No...it couldn't be. She wouldn't risk that after all they went through to keep her safe. Unless something was very very wrong. He was standing there, lost in thought, when Strauss came up behind him. She must have said his name a couple of times, because when he finally heard her, her voice was quite loud.

"Agent Hotchner!"

"Chief Strauss, sorry, I was just...what can I do for you?"

"I'd like to meet with you in my office if you have a minute."

"Well actually..."

"It's not a request." she said, walking away, fully expecting him to follow.

He put his phone away, and grudgingly made his way towards her office. The tone in her voice told him that whatever this was, it couldnt be good. She was already seated when he walked in, and motioned for him to close the door. Yep, it was definitely not good.

"What's this about?"

"As you know, I've read all of your grief evaluations. It's clear that this team has not yet dealt with Emily's death."

"How can you say that? Everyone deals with these things differently. And we've had 3 cases since then, cases we have successfully solved."

"That's just it, nobody has stepped back and taken a breath. The director is...concerned."

"What are you not saying?"

"There was some real talk about splitting up this unit. As you know, each member of your team was offered a position elsewhere, and every one of them turned it down. They're very loyal to you."

"Not to me. To each other."

She shrugged.

"Aaron, we've had our battles. I can't imagine what you're going through right now..."

Hotch waved to cut her off. He didn't even want the subject mentioned inside these walls.

"Right. I know you won't believe me, but I want this team to stay together. If it wasn't for me, you would be out in the middle of a God forsaken desert right now."

"What does that even mean?"

"Never mind. It's not important." she brushed him off. "What's important is, I went out a limb for you and I think I've worked out a compromise that you can live with."

"Go on."

"Begininning tomorrow, every member of the team will go on a two week paid leave. They want you all to take time, to process things. Before you argue, know that this is not up for debate. After that time, everyone will be evaluated and if all is well...things will go back to the way they were."

"Things will never be the way they were..."

"I'm sorry." she said sincerely. "Think of it as a vacation. Spend some time with Jack, maybe get away.."

"Jack left for Florida this morning with Haley's sister. He'll be gone a week."

"So join them there. Or don't. But when you leave here today, I don't want to see you or the rest of the team in this building for two weeks."

She stood up, signalling that this was the end of the conversation.

"If we do this, the team stays together?"

"You have my word."

He nodded, turned and put his hand on the doorknob.

"I assume you would prefer to be the one to tell them?" she asked.

"I'd appreciate that."

"Fine. But Aaron...don't make me regret this."


Hotch waited until the end of the day, then gathered the team together and broke the news. He received exactly the response that he expected. Nobody was happy about the forced vacation, but there was, of course one person who reacted more strongly than the others.

"They can't do this!" Morgan shouted, slamming his fist down on the table. "We have a job to do here, man. You have to do something about this."

Hotch was tight lipped and spoke quietly.

"Morgan, keep your voice down. I know how you feel, we all want to get Doyle. Two weeks isn't going to change anything. We'll still get him."

If only Morgan knew just how critical time really was.

"It can change everything." he said, still louder than he should. "You know how much he can accomplish in two weeks with nobody watching? What if he finds Declan? "

"You have to trust me. I have people in place, there will be someone watching."

"People? What people?"

"As I said, you have to trust me."

Derek glared at his unit chief, trying without much luck to control his anger. Not wanting to say something he would regret, he threw down the file he had been holding and stormed off.

"I can go talk to him..." Garcia offered.

"No. Give him time, he'll cool down." Hotch said, starting to walk away. He stopped and turned around to face his team again. "I know that we're technically not working, I would appreciate it if all of you kept your cell phones on during this time."

When he left, the team sat in silence, trying to process everything that was happening.

"What do you think that meant?" Reid asked aloud.

"This whole team has been unofficially trying to track down Ian Doyle for weeks. My guess is he keeps looking on his own." Rossi said

JJ was silent through the entire conversation, waiting until Hotch was in his office before following. She stood in the doorway, knocking lightly as she watched him stuffing files into his briefcase. He looked up briefly before snapping his briefcase shut and walking around his desk.

"I know what you're thinking. I'm fine."

"Hotch, this is eating you up alive."

"I said I'm fine."

"Well, what are you going to do for two weeks?"

Hotch brushed past her in the doorway, effectively ending the conversation.

"I'm going to spend some quality time with my son. I suggest you do the same."

He made his way down the steps, and headed towards the elevator. He pressed the button , and then impatiently hit it again. He was doing his best not to let the team see his frustration, and he just wanted to get out of there.

"You know, that's not going to make the elevator come any faster."

He turned to see Rossi standing behind him, giving him a knowing look.

"Dave, I'd appreciate it if you would check on Morgan before you leave." he said, ignoring the sarcasm.

"He'll be fine. He's just frustrated."

"He's not alone."

The elevator arrived, and Hotch stepped inside. When the doors began to close, Rossi reached out and stopped them with his hand.

"Finding him is not going to bring her back, Aaron."

"I know that, Dave." he said, even though he knew differently.

"I know there's something going on here. I'm not going to ask. But whatever it is, you call me if you need my help."

"I will."