"Prentiss residence, Mary speaking," the woman answered. Hotch frowned. "This is Agent Hotchner of the FBI. I was hoping to speak to Ambassador Prentiss," he said quietly, leaning back in his desk chair. "One moment please," Mary said, before placing the call on hold. Hotch heard nothing but soothing classical music… Mendelssohn if his memory served. He sat back to wait.

A few moments later, he heard the click and then a deep breath. "Agent Hotchner?" Elizabeth Prentiss asked. "Yes ma'am," he replied nervously. "What can I do for you Aaron?" she asked. If she was being honest, she'd have to admit she had expected this call. Emily spoke of her close friendship with her supervisor and Elizabeth knew that he would be concerned about her well-being.

Hotch cleared his throat. He wasn't sure how much Emily had shared with her mother, particularly about their friendship. But honestly, that was the least of his concerns. He just wanted to make sure that Emily was ok.

"I'm sorry to bother you ma'am, but I was hoping that you could tell me what is going on with Emily. I spoke to her this afternoon, just briefly, and she told me very little. I'm… our team… is concerned about her," he explained, wincing at his faux pas.

Elizabeth smiled sadly. "I'm sure she would appreciate the concern Aaron. But in all honesty, I can't really divulge too much information myself. At least not over the phone," she explained. She sighed, wishing she could tell him the rest. But the phone's weren't secure and she didn't know who was listening in. "Would you like to come over for a drink?" she suggested, hoping he would read into the invitation.

Hotch wrinkled his brow. Whatever this was, it was sensitive enough that the Ambassador couldn't speak over the phone. He also knew, as a result of being in charge of her security detail years ago, that she had a room in her home where such matters could be discussed, away from the prying ears of the enemy.

He glanced at his watch. It was just past three. If he left now he could skip the peak-hour traffic heading through DC and get to Sheridan Circle by four. "That sounds great Ambassador. I'll leave now and hopefully be there by four," he replied. "Ok. I will see you when you get here," she replied, before they hung up.

Hotch looked at his desk, quickly closing down his computer and slipping the relevant paperwork into their corresponding files. He grabbed his briefcase and ready-bag and headed out, without saying a word to the others who had congregated in the bull-pen.


JJ looked up from her conversation with the others. "Where do you think he's going?" she asked, nodding toward the glass door through which Hotch had just exited. Morgan shrugged his shoulders. "Probably to pick Jack up. The man needs a break," he replied. JJ glanced at Garcia and the two women exchanged worried looks.

"What is it?" Rossi asked, noticing the expressions on their faces. JJ bit her lip. "Spill. Or I'll get it out of Garcia," Morgan added. JJ rolled her eyes and glanced at Garcia, before looking around at the three remaining profilers.

"Emily's still in New York. Something about Saint Barclay's. Hotch has been worried about her all afternoon. We checked her GPS and she's still in the hospital. But she won't tell us anything," JJ explained. Garcia bit her lip, remembering that JJ hadn't been privy to the conversation she'd shared with their Unit Chief an hour earlier. Morgan picked up on her nervousness and pushed her to share with the group.

"I think Hotch may be going to meet with the Ambassador," she explained, after providing the group with the abridged version of her inquiries. Morgan looked up at Rossi who was frowning. "What do you think we should do?" he asked. Rossi shook his head. "Nothing for the time being. Until Hotch knows more, there's no point in speculating," he replied, before turning to walk back up to his office.

The others looked around at each other. "Does he seriously think we can do that?" JJ asked, running her hand over her small baby bump. Reid shrugged his shoulders. "Do we have a choice?" he asked. JJ frowned and stood up, followed by Garcia. They may not have a choice when it came to acting on their compiled information, but they could keep an eye on Emily's movements and make sure she didn't leave the hospital.


Fifty minutes after ending their call, Hotch pulled up to the driveway of the Ambassador's home. It was a large residence, probably in the range of 5000 sq. feet, five bedrooms, a four car garage, large yard, and a swimming pool. It was the same residence the Prentiss family had owned for generations. The family had stayed there between posts, during holidays when they were stateside, and when they returned each year for Christmas and New Years. It was the same home that Hotch had run security checks in during his first assignment to the FBI. And it was where he'd met Emily almost seventeen years ago.

He pulled up to the gate and pressed the buzzer. "Hello?" the woman asked. "This is Agent Hotchner. Ambassador Prentiss is expecting me," he explained. "One moment," she replied. A moment later, Hotch saw the gates start to open and he slowly drove through, looking in the rear-view mirror to check that they closed behind him. He made his way up the driveway and pulled up in front of the house.

Ambassador Prentiss was waiting on the front steps, and greeted him with a friendly smile and handshake. "Come on in Aaron," she said politely, leading him inside. She turned as the maid took Hotch's coat, before she continued down the hall. Hotch followed her, noting the familiar path towards the "parlour," as she liked to call it. It was a secure room, with cameras covering the only door from the hall. Inside, the room was plated with steel walls, covertly hidden by the dark-green painted plaster. The walls were adorned with a number of well-placed artworks, each keeping the safes behind them hidden.

In the safe behind the Monet was a collection of documents, "insurance policies" that Simon had managed to collect during his time in the CIA. In safe number two, hidden behind a van Gogh, was a stash of weapons: two automatic rifles, with the relevant bullets, a large-barrel shot-gun, and two smaller pistols. In the final safe, located behind the family portrait, were the various documents concerning the family: birth certificates, marriage certificates, Emily's medical charts from a short stint in a hospital in Rome, and other necessary files. Also in safe three, a collection of passports, travel documents, cash, and credit cards, three disposable cell phones, and a laptop.

Hotch had memorized the contents of each of the safes, and was relieved to see that the paintings had not been replaced. He looked around the room and moved to sit in one of the three armchairs.

Elizabeth said something to Mary, their household maid, before closing and locking the door behind her. She turned to smile at Aaron. Even after all of these years, he still looked nervous.

"Can I get you a drink?" she asked, making her way over to the small cart in the corner. Hotch nodded. "Sure," he replied. Just as he was about to tell her his preference, she held up the crystal scotch decanter. He nodded and smiled. "I believe you like yours on the rocks, is that correct?" Elizabeth asked. Hotch nodded again and took the drink she held out. He waited until she had taken a seat, holding her own glass of gin and tonic, before he opened his mouth.

"I know this is a sensitive topic. And if it were anyone else, I wouldn't be so worried," Hotch started. Elizabeth held up her hand. "You don't need to explain Aaron. I appreciate your concern for my daughter," she explained, "I know the two of you are close and I am glad she has such a wonderful, caring, and protective friend."

Hotch smiled and nodded. He was relieved to know that Emily had told her mother they were friends. Her boss turning up at the door (or gate) might have been more awkward. But given their history, he had no doubt that the woman in front of him would tell him the truth.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Now you must know, first of all, that this is top secret. I know you have the clearance, but you need to be aware of that fact," she started. Hotch nodded. "I assure you, Ambassador, I will not tell a soul," he promised. Elizabeth nodded and smiled.

"Ok," she agreed. She took a sip of her drink before continuing. "Emily's father was involved in an incident in Canada two days ago. He was on a tour, negotiating new contracts with various international agencies, primarily concerning human trafficking across land borders. Just as they were on their way back to the border, their convoy was attacked. The two vehicles in the front of group sustained the most amount of fire. Everyone was killed. Simon's vehicle was more fortunate. He and another agent managed to make it out alive. They crawled into the forest to wait, while the assailants detonated the vehicles. Simon was badly injured but managed to stay awake until the paramedics arrived. They flew the two men straight to New York," Elizabeth explained.

Hotch was stunned. Simon Prentiss was lucky to be alive. A few more seconds and he could've been in the car when it exploded. "Is he going to be ok?" Hotch asked. Elizabeth cleared her throat and shook her head. "I'm not sure. All I can do is pray. I've been ordered by Secret Service to stay put," she explained. Hotch nodded and reached over to squeeze her hand. "I'm sorry Ambassador," he said quietly, but earnestly.

Elizabeth squeezed back. "I'll be fine. I just hope that Emily is strong enough to handle this on her own," she replied. Hotch wrinkled his brow. "She's strong, Elizabeth," he said, "You know she is." Elizabeth nodded.

Hotch stood from his seat, placing his glass on the side-table. "I should get going. I'll call Emily and let her know what we've discussed. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call," he said, "I'll let the team know that you may call and they'll put you straight through to me." Elizabeth stood and nodded, leading Hotch out of the secure room. "Just make sure you don't tell them the details," she said sternly. Hotch nodded. "I won't ma'am," he assured her.

When they reached the door, Hotch turned. "Call me with any updates," he said. Elizabeth nodded and bit her lip. She acted without thinking, pulling herself to Hotch in a hug. As much as she hated physical affection, she missed her husband and desperately need that. Hotch smiled sadly and put his arms around the Ambassador's shoulders. "Take care of my girl Aaron," Elizabeth said quietly. Hotch nodded and pulled back. "I promise," he replied. Elizabeth smiled and nodded. Hotch turned and walked down the front steps, toward his car. He glanced up when he hopped in, and waved at the Ambassador.

What would he do now? What could he do? Emily was in New York, unable to talk to him about this. At least not over the phone. He couldn't go there could he? He looked in his rear-view mirror once more, watching the Ambassador walk back inside. His eyes returned to the road. Whatever he did, it would be to help them. They deserved that much.