(I know I said this would be up a LONG time ago…but well…novels and scripts must come first…and this one would just NOT come…so here's the first chapter…and be warned: This will be slow to be updated…all my stories will from this point on. I have a February deadline to finish writing two novels for a total of 225000 words( or about TWICE as much as my Lion and Antelope story). And I am currently at 66002. Not to mention the whole working full-time and part-time at different jobs…But like I said…I will update…when I can…thank you, and please let me know what you think… and to those who nominated me for the CM Fanfic awards over on LJ—Thank You!)

SET: After PARADISE

-------------------------------------HOTCH'S FIND---------------------------------------

Emily was late. Hotch watched the clock but pretended not to, as the staff meeting droned on in the early morning three Mondays after the children's carnival at Cody's school.

They'd not had another night together since, and it was a direct result of Emily's experience with Cyrus the week after. It had been the hardest, longest case of Hotch's life—knowing she was in there, getting beaten, and he couldn't go in there and get her. And that there was a little girl depending on him to bring her mother home.

And he'd had to send Dave in to get her. Had to trust another man to get her.

Thank God Dave had. Thank God he'd been able to take her home to Cody.

He hadn't stayed. They'd needed that time together. And that time had apparently been hard on Emily. And Cody. From what he'd heard—he'd not even had a moment to speak with Emily outside of work related conversation.

It was slowly driving him crazy.

He hadn't even gotten to touch her after she'd come out of that damned compound. He'd wanted to, and he could see it in her eyes that she'd wanted him to. But they couldn't, not on national television, and with the certainty that the Bureau chiefs were watching.

It had been the hardest thing he'd ever done, resisting scooping her up and carrying her away like the hero of some damned romance novel.

But she'd understood, he could see it in her face.

Cody had been waiting in the BAU, standing clutching Garcia's hand, when they'd arrived after that. She'd clung and clung to Emily.

From what Hotch knew, she'd taken to clinging to her at home, too. JJ had mentioned that the little girl was sleeping with her mother again. That Emily had had the devil of a time getting the girl to go into the school alone.

She'd even had to leave early one day the week before. Cody had a meltdown at school.

Hotch wished he could help both of them. But the seasoned behavioralist had no idea how.

The toll was beginning to show on Emily. She finally arrived, her face showing worry and contrition.

He didn't get to speak with her for two more hours, as Strauss and her cronies continued to drone on. Only the fact that the team was being called out on a case freed them from the meeting.

He didn't even get much chance to speak with her on the plane, just a quick how's Cody that she didn't get a chance to answer.

And the entire case, they were separated. Not deliberately, it just happened. She'd ended up halfway to Modesto and he'd ended up at the most recent crime scenes.

She slept against his shoulder on the way back.

He just held her. His hands stayed decorously on her back and in his own lap. He gave the rest of the team no cause to look at them askance (not that he thought they would). But he held her.

When they arrived back at the BAU, the little girl was waiting, her hands gripping the rail as she peered down into the bullpen. Hotch suspected Garcia had just picked her up from school, it was about that time.

"Mom!" Cody yelled, dragging Emily's attention away from Reid. Hotch watched her face as it both tensed and smiled. She was glad to see the child, but the little girl brought the tension to the forefront.

Hotch made a silent vow to help, to help both of them. He waited for Cody to hug her mother and then pulled her attention to him. "Hello, Cody. How's swimming going?"

"Ok. I can't do the butterfly very well. And I need to, to get the last spot on the team. I probably won't, 'cause the rest of the ones that will make the team are eighth graders. And their all bigger than me." She didn't let go of her mother's hand, but her attention was focused on him.

"Are you practicing?" Hotch held out a hand and she took it. He led her back up the steps to get her backpack that she'd dropped on the landing when she'd seen her mother. "Besides at school?"

"Sometimes. Me and Mom go to the pool at home. But I don't think I am doing it right."

"Why don't we make a time to practice it sometime this week? I used to get blue ribbons in the butterfly when I was in junior high. If it's ok with your mom."

"Cool!" Her face split into a big grin, and he felt his own echoing. "Thanks Mr. Hotch. Grandma!"

Just as quickly as her attention had focused on Hotch the little girl looked past his shoulder to the woman who'd just exited the elevator.

"Mother?" Emily's voice was puzzled.

"Hello, dear. I've come to get Cody. We were under the impression you'd not be home until tomorrow. And Cody and I—we've got plans."

He'd also not stayed the night at her place since that first time. She'd insisted it wasn't necessary, that she could handle Collins. That she didn't want to confuse Cody. And then they'd learned that Collins was out of the country for the next few weeks.

Emily seemed to think the time would give Collins a cooling off period. Hotch knew it was possible—but he didn't think it probable. A woman like Emily—she wasn't easily forgettable.

Hotch knew the truth. She was nervous of him. He felt mildly guilty for being an added burden, but he trusted that they'd be able to work things out for them both.

Collins was set to return that night—according to what Cody said the man's son had told her. And Hotch was damned determine that Emily not be a target.

He was going home with her, whether she liked it or not.

"So you're going home with the ambassador?" Emily asked the little girl.

"Yes. If you're ok with that? I mean, I could stay home with you. If you need me to." The little girl's face was worry-filled when she looked at her mother.

"Of course I'll be fine for the night." Emily said, ruffling the dark hair that Hotch realized was in need of a trim. Cody's bangs were now down in her eyes. "And you can't cancel on your grandmother last minute. It would be rude. So what are these big plans?"

"Going to the movies, followed by dinner—just the two of us." The ambassador said. "I'll bring her home around three tomorrow. I think we're going to get some shopping in."

"Ok. But, Mother, I'd appreciate it if you'd keep the shopping within reason this time." Emily's words held a warning.

The ambassador shrugged. "Of course, Emily. Come along, Cody. We'll discuss what your mother means by reasonable in the car."

Emily watched them leave with a bemused look on her beautiful—albeit exhausted—face. Hotch moved until his shoulder bumped hers. "Reasonable?"

"My mother seems to think buying her whatever she wants is reasonable. Grandmother privilege." Emily's words held a humor he'd not heard from her in a while.

"Of course." Hotch said, "Emily…"

"Yes?" She turned to look at him. She seemed to notice just how close they stood to one another. Her cheeks turned a bit red. Hotch felt the smile on his lips widen.

"You have plans for this evening?" He whispered.

"Why?" He heard both the nervousness in her tone—and the slight flirtation. "You needing help with…consults?"

"Something like that." He hated to turn her to something serious, but he knew he had no choice. "Emily…Collins is supposed to be back tonight."

"I know."

"I don't think you should be alone tonight. I'm coming home with you."