Emily Prentiss grumbled to herself about Agent Hotchner as she wove her way back through the bullpen, huffing in annoyance. She was so preoccupied watching the stack of files in her arms, making sure they didn't topple over, that she wasn't paying attention to where she was going.
With a yawn and a stretch, Derek Morgan groaned as he glanced at his watch – he hadn't realized how late it was getting as he attempted to plow through the paperwork to wrap up the case. He stood and, as he turned to grab his bag, he ended up bumping into someone. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry," he apologized reflexively, "I didn't realize anyone else was here."
Emily raised a brow as she remained kneeling on the floor, still a little dazed from the unexpected collision. "Right, I forgot I wore my invisibility cloak today," she said wryly. She stood up and dusted off her knees, spotting a fresh run in her pantyhose in the process. "Maybe that's why no one remembers my assignment," she spoke more to herself than to him.
"I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?"
"Just my pride...and a little scratch. I think I'll live," she replied, bending down to collect her papers.
He knelt down too, giving her a hand. "Let me help you. And again, I'm really sorry."
"No, no – you're obviously in a hurry. Just go," she said flatly.
"It's not like I have anywhere else to be." He paused his shuffling of papers to watch her as she brushed her hair away from her red-flushed cheek. "You must be new here."
"Are you always this observant or am I just lucky?" she deadpanned.
He raised a brow. "Since you're not in a great mood, maybe I should just leave you alone now. Have a good night."
She sighed. "Look, I'm sorry...I just haven't exactly had the best day."
"We've all been there," he cracked a smile, "So, why are you still here? It's getting late."
"I was waiting for someone to get back from a case. It was urgent that I speak with him and some tech girl told me he'd be back late tonight."
"Did you manage to speak with him?" he asked casually, watching her collect her stack of files into her arms before taking half. When she gave him a questioning look, he explained, "Just in case you miss your step and I have to help you pick them up again."
"Thanks...I think." She attempted to resist rolling her eyes, then answered, "If you can call it talking. I think he just gave in so I'd go away."
He gently elbowed her in encouragement. "Prove him wrong. Prove to him that you're a valuable asset to his team."
"If I last that long," she said darkly. "I can handle my files on my own – I'm a big girl."
"Let me help; take it as an apology. I suppose you're heading to the parking lot, I have to get my bike anyway."
Emily shrugged in defeat. "Isn't it a little cold to be biking to work?"
"It's not that bad – I grew up in Chicago, so I'm used to it being chilly. It's actually very refreshing."
She rolled her eyes. "Show off. I take it that actually means it's a 'chick magnet'?"
"I can't deny that it helps," he chuckled.
Before he could say anything more, she interrupted, nodding towards the black Prius. "This is me."
"Nice talking to you." He handed her the files in his arms. "Good night." He waved as she drove away, glancing back at him in the rearview mirror. And then she was gone and he wanted to kick himself, feeling like an idiot as he realized he'd forgotten to ask her name. "Damn it!"