A/N: Please don't hate me. I promise you it'll all work out in the end but I figured with Hotch being such a straight-laced, by the book kind of guy it would take a HUGE event to make him tell her how he felt. So it's gonna take awhile but I promise it'll be worth it.
Also see 2nd A/N at the end.
DISCLAIMER: Still don't own Criminal Minds so… sorry. Please don't sue.
It was two months later when Emily knocked on his door. It was only 7:30 so Hotch was surprised when he looked up and saw her there. "Come in, take a seat," he said. Emily smiled and nodded. "What is it Prentiss?" he asked, using her surname as a way to remain distant, closed off, stop himself from admitting what she meant to him. She took a deep breath and that, her nervousness, should have been his first clue.
"Here," she said, holding out an envelope to him. He took it and opened it, and she'd waited. Hotch knew she was hoping for a reaction but he couldn't do it. He couldn't break down the wall. He had promised himself that he was going to support her, be happy for her. And he couldn't really blame her or hate her. Peter had just done what Hotch himself didn't have the courage to do.
"Ok Agent Prentiss. I'll fill out the relevant paperwork. You should be officially transferred by the end of the month," he said. Emily nodded and forced a smile. "Ok. Thanks. I uh…" she paused, "I wanted you to know first. It's not because of the work. Or because of the kids. I've really loved this job and the challenges. Although I'm sure we could've done without some of it. It's because… Oh God… I don't want you to think I'm being foolish" she paused again and Hotch frowned. "Emily, I could never think that," he assured her. She smiled and took a deep breath, "It's because Peter wants me to move with him to California. His job is important to him and he is important to me. And this job, this life. It doesn't mean as much to me as Peter does," she explained. Hotch could feel his heart breaking as she said those words. But instead of throwing his inhibitions aside he simply stood, held out his hand, shook hers, and congratulated her, wishing her the best.
Emily smiled and nodded. She let go of his hand and walked around to the other side of the desk. As she pulled herself close to him for a hug, she whispered in his ear. "Thank you so much for your friendship Hotch. Without you, I don't think I would've lasted." Hotch closed his eyes and frowned, hoping to suppress the tears he knew were coming. "Thank you too Prentiss. I don't know what I… we'll do without you." He hoped his faux pas wouldn't reveal him. Emily stood back and smiled. "Ditto," she said quietly. Hotch forced a smile and cleared his throat as he stood back. Emily nodded. He'd ventured out of Hotch territory enough for the day. She walked towards the door. "I hope you'll be happy," Hotch said. Emily paused in the doorway before she turned and gave him a smile. "I hope so too," she said. Hotch watched as she walked back down to the bullpen where JJ and Garcia were waiting at her desk.
A/N 2: Sorry about the length, or lack thereof. This was really just one of those chapters to push the story along so we weren't jumping straight from engagement to wedding. This chapter was really just to get Emily transferred from the BAU and find out how Hotch felt about it. I've finished the next chapter so I'll pop it up too.
Please read and review. Your reviews make me so happy.
