December 13th.

Emily woke up and smiled. The sunlight from the slightly open window curtain shined on her face and although it was a rough 25 degrees outside, she smiled and snuggled down in the bed. She stretched, her stomach muscles ached and her thigh muscles screamed at her. She smiled to herself, knowing exactly what caused the soreness and how she'd love to experience that again. The sound of the shower running made her sit up in alert. Someone was in her shower and she had no idea who. Her lover was already gone.

Quietly, Emily Prentiss got out of bed and put on her robe. She tip-toed to the closet and grabbed her glock out of her jacket holster. Quickly, she made her way to the bathroom and open the door. She was thankful for so much steam; the door didn't even creak when she opened it. The shower stall was tempered glass, so she had a rough outline of the unsub. She laughed in spite of the situation. Imagine an unsub in her shower. He just didn't know. Slowly she grabbed the handle of the shower door and yanked it back, her glock pointed right at the crotch of Aaron Hotchner.

"What the hell!" Hotch yelled slipping in the shower and holding on to the rail for dear life.

"Aaron?" Emily yelled. "What the hell? I thought you left?" Emily stood in the doorway of the shower, panting trying to calm down.

"I did, Hon, to go get breakfast. It's on the table." Hotch regained his balance and stood up straight. "Now, would you mind not aiming at my pelvis? I think you might find that you as well as I might need it later." Hotch laughed as she lowered her gun and put the safety back on.

"I thought you were heading back to Quantico", Emily said hopping up on the counter in the bathroom. "I was sure I would have to finish this holiday trip alone. I heard the phone go off…" Emily said trailing off.

"It wasn't anything that couldn't wait until I got back. And that's what I told them." Hotch stepped out of the shower and started to towel off. Emily's memories of last night came rushing back as she watched Hotch towel off. His strong arms flexed and showed his muscles as he wrapped the towel around his waist.

"What?" he said, noticing her staring.

"I was just…remembering", she said softly. Hotch walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"You liked that, huh?" he said, nuzzling her neck.

"Mmm hmm", she said, leaning against his chest, placing kisses by his nipples.

"Nope", he said, backing away. "We have plans today lady."

"We do?" she said, hopping off the counter. "I wasn't aware."

"That's because it's a surprise. So hurry up and grab a shower so we can eat." Hotch smacked Emily on the butt and exited the bathroom.

Emily and Hotch sat facing each other at the small table in the hotel room.

"Must we go outside?" Emily said. "It's freaking brick outside."

"Brick?" Hotch asked.

"Yeah, brick. I heard a New Yorker say it and asked what it meant." She took a bite of her bagel. "It means cold by the way. Really, really, cold."

"Well", Hotch said, finishing his coffee, "it needs to be really, really, cold for what we're about to do."

"Why?"

"You'll see." Hotch stood up and grabbed his coat and her coat. He handed her hers. "By the way", he said, kissing her cheek, "you look amazing."

Emily smiled and blushed. "OK, lead on." Emily said.

Hotch smiled as he grabbed her hand and led her out the door of the Plaza hotel. She has no idea, he thought.

Hotch and Emily walked in almost silence to Times Square. Even in mid morning/ early afternoon, Times Square was a buzz of people. Christmas was in full swing and tonight was the night they lit the big Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.

"Honey, are we going to see the tree?" Emily asked.

"Eventually", Hotch said smiling. "I want to go to Tiffany's first", Hotch said. "Is that OK?"

"Sure", Emily said. "I wanted to look at charms anyway."

Entering Tiffany and Co., Emily and Hotch walked in, happy to be out of the cold for a while. Hotch went straight over to a sales woman and started talking, asking questions. Emily headed to the charms section.

"Is everything ready?" Hotch said to her.

"Yep. It's ready", she said. "I must say, this is so romantic!" she gushed.

"Not so loud", he said smiling. "She can't know a thing."

"Gotcha."

Hotch bid his farewell and headed over to Emily as she was paying for a charm.

"Did you find the one you wanted?" Hotch asked.

"Yep!" she said holding up the bag. "Where to now?"

"The Russian Tea Room." Hotch took her gloved hand in his.

"OK", Emily said. She was starting to wonder what the surprise was going to be.

*Chapter 2 coming at you soon*