A/N- Sorry it has been so long between updates, uni work has been insane and will continue to be insane until September. Please be patient with me, I will try to update more often but I can't make any promises.
Hope you enjoy!
Hesitation caused Katy to stare at the entrance to the bullpen. She couldn't deny the nerves that were coursing through her as she realised it was over three months since she had walked through the doors. There was some doubt in her mind as to if she should have come back yet, or if she should have taken more time to recover like her mother had suggested.
Closing her eyes Katy took a deep breath and walked through the doors, she paused just inside the door. Reopening her eyes instantly and noticed that Reid, Morgan and Prentiss were deep in conversation at their desks. As she stepped towards them Prentiss noticed her movement and turned to look at her, smiling as she realised it was Katy, she stood up as she spoke. 'Oh hey stranger!' Morgan and Reid turned to look at who she was speaking to.
Katy hugged Prentiss smiling. 'Hey yourself, I'm glad to be back! As much as I love England I missed being here.'
'We missed you too English.' Morgan said as he hugged her. Stepping back he held her at arm's length. 'You look well.'
Reid nodded in agreement as he stepped forward to hug her too.'Yeah you look awesome!'
Once Reid withdrew from the hug, Katy walked over to her desk and smiled at them all before she responded. 'Thanks.'
Rossi, who had noticed Katy walk into the bullpen from his office had walked over to join the group. Katy had his back to him as he placed a hand on her shoulder. 'Hey kid, it's good to have you back.'
She turned to hug him too. 'Thanks Rossi, but I already miss the home cooking.'
Morgan nudged Prentiss, a mischievous glint in his eye. 'Hey you know what this means don't you?'
Prentiss nodded. 'Time for a party at Rossi's!'
Turning to the pair Rossi smiled. 'Oh really?' Folding his arms he continued. 'Do I get a say in this?'
Walking over to Rossi, Morgan placed an arm round the older man's shoulders. 'Rossi, you know you do. But are you free tonight?'
Katy laughed at Morgan. 'I've been back like four days, give me chance to settle in!'
Rossi opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a squeal from near the doors causing them all to turn. 'Oh my god you are back!' Garcia came running across the bullpen and crashed into Katy enveloping her into a hug.
Gasping for air Katy tried and failed to release herself from Garcia's grip. 'God Garcia, I do need to breathe you know.'
Garcia withdrew from the hug and frowned at Katy. Silently she held out a hand as if expecting something. After a short pause she spoke. 'So where is it?''
Rubbing her ribs Katy looked confused. 'Where is what?'
Garcia dropped her outstretched hand. 'Don't give me that Chilcot, you promised you would find out Prince William's phone number!'
Sighing Morgan spoke up. 'Baby girl. I doubt she promised that.'
'But…' She began petulantly, turning slightly towards Morgan.
Katy put her hands on Garcia's shoulders causing Garcia to look back at Katy. 'For the last time... he is married!'
While this conversation was happening, Hotch had walked over reading a folder in his hands apparently not paying attention to the team. However as he arrived he spoke. 'She's right you know Garcia.' Looking up he smiled at Katy. 'Welcome back. Chilcot. I apologise for interrupting this reunion but we have a case.' Automatically the team started walking to the briefing room. 'Chilcot, can I have a word?'
Pausing Katy turned and towards frowned at Hotch. Once she was sure that the rest of the team had gone she addressed Hotch. 'What's up?'
Closing the folder he looked at Katy properly. 'Nothing really, just need to check that you feel ok with going on a case so soon?'
The smile on Katy's face dropped as she responded hesitantly. 'Why?'
They started walking up to the briefing room as Hotch spoke. 'You didn't look too well when I came to see you yesterday.'
Pausing outside the room she turned to look at Hotch. 'I told you it was the jetlag.'
Ignoring that the rest of the team were paying attention to the conversation they were having outside the door he continued. 'You can sit this one out if you want, give yourself chance to reacclimatise. You don't need to push yourself too hard.'
A look of annoyance crossed Katy's face. 'Hotch, it's fine, I can deal with it.' JJ walked past them both as Hotch seemed to be evaluating Katy before he finally let the issue drop and walked into the room. Katy following close behind.
Five minutes later saw the team sat in the briefing room as they discussed the new case.
Katy tuned out of what Garcia was saying as she felt an intense wave of nausea hit her. Looking away from the screen she focused on the pattern of the wood on the table pondering why photos were suddenly making her feel ill. Feeling eyes on her she turned and looked at Reid who had been watching her, she smiled shyly, unaware of the fact that he had seen how pale her face was.
With no warning at all Katy felt her stomach heave, pushing herself back from the table she managed to avoid vomiting over the paperwork and her iPad. She heard the gasps of concern and horror as she threw up over both herself and Reid.
As suddenly as it had started it stopped. No one spoke for a few seconds. Sensing the silence in the room Katy spoke first. 'Oh god, I'm sorry.' She didn't look up, embarrassed by what had happened. 'I'm so sorry Reid.'
Reid placed a hand on her shoulder. 'It's ok Katy. Why don't we both go freshen up?' Katy nodded and walked out of the room with Reid. She didn't look up as they left, feeling everyone looking at her. 'Are you ok?' He as they walked across the bullpen.
Looking at her feet, Katy only responded as they walked out of the bullpen. 'Just embarrassed and sorry.' She ran a hand through her hair.
Glancing sideways Reid responded. 'Don't be. Everyone does embarrassing things sometimes. Even me.'
A look of annoyance crossed Katy's face as she stared at Reid. 'Have you ever thrown up on your co-workers?' She snapped looking away from him.
Reid's smile dropped slightly. 'Well no... but.'
Katy sighed and turned to face Reid properly. 'Sorry Reid, it's not your fault. I'm just ridiculously embarrassed.' She placed a hand on the door of the ladies.
'Do you want me to wait for you?' He asked as they hesitated at the door.
She shook her head. 'No, it's ok. You go back when you are ready.' She smiled up at him as she walked into the bathroom.
When Katy returned to the bullpen she saw that the team, including Reid, had moved into Hotch's office. She debated joining them briefly before deciding against it. She sank down into her chair. Glancing over at the briefing room she saw that the cleaning team were already in there, she sighed as she placed her head in her hands.
A few minutes later she heard the team leave Hotch's office. She looked up as they came into the bullpen. She smiled timidly as they walked up to her. 'Before you all ask. Yes I am ok. No I don't want to talk about it.'
JJ smiled at her. 'Don't worry about it. Also welcome back.'
A voice interrupted them all before Katy could respond. Hotch had walked up behind her. 'Shouldn't you all be on your way to the jet?' The tone of his voice made the rest of the team move without replying.
Katy stood up to leave too. 'Just wait a second Chilcot.' She sank back down in her chair and looked away from him. 'Katy?' She turned fully to face him. 'Are you alright?' The rest of the team had now left the office.
She looked up at him briefly before looking away. 'Apart from being mortified? Yes, I'm fine.'
Hotch knelt down next to her desk looking into her eyes. 'Look, if you've come back too soon it's ok.'
Katy shook her head. 'Honestly, it wasn't that. ' Hotch looked like he didn't believe her. 'Seriously Hotch I'm ok.' Hotch frowned at her. 'It's just the withdrawal from the pain medication. I've been like it for weeks. They did warn this could happen.'
Hotch looked into her face evaluating her before he replied. 'Are you sure you are ok?' she nodded. Standing up he continued. 'Well then, lets join the rest of the team. I'll just go get my go bag then we can be on our way.' He started to walk back towards his office. 'But Chilcot.' He paused and looked at her. 'If you are ill again you are going home ok?' He walked off before she could respond.