AN: Hey all. So I'm on a bit of a roll with this story. And there's plenty more to come. Please read and review.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.


Rossi's heart took a minute to settle as he followed her across the catwalk and down the stairs. He ignored the curious onlookers sitting in the bullpen, inwardly chuckling at Morgan's jaw as it hit the floor. Turning his attention back to Gina, he followed her through the corridors and to the elevators.

As they stepped into the elevator car, Rossi opened his mouth to speak. But he stopped as soon as her finger hit his lips. Huffing, he nodded and glanced sideways at his old friend.

Gina rolled her eyes and shook her head, glancing at Rossi before returning her gaze to the numbers lighting up above the door.

Five minutes after scaring Rossi half-to-death, Gina led him into the secure room and closed the door.

Rossi looked around the room, surprised to see a man, standing in the corner of the room, pouring himself a glass of water. When he turned, Rossi's eyebrows raised further.

"Hello David."

Rossi cleared his throat and nodded, managing to regain some of his composure, before offering the guest a salutation.

"Hello Mike."

Rossi couldn't believe it. If Michael Strauss was involved then this went far higher than David Rossi's pay grade. Mike gestured to Rossi and Gina to take a seat, offering them a glass of water, before starting his explanation.

"I assume you know why I'm here," Mike started. At Rossi's shaking head, the older man wrinkled his brow. "You asked Sanchez for information on Emily Prentiss…" he paused, waiting for an affirmative from Rossi before he continued, "Well I'm sure you can understand why that would raise a red flag… given her… familial connections." Rossi still did not appear to understand this line of conversation, causing Mike to revise his approach.

"Emily Prentiss' father, Simon Prentiss, is a retired agent and until three days ago was on a mission to broker a deal between Mexican, Canadian, and American officials regarding human trafficking laws." Mike paused to take a sip of water. Shaking his head, he continued, "Three days ago, his convoy was attacked by what we believe to be agents working for the Rozhin branch of the Russian mob."

Rossi swallowed hard, blinking quickly as he added up the pieces of the puzzle. "The BAU just closed a case in New York… Secret Service was protecting someone in Saint Barclay's hospital."

Mike nodded and raised his eyebrows. "Simon Prentiss was that someone."

Rossi shook his head, "So what's the issue… we stopped the attack. Do you really think that this Rozhin group would try to kill Emily's father again?"

Mike's face grew serious as he contemplated divulging the next pieces of information, "This morning an agent assigned to protect Prentiss was poisoned," Mike explained, "At the same time intelligence analysts discovered some disturbing footage from the Ambassador's home." He looked Rossi straight in the eyes and shook his head, "It's not a question of if they will try to kill Prentiss… it's when."

Rossi nodded, "Agent Hotchner, our unit chief, has gone to New York." Pausing briefly, Rossi continued, "The BAU is at your disposal if you need us."

Mike nodded, "I think we can handle Simon and the Ambassador, but we don't have the resources to protect Agent Prentiss…" he paused and briefly looked at Gina, "We were hoping your unit could handle her until we can ensure the whole family's safety."

Rossi nodded and stood, "Let me get the rest of the team and we'll brief everyone."


Hotch hung up the phone and made his way out of the door. It hadn't taken him long to think of a solution to their current predicament. At this stage he would fly Emily half-way around the world if he could ensure her protection, but luckily he only had to fly her interstate.

Tipping his head to Hampton, Hotch made his way to the side of the hall.

"I've just spoken with an associate," Hotch explained, "We can get Emily out of here and to a safe-house by the end of today." Hotch knew the agent was not able to be privy to the details of the plan… just in case… but he at least needed to tell him this much.

Hampton nodded, watching as Hotch leant against the wall, "Do you want me to send an agent with you? Back up?"

Hotch shook his head, "No… it's fine. I can handle it until I can get back up from the Bureau," he explained, "It's best if we keep this completely separate."

Hampton nodded again, patting Hotch on the shoulder, "Just let me know what you need and I can get it for you… a car, cell phones… anything."

Hotch offered a small smile in response, "Thanks, but I've got everything organized." And with that, conversation over. Hotch tipped his head towards Simon's room, "I'll go and tell Emily to say goodbye."

Hotch turned back to the room and made his way inside, smiling sadly at his friend, squeezing her father's hand. She looked up when he made his way towards her, sighing deeply.

"Is it time?"

Hotch simply nodded, reaching over to squeeze Emily's shoulder gently. When he felt a sob shake her body, he guided her up on her feet and squeezed her tight, "It's alright sweetheart... you'll see him again."

Hotch knew it wasn't a promise he could keep, but it wasn't a promise he could keep from making. God knows what would happen if Emily never saw her father again, but at this point, Hotch needed to make sure that his girl was safe. That she was taken care of. And he couldn't do that if she was near her dad. Because whoever was trying to kill Simon, would surely think nothing of taking out his daughter in the process. And given Hotch's growing feelings towards said-woman, he couldn't allow that to happen.

He wasn't entirely sure when it happened, but he knew that somehow, over the past two years, he had grown to love Emily Prentiss. Of course, their situation at work meant he could never say those words out loud. But he hoped that his actions spoke louder than any words he could say. And perhaps simply being her friend would be enough.

With a sigh, Hotch kissed the top of Emily's head, then stepped back. He bent down to pick up their ready bags, before tipping his head towards the door, "I'll wait in the hall."

Emily nodded, watching Hotch exit the room. She knew that, whatever happened with her dad, she would at least be safe with that man. For almost two years she'd relied on him for protection from serial killers, and she had no doubt that he would continue to keep her safe. He had slowly become her best friend, and she was sure she loved him. Though of course, she'd never really loved a man so how could she know? But the feeling she got when he walked into a room... the automatic smile that grew on her face when he spoke to her, looked at her... maybe that was love.

For just a moment, Emily's eyes were glued to the door, before she sighed and turned back to her dad. A tear slipped down her cheek as she ran her fingers through his hair. Leaning down, she kissed his forehead, wishing for him to wake up so he could tell her that everything would be alright.

She didn't want to take too long, extending the goodbye making it all the more difficult to leave. Emily reached over for a tissue, blowing her nose and wiping away at her tear-stained face, before tossing it in the trash. With one more look at her father's sleeping body, Emily turned the handle and stepped into the hall.

It didn't take long for Hotch's arm to move around her waist and she leant into his side, seeking the comfort she needed. As Agent Hampton moved up towards them, Emily sighed and stood away from Hotch.

Hotch knew the gesture for what it was, knowing that Emily appreciated his support, but wanted to demonstrate her independence. She held out her hand to shake Hampton's, thanking him for his help and offering condolences for his lost agent.

Hampton smiled sadly and nodded, "I hope this will all end quickly… and I promise, your father will be safe."

Hotch shook Hampton's hand also, tipping his head towards the elevator. And with that gesture, Hampton watched as the two agents made their way out, disappearing into the car.


It took a cab ride, two trips on the subway and a bus ride before Hotch and Emily reached the meeting point. Walking across the road from the bus stop, Hotch held Emily's hand in his own, squeezing as he looked down at her face. He couldn't help the double beat his heart took when he saw the tears on the edge of her eyes. It had been a good five hours of commuting so far, which included a harrowing bus ride through Trenton, but they'd made it this far.

Turning back to look down the path, Hotch felt a sudden chill. He glanced around them, squeezing Emily's hand tighter as he led her down the street. Just as they turned the corner, Hotch looked up to see the dark blue 1995 Ford F150, flashing it's lights.

"Come on," he whispered to Emily, quickening his pace as they walked down the street.

Emily looked up, a wrinkle in her brow. Following Hotch as fast as her exhausted body would carry her, she felt her heart begin to beat faster.

When they reached the car, the wrinkle in Emily's brow deepened when she sighted a strange man sitting in the driver's seat. He had shaggy, dirty blonde hair, brushed back away from his face and was dressed in a tattered Forty Licks t-shirt. But the dimples… the dimples were unmistakable.

Hotch dropped their ready bags in the bed of the truck, reaching in and grabbing the folded up travel blanket Emily kept in hers, before he opened the door for her to climb in. She looked back at him with a concerned look on her face, but at Hotch's assuring nod, she pulled herself into the truck.

Emily glanced back and rolled her eyes, "You want me to ride hump?" she asked incredulously.

Hotch looked over at the driver and sighed, "Your legs are shorter than mine, Prentiss… just…" Hotch rolled his eyes, "Just get in."

When they were seated in the cab, the driver turned to Hotch and Emily, offering the latter a smile, "Sean Hotchner… how do you do?"


AN: So yes, in case you were wondering, Michael Strauss (Mike) is Erin Strauss' unnamed husband. I decided to throw him in so that if the team starts to cop any flack from FBI Strauss, CIA Strauss can step in. Also, I've brought Sean back. It'll all make sense.