Summary: My narratives of 4.02 and 4.03: "The Angel Maker" and "Minimal Loss" with the inclusion of my character, Allison Greenwald. She finds herself helping Hotch at his weakest, and then falling for someone new during the team's time in Colorado.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters. Only Agent Allison Greenwald is mine.

The chains of the machine clanked. The ringing in Agent Hotchner's ears got sharper and more intense, and he couldn't help but clutch the side of the head and lean away from the noise. He moaned in pain and couldn't hear a thing. Damn it, he thought to himself. He had hoped it would have been better healed by now.

He looked up to see Allie had followed him. Her hand was gripped tightly on his shoulders and her eyes were filled with concern. "Hotch… Hotch!" she was practically yelling. "Are you okay?" He was unable to respond and only held onto his head tighter, the pain practically unbearable. Until, finally, the crane made its halt and the casket was finally pulled out of the grave. This gave Hotch's ear some relief but he was still in pain and shock. He was finally able to stand up completely, and saw Allie still standing in front him, her face still contorted with worry. With that he began to walk away, further from the casket.

Allie couldn't help but follow. "Hotch," she called softly, catching up to him. She grabbed him by the arm and made him stop. He halted and turned to Allie with a frustrated look on his face. Instinctively, Allie reached up and hugged him, placing her hands around his neck. Hotch reluctantly put his arms back around Allie's waist, accepting her embrace for a moment, but then released.

Once they had let go Hotch gave a small cough of the throat, and looked away with his serious eyes. "That probably wasn't appropriate," he muttered to her quietly.

"Oh, right. Sorry," Allie stammered.

"But," he added, his dark eyes turning back to Allie, and this time looking with compassion, "I appreciate your concern."

When they had finally caught on to the UnSup and found her next place of action, the team make their way quickly. Soon the house was finally surrounded. Morgan had made his way around back to try and find the victim while Emily kept the Chloe occupied by speaking through the megaphone. Allie was situated on the other side of the cop car and Hotch worried for her safety. "AL!" he yelled harshly over to her. "Get better cover, you're standing right in front of the window."

Allie practically glared back over at him. Internally, she was rolling her eyes and arguing. But she knew better than to question Hotch, especially when in action like that. And so she crept over back behind Sheriff Dobson.

When the Chloe made her way outside and the shot rang out from the Sheriff's gun, Allie noticed as Hotch instantly doubled over in pain, again clutching his ear. Allie didn't waste a moment this time. She grabbed him harshly by the shoulders and led him away from the scene and the rest of the team. They approached the sidewalk. "Sit down," Allie ordered Hotch, and he surprisingly did as she said. She sat down next to him, and the two sat in silence for a minute. "I'm going to go back to the scene," Allie finally said. "You stay here. I mean it, Hotch."

Aaron was surprised by Allie's bossy tone. She walked over to the rest of the team, got the proper information, and returned to where Hotch stayed sitting. "Rossi has it all under control," she said to him. "Everyone else will take care of the crime scene, and I'm going to drive you back to the hotel," she added, holding her hands out to help him up. He looked up at her, still in shock by her commanding attitude. He should have reprimanded her for giving orders to her superior, and for putting the well-being of one agent above the case.

Instead, he accepted her hands, stood up, and followed her to the car. Allie took the driver's seat and took them quickly back to the hotel. Not a word was spoken for the rest of the ride, nor when they got back to the hotel. Each went into their respective rooms. Once Hotch reached his, he said down on the end of the bed and held his head in his hands in frustration. He undid his tie and a few buttons, laid back, but the thoughts wouldn't let him relax. He felt guilty for showing weakness during a case. What was even worse was that Allie had been there trying to help him, and he was pushing her away and fighting the help. That was always his downfall.

Meanwhile, Allie sat in practically the same position in her room. She had taken the time to change into sweats and a t-shirt, but didn't have the energy to even turn on the T.V. Her head was filled with panicked thoughts. I totally crossed a line, she thought to herself. Once he feels better he's probably going to fire me. I shouldn't have been so harsh… but, he was clearly suffering. Someone has to take care of him. He won't even take care of himself. A knock at the door took Allie out of her thoughts. She stood and opened it only to find Hotch on the other side.

He looked even more disheveled than before. His hair was messy and his shirt unkempt. "Al…" he trailed off once the door was open. "Can I come in for a second?" he requested.

"Sure," Allie allowed nervously. "Is… everything okay?" she asked, closing the door behind her.

"Not really," Hotch admitted. "The pain is still there. And mostly… I owe you an apology, and I need to thank you."

"No… sir, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so presumptuous," Allie interjected.

Hotch held up his hand to silence her. "You were right. And I have something to request of you."

"What's that?" she inquired.

"With my ear, it will make it difficult to fly tomorrow. I think I'll be driving myself back to Quantico. If you're willing… I wouldn't mind some company along the way," he said.

"Of course," Allie answered quickly.

"You understand," Hotch said, "I'm not ordering you as your boss, I'm just asking you as a friend."

"And," Allie replied significantly, "I said yes."

Hotch nodded and said tenderly to her, "Thank you, Allie." Then he approached her and took her back into the same kind of embrace that he had earlier told her was inappropriate. But he knew it was about time he started appreciating the people in his life that cared for him.