The alarm loudly beeped at 0400. Hotch groaned as he rolled over on his back, tangled in his covers. His bleary eyes looked around the apartment as it continued to go off. Slowly sitting up on the edge of the bed, he stretched his sore back. Why was it so sore? Oh yeah...He scoffed and shook his head, rubbing the sleep from his eyes...Prentiss...

His knee's popped as he stood and made his way over to the bathroom, and began getting ready for his shift. He turned the shower on and walked into the kitchen to start some coffee. He took his time in the shower allowing the hot water to wake him up, and quickly got dressed.

Grabbing his Glock 17 he double checked a round was in the chamber, and the mag was fully loaded, and slipped it easily into his holster on his right side, despite the fact he was left-handed. He had a right dominate eye, so he had always kept it on his right side. He slipped his Glock 26 in his ankle holster after double checking it as well, and snagged his credentials from the bedside table. He poked his head in the bathroom to check and make sure his hair looked presentable before grabbing his dark suit jacket and his coffee and walked out the door.

Hotch got in his black SUV and glanced at the time 0445. He didn't have to be at work until 0600, but he always got their earlier than what he had to, and the estate was not too far of a drive. He put it in drive and was on his way.

Paris was a very unique place. He hadn't traveled a lot outside of the U.S. so he was a little excited when he found he had received the job here in Paris. If he had to admit it, he had truthfully put in the job to get away from the states for awhile. He had been married to his wife Haley since high school, but since being a Prosecutor, his schedule did not allow a lot of family time, and that was something that began to scrape away at their marriage. Slowly but surely, he watched his marriage crumble, and for someone who craved control as much as he did, it was heartbreaking. He loved what he did, and he loved Haley- but it seemed fate was telling him he couldn't have both, and eventually had made him decide. When he couldn't make a decision, she decided for him by serving him divorce papers.

So seeing all of the historical architecture whizzing by his window as he drove was a refreshing change. A new start.

He stopped at a red light and reached for his mug. Hotch frowned. It was empty. He noticed a cafe down the street ahead and the thought was tantalizing. He had mulled it over a few seconds, and was about to change his mind when he noticed a familiar dark headed woman walking past his window.

Hotch furrowed his eyebrows and looked again. It was still dark out, and he couldn't be sure, but the young woman walked under a street light and had looked behind her, as if making sure no one had followed her.

The light turned green and he turned right at the closest side street he could find and parked the car. He got out and locked it, lightly jogging toward where he last saw her. He scanned the sidewalks that seemed to be growing busier with foot traffic as the minutes ticked by. Everyone was hustling to get to work, something he should probably be doing.

Until, he saw her again. She crossed another street into a cafe. Hotch recognized her immediately when her face was illuminated by the store's lighting. He searched around looking for any agents nearby. They sure should have been nearby, but he didn't see anyone he recognized. He was about to cross the street when he received a call. He dug into his jacket pocket and answered.

"Hotchner."

"Ms. Prentiss is missing from her bedroom, no one can find her on the grounds. We think she dodged security and left the premises without a bodyguard. We've searched all over-

Hotch interrupted the agents voice that seemed to grow with anxiety the more he spoke, "Don't worry, I may have an idea where she is..."

With that, Hotch hung up, and put his phone away. As he crossed the street he started to feel raindrops sprinkle down and made it into the door before it started to downpour.

The cafe was small and bustling with morning goers trying to get some caffeine before their commute. Prentiss was waiting in line patiently for her turn to order, so he stood in line behind her. He noticed she wore dark blue jeans, some grey ankle high laced up boots, and a dark green top with a light jacket. Her purse was clutched in both arms so no one could pickpocket her. That was the one smart thing she's done today, he thought.

Emily Prentiss looked at the menu that hung above the counter. She already knew what she wanted but she thought she'd look at it again. She suddenly felt uneasy, as if someone was watching her. She went to 'stretch her back' to look around. Her dark eyes scanned the people mingling at the tables inside on her right and then looked behind her.

She visibly jumped and held her chest as her heart was beat frantically in her rib cage. She stared up at him, and met his gaze accusingly.

"What are you doing here?" She growled.

Hotch raised an eyebrow, "I could ask you the same."

"Mademoiselle! Excusez-moi!" The barista spoke, waving her up to the counter.

Emily let a breath out in frustration and left the line. She stalked over to the door and heard the ding of the bell as she opened the door to leave when she saw the rain pouring down. She stared at it. Just great...

A couple of minutes later, Hotch reappeared next to her staring at the open door, and offered her a coffee. She begrudgingly took it and followed him away from the door and over to a place where customers could stand and drink their beverages. Many stores charged extra to sit and people-watch, so they opted to stand.

They drank their coffee in silence until Hotch set his cup down, and leaned against the table. He waited for her to speak.

"How did you find me?" She asked, staring at him over her coffee.

"I was on my way to work and I saw you walking toward the cafe." He said, simply. "Shortly after, I received an interesting phone call..."

She looked at him directly, slamming the cup on the table. "I shouldn't have to ask permission to go walk two blocks from my house to get a coffee!"

"No you shouldn't." he agreed, which took Emily slightly by surprise. "But, you have too. Being in your situation in not enviable Ms. Prentiss, but it is foolish to walk by yourself, as an ambassador's daughter, in a foreign country." He said, pointedly.

Emily sat there silently. His facial expression never changed. She seemed to think that was going to be a trend with him. She watched his hand reach for his mug and he took another drink. Waiting for her response.

"I'm not trying to make your job difficult." She said finally, "I'm just trying to live my life. I want to finish my degree and get as far away from that woman as I possibly can. I don't need a babysitter, I just need my freedom."

Hotch sighed, "You know the security team pretty well, correct? You said it yourself Ambassador Prentiss rarely changes anyone out unnecessarily..."

Prentiss nodded, not sure what he was getting at.

"Ambassador Prentiss made it clear you are to go nowhere without a bodyguard, so give me a list of five agents you would prefer to have around you to make the transition a little easier. I will have to get it approved by the Ambassador of course, but if this can help make both of our lives easier than I am willing to try it." he said, sliding a napkin and a pen across the table.

Emily studied his features again. This man was so different than the other agents she had dealt with in the past. Typically they would yell at her, give some speech about being irresponsible, snatch her up and escort her back to her mother, who then would berate her and send her away, only for the cycle to continue, but not Agent Hotchner. In fact he was even letting her enjoy a cup of coffee before being taken back. He seemed to be in control of his emotions all the time, and was quite reasonable. She had only a few times interacted with him, but he seemed pretty consistent. It was intriguing.

She slid the napkin and pen back, "If I have to get stuck with an agent, then I might as well get stuck with you." She said, simply. "After all, we keep bumping in to each other..." She smiled, wryly.

She watched with satisfaction the look of shock spread across his face. She smiled, "You're good at your job which is why your Head of Security, and all the other agent's that work for you I've been able to slip. The Ambassador would agree just because of that fact."

She continued, "A lot of them still treat me like a child, or are overbearing. It's annoying and unnecessary. I really liked the old Head, Agent Guerrero. He was always very fair. I'm sad to hear he retired."

Hotch stared back at her impassively. This...did not go how I planned...He was hoping she would give him an idea of who to assign as her bodyguard so these incidents wouldn't happen, but this was...unexpected.

It was silent at the table. Hotch glanced at his watch and he straightened up. He sighed, "Come on..."

Emily allowed a small smile of victory to show and followed him out the door. It quickly disappeared when she realized the rain hadn't let up. Hotch took his suit jacket off and flopped it over her head. He made a dash when the traffic cleared, and she ran after him, holding his jacket over her head until they made it to his SUV. The moment the car beeped to unlock they jumped in.

Prentiss removed the soaking wet jacket from her head and gave a grateful smile, "Thanks." Her pants got soaked, but at least half of her was dry, something, she noted, Hotchner couldn't say.

His shirt was soaked and clung to his muscular frame, Emily noted, and water dripped from his bangs onto the steering wheel. He looked at her and nodded at her thanks, grabbed his jacket and flung it to the back seat, where they heard a loud splat sound as it sat there soaking the leather seats. He shook his head, "Look, If I'm going to agree to this, there needs to be some ground rules."

Emily looked at him, and interjected. "I agree. You want me to stay out of trouble to make your life easier, well, I want to have a little more freedom. So I have rules as well. First, I will have my privacy. I don't need you or anyone else hanging over my shoulder at the house or on the grounds, I like my space. Second, your not allowed to listen to any phone calls I have. That goes with the privacy thing. Third, I get to call you Hotch. Hotchner's too long."

Hotch stared at her for a moment and nodded his agreement, "Fine. Here are my rules. 1. You do not under any circumstance leave my side when were off estate grounds. 2. You will tell me if your in any kind of trouble day or night. And 3. you will obey your curfew the Ambassador gives you."

Emily mulled it over and nodded. They looked at each other and shook hands confidently.

"Also, call me Prentiss. Saying Ms. Prentiss makes me feel like my mother." She said, her face scrunching up like she bit into a lemon.

The corner of his mouth turned up, "Is that a rule?"

Prentiss smiled, "Most definitely."

The drive to the estate was silent, minus the phone call he made telling the staff she had been found, and he was bringing her back. She was not looking forward to the talk she would inevitably have with her mother.

Emily sat in the seat uncomfortably. Even as an adult her mother could still make her feel like such a child. She was so relieved when she was free of the house and was accepted into college for her pre-reqs, and then admission into Yale. It had been so exciting. She found a new freedom there she had never experienced before. She studied hard, and flew through her classes, but the feeling of being able to go where you wanted without asking permission was exhilarating. Even just going to sit next to a pond and read a book was heaven. Knowing no one was watching over your shoulder.

This summer was going to suck. Being flung back into all of the usual crap made her anxiety levels raise. She felt trapped. An animal in a cage, with people watching and looking. It made her feel sick. She hoped she had judged Hotch right. She hoped he was someone who could try to make her life as normal as it could be. Other agents would hover around her, or follow her like a puppy dog. She just wanted to get done with summer and get back to school. How backwards, she thought.

Hotch was stuck in his own thoughts. He wasn't sure how he was going to balance all of this, but he would try his best. If he thought he didn't have a life before- he really wasn't going to have one now. He had never really had the specific duty of being assigned to guard someone, sure temporarily for a few hours, or for an event, but this was different. This was going to be day and night, every day. That's why he made the rule about following her curfew, he needed sleep, and would only be able to get it after she had gone to bed. Then the night shift security team would take over and alert him if anything came up. If this worked though, his security team might have an easier job handling Prentiss, and not getting an ass chewing all the time from the Ambassador. This is worth it...Right?

The two found themselves standing in front of the ambassador...again. This seemed like it was becoming another trend, Prentiss thought.

She was standing behind her desk, hands glued to the surface, glaring daggers at her daughter.

"May I remind you Emily, that you are always to be accompanied by a member of my security staff when outside these walls, is that clear?" She seethed. "And why are you both soaking wet? It's Paris, carry an umbrella."

"Yes, mother." She said quickly, and the Ambassador's eyebrow raised. She had expected Emily to argue back, like she always did in the past.

"Mother, If I may..."

The Ambassador straightened and walked around her desk, intrigued by the turn of events. It was unlike her daughter to comply so quickly. She would hear what she had to say.

"Agent Hotchner found me at the cafe this morning, where I was getting some coffee, and we had an interesting conversation. I don't like the fact that I require a bodyguard all the time. I told him this, and he offered to assign me someone who I would feel comfortable with. I didn't feel like any of them fit that description, but the few times I have met with Agent Hotchner, he has treated me nothing but fairly. I would like to have him assigned as my official body guard."

The ambassador looked at her and then him, "He is the head of security, he can't be burdened with babysitting you, because you won't follow the rules that have been blatantly laid out to you."

Emily clenched her jaw. Burden...nice...

"Ambassador, If I may, It is true Ms. Prentiss is quick to dodge security, but if she requests for me to be assigned to her and that keeps her from going off on her own, I wouldn't mind. I will come in earlier for the morning briefings for my team and arrange my other tasks accordingly. It's not a problem." Hotch added.

The Ambassador stood looking at him for a moment then huffed, "Emily, leave. I want to talk with Agent Hotchner in private."

Prentiss looked over at Hotch and nodded, leaving the room. She closed the door behind her and pressed her ear to the door. She couldn't hear much but muffled voices.

The ambassador walked toward him and raised an eyebrow, "She's never really taken much interest in any of my security team before." She spoke, mostly to herself. She looked back up at him, "I agree. I will sign the documents this evening, but I hope you know what your in for. I will have quarters available for you to move your things in by tomorrow. You are not married, correct?"

Hotch froze. "Correct, but" His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Move my things?"

She smiled, almost wickedly. "Agent Hotchner, please. Did you really think being assigned to Emily was going to allow you to stay living...where ever it is you live? She's a full time job in itself. I don't usually have a member of my security team on the grounds 24/7, but If she is suggesting she can follow the rules if I assign you to her, then I don't want to take any chances. She's rebellious." She said, walking past him and picking up some papers on a table next to the wall.

She looked up at him, "She is a Prentiss after all."

Hotch stayed silent, not really knowing when his life just started to dramatically turn in the conversation. What did she mean quarters? He had to live here?! This was not part of the deal...

"Emily, come on in..."

Prentiss walked back in and stood next to Hotch. She looked at her mother waiting for her decision.

Ambassador Prentiss looked over at Emily, "Fine. If this keeps you from running off and acting like a child, then I will allow it. I will have the paperwork completed tonight. That means..." She said looking back to Hotch, "It starts first thing in the morning. I suggest packing your things today, Hotchner."

With that, she cooly walked past the two and out of the room.

Prentiss whirled around to face him, "Packing? What did she mean by packing?"

Hotch clenched his jaw, "Since I'm assigned to you, I have to live here now too..."

Prentiss gave him a guilty look, "You didn't seem like you had much of a life before though...it will at least save you on gas..." She said, trying to cheer him up.

Hotch gave her a dead-pan look.

"Oh whats wrong? You don't like being stuck in this house?" She teased, "It won't be that bad. I promise I will be on my best behavior!" She said, holding her hand in the air as if she were swearing in.

"Your gonna help me pack, and move all my stuff. This is your fault you know."

Prentiss' smile disappeared, "How much stuff do you have?"

Prentiss looked around her new bodyguards apartment. It was clean and everything seemed to have a place, no clutter in sight. He was either very OCD or he was never here to mess things up. Guilt started to claw at her. She didn't realize her mother was going to force him to stay at the house too. Just because she didn't have much freedom didn't mean she wanted what little he had taken away.

But maybe, it was for the best. She felt like he needed to get out more...

Thankfully Hotch still had his boxes he had brought with him broken down in a closet that they could use. He went to go grab them while Prentiss looked around. Thankfully they had changed out of their clothes before they drove back out here, so they wouldn't be uncomfortable the rest of the day. While she was looking around she didn't see much in the way of any photographs, except one. It was of a teenage looking Hotch and possibly a brother or a friend, both smiling at the beach.

She looked around some more, and her eyes glazed over the entire series editions of law books sitting up on a bookshelf, and then she noticed some other books that weren't as boring. Books on psychology, serial killers, and true crime. She flipped through a few and it actually seemed a little interesting. She put them back and continued on.

The apartment was not really decorated. Typical guy. She walked through the small kitchen and opened some of the cupboards only to find they were pretty much empty.

This is a little depressing, she thought, closing them back up. She made her way to his bedroom and looked around. A simple bed, and another bookshelf, with a couple bed side tables on either side of the bed were the only furniture in there. She still didn't come across any other photographs or anything really personal. She thought that to be interesting. She opened his closet and saw a line of suits, a couple of extra kevlar vests, and some ties. All of the ties surprisingly seemed in good taste.

"Hotch, you may need a life." She called out to wherever he was, and closed his closet door. She turned around and practically bumped into him.

He didn't look too happy, but then again...did he ever really?

"I brought you here to help me pack all of my things, not go through it."

"Technically, I'm here because your my body guard now." She said smartly.

Hotch shook his head, "Not until tomorrow morning. Now be useful." He shoved some boxes in her hands and turned to leave, "We can start out here."

"You know..." She said following after him, "This might be good for you. Be around people more. Laugh a little..."

He raised an eyebrow, " You sound like a fortune cookie."

Emily chuckled, "I do, don't I?"

They busied themselves putting all of his stuff in boxes for the next couple of hours. Prentiss had just finished packing most of the books when a picture fell out of one. It was of him and a beautiful blonde woman. She cocked her head to the side, "Who is this?"

Hotch looked up from taping up some more boxes when he saw the picture. He had taken his tie off, and rolled his sleeves up about an hour ago when he had carried a few furniture items to the hauling truck the Ambassador had surprisingly paid for.

Prentiss saw his face tighten and he plucked the photo from her hand. He didn't comment. Emily's eyes widened and scrunched her face up...oookay...must be an old girlfriend or something...

She continued to pack the box for a few more minutes when she stopped again. "Is she a girlfriend?"

Hotch gave her his signature glare, "It's none of your business, just drop it."

Emily looked at him thoughtfully. "Your my body guard now, don't you think we should get to know each other more? I barely know you except for the fact that you passed all inquisitions and background checks that are standard for your job and you like coffee. That's not a lot to build trust with my life in your hands."

Hotch looked over at her and sighed.

"If you don't want to talk, fine. I will- what did those books say over there, profile? Yes! I will profile you life from what I've seen in your apartment. Let's see..." She thought, rubbing her chin with her hand, "You are a bachelor with no real ties with family from your lack of personal touch or photographs. From the looks of it, your rarely home and pour yourself into your work- your ambitious."

She looked at him again, and nodded, "Yeah, I can see that. Plus your rather young to be Head of Security for an Ambassador, so you'd have to pour a lot of hours into your work... You always look professional and manage to stay objective all the time, I'd say that means...you have no life outside of work."

Prentiss exaggerated her last sentence on purpose, "Seriously Hotch. When was the last time you did something for yourself?"

Hotch threw the tape dispenser at her, and then sighed looking at the box he just taped up. It reminded him of when he had to pack all of his things when Haley had kicked him out. He tried his best. He really did. He put a lot of hours into being the best prosecutor he could be, and when he was at home- did his best to be there with her, at home. Not thinking of a trial or a new case. It was hard. He would get calls in all hours of the night, or get called away when they were supposed to be enjoying each other's company. How did people do it?

"Please stop, you look sad." Prentiss said, tossing the tape dispenser back, pulling him away from his thoughts. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want too, but we should get to know each other better."

Hotch scribbled 'books' on the box and capped the marker.

"Ah, your left handed!" She said excitedly, "Interesting..."

"Her name's Hailey. She's my ex-wife."

Prentiss was genuinely surprised, "Oh!...You were married? How long had you two been married?"

Hotch thought for a minute, " about 7 years. We married right after high school."

Prentiss nodded. Judging from the photo he still had of her, she assumed it wasn't a mutual thing. "Was it because of work?"

She already new the answer, and suddenly started feeling guilty about making all of those comments earlier.

"Yes."

An awkward silence fell around them. So she stood, dusted off her pants, and rested her hands on hips "Well, it's a new start, right? Besides, it's a good thing you work a lot, because...I'm a lot of work..." At that, she chuckled, and found herself watching a small smile form on his face.

"You got that right."

Finally, almost all of it was packed save a few boxes. Thankfully the drivers helped Hotch load up his furniture so Emily didn't have to. It was passed dinner time, and both of them were famished. He thanked the driver's in french and they drove away toward the estate.

"I'm starving." She said, as he walked back toward her. He looked back at his old apartment door, and held his coat in his arm, both hands in his pockets.

"Me too. What do you want?" He asked.

Prentiss thought for a moment, and her eyes lit up, "There's a good restaurant down the street!"

They walked about a mile and entered the restaurant where they got seated right away. The waitress came over and asked what drinks they wanted in french. Emily rattled off her answer and then looked at Hotch expectantly. He gave her a sheepish look and Prentiss chuckled.

"Your an agent in France, and you don't know french?" Prentiss laughed some more, and ordered for him. The waitress nodded and left.

"What did you tell her?"

"I ordered you a water. You didn't look like you got enough this morning."

Hotch playfully glared at her, and mumbled a thanks. Prentiss thought it was quite cute actually.

The waitress came back with their drinks and Emily ordered both of their meals. She nodded and disappeared again.

"I went to George Washington University and got my JD in D.C. I worked as a prosecutor for a few years. I was married. I don't know french, or any other language."

Prentiss smiled, "Okay, how about this, from now on I will handle all the french stuff."

Hotch smirked, "Deal."

Prentiss sipped her beverage, " I took my pre reqs at Chesapeake Bay University and I'm almost done with my criminal justice degree at Yale. I grew up all over the world, wherever my mother was stationed at. I am fluent in arabic, spanish, french, and italian. My russian is really rusty."She admitted.

The waitress brought out their food, and set it on the table. "Bon apetite'."

"Merci." Prentiss replied, and the waitress smiled, and walked away.

They dug into their food and fell into a comfortable silence.