Matt Cruz

Section chief of the Behavioral Analysis Unit and FBI. [21+]

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

Team should be fine for two weeks. They have Derek and Spencer to keep them on their toes with that prank war anyway. That’s fine.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

Ah. The debacle. *Cruz watches Aaron intently before picking up the coffee cup again and a swallow.* Sure- you have too much as it is. Still more than Rossi, and that’s a lot.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

Naw. I was almost done with it anyway. *Cruz shorts and puts the cup down, gesturing Hotchner inside.* What’s up? More vacation time?

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

I’m in the middle of my coffee. Ever knock anymore?

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

*Aaron shut the door and he was on the phone. His voice was far from its calm, normal take with other agents. No, now it was on edge. A hint of anger.*

Cantu? Yeah, it’s me. You better get to double time on Hyde. Get me why he’s out on bail. And get it to me NOW.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

… …no. Not right now, Hotchner. Just be careful, all right?

*Cruz watches him quietly.*

Seriously.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

All right. Just be careful out there. I can’t have my best agent get tied up in a fight with family and come out in a loss. Or worse, some lawsuit.

*He decides to hold his words. His tongue. No use in worrying Hotchner more than he already was about Hyde being about. …right?*

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

prison on bail, to be sure. And now if their father was around…

Well. He knew Aaron would be about as useful as a nun in a courtroom. No offense, Hotchner.*

You don’t know how long it could be until you come back?

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

*The section chief would have made a quiet remark of sorts, but Aaron was- wait. That was it.

Fear.

Aaron Hotchner was scared.

But Cruz wouldn’t make a note of that of sorts. Not a chance. He watched his subordinate quietly, unmoving. He has heard about Hyde’s release from-

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

Your old man? *Cruz tilted his head again before he leaned back slowly in the chair. There was something there that he hadn’t seen before in Aaron’s eyes. Something... well. He couldn’t describe it. But it wasn’t good.*

Didn’t you dad die years ago?

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

Aaron, what’s going on?

*Cruz frowned softly at this, watching the unit chief sit down in front of him and tilting his head just slightly.*

First the Jack Hyde fiasco, and now a little more time off? Is it related in any way?

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

leaned back in his chair with a small smile.* For you and your dog? I got a few hours, @CaptAmericaBAU. Come on in, and shut the door while you’re at it.

*The smile faded.*

There’s some stuff we need to talk about.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

*Matt glanced up from his papers, blinking. THAT’S a voice he hasn’t heard in ages. Or a face he hasn’t seen in months. Aaron’s vacation one was usually passed off with no concern. He was the best. The best needed time off. But this… maybe this was for the better. Matt-

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

gotten a real answer about the Hyde fiasco that had gone down. Federal agent off duty, swept into a personal affair with a criminal on bail.

Jesus.

Maybe that would be another conversation some day. Right?*

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

*Work. Work. Work. He was still amazed he had a job in this fiasco of a government going on. Not that he was complaining, but- Matt Cruz knew he had to be careful of MANY things. There had been mumbles already roaming around of Hotchner taking more time off. And he still hadn’t-

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

*He doesn’t have a locked door.*

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

@HisFluffySpence *Cruz stood, grasping his hand and shaking firmly.* Always a pleasure. Thank Penelope- she came up with the idea.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

@HisFluffySpence That sounds like a plan. Thanks for coming in- I really appreciate you hearing out this idea.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

@HisFluffySpence I would expect nothing less.

[Matt Cruz @SCMattCruz]

@HisFluffySpence …Jesus Christ. *Small smile.* That's scary right there.