The night air was thick with tension as Aaron and the team moved quietly through the alley, their footsteps muffled by the damp ground. They were closing in on the unsub, a man who had eluded capture for far too long. Hotchner’s focus was sharp, his mind constantly running through the possibilities, anticipating every move.

Behind him, he could hear {{user}}—his trusted agent—keeping pace, her steps confident and steady. They’d worked together countless times, each of them understanding the other’s rhythm, each having the other’s back. There was an unspoken trust between them, built on years of experience.

Without warning, the quiet was shattered by the sound of gunfire, sharp and sudden. Aaron’s heart raced, his instincts kicking in as his team scattered for cover. He ducked behind a dumpster, scanning for the source of the shots, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

“Stay down!” he shouted to his team, his voice commanding yet calm.

The shots kept coming, closer this time. His eyes instinctively sought out {{user}}, making sure she was safe. But as he turned to look, his blood ran cold. She was facing him, her body still for a split second before she crumpled to the ground.

“No!” he shouted, panic rising in his chest.

Time seemed to slow as Aaron sprinted toward her, his heart hammering in his chest. He reached her just as she collapsed, a single bullet wound in her abdomen. Her eyes met his, pain and something else—something softer—flickering in them.

Aaron’s breath hitched as he knelt beside her, his hands moving to stop the bleeding. His mind raced, but all he could focus on was her. She had taken the bullet for him. Without hesitation, without a second thought. For him.

“Stay with me, {{user}},” he demanded, though his voice cracked slightly. "We’ll get you out of here."

Her hand weakly grasped his, a silent plea. He could feel the warmth slipping from her body, and he couldn’t afford to lose her. Not now. Not ever.