A/N- by popular demand, slight hint of Elle/Gideon in this chapter. Not too much though

Chapter 5

"It's been three days, and we have nothing." Elle slammed a folder down in frustration. "No physical description, no address, no nothing!"

Hotch sighed. "These things take time."

"We don't have time, Hotch! There's another girl out there that could be in danger!"

Hotch stood and put his hands on Elle's shoulders. "We'll get this guy, Elle."

Elle looked him in the eye. "And what if we don't?"

Hotch paused. "We will."

Elle pulled away from him and took a seat.

Hotch sat across from her and studied her. "Have you talked to Gideon yet?"

Elle looked up. "About what?"

"About… you know."

Elle stared at him. "Why should I?"

"He cares a lot about you, you know. He's been really worried about you." Hotch paused. "He asked me what was going on with you."

Elle panicked. "You didn't tell him, did you?"

Hotch shook his head. "I told him you tell him when you're ready."

There was a long, heavy silence. Elle stared at her file folders in silence, deep in thought. Gideon was more than a friend to her; he was like a father. But it was so painful to talk about. But Gideon deserved to know. He had always been there for her, and nothing would change. At least she hoped nothing would change…

"All right, Hotch." Elle pushed back her chair and stood. "Where's Gideon?"

Hotch smiled at his friend. "He's in the conference room next door. Come here." She slowly moved toward him as he wrapped his arms around her. "You know we're here for you, right?"

Elle nodded.

"And you know I don't think of you any differently?" He gently lifted her chin so that he was looking into her eyes. "You're still a hell of an agent, and that'll never change."

Elle smiled at him and let him go. She walked out of the room and turned the corner. She took a deep breath and knocked three times. "Come in," the familiar voice called.

Elle opened the door. Gideon was seated at the table, file folders littering the table in front of him. He looked up as she came in. "What is it, Elle?" he asked, peering over another folder that hid some of his face.

Elle closed the door behind her.

"Is it about the case?"

"Sort of. You know how you said that…if I ever needed to talk…" A tear rolled down her cheek.

Gideon was suddenly concerned. Elle didn't usually show her emotions like this. He stood and went over to her. "What is it?"

Elle's body shook. "Gideon…I-" She broke down sobbing.

Gideon put his arms around her as she sobbed into his shoulder. He clumsily stroked her hair.

Elle let the whole story spill out. All of the pain that she had held inside for so long came rushing out through her tears. All of the sleepless nights, all of the nightmares, everything came out. She told Gideon everything, not sparing any details.

Gideon just held her. She was vulnerable for the first time since he had known her. Her story explained everything, her preoccupied manner for the past few days, her desire to see every unsub locked up for the rest of his life. In that moment, her tough exterior melted away, and Gideon was finally able to look at the true Elle- wounded, hurt, longing for true friendship.

Elle finished her story and gently pulled away, looking at Gideon for the first time since she walked into the room. He had a single tear falling down his weathered cheek. Wordlessly, he handed her a box of tissues. She wiped her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked huskily.

Elle nodded, smiling through her tears. "I am now. Now that you know."

Gideon tenderly wiped her cheek. "It explains a lot."

Elle nodded again.

"I don't think of you any differently. You know that, right? No one does." He held her shoulders again. "We're your family, Elle." He paused before continuing. "We all love you. Very much."

Elle embraced him again. "Thank you, Dad." This time, Gideon didn't mind so much.

Suddenly, they heard some beeping. "What's that?" Gideon asked.

Elle pulled out her cell phone. "Oh, my battery's dying."

Gideon's face lit up. "That's it!" he yelled.

"It's what?"

"That's what we've been looking for!"