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Lacy here. I long for the days back when I could watch TV and story ideas didn't pop into my head left and right. Normally I can ignore them, go on with what I was doing. But this time, well I'm trying to figure something so my brain was weak and unable to fight off this idea. *pauses* No comments from any of you. Anyway! Back on track, this takes place at the end of Haunted. I know, been done before, by me and many others but my mind won't let it go so have...well have fun.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Wow, that felt weird to say.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Emily stared at Aaron as they spoke about the case, willing him to see that he, like Call, wasn't alone. He did have people who cared, that wanted to help him. All he had to do was ask. She sighed to herself. But she knew he never would. It wasn't who Aaron Hotchner was.

"Get some sleep," Emily finally said, knowing she'd done and said all she could.

"You too,"

Emily felt Aaron follow her to the door and didn't bother reaching to close it, knowing he'd take care of it. She started down the hall when Aaron's voice pulled her back.

"Emily, wait,"

Emily turned back and saw Aaron still had his door open and was standing partly in the hall looking at her.

She walked back over to him, not sure what he wanted. "What's wrong?"

Emily watched Aaron struggle with his words. While he could say whatever was needed to bring an unsub to their knees, when it came to himself he never could find the right words.

"I know I'm not alone," Aaron finally said. "but I feel alone and I don't know how not to."

"Yes you do, Aaron," Emily said, stepping a bit closer. There weren't many boundaries between them any more. Not with how far they'd come. "all you have to do is ask."

Aaron nodded before licking his lips. "Will you please stay?"

Emily smiled. "Of course."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Aaron was watching Emily sleep as they laid in his bed. They hadn't crossed the line between friendship and romance but it wasn't uncommon for them to share a bed when one was hit hard. And he was pretty sure the only time one of them was hit harder was when Emily lost Matthew. He'd all but moved into her apartment for a week not only to help her through it but to make up for his lack of help during the case.

"Neither of us are going to sleep if you keep thinking that loudly," Emily murmured.

Aaron smiled a bit, his first real smile in what felt like months. "My thinking isn't that loud."

Emily scoffed and she rolled to face Aaron. "Right, I'm just waiting for the knock on the door from your neighbors." she watched his face. "Stop thinking, even if it's just for tonight."

Aaron sighed. "I don't think I can, Em."

Emily echoed Aaron's sigh. She knew it was just about impossible for him not to think. The whole damn team was like that. The only time they were able to shut their brains off is when they'd passed the point of exhausted and basically passed out.

"Lay down," Emily said softly.

Aaron scooted down until he was on his side facing Emily. Once his head was settled on his pillow, Emily reached her hand up and started gently playing with the hair at the back of his neck, knowing from the past it relaxed him.

Aaron allowed Emily's soft, gentle touch to relax his body and he started to feel the pull of sleep. Leaning forward just a touch, he kissed her softly before resting their foreheads together. As her hand gripped his head gently and their bodies pressed together Aaron knew, he wasn't alone.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

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Took forever for my brain to spit this whole thing out but there it is. Pretty sure my fluff meter is yelling at me but it can lump it. Alright kids, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.

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