Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Criminal Minds... except for the DVDs...

He drew back the flap of the entrance as he walked into the field tent. "Hey." It certainly wasn't the most eloquent way to start a conversation, but it would have to do. There was so much that he wanted to say to her, that he was truly at a loss for where to begin.

"Hey." She eyed him somewhat suspiciously, from her seat at the fold-up table.

They were in the tent that had served as their command post for the past five days. Moments ago, they had gotten word that J.J. had been rescued. She wouldn't be returned to them until the following day, but the whole team had been elated to hear the radio transmission that said she was alive. Shortly afterward, the B.A.U. and surplus military personnel had dispersed in search of much needed sleep. Derek had been about a minute into his walk with the others before he realized that Emily had stayed behind.

As she waited for him to speak, his mind raced. He settled on a close-lipped smile, and unintentionally glassy eyes. Her head tilted to the side slightly, and he broke into a full grin. "What?" she asked seriously, setting down a stack of papers.

"Nothing," he waved her off with his hand. At her persistent stare, he faltered. "I just… I miss you." She dropped her head, and his heart crumbled. He never wanted to be the reason she was upset.

"I'm sorry," her voice fell to the ground. He could hear the emotion in her usually diplomatic tone. She raised her gaze now. "I'm sorry that I just left."

A faint sigh escaped him. "You needed some breathing room, Em. I understood." He turned slightly, gesturing to the entrance, "We all did. We understand." She still seemed so sad. "What happened, it's not something that just goes away. It's okay to need space."

"I've got that, don't I?" she asked sarcastically, her blank stare telling him that she was deep in thought.

He moved around the table to sit down next to her, placing an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, you've got us. You've got me," he assured her sincerely.

She turned away from him abruptly. "No I don't!" She stood up and headed for the exit, but he was faster. He took her in his arms, hugging her like he should have when she came back from Paris. "Don't do that," she pushed away as much as he allowed her. "I don't deserve that," she pleaded.

Her wriggling stopped when he placed his hand on her cheek. "You've always got me," he stated simply. His hand dropped down to her chest, covering her heart. "I'll always be with you," he almost whispered.

Her hand came up to grasp his, still flat on her chest. "Thank you." He tore his eyes away from their hands to look into her stunningly unveiled ones. He had rarely seen her this open.

For the first time in a long time, it was her infectious smile that brought out his. "You're welcome, Princess." Immediate regret surged through his brain as her fist impacted with his gut. After an involuntary grunt, he began to laugh. She walked past him, and he called after her. "Awe, you could have just said, 'I miss you too.'"

"I think that goes without saying," she replied. "Also," she turned around and backpedaled as he caught up to her. "I think it's time I do something about that."

A/N: I apologize for not posting anything in awhile, life's been hectic. Excuse me while I knock off the dust. Let me know what you think.