Where the Heart Is

Disclaimer: I wish, but no, don't own the characters/show.

Author's Note: My first tentative step into Criminal Minds fanfic here, folks. I'm afraid my shipper is showing, but oh well, couldn't be helped. Hope you enjoy.

They were headed back from a case, a closed one thanks to them, his team, his family.

Together again, finally.

It was almost too good to be true, and he was still waiting instinctively for the other shoe to drop, but as Hotch cast his eye about the small cabin he forced himself to just cherish the moment.

Their latest case had come swiftly on the heels of their last, leaving no time for even a night at home, just a couple hours for everyone to refresh and they were off once more.

Which was why their jet resembled something more out of one of Jack's old favorite bedtime books, "The Napping House."

Everyone was asleep, Morgan with his headphones on, J.J. curled in one of the seats against the window, Rossi head tilted back, mouth open and snoring, Reid sprawled across the longer row of seats on the side, and Prentiss…

Out of them all she slept like the dead. No pun intended.

He wondered just how many hours she was actually getting a night since being back. He realized he probably didn't want to know the answer.

She sat next to him, across from J.J. and Rossi, slumped in her seat, arms crossed defensively. Always on defensive, Hotch thought sadly, even now.

As he watched her, however, he noticed how her arms tightened in sleep, reacting against something. The exposed skin of her forearms and the goose bumps they revealed gave him the final clue.

When last they'd all been on solid ground it had been in the middle of a unseasonable heat wave, only he had kept to his traditional suit and tie, everyone else had quickly opted for cooler clothing, a choice Prentiss was unconsciously regretting now.

Before he could examine his motives too closely, Hotch immediately shrugged off his suit jacket, carefully tucking it around her smaller form with ease.

She only stirred afterwards, and only to burrow deeper into the suddenly provided warmth.

He almost grinned at the picture she created, but stopped himself last minute, and was glad he had when he felt Rossi's eyes on him.

He met the older man's gaze firmly, brooking no questions. But Dave only smiled, settling back into his chair for the rest of their flight.

There were still many issues to hash out, between him and the team and Prentiss and everyone, but he knew they'd be all right. And for now, he'd just continue to cherish the moment, his family, once again, whole.

Casting one last look at Prentiss enveloped in his jacket, Hotch tucked back into the paperwork in front of him.

Prentiss woke up as the pilot made the announcement of their descent, and he couldn't help but smirk at the pink that flushed her cheeks as she realized just whose jacket she was clutching possessively, and at the same time think that the color suited her. Before he could examine that particular thought, however, he had to stifle a laugh as Prentiss' face became even pinker when newly awakened Rossi asked if she'd slept well.

His jacket was unceremoniously tossed back into his lap before anyone else could notice, but after landing and waiting for everyone to disembark, he felt a slight touch on his forearm.

He met her sheepish expression with a tilt of the head, curious.

"I, um, well I wanted to say, thanks, Hotch. I hope I didn't wrinkle it too badly."

He shrugged, feeling the more playful side of him emerge for a moment to say, "Don't worry, you can always pay my dry cleaning bill."

Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again, and his lips upturned without his input, his hand apparently part of the mutiny as it rose to grip her shoulder.

"C'mon, Emily, let's go home."

She smiled back, her eyes suspiciously shiny, and they left the plane in companionable silence, his hand only leaving her shoulder once they made it to the exit.