unedited

TWENTY SIX. NO SHOT

HOTCH DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY DAISY WAS SMILING DOWN AT HER PHONE. She was doing the thing where she'd chuckle softly and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, something she did when she was struggling to pinpoint a single emotion. Her legs were kicked over Emily's lap, and her head was rested against the plane cabin wall. She was more settled now that the plane was in the air and they hadn't hit any turbulence. 

After they had caught the Unsub, who had used the Viper's methods of confronting the woman who hurt you first, there wasn't much left for them in Atlanta. A woman Spencer had spoken to had figured it out and been kidnapped as a result, but she was safe and unharmed for the most part. It was another relative success in the BAU record book. 

"What're you smiling at, Alvarez?" Derek walked through the aisle with a cup of coffee in his hands. His words drew the attention of the team, though Hotch was already sneaking glances her way. 

Daisy looked up like a deer in headlights, and dropped her phone into her lap. She plastered a sheepish grin on her flushed face. "Nothing."

Emily reached over and snatched her phone up, much to Daisy's discontent. The woman looked at the screen, her eyes widening a little. A surprised laugh escaped from her lips, and she smacked Daisy's leg. "You little rascal! You got his number?"

Jordan shot up with wide eyes. "Wait, seriously?!"

"Whose number?" Derek lowered himself into the seat opposite the couch, watching as Jordan rushed over to take the phone from Emily. Daisy sunk further into the cushions, trying to hide the fact that she was burning up. 

Emily bit her lip, trying to contain herself. Daisy rolled her eyes, before she waved at the dark haired woman to explain. "When we left the club last night, there were guys all over little miss thang over here. But there was one who convinced her to an arm wrestle; if he won, he got to buy her a drink, if she won..."

"He would still buy her a drink," Jordan finished, before gasping at one of the messages. "Daisy Alvarez, you naughty little-"

"That's enough," Hotch piped up, his voice sharp. The group looked over to see him mulling over paperwork, as he usually did when he had free time. It was only Rossi, who sat opposite him, who saw his clenched white knuckles and twitching left eye. "I'd prefer it if we didn't discuss our colleague's personal sex lives on a case."

"We are off the clock," Spencer pointed out, looking up from his second book of the flight. Hotch sent him an unimpressed look, but the genius didn't seem to notice the underlying irritation behind it. The young man too had gotten the number from someone he had met on the case, the woman who they had rescued from the Unsub when they caught him. 

It was silent for a few minutes, before Derek reached for the phone. Jordan glanced at Daisy for permission and she shrugged, so it was passed over. He looked over the texts, and snickered. "Good lord, Alvarez. Who is this guy, Patrick Dempsey?"

"I wish," Daisy muttered, gesturing for her device and catching it when Derek threw it her way. She didn't really mind the curiosity of her coworkers. They didn't like to pry in things that were too personal, but a fun romantic exploit with a hot stranger wasn't something she cared to hide. "He was gorgeous, though."

Jordan hummed in agreement. "Think Mario Lopez with a beard."

"Damn," Derek whistled, raising his cup to Daisy. She looked over at him, seeing an encouraging smile on his face. He knew what she was doing and why, and he wanted her to know that he'd be there to support her. Emily patted her leg, assuring the same. "Good for you, sweetheart."

Daisy returned the smile, before her eyes subconsciously flickered up to Hotch. He was no longer looking at her, but his tight jaw said more than words could. 

Rossi sipped his glass of whiskey and watched his friend in a knowing manner. "You had your shot, Aaron."

Hotch looked up at the bearded man, an unreadable expression on his face. As if realising that he was so on edge, the man forced his body to relax so that he wouldn't draw attention to himself. "Dave, it's not that simple."

Rossi shrugged, looking out the window with a deep sigh. He'd always had a flair for the dramatics. "Whatever you say, pal."

Hotch put his pen down and shut his eyes for a second, before he got to his feet. "I'll be back in a moment."

Rossi scoffed, though a smile played at his lips. "Take your time. You're good at that."

Hotch rolled his eyes, walking through the plane and past the team. He felt a few pairs of eyes on him, but he didn't acknowledge any of them, he just kept moving until he was in the small bar area at the back of the jet. There weren't many places to be by yourself in a flying tin can, which only made it harder to contain his emotions. 

He busied himself, reaching for a bottle of water and a snack to eat. He took his time, trying to settle whatever he was feeling. On the outside, not many could tell he was conflicted internally. He still appeared serious and at times bored. However, it wasn't enough to fool a team of profilers. 

"Hotch," Derek stepped into the enclosed space, one hand at his side and the other putting his coffee mug in the dirty dish drawer. His eyes were trained on the unit chief, having noticed his tells. 

"Yes?" Hotch's response was nothing more than a mutter. Derek quirked an eyebrow, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. Hotch finally looked over, his lips pressed into a thin line. 

"She's not doing anything wrong by moving on," Derek's voice was low in volume, but still firm in tone. Hotch tensed a little at his words. He'd figured it out too. Derek shifted his weight from foot to foot, though his expression didn't really change. "You can't blame her if you didn't want her in the first place."

Hotch didn't know how to respond to that. He was at a loss for words - all he tried to do was be mature and think rationally. That was what he always did, and it usually worked out. 

But the fierce jealously bubbling inside him said otherwise.

★☆

"Maybe it's not a terrible idea that you're looking for someone else," Rhea said through a mouthful of popcorn. Usually she'd finish it halfway through the movie, but she'd gotten so into it she'd forgotten to eat. 

Daisy smiled softly, throwing her finished drink in the bin and wiping the condensation on her trousers. She had the day off and decided to spend it with her best friend, knowing she'd be able to take a break from the intensity of work. "Yeah, maybe."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Rhea quirked an eyebrow suspiciously, and Daisy scoffed in response, shaking her head. Rhea reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her from walking away. "Daisy, you called me in tears the night he rejected you, and you hardly ever cry. This guy has more power over you than you think, and if you don't step up and sort your shit out, you're gonna end up with a one sided crush."

Daisy hung her head, twisting her shoe into the patterned carpet of the cinema foyer. "I know. It's just-"

"Nope, I'm not accepting a bullshit excuse," Rhea cut her off impatiently. She stood in front of Daisy and squatted so that she could meet the woman's downcast gaze. Daisy couldn't help but smile a little at the amusing sight. "Daisy, that guy from Atlanta was all over you. You can land anyone you want, you know that, right?"

Daisy didn't believe her, but she couldn't deny the slight boost in confidence. "But Rhea-"

Rhea held a finger up to silence her. She put her popcorn bucket between her feet and wiped her hands before she pulled out her phone and tapped the keyboard aggressively. Seconds later, she squealed. "Okay, team! Time to get you looking sexy, cause I just got you a date with the hottest teacher at work."

Daisy's eyes widened. "You mean that guy who calls himself 'big dick'?"

"Richard Whittle," Rhea hummed with a wide grin. "I mean, none of us have ever seen it, but ever since you came to the Christmas party, he hasn't stopped bugging me to set you two up. Now, I get to use his printing pass for the rest of the semester!"

Daisy couldn't help but chuckle. She ran her hands through her hair and mulled the idea over. It was one date, with a good looking guy, hopefully with a sense of humour. Not to mention, her friend got perks. "Okay, fine."

Rhea cheered, throwing her hands in the air and rushing forward to embrace Daisy. 

Daisy pulled back for a second. "If he asks to touch my gun, I swear to God-"

★☆

daisy's got a date!!!!! how are we feeling about that team??

i went out clubbing last night and i got back at 5AM!!!!!!!! so i've been sleeping all day lmao and uni goes back tomorrow so uhhh i have no idea when i'm gonna update next but hopefully it'll be soon!!!!