*this and the next few chapters are loosely (emphasis on loosely) based on s1 e7, The Fox*

"Morning." Morgan says as I trudge into the office.

"Hi." I sigh, dropping down in my chair. Spencer glances over at me for a second before looking away, right back to his work.

"Rough night?" Morgan asks and I chuckle.

"Woke up on the bathroom floor." I say and he laughs loudly. My tangle of thoughts and feelings had manifested itself into drinking the previous night. And, as my alcohol tolerance had dropped to barely anything, I spent about half the night throwing up into my toilet. Not the most pleasant way to spend an evening off.

"We've got a case." JJ doesn't even bother greeting any of us as she strides through.

"Damn." Morgan mutters as we stand. I glance around for Elle, but can't find her anywhere. My chest tightens slightly with worry. Elle was never late. Hoping she'll be there soon, I follow the others to the round table. The spot next to me, where Elle normally sits, is painfully empty. So is Hotch's spot.

"Where's Hotch?"

"Guys. Guys." Gideon sticks his head in the room. "Hotch and Haley are here. With the baby." Gideon looks more excited than I've seen him...ever. Morgan clearly catches it too, trading an amused glance with him as we follow Gideon to the elevator. Hotch is holding a tiny baby swaddled in blue cloth, his wife Haley beside him. We coo and fuss over him as is appropriate, Spencer making an offhand comment about baldness and wrinkles.

"Oh, congratulations." Elle appears beside me, her hand resting against me lower back.

"Thanks." I tune out the conversation, looking over at Elle.

"Hey."

"Hi." She says, looking at me.

"You okay?" She looks flustered, several file folders held in the crook of her elbow.

"Uh, yeah. Strauss has me looking at some old cases. It's nothing important."

"Okay." I say, smiling at her. We say goodbye to the Hotchner family and head back to the conference room. Elle takes her place beside me, foot crossing over mine so our legs press together. I glance at her but she doesn't look back, staring at the images JJ is showing us.

"Crawford family. Butchered in their homes."

"Murder-suicides?" Elle says and Gideon sighs.

"That's what we're trying to find out. Wheels up in thirty. We'll brief on the way." We all disperse and I keep an eye on Elle, who looks worn-out. Beautiful as always, but tired as hell. JJ hands out information and files on the plane, continuing the brief. We finish with a few hours left, and Gideon tells us to get some rest. Everyone's asleep in a short while, except for Elle, who remains wide awake pressed up against the window in one of the big seats. I stand quietly and maneuver around Morgan, who'd fallen asleep practically on me.

"Hey. Scoot over." I whisper, sitting down beside her. I pull my legs up criss cross and twist, so I'm sideways, facing her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"No you're not." I say and she raises her eyebrows. "I may not be an accomplished profiler, but I can tell when you're lying to me."

"I'm just having a shitty day. Shitty week, really." She admits, turning to face me fully. Our legs press together and I slip my hand into hers.

"Anything I can do?"

"No. Thanks, though."

"I'm here if you need to talk."

"I know." She says softly. "Thanks, Sawyer."

"Of course." I smile and she stares down at our intertwined hands. Her thumb rubs small circles on my hand and I fight back a grin. A pretty girl, holding my hand. Middle school me would have had a heart attack.

"You should go to sleep." She says after a moment.

"You should too."

"We'll sleep together." She says and her eyes go wide. "I-" I laugh, pressing our intertwined hands to my mouth to quiet the giggles.

"Not what I meant, Sawyer." She says and I try to stop laughing. "You're a child, I swear." She says, shaking her head. I reign in my amusement and, without thinking, press a kiss to the back of her hand before letting it drop back to her lap. I unfold my legs and stand up, throwing a wink at her before making my way back to my seat. I throw my legs over Morgan's lap and close my eyes, falling asleep to thoughts of Elle.

kinda short, but i needed this transition chapter! also, flirting is so fun to write, so i can't wait for these next few chapters. love you all!! -sasha