A.N. - Sorry for the delay in posting the chapter. I hope to start updating regularly now. Again I do not own any of the Criminal Minds characters.

Hotch stepped off the elevator into the BAU on his first day back at 8:45 a.m.. He was usually earlier but he wanted to make sure Jack got settled back at school since it was also his first day back.

He saw his team at their desks working on paperwork when he entered the bullpen. Derek looked up and saw him rather quickly. He stood up and smiled.

"Hotch you're back."

Spencer and Emily got up then as well and Dave and JJ came down from their offices.

Hotch smiled at them. "Yeah. I'm back."

Everyone was so happy to see him that they didn't see his slightly nervous body language although Emily saw it.

"All right, let's let him get settled in before you all start bothering him."

When Emily's eyes met his, Hotch gave her a small thank-you smile as he walked up to his office and everyone else returned to their desks.

At 1:30 p.m. Emily noticed Hotch was still at his desk doing paperwork and didn't look like he was going to be stopping for lunch anytime soon. After quickly finishing the report she was working on she went up to his office and knocked on his door.

"Come in."

She opened the door and walked in. "Hey. Are you planning on stopping for lunch anytime soon?"

He looked up from the report he was writing. "What?"

"It's 1:45 so I was wondering if you were going to stop for some lunch anytime soon?"

"Oh. I didn't realize it was getting so late."

"I figured. Come on let's go get some lunch."

"All right." He said, putting down his pen and standing up to follow her. "So where too?"

They quickly decided on a diner a couple blocks away and then headed out.

Arriving at the diner Hotch opened the door for Emily as they entered. They found a table and sat down.

A few minutes later a waitress came up to them. "What can I get for you?"

Once they ordered their food they began talking about anything but work.

"Did Jack get to school all right?"

"Yeah. He was a bit nervous but I think it will be good for him to get back into a routine."

"He's a strong kid. He'll be okay."

Their food arrived then and they ate mostly in silence.

"What do you say to a quick walk before we go back to work?" He asked as they left the diner.

"Sure. So how was your first day back?"

"Not too bad. We'll have to see more on my first case back." He looked down at. "I'm going to head back and get my stuff so I can go pick up Jack from school."

"I'm sure he'll love that." Emily said, smiling at him.

As Jack walked out of school, he was surprised but glad to see his dad waiting to pick him up. He ran to Hotch as soon as he spotted him.

"Daddy."

"Hey Buddy." Hotch smiled as Jack flew into his arms. "How was your day?"

"Okay. It was nice seeing my friends."

"What did you do?" Hotch asked, as he got Jack settled into the car.

"I drew some pictures and played with the blocks with Jason and Brendan."

"That's great. Do you have any of the pictures you drew so I can see them?" Hotch asked as they drove home.

"Yeah." Jack looked out the window. "Can we go get some ice cream Daddy?"

"Sure Buddy."

A few moments later they pulled into the ice cream shop. Once they ordered they sat down at a table to eat it.

Hotch kept looking at Jack since the little boy was so quiet.

"Are you really okay Jack?"

Jack looked up at him. "Yeah. I just miss Mommy that's all."

"Okay. I just want to make sure and I want you to tell me if anything is bothering you okay?"

"Okay Daddy."

They finished their ice cream and then went home.