Author's Ramblings: A Hotch-Prentiss piece set on the evening after the team rescues J.J. from her kidnappers. That was one of my favorite Criminal Minds episodes! I love this show and its writers, and I don't own any of these lovely characters.
This was meant to be a one-shot, but ended up a bit longer (Three chapters max) Chapter 1 is presented from Agent Alex Blake's point of view. I hope you enjoy it!
"So this is the famous Emily Prentiss!" thought S.S.A. Alex Blake as she took a delicate sip from her beverage. Momentarily distracted from her observations, she winced as the strong alcohol burned a path through her esophagus.
"Rossi, are you trying to kill me?" she asked the older gentleman in the seat next to her. S.S.A. David Rossi had ordered her drink with the promise that it would put her in just the right mood for the evening. He chuckled in delight at her reaction and urged, "Give it a chance to settle, Blake. You'll thank me later."
She was about to respond with some kind of witty retort, but Rossi had already looked away. His glance was at the other end of the bar counter where Emily Prentiss sat laughing at a Garcia-Morgan moment. Rossi gazed at his Bella with paternal love.
Amused, Alex watched the raven-haired beauty intently. Emily Prentiss was larger than life. She seemed to glow with that alabaster skin and those gorgeous facial features. But beyond her outer beauty, there was a brightness and intensity in her dark eyes that showed her acute intelligence and depth of thought. Her laughter revealed joie de vivre, but she was not heathenistic. Her manners communicated discipline and self-control. And even in this informal setting, one could sense that she was a woman of power, no matter how lightly she wore that authority. Yes, concluded Blake; she would have loved to work side by side with Emily Prentiss. And had she known Emily even a little more, she too would at present be doting on her. Like the entire team was. Alex was sufficiently self-confident and sure of her value in the Behavioral Analysis Unit to be able to enjoy the team's response to this woman, who was the very center of gravity.
Penelope was latched on to Emily's side like a conjoined twin. She was determined to savor every moment of the remaining six hours of Emily's company, and unfortunately, the clock was ticking. J.J. was all smiles too, but uncharacteristically quiet, no doubt feeling more pain as the drugs wore off. She leaned into Will's embrace as if needing the support. It was a testimony to her love for Emily that J.J. was even here, after her terrible ordeal. Blake figured that J.J. would be the first to leave tonight.
"We almost lost her," said a small voice in her head and Alex knew that the team would never have recovered from that loss. Alex took another sip of her drink, this time welcoming its fire. After her sip, the bar seemed a little louder and the lights a bit brighter, but Alex continued with her studious observations. Morgan was next. He was talking a mile a minute, trying to get everything in before it was time to say goodbye. He laughed openly, a joyful sound. He was with his friend again.
Spencer was having his beer, completely integrated in the conversation. There was no recital of statistics because his focus was not inward, but on her. He was peppering her with questions about her new life, about her job, about her team. She couldn't answer him fast enough! Alex felt weary for her, so she took another sip of her drink. This time she distinguished a delightful fruity taste after the burn.
Blake's gaze shifted to Agent Hotchner next, the austere Unit Chief. Something very pleasant danced in his eyes each time he glanced at Emily. Something akin to a light or a glimmer. But his eyes would not linger on her. They would return to the drink he nursed in both hands. And his demeanor was almost childlike. Yes, like an awkward teenage boy who felt uncomfortable around a pretty girl. Blake felt like she should profile that, but her thoughts turned to her drink and she took a bigger sip.
"Easy, Alex," warned Rossi when he heard her cough. "This stuff will go straight to your head if you drink it too quickly."
"Too late," giggled Alex and she thought she heard music. "Is that jazz I hear? I love jazz!" Jazz was so mellow and so sexy. Hearing it always made her want to run home and make love to her husband. But he wouldn't be there tonight. The house would be big, and cold, and empty. She would be all alone with this liquid fire in her body. She asked, "Now what am I supposed to do with all that jazz in my system?"
Rossi's eyebrow arched and he told Hotch, "I think I'm going to take Alex home." And then, as to explain, "She's hearing music."
Hotch leaned forward to look at Blake and said, "That's probably a good idea. It's been a long day. In fact, I think I'll get going as well."
"No, no," said Rossi rather eagerly. "Stay and have a couple more drinks with the kids." Then he whispered. "You're going to lose her again, Aaron, in about two hours. But a lot can be done in two hours. Hell, a lot can be done in fifteen minutes!"
Hotch shot him a nervous glance, but he didn't say anything. He didn't have to. Dave knew. "You go do something about it," he instructed and he patted Hotch on the shoulder.
Rossi called the bartender and paid for a new round of drinks for everyone. Then he hugged and kissed Emily goodbye urging her not to be a stranger. Her eyes were moist when she finally turned her attention to Alex and said, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Agent Blake."
"Oh, the pleasure was mine, Emily Prentiss. Have a safe trip home," she said softly, and then she was led away by Rossi.
Thank you for reading!