Hey everybody!

So I made good on what I said in the previous chapter. I was able to put out two today! I don't think I'll be able to post one tomorrow therefore this story most likely won't get finished until Saturday. *sigh* oh well.

Again I really want to thank all of you awesome people who have review and read my storied! You make it all worth while!

Enjoy & review

Worrying is like a rocking chair,
it gives you something to do,
but it gets you nowhere.
~Glenn Turner

- - - - - -

Hotch missed Jack terribly and he couldn't help but worry about him more as time passed.

It was his first case back and Hotch was already slipping back into his old commanding skin. It felt like it had been years since he had led the team instead of a few months. Hotch was still amazed that Strauss had given him his job back so quickly, though when Morgan marched up to her office and basically said he quit the team if Hotch didn't get his job back she didn't have much of a say in the matter. Granted she had technically removed his suspension when Haley died, Hotch figured she hadn't expected him to come back so soon. He couldn't blame her, in fact when he entered the BAU the first thing Dave said to him was, "What the hell are you doing here?"

The only one who didn't express any surprise was Emily, who walked in just after Hotch and Jack did. She just smiled at Hotch and picked up Jack who was hugging her legs tightly. "Welcome back." Emily said without much inflection but tossed him a small smirk as Jack mentioned how he'd be staying with Aunt Penny while Daddy was away. Just then JJ came in with her determined stride and stopped quickly as she took in the appearance of Hotch and Jack. Slightly shocked, JJ managed to smile. "You're just in time. We got a case."

Emily kissed Jack on the forehead quickly as Garcia swooped in and ushered the boy into her dungeon where she set up a little play area for him that was gore and horror free. Morgan and Reid came into the bullpen with coffee in their hands and Morgan almost spit his out in disbelief as he scanned the group and saw Hotch among them. Emily laughed and quickly motioned for them to get up to the conference room. "Stare later, we got a case," she said and smiled as she felt Hotch fall into step with her.

After a quick meeting with Strauss, Hotch was officially in charge again and they all congratulated him in subtle ways with affectionate pats on the back and in Emily's case a heartwarming smile and a wink. They all had enough time to say their goodbyes to Jack who was so absorbed in the mini DVD player Garcia had brought them, that he didn't seem too upset about it. Then again, Jack had been asking his Daddy when he'd go back to work and get the bad guys for a while now. Jack did give Emily and Hotch extra big hugs though and Garcia promised she'd let him call them before he went to bed.

Both Garcia and Emily had ganged up on Hotch when he mentioned the issue of what Jack would do when he went back to work. Due to the lack of opposition from Jack when Hotch asked him if he'd like to stay with Aunt Penny when he worked, Hotch caved. Garcia was perfectly capable of taking care of Jack and Jack adored the games she often played with him. Jack was in safe hands while Hotch was away. That didn't make Hotch miss him any less though and he couldn't help but feel even more relieved as they went to the hotel for the last night of their stay in Austin, TX. The case had wrapped up faster than Hotch thought they normally did, but when he said something about it to Dave he just said that Hotch thought it was such a short period of time because he had been out of the game for a while.

The team certainly didn't feel like it had been a short case. They were spread thin and running on fumes of stale coffee. Reid and Emily were in the car with Hotch as he drove and Morgan and JJ were with Dave just behind them. They all were looking forward to a good sleep tonight and then an early flight back home so they could fuss over Jack, who everyone missed immensely.

Hotch looked over at Emily who was carrying on a conversation about Reid's lack of knowledge dealing with popular cultural references. She teased and Reid defended himself to the best of his ability. It was a light conversation that managed to make them feel better. Hotch hadn't realized how seemingly closer his team had knitted itself since Foyet made himself known to them. After cases the team made more of an effort to hang out together and crack jokes, especially since Jack had become a prominent figure in their lives. Hotch had tried before to keep work and his home life separate and he saw that his team didn't try to separate them, but incorporate them both in a light and hopeful manner than made it easier to cope with the horrors on the job. Hotch hoped he could learn their technique so he could be a better father to his son who would soon be calling them.

Once they reached the hotel, Reid had given up and simply taken to playfully ignoring Emily's teasing. Hotch noted how their interactions turned almost childish as Dave and the others approached seemingly relaxed and content as well. As they walked into the small hotel, Emily's phone began to ring and they all knew who it was without any guessing. Beaming, Emily flipped her phone open and put Jack on speaker phone.

"Hey sweetie, everyone can hear you." Emily said as everyone gathered around her.

"Hi everybody! Are you coming home soon Emmy?" Jack asked laughing as Garcia apparently tickled him quickly. Everyone immediately smiled and felt the tension flee their bodies the second Jack open his mouth.

"Yes Jack, we'll be home tomorrow morning." Emily said laughing as Garcia and Jack cried out happily.

"I miss you guys. I miss you Daddy!" Jack said deciding to single out his Daddy in case he needed something to make him feel happy. Before they had left Emmy made Jack promise her that whenever he talked to his Daddy that he'd tell him he missed him and loved him a lot. Jack had no problem with that because he did miss his Daddy lots but he knew he had to fight the bad guys.

Hotch felt his heart warm as Emily chuckled and handed him her phone. "I miss you too buddy. Are you being good for Garcia?" Hotch asked knowing full well even if Jack had been a tyrant (not that he ever would be) Garcia would lie to him.

Garcia laughed.

"Oh boss man, Jack is the most well behaved young boy in the history of young boys. He's been a great help around the house and definitely kept me smiling while our super heroes were out fighting evil. Isn't that right Jack Jack?" The team laughed, as Jack's enthusiastic 'yeah!' could be heard. Garcia handed Jack back the phone and he giggled as she ruffled his hair quickly.

"I can't wait until you come back home Daddy, I love you." Jack said causing Emily, JJ, and Garcia to 'aw' simultaneously and the men to smile softly at Jack's sweet words. Hotch felt the soft prick of tears and mentally scoffed at himself for almost losing it in front of his team.

"I can't wait come home either buddy and I love you too. We'll see you tomorrow Jack." Hotch said seeing how it was close to his bed time back home.

"Okay, night everybody. Say night Aunt Penny." Jack said causing them all to laugh and shake their heads.

"Night my heroes, we'll see you tomorrow. Hugs and kisses." Garcia said and hung up the phone after the team chorused 'Goodnight Jack and Garcia.'

They stood around silently, smiling at Emily's phone which Hotch handed back to her deliberately brushing her hand in the process. Hotch and Emily had developed another way of silent communication over the few weeks and were getting good at touching each other gently without the others picking up on it. It was their way of offering comfort and saying other things they couldn't express with words at the moment.

Looking at one another, the team suddenly couldn't wait to go home.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm dead on my feet. So I'm gonna crash." Morgan said reverting instantly back into his more reckless, flirtatious side since Hotch was in charge once more.

"I second that." JJ said making her way to her and Emily's room without much hesitation. Dave laughed and took after JJ and Morgan leaving Reid, Emily and Hotch standing in the lobby.

"We should follow suit." Reid said addressing Hotch more than Emily because he knew that since Hotch was back he would most likely fall back into the all too familiar pattern of lots of paperwork and little sleep. Emily was relieved to see she wasn't the only one concerned about Hotch's previous working habits. Hotch, realizing what Reid was really saying, nodded and once more fell into step with Emily as Reid lead them to their rooms.

Reid reached his and Morgan's room first and bid Emily and Hotch goodnight who returned his sentiments. The room Emily shared with JJ was a few doors down and Hotch's a few doors down from hers. They walked in silence, taking their time. Once they reached Emily's door she turned and looked at Hotch. He seemed a million miles away.

"It's like riding a bike Hotch. You'll never forget how to do this job." Emily said addressing but one of his fears he had voiced to her earlier in the week. Hotch's lips quirked at Emily's direct approach and couldn't help but agree with her. He had fallen back into his old role with perfection. It helped that he and Emily worked closely though like they used to. She made sure he kept his head. It was just like old times in Hotch's opinion.

Hotch was still debating about a few things but Emily, being a perceptive as ever, quickly spoke up; verbalizing more inner distress. "I hear that if you sleep the sooner the next day will be here." Emily said smiling as she saw the look of surprise on Hotch's face. She hit the nail on the head. Hotch turned to look at Emily and let himself relax as she leaned against her door. She was still there, taking care of him when they were on the job. Well, technically their job ended the moment their unsub's heart stopped.

Emily reached over and touched his arm briefly. "Get some sleep Hotch," she said letting her hand fall once her other hand grabbed the doorknob. Before she entered the room Hotch's voice made her pause and smile.

"Thank you Emily." Hotch said feeling like he didn't say it nearly enough. He saw her pause and turn her head slightly to look at him. "Anytime Hotch, you know that." Emily said softly, letting the tone of her voice convey a little more than they were willing to admit. Hotch's eyes gazed fondly at Emily as she shut her door and let out a deep sigh. They weren't there yet, but at this pace they'd get to that point eventually.

Hotch walked down to his room and actually found it easy to sleep once his head hit the pillow.

- - - - - -

The flight home took no real time at all.

Emily and Hotch sat at the table while the others did their own thing. The team couldn't help but smile as they saw their boss doing what he was so known for: Looking over case files. It was such a normal sight that it made them a little nostalgic. It felt right, like a puzzle that had been missing a piece was finally completed. True, Hotch was a different man than he had been before Foyet, but he was still essentially Hotch.

Emily looked up.

"Hey, how about we all go out for lunch once we reach Quantico?" she asked causing everyone to look at her.

"Well, I am getting hungry…" Morgan began but Reid's quick retort cut him off, "When aren't you?" he asked jokingly causing everyone to chuckle. Morgan shot Reid a look but felt it melt away as Reid laughed at him.

"Good point kid." Morgan replied leaning back in his seat smiling. Hotch couldn't recall a plane ride home so relaxed before, but he enjoyed it. Hotch met Emily's eyes. "That sounds like a good idea," he replied letting his knee rub against hers softly. Emily didn't try to hide her grin and Dave smirked at the obvious connection between Hotch and Emily. It was nice to know Hotch actually listened to him once in a while.

The plane landed in no time and the team rushed, well they went the speed limit, to Quantico where Garcia and Jack were awaiting them. Hotch and Emily practically ran out of their car, leaving Reid behind them, into the building. Dave and the others chuckled and jogged to catch up. The sight that greeted them though, made them stop in admiration.

Jack was currently in Hotch's arms and Emily was listening to him talk as she held his hand tightly. Hotch passed Jack to Emily as he tried to move over to her and the team saw Hotch squeeze her hand once Jack was in her arms giving her a big hug of her own.

"Well, I'll be…" Morgan said once the smirk on Dave's face seemed as if it were permanent. JJ and Reid just smiled and walked up to the cozy group. Garcia walked up to them from the other side with her purse in hand ready to go out for lunch.

Jack made sure to greet the rest of the team with a big smile and gladly received the affectionate pats and hair ruffles. Emily told Jack about their lunch plans and put the little boy on the ground so he could walk between her and Hotch. Jack grabbed Emily's hand and Hotch's in the other and pulled them towards the elevator.

Everyone else put their stuff by Emily's desk and followed Jack, Emily, and Hotch closely out of the building, leaving behind their official titles and showcasing their favorite one. A family.

Other things may change us,
but we start and end with the family.
~Anthony Brandt

Ah, only two more chapters to go! w00t! I am honestly blown away by the amount of support I've gotten for this story. I had only planned on it being a oneshot and now look at it! Five, technically four, chapters and still going strong. You guys/gals are the greatest for helping me continue with this story. It is a lot of fun to write.

Hope you enjoyed it, keep an eye out for my last two chapters.

Peace out