Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.
Chapter 1
He was leaving the hall of the hotel when he saw her. She was at the corner of the bar, alone, looking into an empty glass, completely oblivious of her surroundings. His first thought was 'what she is doing here?'; from what he knew she was in London, running an Interpol unit. It has been almost three years since she left.
She only had come visit once, when the entire thing with JJ happened, and only to stay a few hours.
When the initial shock passed, he looked at her for the first time. She was different. Her hair was long again and she was using it like she did when he first met her, all those years ago when she barged her way into the BAU, falling in curls like a river of chocolate in her back and shoulders.
He found out that he like it. It brought a bit of nostalgia.
Her lips were even redder because of the lipstick, and her skin was fair and glowing.
He found himself getting closer and now notice the annoying look at her face glancing at a table full of bachelors in the front of the bar. Apparently they had tried to win her attention, unsuccessfully.
He sees that she feels his present, huffs and says, without looking:
- I'm not interest, so please save it.
He bits back a smile and replies:
- And here I thought that you had missed me, Prentiss.
Her head snap so fast that he is pretty sure that she felt some kind of dizziness.
- Oh my god, Hotch! I can't believe it! – She gets up and gives him an awkward hug. – How are you? What are you doing here?
- I came to meet an old friend from law school. He came for a conference and gave me a call inviting for dinner, but he stood me up. I think he found a better company, whit skirts for sure. What are you doing here? You'd supposed to be in London.
- Oh, right. Actually, I'm kind of moving back.
- What? Are you serious?
- Yeah, pretty serious. The thing is the Interpol is starting a new office here in DC, to coordinate some international cases. I heard about it and applied to the job, and they chased me.
- And why you didn't tell anyone? I'm pretty sure that if Garcia knew about it wouldn't have any other topic in the BAU.
She laughed imagining just how Penelope would go crazy when she found out that she was back.
- That was the reason. I knew that if I told everyone that I was back you all would try to help me find a place, offer me room to stay and do all those wonderful things you always do to help. But I think I needed this time to myself, to settle down, start being used to live here again, you know.
- I understand. So how long are you in town?
- Just a couple of days. I'm starting to look for a place tomorrow, I spoke to my old attorney and she found some apartments that she wants to show me. I'm not supposed to start the new job in two weeks, tough. They gave me this time to sort things out.
- Are you here alone? I know those guys over there are dying to have your attention but if you're interested we could get dinner in that Thai place you always loved. Once is Tuesday I think isn't going to be so difficult to found a table.
- Oh please, I was almost showing them how I tackle an unsub. – He actually laughed out loud at this. – I would love to. But I'm very impressed, how did you know my favorite restaurant? It's not like we talked about this at the BAU or like we go there together anytime? – She asks once they live the hotel in the direction of his SUV.
- You know I'm a profiler right? – At her exasperation look, he smiles. – I heard you recommend to Morgan one time. I listen ok.
- Wow, congratulations, you're one of the few. Not that I should be surprised. You were married for almost fifteen years. There was a reason for it. I'm most surprised that you have paid attention to such a random fact, about me, and remember after all these years.
They reach his car and he opens the door for her. Then he climbs the driver's seat and starts the car, going into the directions of the Thai place.
- You said it was your favorite place in the whole town. It's not some random fact. It's important. – He replies with a smile.
She observes that it's a practice that it's repeating during all night. She wonders if he is actually smiling more now or it's an exception this night.
- Well, it is important to me. Thank you for caring.
He nods and continues looking at the road. She can't stop thinking that it's really good to see him again.