A/N: Here is the conclusion to 'A Midnight Farewell,' written for LoveforPenandDerek's birthday! I hope it's a fantastic one! (And that you love angst…LOL)

Thanks for all of the reviews and enjoy!

~ Angie

One of the greatest things about Spencer Reid (that she hadn't known before tonight) was that he liked to sleep in next to nothing. All the better to run her hands up his bare chest while his tongue coaxed her lips apart. Emily heard herself moan as his teeth tugged on her lower lip. Already she felt a dampness pooling between her legs; she'd wanted him so badly and for so long that a simple kiss was all it took.

His hand fisted in her hair, pulling her head back so he could kiss her harder. His tongue propelled forward, meshing with hers. His groan was reassurance to her—he'd wanted this for just as long. His tongue caressed hers, making her heady; she had to force herself to remember to taste him instead of hurrying things along—and sweet Lord did Spencer Reid taste good. So much so that she nearly cried out when he pulled his lips away from hers.

His hands dropped to her hips, digging into the fabric; his breathing was heavy. "What happens after..?" he asked. He hated himself for asking the question…it sounded so…girlish. But he couldn't help it. A one night stand with Emily Prentiss just wouldn't do, and he wasn't naïve enough to think she was going to rest until Ian Doyle had been found—preferably by her.

"Reid…" she started. "I…I came back because…when this is all over…when it's all said and done…I couldn't stand the thought of you hating me for not knowing I was alive and not telling you." She sighed. The thought of him hating her was enough to make her believe she would never rest in peace.

"We could call the rest of the team," he said quickly, bending his knees so he was eye level with her. He lifted a hand to push a lock of hair behind her ear. "We can help you, Emily," he said.

But she shook her head emphatically. "No," she said fiercely. "This is my battle."

"But if they knew…" he insisted.

"Reid, I can't be worried about the rest of you while I'm out there hunting him."

Her words were enough to send a chill down his spine. "Emily—"

"It wasn't me," she said quickly. "I didn't want to lie but, Strauss…" She took a deep breath. "She wouldn't let me tell."

"Who else knows?" Reid asked softly.

"JJ and Hotch," she answered honestly.

His face reddened in anger and she lifted her hands to his cheeks, cupping them firmly. "They had to, Reid. There was no way around it. Don't hate them for this. Promise me you won't hate them."

He sighed heavily. "I won't hate them," he promised.

She nodded, satisfied. "I…I have to be honest with you, Reid, because that's the whole reason I came."

He chuckled softly, but there wasn't a trace of amusement. "A midnight farewell?" he asked in a whisper.

"Yes," she returned in the same tone, a small smile playing on her lips. She dropped her hands from his face and took a step back, lifted her fingers to play with the buttons on her chest. "Preferably with no clothes."

It wasn't hard for Reid to grant her request…all he had to do was push his boxers down over his legs and step out of them; he straightened with a sheepish grin.

She fixed her sultry gaze on him as she slipped her shirt down over her shoulders, and then quickly shed her pants. She stepped forward, pressing her bra and panty clad body against his. She lowered her forehead to his shoulder. For tonight the outside world didn't exist…tonight it was just the two of them.

Her hands found his waist, moving smoothly around to his lower back before roaming upwards until she was cupping his shoulders from behind. It was then the enormity of the situation hit her—this may be the last time she'd ever see Spencer Reid. As was her classic manner, Emily fought to hold her emotion in check, concentrating on slow and steady breaths.

Reid didn't say a word as she stood there, simply tightened his grip on her and waited patiently as she sorted out her feelings. It stunned her how well he knew her. After a few moments, she lifted her head and he quickly took a small step back. He put a hand under her chin and lifted her face, his gaze holding hers. She stared up at him unblinkingly. She took a step backwards until she reached his mattress, then sat down and moved until she was sitting in the center of the bed. "Reid…" she said.

"God, Em. You're gorgeous," he told her.

"So are you, Spencer," she returned with a grin. "All of you." His length stood even more erect as she fixed her gaze on him.

He was beside her on the mattress in seconds, his mouth finding hers for a scorching kiss. He felt her shift on the mattress, never breaking their kiss as she moved her panties down over her legs and kicked them off. Once again, she pressed her body into his, lifting a hand to his shoulder and giving him a firm push. Once he was on his back, she moved so she was straddling him. "Reid…I've been waiting so long for this," she said as her body sunk down onto his.

"I have to go before the sun comes up." Emily tried to scoot to the edge of the mattress, but Reid tightened his hold on her. "Reid…" she said sternly.

With a sigh, he loosened is grip, immediately sitting up.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I can't tell you that," she answered.

"Am I going to hear from you?" he pressed.

She shook her head. "Not until I find Doyle."

"Yeah? And what if he finds you, Em?" he asked angrily.

"Then…" she sighed in frustration as she looked around for her panties. "Look, one way or another, this is gonna end."

He stood beside the bed, snatching his boxers up off the floor and stepping into them. "Oh, and…I'm supposed to just let you go now?" he questioned, his temper rising. "Just watch everything I've ever wanted walk out my front door? Is that how this works, Emily?"

"Yes," she said in a small voice, finally finding her panties and slipping them on. They were followed quickly by her pants and shirt, then her shoes. Reid sunk down onto the edge of the bed and just watched. When she was finished, she stood there for a moment, studying his face as if she was trying to memorize it. "I…I need to hear you say it, Reid."

"Emily—" he began harshly.

"Please," she begged.

He knew it wasn't easy for her; women like Emily Prentiss didn't plead. For God's sake, she'd once taken a beating for him.

"I need to hear you say it," she repeated.

He looked up and leveled his gaze on hers. "I love you, Em."

She nodded and turned to go.

"Stay alive," he said softly.

"I…I know you're going to tell the rest of the team," she said. "The only thing I ask is…give me a 24 hour head start, Reid. Please. If he goes back into hiding…I might never be able to come back."

Reid nodded and watched as, once again, Emily Prentiss slipped out of his life.

He paced his apartment like a caged lion for all of fifteen minutes before fear fully took over. A thousand thoughts were flying through his mind. She'd come back because she thought it was her last chance to see him. She'd told him she loved him.

Hotch had told him he needed to take more initiative. And if not now, then when?

With a curse, Reid pulled the first pair of corduroys he could find from his dresser, tugged them on, and followed them with a button up shirt. He opened his closet and punched the code into his safe, then pulled his gun out.

Emily might hate him forever for this, but it didn't matter…as long as she was alive. He grabbed the cell off his nightstand and without missing a beat hit three on the speed dial.

"Morgan? It's Reid…"