Hotch got off the plane and chuckled slightly to himself. "Doom and gloom", he whispered.
England had a reputation for foggy and dreary days, but it was just showing out today. The sky was dark and grey and the misty rain that fell was more than irritating. "It's not even real rain", he muttered to himself. Walking to the gate, he was greeted by sunshine.
"Thanks for coming, Hotch", Emily said, pulling him into a quick hug. "I wish we had more time for pleasantries, but we're on a deadline for real."
"You were vague about what was happening", he said sliding into the car next to her.
"We got a case about a month back of a 'Jack the Ripper' wannabe", Emily started. "We got him into custody pretty quickly, but then a slew of copy cats started happening. We think that the Unsub has a following. He won't openly admit to having partners, but the copy cats are working over time". Emily sighed heavily. "Hotch, it's like for every one we catch, two more pop up."
"We have to consider this may be a cult following", Hotch said, grabbing his tablet from his bag.
"We did", Emily said. "We couldn't find anything. If it's possible, these guys are totally off the grid. No social media, credit cards, nothing."
"Garcia says there is no way anyone can be totally off the grid these days", Hotch said. "We'll find them, Prentiss."
"I'm really glad you're here Hotch", Emily said, a little softer than she meant to. Hotch took a side glance at her. Still as beautiful as ever, but her worry lines were far more pronounced. She had tell-tale signs of having a "bad day" as she called it.
"Prentiss…"
"Emily, please Aaron."
"Emily." Hotch's breath caught a bit when he said her name. That wasn't the first time he'd whispered it. "Are you OK? I mean, you look, worn."
"I am worn. Being you is hard", she said chucking at her joke. "We're here."
Emily and Hotch slid out the car and joined the team. Some members from Interpol were there already.
A little over 3 days later, Hotch and Emily wrapped up. There was a tremendous cult following, and when the Unsub's mother's was dragged into custody, he folded and confessed. Interpol and Emily's team stormed the premises and arrested them on the spot. 10 Unsubs taken into custody and 5 dead; it was a good day.
The officers were taking Willie Cragen to his holding cell when he struggled with the officers and grabbed his gun.
"I'll get you for hurting my mother, you bit…" Willie pointed the gun and a shot rang through the air as Hotch instinctively grabbed his gun a fired one sniper shot straight through his temple. He looked to his left and Emily was crumpled on the ground, blood pouring from her left leg.
"Aaron", she whispered, as she passed out.
When Emily woke up, she was in hospital bed, with a frantic Hotch pacing next to the door.
"Aaron", she said wearily.
"Emily", he said quickly siding up to her bedside. "Are you OK? Well, I know you're not OK, but are you in any pain? Of course you're pain…"
"Hotch!" Emily said a little louder with a small giggle behind it. "I just want some water."
Hotch handed her the water and Emily sat up a little. "Is it bad?"
"I'm waiting for the doctor now. He said he'd be in a few minutes." The door opened after a short knock and Dr. Byer came in.
"How are you feeling, Ms. Prentiss?" He said, lifting up the sheet over her leg.
"I'm OK, I guess. Just really sore."
"As well you should be", he said, putting the sheet down. "You're lucky. You didn't tear any major arteries, or ligaments. It's pretty superficial. You did nick a vein which was why there was such a substantial amount of blood, but not so much that you needed a transfusion. You can actually be released this afternoon. Try not to put too much pressure on it, but you'll be fine a few weeks."
"A few weeks?!" Emily said, trying to get up. "I can't be down a few weeks! I have work…" She stood on her leg and instantly crumbled into Hotch's arms. Her hospital gown came undone and his arm cradled her backside as he placed her in the bed.
"You", he said, placing the sheet back over and trying not look at her directly in the eye. "You are not going anywhere. Not tonight, not tomorrow. You need to rest."
"Aaron…"
"Nope. No sweet talking me. You're not going anywhere. In fact…" Hotch picked up his phone.
"Cruz."
"It's Hotchner. I may need to take some time. Prentiss got shot in the station today and…"
"Say no more. How much time are we talking?" Matt Cruz started filing the paperwork on his desktop.
"A month."
"It's doable. I've been looking to get back in the field a bit anyway. I'll explain it to the team." Matt typed away for a sec. "You, know, this might eat into your vacation time."
"Where do I go?" Hotch said with a chuckle.
Matt chuckled with him. "Alright then, it's all set. Give my best to Prentiss."
"Thank you Sir. " Hotch hung up. "There. It's done."
About 2 hours later, Hotch helped Emily into her SUV and drove her home. After getting her in the apartment, and thanking the powers that be that the stairs were minimum, he sat her in her bed and began to unpack.
"You've been unpacking my same bag for over an hour, Aaron." Emily said, smiling. "So are we not going to address the elephant in the room?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about", he said, folding her pants again.
"I'll have wrinkles in those pants if you fold them one more time", Emily said. "Come here." She patted the bed next to her. She looked him square in the eye. "Your arm touched my butt."
The blush on Hotch crept up from the base of his neck to his jaw line and right into his cheeks.
"It was an accident", he said, trying to turn away. Emily wasn't having it.
"It's OK", she said. "I'm not embarrassed. And you really don't have to stay."
"I'm not going anywhere", Hotch said, standing up. "You need help, and I'm going to give it to you." Hotch looked her in the eye and they both burst out in laughter.
"You're going to give it to me?" Emily said, doubled over.
"Only if you don't behave", Hotch said, and then stopped dead in his tracks. He could have sworn he hear Emily whisper, "I plan on it."