"Hotch." Hotch answered in his stern voice.

"I could really use your help", the voice said.

"Prentiss?" Hotch said. His pulse quickened and his throat went dry. He knew he'd hear her voice again…

"I really need you, Hotch. I've…" Emily paused, "bitten off more than I can chew."

"I'm on the next flight." Hotch waited for her thank you and hung up. It amazed him how quickly he decided to go, not even giving it a second thought.

"Dad?" Jack called, coming in the door with his aunt, Jessica.

"In here, Buddy", Hotch called out. "How was school?"

"School was great", Jack said enthusiastically. "We got to play dodge ball outside!"

"But it's raining", Hotch said, half- teasing.

"Daad", Jack said. "It wasn't raining earlier." He put his book bag down on his desk. "Anyway, I won!"

"That's great!" Hotch said, ruffling his hair.

"I was the smallest, but I was the fastest!" Jack said, dodging Hotch's grasp as he tried to capture his son.

"You are quick!" Hotch said laughing. "Why don't you start on your homework while I talk to aunt Jess."

"OK, Dad", Jack answered. "Bye Aunt Jess."

"Bye Sweetie", Jessica said. She followed Hotch into the kitchen. "OK, you look serious. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, per se", Hotch said. "I just have to go away for a few days."

"Away? Like on a case?"

"Not exactly." Hotch paced the kitchen. "Prentiss called me for some help and…"

Jessica started to giggle.

"What?" he said, pouring himself a brandy.

"Running to your 'damsel in distress'?" Jessica burst out laughing and then tried to quiet herself.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Hotch said, filling his glass again.

"It 'means'", Jessica said, grabbing a juice box from the fridge, "that Emily Prentiss had always been, shall we say, your Achilles Heel?"

"She is not my weakness", Hotch said, but then thought about it. He looked up. "You think?"

"'Bout time", Jessica said with a smile. "Jack adores her. Always talking about how much he misses Miss Em."

"Jessica. She's a colleague in trouble", Hotch said. "And I'm going to help her. Can you stay for about 3 days?"

"Sure", Jessica said. "I'm available." Jessica grabbed her umbrella and headed for the door. She paused with her hand on the knob. "You know, she'd be OK with this."

"Jess." Hotch started.

"I know. Just do me a favor."

"What's that?" Hotch answered.

"Bring me back two things. One, an assortment box of real British teas."

"And two?"

"Emily Prentiss", she laughed and dodged the pillow Hotch threw at her.

"Listen up gang", Hotch said calling them to order. "I'm going to be gone abut three days, so Morgan will step up and take over. Matt knows I'mgone and if it's a true emergency, I'll be available by phone."

"Is everything OK?" Garcia asked, concern dripping heavily in her words.

"Everything is fine", he said. "I'm consulting on a case elsewhere. I leave tomorrow morning, so I want you guys to operate as if I'm still here." He looked around the room. "Never mind. Just…just don't get caught." Hotch smiled slightly and headed to his office. Rossi was hot on his trail.

"Consulting now, are we?" Rossi said, lounging lazily in Hotch's door frame.

"Just for a few days. I don't expect to be gone long."

"We never do", Rossi said chuckling to himself, as he walked back to his office.

The morning dawned bright, and Hotch drove Jack to school before he left.

"You OK Sport?" Hotch asked, as Jack exited the car. Jack turned around.

"I'm worried. Dad."

"Don't worry, Buddy." Hotch said, pulling him into a hug. "I'll be fine. I'm just helping on a case somewhere else. I'm not even in charge."

Jack smiled a bit but furrowed his eyebrow. "Are you going far?"

It's pretty far", Hotch said. "I'm going to cross some big water."

"Cool!" Jack said. "Dad?"

"Yeah, Jack?"

"Is Miss Em ever coming back?" He cocked his head to the side.

"Perhaps. She likes to visit. You miss her?"

"All the time. We had the best talks and she always helped me with my reading."

"She did?" Hotch said, mind blown. When did she have time to do that?

"All the time. Especially on Sundays. She said you should sleep, so we'd read while aunt Jess made pancakes. But she always had to go by 11. I'm going to be late Dad. Bye!" Jack ran out the car leaving Hotch with a lot more questions than answers in his head.