Lauren Reynolds, Ian Doyle, Emily and Hotch Love

Don't own criminal minds or characters

Chapter 1 – Surprise visit

Hotch arrived at Emily's apartment in Paris, knocking on her door carefully, but loud enough so she could hear. He didn't hear anything in response but her lights were on so she must be in, he waited a few a more seconds before he knocked again. This time, he knocked louder and a little rougher.

Emily Prentiss was in her room, she had just come out of the shower and she was getting dressed. She had her hair in a towel, she was going to straighten it when she had finished putting make up on, even though it was her day off. She put her red lipstick on and heard the knock on her door; she wanted to be left alone.

After a few seconds when it was still silent she figured they had gone away, she sighed. She missed the team back home and wondered how they were coping with her "death". She never wanted to fake her death or hurt the team but she knew it was best. She was trying to protect them from Doyle. The man who almost killed her.

She spoke to Declan's "father" the one who was raising him. He told her how he was doing, if he was alright at school and everything she needed to know. She wrote him birthday and Christmas cards every year but never sent them. What name was she going to write? Lauren, who he knew her as, well maybe a little, or Emily, her real name, the one he didn't know.

Hotch stood outside the door, his criminal mind side kicked in and he started to worry, he was thinking of all the possible scenarios. The more he tried to stop and the longer it took, his thoughts only became worse. 'Maybe she was in the shower or something and she can't hear you' Aaron thought to himself.

He leaned close to the door to try to hear any noise, sound or anything that came from the apartment but nothing. He knocked again. If she didn't answer this time, he was going to kick the door down. If Derek was here he could have done that instead, he is stronger and knows how to do that, I would probably break my foot.

He leaned to the door again and this time he heard something. A sigh, in return he sighed in relief knowing she was inside. Just as he was about to knock on the door again he heard her coming towards the door. He heard her muttering something under her breath as she pulled the chains.

He heard her pull the chain and he turned around. He was nervous, Aaron Hotchner was nervous, 'what is wrong with you Hotch, you're never nervous, it's only Emily, you've spoken to her loads of times before, what's the big deal? What's the difference now?' Hotch thought to himself as he straightened and flattened his tie.

Emily looked through the peephole in the door, she didn't see the face of the man, but she saw how he was standing, she recognized it and smiled. It was Hotch. She took a deep breath, suddenly feeling nervous. She took a step back, put the mask on her face, which covered her real emotions and opened the door.

He heard her open the door and he turned around again, mask over his face too, not wanting her to see how happy he was to see her again. 'Emily' he said a little too enthusiastic. She smiled and said 'Hotch'; she opened the door more so he could come in.

He stood there looking at her, she still looked the same, still looked beautiful and he smiled. She smiled back at him and asked if he wanted coffee. 'Yea sure, I wouldn't mind a coffee thanks'

She nodded and walked into the kitchen to make her and Hotch some coffee. For some strange but good reason Hotch and Emily both felt like this was normal for them, like they were at home, except they weren't, she was here, in Paris as someone else, she got a new identity, a new life, everything was different and Hotch, well Hotch was still Hotch, working for the BAU in Virginia, the only thing different was that he couldn't function properly, now that she was away from him, the team and everything else, he feels alone.

Emily and Hotch made small conversation as the coffee was being made, he asked her how she was adjusting to life over in Paris and she answered truthfully, she didn't lie. She felt that she couldn't lie to him, even if she wanted to; she wanted him to know everything. Their coffee was made and she walked towards him and he took the mug from her, nodding his thanks.

'So…' Emily started, as they walked towards the couch.

Hotch looked at her and answered her unspoken question. 'What I am doing here?' he watched her nod and he continued as he sat opposite her. 'I came to see how you were, if everything was alright and see… just see if you were okay' Hotch told her and said the last bit quietly.

She smiled at his caring side. It hurt her a little, she didn't know why, but it did. She nodded her head and said 'yea everything is going ok, everything is right, JJ gave me the passports and everything I needed so I got here ok' she stopped and shook her head 'JJ already told you that, I seriously am ok though, I promise'.

Hotch nodded and said 'good' he felt a little better knowing she had arrived there ok and she was alright. 'How about the situation with Doyle?'

Emily tensed when Hotch said his name and her heart started racing. She laughed, but it had no humor in it. 'Well that's a different story'. She said as if she was going to carry on speaking, when she never did he looked up at her.

'You have nightmares?' Hotch asked, even though he knew the answer.

'As Emily yes' was Emily's only answer. Hotch looked up at her, confusion in his eyes and on his face, not bothering to hide it.