Caution to the Wind

Chapter 4

Chapter Summary: Emily comes back to the BAU and reconnects with Tara. Follows S12E3, "Taboo."

Emily stopped by a bakery to pick up a dozen donuts on her way into the office. Something about coming bearing food always made her feel just a little bit less nervous in situations like this, but this time, it would take a lot more than a box of donuts to make her nerves subside. She'd barely had the chance to talk things over with Tara before she had to get on a plane and fly to D.C. They'd talked some—enough that Tara knew Emily was coming back to the BAU on a temporary basis to help out while Hotch was away, and Emily knew Tara would still be away on a research assignment when she got in—but there was still a lot that was unresolved, and a lot of things they'd need to negotiate about their...arrangement. Emily also knew that if she let her nerves show even a little bit around the team, they'd pick up on it right away. She'd need to be extra careful, even when Tara wasn't around.

"Some things never change," she said as she walked into the bullpen.

JJ stood up from her desk and turned around. "Hey, you!" she cried, rushing over to greet Emily.

"Welcome back!" Spencer said as he ran over to hug her. "Ooh, donuts? Wait, did you happen to get—"

"Chocolate frosted with sprinkles?" Emily finished, "Yes, how could I forget your favorite?"

"It is so great to see you," JJ said, "Even if it's only temporary."

"Well, when Hotch told me the Director tapped him for special assignment, I wanted to help out," Emily replied, "More so when he said you guys still have escaped serial killers to catch on top of your normal caseload?" She said it all as though it had been news to her, and not as though she'd been hearing all about it from Tara all summer.

"Lewis is gonna be sorry she missed you," Spencer said.

"Oh, yeah, me too," Emily replied simply, trying her best not to give anything away. She put her bag down on the nearest empty-looking desk.

"That's actually Luke Alvez' desk," Spencer said.

"Really?" Emily said, "It looks empty."

"Well, he, uh, travels light," JJ shrugged.

"Tara said he was ex-army, came over from the Fugitive Task Force?" Emily said.

Spencer and JJ exchanged a quick glance. Since when did Tara and Emily talk to each other?

"Yeah, you're gonna like him," Spencer said.

"You know, the lack of personal effects on his desk could stem from his days as a fugitive hunter," Emily said, "He probably felt like he was never in one place long enough to dig in. I mean, no family photos, no significant other, not even a plant to over-water? I mean, this Alvez could be a real loner type. Somebody could've done a real number on this guy—an ex, maybe? I mean, no doubt the Army taught him order and discipline, but a desk like this could mean he has commitment issues..." She looked up to see JJ grimace and Spencer stifle a laugh. "He's behind me right now, isn't he?"

"Luke Alvez, meet Emily Prentiss," Spencer said.

Emily turned around and sheepishly extended her hand to Luke. "Hey," she said, "Nice to meet you."

"Emily used to be part of our team, and now she's the unit chief for Interpol in London," Spencer explained.

"Yeah, she's agreed to help us out while Hotch is off on a TDY and Lewis works on her research," JJ added.