Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own creations.

Author's Note: Mature situation.

BAU's finest arrived home from a case out of state and entered the bullpen. JJ and Hotch were gone instantly – a far cry from the days long past when the boss and media liaison would be the first to arrive and last to leave.

Finishing up the last of her paperwork in the swiftly emptying bullpen, the sound of a phone ringing entered into the edge of Emily Prentiss' consciousness. Blocking out the noise, she shifted the three files before her into their respective piles.

Intent on the task, she startled when someone tapped her shoulder. Swinging in her chair, she faced a young woman who looked exceedingly nervous, hugging a clipboard to her chest. 'Ah ma'am? I think your phone is ringing.'

Opening her mouth to deny the statement, the ring tone most certainly not hers, she actually took a moment to listen to the persistent ringing for the first time. Whilst not hers, it did appear that the phone was in her near vicinity. Reaching for her jacket, she pulled forth the ringing offender and realised that it was Hotch's phone.

How on earth had it ended up there?

Smiling her thanks and dismissal to the young woman, she pressed Accept and held the phone to her ear. 'Hello?'

'Prentiss?' came the voice on the other end and she was momentarily confused. 'Hotch?'

'Yes,' came the voice of the phone owner. 'I take it that you have my phone.'

'That I do,' she laughed. 'Want me to swing by and drop it off on my way home?'

'If it's not too much hassle?' said Hotch carefully. 'I'd come and get it myself, but Jack's asleep.'

'It's fine,' she said, brushing off his worry. 'I'm on my way out now anyway.'

'Know where to go?'

'Sure do.'

Walking up the steps to Hotch's apartment half an hour later, she realised that the last time she had taken such a trek was when she had been searching for their missing boss. He'd been shot, courtesy of George Foyet.

Thankful that the only thing missing this time was a phone, she reached Hotch's door and gently knocked on the wood. There was no point in waking up young Jack Hotchner if she could avoid it.

The man that opened the door hadn't changed much in the few hours since she had last seen him – save the rolled up shirt sleeves, the tea towel he held in one hand and the toy in the other, sans jacket and tie.

He dropped the toy off to the side as he gestured for her to come in. She stayed where she was as she thrust her hand into her jacket pocket and brought forward the desired object. 'I won't keep you. I know you must be busy.'

His warm hand covered hers as he took his phone in hand. 'Thanks Emily.'

'You're welcome,' she said warmly, thrusting both hands into her pants, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

There was silence between them both before she made a move that surprised them both. Reaching one hand, she rested it against his cheek and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. 'Good night.'

Turning away, she didn't get very far as she found her hand captive. 'Stay.'

Looking at her trapped hand, she turned back. They both knew what he was asking. 'We really shouldn't...'

'I'm tired,' interrupted Hotch, his tone never changing.

'Well, I'll go so you can get some sleep,' she insisted, inching back.

'No Emily,' he said, tugging on her hand. 'I'm not tired. I'm tired of not feeling anything. I'm tired of always having to worry about if I'm doing the right thing by Jack. I'm tired of wondering if I'm going to make it through the day without cracking. I'm just so tired.'

Looking into his empty eyes, his tone never changing, her heart clenched. She realised that this was the closest that she had ever gotten – and dared to imagine that anyone had gotten – to Hotch sharing his feelings.

Taking one step forward, she opened her mouth, her mind full of all the useless things that she could say at this moment, none likely to make a difference. She never spoke one word – useless or not – as her lips were covered by those of Aaron Hotchner.

She felt the instant spark as he pressed against, probing. She granted his invitation and their tongues briefly duelled before they parted. She was surprised to find her arms around his neck. When had that happened?

Nothing moved as they both breathed heavily.

It was Emily that made the first move this time. Stepping in, she pressed her lips against his, pulling her body flush against his.

In the rush of the coming moments, the tea towel was discarded, door closed and Emily relieved of her jacket. Freeing buttons was the order of the day as they continued to kiss, edging down the hall to Hotch's bedroom.

She fell backward onto the bed, bouncing slightly as one more button on her blouse popped open of its own volition, exposing her black bra. Reaching up, she pulled Aaron down on her. He struggled to keep his weight off her as their mouths clashed together once again.

Neither cared as buttons went flying this way and that.

Hotch blessed the gods for a front clasp bra as he pulled the material back and his hands were filled with Emily's full breasts, his thumbs brushing her erect nipples.

Groaning under his ministrations, Emily refused to be idle as her hands sought out his belt. Wrestling with the buckle, she finally pulled it free. Her fingers popped the buttons and reached for the zipper in quick succession.

Hotch's own hands were busy as they slid down Emily's taut stomach and reached her pants. It was a simple matter of seconds before her own pants were free. Intent on goal, when Emily grasped his erect member with her hand, he bucked involuntarily and squeezed her hips. 'Gods,' he whispered.

Emily wasn't the only one struggling to find words. 'Protection,' she panted. Groaning, Hotch removed his hands from her body and reached into his bedside table. Scrabbling around, he came up with nothing. (Later he would marvel why he even bothered checking: he'd been celibate far too long to remember.) Turning back, he shook his head slightly at the semi-naked woman lying before him, her cheeks flushed and chest rising with each breath.

There was a long pause before dark haired woman made the decision. 'Fuck it,' she said pulling him down to her. 'I'm on the pill.'

Pants were summarily dispatched with. As he covered her body once again, naked flesh met naked flesh. Fingering her wet folds, she surprised him when their positions were reversed.

Flat on his back, Emily rose above him. They were both beyond rational thought as his hands gripped her hips and he guided her down onto his stiff member. He heard a groan and was surprised to find it coming from himself.

It had been far too long, and gods it felt good.

There was nothing so sexy as when Emily threw back head moments later, hair flaring out behind her as a groan came from her own throat, her hands pushing at his chest.

Both fighting for control, they found a rhythm. Her nails were scratching at his chest as his hands clasped her hips in a death grip.

Needing more, he flipped her in one smooth movement. Now on top, he eased back slightly and thrust forward again.

He groaned as his thrusts gained momentum and speed, Emily's nails digging into his back as she panted, encouraging him on.

He could feel himself getting closer to exploding, but he held onto his one last thread of sanity to ensure that Emily went over the brink with him.

Slipping his fingers between their sweat-soaked bodies, he rubbed his thumb across her sensitive nub. She was sensitive to his touch and responded instantly, arching as she squeezed him, wrapping her long legs around his waist.

He grasped her hands and held them above her head with his own as his eyes sought out hers, his pace slowing for a moment.

Something passed between them and it scared him.

He brushed it firmly to the side as he thrust forward once again.

Both were mindful of the need to be quiet, and Emily bit her bottom lip to stop herself from screaming. Hotch knew Emily's expressions well, and even though this was the first time that he'd seen her nearing her peak, he could tell the exact moment he sent her over.

He covered his mouth with hers as he gripped her hips, pumped into her tight channel twice more and then exploded.

When he came back to his senses, he realised that he was lying on Emily. Shifting his weight, it drew a moaned complaint from the woman beneath him.

Slipping from her, he sat up on the bed, running his hand over his face as everything seemed to be moving at a million miles a minute. He didn't know what he was feeling. All he knew was that was it – he was feeling. Operating as a robot with only Jack's well being in mind had taken its toll on him. He hadn't felt like this in a long time.

He felt ... alive?

'Aar - Hotch?' came the voice from him. If he could have seen out the back of his head, he would have seen Emily Prentiss reach out a hand, only to stop before it reached his back. She turned, interpreting his silence as a sign that he regretted what had just happened, leaving via the other side of the bed. 'I'm going to go.'

'Stay,' came the low voice, his eyes refusing to meet hers. The request had surprised even Hotch himself.

'Hotch...' she said warningly. 'It's not...'

'Please?' came the soft beg as he lifted his eyes to hers in the darkness.

'Oh Aaron,' she said, seeing the pain and tumultuous emotions now visible in his eyes. Stepping before him, she wrapped him in her arms and held him tight. She held him when the tears ran down his cheeks and he sobbed into her shoulder.

She didn't object as he pulled her back into bed, pulled her back tight against his chest and held onto her like there was no tomorrow. She was his port in the storm, for one night only.

This time when he slipped into her, he took it slowly and gently – playing with her, taking her to the edge and back – before he buried his head in her shoulder and they softly cried their mutual release.

As her eyes slipped close, Hotch still holding her firmly, Emily made a mental note to her internal clock. She needed to be up and out before the household – especially Jack – woke up.

When she opened her eyes next, she knew instinctively that her 'alarm' had failed. That and the little boy that stood before her.

Jack.

Next chapter: How does Jack react to finding a woman in his father's bed?