PART TWO

One Year Later...

Emily grinned widely as Hotch swung open his front door looking handsome and well-dressed in his suit and tie. "My God, you really are going on a date."

He huffed indignantly. "Of course I am. Our sixth date. Thanks for agreeing to watch Jack."

"Emily!"

Emily leaned down to hug the eleven-year-old. "I brought you a present." She pulled the video game out from her purse and showed it ceremoniously to the boy.

"No way!"

"Yes way!" she agreed with a laugh. "And I'll have you know this is a game I can actually play."

"You're on! I'll set it up."

Both adults watched Jack scamper away.

"You spoil him, you know."

She shrugged. "Someone has to."

"Can you actually play that game? I looked everywhere for it."

"I put in a few calls," she replied. "Made Pen help me learn so that I could actually put up some kind of fight with Jack. Don't tell him."

"Your secret's safe with me," he promised.

She toed off her shoes, dropping her bag beside it and looking at him. "So tell me, where are you off to?"

"Dinner," he said. "I should be home by nine. I'm thinking of introducing Jack to her tonight."

Emily ignored the sick churning of her stomach. "Melanie, right?"

"Right," he agreed.

"You're really serious about her, hey?"

He cocked his head to the side, submitting to her hands as she fixed his tie. "Why do you say that?"

"Introducing her to Jack. It's a big step."

"It is," he agreed. "But I've cancelled on her who knows how many times and she still wants to talk to me."

"That is impressive," Emily agreed, patting down the offending tie. "You're going to be late."

Hotch blew out a breath. "Thanks again, for watching Jack."

"Of course," Emily replied rolling her eyes. "We're going to be here, playing video games when you get back. Have fun!"

"I will." He kissed her cheek as he made his way out the door.

It was later that night, when Emily and Jack had progressed from video games to a movie when Emily seriously felt like she was stepping into the Twilight Zone.

"Emily?"

"Mmhmm?"

"Have you met Melanie?"

Emily blinked, looking over at Jack. "I'm sorry?"

"Dad's girlfriend." He actually shivered at the word 'girlfriend'. Emily did too. It seemed like such a terrible name for a man and a woman around Hotch's age.

"No," she said honestly.

"I heard him say he wants her to meet me."

It didn't take her profiling skill to see that Jack was uncomfortable with the prospect. She sat up, setting the bowl of popcorn previously in her lap on the coffee table. "What do you think?"

"I don't know if I want to meet her," he replied. Jack had always been incredibly perceptive for a child his age and Emily always wondered if Hotch's profiling skills had rubbed off on him.

"Why not?"

"She's not my mom. I just... I don't know if I like the idea of Dad spending so much time with her."

"Do you think that your dad spending so much time with Melanie is going to cut into the time you guys get to spend together?"

"It is," Jack said. "I mean... he's out with her tonight instead of here with me."

"But you're okay when your dad and I spend time together."

"You're different," Jack protested. "You're Emily. You built snowmen and Lego monsters with me."

Emily grinned at the things they used to do when he was younger. "It's been a while since I've played with Lego."

"Me too," he answered with a smile. "I don't know. I just... I'm afraid I'm not going to like her. Then what?"

"Jack, your father will never do something if you don't like it," Emily said. "You're his world, sweetheart. You're his first priority."

"But what if I don't like her?"

"Then he won't date her."

Jack blew out a breath. "Why can't Dad date you?"

The air rushed out of Emily's lungs. "What?"

"Why can't Dad date you?" Jack repeated. "I already like you, you guys already like each other... It would be so much easier and I wouldn't feel as bad about it. I know you're not here to be another mother and I know that you like Dad for being Dad."

"You don't think Melanie does?" Emily asked curiously.

Jack shrugged. "I don't know her," he answered. "She just... from what Dad's said, she likes the idea of having a hero around. I don't know if she knows what his job really is."

As Jack had gotten older, Hotch had answered more and more questions about the job he did. The last thing he'd wanted was for Jack to resent his job and the team. Jack tried to understand as best he could and Emily knew she'd been a big help in getting the boy to understand how important his father's job was.

"No one really knows what this job is," Emily said, ruffling his hair. "Everyone always thinks it's this glamorous thing where we all get to shoot people all the time. They don't know or understand what it's like to take a life."

"Or what you guys see. I don't understand it."

"You're young, Jack. Too young to even think about the things your father and I see," Emily said seriously.

"Dad wakes up from nightmares sometimes. He thinks I don't hear him, but I do. I don't know how to help. How is she going to know?" He looked down at his lap.

Emily felt tears sting her eyes. Jack was the best kid she'd ever met. "You have valid worries Jack. Don't be afraid to tell your dad. He loves you, he'll understand."

"But I want him to be happy."

Emily sighed. "Jack, look at me." She waited until he did. "I don't blame or resent your mother, sweetheart, but she didn't understand what your dad did and look how that turned out. I want him to be happy too, but you and I both know it's going to take a special kind of woman to make him really and truly happy. There's a lot of sacrificing that goes along with dating your dad."

"See, this is why it would be so much easier if it was you," Jack said sighing and throwing himself against the back of the couch. "You already get this. And no offense taken about my mom."

Emily chuckled. They'd talked about Haley, her and Jack, when things got rough between his parents. Emily was almost a neutral party, or at least could compartmentalize enough to play one. She was close with Jack and it was instances like this that made her so glad about it. "Can you do me a favour?" she asked, leaning forward.

"I'm listening," the eleven-year-old said petulantly.

"Really listen, Jack, this is important." She held his gaze seriously. "You need to try. For your dad. You need to try and like Melanie, okay? Don't just push her away unless you're sure she's not going to be good for your dad."

He sighed. "I promise," he said reluctantly. "Really, I do."

"Okay," Emily replied, believing him. She grabbed the popcorn bowl again and leaned into the couch.

"Will you stay?" Jack asked a few minutes later.

"I'm sorry?" Emily asked.

"When Dad gets home, if he's brought Melanie. Will you stay?"

He was pulling the puppy dog eyes out on her and she knew she was a goner. "We'll ask your dad, okay? We'll find some way to ask him if it's okay." She didn't want to give Melanie the wrong impression about the spot she held in both Jack and Hotch's lives.

"Do you promise?"

Emily nodded seriously. "I promise."

"Jack?"

Jack's eyes widened at the sound of his father's voice and he looked at Emily.

"In the living room," she called back for him, giving him an encouraging smile and squeezing his hand. "You promised to give her a try," she reminded him.

Jack only nodded, looking up as his father turned the corner into the living room.

"Hey guys."

"Hi Dad."

Emily noticed Hotch looked nervous and had to bite the corners of her mouth against a grin. "Hey."

"Jack, there's someone I want you to meet."

Emily stood, grabbing the popcorn bowl, intent on going to the kitchen and giving them some time. Jack jumped up with her and reached out for her free hand.

"Okay," he agreed nervously.

"Jack, this is Mel."

The woman that stepped up beside Hotch was a blond with friendly-enough green eyes. Emily smiled politely as her eyes flickered in surprise.

"And you must be Haley," she said almost haltingly.

"Thankfully, no," Emily replied. "Emily. I'm just here keeping an eye on the young Mister Hotchner here."

"Nice to meet you."

"You too," she agreed, squeezing Jack's hand reassuringly. "I'm going to start cleaning up the kitchen. We kind of made a mess when we made dinner."

Hotch rolled his eyes affectionately. They always made a mess while cooking. "Thanks."

She caught Jack's eye just before she rounded the corner to the kitchen. He looked utterly terrified as he watched her walk away. She made sure she was out of eyesight of Hotch and his date before she showed him ten fingers. She'd check on him in ten minutes and swoop in if she had to. The boy looked relieved. Emily grinned. She actually made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen, used to the crazy messes she and Jack inevitably made. She leaned against the counter, listening absently to Melanie talk about how amazing Hotch was and how much of a hero she assumed Jack thought his father was. She sighed, actually upset that Jack had hit the nail on the head.

When she hadn't left after ten minutes, Emily poked her head around the corner just enough to see Jack. He was twisting his fingers in his lap and caught her eyes hopefully when they darted her way. She sighed again, knowing there was no choice. "All clean," she proclaimed, making her way back to the living room. Jack sprung up.

"Will you stay and read me a story?" he requested.

Emily laughed, trying not to let the surprise show on her face. Jack had been out of the story-reading habit for years now. "How about you read me a story?" she replied. "If it's okay with your dad."

Hotch nodded without having to think about it. "Of course. I'll take Mel home, if you don't mind staying the extra few minutes."

"Of course not," Emily replied, hoping the awkwardness was only palpable to her and Hotch. "Come on, Jack. Let's get you upstairs and into your PJs."

She was sitting on the couch when he returned home after dropping Melanie off. She looked up from her book when she heard the door open. He looked dejected when he stepped into the room and she felt terrible. "I'm sorry," she said immediately.

"For what?" he asked, still obviously upset, but surprised.

"For ruining the night. I didn't know Jack was going to be that clingy."

"He doesn't like meeting new people. I'm glad you were here for him." He plopped down beside her, close enough for her to tuck her cold toes under his leg. He glared at her. "Your toes are freezing."

"They're always freezing," she replied, eyes turning back to her book. She was almost done the chapter and if he hadn't said anything by then, she'd head home.

"Cold toes, warm heart," he murmured, staring off into space. After a few minutes, he let out a heavy sigh. "That didn't go well tonight, did it?"

She put her bookmark in and closed the book. "He's trying, Hotch."

"Emily, he couldn't sit still. He kept glancing at the kitchen like he'd rather be cleaning than sitting there. And Jack hates cleaning."

"I've seen his room, Hotch. I know," she said with a wry smile, trying to lighten the mood a little bit. "He's worried about you."

"Why?" Hotch asked in surprise. "Why is he worried?"

Emily shrugged. "I don't know if it's my place to tell," she admitted. "He and I had a heart-to-heart tonight. He's just worried Melanie won't make you happy."

"Why?" he asked again, turning to face her. "She's nice, she's beautiful, she doesn't resent my job..."

Yet, Emily thought to herself. She doesn't resent your job yet.

"She seemed okay with the idea of me having Jack... I don't get why he'd be nervous?"

Emily blew out a breath. "Do you want my honest opinion or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?"

"You've never lied to me before."

She had to give him that. "She's got a bad case of hero worship, Hotch," Emily said softly. She didn't want to do this. He actually seemed to like Melanie. She didn't want to burst his happy bubble. "Jack isn't sure she knows what she's really getting herself into with you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Hey," she warned at his snappish tone. "I'm just saying what your son thinks. Don't go shooting the messenger."

He took a deep breath. "Sorry."

Emily changed her tactic. "Have you two ever spent the night together?"

"No," Hotch replied. "Not that it's any of your business."

"With all due respect, as much as you're my friend, you're also my boss and your sex life is something that actually creeps me out to know," she replied, honest and reassuring. "I ask because I know you have nightmares, just like the rest of us have nightmares. You have cases that haunt you just like the rest of us. I've seen these things, I go through these things, so don't bother to deny it."

He nodded once in tense agreement.

"Jack knows you have nightmares," she revealed. "He hears you wake up sometimes. He wants to make sure that any woman you're going to bring into his life, your life, knows that it's part of the package. He wants to make sure that she's not going to turn and run when she realizes that your job comes first, then your son."

She knew by the look on his face this had yet to pass through his mind. "What am I supposed to do?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, Hotch." She wasn't going to tell him the other half of her conversation with Jack. The poor man was conflicted enough now, let alone adding in Jack's belief that he should be dating her instead. "Look, I'm going to head home. We both have to be in the office tomorrow."

He followed her to the door, watching her slip on her shoes and grab her bag. "Thanks again for watching Jack."

Emily smiled. "Of course." She opened the door, stepping out and turning to him before walking out, biting her lip. "Look, Hotch... Just talk to Jack."

"I will," he promised, leaning on the door.

Something in his eyes made her cock her head to the side. "What is it?"

He shook his head. "I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes. Jack would never say any of that to me. I wouldn't even know something was wrong."

She smiled and blushed. "It's nothing, Hotch. If I can be someone Jack can go to when he's uncomfortable, than that's enough for me."

"And it's why you'd make such a fantastic mother, Emily," he said, stepping out and kissing her cheek sweetly. "You're an irreplaceable person."

She chuckled. "Thanks Hotch."

"Call me when you get home, so I know you're safe."

"Of course."

Two weeks later, Emily walked groggily into the bullpen at a ridiculous hour of the morning. She hadn't been able to sleep and she'd hoped to get a jump start on her paperwork. They'd gotten back from a brutal case not three days before and she hadn't been able to sleep comfortably. Nightmares plagued her and though she was used to them, it didn't exactly make it easier.

The light in Hotch's office caught her eye. Why was he there earlier than she was? She sighed and went about preparing two cups of coffee, having a gut feeling that it wasn't that he was there earlier, but that he hadn't left yet. That didn't bode well at all. Sure enough, her Unit Chief and arguably best friend was sound asleep on his folded arms. She pulled the pen out of his fingers and set the coffee mug down, plopping herself in the chair across from his desk and waiting for the smell of caffeine to do it's job. Sure enough, Hotch's head came up groggily.

"What are you doing here so late?"

"So late?" Emily asked arching an eyebrow. "Hotch, it's seven am."

He blinked. "Is it really? I fell asleep?"

"If the drool pattern on the Meyer file is any indication," she replied with a twitch of her mouth. She sobered. "Why did you stay, Hotch?"

He blew out a breath. "I ended things with Melanie the day I got back."

Ah. She ignored the double beat her heart did. "Why?"

"Because after what you said, I talked to Jack. Then I had time to think on this case, to really look at the type of person Mel is... She's a great girl, but I don't think she really knows what I do. I think she's too absorbed in Hollywood's hero version of an FBI agent than what we actually do."

"I'm sorry, Hotch."

"And she gave me an ultimatum while we were away," he went on, as if he didn't hear her. She would bet he didn't.

"She what?"

He met her eyes. "She told me that I had to choose between you and her."

Both of Emily's eyebrows went up. "Why would she say that to you?"

"She said Jack would never warm up to her so long as you were in his life. It was obvious how much he adores you. But I can't cut you out of his life. Heck, I can't cut you out of mine."

"Now I'm really sorry. I hadn't meant to come in between you and someone else, Hotch."

"I know that," he promised, leaning back in his chair. "I guess I just got so concentrated on how good of a person she was, about how she took both Jack and my sudden absences in stride... She never asked me to explain why I was haunted after a case. She always told me I did what I needed to do."

"You got wrapped up in the good things so much that you couldn't see the flaws," she said softly. "I'm still sorry. She seemed like a nice woman."

He shrugged. "Oh well. It happens."

"It does," she replied standing. "If you don't mind, I'm going to get back to my paperwork. The faster I get it done the earlier I can tease Derek about finishing before him. I've got a steak dinner riding on this one."

Hotch laughed. "I'm going to clean up the Meyer file. I was wondering if you could give me a hand on the Yang file over lunch."

"You're on," she agreed.

Emily sighed when she made it to her desk. She didn't want to think about the soaring hope in her chest. It was sad that their deal haunted the back of her head at the most inopportune times. Hotch deserved to be happy and if not with her, then with someone else and she'd sworn to herself long ago that she wouldn't let their deal get in the way of his happiness. If he wanted someone else, she'd let him have someone else. Plus, every woman he'd dated had been blond up to this point. She wasn't his type.

And yet, that didn't stop her from stupidly hoping.

I had 15 reviews and I love this chapter! I've been so excited about posting it. So you get an extra little present today.

I loved writing Jack in this one. His relationship with Emily is something I wish I had when my parents were divorced. I had a teacher that helped me through a lot of it, but I wish I had someone close like I wrote for Jack. Divorce can be hard on kids.

But! This is okay, because apparently I made it out in one piece, even if I'm a bit dysfunctional with trust issues. I'd love you all if you reviewed!