The team were working later than normal that night before Hotch dismissed them and they took the cars back to the hotel. As they stood in the lobby, they were given their room keys.

"Alright guys, we're doubling up this time…"

Hotch's statement was met by a groan from everyone. Safe to say they all enjoyed their own space during cases.

"… you know the drill, Rossi you're with me, Reid you're with Morgan, and JJ you and Emily are together."

As they all piled into the lift, JJ held the doors with her hand and motioned for Emily to come in.

Emily didn't expect to be called out and she couldn't help but glance towards Morgan only to see him shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

"I'll be up in half an hour JJ, just got to make a quick phone call"

Emily pulled out her phone and waved it at the group for good measure. As if that gesture would confirm that she was in fact going to make a phone call.

"Once again, the princess is wasting everyone else's time"

"Shut up Morgan."

She heard JJ shout at Morgan for his comment as the doors closed.

Once she was satisfied the lift was going up, Emily pocketed her phone and made a beeline for the hotel bar. They weren't supposed to drink while on a case, but one or two wouldn't even affect her given the amount of alcohol she's been used to. And besides, what Hotch didn't know wouldn't kill him.

Sitting at the bar, she motioned for the bartender and ordered a tequila and a rum and coke. Knocking back the tequila she motioned for another and was starting on her rum as she felt a presence beside her. It was when she heard the person order she knew she'd been busted.

"I'll have a scotch."

Rossi. Dammit.

"Hey kid, don't normally see you at the bar on away cases."

Seeing Emily's features grow concerned he continued,

"Don't worry, what Hotch doesn't know won't kill him. I just like to sit and think in quiet before the chaos really kicks in. Figured we could sit in silence together."

Emily simply nodded her agreement, comforted that Rossi actually wanted to be near her.

JJ paced the hotel room nervously before deciding to phone Garcia. She definitely needed advice on this one.

The phone was answered after two rings by a Penelope that sounded far to awake for the time of night it was.

"Hello my love, I thought you were all dismissed for the day. Is everything ok? Are you ok? Ohmygod, is it Emily? Is she ok?"

"Pen, calm down. Breathe! Jesus, how many coffees have you had?!"

"Only the two… in the last hour…"

"Now that is an issue for another day" JJ replied with a slight chuckle. "I uh, I needed a little advice, about Emily."

"Always my love! Anything to help our gorgeous girl."

It was JJ's turn to ramble now.

"It uh, it happened again. I know we talked about that day, in the bathroom. When she was acting weird; wouldn't let me come near her, let alone touch her. She was clearly in pain when I grabbed her arm, and was acting like a caged animal. And I know we said I'd probably imagined it, but I swear.. I swear I saw some blood on the edge of her sleeve. And you.. you were there at her house that night. You saw. You saw the state she was in. It was like she was numb, like she was delirious. She hurt herself badly and just ran away and shut us out before just sending us away. And her house.. her house was trashed as far as Emily Prentiss standards are concerned, no pictures on tables or the walls, her plants all gone. It was cluttered and… and unpolished. It just wasn't Emily. Something was off. And the bottles. Fuck there were so many of them. And we've tried, lord knows we've tried to get her out. And we've tried to go round. And we've tried to phone. And she's been distant and quiet and sad. Pen, she looks so sad all the time. And it's like… it's like when Ros was sad. It's that same sadness, I can see it. It's like the light is going out. And I recognise it now… And I can't lose her. Penelope I can't lose her. But what if I am. What if just like Ros I can't help her and what if… if … what if I lose Emily too. What if she leaves me too… she wouldn't right, I mean I know she's sad and I …"

"Jennifer stop. Ok that's quite enough of that. Now who needs to take a breath?! First of all, you were a child when Ros passed. And it doesn't ease the pain of it, but you weren't at fault then, and you did everything you could. Just like you're doing now. Secondly, I can see how much you care about her; and in my personal and professional wisdom of being the all seeing all knowing goddess, I'd say more than friends chicka but that's for another time; but you care about her so much that I know you will be there for her always. And thirdly, what happened tonight? God knows we've discussed everything else at length, but let's rewind back to the beginning of this call. What happened, tonight?"

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, JJ wiped a couple of stray tears from her face and relayed what had happened in the car when she picked Emily up. Penelope for the first time wasn't sure what to say.

"Wow, JJ, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I can't be there tonight. We could have had a girls night. Hey, that's an idea! We both know our stubborn Miss Prentiss does not like to feel cornered. And if you ask her directly it might make her distance herself further. Why don't you just give her what she doesn't feel like she has. A safe space. Maybe a hug?"

"I can do that, I'll get this place cosy for her. And maybe she'll even open up. Thanks, Pen. For the chaotic ball of energy you are, you really are the best person to talk to. Listen I better go, Emily will be up any minute and the last thing she needs is to think we're talking about her."

"Gotcha my sweet little queen. Now go off and give our girl the loving she deserves."

"Thanks pen. Speak soon. Bye."

With that, JJ hung up and made herself busy tidying the room and getting the TV set up ready to play a comfort movie on Netflix she knew Emily loved.