Time jump:

Erin stared at the dog in front of her. When Rossi had asked her to come over, she never expected this to be the reason. She had grown suspicious when she spotted the teams cars, but even more so when Aaron was no where to be found.

"Where is Agent Hotchner?" Was her first question.

Rossi swallowed the lump stuck in his throat. "There."

Erin frowned. "Where?"

JJ squatted next to a beautiful black dog. The mane around his chest and head, was of pure elegance. "Here."

After an argument between her and the team, on the impossibility of that being Hotchner she gave up. The an-Hotch had been able to identify her when given her name. She asked a few questions of her own and someone how Hotch would find ways to answer it.

"This can not be happening." Erin whispered. "How is this even possible?"

Reid shrugged. "Until we find the man responsible for this, there is no way of knowing."

'No idea just how long I am stuck like this.'

"We have no idea how long this will last or if he will…" Morgan stopped at the look he got from Rossi and JJ. "The victims that were also turned were turned over to their families. Of course we told them the truth behind closed doors and to keep it to themselves. Last thing we need is a circus show around this."

Before Erin could ask another question, the door bell rang. Followed by rapid knocks. Rossi chuckled, giving Hotch a warning look. "That's Penelope." Hotch mentally prepared himself for what was to come.

Garcia pushed past Rossi, slamming her bags into the Italians hands. "Where is he?!"

Rossi was quick to stop her from entering the living room. "Hold your horses kitten." He pulled her into a study, closing the door behind him. "Before you see him, I need to want you. Something happen on the case."

"Is he hurt?" Her voice was trembling in both fear and anticipation.

Rossi shook his head. "No." Taking a deep breath, he tried to come up with the easiest way in telling her. "Hotch was turned into a dog."

That was easier than he thought.

Garcia stared at him with a blank look, before letting out a loud laugh. "Let me guess he's a poodle?"

"Pretty sure he isn't a poodle." Rossi mumbled.

Wiping the tears off, she sobered up. "Okay, now can I see him? Or is he out chasing cats?"

Rossi resisted rolling his eyes at the tech. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He knew it was best to show her instead. "Come on."

Garcia trailed behind him, her mind wandering. The unsub had stated he had turned their missing persons into dogs. Now of course no one believed. She sure as hell didn't, but a part of her did. In a world such as theirs, is it really that impossible to accomplish something like that.

No paying attention to Rossi, she hadn't noticed when he stopped causing her to bump into him. Looking over his shoulder, she spotted the team minus one. "Wher-" Her eyes were drawn down the long haired black dog sitting a few feet in front of her. Her eyes bounced from team mate and back to the dog. "Rossi?"

"Yes?"

"Tell me that was a joke earlier. That isn't not true." Her eyes never leaving the dog. "That the dog sitting right there, is not boss man."

"I wish I could kitten." Rossi whispered. "That's Aaron."

Garcia glanced at Morgan. "Derek?" The agent simply nodded. "But how?!"

"We don't know." Reid said.

Hotch slowly stood up, walking towards her. 'I'm so sorry Garcia.' Seeing the look of fear in her eyes, he stopped. The scent coming off her was rubbing him in all the wrong ways. She scared of him. 'Fuck.' Without knowing it, he let out a loud whimper. His ears falling flat on his head, as he laid on the ground.

Garcia gasped, kneeling in front of him. "Oh Hotch, don't worry." She cupped his face in her hands. "We will find a way to change you back."

'It's not that.' He huffed. 'You're scared of me.' Pushing his snout over her heart, he whimpered at the high rate it was beating.

Garcia seemed to get the hint, running a hand soothingly over his head. "I'm not scared of you. It just a shock. I mean I expected anything, just not you on all fours and barking." Leaning over she placed a kiss between his eyes. "Even as a dog you're quite handsome."

JJ chuckled. "I sent Kate a picture of him asking for the breed's name. Turns out Aaron here is a Belgian Shepherd. In other words, the workaholics in the dog world."

Hotch growled. 'Why couldn't I be a damn chihuahua.'

"Well at least he isn't a poodle." Rossi laughed, shouting up at the loud bark. "Don't make me put you outside."

Hotch growled once more. 'Try it and I will mark everything inside this house. Starting with your shoes.'

Garcia couldn't help but giggle. Even now he still showed signs of himself. "What are going to do now?" Hotch glanced up at her. "While he's like this?"

"Tie him out in the back." Rossi mumbled, yelping at the pillow hitting him on the head.

"David Rossi, we are not tying him up anywhere." Garcia huffed.

Rossi raised his hands in a surrender gesture. "Kidding." Reaching for the vest by his side, he held it up for everyone to see. "This was Hotch's idea."

Erin thought for a moment. "I think it's a good idea. Hotch will remain with the team where he can be watched." She flinched at the look she got from said man-dog-man. "In case you change back or are targeted by the unsub."

'I may be a dog, but I can still care for myself.'

"As well as help with the cases." Erin continued.

Reid nodded. "Reports show that having a dog in a team helps solve the cases more efficient. As well as lower the stress level within the team."

Emily chuckled. "Our unit chief is a dog, pretty sure our stress level will remain elevated for a while."

"Alright." Erin stood for her seat. "Tomorrow, we will have everything set up for Hotch. Including the reason for his absence. It's a good thing you never take sick or vacation time off." Bidding them good night, she ran out of the house. Taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, it suddenly hit her. "Hotch is a freakin dog."

No one spoke for a while after Erin left. No one knew what to say. I mean what were you suppose to say? Sorry you might get fleas? Instead they all opted in sitting around and watching the dog.

JJ had moved to kneel on the rug, with Hotch's head in her lap. Her hand running up and down his neck. She grinned at seeing his eyes began to close. Even before all this, Aaron enjoyed having his neck caressed. She took the time to study him. His coat was a midnight glossy color. His paws were large, taking up the size of her hand. She knew he was larger than a normal dog. His tail tapped lightly on the carpet. It was bushy giving it a graceful mane like feature. He was handsome in deed.

"I'm starving." Morgan groaned. "Rossi got any food?"

The man shook his head. "I don't shop for food until after I come back from a case. We will just have to order in." Grabbing his phone, he tossed it Morgan. "Order whatever."

Garcia was quick to snatch the phone, getting a whining protest from Derek. "Careful what you order. There are things Dogs can't eat."

"I was just going to give him some of mugsy's dog food." He grinned at the glare hotch tossed him.

'Those couches are starting to look quite chewable.'

In the end the team decided on an all meat pizzas. Seeing it was something they could all enjoy, without it causing Hotch any harm. After their quick dinner, Rossi allowed Hotch out into the back yard. No one wanted to mention it, but Hotch still had needs.

Not wanting anyone to see him, he would hide behind the many bushes. 'This is humiliating.' Lucky for him all he needed was to release the waterfall. Trotting out from the bushes, he paused at getting an unfamiliar scent. Rushing back into the house, he leaped over the lazy boy and landed on front of JJ with a loud snarl. In that moment the front door open, reveling a medium size Labrador. Hotch knew this was Rossi's dog. He loved that dog, but something in him was snapping. He wanted nothing, but to show he was the dominant one in the room. Crouching down, he bared his teeth at the dog. His hackle was risen making him look like a damn porcupine. 'Back off mutt.'

Rossi finally reacted moving to stand between the two growling dogs. "What the hell are you going Hotch?"

Hotch shook himself. 'It's not me. I can't control this.'

Emily made the quick grab at the lab, before he could leap at Hotch. Dragging him towards the back yard, she closed the door. "It's natural dog behavior."

JJ frowned. "What?"

"Hotch may be human, but he is still stuck inside a dog body." Emily began. "He will still behave like a dog. Challenging other male dogs is one of them. We just have to be careful and keep an eye on him."

Hotch fell to the ground with a huff. 'This just keeps getting better and better.'