"Aaron." Marais extended his hand as Hotch stepped off the podium amid the subdued applause.

"Jean-Phillipe." Hotch shook his hand as they headed toward the back of the room.

"That was a very interesting presentation. Thank you so much for presenting those three cases that your team worked on. I can tell by my colleagues' reactions that they are extremely impressed and very interested in your work."

Hotch glanced around and saw that many of the attendees there were talking animatedly and a handful were even throwing him admiring stares. He looked back at Marais, glad that his habitual impassive facade hid his discomfort. "I'm honoured that you asked me here to present, Jean-Phillipe. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to do it in French, I realise some of the vocabulary I used may be too technical for some of the audience here."

"Please do not apologise. Your presentation was extremely useful and we have learnt a lot. Also, I did not have a chance to tell you that I believe we are close to catching the person, I believe you refer to him as the unsub?" At Hotch's nod, Marais continued. "We tracked down the person who provided us with the details of the car and we are interviewing him now. He has also mentioned to us that he lives with his cousin in the town of Le Chaux, which is only four miles from where the bodies were located. We are finally getting somewhere and it is all because of your help. I thank you very much, Aaron. And also please thank your tres belle Sophie for her help. I am sorry we were unable to translate those files for you."

"I am glad we were able to help." A thought occurred to him. "Jean-Phillipe. Could I ask you for a favour in return. I hope I won't have to call on you. But if anything happens, can I ask you to check on Sophie for me." During their lunch yesterday Hotch had found out that Marais used to work for Interpol and as a result, had felt that he could tell Marais that it was Ian Doyle who was the one that Emily was hiding from. Marais had not seemed surprised at this fact and had in fact told Hotch that if he heard anything useful that might be linked to Doyle, he would let Hotch know.

"Mais oui, of course, Aaron. And you can trust me. Please give my contact details to your Sophie and let her know that she can call me anytime she is in need. Anytime at all."

"It is my turn to say thank you. Merci beau cul, Jean-Phillipe." As they shook hands, Hotch was taken aback when Marais suddenly coughed as if he was trying to stifle a laugh.

"De rien." It is nothing.

They finally parted ways, promising to keep in contact.

"Emily?"

Hotch walked into the suite, finding the living room empty. His heart started racing when he walked into the bedroom to find that she was also not there. Please let her be here, he thought, rushing into the bathroom. It was also empty. He walked back into the bedroom and looked around, noticing that her clothes were now missing. As his eyes roved over the unmade bed, he finally noticed the piece of folded paper on his pillow.

Aaron,

I am fine. Please don't worry about me. I have gone home to get some clean clothes and check on my place. I'll be back by 2. In the meantime go explore the city and make sure you get a souvenir for Jack. Wish I could come with you – it would have been so much fun. See you soon.

Emily xx

p/s. Miss you already and it's only been 23 minutes and 47 seconds.

Hotch could feel his heartbeat slowing back to its normal rhythm as he read the words she had written in her neatly printed hand. He could almost see her surfing the tv channels trying to find something to watch and having yet another cup of coffee while she thought about what else she could do. She was like him in that sense. She didn't like lying in bed when she could be up and about doing things. Being cooped up in a room must be driving her crazy.

He knew that she was absolutely happy being with him when he was there, but without him there and not being able to go out to the pool or the gym or even the bar to while away some time would have filled her with frustration. He could understand why she had left, but it still saddened him, as he wanted, no needed, to spend every second of the time he had left in Paris with her.

Deciding to take her advice and prompted by her comment about a souvenir for Jack, he quickly changed into more casual clothes. Before he left the room, he called up room service to ask them to tidy up the room before heading towards the direction of some markets he had seen a couple of days ago. If he had been more honest to himself, though, he would have admitted that he needed to get out of the room to distract him from his ever disquieting thoughts about his new feelings for her. And that there was nothing they could do to escape the fact that they would have to say goodbye.

He had a spot of luck in the first half hour finding a replica of the Eiffel Tower which featured flashing lights, ridiculously tacky, but he knew that Jack would love it. He then spent the next couple of hours window shopping, very surprised that he even had it in him. He was very much the get in, buy it and get out type like the majority of the male population. But he wanted to get something for Emily. Something more special than a pretty scarf or an expensive handbag or the latest winter coat.

He had pretty much given up by the time he took a croissant and coffee break. He was on the way back to the hotel when he saw 'it'. Something that was perfect for her. He stopped, staring at the display in the window. Should he? Would she even wear it? He stood there, plagued by indecision, an utterly foreign feeling for him. Come on Hotchner, pull yourself together. He took a deep breath and walked in.

I have decided to post two chapters tonight, so enjoy. Please review if you can!