Jet Lag

Chapter 4: Brown Eyed Boy

48 Hours Ago:

"How's JJ?"

Getting the call from Hotch, notifying her that for the first time in almost a half a year she'd be with them she was ecstatic. Even if it meant she has to work through most of it.

"Good," Hotch looks up from case and seats down his pen. A clear sign that, though she may not want it, all of his attention is now on her. "She's tired of seating at home." He crosses his hands and places them on the table in front of them. "Will is suffocating her. He doesn't want her back out here. With this.."

Emily nods, she wants to keep him talking, and she makes a face that means exactly what she's feeling. She wishes she had an excuse not to come to all this.

"Are we going to be graced with your presence any longer?"

Graced. How much had she really missed? Since when did he start saying things that only Garcia would say?

"Until we land in Montana." She can feel the truth sink in and it hurts. She's leaving again. She's leaving them. She's going to be gone.

The jet is silent due to lack of it's usual inhabitants. Emily had been the one to volunteer to go with Hotch to pick up a lead that is an old detecive two states over.

Sadness sweeps over Hotch's face but he mask it as concern. "Have you told them?"

Them. Not him. He's not worried. At least that's what he thinks.

She manages a small nod. "I told them earlier."

Hotch nods his understanding because what he understands is, is that he's the last to find out. What exactly does that mean?

"Henry will be upset he missed you." Hotch notes with a small frown, easily mistakable for just his normal semi glare. Then, attempting to make it out like just a little add on, Hotch mentions Jack. "Jack will be too."

Emily looks up at the mention of Jack, she had pushed away the thought that the little boy even liked her anymore. After all, this would be the second time she left him with little time to adjust. "Jack," she repeats. "How is he?"

Hotch nods, he and JJ were opposites in the way their sons were to be brought up. Hotch will only bring him up to have someone else open up to allow any information Hotch may need to keep that person safe. JJ, however, uses her son to upon herself up to any comfort she may need.

"He's doing good." Again he adds in a little comment," asks about you." There's a split second of awkward eye contact before he breaks it to inform her," he asked for a dog for his birthday."

Emily smiles at Hotch knowing very well that Hotch gave that boy the dog. "What did he name the dog?"

Hotch gives a small, shallow smile. "Harley. He's a German shepherd. Jack picked him."

Emily frowns, Jack would be ten. "I miss you guys. Don't get me wrong, I love it up there but... You all aren't there."

Hotch nods and he takes the time to look around. To soak in their family. "We miss you too."

_¡|《》|¡_

Present:

"Drink," Rossi was right about the bourbon. It did come in handy. Before pulling Reid's knee back into place he took a long drink from the glass bottle. Sadly the warm burning liquor didn't do enough to help with the pain. It did, however, come in handy for cleaning the many lacerations that litter their bodies.

"I'm not thirsty," going around for his second round that hour Rossi feels dread filling his chest as Emily waves him away, again.

Rossi sighs and takes the seat next to her on the little log she had rolled over, purposely making it just out of their little circle. "Emily. I know you're upset. We all are. I don't know what you're feeling, and I sure as hell can't say much about your coping but I do know that Aaron wouldn't want any of us getting dehydrated."

She's Emily freaking Prentiss. A little(an understatement) snow isn't going to take her down and certainly not a damn plane crash. "I'll eat and I'll drink as soon as we find him."

Morgan had mentioned this issue last night. Emily's will is strong. She means business. So... what if they don't find him?

"Alright," Rossi will fight when he knows he can win. "Will you at least let me take your shift tonight? Then you can be awake enough to look for him."

Emily's eyes shift from the trees around her to Rossi. "Okay."

Rossi stands, looks into the direction that she's been staring into for hours, and sighs. He sure as hell hopes that Aaron's out there somewhere looking for them.

Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner

No amount of physical training ever really prepares you for what the job does to your body.

Gasping on to the nearest branch Hotch can feel his knees buckle. His body failing.

He can feel something telling him to move. Reminding him to move but he can't place why. Why does he have to keep moving?

His training had taught him to keep moving. Access injures. Figure out best route. Move. And keep moving until you get where you need to be. No matter what.

The branch slips from his fingers and he snow is all he feels. It's not cold. Just wet. His body heat, that he feels he has none of, warms the snow and the melted ice sinks into his skin. Soaks his hair.

"Aaron?" The call is distant. Out of reach.

"Hotch! Hotch!"

Hands grab his shirt, his jacket and he's out of the snow.

"I've got him!"

Emily.

Chocolate brown eyes peak out from behind eyelashes. "No," he whispers. He tries to push himself away. To warn her. Protect her. He doesn't know why. Can't remember but it feels right. "No Emily. You can't. Go. Leave. Go."

He can't push himself away. Only manages to half fall back into the snow. "Go Emily. Go."

Well it's up! I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think??
-S.H.