A/N: Wow it's been a very long time sorry! My muse kind of left this story but it is coming back so hopefully I can get this story moving again. Again sorry for the wait, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Eight: Work and Worries

Two days after coming home Emily was expected back at work. She hated to leave Aaron alone but as it turned out Gracie had a day off at school. It gave her some peace to know Gracie was at home with him even if the girl wouldn't be able to do much in the way of helping Hotch move around but she could get him anything he might need.

Gracie was still skittish around her father most of the time. Like not hugging him tight like she use too now she gave a half hearted smile and one arm wrap around his shoulders. Or making sure to stay many feet away from him even though Jack climbs all over the wheelchair but she was happy to stay at home and help him when Emily left in the morning so that gave her comfort.

Emily put her worries behind her as she walked into the BAU bullpen but frowned as she looked at her desk. The normally clean and ordered desk was cluttered with files and books. She could barely see the desktop itself let alone the computer.

"Good morning Princess!" Morgan turned to see his partner then looked at her desk with a wince. "Yeah sorry about that JJ and I had a ton of work the past few weeks so she temporarily moved half her office down here. I'll help clean it up." He offered getting up from his desk and walked up next to the still frowning agent.

"Uh, no I can do it. Is JJ in her office?" she asked snapping out of it and put her bag down along with her morning coffee.

"Yep. Let me know if you need any help. By the way how is Hotch doing? We've been meaning to come by." The team decided to give the family time alone to get back into things before they bombarded them. They all missed both Hotch and Emily but they needed time with their kids more than seeing them.

"He's doing good. Thanks I'll see you later." She cut the topic of Hotch off fast not wanting to bring her worries about leaving him back into her mind. This is work focus on work, she told herself over and over as she grabbed an arm load of files and trudged up to JJ's office.

"Knock knock, hey JJ." Emily smiled at the blonde as she plopped the files down next JJ's desk.

"Hey, I'm so glad your back!" JJ hugged her friend. "How's Hotch?"

Emily rolled her eyes. She should've known he was going to be the topic of the day. She just wished he wasn't so she didn't have to stress out. "He's good."

"But your not?" JJ asked reading her like she always did.

"Not really but hopefully if he needs anything he'll call instead of being his normal stubborn self. Gracie's at home with him though." Emily took a seat on the small couch and JJ sat next to her.

"Is he getting around better?"

"Yeah he really is doing great and he's slowly getting sensation back in his legs which is…amazing but I don't want him to push himself too hard. Me being there makes him behave somewhat but now I'm at work and I just don't want him to try too much and hurt more." She explained.

"Well, I'm not sure how to prevent Hotch from being Hotch" they both laughed a little. "But I'm sure Gracie will take care of him." JJ said.

"I wanted to thank you again for helping with Gracie for the past few weeks. She seemed really happy when we got home and I'm happy she didn't cause trouble for you." Emily gladly accepted the change in subject or she would be calling him up at the very moment to make sure he hadn't killed himself yet.

"She wasn't any trouble at all. But I know she was thrilled to have you back." JJ said then both women looked up to see Dave standing at the door.

"Morning ladies, we have a case so let's meet in ten?" Dave said throwing Emily a nod and walked away.

"Better get in gear huh?" Emily smiled at JJ.

-CM-CM-

Hotch growled to himself as he eyed a book on the top shelf of the bookcase in his bedroom. Knowing it wasn't going to magically land in his lap he still stared at it. Locking the brakes on his wheelchair he scooted forward in the chair and grasped the shelf closest to him.

Right before he was about to pull himself up he spotted a dark haired little girl watching him. he turned and smiled at her. "Hey Grace. What are you up too?"

"Nothing, do you need any help. Mom told me to keep an eye on you."

"I'm fine honey but you are more than welcome to stay and keep me company." He hoped her would agree but the uncertainty on her face told him she wouldn't.

"I think I have some homework to finish." Gracie told him then left.

Hotch sighed to himself leaning back in his chair. It was frustrating to be home finally after weeks in a hospital and have his daughter scared to come near him. It not only broke his heart that she was upset about the situation but also the distance it put between them. When he was able to get her in the same room as him she barely spoke. She walked around the house with a permanent frown much like he did before Emily and Gracie came into his life.

Shaking his thought from him he looked back up at the bookshelf.

-CM-CM-

Gracie looked up from her book at a loud crash coming from the study her father was just in. running as fast as she could she froze at the sight in front of her. "Daddy!"

A/N: I know I'm mean. Let me know what you think!