A/N: First of all, I am sorry for the long wait. Second of all, this story took a twist at the end. I wasn't planning on writing this but it came to me. So, it will be longer than I expected it to be. I hope you all like it!
Special thanks to Emilyhotchnerforever, Catulicious, Celina79, EmilyPrentissHotchner and aaronemilylove!
Thanks for reading.
Please review!
I don't own criminal minds.
Chapter 3: Surprises
Emily took one last glance in the mirror. She felt really uncomfortable in her clothes but JJ reassured her that she looked amazing. Short wasn't really her style, but she had to admit that the dress shaped her body perfectly. It hugged all of her curves. The high heels made her legs look even taller than they were. Her hair was in wavy curls. Her eyes popped because of her make-up. She finally turned around when she was sure of her look. She grabbed her jacket and purse on the way out of her bedroom. She carefully made her way down the stairs because she didn't want to fall.
''Emily! You look amazing! Hotch is going to be sorry.'' JJ said when she noticed Emily in the living room of the apartment.
''Thanks, JJ. But I don't think he is going to be sorry. He is with Beth. Hotch isn't the type of guy to cheat on his girlfriend. That isn't the person I fell in love with.'' Emily explained sadly. Her heart was still hurting. She wished her feelings were different. She would do anything to not feel that way about her former boss. She wasn't used to those feelings. Her entire life had been about being strong. It was the only that got her through her childhood and it was the reason she worked for Interpol. She was known for her harsh exterior. People thought she had no feelings, but those people were so wrong about that. She only hid her feelings to avoid being hurt at all costs.
''You just need to have some fun. Flirt with some other guys. Get drunk and do a dirty dance, if I care. Just get out of your shell.''
''I will try. It is a shame you can't help me win over some guys.'' Emily joked.
''I think Will wouldn't appreciate that. He would probably kick your ass because it is even easier now. I have to say that I am happy that you are moving back here. I missed my best friend too much. It was never going to be the same without you.'' JJ said on the way out the door.
''Yeah, I am happy to be back. I just need to find a job.''
''Why don't you arrange a meeting with Strauss? She has become an ally of the team over the past years. I know for sure she would want to help you.''
''I don't know if I want to be back at the BAU. Hotch wasn't the only reason why I left. I felt like I needed a fresh start. I don't know if my reappearance is such a good thing for the team.''
''Are you kidding? Of course it is. Your car or my car?'' JJ asked when they were standing outside Emily's building.
''I will drive. And I know you guys missed me but I don't want to stir up the past. I don't know if it would be a good idea.'' Emily said as she stepped inside her car.
''Just think about it.'' JJ said happily.
''Are you ready?'' JJ asked before Emily drove away.
''I am!'' Emily said conviction.
Everyone except JJ and Emily were already sitting at a table in the bar. Penelope took Kevin with her and Hotch brought Beth with him. Rossi, Morgan and Reid were all alone. Although, Morgan had already found girls to dance with and he was busy enough for the rest of the evening. Rossi and Reid were having a heated discussion about Rossi's marriages. Hotch and Beth were talking affectionately. JJ walked inside at that exact moment. Hotch saw that Emily wasn't with her and a part of him was relieved because he would never survive an evening around her.
''Where is Will?'' Hotch asked when JJ sat down across from him.
''Oh, he is spending some time with Henry. I took a ride with Emily. She is parking her car.'' JJ said happily as she smiled at Beth. She could see why Hotch fell for her. She was a joyful person but she was also the exact opposite of Emily. Emily was kind, honest, warm, real, stubborn and harsh. She was the one person JJ could always count on as a friend and she just couldn't understand how Hotch was so stupid to not see the same in her.
''Emily is here?'' Beth asked with astonishment.
''Yeah, she came back to visit.'' Hotch commented.
''Actually, she is officially moving back to DC. London didn't fit her anymore.'' JJ said and she couldn't stop grinning when she noticed how shocked Hotch looked. He was her boss but when it came down to her friend he would always be another guy and nothing more.
''Oh, that is nice.'' Beth said with shock. She was intimated by Emily. She was a beautiful woman and she had a feeling that Hotch saw that as well.
''Speak of the devil!'' JJ said when she saw Emily walking into the bar.
Hotch turned around in his seat. His eyes almost popped out of his head when his eyes fell on Emily. Her legs looked a mile long and her skin looked soft and smooth. The dark blue mini dress fitted around her body perfectly. Every curve was shown. She walked like she owned the room. Her body swayed in the most sexy way he had ever seen before. His body was starting to react to the sight in front of him. He reminded himself that he had a girlfriend and he couldn't look at other woman, but Emily wasn't just another woman. She was Emily. The woman he had worked with for a long time. The woman who became his friend over the years. And only now he saw how differently he could have looked at her. He was finally admitting to himself that he had been stupid. A part of him should have known better. The dance at JJ's wedding should have told him enough but he didn't do anything.
''Hey!'' Emily greeted as she tried to ignore Hotch. She saw Beth's happy smile and it made her feel sick. Beth wrapped a possessive arm around Hotch and Emily felt like punching her in the face, but instead she sat down next to JJ and ordered a drink.
''So, JJ told us you moved back here.'' Beth said to break the silence.
''She did, didn't she?'' Emily asked as she turned to face her friend.
''I did.''
''Well, she is right. I moved back into my old apartment and I quit my job in London. I didn't feel at home.'' Emily explained shortly.
''Are you coming back to the Bureau?'' Hotch asked curiously and he locked eyes with Emily for the first time that night. He could see the hurt in her expression and he wanted nothing more than to take it away.
''I don't know.'' Emily replied harshly. She picked up her beer glass and she emptied it in her throat.
''I hope you will find a job.'' Beth said with smile on her face.
''So do I.'' Emily said angrily.
''Sorry. I was just being nice to you.'' Beth said as she looked at Hotch because she didn't know why Emily was acting like a bitch towards her.
''Emily, calm down!'' Hotch said with a threatening voice.
''Or what? Your girlfriend isn't going to cry, is she?'' Emily said with a mocking voice.
''Em!'' JJ said to try and interrupt her.
''I think I am going home. I will see you tomorrow, Aaron. I love you!'' Beth said and she gave him a peck on the lips before leaving the bar.
''Why did you do that?'' Hotch asked angrily.
''You know why! You are just ignoring it. You are ignoring me! Well, you got what you wished for. It looks like the guy by the bar has been eyeing me. I am going for another drink.'' Emily announced before leaving the table.
Everyone was left stunned because of her behavior. Rossi and Reid took a glance at her before going back to their conversation. Penelope and Kevin were still dancing and even Morgan was still busy.
''What was that about?'' Hotch asked JJ.
''Really? Don't try that with me, Aaron!'' JJ warned him and she left the table before he could say anything to her.
Hours passed by and everyone was getting tired. Hotch had been sitting at the table the entire time. He wanted to leave but he couldn't because Emily had been hanging around with the guy from the bar. He was jealous. He couldn't stand to see someone with his hands on her. He had been watching her as she was dancing closely with the man. He felt like ripping his head off but he knew he had no right to decide who Emily was dancing with.
''We are going home, man!'' Morgan said while JJ was leaning against him.
''What happened to her?'' Hotch asked when he saw a drunk JJ hanging against Morgan's shoulder.
''Well, her drinking game with Penelope got a little out of hand.''
''You wouldn't say. You can go. I will make sure that Emily gets home safely.'' Hotch said and his eyes went back to Emily immediately. He could see that the guy was getting more touchy. His anger was starting to boil when he noticed that Emily was accepting the man's behavior. He finally decided that he had seen enough. He stormed across the bar and he pushed the man away from Emily.
''Leave her alone!'' Hotch warned.
''Hotch? What the hell are you doing?'' Emily asked angrily.
''He had his hands all over you!'' Hotch yelled back as he followed Emily out of the bar.
Emily walked into the alley and her anger was apparent on her face. She couldn't believe what he was doing.
''You don't need to protect me! Hell, I didn't need protection. I was just dancing with him. I was actually having fun.''
''They guy had his hands all over you.'' he said again.
''So what? You don't care, do you?''
''That is not fair!
''Not fair? You don't get to decide who I dance with or not. This is my life. I told you how I feel and you did nothing about it. You told me that I should move on. And you know what, I will do as you said. Are you happy now?''
''No, I am not. Emily, you are…were my best friend. We could talk. You were there for me during my divorce and with the entire Foyet situation. I never thanked you for that. I should have. I just never looked at you in that way.'' Hotch explained in a whisper.
''You were my best friend. There is no reason why I fell for you. But I do know that I fell harder every single day. Maybe I just imagined everything. Maybe I got stuck in the illusion that someday there could have been more for us. That the touches and whispers were all real. I guess I was wrong.'' Emily said and she turned around to walk away.
''You weren't.'' Hotch said bluntly and Emily turned around.
''What?''
Hotch didn't take the time to answer her question. He walked towards her in at a fast pace. His hands sneaked around her waist. His lips landed on hers. Their lips barely touched but they could both feel it. The fire was there. The burning sensation in their bodies were ignited as their lips moved. Kissing him was like she was standing on the top of a mountain. She knew it could be the beginning of something more. Something that could change them both. Something they could only do together. Her knees were going weak when she felt him press her against the wall. His hands were all over her body. She could feel her heart racing. Everything was hazy. But it was then that she realized she couldn't do it. He was still with another person and no matter what she felt, she would never be a cheater. She couldn't be.
''Stop! Stop!'' Emily said as she pushed him away from her.
''Emily?''
''We can't. I can't. I am sorry. This is not me!'' Emily said and she walked away from him. She could still feel his lips on hers, but she knew how wrong it was. She suddenly felt the guilt hit her. She was walking down the street towards her car when she heard someone walking behind her.
''Hello Emily!'' the voice said.
