Criminal Minds

Yves, Your Cheatin' Cologne

Part 3

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"You need to lighten up, Hotch." Emily teased him as they left the precinct.

He stopped for a moment, hands on the box of files and stared at her, "She was practically coming on to me like a...a..." he shook his head, loss for words for once.

"Moth to a flame?" Emily laughed again. "Or someone who finds you very attractive?" She leaned against the back of the SUV.

"I'm not attractive, Prentiss. I'm just your average guy, and besides I'm a Federal agent and she's..." he was pointing towards the building. "She's out of line, that's what she's doing. I should have reported to her supervisor."

"She is the Sheriff." Emily continued to laugh.

"Stop it, you're not helping." He reached up and closed the hatch. Emily moved away and headed to the passenger side.

His phone rang, "Hotchner," He rolled his eyes. "No, no, uh it's quite alright, no, Agent Prentiss and I are on our way back to our hotel." He was opening the driver's side door.

Emily gave him an inquiring look.

Hotch rolled his eyes and pointed at the building, Emily began to laugh.

"Um, no actually we're on our way to Baltimore, there's another urgent case." He shook his head, "I don't think it's appropriate, Sheriff. Er, Garrett. Oh, look I have to take this call, it's my team," He nodded, "Thank you for the invite, maybe another time. Yes, take care. And good luck on your case." He took a grateful breath when he replaced his phone into his jacket pocket and started the ignition. "Let's get out of here."

"Aw, don't you want to have an intimate dinner with Natalie?" Emily smiled.

Hotch gave her a dark look, "It's not even funny, Prentiss."

"Oh, I think so, sexy beast."

He shook his head, "Don't please."

She laughed out loud.

He muttered to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing." He smiled as he shook his head, driving towards the hotel.

Twenty minutes later, they were in their rooms, they had agreed to meet for dinner half an hour later after they had refreshed themselves.

But some things couldn't wait...

Hotch knocked on her door fifteen minutes later.

Emily opened her door and let him in.

She smiled at him as he stepped into the room, "Hi."

He grinned, "Hi." He replied softly as he held her hand and raised it to his lips. "I can't wait and I'm not exactly hungry for dinner."

She walked closer to him, leaned in and whispered, "Me too. I guess we can wait, there are some pressing issues we must addressed..." She lost her train of thoughts as he kissed her mouth immediately and soon their tongues began to dance together as they slowly unbuttoned each other's shirts.

And then Hotch's cell phone rang.

They stopped their kissing as the ringing continued.

Foreheads pressing, they breathed hard in frustration before they separated and stared at each other.

"I have to answer." He said softly with a hint of irritation.

Emily nodded and walked towards the window overlooking out the New Jersey skyline, crossing her arms.

It was the deputy from the New Jersey Precinct, he had called Hotch to report on their missing Sheriff.

"What?" Hotch frowned, his voice was raised slightly. "How long has she been missing?"

Emily turned to face him; she picked up on his change of voice inflection.

"Are you certain she is missing? No, I'm not accusing you of anything, deputy and I'm not doubting that she's being kidnapped." He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, "All I'm saying is, have you checked on her at her residence?" He opened his eyes, surprise written on his face. "Oh...I see, signs of disturbance. Very well, Agent Prentiss and I will be there directly, if you'll give me the address." He turned to a desk and grabbed a pen and stationery and quickly wrote the address. "Thank you, Deputy Sikes."

He hung up and looked at Emily.

She smiled, "Let's go." She took one step and Hotch's phone rang again.

"What now? Hotchner...Haley?" He looked surprised, "What's happening?" He was quiet as he listened on the phone.

Emily watched him, she could tell something was not right.

"I'll be there as soon as I can, Haley. I'll meet you at the hospital."

Emily's eyes widened when she heard the word 'hospital'; was it Jack? "Hotch? What is it? Is it Jack? Is he okay?" She walked up to him and gently lay a hand on his shoulder.

He looked down at her, as if he suddenly remembered she was in the same room as he, "It's Jack, he fell down the stairs in the house." Hotch began to pace about the room, "I have to get home; Haley thinks he might have broken something...his hand or wrist." He sounded distraught.

Emily felt awful for him, "Hotch, go...you must be there for Jack, and Haley, she needs you."

He looked at her, "But the..."

Emily shook her head, "I can handle this. I'll call Reid and have him fly out here to help me."

He took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm sorry, Emily."

She shook her head again as she reached up and touched his cheek gently, "Take care of your family, and then we'll go from there. Trust me?" She gave him an encouraging smile.

He nodded as he bent down and kissed her softly before he pulled away, "There are times I wish you're mine, I wish I had met you first."

She chuckled, "We might not have this chance to work together." She shook her head, "I don't know, Hotch but I kind of like this, working with you."

He gave her a look as he headed to the door, "Versus married to me?"

She tilted her head as she gave it a thought, "Maybe, I'm not sure. Now, will you get out of here!" She waved at him. "Hey, I hope all is well with my little man."

He smiled as he opened the door, "I wonder if you prefer my son than me?"

"I don't kiss and tell on my first loves, Aaron." She smiled cryptically.

He gave her a wave before he walked from her, then it dawned on him that it was the first time she had called him by his first name; it sounded lovely coming from her sweet lips.

He smiled as he grabbed his go-bag and hurried out of the hotel room.

….

He was able to catch a quick flight back to Virginia and took a cab to the Children's Memorial Hospital.

When he saw Jack at last, it broke his heart; his little buddy's right arm was in a cast; a navy blue cast.

"What happened?" He asked his wife as he watched Jack sleeping in his car seat, they were on their way home.

Haley took a deep breath before she answered, "I was in the bedroom when it happened."

He stared at her, "What were you doing?"

"Aaron, please don't talk to me like this."

"Like what?" He asked angrily.

"I'm not one of those bad people you're interrogating, don't treat me as if I'm one of them. I'm your wife."

Are you? He wanted to ask her, but instead, "Haley, all I'm asking you is where were you when it happened?"

"I was in our bedroom, Aaron." She answered tightly.

"Doing what?"

"Things."

"Excuse me?"

"This is ridiculous!" She was beginning to sound agitated. "Are you accusing me of something?"

"Do I have a reason to?"

She pursed her lips and looked away, "I can't believe what you're saying, Aaron." She looked away from him.

Oh yes, I can. He thought.

"Aaron, I did not abuse Jack." She reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek. "You should have seen the looks the doctor and the nurses gave me." She continued to wipe more tears away.

Oh save it! If you'd keep an eye on our son instead of banging on Brett the chump, this would not have happened. "It's standard protocol, Haley." Hotch reasoned.

She sniffed, "Now, child welfare's coming to inspect our house."

Hotch nodded, "When are they coming?"

"Tomorrow, between 10am and 12pm. Are you able …? Or do you have to go back to Baltimore?"

"I'll be here with you, Haley." He almost sighed; he had to make sure he put a united front for Haley in front of the child welfare services.

When they arrived home, Hotch received another call from New Jersey, it was the Deputy Sikes, he was still for Agent Prentiss to show up at his Sheriff's home.

Hotch frowned hard, "You mean Agent Prentiss had not made it at the residence?" He felt sick in his stomach.

"No sir. Like I said, been waitin' for her when I last spoke to you and you told me she'd be there."

"That can't be right, Agent Prentiss was supposed to be there, I had a family emergency and flew back to Virginia, that's four hours ago."

"I'm sorry, Agent Hotchner, she's not here, and I sent another deputy to the hotel you're stayin' and she didn't answer her room either."

"Dear god," Hotch uttered out loud. "Where could she be?" The dreaded pit sank lower.

…...

End of Part 3

p.s. Thank you to littlesweetcheeks who pointed out on the previous 2 parts that the term 'chum' means friend. It should be chump, so it has been duly noted and changed. Thanks for spotting the snafu. Thank you again!

10th muse