Title: Selfish and Stupid
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Emily/Dave
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 448
Summary: AU. Emily thinks she's wrong to feel what she's feeling.
Notes: AU. Emily never left the BAU for Interpol.
Gift Fic for Bex (DobbyRocksSocks)
Emily stood in front of the mirror as she brushed her hair. She didn't look away from her reflection when Dave came into the bedroom.
"You were quiet at dinner," he acknowledged.
"Yes."
"You want to tell me why?"
"Not really," she dismissed, seemingly focused on making sure her hair was perfect.
"Emily, when we decided to try again, after you came back from the dead, we promised each other there would be no more secrets. So, I'm going to ask you again. Why were you so quiet at dinner?"
Emily put her brush down and finally turned around to look at Dave. "It's stupid and selfish."
"First of all, you're one of the least selfish people I know. Second of all, if you bothered by it, I'd never think it's stupid. Just talk to me."
She took a deep breath. "Okay. When you first discovered Joy and who she was to you, I was happy for you. Not only did you have a daughter, but you had a grandson. And after what you told me, about your son's death, I wanted that for you."
"Okay," David replied after a moment's pause.
"Then Hayden showed up. Joy's mother. Your ex-wife and a woman you had loved once upon a time."
David's eyes widened as understanding dawned on his face.
"I told it was stupid and selfish," she muttered as she defensively crossed her arms over her chest.
"No, Emily, I don't think it's stupid or selfish. I think what your feeling is normal." He walked to her and took her into his arms. He held her tightly until her body relaxed in his embrace. Then he loosened the hug. "Listen to me. No matter what my relationship was with Hayden in the past, it's in the past. I did love her at the time. That's why I married her. And if it wasn't for our jobs, we might have stayed together. It's all in the past, though. I love you now. You're not only my present, but you're also my future. I don't want anyone else but you. And even if Hayden and I are talking now, for Joy's sake, that won't ever change the way I feel about you."
She tilted her head up so she could look into his eyes. "You mean it?"
"You can always tell if I'm lying. So, you tell me. Do I mean it?" he asked, his eyes intense as they sought her own gaze.
There were two beats of silence, and then she smiled happily as an embarrassed flush made her way to her cheeks. "You mean it."
She then promptly kissed him, which he was only too happy to return.