Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

*Emily in London*
setting: 9x14

London was a city shrouded in darkness and rain, and for Emily Prentiss, it became a metaphor for her own loneliness.

The streets were filled with the hurried steps of strangers, yet she felt isolated in the crowd. Even though she knew the city, she'd been in it more times than she could count, even before taking this job, she felt like a foreigner in a place that had never felt like home.

While she planned to throw herself into her work with Interpol, striving to help others and escape her past, the time alone had forced her to confront herself in ways she had long avoided.

She spent countless hours reflecting on her choices, her relationships, and what it meant to truly connect with others. She felt more in touch with herself and her own feelings.

Though she had made strides in her personal growth, the ache of missing her friends was a constant companion. They had been her family, her anchors in the chaos of their demanding lives, and now, with each passing day, the distance felt more profound.

Every two weeks, she managed a Skype call with Penelope, laughing over shared memories and current events. Penelope's voice was a lifeline, a reminder of the camaraderie they had built over the years.

JJ often joined in, teasing Emily about her adventurous life in London.

Reid sent her a daily fun fact that always brought a smile to her face. Those little snippets of normalcy grounded her, making the loneliness feel a little less heavy.

JJ played online Scrabble with her under the pseudonym "Cheeto Breath," a name that never failed to make Emily smile even as she rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of it.

Rossi's late-night calls were a different story; they often happened at the most inconvenient hours, thanks to the time difference. She would grin as she talked to him while he sat down for his afternoon espresso.

"You're a sadist," she teased, knowing he wouldn't let anything disrupt his routine.
"You make me suffer through the middle of the night just for a chat." She said.

He'd chuckle back, his voice a comforting sound. Despite the challenges, she cherished those moments, knowing he was always there, even if it was in the dark of night.

Then, there was Derek. They exchanged texts whenever they could, discussing everything from cases to life, and she reveled in hearing about how serious he and Savannah were getting. Their friendship provided warmth on the cold, rainy nights in London, but the ache of missing them all grew heavier.

As for Hotch, his presence lingered in her mind like a distant star. He would call her, rarely, always at a comfortable hour for her, which often meant waking up in the middle of the night for him.

Those occasional calls felt like a lifeline, but they were always brief and cautious. He would check in on her well-being, ensuring she was safe, and while it was comforting, the shallow nature of their conversations left her longing for more. Emily was unaware that Hotch had also been keeping tabs on her through Clyde, making sure she was okay in ways that were entirely invisible to her.

The day he called her in the early hours, she had sensed something was off immediately. The urgency in his voice pierced through her sleep, and a knot of worry twisted in her stomach. "This is Prentiss," she had answered. "What is it Hotch?" her gut twisted, she knew something was extremely wrong.

"Emily, it's about JJ," he said, and just hearing his voice caused her heart to race, but her heart stopped when she realised one of her closest friends might be in danger.

"Debrief me on the plane. I'm on my way," she replied, adrenaline surging through her veins. This was the kind of call that left no room for hesitation or doubt; she needed to be there.

Once on the Interpol jet, the hum of the engines filled the cabin, a steady rhythm that matched her heartbeat. She settled into her seat, her mind racing as she reflected on everything that had brought her to this moment. "What's going on?" she demanded when she called Hotch back, urgency lacing her words.

"The State Department is refusing to help us," he explained, his voice strained. "You're our best shot at saving her."

The weight of his words crashed over her like a wave. "You know I'll do whatever it takes," she replied, determination hardening her resolve.

There was a moment of silence. She could swear she heard him smile on the other side of the phone.

"What?" she asked, feigning confusion, but the smile that crept across her lips betrayed her.

"Nothing. I really missed you," he confessed, and at that moment, warmth blossomed in her chest, easing the tension that had settled there, but what run through her mind like crazy, were the thoughts of JJ being held captive.