One day, she'll be okay

a friend

The bags were packed and ready to go, the pain was a bit less but it still hurts. I know that it isn't going away overnight but still it would be nice for my pain level to just move to a lower scale.

I rode with Morgan and Reid to the airstrip, my mom and I could use some time apart so we did. Once arrived, I immediately claimed the couch but Derek stopped me, "not a chance kid, your sitting next to me."

A bit mockingly I went to sit down beside Morgan, Reid was sitting in front of me and JJ was next to Reid. Derek pulled a chess board out of the cabinet above him and he put it on the table between me and uncle Spencer.

Derek stated "lets see if you can beat the pro" with a huge grin on his face. Suddenly JJ also had a smile on her face, she saw what Morgan was trying to do and it actually warmed her heart. Reid grabbed the pieces and spread them across the board. I gave In. it was actually nice that they tried to distract me from everything that's going on.

Hotch, Rossi and my mom were sitting on the other side of the plane, they were talking about some stuff with some files on their laps. I just took one glance over there but I was pulled back into the game, Reid had just moved his pawn to e5, I took my pawn also to e5. Reids next move was Nc3. The Vienna Game opening.

The Vienna Game follows the majority of central opening principles and enables significant creativity for both non-aggressive and aggressive players.

Our pieces moved all over the board and a good fifteen minutes later I had his king on checkmate. He laid his king down and resigned the old fashioned way. Reid had taught me how to play but he was also a bit disappointed that he didn't win, "How's that possible? I never lose.."

"Well I had a great teacher" I said with a small smile on my face.

"look at that pretty boy, she beat your ass." Derek couldn't help but laugh. JJ was reading a book because chess isn't really her thing but when she noticed that I had won she put her book down and gave a little applause. She then whispered, "you could've had him three moves ago if you didn't move your rook and moved your bishop instead." I looked at her in a sort of shock. I always thought that she never liked chess.

"Because I don't play anymore doesn't mean that I don't understand it" She smiled

To be honest I was actually really proud of myself , I beat the genius. There was still a lot of time left so I asked for a blanket and I just took a quick nap.

~

"Hotch I don't want to bother you but is it perhaps possible for me to take a week off?"

"Prentiss I already let Strauss know and to be clear I don't want to see you in the office for the next two weeks.'' He gave one of his rare smiles before he continued. "I think that you and your daughter could use a break from everything."

"Thanks Hotch" she took a glance at her daughter who was now asleep next to Morgan. There was a moment of silence before she asked, "Hotch what would you do if the roles were reversed? "

He sighed, "To be honest Prentiss, I really don't know. I wish I had an answer for you but I really think that in this situation that there is no good answer."

"well that's not really helpful" she replied.

"I suppose it isn't but Prentiss you are one hell of a mother with a strong daughter. I think that the two of you will figure it out."

She smiled "Thanks hotch" and with that they both started on their paperwork so that when they come home they have the time to spend with their families.

The rest of the flight didn't took long. The Teen was asleep and Morgan offered to carry her to the car. JJ was holding onto her stuff and she put those in the car. Emily then thanked Derek and she took place behind the wheel. JJ took place right beside her.