-
                          
Buzz.
                          
The vibrations on the table next to her wakes her up. She looks around in the dark and picks up her phone. It was 4:45 in the morning. And Hotch texted her. 
                          
The message read: "Hey, I hope you're getting my messages. I don't want to call because it might wake up Athena, but do you think you can be here before 6:30? We're needed before noon and we're leaving right when the team comes in. I still need a consult."
                          
Emily groans.
                          
Is he serious? The last time I woke up this early was whenever Athena had small nightmares.
                          
She texts him back. 
                          
The message read: "Yeah I'm up. I'll be there."
                          
Emily gets herself out of bed and gets dressed. She gives Athena a quick kiss on the head and walks towards Elle's room. Elle never locks her door.
                          
"Elle," Emily shakes the bed.
                          
Elle groans. "Whatttttt?"
                          
Emily moves the hair out of her own face. "I'm meeting Hotch for a consult. I'll be back in a couple hours. Athena's in the bedroom, can you move there?"
                          
"Mhm," Elle agrees. She gets up and trudges to Emily's room. "Let me know if you need anything."
                          
"Thank you," Emily says. And she walks down the stairs to the kitchen.
                          
Since it was too early, Emily decides to make a fresh pot of coffee. She writes a small note and leaves it on the island counter just in case Elle forgets where Emily's headed to. 
                          
She grabs the keys and heads out with her essentials and her coffee for the road. It took at least an hour to get to the BAU.
                          
Emily's let in and she gets up to the BAU floor. Everything's so quiet. Last time she was this early was when she gave the letters to Strauss before her flight to London. She walks through the BAU doors and heads to Hotch's office, right on time. "Hey."
                          
Hotch looks up. "Have a seat, and I'm so sorry for calling you this early. It's just that —,"
                          
"Let's just get this over with," Emily says.
                          
He begins to debrief her about the case. They come up with assumptions but since the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet, Prentiss can't think straight. 
                          
Emily perks up from her slouched position. "Wait, wasn't there another case like this? From the year before I left. You consulted it from Atlanta PD."
                          
Hotch couldn't believe that he didn't remember. "We need to go old school for right now. Penelope isn't here."
                          
"Okay then, let's head to the case room," Emily mumbles.
                          
Hotch opens the door with a key, motioning for Emily to walk in first. It was somewhat dusty and kind of messy. After 15 minutes of searching, Emily finally found it. "Here, that one case with the unusual MO."
                          
"Great," Hotch says. He walks to the door to find out it's not opening. He begins to jolt the doorknob.
                          
"What happened?" Emily asks.
                          
Hotch sighs as he gives up in trying. "I forgot that the lock broke due to some interns messing around in here. You know..."
                          
Emily shivers in disgust. "Where's your phone, call Anderson or get one of the custodians to free us?"
                          
"That's the thing... I left mine in my office," Hotch croaked. "And I'm guessing you left yours in your purse... Back in my office."
                          
"This can't be happening," Emily paces around. "What time is it?"