I am soo sorry for the delay but here it is, the final chapter! I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I did writing it! Thank you for the reviews and constant support it really has meant a lot to me!

Now a side note. I'm not sure but I may have jumped a little into AU territory with this chapter, but they never went into what Hotch did with his time after Haley died, so this could have happened. ;)

Happy reading!

Hotch blew at the steam that drifted up from the bowl of macaroni and cheese to cool it before he set down in front of Jack. He smiled down to his son as he greedily dug in. He was about to sit next to him and start in on his own lunch when a knock stopped him. He pushed his chair back in and smiled to the eagerly curious Jack before heading to the door.

His hand lingered on the chain and looked curiously through the peephole. He became somewhat surprised at who stood patiently on the other side. After releasing the chain and bolt he then turned the nob to greet his visitor.

"Prentiss?"

"Sir," she said and stood up a bit straighter then smiled at him, "sorry for just dropping by."

Aaron moved the door open wider to allow her access and smiled back. "No, it's fine. Come in."

"Thank you," she nodded to him and ducked through the doorway.

He watched Jack jump from his seat to greet the brunette. "Careful he's probably covered in cheese."

"Hi!" Jack called out and approached her with his arms stretched out.

Emily happily received the generous hug from the young Hotchner and smiled brightly back up to Aaron. "Is there any other way to be?"

He just shook his head and smiled. "I guess not."

He then leaned down to his level and pointed to the table, "why don't you go finish eating while I talk with Miss Prentiss, okay?"

"Okay," Jack replied and skipped back to the table.

Emily watched him for a second then turned back to Hotch. "How's he doing?"

Aaron moved around to the couch and she followed his lead to sit. "He's doing better. The nightmares have decreased. He does keep asking when I'm going back to fight the bad guys."

Her eyes became curious and face asked the same question. "What do you tell him?"

"I tell him that he is my first priority, and everything else can wait."

He watched for a reaction but was not surprised that there was no look of shock or disappointment. She just smiled softly in complete understanding.

"So what can I do for you?"

"Oh, right," she half laughed, "sorry. I had been thinking of you two a lot lately. And-" she stopped in almost un unnatural discomfort.

She intertwined her fingers in her lap and continued. "My family has a beach house on The Outer Banks. I'm the only one that ever uses it. I found it a nice place to escape to; and-" she stopped again and glanced back to Jack. "Just thought I would offer it to you and Jack."

Aaron silently stared at Emily taking in the offer. "I appreciate it. Maybe after he gets comfortable here."

Emily nodded and rose. "Of course whatever you need. It's open ended."

Aaron stood with her and looked back to Jack scrapping his bowl clean. "Did you want to stay for lunch, there's plenty of mac and cheese."

"Oh that's quite the tempting offer," she chuckled and took a quick look at her watch, "but I really should be getting back."

He accepted her answer and followed her to the door. After their brief goodbye he shut the door and stood in silence. He looked to his son and thought what real time alone would do for them. His hand tapped absentmindedly on the wood, the option of beach house became more inviting.

Aaron walked along the wooden planks that bridged the sandy dune and led to a small-railed structure and stairs that dropped to the beach below. He glanced out briefly to the vast ocean that filled the background before he turned back and scanned the large patio connected to the house he hoped she would be found at. Finding it empty he moved his attention over to the waist high grasses that enveloped the sandbank. There was nothing but the worn track created from the foot traffic that had travelled to and from the beach.

Hotch continued to stroll towards the stairs and paused at the top to survey the almost empty beach. Not far down the slope he spotted her. Tucked in tight at the base of the hill she sat swallowed by a large beach chair. He could tell she was lost in thought. Pages of an unattended book sitting in her lap turned and flapped with the ocean breeze. Her right arm hung loosely over the side of the chair. Thin fingers circled the rim of an untouched glass of red wine that had been nestled securely in the golden sand.

The sun was falling quickly behind them stretching the shadows out. The fading light sparkled on the water like diamonds, and the constant breeze quickly cooled the early evening. With a slight shiver she pulled the thin shawl she had draped over her shoulders tighter around herself, but her eyes never left the rhythmic crashing of the waves. He wondered if she felt the ocean give the same sense of calm that it had given him. He looked from the brunette out to where she was staring and began to move down one careful step at a time.

Reaching the bottom he turned and tried not to kick up too much sand as he took strides towards her.

Aaron and Jack strolled down the concrete walk hand in hand. The sun glowed in the background and the warm air swirled around them. Jack hummed happily to himself clutching his money tightly in his other hand. His head was on a swivel trying to keep up with the passing shops. Each teased his eye and begged him to enter and find the perfect treasure; that special one that he could not live without. After the third store with souvenirs littering the display window he stopped.

"Dad, can we just go in a look?" He asked giving his best puppy dog eyes.

Aaron looked through the window and back down to his son. "Sure, the ice cream will still be there."

Jack's smile widened and released his hand from Aaron's and bolted inside. He quickly maneuvered around an elderly man pushing the large glass door open.

"Excuse us." Hotch apologized as the man adjusted his feet to steady himself from the blonde head that had darted past.

Chuckling to himself the man turned to face Aaron. "Well, there are a lot of exciting things in there."

Aaron nodded and hurried in to catch up with Jack.

Jack strolled around the small shop with his hands behind his back and a serious look of determination plastered on his face. He carefully looked at each sea inspired statue, painting, and artwork. He glanced quickly at the baskets of toys and stuffed animals. He slowly moved away and began spin the tall cardholder pretending to be fascinated in the bright photographs on the post cards.

Seeing the disinterest forming in Jack, Aaron leaned down. "Don't settle for anything. You don't have to spend your money."

"I know." He responded with a disappointed sigh. His eyes continued to search. He looked to the check out counter and a sudden flair of excitement hit him. In an instant he was standing below a small turntable next to the cashier. Jack strained to his tiptoes and once successful in pulling the desired object down he turned back.

"This is perfect." He smiled brightly.

Aaron looked at the small round magnet filling Jack's hand. It had bright colors of the ocean painted in the background with a white seagull in the sky, the letter OBX written over the entire scene. It didn't seem particularly spectacular to anything else the shop had. He became confused to why Jack would want that over the kites or toys crowding the corner of the shop.

"It sure is nice. What made you pick that?"

"Cause she will love it."

"Who?"

"Miss Prentiss." He examined the treasure closely. "It looks like what we see."

Hotch playfully ruffled his hair. "Yes she will."

Aaron then took a small step back to watch his son proudly stand tall and set the magnet on the counter along side his money.

Aaron smiled thinking how his son was wiser than his years. He swelled with pride at the selfless act and meaningful gesture he was doing. Aaron fully understood what Emily had done for them, and saw Jack got it too. She offered a place to get away from the everyday pain that the reality of what was lost constantly played in front of them. They could take each moment to grow closer and heal a little faster.

As they left and continued their stroll to their original destination Aaron watched Jack clutch the brown bag tight to his chest. His face filled with anticipation to give his gift. It left Aaron wishing he had something to give Emily, to sincerely thank her, but felt nothing would suffice.

Aaron wandered up to Emily and paused next to her. She glanced sideways towards him then back out to the sea. It was obvious that she was not surprised to see him. After a moment he wordlessly sat down in the sand. He pulled his knees up and let his arms rest across them in a casual position. He didn't look to her and joined her in staring out to the darkening water. She fidgeted uncomfortable but remained quiet, and he decided to give her some time to adjust to his presence.

The breeze picked up sending a chill over Aaron, and with it he finally looked to Emily. The mild gust caused her raven hair to swirl around her face and she fought the unruly strands. He smiled at her mild irritation as she forcefully tucked them behind her ears.

He leaned forward a bit but spoke out to the sea. "Jack says that the wind is caused from the waves crashing."

"Sounds logical to me." She responded quietly still not turning to face him.

There was silence again and they watched another set rise and fall. When the last wave curled on itself he began to count the small swells that would inevitable lead to the next set. He had decided that when the next arrived he would break the quiet. He had not made it to three before she spoke up. Her voice was almost lost in the wind, coming out in a quiet whisper as if she was simply speaking to herself.

"Do you ever feel like the sand that is drawn away from the shore?"

"How's that?" He asked somewhat puzzled.

She lifted her arm and pointed to the scenery in front of them. "The sand lays there careless and free, but once made wet by the water each grain clings to each other like they know what's coming." She paused as the new set rolled in and loudly made its presence known.

She sighed lightly and continued. "They are sucked out with the pull of the building water and with a single crash they are violently separated and tumbled in a churning chaos. Their destination is now unknown. They're ultimately alone and are just hoping when the spinning stops they can find a calm spot to remain."

He was looking at her now, intently invested in her words. In that analogy she spoke more openly about what she was struggling with than anything she had said in the last month. He approached her carefully not to lose the hold on the opening door. "I thought that the reason you came here was to relax."

She simply shook her head. "No, I do. I was just thinking that no matter where I am I always seem to find the darkness, in everything."

Aaron nodded in understanding to her words. "It could only be expected with what we do."

"I know that, and I've always been able to keep a grasp on it, control it."

He was more than aware that Emily's compartmentalizing skills were quite impressive. She effortlessly tucked all the horrors away and remained a sturdy structure. It was however a double-edged sword. It made her the amazing agent she was, but was also her Achilles' heel. She was too stubborn and prideful to ask for help when the boxes became too full and the locks no longer kept the darkness and evil secured. She had now reached that point. It was understandable with what they had endured with Reyes. Aaron knew she would put it all on herself and felt that he needed to step in. He wasn't going to allow her to suffer in silence.

"It will take time." Aaron said then stopped not wanting to sound cliché but knew it was the simple truth. "You will be stronger for it."

"Are you?" She asked plainly.

"What?"

"Stronger?"

Aaron paused. Was he? Had Haley's death made him stronger, or more vigilant, protective, and paranoid? Though Emily knew he wouldn't admit it if it hadn't, but she was sincere in her query. It was almost a hopeful question; that if he could come out stronger then so could she.

"Yeah, I believe that I have." He finally answered.

She looked at him searching his eyes for a flicker of untruth, but when she found none she nodded and returned her gaze to the sea.

The thoughtful silence returned. Aaron wondered what was going through her head, and took a chance that if he opened up more she might continue to. He cleared his throat before the words tumbled out.

"Reyes made me realize that I wasn't in control, and it really put my trust in others to the test."

He stopped briefly when Emily turned to him and her eyes begged him to continue.

"I won't deny that there were moments that I thought I would never see Jack again. Then I realized who was in the trenches with me."

Emily just stared at him. Her face twisted in a failed attempt to control her emotions, but mostly her disbelief in his statement.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"At the hospital, why didn't you say anything if you knew I was there?"

He examined her before he answered curious to her direction. Although it wasn't what he expected there was no surprise that the question was her sidestepping the inevitable.

"Rossi told me," Aaron answered simply and swiped at his pants to remove the bits of sand that had collected. He then wiped his hands free off the remaining grains. "I really didn't know. I just figured you had your reasons."

She wordlessly shook her head. Aaron took the silence to add an important point. "You know that no one expects you to magically be okay, you shouldn't expect it from yourself either."

She turned her head again to avoid revealing her reaction to his words. "And somehow you seem to be magically okay, or is this how you hide?"

"Meaning?" Aaron asked tilting his head to make an attempt at eye contact.

She brought her head around and locked eyes with him. "Redirect what you're struggling with to me. Make me all better and you can avoid dealing with yourself."

She had a point he knew, and it was clear they were more alike then either would like to admit. He believed that he was there for her so she could heal, but deep down knew he needed it just as much.

"Just like you are doing now." He challenged.

Emily huffed in irritation. "What are you wanting to accomplish here?"

"I don't know really," he answered honestly. "I know the wounds won't heal overnight, but you can't avoid facing it, it will just become worse."

"Hmmm," was all she responded and pulled her shawl tightly around herself like she was trying to secure her failing walls.

Emily dragged herself into the BAU bullpen. The turn around time on the cases were beginning to take its toll on everyone. The evil out there must have known they were down one crucial man. With that thought she took a glance to Hotch's empty office. The unnatural vacancy of it still dug at her. He would come back she knew, but each day that passed felt like his return was further away. She had not spoken to him since he had accepted her offer for the beach house. She was excited that he decided to take it, and knew it would be great for bonding for him and Jack.

As she headed to her desk she saw Reid sitting in his chair staring blankly at the coffee he was continually stirring. She was about to make a comment when a small box sat blindingly out of place by a stack of files.

Curious she looked at it and to the small envelope that sat underneath it. She turned back to Spencer. Her arrival had caught his attention and he was now looking at her.

"Do you know who left this?" She asked.

He shook his head and took a sip of his coffee. "No, but I bet if you opened the card you would find out."

"Thanks, smartass," she huffed.

"What?" He asked with honest confusion to her sarcastic remark.

She only shook her head with a smile and tore into the card. She examined the hand drawn dog on the front with disproportioned letters forming a "thank you."

She smiled as she opened the folded paper. A big heart occupied the inside with 'Jack' written in all capitals.

Emily let out a small laugh at how thoughtful the card was. She picked up the small box and before she opened it looked back to Reid who was now fully engaged in what she was doing.

"Can I help you?"

"Nope," he mumbled under his breath, and then quickly looked away. His face turned a few shades of red as he sipped the coffee.

She sat down in her chair and took another glance to Aaron's office. She hesitated, unsure she wanted a gift. She started to feel uncomfortable; she didn't want thanks for something she didn't think twice about. The beach house had been a place she could escape to, feel safe, to actually think and regroup.

Holding the box low in her lap she opened it as if everyone around was hovering to see. She stopped when the small round object presented itself among the rumpled tissue paper. She pulled it out and examined the painting and lettering. She smiled and laughed.

"Perfect," she said quietly.

Without a single thought she dug her cell phone out from her purse, and then rose from her chair to find some privacy. Taking a glance around she knew her best bet was to go to the round table room. As she climbed the few stairs and walked across the catwalk she pressed Aaron's speed dial.

After his greeting Emily spoke; her smile translated clearly in her voice. "Your son has good taste."

"Better than mine I have to say."

"You're not giving yourself enough credit." Emily countered and leaned against the table spinning the magnet through her fingers.

He just chuckled on the other end, then paused. "Thank you."

She stopped her movement and allowed her words to hold a serious tone.

"I'm glad you went."

"Us too." He said abruptly and almost uncomfortably. "Did you want to speak to him?"

"I'd love to." Emily said and smiled imagining Jack's excitement.

After a brief silence and the sound of shuffling an eager voice picked up.

"Miss Prentiss?"

"Hi Jack."

"Did you get it?"

"I sure did, and you know it's the best gift I have ever gotten."

"Really?"

"Really, it's perfect."

"I knew it." His voice drifted away from the speaker as he spoke to his dad, "I told you."

The shuffling and static of the phone changing hands was back.

"You just made his day."

Emily shook her head in disagreement. "No, he completely made mine."

"Good." Then after a short pause he spoke. "Thank you again."

"Of course." Emily said and ended the call. She remained on the edge of the table and stared at the magnet. Any negative thoughts she may have had coming into the office had left her mind.

Emily looked back out to the sky losing the battle with the setting sun. Streaks of reds and oranges overtook the remaining blue desperately trying to hold on. She held the silence not giving any more of a response to Aaron. He decided to dive in and let her wade her way through and hopefully they would come out on top.

"You have to realize you're worthy of forgiveness. Not from me or Kelly or his other victims but from yourself."

She blew out a heavy breath and her head swayed slightly. She didn't speak and held her words by chewing on her bottom lip. Aaron was in no rush to force her to speak and allowed her to sit in silence.

She finally answered the words seemed to catch in her throat. "I know, it just, I can't help but feel he's getting what he wanted."

"Don't let him." Aaron said firmly.

Emily sighed and pressed her head back against he chair. "We survived, I get it. It just feels like some days are good because they aren't bad ones."

"We more that survived we won."

Emily gave a half smile but grunted her disbelief to his statement.

Aaron had enough. "No. You won't do this."

"What?" She asked in confusion, but tensed in defense.

"I won't allow it." He said more decisively.

Emily sat straight up in the chair and turned to fully face him. The anger beginning to flair in her eyes, "damn it, what are you talking about?"

"You did nothing wrong Emily, you have to understand that. He will be in your head until you can see it."

Emily didn't say anything and sat back again.

He knew she was listening and continued even though she refused to face him. "Every time I look at Jack I think of what Foyet took away from him."

Her head rolled towards him and lifted slightly. Satisfied he grasped her full attention he continued. "I had promised Haley that I would spend the rest of my life making it up to her. I know I can't take it back or change it, but I know that at least Jack is safe now. I will do everything I can to give him the life he deserves."

It was then that it hit her like the wave pounding on the shoreline. The cracks gave way and he saw the wall fall. Her dark eyes welled with tears and with each blink they slowly descended her cheeks. She tried to wipe them away but the task was futile, all she could do was turn away and try to hide.

"Emily?"

She didn't answer and kept herself as distant as she could but the tears began to form into silent sobs she could no longer control.

Aaron shifted to his knees and reached over to the arm of the chair and placed a supportive hand on hers. "Talk to me," he pleaded.

She pulled her arm back and used her hand to cover her mouth and try to stifle the agony that was overflowing. He wanted to reach out for her again and bring her in for support, but held back unsure to how she'd respond. He patiently waited, but felt some relief she had allowed herself to release some of the pain. He knew she would be embarrassed for such a display, but he was ready to reassure her in no way that she was weak.

After a few shaky breaths she gained partial control and looked up to the sky. When she spoke her tone had changed and the words were clearly saturated with the emotions she had been holding in for so long.

"All I could think was I was that I wasn't strong enough. I felt weak and helpless to stop him. I just wanted him to kill me if it meant saving you. But knew that was an easy out and he wouldn't allow it."

She sniffed again and wiped her nose. "This is the torture he was looking to accomplish."

"What?"

"This, and Jack. The thought of him losing you was unbearable."

"But he didn't. You fought and we made it. Now it's time to let the guilt go."

She shook her head and continued to wipe the rebellious tears that escaped. "How?" The whispered word came out almost inaudible.

He strained to hear her but understood the meaning. He watched her stare into the darkness her face drawn and sadness swirling in her dark eyes. The sun had descended and no longer offered any heat, yet they continued to sit in the growing cold as if a punishment they deserved. The sky had darkened more and the whitewash from the waves was all that was visible in front of them. Neither of them spoke of the uncomfortably frigid environment. Emily tucked further into the chair and Aaron sat back down and pushed a pile of sand in front of him with his legs. He then leaned back on his arms before taking in a breath.

"Time." Aaron finally said.

"I know." She automatically responded and let her head dip down. She rubbed her brow and failed to tuck the errand strands behind her ears as they immediately fluttered back in front of her face.

"I forgive you."

"What?" She asked in shock.

"Is that what you need? Not that I believe there is anything to forgive, but if it is then I'll say it again."

"No," she chuckled lightly under her breath. "But I get it. Thank you."

"For what."

She shook her head and softly smiled at him, "for this."

He smiled back; they had surfaced.

Epilogue

The moment Emily realized she was a step closer to healing was when she felt herself laugh and not feel guilty about it. It took her seeing the others reaction for her to realize the genuine smile on her face.

When she had come into the office using the cane Reid had given her he was overjoyed that she had accepted the gift. They compared injuries and she let him ramble on about scar tissue and healing rates. Reid had spent time to give her the run down of Reyes case. He did what he knew best and gave facts. She listened intently to him and saw the sparkle in his eye at her dedicated attention. Emily thought of the victims and though they may have done some wrong in their lives no one deserved to face what Thomas forced upon them. She felt some comfort that they the families had some closure to the ones they lost and hopefully the victims could rest in peace.

He seemed to be the quickest fix for her. He was so fast to move on and just try and be at the place they had before the nightmare began, and that more than worked for her.

Although her and JJ rarely entered the field together they had an unspoken feeling that they had to prove that they could do their jobs, to go out and face the danger and to come up triumphant. They could be partners and not worry that there was any doubt that they would take down the evil. Of course this was in their own heads, no other member of the team even blinked at their abilities. It took a hostage situation that only the two of them could diffuse to settle their doubts. They worked perfectly off each other to confuse and penetrate the UnSub's mind, and they pounced when the moment of weakness presented itself. As they flew back to DC that night they shared a silent moment of triumph as they felt the weight lift.

Rossi didn't need anything from her; he would just nod and give that knowing smile he wore so well.

Garcia was tough to face, and Emily never thought so until she tried to come up with the right words to say. Penelope had been an array of emotions. Anger for feeling betrayed because Emily couldn't open up to her. Hurt for not at least giving them a chance to know where she was at, both physically and mentally. Maybe if she had been more open Penelope wouldn't have been so frantic. Emily knew she should have been more blunt with what she personally needed, but she really didn't know. Knowing would have meant spending time evaluating her pain and torment and not keeping them tightly tucked away. And if she was going to face them she had no intentions of having a witness to it.

Garcia had eventually circled the range of emotions and landed on relief and happiness for her to be okay and making progress to be back on the team. The thought of not coming back had never crossed her mind but it worried Penelope. She tentatively had asked her if she was returning, and nearly lost it when Emily didn't hesitate with her response. Garcia feared her family was going to be broken and Emily couldn't deny how close it came. Thomas Reyes had deeply penetrated their armor and compounded that with the still raw events of Foyet, it was understandable. They were all broken in so many ways but together they managed to fill the cracks. Emily made sure Garcia knew she was the light that shown as a reminder that it's not all darkness and gloom.

Her and Morgan stood on similar uneven ground that she had with Garcia. He wore his pain clearly no matter how he tried to hide it. He couldn't look at her and avoided more than required work conversations for days. It began to eat at her and she tackled his hurt and anger for not confiding in him the only way she knew how, in a training session. He was hesitant at first to the point, but she wanted him to see she was still the same agent that had his back in the field and could handle what they faced. Plus she figured he could work out his emotional issues physically. It was as much for her as it was for him.

Donned in protective gear and armed with padded bars they faced each other. He didn't move at first but then like a wave he came down on her. She turned to the side and checked him in the gut with the pogo stick. It was a second of shock and then Derek laughed at the solid shot. As he came up he moved again but faster; the battle had begun. She continual blocked, moved and put all of her weight behind her blows. Neither had gained an upper hand until he connected squarely across the side of her head. The solid contact sent her to the ground, and Derek stopped and was about to call it when she used his hesitation to spring back up and wrap her arms around his knees causing his legs to buckle. She brought him down hard. The impact pushed the air from his lungs and a loud grunt escaped with it. She pushed off him to prepare for more but he remained on his back and began to laugh between attempts to regain his breath. She stood still and smiled down to her friend. He rolled to his side and accepted her hand to get up.

They sealed the apology over a cold one at their usual hole in the wall pub. She watched Derek take a long pull from his beer. Before she took in her own sip of the hoppy beverage she smiled at him over the rim of the bottle. He returned the expression and extended the neck of his beer towards her. She brought hers down to meet his and with a *clink any remaining tension dissipated.

Then there was Aaron. That day on the beach had marked the moment of healing but it was still slow. She began to bury it a little more each day, but couldn't help but feel the insecurity sneak up when stressful moments arose in the field or on cases. She had regained her professional self quickly and able to contain any visible signs of weakness. She knew Aaron was watching her as closely as she was him. At those times they would slip all it took was a subtle nod of understanding, a small smile for strength, or a simple word uttered for support.

Hotch was right. This time they had won. Even though the evil would always be out there, they couldn't stop. It was a part of them, a need to see a glimpse of light when the good prevailed. Some days the darkness would find a way to sneak past their secure walls and defenses and try to take them under. They were stronger, and were persistent to prove it. The battles would never end, but they would strap their armor on tighter and confidently wield their swords to continue the fight.

Thank you so much for reading! A special thank you to Shadpup and RJ Russell for their continual input and push to make the story better!

I hope you enjoyed the story and thank you for hanging in with me. Don't hesitate to leave me your thoughts!