A/N- So so Sorry for the delay, I got hacked and my windows went bye bye and the laptop had to go to the Doctor's were it got admitted for 5 days and I lost my story and then I was on a bunch of nights... * breath* but it's all good now...

Emily kicked the door closed with her heel while simultaneously tossing her jacket over the nearest chair. Exhaustion raged through her with a distinct hint of anger, not just at Dean but more so at herself. She prided herself on being fiercely independent and strong willed, capable of facing anything. She carried a gun, she tackled men twice her size without any fear, she knew martial arts, she was a warrior however in one night her fortress was knocked to the ground and she felt like a scared little girl. When she least expected it her world was crushed. Her wounded pride stung like knife while embarrassment burned within her. Stomping over to her freezer compartment she grabbed some ice in a clean dish towel and pressed it to her swollen eye.

Suddenly she picked up a glass from the draining board and smashed it against the wall while hot tears stung her fragile face. Feeling the last remains of energy seep out of her, she felt her knees buckled and she slid down to the floor with her back pressed against the cold metal of the fridge. Years of compartmentalising every harsh, scary or bad thing that every happen to her came flooding back as the dam burst. So many issues never dealt with came to the fore front of her mind, so many stuff she promised to deal with at a later date but never did started to haunt her.

Loneliness plagued her like never before and she wrapped her arms around her pulled up knees. She wanted to be held, no she needed to be held. She needed a set of strong arms to pull her into a strong chest and to hold her still. She need to feel engulfed by another and more than anything she needed to feel loved and not just for what she can bring but for all that she is and was. Closing her eyes she rested her forehead on her knees and closed her eyes as the tears lessened. In her mind and more so in her heart she knew that they was only one man who could make her feel that way, only one man who could free her from her self imposed prison. And that man was Hotch...

The morning was as slow as a weekend in jail as the words and numbers merged and blurred before Hotch eyes. His mind definitely was not in the room with the rest of the team, so much so that Rossi had stepped up and took lead this morning.

"Let's break for Lunch" said Rossi taking a peek at his friend. "Be back in one hour!"

As the rest of the team swiftly grabbed their belongings and headed out Dave stayed back as Hotch remained fixed in his chair.

"Take the rest of the day off and go and see her." commanded Rossi leaning against the wall.

Hotch raised an eye brow, "What do you mean?" he tried to shrug it off.

"Aaron, seriously please don't act dumb. I know we are not suppose to profile each other, but- come on. It's written across your face. You are worried about our very own Emily and I suspect you should, no we should be worried. So do us all a favour and go and check that she is okay..."

After a couple of seconds deep in thought, Hotch stood up nodding as her went.

"As unit leader I should ensure the safety and well being of all team members. I will go and make sure Prentiss is okay."

Rossi eyebrows shot up and he reigned in a snigger, there was no way he would go personally and check on a sick team member if it was Derek or even JJ who was the sick party. He watched as Hotch grabbed his jacket, car keys and headed towards the elevators.