Sitting at her desk, she lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding in as she rests her head in her hands. Her heart pounds as she goes over the day's events; cases always seem to hit a bit harder when someone is ill like Dolan was. She knows as he is, he is an incredibly dangerous man but she also knows that when he is well again he'll need to live with the fact that he killed his own parents.
'You good?' He asks, his hand settling on her shoulder causing her to glance up at him and sigh.
'I'm good.' She almost whispers causing him to shake his head.
'Don't lie to me, Prentiss... The last time you were this quiet I lost you. I don't want to lose you again.' He says.
'I'm okay, I promise. I just- Coming back is an adjustment. It's getting used to doing the things we do and seeing the things we see again.' She admits as he moves to sit on the edge of her desk.
'Hotch says we've to finish up for the night and we can deal with the paperwork in the morning. It was a tough case...' He says.
'I'll head out in a minute. I've just got some stuff I want to get done first.' She replies and he nods his head.
'Make sure you head out soon, okay? Get a good nights rest and call me if you need a chat.' He says.
'I will... Thanks, Derek. For the recertification, for everything.' She says softly causing him to smile.
'I'm just glad to have you back.' He replies and she nods her head.
Standing at his office window, he sighs as he watches everyone slowly leave the bullpen and begin to make their way home like he had instructed them to do. He can't help but sigh as he watches Morgan walk away from the desk leaving the brunette sitting on her own. He watches her lean forward and rest her head in her hands like she was doing earlier before he sent Morgan down to send her home. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't worried about her; he can see that she's struggling with everything that happened with Doyle and that is why he wanted to ensure that she was seeing a therapist as part of her return to the team. He leaves her sitting at her desk for a few moments as he gathers his things and shuts down his office for the night.
'Prentiss...' He says catching her attention and causing her to immediately lift her head off her hands as he makes his way down into the bullpen.
'I know... I'm just leaving.' She replies immediately beginning to gather up her belongings.
'Come have dinner with me and Jack? He's been begging me to see you ever since you got back.' He says.
'Hotch I- I don't think I'd be very much company for you and Jack tonight. I can't wait to see Jack again and give him the biggest hug but I just don't know if now is the right time.' She admits shaking her head as she glances up at him.
'I think this is exactly the right time, Emily. I can see you're not okay. I can see that you're still processing everything that went on. I'm trusting you to speak through it all with your therapist so I'm not going to constantly bring that up but I think you need to spend time with people who care about you instead of being in that hotel room you're calling home at the moment.' He replies watching her sigh.
'I'm not saying you have to stay long; just come have some dinner and I promise I'll get you a cab back to your hotel.' He says watching as she nods her head.
'Okay.' She replies quietly.
'Okay?' He asks and she smiles slightly.
'Okay. I'll come for dinner with you and Jack.' She replies smiling.
'Emily!' Jack squeals as he instantly wraps his arms around the brunette's legs causing her to smile.
'Hey, bud... I am so happy to see you again. I've missed you. Have you been keeping daddy on his toes?' Emily says smiling as she bends down to his level and wraps his arms around the little boy. Hotch smiles as he watches the interaction between his son and the brunette before making his way through to the kitchen to make a start on dinner. He'd dropped Emily off at their house before going to pick Jack up from Jennifer's.
'I missed you. I thought you were gone forever, like mommy.' Jack says burying his head in the crook of Emily's neck causing her to sigh.
'I'm sorry, bud. I promise if I had been able to I would've scooped you up and told you that I was fine, I was just taking a little holiday.' Emily replies, tears filling her eyes as she kisses the top of the little boy's head.
'Where did you go?' Jack asks loosening his grip on her causing her to do the same.
'I went to somewhere called Paris, have you heard of it?' Emily asks and Jack shakes her head.
'Let me see if your daddy needs any help with dinner and then I'll tell you all about it.' She says softly, gesturing for the little boy to go sit on the sofa.
'So we actually don't have much in... How does pizza sound?' Hotch asks as Emily rises to her feet again.
'Sounds perfect. Do you want me to phone an order in?' She asks and he shakes his head.
'I was thinking I could just go pick it up, would probably be quicker... That's if you don't mind staying here with Jack?' He says.
'I don't mind at all. I've told Jack I'll tell him all about Paris, if that's okay with you obviously.' She says smiling and he nods his head. He watches as she makes her say over to the sofa and sits down next to his son. Ever since Hayley died, the team have become even more like family to Jack. He adores each and every one of them and Hotch knows they love him as well.
She can't help but smile as she glances down at Jack who is asleep curled into her body with his head resting on her knee as she gently runs her fingers through his hair. She glances up at Hotch who is sitting on the armchair opposite them and watches a smile appear on his face.
'Do you want me to put him to bed?' She asks quietly watching as he shakes his head.
'I'll get him… Why don't you grab another drink? There should be another bottle in the fridge, in the door.' He replies gesturing to the glasses sitting on the table.
'Are you having another?' She asks as he carefully lifts Jack into his arms and the little boy drops his head onto his father's shoulder. She smiles slightly as he reaches up to rub his eyes sleepily before opening them and looking down at her.
'Night night, Emily…' He mumbles.
'Night, bud. I'll see you soon.' She replies smiling.
'I'll have another if you are.' Hotch says and she nods her head. He carries Jack through to his bedroom while she grabs the wine from the fridge and pours them both another glass. Placing the glasses back on the table, she takes a seat back on the sofa and glances out the window at the city below.
'Do you want to talk about it now that we've got rid of the little ears?' Hotch asks as he makes his way back into the room and over to his chair. He watches as she lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding and shakes her head.
'Not yet.' She replies.
'Okay… Well I'm here whenever you're ready.' He says causing her to smile.
'Thank you for tonight… You were right, I think this is exactly what I needed.' She admits watching a smile appear on his face.
'You are great with Jack… Is that something you've ever considered?' He asks.
'What? Children?' She says and he nods his head.
'There was a time when I considered it but not now, not anymore.' She admits shaking her head.
'Well you would make a wonderful mom.' He says.
'Thank you.' She almost whispers.