Episode: The Evilution of Frank

The pounding in her heart almost gave her away. Emily gulped visibly and glanced out the window of Strauss' office, relief flooding her as she saw no familiar faces. Turning back to the blonde before her, she cleared her throat again and spoke in as steady a voice as she could muster.

"Can I have some time to think about it?"

"Of course. I'll be checking up on you and your team during and after each case, but you may have up to 2 months. Any longer and I will assume you are siding with Aaron Hotchner and the rest of your team." Strauss sat down, looking over the paperwork that lined her desk. Emily paused a moment, realising she had just been dismissed and stood, turning without a farewell and left the office.

"Hey, Em. What did the Strauss want with you?" Emily snapped her head to the side, seeing Derek studying her with thought as she re-entered the bullpen.

"Nothing. Why would you think she wanted something with me? I never did anything." Emily snapped. Immediately after, she regretted her words, seeing Derek's wounded face.

"Sorry. It was just... stressful." Derek nodded in understanding. But he didn't understand. How could he?

"Prentiss, I'd like to see you in my office. Now." Emily glanced up as she sat at her desk, just in time to see Hotch's retreating figure.

"Goddamn, two reprimands in a row." Emily shook her head slowly, turning helplessly to Derek, who appeared sympathetic.

"It's ok, we'll go out later today and you can bash Hotch and Strauss all you'd like."

Emily smiled graciously and mounted the steps into Hotch's office, feeling suspiciously like she was ascending the stairs to her death.

"Sit, please." Hotch waved his hand lazily as Emily entered. His face was buried in paperwork and for a moment he didn't look up. Emily cleared her throat and began.

"Your intimidation methods won't work on me, Hotch. I know why you called me in here and postponing this conversation to get me off my balance won't work. Out with it."

Hotch looked up, impressed that she knew what he was doing.

"Alright. Why did she call you in and not the rest of the team?"

"Because she was reprimanding me."

"For what?"

Emily paused. She had rehearsed the story in her head, over and over. "She felt my abilities weren't up to par with Elle Greenaway's."

"That's bullshit, Prentiss. What was the real reason?"

Emily froze, eyes locking with Hotch's. For a moment neither spoke, they just stared back at each other, gazes frozen on the other person.

"It's ... no excuse, Hotch. That was the reason, take it or leave it."

Hotch eyed her for a moment, and then leaned forward so he was closer to Emily. For an absurd moment she thought he was going to kiss her.

She wondered if that would have broken her.

"Emily," His voice was soft, calming even. It chilled her to the bone. "I'm talking not as your boss, not as your Unit Chief, but as your colleague. Friend, even."

"Hotch, I swear to you-"

"Hear me out, Emily." She was beginning to get unnerved by his use of her first name. "You can trust me. I know, it really doesn't seem like it. Hell, I've probably been nicer to Strauss than you in the long run."

"Hotch..."

"No, it's true. The nicest thing I've probably done is letting you onto the team and I was hardly welcoming about that. And for all that, I apologize. So, despite my exterior, you can trust me with whatever she told you. As in, if she may or may not have mentioned anything besides you and Elle."

Emily could hardly look Hotch in the eye. Murmuring a soft, 'No, there's nothing else, please excuse me, lot's of paperwork.' she left, Hotch's eyes tracking her every movement, stowing it away for future analyzing.

"You ok? Want to grab a quick drink or something?" Emily's eyes could barely meet Derek's either as she brushed past him with a soft apology and some excuse she couldn't even remember. His face fell as he watched her leave, turning to the other members of the team who were arranged around the bullpen. All except for Gideon and Hotch.

Derek glanced up and his eyes landed on Hotch, through his office window. Hotch was standing, still as a statue, his eyes still trained on Emily as she pushed out through the glass doors. Finally, Hotch's gaze dropped to Derek, who met his Unit Chief's eyes with his own, the two men having an entire conversation with just their looks.

What's wrong with her?

I don't know.

You're the Unit Chief, you've probably been profiling since I was in grade school. How can you not know?

I just don't.

Derek closed his eyes and turned, facing the glass doors as JJ, Garcia and Reid came over, urging him to go with them to grab a much needed drink. He glanced back up to Hotch's office, but the silhouette of the man who had been standing in the window was gone, replaced by the workaholic Aaron Hotchner.

The man was a shapeshifter, always shifting away from emotion. Derek wondered if Emily could be the one to break him.

Aha, I just finished watching this episode. Some episodes just break me and I've only watched them once or twice. Honestly, re-watching 100 is going to break me. BUT I DO IT FOR YOU GUYS. Hope you enjoy this latest one, it picks up literally right after the episode ends. I feel like this one drifts in and out of character, with Hotch at least. But the man's so damn emotionless that I enjoy toying with his persona. I'm trying to keep to character, so warn me if I stray too far!

Also: I have a ton of songs lined up for these fics, but if you'd like to rec me some, I'd love to get some inspiration!

Song: Never Go Solo – Islands