Police in America

"Huh?" JJ and Jack both looked baffled.

"The bureau's rules don't allow employees to date. I'm doomed," Garcia's face was filled with tension.

JJ and Jack exchanged a guilty glance, and JJ tried to comfort her, "As far as I know, Rossi himself was the reason these rules were made, so he won't make a big deal out of it. Relax."

Jack had heard of this. Supposedly, even today, several female executives in the FBI had a very bad relationship because of Rossi.

"Wait, what was Rossi doing at your place?" Jack finally focused on the key point.

"I don't want to talk about it," Garcia became a bit dejected. "I was naked, still dripping wet, just wearing a bathrobe. God, it was a nightmare."

A sudden flash of inspiration hit Jack. "Let me guess, Rossi asked you to privately investigate a case?"

Garcia covered her mouth in surprise. "I didn't say anything, JJ, you can vouch for me. Rossi said he wanted this matter to stay between the two of us."

"Let me guess, Rossi didn't show up this morning, right?"

Before Jack finished speaking, Emily suddenly knocked and entered. "Why are you all here? Hey, guys, something seems off."

The group followed Emily to Rossi's office. The door was open, the desk was a mess, and many files were scattered on the floor.

"What happened?" Reid and Hotchner arrived, looking puzzled at the state of the office.

Everyone knew Rossi as a meticulous, polite, detail-oriented person. The scene before them was out of character.

"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Hotchner, looking somewhat disheveled and irritable, added to the group's surprise. This strict guy usually maintained a flawless appearance.

"I think Garcia might know. She said Rossi went to her place last night," JJ said, causing everyone to turn their attention to a flustered Garcia.

"Garcia?" Hotchner's voice raised slightly, startling Garcia into spilling everything.

"He went to Indianapolis to investigate a double murder case from 20 years ago. He was very agitated, mumbling something about making the culprit pay."

"We should go help him," Emily said urgently.

"But he didn't ask anyone for help," Reid hesitated, aware that overly enthusiastic intervention could sometimes backfire in Western culture.

"This is his silent cry for help. He's already falling apart. Can't you hear his desperate plea?" Emily looked like she wanted to knock some sense into Reid.

JJ raised her elegant eyebrows. "The plane is ready anytime."

"Then let's go," Hotchner was about to turn, but Jack stopped him.

"It's us, not you."

Hotchner glared at Jack angrily, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course, you're still wearing yesterday's shirt, your hair is a mess, and you haven't shaved. This can't be explained away by a crying baby. We already have one potentially breaking-down boss; we don't need two."

Hotchner stood still, everyone watching with concern. JJ was the first to step forward, standing behind Jack.

"I think Jack is right. You might think you don't need our help, but it's clear you're on the edge too."

"Oh, come on, we thought we were almost family, but now we feel like we're unwanted teenagers, with both mom and dad leaving us."

Emily's comment made everyone laugh. This was their private joke, comparing their team to a family. Hotchner was the strict father, and Rossi, who looked after everyone's emotions, was the loving "mom."

"Alright, it's not me, it's my wife Haley. She had a breakdown. We had a huge fight last night. She tried to leave with Jack," Hotchner said, referring to his newborn son, also named Jack.

"Oh my God, what happened between you two?" Emily asked, shocked.

Hotchner and Haley were known as the model couple. As professionals, they could easily gauge the true nature of a relationship after a few encounters.

"I don't know. Everything was fine. Rossi took on a lot of my work so I could be home from nine to five to care for the baby. Even when I traveled before, she never complained. Suddenly, just..."

Hotchner seemed frustrated.

"Have you considered the possibility of postpartum depression?" Reid asked.

Hotchner's expression froze, uncertain. "But we did the 'EPDS' (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) six weeks postpartum, and besides some mild anxiety, there were no major issues."

"Some women develop depression three months postpartum due to stopping breastfeeding or hormonal changes. I suggest a 'BDI' (Beck Depression Inventory) or a hormone level check at the hospital," Reid explained confidently, entering his encyclopedia mode.

Hotchner specialized in interrogation and negotiation, clearly out of his depth here. He looked at everyone, who all nodded in agreement, leaving him stunned.

"A classic case of the healer not healing himself. You and your wife should see a psychologist together," Jack said, handing him Maureen's business card.

"She's my psychology professor, the best in Los Angeles. You should go home now. We'll take care of Rossi."

Seeing Hotchner still hesitant, Jack shoved the card into his hand.

"What are you waiting for? Haley is a kind and beautiful wife. Do you really want to lose her?"

Rossi had indeed taken on a lot of Hotchner's administrative work, but he had dumped it all on Jack. After doing so much paperwork, Jack couldn't watch Hotchner's family fall apart like in the original storyline. Otherwise, his efforts would be in vain.

"We're leaving!" Jack announced, leaving a complex-faced Hotchner behind. He hummed the tune to "Freaks" as he led the team out of the office.

"What is he singing?" Reid asked, puzzled by his complete lack of interest in popular culture.

"Mom's not home tonight. Really? You've never heard it?" Emily stared in disbelief.

"Never. The tune sounds weird," Reid shrugged.

Emily's expression froze, then she waved dismissively. "Forget I said anything."

Recently, the writer had been feeling unwell due to excessive indulgence. After sleeping over 20 hours in the past two days, his mind was still foggy. Therefore, he decided to quit smoking starting today.

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