So, it has been a while since I posted anything. College and writer's block are cramping my life at the moment but I did manage to squeeze this out.

Big thank you to you,TigerLily888, this story would not have been if it weren't for you!

This is a two-parter story.

No precise timeline but post S07-10 and it's an AU story.

Disclaimer: I do not own CM or its characters, as well as Star Trek : The Next Generations and Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Enjoy!

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She Kissed Captain Jean-Luc Picard!

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It was Friday night at the bar for the BAU team, back from another horrific case out of town. Everyone in the team agreed to meet at the bar to de-stress.

Hotch was hesitant; he had plans on meeting his new girlfriend, Beth.

Dave suggested that it was time the team meet her. Hotch looked horrified; various scenarios flashed into his mind about the first meeting. Beth would get skewered by his team, especially by Garcia! Dave shook his head and told Hotch that sooner or later, the team would want to meet their boss' gal. Now would be as good a time as any.

Reluctantly, Hotch agreed.

"Look! She is putting her arm on his, now that's a show of possession." JJ remarked, apparently trying out her profiling skills.

Garcia huffed as she sucked her cocktail through the skinny straw, "She is trying so hard to be cheery and make him laugh! And check out those horse teeth!"

Emily snorted her drink through her nose, quickly wiping it with the typical 1ply, 4" by 4" napkin. Trust Garcia to say something like that.

Morgan shook his head as he watched Hotch and Beth who had decided to sit one table away after Hotch had hastily introduced her to the team

"Give her a chance. He's smiling. A happy boss means a happy work place." Dave smiled.

Garcia, JJ and Emily turned their gazes from Hotch and Beth to Dave.

JJ shook her head, "You are joking, right?"

"Could be our boss is having gassy issues." Garcia guffawed.

Reid was reading a book when Morgan snatched it from Reid.

"No reading at the bar. It's the rules." Morgan said, deadpanned.

The ladies and Dave snickered.

Reid frowned as he thought, "Don't recall reading this rule. I did do some online research on bars."

"Oh my god, you didn't! It's a bar! You come in here, get a drink, hang out with your friends or pick up a honey. That's all there is to it. You seriously looked it up online?" Morgan stared at Reid incredulously.

Reid nodded timidly.

Morgan shook his head, "What are we going to do with you, genius?"

Dave stood up, "I'm going to get a drink," and headed for the bar.

Morgan stood up as well, "Come on Reid, let's get you a real man's drink." He literally pulled the younger doctor out of his seat and dragged him off, leaving the three ladies by themselves.

"Oh no she didn't!" Garcia exclaimed. She was back to watching Hotch and Beth.

JJ craned her neck over to where they were sitting, "What? What did she do?"

"She touched his jaw! Does she not know about his personal space?"

Garcia whipped her head around suddenly and glared at Emily, making the brunette jump

"You have not said a word. Aren't you angry at her for stealing him from you? What about with Hotch for flaunting her in your face?"

Emily leaned back unconsciously, trying to dodge Garcia's anger, "Whoa! Easy! First of all, he is not mine. Never have been nor will. He's not interested in me." Emily tried to explain to Garcia but her tone must not have been too convincing when Garcia frowned and looked at her with something akin to pity.

"I'm sorry, Em. But I have to disagree. Sometimes when he looks at you, it's almost like there's a look of hunger in his eyes. I'm sure he has feelings for you, girlfriend."

"PG, don't. I…"

"No way!" Emily and Garcia were interrupted by JJ's exclamation. "She just freaking leaned over and…and…kissed him! In front of everyone!"

Emily couldn't help but felt that flair of jealousy reared up again. Since Hotch appeared at the bar with Beth in tow, holding her hand, Emily felt as if something within her died. Crushed, mashed, and pulverized. She was tempted to cry headache and leave right away but she stayed. She wanted to prove to everyone and herself that he didn't matter anymore.

Everyone in the team knew about her feelings for Hotch. Even Hotch, although he had never said a word to her about it.

It hurt.

She tried to bag those feelings, chuck the bag into a box and sealed it permanently in her mind but at this moment, it was not working.

She pretended to shrug off the scene when Garcia and JJ looked at her sorrowfully, as if they were trying to tell her they sympathize with her.

If they only knew. How much it hurt every time Beth's name was uttered. How much it hurt to see him smiling at Beth; he never did that to her. She thought her heart was cracking apart. How much more could she take?

Move on! Her mind commanded.

I'm trying! Emily told herself.

"Em…I…" Garcia tried to console her.

"Don't, Pen. I don't need pity."

Startled, Garcia tried again, "I'm sorry! I just want you to know, I think he is making a mistake!"

Emily shook her head and said, "Look guys, I'm over him."

JJ and Garcia gave her skeptical looks; you just couldn't turn off crushes just like that!

"Really! I don't feel anything. If he…he…ki…kissed her, it's okay with me." She fumbled; she didn't want to think of that possibility. As long as she didn't witness it, she would be fine.

"Sure Emily. You're saying it now but if he really did, it's a whole different story! Come on, you can tell us."

"Pen, I'm telling you the truth! I have moved on."

JJ shook her head.

"Don't shake your head, Jayje. Okay, I'll prove it to you."

"How?" JJ and Garcia asked at the same time.

Emily looked around and thought. Then she snapped her fingers and said, "I'm going to stand by the door," indicating the entrance/exit. "The first single man that walks in, I'm going to kiss him."

JJ's and Garcia's eyes widened. Then JJ said, "No way Em. You can't do it. You told us not long ago that it's Hotch or bust!"

"I'm telling you guys again. I am moving on."

JJ obviously didn't think Emily would go through with her own dare, so she said, "Prove it."

"I will." Emily said.

"I dog dare you." JJ challenged.

Emily stared at her friend, "Dog dare?"

"Okay, double dog dare!" JJ put her hands on her hips.

Garcia gasped.

"Considered it done." Emily stood up and walked over to the door and waited.

"Why did you dare her? You know she will do it! She's the queen of triple dog dares! You didn't even triple dog dare!"

"I know, because she is probably not going to make it! She is going to chicken out when that door opens and some homely dude walks…oh dear…"

As they talked and watch, the door opened and before they realized it, Emily grabbed the person entering and kissed him hard.

JJ stopped talking and both her and Garcia's mouths formed the shape of an 'O'.

They had not noticed that the table over, Hotch also saw what Emily was doing. He frowned heavily.

"She did it. She freaking did it!" JJ uttered when she found her voice.

"Oh my God! That's Captain Picard!" Garcia exclaimed.

JJ frowned, "Who? Captain? Do you know him?" She stared at the man again.

"You know, Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was the Captain of the Starship Enterprise!"

JJ shook her head, "I don't know what you're talking about. Is he an astronaut?"

Garcia gave JJ an exasperated stare, "Jayje, sometimes your hair color really comes out and…and…oh never mind! Here comes Emily."

Emily smiled, "That was rather interesting and unexpectedly pleasant." She watched as the poor dazed man made his way to the bar, watching Emily warily, as if he was afraid she would ambush him again.

"Wow!" JJ said, "You really did it. I can't believe it, you kissed a total stranger!"

Emily shrugged and sitting down, took a deep drink from her glass. "Double dog dare dared."

"Do you know who that is?" Garcia asked Emily.

Shaking her head, Em replied, "I have no idea. But he sure looked a lot like that actor who played in Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Garcia nodded enthusiastically, "Exactly! But Em! What happens if the first man entered had been some dirty, scruffy old man?"

"I would still have done it." Emily said.

"Hey! Did you see that man? He's a spitting image of Patrick Stewart! Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Incredible!" Reid said as he set his drink down before taking his seat besides Garcia.

"Yeah, we did. And our Emily kissed him." Garcia said proudly.

Reid turned to stare at Emily, his eyes huge and round, "Do you know him?"

Emily shook her head. Reid looked even more confused so Garcia hurriedly told Reid about the dare. Morgan and Dave walked in on the last half of the explanation and they both raised their eyebrows at Emily in amusement.

"The girl's got balls!" Morgan said admiringly.

"I would have bet on it if I'd known." Dave grinned.

"What's a double dog dare? Is this some kind of dog fighting?" asked Reid, looking confused.

The team stared at him in disbelief.

JJ shook her head, "I can't believe it! You guys are praising her for kissing a complete stranger! What if the guy had been the ugliest, toothless, haven't-bathed-in-ten-years stinker?"

"She'd still do it!" Morgan and Dave said together and gave each other high-fives.

Morgan added, "Besides, it was a double dog dare!"

JJ shook her head and downed her drink fast.

"I'm going to go play some darts." She left the group.

Dave stood up as well, "Wait JJ, I'll join you." He took his drink and walked with JJ to a corner of the bar where the dart board was set up.

"So, Princess…double dog dare, huh?" Morgan returned to the topic again.

"Derek, it's done. And over." Emily shook her head. Privately, she was still reeling over the fact that she did it. She had kissed a complete stranger! What had possessed her to do it? Oh, that's right. Hotch. Everything always seemed to come back to him.

Will I get over him? She wondered to herself.

Someone had fed the jukebox and 'Just Once' by James Ingram came on.

Garcia began to sway with the slow tune. Morgan watched her and then, standing up, pulled onto the dance floor. He held her tight, as they swayed to the slow rhythm.

Reid excused himself to the men's room.

Guess I'm being abandoned. Emily looked at their table and found herself the only occupant. She sighed, taking a sip of her beer, debating whether to call it a night, as she watched Morgan and Garcia on the dance floor.

Hotch stood up when Beth headed for the ladies' room and began to walk to the table where Emily was sitting when he saw the man she had kissed earlier standing in front of her.

Does she know him? Hotch thought as he stood, watching them.

Emily smiled at the man and Hotch felt as if someone had punched him in his guts. He frowned when she invited the man to sit with her.

This was too much for Hotch. Instead of turning back to his table and waiting for Beth, he marched forward.

"Emily, may I have a word?" Hotch stood in front of her, across from the table.

"Certainly Hotch but as you can see, I'm slightly busy getting acquainted with my new friend."

Hotch turned to face him. The man was in his mid-60s! He could be her father for God's sake. Completely bald, he possessed high cheekbones, piercing eyes and very prominent aquiline nose. Hotch frowned, the man seemed familiar somehow.

Still, prominent looks or not, he was too old for Emily.

"Stewart Patrickson." The man had stood up and introduced himself, his British accent prominent.

Hotch was silent and after an awkward moment, he shook the man's hand, "Aaron Hotchner."

"Please to meet you, Mr. Hotchner. I presume you know this beautiful lady here?"

"I do. We are colleagues."

"Stewart is from Yorkshire, England," Emily provided.

Stewart smiled widely, "Emily, I would love it if you'd have dinner with me tomorrow evening if you're not engaged otherwise." Stewart spoke. Hotch didn't fail to notice the deep, melodious timbre of his voice.

Emily was about to nod when Hotch cut in, "I'm sorry Stewart, but Agent Prentiss will be out of town tomorrow."

"I am?" Emily asked Hotch.

"She is?" Stewart asked, frowning.

"I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to discuss it in public and it is rather case-sensitive." Hotch felt heat rise in the face at the bold-faced lie. He kept his face impassive when he saw Stewart give Emily and himself a measured look, appearing to be appraising what their relationship is.

"We work in a law enforcement agency." Emily provided.

"Well then, fair Emily, here is my card and please, do call me when you have decided whether to accept my offer. I will be around for a month or so."

Taking the card, Emily smiled, making Hotch grit his teeth in annoyance. "I will. As soon as I'm back in town."

"Well, until then," he bowed slightly and raising her hand, he kissed the back of her hand.

Bloody Sir Galahad in the 21st century, charming the pants off my agent and she's eating it up. Hotch glared at Stewart.

Emily blushed deeply; it had been a long while since she was treated like a lady. With a nod to Hotch, he left them, walking up to a couple entering the bar.

Hotch looked extremely irate. What the hell was wrong with him?

"So Hotch, this out of town case?" Emily prompted. She was feeling irritated as well, only this time it was aimed at Hotch. She really liked this Stewart Patrickson. He seemed so old-fashioned and gentlemanly; a rare find. And that sexy voice!

So, whatever happened to 'Hotch-is-the-perfect-man' ' crush? Her alter ego asked her.

Not now! That crush has got to be boxed up and shelved for the moment… now make it so! She told herself.

When Hotch did not reply she looked pointedly at him, "You made this up, didn't you?"

Hotch flushed, looking guilty. Oh yeah, SSAIC Aaron Hotchner, caught you with your pants down, didn't I?

Before now, that thought would have been delicious to wallow in, but not now. What with him flaunting his new girlfriend right under her nose.

It was an 'in-your-face' wham for Emily and it was a hard thing to swallow, especially when the whole team knew about her crush on him. She hated the faces her teammates were giving her; the pity looks.

No, no pity, no feeling sorry for Emily looks. She had pride.

If a man, even if he looked like he could be her father, showed interest in her, who was she to say no? His most favorable trait was his dashing looks. He had dressed casually for the evening but Emily could tell his clothing were very fine and not from some dime and nickel superstores.

"Pre…Emily, you don't know who he is and that British accent, that could be an act."

"Hotch, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

"I know, but what if…"

Emily was starting to feel incensed. "Look Hotch, when you first met your…girlfriend, did you know anything about her? No. That's the whole point of going on a date to find out about the other person."

Hotch could not rebut that statement as it was the truth. That had been why he had gone out with Beth after their unusual meeting.

He felt like a heel but for the life of him, he couldn't explain this feeling he had for Emily. She was just his subordinate and his co-worker. That was all. Well, he had come to value her more than just colleague. She was a good friend, too.

Was it all there is to that? A good friend? Hotch frowned, not liking at the direction of his thoughts.

"Hotch," She continued. "I haven't gone out with someone in a long time. I just want to talk about normal things for once. No murders, no UnSubs, no killings. Just plain talking."

Hotch now felt smaller than a flea. He had nearly ruined it for her. How selfish he was. After all, he was here with his girlfriend who did not work within the law enforcement agency. He too craved human companionship, thus he was willing to try it out with Beth. So who was he to deprive Emily for wanting the same thing?

"You're right, Emily. I'm sorry." He turned to leave but Emily stopped him.

"Wait, that's it? That's all you have to say? That I'm right? And you're sorry?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I shouldn't have interfered in your personal life. For that, I am sorry…"

"Is there a problem?" Beth came up and stood beside Hotch, putting her hand on his arm.

Emily saw that as a sign that she was laying a claim on Hotch. Possessive bitch! Oh. She obviously still had some work to do on the whole compartmentalizing Hotch exercise.

Hotch turned to her, a slight frown on his brows. "It's work. I was telling Em...Prentiss that something came up and we have to be at work tomorrow morning."

Beth's cheery face fell, "But I thought we were going to do breakfast tomorrow morning?" She pouted.

Emily's eyebrows arched. On any other guy, her pout would have worked, but not Hotch. Beth hadn't learnt that yet.

"I'm sorry Beth. It's important." Turning to Emily he told her, "Tomorrow, 9am. Good night."

"9am, sir," Emily acknowledged. Hotch had turned to leave but pause briefly when he heard the nuance at her acknowledgement.

Beth looked from Hotch to Emily, then back at Hotch again. She looked confused; as if there was something going on that she couldn't put a finger on it. She followed Hotch as he headed for the exit.

"Hotch is leaving?" Reid sat back down as he saw them leaving.

"Yeah, I guess I should too." Emily took a few more sips of her beer. "Long day tomorrow from what I gathered from Hotch."

Reid frowned but before he could ask, laughter from the darts corner caught their attention.

"Looks like our hustler is at it again. I bet she's betting big with Dave." Emily chuckled as she stood up.

"JJ is a hustler?"

Emily stared at Reid and shook her head, "You are hopeless Dr. Spencer Reid. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Good night."

Reid gave her a questioning look.

Emily waved at him and left. As she walked out, she saw two things; Reid's confused look and Stewart's stare as well as him raising his glass to her.

Her mind was in a jumbled. Reid's look of confusion made her uneasy. Stewart Patrickson still looked interested, and interesting. As for Hotch, she couldn't help felt he was up to something. Just what the hell are you up to, Aaron Hotchner?

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End of Part 1

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So, let me know what you thought of this so far!

Thank you!

Lizzie