A/N: Again, I'm splitting this episode into two chapters. I was going to go down another road, but then realized everything I'd written would work better with the next episode. So I've reworked it and here's the first part. It's sad/angsty, but you've been warned in previous chapters. So that's just a little reminder.
As a quick note for everyone reading, especially those who reviewed, thanks again for the kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. The purpose of this story was to stick as close to the original episode as possible, so Emily and Hotch's fate will depend on what happens in the show. I secretly (or not-so-secretly) hope that Paget returns and they can make an awesome story out of that. So fingers crossed. But with reference to this story, if neither of these characters return next season, the story will likely end. I might contemplate writing an AU story separate to this, but that all depends on what happens in season 7.
Anyway. Please read and review. And remember this is 1/2 for "With Friends Like These."
P.S. The first scene is mostly dream sequence/reminiscing on Hotch's part, with only a small touch of live stuff. But the convo with Strauss, I figured he'd have to have that given the conversation he has with Rossi at the beginning of the episode.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.
He could hear the giggling as he made his way through the front door of the house. Dropping his briefcase on the floor and telling himself that the work could wait, he made his way up the stairs, following the beautiful sound of laughter.
When he reached the landing, he looked up and saw a thin stream of light peeking through the crack in the door. Making his way across the carpeted hall, he gently pushed open the door, hoping to surprise them.
He looked across the large bathroom, a grin growing on his face, the sight too beautiful for words. Leaning in the doorway, he sighed as he watched his family.
"Daddy!" his eldest cried out, standing from his treasured spot beside the tub. "Come and look! Charlotte's belly button dropped off!" the young boy cried out.
His wife glanced up and chuckled, watching as their son dragged him across the tiles. When they reached the bathtub, he put his arm around her waist and looked over her shoulder.
He was amazed at how much their little girl looked like her mom. The long dark curls, the ivory skin… no doubt.
He reached into the tub and ran his hand over the bathing baby's head, returning the elated smile she offered him. He grabbed the towel from the wooden rail, holding it out as she was lifted from the tub and placed in his strong arms. He gently dried her head, leaning forward to kiss her temple. "You're beautiful, Charlotte Rose," he whispered, glancing up at his wife before returning his gaze to the little girl in his arms, "Just like your mother."
"Emly can we show Daddy the belly button now?" Jack asked, tugging on the tail of his father's coat, "It's so gross Dad. It's so cool!"
Hotch huffed and tipped his head in the direction of the door, following Emily and Jack across the hall and into Charlotte's nursery. While Jack ran off to find his latest piece for show and tell, Hotch lay his daughter on the change table, taking the diaper and onesie from Emily.
He leant over and kissed her gently, one hand on their daughter's stomach, one hand on his wife's hip. "Hello Mrs Hotchner," he whispered, before turning back to dress Charlotte. Emily wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed the side of his neck, "Welcome home, Mr. Hotchner."
A sliver of sun snuck through the curtains, shining a thin line of rays on Hotch's face. He smiled, the aftermath of his pleasant dream, and rolled over, running his hand over the empty spot on the other side. As he slowly opened his eyes, the memories came flooding back and his smile quickly disappeared.
He wrinkled his brow and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. He didn't know how much more of this he could take.
Anticipating his alarm ringing, he reached over and switched it off, throwing his legs over the side of the bed and dragging himself off to the shower. Any other day and he'd take his time, but today he had somewhere to be. And new addition or not, Agent Seaver deserved the team's support today… the whole team.
As the hot water ran down his spine, Hotch's mind replayed his conversation with Strauss the day before.
Hotch was standing at his office window, watching the group in the bullpen. He didn't even hear her footsteps, and was surprised when she spoke.
"I've just informed Agent Seaver that she is welcome to stay with the team following her graduation tomorrow," Strauss began, waiting for Hotch to face her. The look he gave was exactly as she'd been expecting.
"Ma'am, I was under the impression that finding another agent was my responsibility," Hotch rebuked, refraining from spitting the words at her.
"You can still find a more experienced agent to replace Prentiss," Strauss replied coldly, the words cutting at Hotch's heart, "But having her on your team in the interim will help."
Hotch shook his head and returned to his desk, slowly lowering himself into his chair, "It won't fix the problem," he replied.
Strauss shook her head, "No, but it'll take away some of the pressure in the meantime."
Hotch stayed silent and nodded in defeat. He didn't have the energy to argue anymore… not after everything that had happened in the recent weeks. He nodded and looked up, "Thank you ma'am," he said sternly, a clear indication that he wanted her to leave. And rather than arguing, Strauss simply nodded and walked away.
The thump of the heavy base hit the women as they made their way through the doors of the bar. The heavy smoke from the special effects machine on the stage hit their lungs, causing them both to cough. They looked at one another, shaking their heads and frowning, turning to leave the way they'd entered.
"Ok… how about we find somewhere quiet where we can actually hold a conversation without fear of losing our voices?" JJ suggested as Garcia joined her on the footpath. The latter nodded in complicity and the women made their way down the block and turned onto 18th St, headed for Tryst.
When they entered the coffeehouse, both women sighed in comfort and quickly nabbed a table being cleared. They placed their orders and sat back to enjoy the warmth of the room. As their bodies adjusted to the warmer temperature and the atmosphere of the café, both pairs of eyes settled on the third seat at the table.
After a few moments of silence, JJ smiled sadly. "Hey… haven't you got Seaver's graduation coming up soon?" she asked, trying to avoid the inevitable conversation. She was really dreading that conversation and wanted to hold it off for as long as she could.
Garcia shook her head and returned JJ's smile with her own meager attempt, "It was yesterday," she replied succinctly. JJ wrinkled her brow and reached over to squeeze her friend's hand, her heart constricting at the sight of her dear friend's heartache. Garcia took a deep breath and looked up at JJ.
"I know you're probably dealing with your own grief, but I just…" her voice trailed off. JJ stayed silent and waited for Garcia to continue. "It's just… no one is talking about it. And I need to vent to someone who knew Emily, who knew how much she meant to me."
JJ nodded for her to continue but just as Garcia opened her mouth, her cell rang. She groaned and flipped open the device, answering it gruffly. JJ watched as her friend's face dropped and she nodded. "I'll be right in sir."
JJ breathed a secret sigh of relief. While she knew she needed to help Garcia through her grief, she also knew that right now, she would find it difficult to hold onto her secret.
Garcia looked up from her cell and frowned. "Case?" JJ assumed aloud. Garcia nodded and stood from her seat. She signaled to the waitress to make her coffee "to go," and started to pull her purse from her bag. JJ placed a gentle hand on her friend's arm and stood, "This one's on me Pen."
Garcia nodded and reached over to pull JJ into a hug, letting out another tear. As she stepped back she smiled, "I'll call you when it's over and we'll meet up again." At JJ's nod, the two women said goodnight before Garcia made her way out the door.
JJ JJ dropped back to her seat and ran her hands down her face, wondering how she was going to keep this secret.
Hotch looked up when he heard the bathroom door open, and watched Morgan as he walked through the station and out the front door. He tapped Rossi on the shoulder and tipped his head back, "I'm just going out for some fresh air." The older agent nodded and turned back to Reid's map, wondering if he could see anything helpful.
When he turned outside the front door of the station, Hotch saw Morgan walking to the end of the block, ignoring the rain that was pouring. He ran after him, pulling his jacket over his head, and reaching Morgan just as he walked under the awning of the café.
Morgan turned when he heard the footsteps, broken from his thoughts, and sighed. "What's going on Hotch?" he asked quickly, hoping there wasn't another body. That was the last thing they needed right now.
Hotch wrinkled his brow and ran his hand down his coat, brushing off the water, "Is everything alright?" he asked, ignoring Morgan's question, and obvious attempt at deflection.
Morgan rolled his eyes and nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Just getting some space," he replied softly.
Hotch nodded and mimicked Morgan's body language, the two men moving to lean against the wall.
They stood in silence for a while, watching the rain fall on the road, before Morgan spoke up. "I'm worried about Reid." He paused, seeing Hotch looked up out of the corner of his eye. "He's still getting those headaches."
Hotch closed his eyes and sighed, "Emily told me she'd take care of it," he stated softly, remembering that conversation with her. He'd had no doubt that she'd be able to get to the bottom of what was going on with the young genius, and by all accounts, since then, he'd appeared to be handling it much better. That was, of course, before Doyle came into the picture.
Morgan nodded and turned to watch Hotch's face fall. He reached up and put his hand on his friend's shoulder, wishing he could take away Hotch's pain too. "I'll take care of it," he assured the older agent, tipping his head in the direction of the station. At Hotch's nod, the two men made their way through the rain, returning to the dry warmth of the station and hoping their entire team wasn't about to unravel.
