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Hotch had tried to fight it. Had stood there barely able to not tear the headphones away from his ears as he heard Prentiss being thrown around the room by a psychopath. He would storm in there, bring the whole operation down by himself to save her from bearing one more bruise on her body. The only thing stopping him is Rossi’s steady voice in his ear and her relaying that she could take it.
He wanted to go to her as soon as he saw her stumbling from the fire and ashes. She was searching frantically for Reid and Morgan. More worried about the younger boy that her own safety. He stood back and watched as she pulled Spencer into a hug. The adrenaline sill coursing through her body enough to not make the boy’s arms around her ribs hurt. He was just happy to see them, standing there in front of him breathing. He could feel the tears form in his eyes again. Another call too close for comfort.
Prentiss and Reid went to the hospital after. Both swearing they were fine, but Hotch made them get checked over anyways. The team deciding to wait to fly out early in the morning rather than 12:00 at night. He drove them both back to the hotel, silently as they sat in the back seat and held hands. Emily quietly reassuring Reid that this wasn’t his fault the best way she knew how.
He immediately sent both to their rooms. Letting out a loud sigh as he shut the door of his own. He still couldn’t calm down. The thought of losing two of his team members today still weighing heavy on his mind. Hotch ran a hand through his hair and down his face as he paced the floor. He had to see her, knew her doctors report but couldn’t let it go until he told her how sorry he was.
Hotch grabbed his room key and phone as he strode into the hallway, walking three doors down and knocking. Emily answered, still wearing her blue blood splattered blouse, black slacks and sporting a hell of a black eye. It took his breath away seeing her like this. “Can I come in?” he breathed out. “Of course,” she replied stepping to the side and opening the door fully.
“Prentiss, I’m so sorry,” Hotch let out, finally giving in to his urge to pull her into a hug. She gave a soft gasp when their torsos connected. His mind instantly regretting it as he remembered her fractured ribs. “I- I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he ground out as he pulled away from her just enough to see her face. The sight he saw made his chest tighten, her eye black, lip bruised and split from Cyrus’s backhand across her face. Hotch couldn’t help but reach out and run his finger over the tiny bit of blood still there.
“Emily.. God I’m so sorry this happened to you. We should’ve came in. I should have never let this happen to you,” he whispered as he continued to run his thumb across her lip. “I’m okay, Hotch. I really am. I’m right here. We won,” she whispered back. Her hand coming to grip the wrist that was lying gently on the side of her neck. “I can’t stand to see you hurt,” Hotch said as he leaned his head closer to her, giving her time to back away before placing the gentlest of kisses where her lip was busted open. “I know you would’ve came in there. There’s no doubt in my mind Hotch,” she whispered against his lips before sliding her hand around the back of his neck to kiss him fully.