A/N: Hello! Thanks to everyone reading. I see the story stats now and again so I know there's a few of you following this. I appreciate the interest even if there are no reviews. I know it's kind of a crack fic, but it's fun for me so I'm just going to keep rolling with it! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Hotch was waiting patiently for her in the hallway outside the washrooms. Emily gave him a small smile and looked around. The floor was starting to become relatively quiet, but a few Interpol agents were still wandering around chatting with Dr. Wagner.

"We'd better get going," Hotch suggested, checking his watch. There was still another fifteen minutes until they had to be on the plane, but he wanted to speak with the team leads of the military guards they would be working closely with. "Do you have everything you need?"

"You bet, let's go." She picked up her bag and swung it over her shoulder. They walked past a supply room and Emily put a hand on Hotch's arm to stop him.

She disappeared inside the room briefly and then came out with two walkie talkies, handing one to Hotch with a package of batteries. He nodded and slid the items into his bag. "What's the range on these?"

"They're only about five miles on a good day," Emily said, shrugging. "But they're better than nothing and I want to make sure we can keep in contact if we get separated." She pointed to the button on her uniform. "If push comes to shove, I don't think we're going to be able to wait on headquarters."

Hotch nodded in agreement. "We should be giving one of these to each team member. Are there more?"

Emily nodded. "There are four more, but that's it. I'll grab them." She disappeared inside and came back with a four-pack of similar ones. "They're not as long range as ours, but they should do the trick for a couple miles." She shoved them into her bag. "I don't know why we weren't provided with any. It seems like it would be mandatory."

"I'm sure there will be some available," Hotch said, waiting for her to zip up her bag. "But it's likely that they were just overlooked for now."

"For all we know, they'll be useless. But I'd rather be safe than sorry." Emily led him down the hall to an open door leading up to the roof. "I'll check with Wagner though."

They made their way up the few flights of stairs to the roof. There were several helicopters waiting on the landing base and Emily looked over to find Wagner in the crowd explaining some last minute logistics to the security teams. Hotch followed her as she made her way over and waited for Wagner to finish.

"God speed, gentlemen." Wagner saluted each of them before turning to Emily. "Yes my dear?"

"I just wanted to inquire why we weren't given our own communication devices for when we're on the island." She held up one of the walkie talkies. "I located a few in storage and I'd like to bring them along."

"Ah yes, of course. I forgot to mention to you that you'll be provided some as soon as we get to the plane. But if you'd like to bring along some extras I'm sure that would be no trouble."

"If you don't mind." Emily gave him a small, polite smile. "I'd like to be over-prepared."

"Of course. No trouble at all. Now can I escort you to one of the choppers?"

"I'll be fine, thank you. I look forward to seeing you again soon."

"You be careful out there, Agents. I know you'll do fine work, but please take caution." Wagner turned to Hotch. "Good luck, Agent Hotchner." He shook the younger man's hand.

"Thank you." Hotch turned to Emily, gesturing towards one of the empty helicopters. "Shall we?" Both he and Emily nodded at Dr. Wagner before putting their bags in the back of the helicopter.

Emily took the end seat, making room for Hotch to sit next to her. She looked out the window and saw Tintin in one of the neighboring helicopters, holding Snowy on his lap.

"What happened to Sergio?" She turned at the sound of Hotch's voice. He was watching her quietly.

"Oh, he spends most of his time with a friend of mine from Interpol. She has a desk job and can look after him while I'm away. I just visit him now and again when I'm back. It's easier for him to stay in one place than to be going back and forth."

"Jack's been begging me to get a puppy," Hotch said, cringing. Emily laughed at him. "I told him in a few years when I'm home more, but he may work his magic on Jessica."

"I love dogs, but they're a handful." Emily turned her head as the pilot climbed into his seat, doing his routine checks. "Are you thinking of retiring soon?"

"It's crossed my mind. I'd still stick around for the occasional consult, but I'd be happy to move into the training units in a couple of years."

Emily nodded in understanding. The pilot finished his check of the controls and turned back to them. "Are you two riding solo?"

Emily shrugged. She looked out of the helicopter and saw that most of the crew had packed into the others. Dr. Wagner had disappeared back into the building and there were only a few men still on the roof. "I think it's just us."

"Am I cleared for takeoff?" The pilot asked into his earpiece. "Ok, buckle up. We're heading off."

Hotch and Emily did up their seatbelts and put on their head pieces. The pilot started the helicopter, the blades whirring as they moved faster, and soon they were off.

The flight to the USAF base was relatively short. The pilot had them on the ground in ten minutes and Hotch and Emily thanked him briefly before jumping out and joining the rest of the team.

"Alright ladies and gentleman, let's get on board." A short, uniformed man was shouting orders to the various soldiers scattered about. He turned towards Hotch and Emily. "Welcome aboard, I'm Sergeant Eli Wimsley. I'll be helping you oversee the troops and InGen's men while we're over there."

Hotch shifted his bag and shook the man's hand. "What's the estimated time of arrival?"

Wimsley pointed to the large plane that equipment was being loaded onto. "This baby will get us there in about six hours. We'll be landing just on the tip of the coast of Costa Rica and then taking choppers over to Isla Nublar. So settle in and we'll be off as soon as we can."

"We can talk logistics once everyone is loaded," Hotch suggested. He turned to Emily. "Are you ready?"

She nodded and they both bid Wimsley farewell for the moment as they walked up the stairs and onto the plane. They found seats at the front of the plane where a work station was situated.

The barking of a dog disrupted their focus. "Snowy, stay close to me!" Tintin entered the door to the plane and gave them a smile. "Ready for a long flight, Agents?"

"Hopefully it won't be too long." Hotch turned and motioned for the younger man to take the seat next to him and Emily. "If you don't mind, I'd like to take some time to get to know you better and learn what experience you have. We need to plan our strategy before we land."

"Of course, no problem." Tintin put his bag under the seat.

Emily sat down and stowed her belongings, looking out the window. "Looks like they're all loaded up. Shouldn't be too much longer."

Hotch nodded and sat next to her. He felt a strange pull of familiarity as they waited for the last soldiers to arrive and take their seats. It felt like yesterday that she had been sitting next to him on the BAU jet, bouncing ideas off of him as they profiled an UnSub. And now they were running off to a mysterious island where they were no longer the dominant species.

The captain came on the intercom and asked for everyone to take their seats. Emily buckled herself in and gave Hotch a small smile as she met his eyes. The cabin door was closed and soon they were off.

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Hotch folded up the set of maps that he had laid out on the table. It was approaching hour five of six of their flight and they would be landing in Costa Rica soon.

"You think it'll work?" Emily stood up and stretched her arms above her head. Tintin had informed them of his past experiences and adventures, so both Hotch and Emily had a sense of his capabilities. The three of them had established some basic goals with Sergeant Wimsley, but agreed that nothing was set in stone until they could see what really stood in their way at the island.

"It's our best option." Hotch stored the maps in his bag. "If we land at the east end of the island and work our way west we should be able to locate Maggie without running into Pincher. She'll be essential in establishing our profile."

"The main obstacle will be keeping everyone together." Tintin turned and gestured at the soldiers, the variety of them dozing in their seats.

"You're right. Emily and I will lead, but I think we need to have the rear followed up by you and Sergeant Wimsley. Are you comfortable with that?"

Tintin nodded. "Snowy will be able to smell if anything is coming our way too." The white dog was curled at Tintin's feet, fast asleep.

"I'll look after him," Wimsley added from behind Emily's seat. He checked his watch. "I'm going to have a few words with the captain to check that we're on schedule and radio the choppers. It'll be a quick switch once we land." He stood up and walked towards the front cabin, disappearing inside.

"Make sure you keep an eye on the InGen men," Hotch said quietly to Tintin. "We have no idea if anyone else in the organization is corrupt and working with Pincher. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, let me or Emily know as soon as you can."

"You really think that's a possibility?" The young man tried to keep his eyes on Hotch instead of letting them wander the cabin.

"We don't know and that's the problem. For now, just keep it in mind," Emily answered. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to freshen up."

Tintin stood up so she could pass, and Emily gingerly stepped over Snowy as she made her way to the lavatory. The dog's eyes peeked open and he stood up, shaking himself as he stretched. He looked up to Tintin, who reached into his pocket and pulled out a can of salmon. "Hungry boy?"

Hotch watched out of the corner of his eye as Tintin opened the can and set it on the floor for his canine friend to eat. "How old is he?"

"I think he's about five or six. I rescued him, so I don't know his exact birthday. But that's okay, birthdays are over-rated anyway." Tintin patted the dog on the head as he ate.

"Are you worried about him?"

Tintin shrugged. "He's a good dog. Very smart, and seems to know when I'm in danger. He's saved me countless times. But I have to admit I'm a little nervous. It's not exactly anything that we'll be used to out there."

Hotch nodded. "I'm sure he'll be fine. We'll keep an eye on him."

Tintin smiled in appreciation and noticed that Emily had returned. He moved aside so that she could sit down, and she reached down to pat Snowy on the back before sliding into her seat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be landing in fifteen minutes." The captain's voice echoed over the intercom as Wimsley exited the front cabin. "Please stow your belongings."

Emily did as she was told. She looked out the window and admired the scenery. She looked up when Hotch touched her arm. "Yes?"

He lowered his voice. "I want you to know that no matter what happens I will never leave you alone on this island. We stick together."

Emily smiled at him. "I appreciate that. The same goes for you." She patted his hand. "Don't worry. We get in, we get the job done, and we get out."

Hotch nodded, but seemed unsatisfied. He let her turn back to the window, but he couldn't shake the nauseous feeling that was rising inside him.

The fact that they had minimal control of their surroundings scared him. And Emily was a woman that he cared greatly for. Once upon a time, before Beth and after Haley, he had even entertained the idea of pursuing something more with her. But Doyle had ruined that chance, and by the time he got her back she had changed. She wasn't happy anymore, and he had realized that he had to let her go and move on even if that meant pushing his feelings for her aside.

It had hurt him, but that was real life. And he did love Beth now, there was no doubt about that. She would be waiting for him when...if...he got home. But that nugget of hope seemed like it was starting to be overplayed by a new sudden surge of protectiveness for Emily.

He felt the plane's gradient change in the landing sequence and he mentally shook himself, trying to prepare for the mission at hand.