Challenge 25 - Halloween Horrors!
Pairing: Hotch/ Emily
Title: Desperation
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Criminal Minds or any of the characters
Derek told her to be ready for 6:15 p.m. Emily tried to protest once more before she was cut off by his hand. "Princess, in this you do NOT have a choice. Your only choice tonight is do you go funny, sweet or sexy in your costume?"
" 't…"
"One more word of refusal and you will lose the choice of costume."
Clamping her mouth shut, Emily gave in. "Okay. I want something…sweet."
"I'll do the best I can" Derek laughed as he sauntered away to his office.
"Derek!"
"I'll see you soon." He called out as he rounded the corner.
Emily collected her things and drove home quickly. She showered and prepared her hair in loose curls cascading down her back. While she didn't know the exact costume Derek was choosing, she applied her usual makeup a little more heavily. Just as she added a last swipe of lipstick, the doorbell rang. "Nothing like cutting it close." She murmured to herself as she went to answer the door. Peering through the peephole, she saw that it was indeed Derek, dressed as Zorro and looking like the cat that swallowed a bird.
Opening the door, Emily reached for the bag Derek held out. "What did you do?" she asked knowing that it wasn't going to be good.
"What?!" Derek smiled as he shut the door behind him. "I'm here on time and I got your costume."
Trying to peer into the bag and figure out what it was, Emily snorted, "Yes, but what costume did you get, is the question."
Pushing her towards the guest washroom, Derek turned on the light and closed the door behind him. Holding out his hands he counted silently to five before she screamed his name, "Morgan, I'm going to kill you!"
Raising his voice slightly so she could hear him through the closed door, Morgan protested, "Prentiss, I got you what you asked for. A 'sweet' costume."
The door to the washroom suddenly flung open pushing Derek back. Emily stood in the doorway with darts coming out of her eyes aimed right at Derek's heart. She held the skimpy costume out to him. "I will not wear that…that…dress."
Derek smiled and tried to placate her. "Oh come on Princess, it's a little sexy, I'll give you that but how can you not call Little Red Riding Hood sweet?"
"If it was a full costume maybe, but it's half a skirt. If I bend over, you'll see my woohoo."
Shrugging his shoulders, Morgan told her not to bend over.
Shoot him a dirty look, Emily responded, "I can't go out in that dress. Little Red Riding Hood is supposed to be a sweet girl. Not a cougar selling her wares on the side of the road."
"Emily. You are one hot momma and you will never look like a cheap hooker. And besides, Prentiss, there really wasn't anything else. It was either this or Miss Hottie Cop, which is too close to your everyday outfit." He winked. "Now come on and put it on. We're going to be late."
Taking a deep breath, Emily took the costume to her room and put it on. Looking at herself in the full length mirror, she realized that she looked damn good for her age. Why shouldn't she flaunt it? Just to be a little more conservative, Emily slid on a pair of white leggings underneath the short skirt. Over this she put on the thigh high stockings. Then she tied her hair into two loose pig tales, draping them over each shoulder. Slipping her feet into the shoes, she completed the look.
"Holy Cow!" Morgan whistled as she came down the stairs. "Damn, woman, you look good!"
"Thanks."
Looking her up and down, Morgan noticed that she added the leggings. "I see you made some alterations."
Looking down at the leggings, Emily smiled, "It is the only way I'm prepared to show my tush off. Now are you ready?"
"Yes ma'am." Derek answered grabbing his mask and hat off the counter. "Your chariot awaits."
KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKK
They got there just before 7:00 pm. The place was decorated with all the typical Halloween décor; bats, pumpkins, witches and goblins but when they entered the room, it really was breathtaking. Each table was covered in orange with a black lace overlay. The centrepiece was a smoldering cauldron. The dance floor was dark and covered in spider webs and fog.
Picking up the seating card, Derek led them over to the table that had been assigned to them. Penelope and Kevin were already seated at the table dressed in matching greaser outfits.
"Oh my Pussycat, you look amazing!" Penelope aka "Sandy" jumped up from the table grabbed Emily in her arms. Come…come sit." She indicated to the seat right next to her. Emily sat down beside her and waved hello to Kevin. He waved back and ran his hand through his greased 'Danny Zucco' hairstyle. She almost laughed from the sweetness of the two of them; instead she pulled down her hem trying to will it longer.
"Sorry Em, but that isn't going to help," Derek whispered in her ear.
"I know, you jackass. I'm just a little uncomfortable."
"Emily, could you for once let go of your reservations and just live. It's the one night of the year that you can be someone else and no one will say anything. Live a little and come and dance."
"Oh no, I don't think so." Emily shook her head.
Reaching for her hand, Derek tugged, "Come on Princess, you need to let go. Remember, tonight you're here to forget your problems. Let loose!"
Hesitating for a moment, Emily finally gave in. "Ok big shot, show me a good time."
Rubbing his hands together, Morgan cackled, "Finally, I have her under my control. Muhahaha!"
Laughing, she followed him on to the dance floor where the two of them boogied to several dances. After the first dance she forgot all about her short hem and let herself relax enough to begin enjoying herself.
"Hey big boy, my feet need a break. Think we can get a drink?"
Flashing his famous Derek Morgan grin, he bowed in the direction of the bar. "My lady."
"A dirty Martini for my friend and a Scotch and Soda for me." Derek instructs the bartender. "What?" he responded when Emily narrowed her eyes at him.
"So I know about your new favorite drink."
"Who told you?"
"Well, a certain blond may or may not have told me that you may or may not be addicted to that drink since you may or may not have died and hid out in Paris."
"This is going to be an interesting night after all." Emily laughed at his explanation.
Looking out over the crowd, Derek noticed the rest of their tablemates joining Penelope and Kevin at the table. Ordering a second drink for her he said cryptically, "You have no idea just how interesting it will be."
Turning around, Emily could just feel her skin begin to prickle from goose bumps as she finally realized what Derek was referring to.
"Oh God! What the hell is she doing here?
