Disclaimer:I Don't Own Criminal Minds

New Years

"So you guys ready for the most amazing office party ever!?"

Garcia was overly excited at the New Years Eve party. She had spent a lot of time getting everything arranged. At very short notice.

"Yes ma'am" Morgan grinned. He had discovered the perfect date on a night out two days "

"So what about Hotch, did you manage to talk him around?" Rossi asked

"Yes, but it was hard work...he used every excuse in the book, but he eventually agreed, I think mostly to get rid of me" she laughed

"Good...it'll be good for him to get out for the night, have a few drinks and a laugh...maybe" Prentiss smiled

"Hell yeah, we basically have to get a few good drinks in him and he will laugh, or at least crack a smile" Morgan responded with a cheeky look in his eye.

"Yeah he'll be fine. It is new years eve after all, a new year...and a new beginning!" Rossi stated.

They all nodded in agreement with him.

The rest of the team had headed out for the bar. The whole team was there, also the rest of the BAU members. But one person was missing, Hotch.

He stood outside the bar willing himself to go in. Last New Year's Eve, the party got a little exuberant and he really didn't think it was right him 'having fun', after everything that had happened this year. The fact he wasn't going to see the New Year in with his son felt slightly bad too. He, in truth, felt that he should be with him.

But Garcia had pretty much begged him, so he had agreed and if JJ had brought Will along and left Henry at home, then he could do the same, even though there son was barely a year old and probably wouldn't even remember. But he was here and he had promised Garcia he would be, so he headed into the bar.

The time was getting close, Hotch was pretty much slumped in the corner, falling asleep, he was extremely intoxicated, but the guys had made him smile, then with a little hard work on their part he had, had a laugh. He had been laughing a lot. But it seemed to have tired him out and by the looks he was going to miss the count down.

The count down came and went and 2010 was in. They had all exchanged kisses and hugs.

They all sat beside their boss man.

"So..." they all looked at Emily

"I will take him" she accepted her duty and woke him up "Hotch...come on sir I'm going to take you home" he lifted his head to her, then looked at the team

"I missed it didn't I?"

They all laughed and helped Emily get him to her car.

"My car..." he pointed towards his car

"It's okay you can get it tomorrow" Morgan said as he lay him on the back seat.

The team actually had never seen him this drunk before. But it was sort of nice to have seen him having a good time even though he had missed the crucial point of the evening.

Prentiss pulled up outside Hotch's building. Then looked at him wondering how he was going to get him into building!

Hotch sat up, "Home" he reached for the door and managed to pull himself out of the car. Prentiss got out of the car and helped steady him. She pretty much carried him to apartment.

He threw the keys onto the table and collapsed onto the couch.

"I...." he trailed off

"Hotch? You okay?"

"No...I"

"What's up?"

"I didn't get to see the fire works....or get a New Year kiss" he gave her a half smile.

"Oh..." she suddenly felt a little flush; she had become close to Hotch after the Foyet attack and had considered the idea of getting to express her feelings after Hailey was home safe. But things had never turned out that way and now he was telling her he wanted a New Year kiss.

He had noticed she was hadn't responded. He turned and looked at her. His eyes were piercing hers. He stood to face her, he nearly lost balance, but Prentiss grabbed him to steady him.

"I'm sorry if....if... I have made you uneasy" he paused for a second "It's just, you know, err...tradition" he gave her a wide smile. This in turn made her smile. "See that's better....a smile!" he puts arms around her and pulled into a hug a strong hug.

"Hotch...Aaron...your drunk and...."

"So...oh, I get it you don't want to kiss me, I'm the boss and all that...plus I am pretty drunk"

He pulled away from the hug. "I'm sorry...for...wow you actually look terrified" he again smiled. Truth was she was terrified, more though that if she kissed him he may remember and regret it tomorrow, then the others would notice when they got back to work. She didn't like the idea of Hotch being 'off' with her.

"Did you get a New Year kiss?" he inquired

"A few..." she blushed

"Was it like this?" he pressed his lips to hers. He felt her take a sharp breath inwards.

He pulled away.

"Well?"

She finally opened her eyes, "It was...err...okay as far as drunken kisses go" he laughed at her statement

"Well, remind me about this and maybe we could try again, with me more....err...you know...sober"

"You might not feel that way in the morning" she looked at the floor, but he never heard her words as he had once again fell to back onto the couch and this time had fallen fast asleep. She moved him onto his side, for safety reasons. Then she headed out of the door.

I think I love that man, even drunk. Especially drunk