[Criminal Minds] years before love

Gideon intentionally arrived half an hour early, and it turned out that Hotch was the only one in the entire BAU.

"Aaron, let's talk." When passing by his desk, Gideon tapped on the table, indicating his office.

Hotch pushed aside the things he was arranging on the table, took a deep breath and followed silently.

"I think you know what I'm going to say." Gideon looked at Hotch, who was standing upright, and motioned for him to close the door. Hotch didn't show any sign of sleepiness on his face, his suit and tie were meticulous, but Gideon just knew he and Rossi must have slept.

"I don't know." Hotch was expressionless, bowing his head meekly.

"Aaron." Gideon sighed, leaned back in his chair and looked up at him. "You relax, I'm not an enemy."

Hotch's expression was a little loose, but he didn't say anything.

Gideon pointed to the chair, "To be honest, many people have gone out with David, and most of them are quite dissatisfied with his handling of the case when they come back, even his lover is the same - I don't intend to inquire about the details of your case. Next There will be no record of the conversation. I was just surprised that you acted as if you were very protective of him, and I hope there is some other reason besides some we all know."

Hotch bit his lip until his lips turned white, and he said stubbornly, "We didn't break the rules."

"I've known him a lot longer than you, Aaron, and I have my own judgment." Gideon shook his head, fell silent for a moment, and continued, "But I can assure you that I'm not going to get involved. Just wanted to say… …don’t confuse work with personal relationships too much.”

"I do not have."

"I know you haven't." Gideon stopped his retort, "David proposed to have his mentor, or mentor, it doesn't matter, I haven't agreed to him yet."

"Has Agent Rossi ever had any other students?" Hotch asked bluntly, unable to judge what Gideon wanted to do for a moment.

"A few times in a short time." Gideon thought Rossi had convinced him, no matter what method he used, he was a little surprised that he didn't nod immediately, "It didn't work out very well in the end, David is always very confident, which is sometimes easy Misleading."

Hotch stared at the table without saying a word.

Gideon finally softened his tone resignedly, "Aaron, just tell me what you expect from him. I worked with him for many years and it was a bad experience."

Hotch looked up at him, and for a moment even thought that Gideon was going to tell him about his feelings back then and his dissatisfaction now, but he didn't want to hear it.

But Gideon finally just said, "I know you all thought we were at odds. But what I want to say is that we were the only ones here who supported each other, and he and I were friends."

Hotch's fingers rest on the chair, he can understand what Gideon didn't say, and he knows that he is actually kind.He knew that if he chose to stay with Gideon, he might even be able to make things easier for him and Rossi without compromising work.

But he took a deep breath and said, "I have no special expectations from Agent Rossi."

"I'm sure you don't usually call him that." Gideon looked at him, "Say it again."

Gideon profiled it almost blatantly, and Hotch immediately stood up.

"Aaron?"

Hotch opened his mouth, and he suddenly found that he couldn't seem to say Dave, which was obviously too intimate, in front of Gideon.

"Gideon, would you prefer me to choose him?"

"Let's be honest. I do want David to be able to mentor someone new. But I don't want that person to be you, and I do worry about you getting hurt, anyway, David is far more experienced than you in every sense of the word. Gideon smiled, "But he insisted that I refer to your opinion, so I can only say that I hope you think it through."

Hotch watched him for a while, then slowly relaxed, "Gideon, I know what you're worried about."

"I trust your sanity and judgment." Gideon looked at him, "And you have been on missions with me and him. I can say with certainty that although we often disagree, there will be no difference in general direction, David He's a very good profiling expert."

Hotch smiled, "Sounds like you're recommending him to me."

Gideon smiled wryly, "Professionally, I can't mislead you. And I think you already have the answer."

"…I'm sorry, Gideon." Hotch bowed his head.

Both fell silent for a moment.

"Aaron, I even wanted to say that even if you were my student, I wouldn't stop you from going to him after the mission." It was Gideon who said, "I hope you really didn't choose him for this."

"No." Hotch said firmly.

"If he puts you in trouble, come to me." Gideon nodded, then he stood up and pushed the new credentials over, "Welcome to the BAU officially, AgentHotchner."

Hotch also stood up, took the things in his hands, "I'm honored."