"Hotch…Hotch…Awwww, Hotch…I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Hotch…I'm so sorry…"

Prentiss managed to keep her arms around her teammate, even achieving a slight semblance of rocking him as she chanted the words that were cold comfort, but the best she could do. Guilt washed over her. On some level she'd known bringing up the bit about pups would touch a nerve in Hotch, if there was anything at all remaining of their odd experience on the mountain. And I wanted to be able to recreate it. I wanted it. Didn't matter what it would do to anyone else. Selfish…

"Hotch…Hotch…shhhhhh….shhhhh…"

She closed her eyes and trusted her sense of touch. There had been the feeling of an animal's pelt beneath her fingers. If she concentrated, there was still a lingering impression of it. But it was fading. Hotch was coming back. From where? That's the sixty-four thousand dollar question…

The Unit Chief quieted; shudders turning to shivers; shivers lessening until all that remained of the outburst was quiet panting and a return of muscular tension as he realized where he was and what had happened.

His voice, normally like smooth thunder, sounded as though his vocal cords had been scraped over gravel. "Prentiss?"

Emily released the pressure of her grip slightly, pushing back enough to be able to look at Hotch's profile as he tried to turn toward her. She decided not to notice that his eyes were wet. She could feel her phone vibrating in her pocket, and became aware that it might have been doing so for some time. She continued to ignore it.

"H-e-e-e-y, Hotch…you okay?" She used the same tone she did when cajoling her cat Sergio: patient, gentle…tender.

The Unit Chief took a moment to assess himself. His breathing evened out. Prentiss released him and scooted around so they were sitting side by side on the edge of the bed. At last, Hotch spoke, rubbing his hands over his eyes, hoping the dampness he felt had gone unremarked, knowing deep inside he was kidding himself; of course she'd seen it. Then he realized he didn't care. There were much more important things going on here, and Emily was the only one who seemed to share some measure of the experience. The only one who wouldn't doubt him.

"I don't know." He saw the deepening concern in her regard and amended his response. "I'm okay…I'm okay…" He bent his neck, looking her straight in the eye. "Prentiss, what was that? You did the wing thing again."

"I…I did?" She hadn't been aware of any change in herself; only in him. "You did the fur thing again. I felt it."

Their gazes remained locked, unblinking, until Hotch gave a deep sigh, his look turning mournful and a little scared. "Prentiss, what's happening to us?" There was no answer, but he didn't really expect one. "Rossi thinks it's all traceable to unresolved, uh, issues…you know?" He was reluctant to go into detail.

Emily's snort was part derision, part frustration. "That sounds like something my mother would say."

"The ambassador? You talked to her? You told her about this…this whatever-it-is?" There was a slight edge of panic to his voice. Prentiss thought she understood: Hotch was a career-man. The last thing he'd want was for the gossip-fueled political circles of the nation's upper echelons to be whispering about the FBI agent who thought he might be a reincarnated dog. Or wolf. Or anything.

"No…I mean, I didn't mention you. I just asked about those words Madame Sobrani said. 'Spalva' and the others. That's all."

"Oh. Okay." Hotch nodded, releasing breath he hadn't known he was holding. He sat a little straighter. "What did she say?"

Prentiss did an encore of her snort. "Nothing. She did what she always does. Deflects. Reroutes. Avoids." One corner of her mouth lifted in a wry display of humor. "You know…what she does all day with everyone she meets."

"Your mother's a formidable diplomat. I respect her, but…"

"But you wish people would stop sidestepping and believe us? 'Cause we know this isn't just a psychological glitch?"

"Yeah."

"Me, too."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts until Hotch realized two things. First, he was tired and needed sleep in order to think clearly. Second, he wasn't wearing much and he was becoming far too aware of his teammate's body heat beside him. "Uh…Prentiss…"

"Mmmm?" She glanced at her boss and then, in a sudden move, twisted to one side, digging into a pocket. "Damn. My phone keeps going off. And I keep letting it go to voicemail…" Before Hotch could continue, she answered. "Hi, Garcia. Find anything?" She didn't notice her leader's eyes widen.

Prentiss nodded, once again electrified, bristling with energy. "Really? You're not kidding me?...Wait a minute…you told Reid?" Anger edged her voice, but receded in the next heartbeat. "Oh…oh, okay. That's alright then….Sure. Give me ten minutes. I'll meet you downstairs."

She cut the connection, speaking as she slid her cell back into her pocket. "Garcia found a whole bunch of interesting stuff about the bird thing. And as usual Reid's just full of theories and…" She finally looked up at Hotch and paused, noting his desolate expression. "What? What's wrong?"

"Prentiss…you said you didn't tell your mother about this…" He licked newly-dry lips. "Who did you tell?"

"Well…J.J….and Garcia…and maybe Reid knows some of it; I'm not sure, but…" She shook her head, looking indignant. "…but only the things that pertain to me, Hotch. I didn't say anything about…about wolves…or fur…or…or pups." She saw that even now the word made him flinch. And that brought out her inner steel.

Prentiss shifted position so they were face to face, only inches apart.

"Hotch, you can't keep this to yourself any more. If Rossi's answers weren't enough, then maybe it's time to open up…at least to Garcia and Reid. They're the ones who can help us, if anyone can." She watched him, unable to decipher his thought processes.

His lips thinned. "I'm tired, Prentiss. Really tired. I need sleep."

She nodded, looking disappointed.

"But after I get some rest, okay…" He echoed her nod, but it looked as though it had as much to do with defeat as agreement. "I need to talk to Reid about some hypnosis he went through a while back anyway, so…"

"So you'll let us help you."

Prentiss's smile was radiant. Troubles shared are troubles halved, Hotch. About time you learned that…