For the first time in years, you felt truly alone. It had been two hours since your boyfriend had dumped you. He kicked you out, throwing a bag of your things onto the snowy driveway.

The cold weather seeps into you, wary bones catching the chill as you shiver. Your mind runs through every possible ways things could have been different. Tears stream down your cheeks. You look down at your phone- no one had picked up when you called.

It was past midnight so you didn't feel so offended. You glance in the rear view window of your car. A duffel bag full of clothes and regret stares at you. A huff leaves your lips, counting down the miles.

It was stupid what you were doing. So unbelievably stupid- but he was your best bet. The car peels into the driveway and you quickly get out, leaving your things behind.

glistening white snow lands on the ground, an irony of how old and broken you feel. Your knuckles rap on the door. Tensely, you shuffle around on the porch bashfully. Now this seemed like an even worse idea. It was bad before but now.. standing in front of your bosses' door, you wanted to get back in your car and drive away forever.

A beat of silence. Shaking it off, you sniffle and clutch your sweater tightly.

The door opens, Hotch glares at the offender who had awoken him. His usual stoic expression falters the moment he sees your tear stained cheeks and red nose. Confusion and concern dance in his eyes. He opens the door wider, an unspoken consent.

"Come inside, tell me what's going on." He says, motioning for you to get out of the cold.