CHAPTER 3

Another report done, he thought to himself. Dropping his pen and sitting the manilla folder on the stack at the corner of his desk he looked at the clock hanging above the door.

6: 27 am

Crap, Haley! He began tearing apart his desk looking for the one item he needed the most at that moment. Realizing he left his phone in his suit jacket, he made his way across the office to the couch where he dropped his go-bag and jacket the previous night. Pulling the small device out of the pocket and turning it back on he was relieved to have no messages. Thinking again, he took into account this could mean one of two things. One, she went to sleep after their conversation last night, knowing he would be filling out reports until the early morning hours. Or two, she figured out he wasn't coming home and decided they would talk about it later the following day. Making a mental note to call her at a more reasonable time, he got up and went to change into a new suit before the rest of his team got there.

Emily's POV

Walking through the glass doors, and sipping on my coffee I walked over to my desk to sit down my stuff. throwing my go-bag under my desk and placing my purse in the cabinet next to my desk, I logged on my computer to check my email and wait for the rest of the team because doing files by myself is boring. I picked up my cold brew, taking another sip, and began looking through the mass amount of emails from the last couple of days because I normally don't answer emails while we're away.

After answering an email from Section Cheif Strauss, I closed the browser and looked at the time. 6:45 am, the rest of the team should be here anytime now. I glanced up for the first time today and noticed that Hotch was nowhere to be found. His office lights were on so he is at least in the building I thought to myself turning back around and seeing Reid and Derek get off the elevator and head through the glass door.

"Well, good morning Princess," Morgan said with conviction, strutting over to the desk across from mine and dropping his stuff on the ground.

"Morning," I said looking up from my file and noticing a worried glare flash across his face and then a smile while a slight laugh came from Reid's direction.

"What's that for" I questioned looking back at Derek puzzled and turning to glare at Reid.

"I'm just wondering what the other guy looks like," Morgan said pointing to his forehead.

"Oh, I ra- ran into something this morning," I whispered quietly hoping Derek would drop it, but instead, it just made him ask more questions.

"you did what, I couldn't hear what you said Princess," he questioned back. "Hey Pretty Boy, you read lips what did Prentiss say" he glanced over to Reid who was still sitting, watching the events of conversation unfold.

As Spencer went to respond to Morgan, I heard the faint clicking of heels across the catwalk heading towards us.

"Good morning my lovies," Garcia exclaims as she and JJ stop to look in Hotch's office. Noticing he's not in there, she turns and looks around the bullpen trying to find him.

"Has anyone seen Bossman," Penelope states, walking down to meet me and the guys by our desks.

"Nope, he hasn't been in there since I got here about thirty minutes ago," I said back towards the two blondes. As they get closer I saw the same look Morgan gave to me and decided it would be better for everyone if I just told them what had happened.

As I began to start explaining the events of this morning, I saw Aaron walk through the hallway and into the bullpen.

Hotch's POV

After changing suits, I decided to go get coffee from the coffee shop in the building next door. I learned a long time ago you should not expect to get coffee at the BAU in the mornings. Everyone always wants to sit and talk and it takes too long and with not going home the previous night I was gonna need a stronger drink than plain coffee. Arriving at the coffee shop and seeing there was no one there, I was in and out in no time.

Standing in the elevator, waiting for it to approach the sixth floor, I pulled out my phone and checked my email. After seeing an email from Strauss and being concerned I was relieved to see it said the team was on stand down for the next three days. I then decided to text Haley and see if she and Jack would like to go to lunch.

A: Good morning beautiful, I know I didn't make it home last night but the team is on stand down and I was seeing if you and Jack wanted to go grab lunch?

I put my phone back in my pocket and stepped off the elevator and walked into the bullpen. Seeing the team congregated at the desks, I decided to go over and tell them the news.

"Good morning everyone, due to us having four cases in the last two weeks Strauss has put us on stand-down for the next three days for us to recuperate and relax. If everyone could have their files done I see no reason for us to have to come in for the next three days." I announced getting ready to walk to my office when I caught a glimpse of a bandaid on Emily's forehead.

Prentiss, not Emily, I scolded myself silently. I don't know why

Making eye contact with the brunette in front of me, I sent a questioning look to the sparkling bandage residing on her forehead.

Physically seeing a shift in her demeanor, I began to wonder if I struck a nerve.

"Prentiss, I didn't mean to upset you, I was just curious about the pink bandaid," I said looking around at the rest of the team.

"Sir, it's fine, I was actually about to inform the team that way I didn't get anymore questioning looks" she blankly stated giving a glare back to our colleagues.

"When I got up to get ready this morning I tripped and faceplanted into my bathroom door." she babbled off quickly while looking down at her feet.

"Jesus Em, are you okay? Do you need any headache meds or anything," JJ asked walking over to console her friend.

"I'm sure she's fine Jayge, the only thing Princess might need is a little ice for her ego. It's probably a little bruised from embarrassment," Morgan chuckled beginning to walk towards Prentiss.

If looks could kill Derek would be six feet under right about now. The whole team including Garcia looked like they wanted to kill him; and given our profession, they probably could.

"That's enough Morgan," I declared looking over at the girls and watched as JJ and Garcia took their friend by her arms and headed off towards JJ's office.

"C'mon man, you know I was just kidding," Morgan rolled his eyes and glanced at Reid.

"Go ahead and drop off her files to JJ's office and get started on your own," I said heading across the bullpen, up the stairs, and into my own office.

After a while of sitting, writing up case reports, and answering emails, I felt my phone buzz in my jacket pocket. I took it out assuming it was Haley hopefully agreeing to meet here later to head to lunch.

H: I figured you ended up working late so I didn't wait up. I'll meet you at the BAU at 1 pm for lunch. Hopefully, we can talk about what's actually going on Aaron.

"What's actually going on," I said out loud wondering what she could possibly mean by that. Before I could think anything of it the phone at my desk rang with a call from Strauss.

"Hotchner," I declared holding the phone up to my ear.

"Ah, yes Aaron, I was wondering if we could sit and have a quick word. I will meet you in your office promptly in thirty minutes " Erin Strauss claimly stated on the other end of the line. Before I could process what had happened she hung up the phone.