Never Together Nor Apart

[Chapter 2]

Hotch's POV:

"Come in," I announce.

"Hi, Agent Hotchner?" A woman comes in, holding a box.

"Yes?" I reply with a smile, sticking out my hand.

I quickly study her, she has short
blackish-brown hair that falls just above her shoulders. Her eyes are a chocolate brown, she carries herself high, she has confidence. She seems energetic, and quite content at the moment.

"I'm Agent Emily Prentiss," She takes my hand.

"How do you do?" I continue my smile, hoping to cover up my misery, "Oh, you're Ambassador Prentiss' daughter. I nearly forgot! I did security clearances for your mother's staff. It was one of my first commands. I believe you were off to Brown at the time," Realization sinks in, flooding my brain with memories.

"Actually, it was Yale," She gives a slight chuckle.

"Ah," I reply with a nod.

"I've been in the Bureau almost ten years now."

I can't help but wonder what brought her to my office.

"Don't tell me that. Has it been that long?" I state in a fake disbelief.

"Apparently sir, but I work mostly in the Midwest, St. Louis, Chicago," She speaks while moving her hands, clasping them over and over.

"Good," I state, a short awkward silence quickly follows, "Your parents well?"

"Yeah, yeah they're great," She responds.

I notice her twitch at the mention of her parents. Something about them is a rough subject for her.

"Excellent."

I'm itching to know why she stands before me. There is yet another silence, yet this time it's longer.

"What can I do for you?" I finally ask.

"Uh, well, I guess I was hoping you could tell me where to put my stuff," she seems confused, as am I.

"I'm sorry?" I couldn't contain my confused facial expressions.

"I'm supposed to start here today, at the BAU," she pulls out a file.

"There's been a mistake," I calmly state.

"I don't think so sir," her lips slightly crease.

"There's definitely been a mistake," I repeat.

I hear a knock, but I don't look up from the file.

"Excuse me, we're getting started," JJ says through the doorway.

I lock eyes for just a moment before looking back down.

"Thank you. I'll be right there," JJ walks away, "I didn't approve this transfer, Agent Prentiss," her face looks of disappointment and her expression shatters, "I'm sorry for the confusion, but you've been misinformed. Excuse me. It's very good to see you again."

I hand her the file as I walk through the door. She scrambles, placing it back into the box before reaching after me.

"Uhh," is all I hear, but I don't turn back.

I continue down the hallway, finding Gideon.

"Did you approve a new transfer?" I question.

He looks at the woman—Agent Prentiss, before turning back towards me.

"No. I would've discussed it," he replies.

"That's what I thought," I say as we walk towards the briefing room, "she's got the paperwork to join the team."