Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 4

Emily sat at the round table a few seats from hotch, waiting for the rest of the team to arrive.

"You okay, em?" Garcia asked with puppy dog eyes. she always meant well but Prentiss wasn't much for emotions.

Rossi sat down next to her. they glanced at each other but no words were said. finally after what felt like forever Rossi said "your not alone kid".

"I know that" Emily replied.

"Then act like it" Rossi said, giving emily a friendly pat on the arm.

Emily loved her team members dearly but she wished they wouldn't treat her like a victim.

It was a bit later and the whole team had now arrived. They sat at the round table and passed around folders and documents.

"So. where do we start?"Morgan asked.

"We need to come up with a list. everyone in Prentiss' life." Hotch started but was cut off by Rossi.

"May I just play devils advocate here and point out that maybe it was some sort of prank or joke. how do we know that it's serious?" he said.

"That's how." Hotch said, while pointing out the window to a very stern looking Erin Strauss heading their way. Rossi said nothing in return.

Emily slumped back in her chair and crossed her arms. Her mind was so full but so empty at the same time. It was hard to process everything that was going on. Just as this happened Reid leaned over to Emily.
"Why so quite?" he said.

"Reid I-" Emily started.

"It's just that you haven't said anything in eleven minutes and 16 seconds and the case we're working is about you."

"I'm not a victim Reid" Emily groaned.

Reid sighed.
"I know. it's just that I don't like it when you're so quiet." he said.

Emily smiled at him, hoping it would ease some of his worry.

"I'm okay Reid. now, let's figure out what the hell is going on here huh?" she said.

"So i've got a question" Garcia started. "why haven't we checked the security cameras to see who dropped this off." she asked.

Hotch looked up from his paperwork and looked around at the team. "Because. It wasn't dropped of here. It was left at my apartment." he said.

Prentiss' eyes got wide and she snapped her head over to Hotch.

"What? Seriously?" she asked.

Hotch nodded.

"Mine too" a new voice filled the room. The team turned around to see Strauss standing in the doorway with the same picture that Hotch had received. The team shared uneasy glances.

Strauss entered the room and joined the team at the round table.

"My building has very high security. nobody knows how it got there." she said.
There was more silence in the room.

Suddenly Emily stood up from her chair.
"would you guys excuse me for a minute" she said. without waiting for a response she left swiftly.

Hotch watch this and excused himself as well.

"Emily" he called after her.

she was walking fast but Hotch knew she could hear him. she kept walking.

"Emily please" he said.

She finally slowed down at the end of the walkway, she was in front of the door to Hotchs  office.
"Go in" he said, catching up to her.

She hesitated briefly but went in anyway. Hotch  was close behind her and closed the door.

"I'm just overwhelmed okay?" Emily said.

"I know." Hotch said quickly "what can I do for you?" he asked.

"Oh no it's okay" she said.

"Sit down" Hotch said.

"What?" she replied.

"Sit down and take a deep breath" he said more firm.

She did as he said, sitting down on the couch in his office and breathing deeply. Hotch then sat down on the couch next to her.

"Will you promise me something?" he asked.

"what is it" she replied.

"you'll let me know when you need a break. when it gets to be too much. can you do that?" he said.

"okay. I can do that" she replied with a faint smile.

Hotch smiled back.

"How about we get a cup of coffee before rejoining the others?" Hotch said.

"Okay. as long as I get the good mug." Prentiss replied while standing up.
Hotch stood too.

"Oh no no. that mug is mine" he replied, following her out of his office.

The two chuckled as they walked side by side to the coffee station.

Hi everyone! thank you so much for reading my story. I hope you're enjoying it. This chapter took me way longer than expected to get out but I just started school again so life's been a bit crazy.
Please don't hesitate to leave any feedback you have. thank you!