Author's Note: Well, here it is! I originally hadn't planned on adding a second part, but the ending of Part One just didn't settle well with me. So please read and review, and most importantly, enjoy! (:
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. :(
Hotch sighed. Either way, whether he told her or not, she was bound to find out. So he told her.
"I'm in love with you, Emily." He heard her quiet, yet sharp intake of breath. "I know you're in a relationship with Anderson, and that's why I haven't told you about my feelings for you." He got quiet as he admitted, "I know he makes you happy, and…I don't want to ruin that for you. I'm sorry…" He thought to himself, "Only Emily would make me feel this way…of course it would be her that would be able to break through my shell, my safe barrier, and see the raw emotions underneath." He glanced up at her, gauging her reaction. Wait – why is she smiling?
When she was able to speak, she was quiet. "Hotch…Aaron." The name seemed foreign to her. Hardly anyone had called him Aaron before. He was either Agent Hotchner, or Hotch. "Aaron…I…I've had feelings for you for a while. I just never admitted it because I never thought that it would go anywhere. I mean, what would people think? "Oh look at that. Agents Prentiss and Hotchner are together…it's just another illicit office affair." And also, what if Strauss found out? Then both us and our jobs would be screwed. And…I wasn't sure if you felt the same way, and I wasn't about to risk our friendship on something that might not have been. So, a few weeks ago, Anderson asked me to lunch, and I accepted. But…he's not the same as you." She ended even quieter than she had begun, and there was a look of uncertainty that was displayed on her perfect features. He couldn't help but smile.
"Emily, you're worth everything imaginable. This job…I've worked my whole life to get where I am now, but I wouldn't waste a moment thinking whether I'd choose you or this job. There's no doubt that I'd choose you. But…I'd understand if you'd rather be with Anderson -"
He was cut short by Emily coming around to his side of the desk, leaning down and pressing a soft, chaste kiss against his lips. Neither of them was in any hurry, and they relished the moment. Hotch fisted his hand into her slightly curling hair, bringing her closer to him. Finally, oxygen became a necessity and they both pulled away, albeit reluctantly. Emily spoke, filling the silence which was otherwise permeated by their slightly heavy breathing. "Aaron. There's no question. I'd definitely choose you." She smiled, and stood straight. Hotch mimicked her, standing up and moving towards his office door. He said tentatively, "So, about lunch…"
She joined him at the door, closing it behind them as they walked down the hallway. "I have a little something to say to Anderson about that…let's just say that he's not going to be all that happy." Hotch smiled and said, "Well, now he'll see how it is to be deprived of the one he loves." Emily stopped and looked at him for a while, then continued walking. She shook her head in disbelief, and then said what was on her mind. "I can't believe you were jealous, Aaron! If you had just told me…"
At this, he chuckled. "Of course I was jealous. Emily, do have any idea how beautiful you are? I'm pretty sure every man in the FBI was jealous of Anderson." Then he winked at her and said, "But now it's every man but me. Because I'm the lucky one now."
She laughed. "Hotch, I swear, you sound like a bragging 5-year old child!" But she smiled as she glanced over at him, and she was happy that she had finally been able to express her feelings.
And what do you know? Hotch had felt the same.
As Anderson would later say, "Some people just got all the luck."
Author's Note: Awww poor Anderson. Hotch eventually got the girl of his dreams, and Anderson's was stolen! Who would have thought that there would be so much drama at the BAU? (: So what did you think? Please don't hesitate to review; it helps with my writing skills so it would definately be MUCH appreciated!
