Prologue

She was just about to leave the BAU for her new life in London running Interpol when she went to Hotch's office to say her last goodbye. She'd said goodbye to everyone else and they'd been preparing for her to leave for some time now.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and stood up straight. It was now or never. Yes he was in a relationship but she was leaving the country. They might never see each other again and her heart was about ready to burst. If she didn't tell him she'd forever regret it.

She went up to his office and knocked on the door. "Come in," he called from inside. She went in nervously and when he looked up he got up readying himself to say goodbye to this woman who'd become so much to him. He was sure that if he wasn't completely in love with Beth he'd be in love with her.

"Aaron, there's something I need to tell you and if I don't tell you now I never will," she said nervously.

"What?" he asked worried. Was she really going to London to work or was there a more serious reason she couldn't work here anymore? Was she sick?

"Aaron, this isn't easy to say..." he looked even more concerned. "I love you," she said wobbly. "I can't stop thinking about you. You're all I ever think of. I'm in love with you."

He looked away feeling awkward. "Emily, I'm sorry I've never seen you like that. I'm sorry, you mean a lot to me but I love Beth."

She felt her heart break but it wasn't like she wasn't expecting this. Of course he loved Beth they were in a relationship; he'd even introduced her to Jack. It was serious.

"It's been great working for you," she said trying to sound like nothing happened.

"You've been a great subordinate and friend, Emily," he smiled awkwardly knowing everything would be different now.

"Well bye Aaron I have a plane to catch."

He nodded and she left without looking back. It would hurt too much to look at the man she loved who had just turned her down. On the way to London she cried over her broken heart in the taxi and on the plane. She would never give her heart away and she'd never date another guy as she would only ever love Aaron Hotchner.