The Stars | Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 44: New Moon

It was funny how so many things could change in the span of a week.

The Winchesters had sent you packing from the Dick Roman case a couple months ago when they realized about how out of their depth they were, and you all knew they would need more back up if they were to even have a shot at taking him down. You still had your task force duties at the time, so you reluctantly agreed to leave and let them figure out a new plan, but made them promise that you could be there for the big showdown.

You had told Aaron that you would be leaving again to help the Winchesters-- though you simply said "your friends"-- right after you called to let him know you came home safely. He was hesitant to let you go, but he knew he couldn't actually hold you back, so he came to accept your decision after a few days, worrying all the while for your safety.

Which is why you dreaded telling him what the phone call you received at two in the morning was about. But, you knew you had to stop Dick Roman, or there wouldn't be anything or anyone to go home to.

The phone rang as you waited for Aaron to pick up, as you had promised that you would call him that you were going to leave. No matter the time of day.

You were going to start packing up if he didn't answer the first time, but his voice filled your ear by the fifth ring.

"Hotchner," his voice rumbled, roughened from sleep yet as alert as you'd ever heard him.

"The call came," you said, too afraid to outright say you might be heading to your death.

He picked up on the deeper meaning, and your hand shook in anticipating his response. He said he understood that you had to go, and that he would try to not make it hard for you to leave, but going through a fire is much different than saying you'll be able to do it.

"Don't leave," he said. And by God, you teared up at the hitch in his breath, resisting the urge to give into his request for the sake of the world. "I'll be there in ten." The call clicked as he hung up, and you stayed staring at the wall as you processed the brief conversation, most of it unspoken.

And somehow— not somehow, you knew exactly why— "I'll be there in ten" hurt you more than a bullet to the stomach.

Aaron coming over meant that he thought you weren't coming back, or that he was going to try to convince you to stay. You knew that he wouldn't think you're too weak to handle it, but that he knew that anything in life wasn't guaranteed, and making it through unscathed— or even alive— was a slim chance. On the other hand, if he begged you to stay, you'd hate to break his heart when you chose to still leave. Or worse, give in and stay with Aaron to leave the entire weight of humanity's fate on the Winchesters. They didn't even have Bobby to rely on anymore, and they'd already been through Hell and back.

You didn't know which outcome would be more heartbreaking.

Shaking your head to clear your thoughts, you started gathering your things to get ready and meet up with Sam and Dean.

You had already had most of your battle gear packed up for easy transport, so once you finished, you sent a text to the group chat you had with the Jeffersonian, which included Bones, Booth, Hodgins, Angela, and Cam. Luckily, you had already explained the situation with the Winchesters when you had gotten back from your previous trip with them, so you didn't spend too much time explaining.

To Superior Squints

2:17 AM - Jack, I'll need your jet again to meet up with the Winchesters. It's the end game now, and idk what will happen. If you don't hear from me, know that I love yall and I am so sorry if I fail.