Okay, so I had some trouble writing this one, more than I thought. I hope I didn't let ya'll down. More to come and I can't wait to write it!

Thanks again for all your support and kindness!


Rossi pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, "Are you ready?"

Emily sucked up the last few drops of sweet tea, from the cup resting on her cast, and then she carefully placed the ice filled cup in Rossi's cup holder. She sat back and shook her head no.

Rossi placed his hand on top of hers, "What's wrong?"

Clearly holding back the tears that came creeping up she whispered, "I don't have any clothes on."

"It will be okay." Rossi assured her.

"Please don't tell them. Don't tell them what happened to me. I don't want to be photographed." Emily sounded desperate and scared.

Rossi knew there would be a mountain of questions and curious looks from nurses, but for Emily's sake he would just have to make up the best story he could. "I won't tell, I promise." He gave her a moment to think and then asked again, "Are you ready?"

She nodded her head in affirmation.

"Wait right there and I'll come around to help you out." Rossi hopped out of the driver's side, locking the door before he slammed it shut. Calmly he walked to Emily's door to help her out. With one bad ankle, two injured hands and no adrenaline, the pain surged through her body when she didn't move in a particular way. Rossi wrapped his arm around her waist, practically holding her weight, letting her ease her feet to the pavement.

Emily waited as Rossi locked the door and slammed it shut. "Thank you." She said looking at the pavement.

Rossi wrapped his arm around her so he could help support her weight, allowing her to walk with ease. "Anytime kiddo, anytime."

Once inside Emily dodged a bullet with Rossi's elaborate story of what happened. He even included how she ended up without any clothing. When they took her back her eyes filled with fear, begging for Rossi to come with her but in reality they both knew it was best that he didn't. Emily was taken behind a curtain and Rossi waited nearby on the other side.

When he was sure Emily was pre-occupied with nurses, he pulled out his phone and dialed Hotch.

"Dave?" Hotch's voice came on the other end.

"She called me and we're at the hospital." Were the first words that came out of Rossi's mouth.

Hotch sat up in bed, "Is she okay?"

"No." Rossi simply stated.

"What happened?" Hotch said with great concern emanating from his voice.

"I got bits and pieces of a story but from what I picked up there are no words that could describe what she suffered. When I pulled up she was waiting in the bushes, hiding from him wearing nothing but a long coat, if that tells you anything."

Hotch was quiet.

"She might get mad at me, but it's no secret to me that you two have some sort of connection. I'm suggesting you come to my house. I'll let you know when we get there."

"I'll be waiting." Hotch said firmly, displaying the anger that was rapidly building. His breaths became deep as he controlled his rage and his body tensed.

"Okay, I'll give you a text when we leave."

"Dave, take care of her for me."

"Already taken care of, she's been fed and now her injuries are being tended to."

"Thank you." Hotch replied feeling a deep responsibility for Emily and her safety.

"You're welcome. I'll see you soon."

"Bye."

They were disconnected.

Rossi waited as they stitched up the back of her head and pulled glass and splinters from her back. Her little whimpers and muted verbal displays of pain were agony for Rossi. He couldn't imagine what she suffered and his heart ached for her.

Finally the nurse came out from the curtain and said, "Mr. Rossi we have a clothing bank down stairs. I'm going to get Emily some clothes and then she would like for you to be with her when we set her arm."

Rossi didn't say a word, but just nodded. When they got her dressed he was allowed to come behind the curtain. To him she looked very childlike swinging her legs as she sat defeated on the edge of the table. She had been broken and somewhere she lost a part of herself. Sitting in a loosely fitted light blue shirt and dark blue, plaid pajama pants she looked comfortable and protected, but as her eyes floated up Rossi's saw an indescribable fear radiating from the depths of her soul.

"I don't want to be alone when they set my arm."

"You won't be." Rossi walked to the table and stepped up next to her. He went to reach for her hand then stopped when he saw the cast, forgetting that her hand was broken.

Emily saw Rossi's reaction and said, "I can't squeeze your hand, but can I lean into you? I don't want to watch."

"Of course."

Emily leaned into his chest, facing away from her broke arm. With her free arm she wrapped it around Rossi's waist to give her something squeeze.

Rossi wrapped his arms around her, letting her know he was okay with it.

Emily's breathing quickened when she felt the nurses grab her broke forearm.

Rossi felt Emily's free arm tighten around his waist, "It will all be over soon."

"Will it?" Emily asked, looking at the bigger picture, knowing Harvey was still on the loose. Emily's breaths quickened even more almost as if she was hyperventilating.

"It's okay, take deep breaths." Rossi said comforting her. Briefly he had a moment, remembering the old Emily and how this would normally be a walk in the park, but now she was scared. It was just so inconceivable how it could get to this, but then again Rossi knew how these things happened. It just hurts so much worse when it's someone you know.

"Do you want us to give you a warning?" The nurse asked.

"Just do it." Emily whispered holding back tears.

Snap! Emily cried out and squeezed Rossi tight. Rossi rubbed her back gently and said, "It's all over kiddo, it's all over."

Emily leaned away from Rossi and again seeing the bigger picture she said, "It will never be over."


Rossi helped Emily into his house.

Emily looked in awe at the magnificent and intricate design of what she considered a mansion, "It's beautiful."

"Thank you. I like it."

"Is it okay to sit on the furniture?" Emily asked looking at the very clean, white sofa beside her.

"Of course, as a matter of fact I wish it was sat on more."

Emily nodded and took a seat.

"Is there anything you need?" Rossi asked.

Emily was feeling hungry again; she placed her hand over her stomach and looked down.

Rossi knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her knee, "What is it?"

"I'm hungry again."

Rossi smiled, "How does ice cream sound?"

Emily smiled.

"I'll take that as a yes." Rossi stood up and headed towards the kitchen. A few minutes later he brought her out a big mint chocolate chip milk shake. He thought the glass and straw would be easier for her to hold and eat.

"Thank you." Emily said taking the glass delicately so as not to spill it.

"You're welcome. Now I'm going to fix up the den, so you don't have to walk up the stairs. If you need anything just call." Rossi handed her remotes to the TV, "Watch anything you like."

Emily nodded. She watched Rossi walk out of the room and said, "Rossi?"

Rossi quickly walked back in, "Yeah?"

"Thank you…for everything. You were just what I needed, you saved me tonight. If there's anything I can do to ever repay you…"

Rossi held up his hand, "Not necessary, I'm just glad you're safe."

"Me too."

Rossi walked out of the room.

Emily fumbled with the remotes, with her free fingers. She stopped it on a cooking channel then started drinking her milk shake. Half way through her shake a rapid, loud knocking came beating on the other side of the front door. Emily jumped then screamed and threw her milk shake in the air. She stumbled across the hardwood floor and wedged herself in between the couch and wall. "Help! Rossi! Help!" She cried. "He's here!" Emily pulled her knees into her chest and buried her face, "No! No! Go away!" She yelled listening to the knocking.

Rossi ran into the living room. He knew Hotch was at the door. He quickly undid the dead bolt and ran to Emily's side.

Hotch entered frantically. He heard Emily screaming on the other side. Observing her crawled up in the corner; sitting in a fetal position, crying in fear was overwhelming. Hotch didn't know how to respond. Comforting someone was not his specialty, but the woman he had fallen for was hurt and broken, do something stupid. She needed someone and he needed to be that person. He closed the door and took off his coat.

Rossi was on his knees in front of Emily, trying desperately to get her to look at him. "It's okay Emily. It's just Hotch." Rossi said in a calm and soothing voice.

Emily heard Rossi mention Hotch's name. She looked up and realized how she was acting and the horrible mistake she had just made. Looking towards the door she saw Hotch laying his coat on the arm of the couch. Embarrassment flooded her body, this time she cried from embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Rossi said sharing a concerned look at Hotch.

"I thought it was…I'm sorry."

Hotch started to walk towards her but stopped when Rossi started helping her off the floor.

When Emily was on her feet she saw the spilled milk shake on Rossi's couch, Emily gasped and cried, "I'm sorry. I ruined your couch, I'm so sorry." Emily's eyes met with Hotch, the contact made her straighten up. She sniffled hard and dried up her tears, he'll never let me back at the BAU after seeing me like this. She faked a smile, "I'm okay, really." That didn't sound convincing at all, you can do better than that. Emily looked from Rossi to Hotch and knew by the looks on their faces they didn't believe her, "Really, I'm fine." She looked at the couch then at Rossi, "I guess I need to clean up my mess."

"Forget the mess." Rossi said, "You are more important. Tonight you were honest with me and you can be honest now. Hotch has known something has been wrong for awhile; the least you can do is be honest with him too. No more lying."

Emily felt her heart racing and tears trailing endlessly down her cheeks.

Hotch could physically see her breaking. She started to crack and piece by piece she was breaking apart. Rossi made her feel better at letting down her wall and she accepted that open door, exposing her feelings.

"I'm not okay, I'm not okay." Emily said quickly shaking her head from side to side.

Hotch took a few steps towards her and raised his arms slightly, then stopped. His arms fell back to his side, just hold her and be there for her. It can't be that hard, don't just watch and let her stand there alone. Be a man. Hotch saw her getting weak at the knees.

"I need help." Emily said heaving with sobs.

Rossi went to steady her and that was all it took for Hotch to step in. He caught her when she let herself fall into his arms.

"Don't tell anybody, don't tell please." Emily said burying her face into his chest, "Nobody can no. It has to be a secret."

Hotch picked her up and looked to Rossi with a serious and determined expression. It was a look he had many times when things were serious and important.

Rossi knew the look, and was confident that Hotch had it under control from here. Rossi nodded in the general direction of the bedroom.

Hotch started walking in the direction Rossi directed him, carrying Emily. He knew he was in the right room when he saw a half made bed. Hotch started to lay her on the bed and felt her fingers trying to clutch his shirt. He stopped and held her tight into his body, he wouldn't let her go, not when she needed him so badly.

Holding her he eased himself on the bed and leaned against the headboard. Emily was still nestled safely in his arms. Sitting on the bed did ease his muscles slightly.

"Don't leave me."

Hotch heard those words, begging him to stay. They broke his heart. Hotch took his thumb and wiped away tears from her cheeks, "I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

"Promise?" Emily asked with closed eyes and a weary voice.

"I promise." Hotch kissed her forehead, and then beheld the beautiful woman lying in his arms. The thoughts of someone tormenting her and beating her down was gut wrenching. His eyes traced her body and with every injury he discovered caused his anger to boil. After a moment, he realized that his grip was tightening around her body, maybe a little too much so he lessened his grip. He didn't understand how anyone could hurt Emily, his Emily. Pushing back the rage, he knew he had to focus on Emily, making sure she was okay.

It wasn't long until Emily fell asleep, the day had been exhausting and she was worn out. Her sleep was his solace.

Hotch brushed strands of tear matted hair, from her bruised faced. "I'll keep you safe. I promise I won't let anyone hurt you again." Hotch whispered. Tenderly he placed a kiss on her cheek, then leaned his head against the headboard, drifting off to sleep and just before unconsciousness he said, "I love you Emily."


Hope you liked this one! Hotch was finally there for her! Yay! If you have something to say, good or bad I'd love to hear it!