Hey everyone!

If all goes according to plan, I might be able to post another chapter today! *cheers* That is if I can get all my homework done and chores. I was simply too tired to post this chapter yesterday, so sorry.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and review!

"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.
That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand."
~Emily Kimbrough

- - - - -

Hotch could clearly see how the team's recent case had struck close to home for all of them.

JJ was currently talking on the phone with Will, trying to distract herself from the horrors of the case. Dave was grabbing a drink from the kitchen for him and Derek as Garcia and Reid made themselves at home in his den. Emily had sought Jack out immediately to combat the anguish that had been heavy in her heart for a few days. She busied herself in Dave's kitchen making dinner for everyone with JJ and Hotch, while Jack followed her and Hotch around like a cute puppy. It was plain to see that he had missed Emily while she was gone and that she had missed him too.

Emily now understood with a little more clarity why cases involving children affected Hotch so vividly. Every child, every victim, looked like Jack in Emily's eyes; the team's as well. They all had let out a huge sigh of relief when Hotch had agreed to meet them at Dave's for a well-deserved dinner. Hotch knew what it was like: He knew how much a child could chase away the demons conjured by a hard day's work. Truth be told, Hotch had gotten so used to seeing his team that he had missed them as much as Jack had.

Emily looked down at Jack, who unfortunately was making it hard to navigate in the small kitchen, and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Jack, how about you go show the others your cool cars you brought today until dinners done." Emily said trying to ignore the look of disappointment in the young boy's eyes.

Jack didn't want to go; he wanted to stay with Daddy and Miss Emily, but slowly he nodded and hurried off to the den. Emily let lose a huge sigh and felt the past few day's events cloud her mind before she turned back to the mashed potatoes. Hotch saw the deep echoes of sadness in Emily's eyes and wanted to say something to comfort her. Hotch wasn't exactly known for his comforting skills though, especially when it came to women like Emily.

JJ entered the kitchen but upon seeing the way Hotch was looking at Emily and the way she was almost avoiding his stare, JJ stopped. Hotch looked at JJ and spoke calmly. "JJ, why don't you gather Dave and start setting the table? Emily and I can finish up in here."

Catching the hidden meaning in Hotch's words, JJ nodded and quickly left them alone. The laughter of the team floated into the kitchen and both Hotch and Emily wished silently that they too could feel so carefree. Tension hung in the warm air and Emily couldn't help but groan inwardly as she realized what Hotch intended to do.

It wasn't often that Hotch checked up on her after a hard case, but considering Dave talked to him, Emily knew it was only a matter of time before he said something to her. Emily turned to face Hotch, butter and salt in her hands, and smiled sadly at him. Hotch felt his heart ache at the sadness that hovered in her dark eyes someone could easily get lost in. Suddenly Hotch didn't know what to say. There were no real words to take the pain away; Hotch knew that. He also knew only time would help rid her of the pain she carried in her heart: His as well.

Before he could attempt to say anything though, a sudden cry rang out and struck them both to the core. Instincts seized Emily as she flew from the kitchen; Hotch on her heals, and came upon Reid and Morgan hovering over Jack who was face down on the floor in the hallway. According to the rushed explination Reid offered, Jack had tripped up the few steps to the hallway in a rush to escape Morgan who had been tickling him mercilessly.

Jack tried not to cry as Emily sat on her knees to survey the damage. Jack managed to scrape his elbow on the rough carpet and was bleeding a little. Jack's whimpers tampered off as Emily swooped him up into her arms and Dave pointed her in the direction of the bathroom. Hotch calmed his heart as Morgan tried to apologize, clearly upset with the turn of events. Hotch just shook it off though and offered Morgan an understanding smile. Children fell down all the time: It was just a fact of life.

Garcia and JJ rushed to the kitchen to make sure dinner would be okay, after seeing that Emily and Hotch were dealing with Jack, and Morgan along with Reid and Dave went to sit at the dinning room table. Emily rubbed Jack's back as she walked down the hallway to the room Dave pointed out and Hotch followed them closely.

Emily sat Jack down on the sink counter, letting Hotch steady him, and began rummaging around in the medicine cabinet. Jack's sniffles were the only sound in the bathroom as both adults found their minds wandering. Jack's cries had triggered an instinctual response that left Emily and Hotch's adrenaline spiking. Emily calmed her heart rate as she found what she needed to fix Jack up. Turning to look at the little boy, whose eyes were still blurry with unshed tears, Emily ran a soft hand down his cheek smiling.

"This might sting a little buddy, so I want you to grab your Daddy's hand and squeeze with all your strength if it hurts okay?" Emily asked putting some peroxide on a cotton ball. Jack nodded, sniffled, and grabbed Hotch's hand quickly as Emily gently patted his elbow with the cotton ball. Jack squirmed for a moment but squeezed Hotch's hand and settled down because he remembered his Mommy always telling him not to fuss when someone was taking care of a boo boo. Hotch and Emily both smiled as they saw, and in Hotch's case felt, Jack's attempt to squeeze Hotch's hand hard.

Once Emily was done she softly blew on his elbow, which made Jack relax. Emily then began applying some Neosporin, which she explained to Jack, would help his elbow heal faster. Once she had finished with that Emily put a band aid on his cut and smiled at a job well done. Hotch was quite impressed with the way Emily handled his son and couldn't fight the soft emotion coursing through his veins as Emily smoothed Jack's hair out of his eyes.

Jack looked up at Emily expectantly.

"You're not done yet." Jack said holding his elbow up towards her. Emily quirked her head, thinking about what she could've possibly forgotten. Then suddenly Emily figured out what Jack was referring to and smiled as she bent down a little to kiss his elbow gently. Jack immediately smiled. Emily looked up at Hotch and pushed Jack's elbow towards him.

Hotch smiled, "How could we forget that?" he asked and kissed his son's injury. "Do you feel better now sweetie?" Emily asked putting everything back in the medicine cabinet. Jack nodded and held on to his Daddy as Hotch put him back on the ground.

Before Emily could tell Jack not to run in the house, Jack took off to go find Morgan and seek his revenge. Hotch reached out to stop him, but Emily put her hand on his arm and shook her head, laughter in her eyes.

"It doesn't matter Hotch. We can tell him no to run all we want, but he'll run anyway," she said laughing as Reid approached, needing to hug the wall to avoid being knocked down by Jack. Reid looked at Hotch and Emily, his eyebrows raised in question but Emily just shook her head.

"Well he sure rebounds fast." Reid said lightly as Hotch and Emily nodded in agreement. "Dinner's ready," he said and Emily and Hotch told him they'd be there in a second. Emily watched as Reid limped off and felt the old familiar pang of guilt for her friend. Hotch and Emily followed Reid down the hall into the dinning room, taking their time. Hotch still hadn't talked to Emily yet and he wanted to at least attempt to comfort her.

"Dave told me about the case." Hotch started out, figuring it was best to be blunt and straightforward with Emily who herself normally cut right to the chase. Emily nodded expectantly, willing to let Hotch give it the old college try.

"I figured he would. Dave was pretty attentive on the flight home." Emily said wondering whether or not to have a talk with the older profiler.

Emily and Hotch heard Morgan laughing for Jack to stop and they figured out that Jack had finally caught up to him and was enacting his revenge. "I wonder if I'll always feel this way now during a case like that. Especially after getting to know Jack." Emily said knowing full well that Hotch would ultimately understand the inner turmoil of finding a young boy's body that looked strikingly similar to his son.

"It's possible since you're spending so much time with him, you all are." Hotch said gently. Emily nodded in acknowledgement of his statement and the turned to look at him. She knew he was internally battling with the decision to come back to the team when they still needed him. He felt bad about not being there during a taxing case and Emily couldn't help but chuckle at his odd ability to blame himself for every little thing. He'd come back when he was ready; they both knew that.

"It doesn't get much better if you want me to be honest." Hotch said deciding it was better to be truthful with Emily. She was grateful for that.

"I know, but the team makes it better. We help each other through it and I guess they're one of the reasons I'm able to wake up in the morning and do this job." Emily said honestly as she and Hotch stopped in the doorway of the dinning room.

Hotch looked down at Emily, letting her words sink into his skin. She was right of course. Hotch watched as Morgan and Garcia were laughing at something Dave had said. Reid was entertaining Jack who sat in the middle to two empty seats. JJ brought in the chicken and Dave immediately got up to help her. There was a tangible feeling of togetherness in the air and Hotch smiled as Jack saw him and Emily standing in the doorway.

"Daddy! Emmy! Come and eat!" he exclaimed using the nickname he had created for Emily because she figured Miss Emily was a too long. Emily turned to look at Hotch and smiled at him. He hadn't really said all he had wanted to say, but Emily could clearly feel what he had wanted to convey. Emily reached over and squeezed his hand in thanks and walked over to sit between Reid and Jack.

Hotch smiled and quickly followed Emily into the room. Taking a seat between Jack and Dave, Hotch felt himself slip into a more comfortable skin where he could laugh and enjoy the time with his family. Hotch saw Emily's eyes light up as Jack told her all about his life while she had been away. Reid listened intently as well and JJ poked fun at his intense expression. As their plate filled up everyone felt any tension and horror from the case evacuate the room and let it be replaced with intense happiness.

Dave looked at the team and raised his glass. "To family," he said as all eyes fell upon him. "To family!" everyone echoed and raised their glasses, including Jack who had to reach across the table to tap his cup with everyone. With all bad forgotten, laughter and smiles were traded along with occasional groan of embarrassment as Emily decided a few more stories were perfectly acceptable.

Hotch realized with a sense of acceptance that they all were the reasons he got out of bed in the morning and that he too would need them when he went back to doing what he did best. Leading them.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
~Marcel Proust

Well there you have it!

I wanted this to be a little more serious than the pervious two chapters. I think the next one will be fairly serious as well because Hotch will be back at work! *dances* I plan on just three more chapters and I'll try to have the whole story up by Friday-Saturday at the latest.

Thanks to all of you who continue to review my stories & favorite them. (also to those of you who simply read them!) It means a lot.

Peace out