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Criminal Minds Weekly Prompts

April Prompt: It's no secret that Paget Brewster is leaving Criminal Minds. Write your version of how she leaves. Not how you think, but if you had your way, how would she exit the show?

Week 11 (Prompt #2): During a case, a local detective is heavily flirting with Prentiss causing someone to be jealous.

A New Purpose for Prentiss

Chapter 1: A Needed Distraction

Usually when a local law enforcement officer shows interest in Emily Prentiss, she shrugs it off and puts an end to it in a joking manner. She didn't usually find anything wrong with them, she just wasn't interested in a long-distance relationship like JJ's that ended up with strings and sacrifices on location.

Cases involving children were always more emotionally demanding and draining than other cases. And they were arriving at their third one in just over six weeks of time. That's why when the lead detective started flirting rather heavily with her on the very first day, she didn't stop it. Instead, she was receptive to it. She needed the distraction.

This didn't go unnoticed.

Rossi was watching Hotch as he drove to the nearby school to try and get some information from the teachers and students of the last children who were left without parents.

"Dave, either change your focus or just tell me what's on your mind."

"Well, since you asked…"

Hotch snorted at him.

"You've been watching Prentiss when Detective Carlson is around."

"Which is a lot," noted Hotch.

"We've dealt with many LEOs that hover and want to dissect and approve every opinion."

"This is different. He's being unprofessional with Emily."

"She's a beautiful woman. There have been quite a few single, and married, LEOs who've shown her extra attention. She's always handled it on her own. I've never seen you this concerned before."

"This time looks to be a time she's going to need some help. She's not putting on the breaks. Did you just hear her this morning? She called him by his first name." Hotch was clearly stressed about the situation.

"Are you jealous?" Rossi asked with genuine surprise.

"No, of course not, but their behavior has been borderline unprofessional."

"You seem okay with Morgan and Garcia most of the time," he argued.

"I know nothing is going on with them."

After a few moments of silence, Hotch added, "We just got her back, Dave."

"Aaron, I know you're highly protective of this team staying together. I think you're thinking way ahead of the game here. Besides, JJ's relationship didn't take her away from us."

Hotch let out a big sigh but then felt Rossi's eyes watching him again. "Dave, we have a case."

~oOo~

Emily noticed that she was being watched by Hotch. To say it didn't bother her would be a lie. It did bother her… a lot. All these years she wished for more overt attention and now that he was serious about someone else, now that she was showing someone else attention, he notices.

They were ready to give the profile in the morning and Hotch expected everyone back at the hotel to get as much rest as possible for the next day. He didn't actually give the direction; it was just implied. Detective Carlson thought the night was still young, but nothing else could be done at the moment.

With a hand ghosted at the small of Emily's back, Detective Jeff Carlson led her towards his office away prying eyes and supersonic hearing.

"Was there something else you needed to discuss?" asked Emily without any false pretenses of what was going on.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you to a proper dinner." He shrugged slightly as he added, "And maybe a little off duty drink if you're interested."

"So the leftover bagels from this morning didn't do it for you?" she asked rhetorically.

"Definitely not," Jeff chuckled and flashed the charming lop-sided smile she was already growing to love.

"Well, this is your town. What did you have in mind?"

"Do you like surprises?"

"Let's see… no unsubs, off duty, handsome gentleman… yeah, surprises are good." She returned his smile with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

~oOo~

Chapter 2 coming soon!

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