Elowyn paced in front of Hotch's door s few times before she actually worked up the nerve to knock. When she finally wrapped her knuckles against the door, she didn't wait for an answer and simply barged through the door.

"Hey, Hotch," she said, not looking away from his rows of bookcases before beginning on her bender, "Ok, so look. I consider myself to be an extremely progressive thinker when it comes to gender roles in modern society so I want to say first that I am not asking you this because you are a guy,"

Rossi's voice came as a surprise, and Elle's head careened to the side to find the older man sitting on the couch with a coffee mug in his hands. His dark brows rose up to his hairline before he lifted the coffee to his lips, remarking, "Ha! Yeah, that's what every man wants to hear,"

A frown curved Elle's lips downward while she glared, "What are you doing here? I thought you were taking that uh… security liaison to lunch,"

It was Rossi's turn to frown. He waved a hand. "Don't you have a non-gender-motivated question to ask," he said taking the last sip of his coffee. He groaned, forcing himself from the couch as he grabbed his back. "Ugh, I need more coffee,"

She jerked a thumb to Rossi's retreating back. "What-"

Hotch shook his head. "Don't ask,"

Her nerves sparked back to life as she faced Hotchner for the first time since she entered his office.

"Is there a new harassment suit I need to be made aware of, O'Connor?" he asked, motioning to the chair in front of his desk. His calm tone and expression couldn't hide the faint glimmer of amusement in his dark eyes. He was also wearing that red tie she liked. Damn…

She picked at her fingernails. "No." she considered for a moment seriously. "Well, not that I'm aware," she allowed before sitting and fishing for the cell phone in her pocket. "Uh, actually." her tone wavered, and he looked up from his paperwork again. She leaned forward in her chair, balancing on the front legs. "We're friends, right, Hotch?"

His mind blanked on any eloquent response so he settled for direct. "Yes,"

"So you wouldn't be offended if I asked you a personal favor?" she was still picking her manicure away. She could never keep one.

He felt a brow raise. "As long as the favor falls under the required legality,"

Her green eyes unexpectedly turned impish as she teased, scoffing, "Some friend you are." she scooted closer. She opened her phone. "It's all unfortunately legal this time,"

He leaned forward too when she thrust the phone in his direction. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the small screen. He hoped she hadn't seen that, but by the smile she smothered, she definitely had.

He shifted, propping his elbows on his desk. He scrolled through three or four pictures. A cherry red '65 Mustang convertible lay on the screen. He handed the phone back, remarking, "Nice car,"

"So apparently, my long lost great-uncle died about a month ago while he was in prison." she pointed to the picture again, "And he left me this thing," before closing the phone. "I know I just killed your classic car lover's soul by calling it a thing, but I have no idea what to do. They dropped it off at the apartment building this morning. I thought they were gonna serve me with court papers. That's how serious those guys were." she flopped back in her chair, tucking back a loose bobby pin.

Hotch tried to return to his paperwork but never started writing again. "Yes, and where does this perfectly legal favor from me come into play?"

She exclaimed, "Well, I don't know what to do with it,"

"It's a car," he rejoined dryly. "You take the wheel and drive,"

"Wow, thanks, Nostradamus. I would've never figured that one out by myself," she said. "I was going to drive it this morning, but when I put the key in the ignition and tried to start it, the engine started sputtering and started billowing smoke." she motioned grandly with her arms. "Like, actual smoke, Hotch,"

His lips twitched. "I thought I smelled something cooking around Alexandria this morning,"

"But," she drawled. "Morgan said you might know about Mustangs than he would,"

Hotch's eyes narrowed a bit at that. Morgan giving up the opportunity to work on an old car?

His lips pursed, "Hmm,"

She mistook his suspicion of Morgan for the car's questionable legitimacy.

"Oh, no." she shook her head. "It's not stolen or anything like that. I already checked,"

"So you want me to check the engine?" he realized how stupid that sounded when it left his mouth.

But she smiled brightly. "Would you? Jack can come to check it out too. He's at the Hot Wheels age, right?"

The beginnings of a smile curled his lips when he considered Jack's reaction. She cast her final offering tenterhook.

"Dinner's on me too. I have a new roast chicken recipe?"

He conceded a nod. "Jack did ask Jess to make some homemade biscuits like 'Wyn' makes them yesterday,"

Elle let out a sigh of absolute relief. "As many as he wants." she rose from her chair. "Has anyone told you of your greatness today?" he shook his head, and her smile widened. She hadn't expected any acknowledgment. "Well, consider yourself told,"

She turned, walking toward the door, her fingers wrapping around the knob. She stopped at the boundary between his office and the hall. "Is seven ok?" she took enjoyment at the slight pink tinging his ears. He didn't look up from his paperwork.

"Perfect. I know Jack will be excited,"

Rossi re-entered the room with another cup of coffee. He walked past her, incredulous at her sudden happy mood. He shook his head, muttering, "Disgusting,"

She left the room with a laugh. Hotch wanted to chase the sound. Hotch turned his attention to the computer on his desk, his fingers hammering against the keys. Rossi's ears perked up at the noise.

Ever so subtly, Rossi asked, "So what'd she want?" lifting the coffee to his lips.

Hotch looked up, his tone passive. "Just some legal advice about some legal ownership papers she received,"

Not a lie, he told himself.

His eyes went to his screen as his search results loaded.

'Showing 2,743,190 results for 'causes behind a smoking car engine.'