Chapter 8

"So, how does it feel to be back?" Rossi asked as he and Hotch walked into the building.

"Honestly, I don't know," he sighed, "I'm glad to be back with my team. It's where I belong."

"But?" Rossi pressed.

"How are the local cops going to react? My cheeks are covered in red splotches! No one wants to work with a facially deformed FBI agent. "

"We do," Rossi said. "and if they don't like it, well, we'll put 'em in their place. Besides, ol' Garcia can find some dirt on them should they give you a hard time." Hotch chuckled.

"I don't wanna scare victims and witnesses away."

"You won't," Rossi assured, "you're the most compassionate man I know. When the time comes to interview them, you'll be as sweet and gentle as you always have been. From now on, we're using you as lead interrogator when we get our unsubs, though!"

"Hey!" Hotch exclaimed, lightly patting him on the back.

"Ow!" Rossi exclaimed, rubbing his back.

"Did I hit you too hard?"

"No," Rossi panted, "it's just your hands are a lot rougher than they used to be. Geez, man, they're like a rock!"

"Sorry," Hotch grimaced, "that's one thing that can't be fixed."

"Well, I guess I bettter get used to it. The team had better get used to it because-"

"SUPRISE!" the whole team yelled as Hotch and Rossi entered the round table room. Hotch gasped.

"Guys, you didn't have to do all this!" the Unit Chief exclaimed.

"We wanted to," Rossi said.

"Did you plan all this?"

"No, sir," Garcia answered, running up to him, "I did!"

"Garcia..." Hotch pseudo-warned, giving her his "hotch stare."

"Sir, that's not gonna work today," Garcia protested. Hotch rolled his eyes.

"I figured my glare would be a lot more intimidating now!" he laughed. That got the whole team laughing and smiling.

"No time for that now!" the cheery tech analyst said, "we've got to eat cake!" It was a chocolate and vanilla cake that had WELCOME BACK written on it.

"Mmm.. chocolate and vanilla. My favorite baby girl," Morgan said.

"Garcia, did you make this?" Hotch asked, eating the decadent cake.

"Yeah, I made all of it. In fact, I made all the food we're eating here today. Of course, JJ helped me with decorations, which I might say go really well with the room. Of course, Prentiss bought all the stuff and-"

"Garcia," Hotch interrupted, "I love it. I can't thank you enough."

"Don't thank me sir." Then, she ran up and gave her Unit Chief the biggest hug.

"Oh, sorry sir. I forgot-"

"It's okay, Garcia. Just be careful." He gently returned the hug.

"Hey man, we're just glad you're back." Morgan gave him a fist bump.

"You know statsically hugs give off germs and-"

"REID!" the team warned.

"Sorry. Hotch, I'm so glad you're back. You know, after Gideon left, I was so afraid I was going to lose you, too that day."

"Well, Reid, you don't have to worry about that. I plan to stick around for a long, long time." He fist bumped Reid.

"When are you gonna get your surgery?" Reid asked. He quickly clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Sorry, Hotch, I didn't mean it like that."

"I know what you mean," Hotch assured, "the doctor said within six months. But, honestly, we just have to wait and see. My main focus is on Jack and getting back to work."

"Speaking of Jack, how is the little guy?" Rossi asked.

"Every night, he kisses my boo-boos before he goes to bed."

"Aww," the whole team said at the same time.

"Well, guys, there's more cake."

"There's also some peach cobbler in there," Morgan said, "just think. This is the one of few times we get to do this. Eat up guys."

"And, try not to pet Hotch's face the whole time," Rossi quipped sarcastically, "he's not a kitty cat."

"Three women have been found strangled to death in their apartments..." Garcia explained.

"Uggh, don't serial killers realize we need to take a BREAK every once in a while?" Prentiss asked.

"This unsub is very organized," Hotch said, "it looks like he uses a ruse to get in the house."

"He could be a janitor or be apartment security," Rossi said.

"We won't know until we get there," Hotch said. He took a look around. It was his first case back as Unit Chief. Despite the case, the team was glad everything was back to normal.

"Wheels up in twenty," Hotch said. To the team, those were the most beautiful words in the world.

THE END