"You are not alone. We are in that dark place with you. We are waving flashlights and calling your name. So if you can see us come home. If you can't then, you stay alive 'cause we're coming."

Emily had spent too long trying to keep it together. The tears fell freely from her eyes as the sobs racked her body as she listened to Garcia's message for the third time. She couldn't do this for much longer. This has to end for the sake of her family. She thought back to her last interactions with her team. She knew they were worried about her, Morgan and Garcia most of all. She felt bad about leaving them with no explanation, especially Reid. He had just confided in her and here she was running away. They were her family, they were small and a little broken, but they were still a family. She hoped they knew that she loved them all.

She didn't plan on running, not at first. The team was closing in on her identity and Doyle had made it very clear that if they interfered he would hunt them too. It really wasn't until she stood in the bull pen and looked around at them all that she knew what she had to do to protect them. When she started the BAU she wasn't sure what to expect. She knew the work was going to be challenging and would keep her busy. She was ready to get back to profiling instead of the secrets and lies. But the team aspect made her nervous. After two years undercover she wasn't sure if she could keep up with lying to them about who she was.

But the team surprised her.

It was easy become friends with the bubbly blonde and her big heart, even if she didn't want too. Garcia would have made her anyway. Being able to keep up with Morgan's banter and teasing helped cement that friendship. JJ was excited to have another female with her on the road but the real bonding came from overcoming other people's expectations of what they should be. Boy genius took a little longer to warm up to her. It was her unwavering support and refusal to be pushed away that won Reid's friendship. They had to force Rossi into being a family, but he eventually became everyone's favorite Uncle. He had a knack for knowing the right amount of support or push she needed when it came to her mother. Emily even found it easy to bond with Todd and Seaver, taking them under her wing, helping them navigate the fast pace of the BAU boys club, something she wished someone did for her.

Hotch was a different story. It took months for him to treat her like a regular team member and another six to start being friendly. She tried not to be too offended as he was a closed person. But now, now, he was something completely familiar and safe. They shared much of themselves with each other in the last year, not just a bed. It happened in stolen moments on cases, over takeout, and with shared glances. She hoped he had gotten her message during the last time they were alone.

"Prentiss, I need to speak with you." Emily stopped in her tracks by the hardness in her voice. She slowly turned to face him as he stood in the doorway of his office. By the look in his eyes, she knew this wasn't good. His face was only that blank if it was angry.

"Uhh, sure," She nodded. "I'll be right there Morgan." She followed Hotch back into his office where he shut the door behind them and moved to lean on his desk. Her heart was racing.

"Emily, I know something is wrong," he said slowly. "You clearly know more about this case than you've let on."

"Are you mad?" She looked up at him carefully. There was no point in arguing with him if he knew about her time at Interpol. She was thankful for the nonchalant way he brought it up in front of the others. She was curious as to how much of her past he knew. And if he had always known.

"As your boss I'm furious. You withheld information about an investigation." She could tell by the deep furrow of his brow that he was choosing is next words carefully. "As someone who cares about you I'm worried." He sighed and looked away from her. "I know you can't and won't tell me about how you're involved. I just need to know that you will be careful."

"I will," she whispered. She wished she could tell him. But then they would demand to help. As it was this investigation was enough to put them in the line of fire. They didn't need her to push them any closer to Doyle. And even if it was safe, she couldn't tell them about her time with the CIA. And then there's the fact that she did some questionable things on this mission. They would all look at her differently. Especially Hotch. He was such a rule follower and she had smashed all the normal expectations of professionalism on that case. Not to mention she broke the number one rule of spy craft: don't fall in love with the mark.

He wrapped her in his arms clearly not caring that there were forty people in the bullpen that could possibly see them. "I can't lose you too," her murmured into her hair. She could hear the catch in his breath. Emily tried to soak it all up. Something told her she may not get this again for a while. As she closed her eyes she breathed in his familiar scent of soap, coffee and musk as she leaned her head against his chest. She tried to memorize the feeling of warmth and comfort that his arms provided. "Promise me Emily; promise me you will be safe, that you are not in danger."

"Aaron, I promise you that I will try to stay safe." She took in a deep breath; she knew the significance of saying his name wouldn't be lost on him. She felt him stiffen as he processed the words she chose. "I have to go with Morgan. He's probably getting worried."

She reluctantly pulled away from him. Looking up into his eye, she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "It'll be ok. I'll see you later." She walked away without looking back, knowing that it would break her to see his face.

She knew they would eventually figure her out, that they would come for her. If everything went as planned this would be all over by the time they found her. It was a long shot that her plan would even work. But she had people to protect and they meant the world to her. She hoped she had bought them enough time to get some leads. She knew Doyle better than anyone; she knew how ruthless he could be. Add in that he was pissed about Declan and almost nothing could stop him. At this point she wasn't holding out hope that she would return to them.

But now it was time to focus on Doyle and his men. She just wanted this over with. Ian Doyle had been haunting her dreams for much longer than the last two months. In years since her mission ended she never let up on her CIA training. Different hair, different look, different life. She never kept anything the same for too long. There was always an escape plan.

In the last few years she thought about it less and less though. She was content in D.C. with the team. And with Hotch. For the first time she felt settled, like she belonged somewhere. They allowed her to become the real Emily Prentiss. It was the first time she never hid herself away. She felt loved. They hadn't said as much to each other yet, but she felt it every time they were together.

Emily turned her attention back to the Black Shamrock, watching as Doyle's men went in. She double checked her weapons and steeled herself for goodbye. She even took a minute to change her voicemail greeting on the phone Garcia reached her on, knowing the tech genius would find it. Once she saw movement again everything was a blur. Her plan had worked; the men were disoriented and easily left the SUV.

Then she heard that voice, the one that haunted her dreams. And everything went black.

AN1: I updated the chapter titles and included what episode is referenced to help understand the time line.

AN2: RMPCMFAN & Outburst024 – I like the idea that after everything he's been through Hotch isn't as good at masking he's emotion's, at least not way from the job, anymore. Both because there's too many and he learned that hiding them from people isn't always the best thing.