Hey guys! Thanks for the awesome response! Finals are now over and I should have more time to write :)

I do not own Criminal Minds

Emily wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and adjusted her shirt. She straightened her back and walked to the table where Hotch was waiting for her.

"Sorry," she apologized as she sat back down.

"No need," Hotch smiled, "so how's London?"

"It's good," Emily nodded slowly, "It's good..."

"But?"

"How do you know there's going to be a but?" Emily asked.

"I worked with you for five years Emily, I know when there's a but," Hotch smiled at her and their eyes locked.

She rolled her eyes, but answered nonetheless, "But it's not here."

"So does this mean," Hotch raised his eyebrows, "you're here for good?

"I'm here for now" Emily answered.

"I can talk to Strauss, we should be able to get your spot back."

Emily shook her head, "I'm not here for a job, I just wanted to see you, the team."

He nodded slowly, "What are you planning on doing?"

"I think I'll take a few months off, figure things out."

"Well let me know if you change your mind, there will always be a place for you here," Hotch assured her.

"That's a kind offer, but I don't think I'll be taking you up on it," Emily could see Hotch's disappointment when she said that, "So how's Jack doing?" She attempted to change the subject.

"He's great," Hotch's face lit up, "his class is doing a play and he got picked for the lead. I'm just hoping he takes after Haley in the acting department, and not me," He laughed.

They continued to talk, Hotch caught her up on Jack and the team and Emily told him more about London. In some ways it seemed like Emily had never been gone, especially the way they could talk so easily together.

"Does anyone else on the team know you're back?" Hotch asked.

"Not yet, I wanted to let you know first. I'll talk to them soon though."

Just then the food arrived and the aroma of Italian food encased them. They ate in silence for a few minutes before they picked up their conversation again. This time Emily led it away from herself and instead asked Hotch as much as she could about work. Although she didn't particularly want to hear about their latest case, it was better than talking about her.

When they finished their meals Aaron insisted on paying and they got ready to leave. Before Emily stood up Hotch stopped her by resting a hand on her arm.

"I sense there's more to you coming back than what you've told me. I've gotten three messages from Clyde today asking if I knew where you were. I haven't responded, and I don't plan to. But I just want you to know that if you want to talk about it, I'm here," Aaron looked at her with his intense, dark eyes.

Emily nodded, "Thanks Aaron."

XXX

Emily stared outside and rested her hands on the window sill. The view from her hotel room wasn't great, a graffiti covered building and a small patch of dying grass. It was dark outside, and the stars were barely visible. She sighed and leaned her weight down on her hands.

She ran over the entire night with Hotch in her head, thought over each word that had been said. She could feel a tugging at her heart and tried to ignore it. She knew she couldn't start anything with him. She was here to see her friends, not to make new relationships.

Despite all she told herself, she couldn't help but think about his hand on her arm. About his deep eyes and his thoughtful words. About how she knew she wanted more.

But she couldn't do that. The second she had walked into the Doctor's office and saw the grim look on his face, she knew nothing would ever be the same. She could try coming back, and she could try living the life she'd had before. But those words were forever ingrained in her, and they changed her in a way that nothing else could.

She was changed, but despite all that, she would do whatever it took to make everything the same as when she had left. She needed normal now.