Change My Mind ~ Criminal Minds (Aaron Hotchner x OC)

50.0: Coping With Reality

A/N: This story is based on 6x20 Hanley Waters and Emily's funeral is talked about a bit

"But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile can change all of mine"
― Jack Johnson

Crystal shifted when she heard a phone buzzing, Crystal's eyes fluttered open and she sighed as she reached over to the table. Crystal felt something shift under her, her eyes then widen.

Oh, I'm still at Hotch's house.

"Who is it?" Hotch asked, his voice was raspy and Crystal handed him the phone. "It's yours, not mine." Hotch hummed as he checked his phone, "It's Jess, she's going to come take Jack to school."

Crystal closed her eyes again, Hotch rubbed her back and sighed. "Strauss has decided to give the team 2 days off, they're planning to have Prentiss's funeral..." Crystal tensed before nodding, "That's nice of her."

Hotch looked down at her and booped her nose, "You have something on your face." Crystal frowned as she wiped her face, she didn't find anything there. "You said the same thing when your arm was shot, are you just messing with me now?" Hotch chuckled as he just held her closer, he didn't answer her question but she didn't mind.

Hotch tightened his hold on her, "So we have 2 days of rest, will you be okay?" Crystal hummed as he continued to rub her back, they stayed like that and she listened to his heartbeat as it lulled her back to sleep.

The next time she woke up it was because of a knock at the door, Crystal moved her head to look up at Hotch. "Hotch." She whispered and he hummed with his eyes still closed, "Jess is here."

"She has a key." Hotch answered as he continued to hug her, Crystal smiled at him before clearing her throat. "Do you really want Jess to walk in and see us sleeping on the couch? Again?" Hotch sighed as he opened his eyes, he moved her hair out of her face. "I'm tempted to."

Crystal laughed quietly as she got off of him for him to stand up, Hotch wrapped her in the blanket and gave her a small smile as he went and opened the door. "Hey Jess."

"For a second I thought you were knocked out cold Aaron-" Jess cut herself off when she noticed Crystal, "Oh. I now see why you didn't want to come get the door." Jess gave Hotch a look before walking over to Crystal, "Good morning."

"Good morning Jess." Crystal smiled at her and Jess smiled back, "Will you be joining us for breakfast again?" Crystal didn't get to respond when Jack ran over to her, "Hi."

"Hello Jack." Crystal laughed as she hugged him, Hotch cleared his throat. "I guess I don't get hugs?" Jack let go of Crystal to run over to Hotch, Hotch chuckled as he picked him up. "Hey bud, I'm off for 2 days. We can do whatever you want, okay?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, we can go have fun." Hotch assured and Jack smiled at him before wanting to be put down, Jack ran back to Crystal and hugged her. "Will you come over and play with me?"

"I don't know, what's in it for me?" Crystal asked playfully and Jack laughed, "You get to see me."

"Well that sounds like a very good deal then." Crystal smiled at him and he tugged on her arm, "Help me get dressed? Please?" Crystal nodded and picked him up, Jack laughed as she walked to his room. Hotch watched them leave with a smile on his face, he turned to Jess when he heard her clear her throat.

"Y'know, you could've just texted me if you wanted to sleep in."

"Jess, nothing happened."

"Yeah, and she just happened to sleep over again on accident?"