Chapter 4

The flight home was strangely different to usual, looking from the outside in, anyone would think it was normal, but to someone like JJ who knew all her friends inside and out, she knew there was something up. Sure, Morgan and Reid were playing poker, and Reid was winning, which was normal, hasn't Morgan learnt his lesson yet? He can't beat boy genius. She thought to herself, smiling. Dave was sitting on the side line, laughing at Morgan's cursing, but he kept looking between Hotch and Emily, that was what caught her attention to something being wrong.

Now JJ may not be a profiler like the rest of them, but she knew her friends, her extended family, and she knew something was wrong. Hotch was doing paperwork on the plane. He never did that. To him, the plane rides were a time for him to wind down after a case, relax a bit and think forward to spending time with his son. Something was on his mind though, hence the work, and he was trying to stop thinking about what was on his mind. Then she saw it, it was quick and Hotch did his best to ensure no-one saw but she did. He looked over at Emily and was going to say something, but stopped. He shook his head and just back on with his work. What is he thinking about? JJ wondered.

She looked over at Emily. She was sitting on her own, quietly staring out the window, daydreaming. She had been since she got on the flight. That's not the Agent Prentiss I know! JJ thought to herself. JJ got up and moved to sit next to her friend. Normally she sat next to Reid, defending him from the quirky lines from Morgan. Or gossiping with her and Dave (for a guy, he sure loved his gossip).

"Talk to me" she said quietly, hoping not to draw attention from the guys, so as not to make Emily uncomfortable.

Emily jumped slightly, she hadn't felt JJ come and sit beside her. Her mind was off in a different world. She couldn't stop thinking about Hotch and if something had happened to him. She realized then her eyes had been welling up and a single tear fell down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly before anyone noticed. Always one escapes. She groaned inwardly. Unfortunately judging by JJ's face, it didn't go unnoticed.

"Hmm.. sorry.. What?"

"Emily, what's wrong? You've been unnaturally quiet since we got on the plane. And Hotch is working. He never works on the plane on the way home. Something's going on between you two, what's wrong?" She kept her voice a low hush to ensure the others didn't hear.

"I... I don't know JJ. I really don't know. I just snapped. I shouldn't have. I let my personal feelings get in the way of my professional actions. He just... I... Argh! What do I do?" Her emotions ware getting the best of her, again. She threw her head back against the chair, closing her eyes. She hated showing weakness to anyone, there alone in a plane with some of the most analytical minds in the country.

JJ eyed up her friend, a sense of confusion flooding over her. "What are you talking about? Hotch? Did you snap at Hotch? What for?"

"Going into the house unarmed and without a vest, back-up or a weapon. I snapped at him back in the office, told him to stop being so stubborn and think of others... think of Jack. Oh my god! What was I thinking bringing his son into it? Everyone knows Hotch is an amazing dad. He does everything for his son."

JJ eye's widened. Emily was so torn up and upset over Hotch doing this. She thought her friend may have been developing feelings for their boss but she didn't know they were so strong. She had never said anything to her, but JJ knew. Emily was good at hiding her emotions and at times could put on a better poker face than Hotch but she could see through her shield. She could see that Emily was really down about this, so decided to lighten the mood. Smiling she teased Emily.

"Does one Miss Emily Prentiss have the hots for a Mr Aaron Hotchner?" She stuck her tongue out and poked Emily in the side. Emily felt a blush come to her cheeks and she couldn't help but smile.

"You've been hanging out with Garcia too much" she said chuckling.

"Oh you do! Since when? What you going to do about it?" JJ voice was rising slightly.

"Shh, keep your voice down" She said, looking over the blonde's shoulder to see if anyone was looking over. Morgan was still getting frustrated at Reid and Dave was still laughing at them. She didn't look over at Hotch, she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"Well..." JJ pouted.

"You cheat!" Morgan's voice suddenly interrupted, and rising a couple of octaves. Both JJ and Emily looked over to see Dave crying with laughter and Reid holding his hands up in defence.

"I do not. It's easy, simple maths and some guess work. Plus you showed me your hand when you reached over for a drink." Reid smirked.

"So you cheated!" Morgan squealed in a very unmanly voice

"Morgan, how many times do I need to tell you? Reid is from Vagas, of course he's going to beat you at poker." Hotch looked up from his work. "And if you don't stop your moaning I think Dave is going to end up wetting himself." He turned back to his work catching Emily's eye. They stared at each other for a minute, trying to read one another but giving the other nothing. Emily could feel her stomach fluttering and she felt slightly sick. She looked down at his hand to see he was shaking, ever to slightly but still she was able to pick up on it. She looked back to met his eyes, so deep, and dark. There was something there, but as quickly as she saw it he had brought his mask back up. Hotch finally broke the contact, shaking his head and turning back to his work.

When Emily turned back to JJ, she knew they're little staring competition didn't go unnoticed by her blonde friend. "Emily..." JJ said it with slightly more force, hoping it would encourage her to open up.

"I don't know when... I guess I always kinda have, just never really felt this strongly about him. But after Foyet, I just can't stop thinking about him, and worrying about him. And I'm not going to do anything. He doesn't feel that way about me." The smile slipped from her face as she looked out the window again.

"You don't give yourself enough credit girl. Of course he feels the same way about you. Look at him, he's working on the plane ride home! Obviously the fact you were worried about him has hit a nerve. Listen to me, he cares for you as well, and haven't you noticed how recently he has been pairing himself with you all the time. Hotch is just the type of guy who hides his feelings. He's still a bit broken after what happened with Foyet. But he need's you, Emily. He needs someone to look after him and show him he can trust and love again, and you're the one to do that. Talk to him, just don't leave it too long, ok?" She nudged her friend, who turned and looked her in the eye.

Throughout JJ's speech Emily had been unconsciously sitting up straighter but as the wheels in her head stopped spinning she sunk down again the doubt weighing her down. "I don't know JJ." Emily said her voice so quiet that JJ struggled to hear her.

JJ shrugged her shoulders at this comment recognising her friends pessimistic nature "You're too stubborn for your own good you know." she said, rolling her eyes and strapping herself in as the captain's voice came on over the intercom to tell them they were beginning their decent. Ah well JJ thought they'll work it out eventually.