Thank you all so much for the support with this story! Its one of my favorites and I'm so happy to see you all enjoy it! Thank you for all the reviews they are greatly appreciated!

Well here is another update! Happy Reading!

Oh and I'm sorry about the late update this website is driving me crazy! It won't let me post anything it hasn't for the past few days!

JJ quietly observed Hotch. Never had she noticed such uncontrolled, emotional behavior from her boss. There was no denying how upset she was, but right now Hotch's behavior was distracting and she found conjuring up the nerve to comfort him, was slowly masking the blatant reality of Emily's situation.

JJ sniffed the tears away and wiped the salty moisture from her cheeks. She took a deep breath. Her and Hotch had always shared a special relationship, most of the time it was never spoken but quietly shared with subtle glances and sometimes simple words of acknowledgement.

Her steps were slow. She prepared herself for any type of reaction. Another deep breath and she softly spoke, but with great concern, "Hotch?"

Hotch stopped pacing at the sound of JJ's voice. He kept his back to JJ but didn't respond he just listened.

JJ slightly tilted her head and tried to hide her wavering voice, "Hotch, Emily's a fighter…" Hotch turned around and the look on his face caused JJ to pause. The worry was embedded in his fine wrinkles and the hint of glistening tears were anticipated but the emotion emanating from him was stronger than JJ expected and she was a little taken back.

Hotch's lips tightened and his faced ached trying to hold back his tears. "JJ if you had seen her she didn't have anything to live for. Her spirit was stripped from her and the strong, confident woman she was, is lost." Hotch stopped and forced back the tears, he could not begin to explain what he felt for Emily, but he knew that losing her was not an option.

JJ's tears fell at his words, memories of the old Emily came flooding back and it pained her to think of her beaten and battered. Instinctively and out of her own fear she wrapped her arms around Hotch's waist, in a friendly embrace. Trying to convince herself she said, "She'll be okay Hotch."

Hotch warmly received JJ's gesture and reciprocated a tight hug. Standing at the doors of the OR they found solace in one another.

"She has one thing to fight for." JJ said with her wavering voice.

"What?" Hotch asked.

JJ leaned away from him to look in his eyes, "You."

Hotch hung his head thinking Emily didn't have the same feelings for him as he did for her. He didn't believe JJ.

"Hotch, before Emily got hurt…real bad. When things seemed normal and she was her old self, I saw you and her talking one night before I went home and I saw the look she had in her eyes. I may not be a profiler but I can see love...well I couldn't see it earlier, in you but I see it now and I've seen it in Emily. She loves you."

"Thank you." Hotch said, desperately wanting to believe what JJ said was true.

JJ nodded and held up her phone, "I'm going to call Garcia and Reid."

Hotch nodded and walked away to have a moment to himself, when his phone rang. It was Rossi. Hotch received the call but was quiet on his end and waited for Rossi to say something.

"We got him."

"Morgan?"

"Beat him to a pulp. We ran out of ammunition and Harvey tried to escape out the back. Morgan took off after him and well Harvey didn't have a chance in hell."

"Is he?" Hotch was hoping he was dead, but at the same time he would like to see him suffer.

Rossi let out a breath, "I don't know, maybe. I had to pull Morgan off of him." Rossi paused and said, "Emily? Is she?"

"She's in surgery. We lost her on the way down here but she came back."

"We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Tell Morgan I'm…" Hotch stopped, he was too proud to say it, but felt bad about what he did to Morgan.

"He knows…and he's sorry too." Rossi assured him.

"See you when you get here." When Hotch hung up, he could feel himself starting to sweat from the stress and worry weighing on his shoulders. He began to walk the hallway, steadily his pace increased and then he saw the little chapel and stopped. He needed a moment to himself and decided the place was appropriate.

Hotch took a seat and tried to clear his mind. The room was lit with candles giving it a peaceful ambiance. The temperature was comfortable blanketing his nerves, giving him the comfort he needed. His eyes became fixated on the flickering flame of a candle. He couldn't take his off of it. His head fought against the stare, telling his eyes to move, but the staring was so comfortable. Minutes began to tick away and eventually those minutes turned into a half hour then an hour and finally he was brought out by a familiar voice.

"I thought I might find you in here."

Hotch swiftly whirled his head around, after realizing it was Rossi his surprised face wore off, "I didn't think anyone would find me in here."

Rossi took the few steps to the front pew, "Believe it or not you're not that hard to profile." Rossi took a seat.

Hotch looked back at the flame, "I just needed some time…to think…away from everything."

"And did you find that time productive?" Rossi asked setting his right ankle on his left knee.

Hotch took a second glance at Rossi, he was too calm and almost smiling. She's okay.

Rossi finally smiled at Hotch's analysis of his behavior, "You know for a seasoned profiler your skills are getting rusty."

Hotch jumped to his feet and stood looking at Rossi, his body fought for what to do. Did he need to wait for more information from Rossi? Should he run to her room? Would she want him there?

"Well don't just stand there, she's asking for you?"

The information didn't quite make sense to Hotch, "But I thought…she…"

"The surgery was fairly minor and didn't take long to finish. They gave her some blood to make up for what she lost. She's in and out but the first thing she said was your name."

Hotch started to run out of the little chapel but stopped when his hand grasped the door frame. What do I say to her? Hotch heard Rossi's steps and looked up. He hated feeling so vulnerable and unsure of himself.

Rossi placed a hand on his shoulder, "All you have to do is be there for her. She may be on the mends physically but she had a tough road ahead and she'll need to know she's not alone."

"She won't be." Hotch said. Calmly and less urgent he took a few more steps away from Rossi then stopped. He turned around and said, "Thank you." with a simple nod.

"Anytime."

Hotch took a few steps into her room and stopped. He took a deep breath and prepared to walk the rest of the way, to the side of her bed.

"Hotch?"

The tender but weak voice of the woman he loved beckoned him. He didn't answer right away because he wasn't sure if she was completely coherent. He closed the door to her room to have privacy, but the sound made her jump and she became afraid.

Emily heard the heavy door click shut, "No!" She yelled. Her eyes were still closed and her body tried to move away from whoever was in her room.

"It's me Hotch." He quickly ran to her bedside. "Emily, its Hotch. You're okay." Gently he began to rub his hand across the top of her head. Slowly she started to calm down, but still gasped with her onset sobs.

Emily opened her eyes just a sliver before they closed back, "I'm scared, please don't leave me." She muttered with frantic breaths.

Hotch saw Emily trying to hold on to his shirt sleeve but she couldn't. Her poor hands had been so hurt along with the rest of her body, Hotch wasn't sure what he could do to make her feel safe. Part of him was afraid to touch her. Hotch noticed her breathing beginning to get back to normal and watched as the tears trickled down her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere." He said softly. Emily was partially laid on her side, facing Hotch. Tenderly he took his left arm and carefully wrapped it around her torso, rubbing her back while the other continued to stroke her head. He moved his body closer to her and said, "Is that better?"

Emily nodded.

Hotch could tell she was about to lose consciousness when she spoke again.

"I hurt, I hurt so bad. I just…want it…to…go…away." Her voice faded off.

Hotch fought to control his emotions, "Just rest." He whispered moving in a little closer. Suddenly he felt the warmth of a salty tear trickle down his face.

Emily stayed in the hospital for a week where they monitored her closely. The stay allowed her body to jump start the physical healing process. Hotch never left her room, literally he washed in her bathroom and Rossi brought him his clothes and food. The members of the team would come and go leaving cheerful gifts, flowers and cards for their friend, but with each departure they left with dismay seeing the reality of her mental condition.

They needed to be worried. Her mental condition seemed to regress the week she was there. She became withdrawn, jumping at every little noise and touch received. Her dreams were terrifying even to the onlooker. Many times she woke screaming, pleading for her life. She would fight Hotch and the nights Rossi stayed so Hotch could rest, she would fight them both only before realizing Harvey wasn't there. When she would come down and see reality she succumbed to tears, crying herself back to sleep.

On the sixth night she had only one dream and an exceptionally well rested night. The next day, doctors decided she could go home.

Emily was sitting in her hospital bed when the doctors delivered what was to be good news, "Well Miss Prentiss I think you are well enough to be sent home."

Emily's head shot up, "No! Please, I don't want to go back. I can't." She looked at Hotch hoping he would go along with her.

Hotch saw the fear radiate from her eyes and noticed a slight tremble at the mention of her home. Tears formed in her lids, threatening to fall. Hotch knew she had to leave the hospital and quickly thought of a plan. He looked to the doctor and said, "She will have a place to stay." Hotch then looked to Emily and while still directing his statement towards the doctor said, "It won't be her apartment, but it will be somewhere safe." Hotch immediately saw the relief in her eyes.

"Good. Well if you need anything just give us a call."

"Thank you." Hotch gave a nod and the doctor left. Just then Hotch's phone rang and he answered, "JJ?"

"Hotch I'm at Emily's apartment…"

Hotch heard her sniffle, "JJ?"

"The door was hanging wide open and stuff is broken, chairs, coffee table, dishes and old food is laying all over the floor…there is even…" JJ tried to keep herself composed.

"What is it?"

"Her blood…"

"Leave it." Hotch ordered, "Just pack her some clothes and personal items. She's not going back."

"Okay. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Take your time; I've got to talk to Rossi."

"Okay." JJ disconnected the call.

Emily was listening to the conversation, her mind wandered with the first little bit but when Hotch said something about Rossi, Emily's heart dropped. What a burden I am, why did this have to happen? Why should I think Hotch would just take me home, he has a son, how can I be so selfish? I think maybe I'll reconsider suicide; it might be the best way out. When Emily saw Hotch was finished with his conversation she said, "Why don't you just kill me if I'm such a burden? I know what you're planning on doing. You can't take me home so you're going to con Rossi into letting me stay at his house."

Well at least she can still profile, she's just wrong about one thing, she's not a burden. How am I going to respond to that comment while letting her know I still care?

"It's okay you don't have to make up a lie. I can handle the truth."

"It's not that I'm trying to lie. I'm just afraid you won't believe what I have to say." Hotch walks next to her bed.

Good job Emily, now you've hurt the one guy that's been with you night and day for a whole week. She couldn't help herself and started crying. Immediately she felt guilty for being so hateful, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You didn't hurt me. I understand. Emily you've been hurt and I hope that you are comfortable enough to say whatever you feel in fact for a moment there I saw the old Emily." He waited after his comment and saw a glimpse of a smile.

It was dusky dark when Hotch left Rossi's house. He didn't tell anyone but the first thing he wanted to do was go by Emily's apartment. In the couple of weeks that passed, the condition of her apartment didn't cross his mind. He needed to see it for himself especially after hearing JJ's reaction.

When he pulled into the parking lot he saw her vehicle and his heart sank. Everything she was abandoned. It was all a bad past that she nearly escaped with her life. He turned off his vehicle and looked to the bushes she hid in. He pictured her cowering behind them, her heart pounding with fear, afraid for her life. Little pieces of his heart started breaking little by little. Slowly he climbed out of his Escalade and walked up the apartment stairs to her apartment.

Hotch reached the top of the stairs and saw where JJ must have shut the door, it was no longer hanging wide open. He walked towards it and pushed down on the handle. He took a deep breath and walked in, shutting the door behind him. From the hallway leading all the way in was in disarray. JJ was right; it looked like a crime scene.

Hotch walked a few feet in and started crunching on broken glass and looking ahead he saw little spatters of blood, How did she make it out alive? Hotch found the scene gut wrenching, his stomach was sick with guilt. He stepped around her torn clothes and further inside he noticed the smell of old food. After crunching on the glass he followed broken pieces of a chair, towards the sitting area, where the broken coffee table was. The splintered wood also contained traces of her blood.

Hotch was becoming more infuriated the longer he stood there. He glanced on her entertainment system and saw a picture of her and Harvey. In a rage he took the picture and tossed it across the room, putting a hole in the sheet rock and just before he started breaking and smashing up the place more than it already was he saw another picture, stopping him from unleashing all the pain, hurt, and guilt that was bottled up inside.

Taking the picture in his hand he noticed it was from New Years. The whole team was standing together in front of a big banner, with confetti falling around them. Morgan and Garcia had on New Year's Hats with Morgan giving Garcia a big kiss on the cheek. JJ and Reid were wearing plastic glasses that had the New Year for eye holes, with their arms wrapped around each other giving peace signs. Rossi was holding up a glass of scotch with Emily blowing a kazoo next to his ear and then Hotch looked at himself, standing next to Emily. He has his arm behind her stretched out behind Rossi's head giving him bunny years while blowing his kazoo.

Hotch traced his hand across the picture, then firmly grasped it and said aloud, "You will never have to come back to this place, ever again." Quickly he grabbed pictures and more of her clothing and personal items. He would take them to his place for now and tomorrow with the teams help they would gather the rest of her things so they never have to come back.

With two packed bags in his hands he decided the rest could wait till tomorrow. It was getting late and he needed to pick up Jack and talk to Jessica about watching him for awhile. Emily needed Hotch and he was going to be there for her, no matter how long it took.

On his way out the door he ran into an elderly woman, coming towards Emily's door. Hotch blocked the doorway, towering above the white haired lady.

"Who are you?" The lady said with hostility as if Hotch should not be in Emily's apartment. When the lady didn't get an immediate response she said, "I'm calling the police."

Hotch put down the bags and pulled out his badge, "I am FBI Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and I'd like to know who is in charge of this apartment building."

The lady put her hands on her hips and stood as if to face him off, "That would be me."

Hotch put his badge back in his pocket and started backing the lady into a corner, "Then I'd like to know why didn't you call the police when you heard, glass being broken, tables being smashed and a woman yelling for her life? Legally I could charge you with aggravated assault against a federal agent for standing by and doing nothing. As far as I'm concerned you're just as guilty as the man who tried to kill her."

The lady may have been back against the wall put she defended herself and said, "We mind our own and someone is going to clean up that mess."

Hotch clinched his fists, "The only person cleaning up that mess is you and if I can prove you even heard an ounce of what took place in this apartment, you will be arrested."

"I'd like to see you try." She spat back.

"I will." Hotch assured her and left.

Okay so I try to put myself in Emily's position and all the emotions that would be coming and going. I hope it still seems realistic because I'm trying to keep it that way as best as possible! If you have something to say good or bad I'd love to hear!