Okay, apparently there are quite a few who wanted a sequel to Meatballs hoagie...

So, why not? Those of you who are Haley fans, please don't hate as this is really fiction!

And, you know I'm truly Hotch/Prentiss love all the way! So, I'm taking them to the AU level, out of the canon-ish series.

Just bear with me. And it looks like this is gonna be a multi-chapter as well, why not? Hope you'll like it, let me know!

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10th muse

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Criminal Minds

Yves, Your Cheatin' Cologne

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He had been suspecting it for quite a while even before the night of the team's Christmas party a week ago.

His wife thought she was being smart and discreet but Hotch did not wear expensive cologne especially Yves Saint Laurent. They are very strong. She tried to hide it by spraying household deodorizers but some things just remain around you, especially about your body.

Nice try, my dear, but face it, I'm a better profiler than a husband.

Brett Stevenson was a chump.

He might be a nice neighbor three doors down but he was still a chump; Hotch had met him for the first time when he and Haley was out on an evening stroll with Jack.

Angie worked for some High tech firm while Brett stayed home, running a home based software company he created himself.

The first time Hotch smelled Yves St. Laurent was when he shook his hand, and it was some time before he could get rid of the smell off his hand. The next time, the scent swamped all over Jack when he had returned home from work and his home.

Brett was a freaking chump.

"Something bothering you?"

Hotch looked up and smiled, "No, nothing, everything's fine. Perfect." He wiped his mouth with the paper napkin provided. "I'm enjoying my Meatball hoagie."

Emily smiled as she took a huge bear-trap bite; she did have a large mouth and a set of beautiful lips. "They are heavenly!" She had a mouthful but she didn't care as she continued, "Frank's a genius. Pity he's married and 72, or I'll snatched him off the market myself." she took another big bite.

He watched her munched heartily, she looked up at me, "Do I have sauce on my face?" She grabbed the napkin off the table and quickly dabbed it on her mouth.

He shook his head, "You missed a spot, on your left, further out." He indicated on his face.

She grinned as she nodded her thanks, "It's messy eating."

"Yeah, but it's good." He took another bite. Yeah, it's great food, and especially with a lovely companion, and recalled that evening at Giovanni's, that kiss. He had not forgotten about the kiss; it was permanently etched in his mind. It would probably etched on his gravestone if he could have had it done; the kiss.

"Penny."

"Huh?" He looked at her, puzzled.

She smiled, "Penny for your thoughts." She was crunching on a potato chip.

He shook his head, "It's not worth it." He lied; on the contrary, it was priceless, every moment with her was precious. If only she knew.

"Tell me, Hotch." She insisted as she reached over and snatched a pickle from his plate.

He raised his eyebrow at her action as she grinned mischievously and shook his head, "I was thinking about our forthcoming consultation trip to New Jersey."

"Oh yeah? What about it?"

"Gideon has decided to go with JJ and Morgan to Baltimore, he thinks there might be something more over there."

Emily seemed to stop breathing for a moment as she stared at him.

Hotch watched her, "Talk to me, Prentiss."

"So, it's just the two of us? You and me? To New Jersey?" She swallowed.

He nodded, his appetite suddenly lost, and it seemed so was hers.

"Okay."

"That's it?"

She licked her lips, he watched her tongue traced her lips and disappeared within; damn! How he wished he could do that for her!

"Hotch..."

He focused his gaze at her eyes, looking apologetically. "You're right. We can do this, unless you'll like to change?"

She shook her head at once, "We can handle it. It's just an overnighter."

He nodded, "Yeah, we've done it before."

She agreed, "Except things were not as it is now."

"Call it a test of faith."

"Yeah, test of faith." She rubbed her hand against her pants; it was sweaty.

He flicked his watch, "I have to run home real quick."

Emily nodded, "I'll be at the office, I still have a couple of work files to wrap up."

He nodded as they stood up at the same time, "Thanks for the lunch."

She smiled, "I did owe you, even though it's a week late."

"We had an emergency case last week." He reasoned as they walked towards the Hoover building. "But it's worth the wait."

She grinned, "Yes, and the companionship is even better."

He nodded again. "I'll see you back at the BAU then."

She waved at him as she watched him walked to the parking garage. "New Jersey, huh? That'll be interesting." She headed into the lobby of the Bureau, her badge at the ready.

…...

End...

p.s. as you can see, there will be a continuation! Stay tuned! New Jersey, here we come! What's gonna happen to our pair, hmmm?

p.p.s. to Sam 'Dimples' Swarek, this is for you! ;)