None of his messages were answered. To say that Dave was disappointed was a huge understatement. He had heard from Aaron and knew they were all off for a number of days. Naturally, he assumed Emily would want to pick up where they left off. The last thing he expected was no word from the beautiful brunette.

Everything was going well. Isn't that what you thought the last couple of times? He was going at a pace that allowed Emily to lead with a lot of confirmation from him. Or so he thought. Dave had felt before they were called to the New Orleans case that she was confident on taking the next step. He had everything set for a romantic evening at his place for her return. Yet he never heard from her.

Aaron had returned. Dave intelligently questioned if the team was all returning and the answer left his face hot. It was a good thing they weren't video conferencing. The unit chief picked up something in his tone which the seasoned profiler quickly dismissed as being tired. He wasn't sure his friend bought it but the conversation was over with Rossi ending the call before Hotch could press further.

His closing words were that he would let Aaron get back to Jack. Dave was only grateful that he hadn't bothered to open the special bottle of Merlot. He poured himself a glass of scotch and sat with his manuscript until his eyes fell heavy and he called it a night. And that bottle of scotch was no more.

Morning came sooner than expected. The sounds of his dog whining to be taken out was not what Dave was hoping to wake to. No flash on his cell phone. A new day had started with old feelings. He tiredly rubbed at his face and finally pulled himself out of bed, deciding he would not give Emily any more thought that day.

He worked more on his manuscript and caught a ball game on tv before putting his gear together for a hunting expedition. It was the best distraction he could manage from his confusing personal life. Dave wasn't sure if this was karma or a simple miscommunication. Maybe Emily had lost her cell phone. She probably had not memorized his number. Same excuses once made for him when he was out of touch.

Yet…

It was more than Emily Prentiss not answering his calls. Dave had his suspicions about Morgan. He was well aware how the kids on the team got together after cases and Emily suddenly remained back to spend time with him instead of them. She still appeared friendly with all of them. Except Morgan. Something had happened with Derek. Dave was sure of it.

He had put it all out of his mind, happy to have earned her attention. Now he wondered if he was a fool for having operated that way. Or at least, naïve. Dave attempted to mentally rationalize that the case was hard and probably mended fences between the two. Emily wasn't the type to just not return a call. She simply might have left her cell in the room and had drinks with the team.

Dave sighed, unhappy to spend another evening wondering about his girlfriend. Girlfriend? He hadn't allowed himself to think of Emily in that fashion until that moment. They had enjoyed each other's company outside of work a handful of times. She was going to spend the night if they weren't called for work. That was where they were headed—a relationship. Wasn't it?

After one last glance of his cell phone, he cleaned up dinner and prepared to conclude his night like the evening before. Minus the scotch. Dave had every intention of an early hunt and needed to be at his best. Besides, he was sure the liquor wasn't keeping him in the best frame of mind.

It was only a little after eight o'clock that he returned from walking his dog when his cell phone rang. He didn't rush to answer, regardless of the past day and a half. His publicist had called him a few times that day along with Aaron. He would have been foolish to automatically assume it was Emily. However, it was her name that finally appeared on his display.

"She lives," he answered with less amusement than he would normally convey.

"Hey." Emily returned and there was silence for a moment.

Dave had expected her to instantly explain. The silence threw up quite the red flag. However, he didn't let her off easy and simply waited until she did continue.

"…Sorry I haven't called you back sooner. I decided to stay after the case. Well, I didn't think I was going to stay stay. Just stay a little—I'm back now. We all flew back today. Figured I should tell you that. Not sure if you heard from anyone else."

She sounded as hesitant and all over the map as she had sometimes been on their dates. The feeling didn't sit well with Dave. He had naturally assumed she had been a little anxious about where they were heading. To hear her sounding that way over the phone after being out of contact for over a day…he was not happy.

"Why would I hear from anyone else?" he responded coolly. The question was rhetorical and Dave continued. "I knew when the case was over. You're the only one I contacted after. I'm not dating any of them."

It might have been unnecessary to throw that ending on there. Normally, Dave wouldn't. He was taking a jealous and resenting approach. -One that he was growing more and more acutely certain of. He didn't like the idea that he might have been just a way for Emily to avoid the team. Or that now she was getting back to him after having her fun with them in New Orleans. Her silence didn't help matters.

"Hello?" he asked with annoyance finally evident in his tone.

"I'm here," her voice cracked and the two words acted like a dagger thrust into his heart unexpectedly. Dave instantly recognized the tone of her voice. He knew better to even question if she was upset.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he immediately asked in a stark contrast to his last utterance. His voice was soft, apologetic and pleading all at once.

"I'm sorry I didn't call you. I should've. I…I can't do this right now. I'm sorry. I'll…I'll call you tomorrow. I'm so sorry, Dave."

The line went dead. She had ended the call. He was stunned for a long moment then finally slumped his shoulders in defeat. iStupid!/i He was furious with himself. The jealousy hadn't worked out in past relationships but he apparently didn't learn. He knew Emily wasn't one to callously refrain from returning phone calls. He stared at his cell phone in hand and contemplated calling her back, finally sending her a text message.

Can't wait to see you. Call me whenever you want. I'm here, Emily.

He knew down deep not to expect a phone call back that night but hoped for the best. It was a little more than unnerving to realize how she had penetrated his armor. Dave couldn't remember the last he worried this much over a woman. He recognized some of his feelings had to do with caring over her as a friend that he worked with; knowing her in that capacity, but there was definitely more there.

After midnight, Dave gave up his futile attempt at writing and called it a night. He turned the volume up on his cell phone before lying in bed. His mind had yet to cease running through all the possible scenarios he might be faced with Emily the next day. The last thought was an old proverb he wished that he wasn't so familiar with…

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was.

Derek woke up sluggish as he often did. He wasn't a morning person by nature and the night had been one of physical and emotional release. The light coming in through the balcony was bright. He raised a hand to block the sun from his eyes before attempting to open them. A hand out on the mattress didn't find Emily on the bed and neither did his eyes.

He lowered his hand, squinted, and looked at his watch. 9:47 It was further into the day than he thought. His brow furrowed in confusion. He gave another reach around with his hand over the side of the bed where Emily had slept, checking for a note or any sign that he had not imagined the night before. A sign other than the obvious one his body gave him.

Memories flooded as he felt the linens. The regular morning 'excitement' at his groin increased with the images of Emily in his mind which made him groan softly. His brow continued to scowl but Derek was pouting at her absence. He didn't like being unaware of when she had left and having no knowledge of why. He brought the palms of his hands to rub at his eyes before finally curling up to exit the bed.

He sat with his legs hanging off the bedside, looking around the room for any traces of her. Nothing. Derek rose to his feet and pulled up a pair of boxers before walking too far into the room with the balcony wide open from the day before. He found his cell phone powered off, no doubt from a dead battery. The cart with food they had ordered and not touched remained in the room.

It was possible that Emily had left for a change of clothes and breakfast. Derek hated the idea that she might have immediately regretted what had happened between them. There was stationary in the room. She could have left him a note. Something. His brow remained furrowed but his eyes were more sad than scowling.

The idea that he had possibly made her do something she didn't want to do suffocated him. Derek quickly dressed and collected his belongings, leaving the room in search of Emily. He knocked at her door but there was no answer. The front desk did not have her checked out though they were only paid through the last night and were expected to vacate by ten.

Morgan grew increasingly agitated but held everything inside. There was nothing he could really do with a dead cell phone. He asked for a later check out and returned to his room after turning in the key for Hotch's suite. Derek set his phone to charge while taking a shower and packing his bag. He couldn't remove the images of Emily from his mind. The truth was, he really didn't want to.

Even with water cascading down his body and steam filling the small room, he could smell and taste her. Derek relived the moment in his mind and sought release in an attempt to lose some of his anxiety over her absence. He chastised himself mentally for thinking the worse. Emily would have put a stop if she had any objections. All the same, he hated her absence.

The shower ended, he dressed and his bag was packed. Derek disconnected his phone from the charger and haphazardly packed the accessory away. He turned on the phone and slipped it into a pocket while finally exiting the room. It would alert him of any missed calls or messages once it finished powering up. He pressed the call button for the elevator and fished the device out from his pocket.

Checkout 10a. Didnt want 2 wake u. Batt about dead. See u back home.

He quickly checked the time-stamp. She had sent it an hour before he awoke. Another text message came through from Reid, asking what time they were supposed to check out. Derek quickly answered and returned to thinking about Emily. Her message alleviated some of his fears but he still left a bad taste in his mouth at her disappearance. He waited until the cab ride to the airport before responding.

woke up 2 find cell dead. Just got ur msg. Wish u woke me. Heading 2 airport

There was a huge temptation to ask where she was. After all, Emily would have charged her cell phone by now. He couldn't imagine her traveling with a dead phone but pegged it a good excuse to stay out of communication. This was all too familiar. It was how they had spent the preceding months. Derek swallowed and put his phone away. The ball was in her court. As usual

It wasn't long before Rossi came to mind. In fact, Derek had yet to arrive at the airport before he remembered the other man. Had Emily cheated on him? Maybe she physically responded and submitted to sex but the morning came with a different reality. She hadn't declined his accusations. No, Prentiss had confirmed them.

His eyes darted from the cab floor to the window at his side. Nothing other than the need for a distraction prompted his instant action. Emily had clearly told him how Rossi had believed her and had been there for her. Moreover, she told him that she had chosen Dave over him. Derek shook his head, feeling as if he were kicked in the stomach at the realization. What have you done?

No phone call or text message arrived from Emily before or after the flight. Derek sent a message on the cab ride home from the airport. Home There were a thousand questions and concerns but the one word had to suffice. She knew how to find him. He pushed the thought out of his mind that she was possibly not looking. Or that New Orleans would remain their dirty little secret.

Yet…

Derek couldn't help thinking that he would never ever see it that way.