Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters.

A/N Alright, this came to me randomly, and I thought I'd see where it went. I hope you like it!

Emily Prentiss thought that SSA Leah Ryans was a good person. She had recently joined the team of profilers, and she had amazed everyone. Emily thought that she was funny, and very smart. To Emily's dismay, other members of the team also thought she was great.

It was Leah's fourth case, and the team thought that they would take her out for a few drinks. As it was a Saturday, the bar was packed. Reid wanted to leave, but they all convinced him to stay.

"Since I'm the newbie," Leah said after they all settled in. "I will grab the first round of drinks. What does everyone want?" She took their orders and walked to the bar. Rossi accompanied her, offering to carry drinks.

"So, what do we think of Ryans?" Hotch asked when he was sure she couldn't hear.

"She's very smart." Reid said. "I'm sure she'll do well."

"I think she's great." JJ said.

"Very funny." Emily nodded.

"Hot." Morgan said.

"You know that's not what I meant." Hotch said as he rolled his eyes.

"True, but you know we were all thinking it." Emily looked over at Leah. She was a pretty girl. Dark hair, light blue eyes, tall, thin. She was 'hot' by anyone's standards.

"I wasn't." Reid admitted. "I was thinking of how smart she was."

"Of course you were." Morgan laughed. Rossi and Leah returned and handed everyone their drinks. Emily couldn't help but notice the way Hotch was looking at Leah. She read his body language, and she didn't like what she was reading. He laughed a full laugh at something she said. Hotch had been laughing a lot at Leah.

"So, what did you think of the case?" JJ asked, snapping Emily away from her thoughts.

"Tough." Emily nodded.

"It was emotionally draining." Leah said. "They told me the BAU was a hard place to work, but I didn't know it would be this crazy."

"That's why we only take the best." Hotch said, nodding at Leah.

"I'll drink to that." Rossi laughed and he held up his glass. The rest of the team's glasses met Rossi's. The soft song that was playing in the background changed to an upbeat pop song, and Morgan immediately wandered onto the dance floor. Emily's eyes traveled back to Hotch who sipped his drink, still looking at Leah.

"Does he usually ditch you for all girls?" Leah asked.

"Often." Reid nodded.

"Can I talk to you?" Rossi said when he noticed where Emily's eyes were. He motioned for her to join him outside. She obeyed and followed him outside.

"It's freezing." Emily said as she rubbed her arms.

"Are you ever going to ask him out?" Rossi asked bluntly.

"What?

"Don't pretend that you weren't staring Hotch down in there. You like him."

"It's inappropriate of me." She admitted. "Just...lately I've been thinking of him more than I should be. But I can't do anything about it. He's my boss."

"So what?" Rossi asked. "Life is way too short to worry about stupid rules."

"Rossi, it's not that easy." Emily sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"I think he might have feelings for Leah."

"What makes you say that?" He asked. Rossi also thought there might be something between Leah and Hotch, but he overlooked it. He thought that it was just lust or some attraction. He'd seen the way that Aaron had looked at Emily. There was more to their connection.

"When I joined the team, Hotch didn't trust me at all. He thought I was totally incompetent. She shows up and he gives her the green light automatically? There has to be a reason." Emily explained.

"Maybe there is, but you don't know what that reason is. You probably shouldn't just assume." Rossi advised. "Do you not like Leah for some reason?"

"No!" Emily protested. "I like her fine. She's great, it's just-"

"That Green Monster?" He finished for her.

"I am not jealous of her." Emily snapped.

"I think you are. You're jealous of the attention Hotch is giving her."

"Okay, so I am a bit." Emily admitted. "But what the hell am I supposed to do?"

"You go back in there and ask him to dance." Rossi suggested.

"I guess you're right."

"I am. And trust me, there is nothing real going on between Hotch and Leah." Rossi said. Emily gave him a hug as her way of saying thanks, and the duo headed back into the bar. Emily had developed the bravery she lacked before, and held her head up. She walked over to the table quickly. Unfortunately, Hotch wasn't there.

"Where's Hotch?" She asked. JJ smirked and pointed to the dance floor. Emily thought she felt her heart stop when she saw Hotch dancing very closely with Leah.

"It could be nothing." Rossi whispered in Emily's ear, but he realized he was mistaken when Hotch pressed his lips onto Leah's. Emily closed her eyes sadly and sighed. She had missed her chance.

"Jeez," Morgan began. "It's about time that guy got some." Emily shuddered when she thought of what Morgan said. She didn't want Hotch to be with Leah...or anyone else.

"Aren't their rules about this?" Emily interjected.

"When you care about someone, you ignore the rules." JJ suggested. Emily felt tears in her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. So Hotch wasn't willing to break the rules for her? She told herself she didn't care.

Except...she did care. Too much.

A/N: That's all for now. Please review!