AN: Hey all. Thanks for the reviews. I'm glad to be back. Work's settled down now and I've got a week of uni holidays so... I haven't gotten started on the next chapter, but after watching the premiere last night I've got HEAPS of ideas. Please be patient, I'm going to try to get another chapter up in a week or so.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.

Big Sea

"I'll take two," Seaver requested, throwing two cards down on the table. Reid picked up two more from the deck and passed them to the younger agent.

"Two for you, and… one for the dealer."

Seaver wrinkled her brow suspiciously, offering Reid a sly smile, "Is it true?" she asked, eyeing Reid off.

Reid raised his brow, not taking his eye off his cards, "Is what true?"

Seaver huffed, "That you're from Vegas?"

Reid nodded and grinned, "Until I went to graduate school in Cambridge."

Seaver rolled her eyes and nodded to his cards, "Ok… show me what you got."

Reid placed the cards on the table, smiling, "Full house, Jacks over nines."

Seaver groaned and shook her head, "I give up… let's play snap."

Rossi chuckled at the young agents banter, before looking down the aisle. He watched as a hint of a smile grew on Hotch's face as he looked at something on his cell. The older agent wrinkled his brow, wondering what had his friend so happy, his curiosity growing over time. Hotch's eyes remained glued to the screen, his whole concentration being awarded to whatever he was watching at the time.

Finally, Rossi's curiosity got the better of him, as he excused himself from the table and went to find out what had Hotch so enthralled. He made his way to the kitchenette, under the ruse of getting himself a drink of water. On his way back towards the cabin, Rossi paused, and looked over Hotch's shoulder.

"When was that?"

Hotch almost jumped out of his skin, apparently more focused on the video he'd been watching than Rossi had thought. He hit pause and cleared his throat, "Emily's father's birthday party," he replied succinctly.

Emily was dressed in a gorgeous, knee-length red satin dress and red satin shoes. Hotch's arms held her tight as the pair moved around the dancefloor. In the background, the sounds of the jazz band playing the favourites. Hotch spun Emily out of his arms, then pulled her back to him, kissing her gently and eliciting a grin. She ran her hands up his shoulders and neck, playing with the tufts of hair at the back of his neck.

Simon had emailed the video to Hotch the following Monday, thanking him for attending the party and using it as a way to ask Hotch about his "intentions" with Emily. Reminiscing on that (at the time) awkward conversation, Hotch couldn't help the sadness that came over him. And the fear of Simon's reaction when Emily finally returned.

Hotch was broken from his thoughts when Rossi spoke again.

"I didn't know you could dance," the older agent commented, "I suppose it all comes down to who your partner is, huh?"

Hotch huffed and nodded, "Emily's a great dancer but…" Hotch's heart beat fast at his faux pas, "I have a feeling I brought her down a few notches that night."

Rossi wrinkled his brow at what Hotch had said, knowing that Emily was gone and now suddenly worried that Hotch was in denial about her death. The signs had been showing for weeks. He'd practically refused to pack up her desk, and only when Facilities Management insisted that Emily's belongings be removed did Hotch personally pack them into a box and take them into his office… where they'd been ever since. And even more concerning, Rossi had recently had a discussion with Jessica after one of Jack's games, and she'd told him that Hotch still hadn't fully explained to Jack that Emily was gone.

Rossi shook his head and sighed, offering Hotch a gentle smile as he sat opposite, "Aaron, I've known you a long time…" he paused, waiting for Hotch to nod, "So when I say this, I only mean it out of respect."

Hotch wrinkled his brow, wondering where this conversation was going.

"I think you need to see someone… about Emily. Talking to someone can only help, and someone who isn't in the Bureau but who has the responsibility for confidentiality… I think it would really help you deal with all of this."

Hotch closed his eyes, before looking down at the paused video, the image frozen on Emily's smiling face as Hotch whispered something in her ear. He knew this talk was inevitable. He'd been so careful since Emily had absconded to Europe, but Rossi had known about his relationship with Emily… even if it hadn't been confirmed with the couple themselves. So Rossi's concern was completely understandable. Hotch sighed and looked up at his friend.

"I've actually been seeing someone… since it happened," Hotch admitted. It was the truth, after all. Since Emily had left, Hotch had been meeting regularly with a psychologist who worked inside the CIA, who had been briefed on the mission. It was his job to ensure that Hotch had someone to talk to, so that the information wasn't leaked and Doyle didn't become aware that Emily was still alive.

Rossi nodded and stood from the seat, "Ok… I just… I'm worried Hotch."

Hotch offered his friend a sad smile and nodded, "I appreciate your concern, Dave… but I'm ok… really."

Rossi returned Hotch's smile, before he turned and headed down the aisle, passing Morgan on the way.

Hotch's eyes stopped on Morgan, looking at a photo. He wrinkled his brow, frustrated with Rossi's concern for him, when Morgan was clearly dealing with something himself.

Garcia quickly packed her things into her purse, rushing so fast she almost packed the intake files for the team's next cases as well. She chuckled to herself, shaking her head, and unpacked those items again. Just as she picked up her bag and turned to leave, she squealed.

"Garcia," Hotch huffed, "Are you alright?"

Garcia nodded and placed her hand over her heart, "Geez G-Man… you scared the sh…" she stopped and cleared her throat, offering him a smile, "What can I do for you?"

Hotch tipped his head towards the two chairs in the corner, gesturing for Garcia to join him. When they were both seated, Hotch cleared his throat.

"I know that, since Emily's… been gone… there's been a bit of a hole in the team… And I was wondering if you could help me out."

Garcia felt her heart constrict at the mention of her name and the broken look on Hotch's face that accompanied it. She swallowed over the lump in her throat as she nodded, "Of course, Hotch… what can I do?"

Hotch looked down at his feet, "Emily was the nurturer of the team… she was the one I would go to if I needed her to keep an eye on another agent, or if I thought someone was going through something. And the others have always gone to Emily if they needed help, or a shoulder." Hotch paused and looked up at Garcia, "But in her absence, I'm struggling…"

"What do you need me to do, Hotch?" Garcia interrupted, much to Hotch's relief.

He sighed and offered her a smile, "You're close to Morgan and… he's been struggling with the case we just got back from," Hotch explained, "I was just wondering if you could check in with him."

Garcia grinned and nodded, reaching over to squeeze Hotch's hand, "Of course I can do that, Hotch."

Hotch nodded and smiled, "Thank you Garcia," Hotch replied, raising his brow and nodding towards Garcia's purse, "I'll let you go… I really appreciate your help."

Garcia nodded and stood from her seat. As she was heading towards the door, she paused, turning to face Hotch again. Reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder, Garcia smiled, "I hope you know you can always come to me too."

Hotch nodded and looked down at his feet, before meeting Garcia's concerned eyes, "I appreciate that."