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𝑹 𝑬 𝑴
❝ 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎, 𝚍𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚜 ❞

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ㅤ𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐔 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐀 for a new case, Alina decided on visiting Gwen. Partly because Spencer asked her, and partly because she was a little concerned for her best friend. But mostly, it was because they haven't seen each other in a while.

What she didn't expect, though, was for the overly hormonal Gwen to be bawling her eyes out.

"We- we just keep fighting!" Gwen cried. "I never thought that- that this could happen!"

"Shh, shh," Alina awkwardly consoled. She wasn't exactly the most empathetic, and wasn't all good at reassuring people, especially when they were crying. "Tell me exactly what happened."

"Spencer's all protective now!" Gwen whined, hugging Alina tightly. They were both sat on Spencer's leather couch, with Alina sitting somewhat stiffly, while Gwen clung onto her, head on her lap, hands gripping her skirt.

Alina grimaced a little, feeling a few of Gwen's tears landing on her legs. She decided on wearing a knitted, white turtleneck top, alongside a black pleated skirt. On top of all that was a coat to keep her warm, which came with a belt that she secured around her waist. She then paired everything off with Saint Laurent Aylah boots that had a four-inch heel, as well as a black leather classic Chanel bag.

She had a thing for expensive brands. 

She sighed a little, adjusting her stylish beret she felt with look well with her outfit, before placing a comforting hand on Gwen's hair, brushing it with her fingers. "It's normal for new parents to feel overprotective over their offspring, you know."

"I know, but he's going overboard! He barely lets me do anything!" Gwen complained. "He kinda sucks at cooking but won't let me cook, he never lets me leave his sight, and every time I get called to the compound, he insists on coming with me! It's making me feel suffocated and I hate it. Every time I tell him to let me be, he argues, and now- ugh!"

Alina tutted. "He's nervous. Plus, you're in your first trimester. A very high chance of miscarriage, you know this. He's just...cautious."

"He doesn't have to be overbearing!"

"Then talk to him about it. Calmly, without letting your emotions and hormones run your mouth for you. Like I said, he's just nervous. He's trying, and I'm pretty sure he just wants to be a good dad and a good partner. You've read his file, Gwennie. You know..." Alina trailed off.

"I know," Gwen sighed, nodding. She finally sat back up again, wiping Alina's legs from her tears. Some of it was probably saliva.

"He cares for you a lot, and he cares for his babies. Just...don't forget that."

She pouted at Alina a little. "Okay," she nodded, wiping away the tears left on her face. "Will you let me cook, at least?"

Alina chuckled. "As long as you still remember how to use a knife, then sure."

"As if I'd forget," she sniffled. "And, um, I'm sorry...for all of that."

"Don't worry, I know how hormones work."

"I know...it's just..." Gwen cringed. "I just keep...wanting to push Spencer away. And it's not just because of his...you know..."

"I know, it's also because of Emily," Alina stated rather emotionlessly. She watched as Gwen flinch a little at the name as they walked towards Spencer's small kitchen. She had to hold back her smile at the rice cooker, turning to Gwen, and saying, "You're guilty, we all are. And...you're worried, not just about the repercussions of your decisions, but also the effect it may have on your kids and your relationship with Spencer. It's not..." Alina sighed. "You have the right to be worried, and to be guilty, but like I said before--"

"Focus on the babies," Gwen smiled weakly as she began pulling out the ingredients. "I know."

Alina gave her a tight-lipped smile, before nodding. "Now, what are we cooking?"

"Suddenly, I'm a therapist," Alina scoffed. She frowned when Vince and Dora laughed. The three siblings had the sudden urge to hangout, and with Dora living with Vince, it wasn't that hard to set a time and place, and the siblings all found themselves strolling through the National Mall. "It's not funny! I'm not even a licensed therapist! I don't have the credentials!"

"It's not their fault you're easy to talk to," Vince laughed. "You're a good listener, and you always remain impartial whenever you give an opinion. Most people in your circle of friends prefer that blunt attitude of yours, which is why they come to you."

Alina grumbled, hand in hand with Dora. "It's hard for me to emotionally connect with people, and you're telling me it's a good thing?"

"Not necessarily," Vince rolled his eyes, eyes trained ahead. "Your lack of emotional response is still a worrying thing. And though it's improved over the years, surprisingly," he earned a glare for that one, "not allowing yourself to feel is still mentally unhealthy."

"So now you're saying I'm mentally unstable?"

"No!"

Dora patted her older brother's back. "You're not gonna win, Vince."

Vince groaned, stopping in his tracks. He then grabbed onto Alina shoulders and shook it a little. "If you just let yourself feel as much as you should, you'll realize that they come to you because they trust you, alright? You're a good person. A little misguided, but still, you've got a good heart."

"The heart's only use is to pump blood and distribute it around the body, I would say that I, instead, have a good hypothalamus, which is--"

"I know what the hypothalamus is for, Lina. I'm a psychologist, it's part of it all," Vince deadpanned. "It's a metaphor. What I'm trying to say is that, from time to time, let go of your brain. Shut it off."

"I--"

"Not literally!"

Alina frowned at her brother, sharing a look with Dora, before nodding. "So, you mean I have to not...think? Figuratively."

"Yes."

She grimaced. "But thinking is what I'm good at! It's what we're all good at!"

"But that doesn't mean we shouldn't open ourselves up to new possibilities," Vince pointed out, letting go of her and beginning to walk again. Alina and Dora followed, walking beside him. "Look at Enzo, he's all serious, doesn't smile, yet he got married and has two lovely daughters and a son on the way. Chris..." he grimaced a little, earning him a snort from his youngest sister. "Well, he's looking, I suppose."

"And you?" Dora asked, a smile on her face.

He looked down at her. "I'm taking good care of my baby sister. While helping others navigate through their lives with a healthy mindset."

"But no girlfriend or boyfriend?" Alina smirked.

"Looking," he narrowed his eyes at her. "Respectfully. Unlike Chris who sleeps with anything that moves and has boobs."

"How about Alina?" Dora asked, smiling teasingly at her sister. The two were both short, and were the same height despite the ten-year difference. But because she preferred to wear Converse and Vans sneakers due to her love for skating, she looked shorter compared to her high-heel wearing sister.

Vince chuckled. "Alina's...working on it."

"And me?"

"You're too young."

"HEY!"

Alina and Vince laughed at their younger sister, who sulked a little. Alina shook her head. "I'd suggest looking for someone who knows what they're doing. And honestly, that's very rare with underaged teens."

"So I need to look for someone older?"

"Yes, but because you're a minor, that would be pedophilia. Just wait 'til you're eighteen and I'll let you go wild."

Vince groaned at Dora's grin before slapping them both upside the head. "You guys are idiots."

The two girls gave him a look.

"I'm the one with four PhD's."

"And I'm the one who hacked into the Pentagon."

"Oh, whatever," he grumbled. "And anyway, Alina, explain to me why dad suddenly has a grandson none of us knew about?"

Dora frowned. "Huh?"

"Yeah, huh?" Alina copied.

Vince stared at his sisters. "Dad said something about a boy named Jack that he met while he visited you. And said that he calls him 'grandpa'."

"Ohh, yeah." Alina nodded, continuing to walk.

Vince stopped in his tracks. "What do you mean 'yeah'?! Explain!"

Dora just looked at the two, a lot expression on her face.

"Jack's Aaron's son, remember him?" Alina stopped walking and smiled when Vince nodded. Dora still looked lost, so Alina explained. "I've told you about Gwen going undercover for the FBI, right? Well, the team she was put into, their Unit Chief, Aaron Hotchner, we got close...I guess? Well, I got close with his son, more specifically, so we hang out."

Dora gave her sister another teasing look, a smile smirk on her lips. "Oh? Really?"

Alina rolled her eyes at her. "The child...is very cute, I couldn't help myself."

"The father's cute too," Vince tried to smother his grin, but found it too hard when Alina glared at him. "He's totally your type, dumbass. Older, stern," he listed. "You've got daddy issues and you know it, we all do." He gestured between himself and Dora. "So, obviously, you gravitate towards older men, those who seem like they can provide you with comfort and protection. Aaron's literally FBI. One word and you'll be on your knees for him, probably."

"I have mommy issues too," Alina rolled her eyes as she pointed it out.

"Which manifests into your attraction to women who are slightly more submissive," Vince pointed out. "Come on, I'm not a good psychologist for nothing."

Dora only grimaced. "I hate listening to you guys talk about sex."

"You'll be having sex soon, don't worry," Alina patted the top of her sister's head, which the teenager swatted away. By now, the siblings were getting hungry, and had stopped in front of a food truck that was selling churros. "And anyway, just because he's allegedly my type," she gave Vince a pointed look while getting in line, "does not mean I will date him." She cringed at the word date.

"Denial," Vince sing-songed. "Honestly, if you don't tap that, I would."

"Then go ahead."

He thought for a moment. "Nah," he grimaced. "He's all yours. And look, just a professional opinion, you two would be good together, just saying. If you two don't get together," he shook his head, laughing a little as he grabbed his churros, his two sisters doing the same. "It would be ludicrous."

"Keep telling yourself that, Vince. I don't do relationships."

He rolled his eyes, looking at Dora. "Don't be like your sister."

"Oh, I'm not," Dora shook her head. "I'm gonna elope."

"DORA!"

Alina could only shake her head at the sight of her older brother trying to chase Dora, who was just as fast and agile as her. She rolled her eyes a little as she mulled over Vince's words. She doesn't believe in fate, destiny, or any of that sort, which make her not believe in coincidences. But recently, more and more people have been telling her that her not dating anyone was a bad idea.

She only scoffed. "They can't read my mind, they don't know what I want," she grumbled to herself before taking a bite of her churro. She moaned a little at the taste, eyes still trained on her siblings, who were now walking back towards where she stood, right underneath a tree.

"So," Vince spoke up. "Done thinking yet?"

Alina glared. "You're making me overthink now."

Vince shrugged. "I'm telling you, I'm right. I mean, I haven't even seen you with Aaron yet. I could be wrong. But your files do point to the two of you having a long-lasting relationship, not gonna lie."

She huffed.

He tutted. "I'm not telling you to jump his bones, but I am saying that if you two continue this little relationship of yours, it's either gonna be lead to a happy relationship, possibly even a marriage. Or—I don't know—heartbreak."

"Heartbreak?"

He shrugged. "I'm telling you now. Aaron Hotchner's gonna make or break you. It's...up to you which one he's gonna be."

"Hey, what's up?"

"Would you...would it be okay if you came over?"

Alina frowned a little at Aaron's words. "Are you okay?"

"It's just...you told me I could come to you if I wanted to talk to someone, right?"

"Yeah, of course," she replied, still confused. "Did something happen?"

He sighed through the phone. "Yeah. Just...I can't be alone. Jack's still with Jess, and..."

"No need to explain. I'll be there as fast as I can."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Hotchner."

Aaron huffed out a laugh. "Call me Aaron."

Alina couldn't help but grin. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." Even though she couldn't see him, he still held himself back from smiling widely. "I'll see you."

"I'll see you."

author's note: oooooo wonder what that's all about  (ᵔદᵔ )

ehehehehehe

anyway, sorry if this was a bit of a filler. just really had to move the story somehow. considering alina doesn't work for/with aaron, most of the story's like, my own. it's proving to be more difficult than pov but it'll pick up soon, don't worry.

i just hope u guys are ready for the next chapter ihihi.