briefcase stuffed between his legs, which are way too long and sturdy to properly fit behind Prentiss' seat. Consequently, your legs are touching as well.

So far, your resolution of calming down isn't working out very well.

Whereas JJ and Prentiss are talking, Hotchner is stubbornly looking out the window, not participating in the conversation. The car stops, and he quickly opens the door to get out. When you scoot over to follow him, you drag your bag behind you. As you swing your legs out of the car, you see Hotchner offering you his hand.

Smiling, you take it and let him pull you to your feet. He holds your hand just a second longer than necessary before he lets go.

Out of all of you, Hotchner stands out, looking way more formal in his suit attire.

The bar plays loud music in the back, so Prentiss chooses a booth that's somewhat in the middle, where you can still understand each other without having to yell.

After taking off their coats, her and JJ make their way over to the bar, leaving Hotchner and you sitting next to each other. You're not sure if he is actually enjoying himself as he still looks extremely stern.

You lift your arms and reach for him. Just before you touch him, you ask: "May I?"

His eyes followed your hands diligently and now he blinks at your question, probably not sure what you are referring to.

"Yes." He answers, nevertheless.

Grabbing the knot of his tie, you loosen it until you can pull it off. Feeling bold, you open the first two buttons of his shirt. You see him swallow hard, but he doesn't protest. Instead, as soon as you take your hands away, he takes off his suit jacket by himself and rolls up his sleeves.

Giving you a smile, he says: "Thanks, I forget how to dress when I'm not at work."

You bite your bottom lip and meet his dark eyes. Getting lost in them, you forget to answer.

When JJ and Prentiss return with the drinks, you clear your throat and scoot a little away from Hotchner, only now realizing that you two have been sitting as close together as you did in the cab.

- - - - - - - - - -

A man approaches your table while Hotchner is in the restroom. JJ, Prentiss, and you turn to look at him. He starts talking to you. For the sake of it, you pretend to be interested in what he is saying. Emily and JJ chime in as well.

"What do you do for work?" You ask him.

He smiles like he waited for you to ask that: "I'm an FBI agent."

"No way!" Prentiss exclaims, pretending to be amazed.

"What's it like in Quantico?"

"That's classified." He states confidently.

"What department are you in?" JJ asks, propping her head up on her hand.

He shows a smut grin: "That's classified."

"Aww!" You pout. Leaning closer, you ask: "Can we see your badge?"

"That's…"

"Classified." You all answer in union.

"Tell me…" Hotchner steps behind him, startling him with his rough voice. Flashing his badge, he asks: "Does it look anything like this?"

"Or this?" You show yours as the others do as well.

The man's mouth falls open and his eyes dart between you all. Then he just turns on his heels and walks away.

You start laughing, even Hotchner letting out a chuckle.

"Well, now you're officially part of the team." JJ states and raises her bottle to tap it against yours.

It makes you smile brightly: "Does that happen often?"

"More than you'd think." Prentiss shakes her head.

"I mean…I get the appeal." You say between two sips.

Hotchner's head whips around: "The appeal?"

"It is kind of…never mind." You clear your voice and turn to the others: "Next round?"

"Yes!" Prentiss enthusiastically jumps to her feet.

When they are out of earshot, Hotchner leans closer, raises his eyebrow, and asks with a low voice: "The appeal?"

You curse under your breath, finding his eyes again: "Sorry. That…slipped out."

"Hmh." His eyes dart over your face.

Helplessly, you look for JJ and Prentiss who are still at the bar.

"I should go help them." You say, not knowing what else to do.

But before you even get the chance to stand up, Hotchner grabs your wrist. You freeze.

"Tell me."

"Oh God." You shake your head. He's not letting go of your wrist. Both of you had almost three beers each. Maybe that's why both of you feel a little bold.

"It's hot, okay!" You blurt out.

His eyes widen: "What?"

"For fucks sake, don't make me say it again!"

Hotchner's lips twitch and you see his neck getting red. Still holding your wrist, he tugs on it until you lean closer.

"What is?" Somehow his voice is even darker than before.

You run your free hand over your forehead and through your hair, trying to feel less buzzed.

One case. You managed to be on one case with this team before wanting to fuck your boss.

"I need to get some fresh air."

As soon as you say that, Hotchner lets go of you, and you quickly walk around the table, heading for the exit.

- - - - - - - - - -

Putting some distance between you and the entrance of the bar, you take a few deep breaths. Be professional.

How the fuck does this man hold such a power over you?

Leaning against the brick wall of the building, you look up at the sky. Not that you can see much of it since the street lanterns are way too bright.

You take out your phone and check the time. It would be appropriate to leave. But you don't want to.

The battle inside of you – one side wanting to flirt with Hotchner until you make him blush again, the other side screaming to not risk the job you just got – gets interrupted by the husky voice that ought to be your downfall:

"Are you okay?"

You turn your head and want to scream at how gorgeous he looks in the warm light of the street lantern. His raven hair a little disheveled, his hands in the pockets of his dress pants, his shirt wrinkling where he rolled it up to his elbows, and his goddamn broad shoulders casting a shadow over you.

Looking back up at the night sky, you answer: "I'm alright."

You hear how he steps closer when his shoes hit the pavement, making a crunching sound.

Hotchner leans against the wall next to you, your shoulders touching again. Then you just stand there. You're not sure whether he is looking at you, or at the sky, or somewhere else.

But you feel the heat of his skin beneath his shirt.

Slowly, so slowly that you could play it off as accidental, you let your hand fall down, letting it dangle next to his. He seems to feel the heat of the back of your hand because he moves his towards yours.

Then his index finger brushes yours.

It's just the fraction of a second, but it makes your skin tingle.

Then it happens again. You have to suppress inhaling loudly.

Lightly, you press your shoulder into his upper arm.

When it happens the third time, you open your palm and turn your wrist, stopping his hand from leaving yours.

Ever so slightly, Hotchner intertwines his fingers with yours.

The hairs on his forearm rub against your skin and you get goosebumps. Both of you are breathing shallowly. Your heart pounding, you move your hand down to fully grab his.

He instantly squeezes your hand and lets his thumb run over the back of it.

Then you just stand there again. Traffic rushing by. The street lantern flickering now and then. Neither of you daring to turn their head towards the other.

When you think of JJ and Prentiss probably wondering where you are, you push yourself off the wall and gently tuck your hand out of Hotchner's grasp.

"We should get back inside."

You look into his eyes, dark and wide open.

"Yeah." He whispers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Your alarm makes your eyes shoot open instantly. You're almost glad that it interrupted the graphic dream you just had, about…it's obvious about who, isn't it?

Sighing, you turn on the water in your shower and try to clear your thoughts. You have to get to Bethesda for a lecture before heading back into D.C. to work on your report at the BAU.

You try to keep busy by choosing clothes, eating breakfast, and loudly listening to music.

Regretting that you left your car at headquarters, you have to take a cab to the metro. It takes longer than usual to get to campus like that and you have to hurry to not run late. With coffee in one hand, you almost throw your briefcase on the table at the front of the lecture hall. It's a great day to have assistants who prepare everything for you.

Just when you connect your laptop to the projector, the last students sit down. Taking a deep breath, you start your lecture.

You're in the last quarter when the door tom your right is opened quietly. Out of the corner of your eye you see someone enter. You decide to ignore them and go on regardless. However, when you slightly turn to point at the slide behind you, your gaze brushes over them. You do a double take and realize that it's Hotchner.

You hesitate just for a second before continuing. At least you're experienced enough to finish your lecture without being thrown off by your surprise. When you're done and everyone gets up after clapping, you see the tall figure that is your SSA come closer.

Side-eying him, you pack up your stuff and ask: "Learned something?"

"A little." He teases.

You look at him and raise an eyebrow: "Well, you were late."

Hotchner takes a step closer: "My apologies, Professor. Traffic." He shrugs his shoulders, his lips forming into a grin.

You empty your now cold coffee and throw the cup away, making a grimace at the taste.

"What are you doing here?"

"Picking you up for work." He tells you like it's the most obvious thing.

It makes you whip your head around.

"You left your car at headquarters."

Your mouth falls open.

Clearing your voice, you say: "Alright then. Lead the way."

- - - - - - - - - -

Being FBI agent through and through, Hotchner didn't bother to find a parking spot. Instead, he just parked right in front of the building. Students watch curiously, as you get in the SUV that looks even more giant in these surroundings.

He speeds off towards D.C. You go through your notes and write down what you have to repeat or explain further in next week's lecture.

Hotchner drives quietly while you write.

When you put everything back into your bag neatly, you ask: "Don't you have to be at the office already?"

He smiles: "They'll manage."

You take a deep breath several times as if you were to say something but don't manage to.

Eventually, you blurt out: "You're hot. I was talking about you when I said that."