Author's Note: This is the first in a two-shot for LoveforPenandDerek's birthday. Happy birthday, LoveforPenandDerek! I hope you enjoy the story!

Thanks also to everyone who reads, and I hope you enjoy it, too!

~ Angie

Spencer Reid sighed. It was her again. He was dreaming…had been dreaming about her non-stop since she'd died on the table. Surrounded by a room full of strangers who didn't know a thing about her.

He winced. They had no idea that Emily Prentiss's favorite color was green…or that she took her coffee with two packets of Splenda. They didn't know she had eyes like dark chocolate or that she was willing to go to the wall for anyone she cared about.

Reid felt another pang of regret as it exploded in his chest. He would have thought he'd be used to it by now. It happened dozens of times a day. But each time was like the first. How many times had he bended Derek's ear about his feelings for Emily? And each time, Derek had patiently told him to make a move.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Derek pressed.

"Ummm…she could say no," Reid said.

Derek shrugged. "Well, you're not going out with her now, so it's not like it would be a huge change. Except you'd get a chance to get your feelings off your chest."

"Yeah. You know what? I think I like my feelings right where there are," Reid decided aloud.

"You know what I hate?" Derek mused.

"What?" Reid asked, grateful for the change of subject.

"Ultimatums," Derek said, standing.

"I've never actually gotten an ultimatum," Reid told him.

"Yeah?" Derek asked. He slapped Reid on the shoulder. "'Bout high time you did, Kid."

Reid's eyes widened. "What do you—"

"You have until Friday. And then I'm gonna pass her a fuckin' note from you telling her to check yes or no," Derek said dryly.

That had been on Tuesday. Thursday night she was dead. And gone was his chance to tell her how he was in love with her.

But she was here now…an apparition standing before him. But he wasn't going to shake himself awake this time. Nope…this time he was going to enjoy her…every last inch of her. So he sat up, moving his legs so they were hanging over the side of his mattress. "Come here, Em," he commanded, surprised by the huskiness in his voice. His tone was usually strong and steady in his dreams. He spread his legs as she approached him, giving her a place to stand.

When she reached him, she lifted a hand to his face, drawing her fingertips tenderly down his cheek. "Reid," she breathed, lowering her mouth to his.

As soon as her lips touched his, awareness zinged through him and he sprung to his feet, sending her stumbling backwards. "Emily!" he exclaimed in shock, stepping forward hastily and seizing her upper arms, saving her from crashing into his bureau. He ran his hands up and down her arms over the fabric of her shirt, grabbing her and squeezing. "Is…is it really you?"

"Yes, Reid," she assured with a nervous laugh. "It's really me."

"I…I thought I was…dreaming," he said, stumbling over his words. "Wha…how…what are you…"

"Ssssh," she said, lifting a finger to his lips to halt his disbelief. "Let's sit."

She walked forward, pushing him back until he was forced to sit on the mattress again, and took the spot next to him.

"How…?" Reid asked, his voice trailing off; he wasn't even sure where to begin.

"I had to do it, Reid," she told him softly. "If I stay here…he'll find me. And he'll kill me."

Reid nodded in agreement. She was right. Until Ian Doyle was caught, Emily's life was in danger. "Are you…"

"Witness protection," she informed him. But the truth was if he hadn't threatened her team, Emily would have stayed and fought him to the death. But she couldn't concentrate here…not with her surrogate family in danger.

"Why did you come back?" Reid asked softly.

"Because I…I couldn't let you think I was dead, Reid," she said, her words running together as if she was anxious.

He reached for the hand that was resting on her thigh, taking it with his own. "Why not?" he asked.

She looked down at their joined hands, mesmerized as his thumb moved slowly back and forth over her knuckles. "Reid, I…"

"You what?" he asked, encouraging her to go on.

"When I was lying there…and Derek walked in…he…"

"He what?" Reid asked.

Emily cleared her throat. "He asked if I was really going to die before you'd gotten a chance to man up and tell me you were…" She took a deep breath before going on. "In love with me," she finally finished.

Reid groaned. "He said that?"

Emily bit her lower lip as she nodded.

"I can't…believe…he would say that."

"Because it's a lie?" she asked quietly.

Reid took a deep breath as he turned his head to the side, but she wouldn't let him look away. She lifted a hand to his face and pulled his gaze back to hers.

"Look at me, Reid." Her words may have been a command, but her tone pleading. "Please."

Reid sighed as he stood. "Why?" he asked angrily. "Did you come back to say thanks, Emily?"

"No," she cried, jumping to her own feet. "I—"

"Then what did you come back for?" he demanded, his temper rising. Now that he knew she was really here, his relief was giving way to anger. He'd thought she was dead for the last two weeks, and now she was here. And for what?

She choked back a sob, approaching him step by cautious step. "What…were you going to do when you thought you were dreaming?" she asked in a whisper.

"Don't change the subject," he told her.

She shook her head. "I'm not trying to change the subject, Reid," she told him. "You want to know why I'm back…and I'm trying to show you."

"By sidestepping my questions?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I'm not trying to tell you, Reid; I'm trying to show you," she reiterated

He stood there studying her face, and when she realized he wasn't going to move, she reached for the buttons on her shirt and began opening them, one by one.

Reid shook his head. "This isn't going to work, Emily," he informed her. "I want to know why you came back. I want words."

"So…it's your way or the highway?" she asked. "Is that what you're saying?"

"No," Reid answered. "I'm saying it's my way." He took the few steps separating them, covering her hands with his in order to halt her progress. "Why are you here, Emily?" he repeated softly.

She lifted her eyes to his, and he noticed the fear in their chocolate depths. He watched as she swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I'm here because…I'm here because I love you," she said, her words coming out in a jumble.

He removed his hand from hers and lifted it to grasp the back of her neck. "That's all I needed to hear," he said as he lowered his mouth to hers.