"So it went well?" Axel jumped onto the couch, next to Emily. The brunette smiled brightly.
"Yes, it went amazingly. He let me say my piece and he said his. We sealed it all with a kiss," Emily blushed, "I feel like I'm dreaming, you know? I had been waiting for that moment and it's validation for so long it became almost unattainable in my mind. We have a long road ahead but I can't wait to get started."
Axel listened with a grin painted on his face. Of course, he had felt a tad jealous in the beginning but he was happy for his good friend. He padded her on the back lightly.
"I'm so happy for you. What are you guys going to do about the job?" Emily tilted her head.
"We haven't discussed it yet. It's our biggest issue. He said that I was worth losing his job but I would rather no one losing anything. We'll probably keep it a secret from everyone, minus the team. There's no point in hiding it from them. They're omniscient."
Axel snickered, "That's what happens when you work with profilers."
Emily strolled into the bullpen with a spring in her step. She saw that Morgan was already seated at his desk. As she began walking from the door to his desk, she began thinking about how much Morgan cared for her and to what lengths he strived to get her happiness back on schedule. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning against his back. She squeezed him as he brought his hands up to caress her arms.
"What's this about?" Morgan chuckled. He turned his chair in order to face her. He gasped when he saw happiness in her eyes, "Emily?"
"Thank you… for being an amazing friend and trying so hard to make me smile everyday." She felt herself getting misty.
"Did he… What happened?" Morgan felt anxiety rising even though he was sure the news was in her favor. Emily gestured with her eyes towards the coffee station, wanting more privacy. He complied. They began assembling their own separate concoctions.
"Axel broke up with me." Morgan looked at his friend, sadness flowing from his brown orbs.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Emily quietly chuckled. She watched the coffee drip from the machine.
"He said that he couldn't be with a woman that was in love with someone else. He told me to chase after Hotch and I did. I went to his apartment yesterday." Morgan raised his eyebrows; silently asking her to recount what happened at Hotch's apartment, "Hotch and I are giving it a go."
Morgan released a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding in. He discreetly pumped his fist and chuckled.
"Oh my God, you were scaring me. I can't believe it. My plan worked." Emily grinned at her partner, wordlessly thanking whoever brought them together. Morgan placed his hands on her shoulder and shook her jokily. She threw herself into his arms, whispering her thanks in his ear. They poured their coffee and added milk and sugar. Once finished, they walked back to their desks.
After 10 minutes, the rest of the team began arriving. Garcia flew by, shrieking about her date with Hendrix that night. Emily, Morgan, Reid, and JJ watched with amusement as the young computer analyst spoke animatedly about her future date. Emily felt as if she was being watched and began searching for the source. Her eyes landed on Hotch who was peeking at her from the window in his office. Emily subtly winked at him. He made his way to the stairs.
"We have a case," He announced, "Conference room in five."
"You've got to be kidding me!" Garcia wailed.
"You can still go out on your date Garcia." Hotch announced from the entrance of the conference room.
"Well okay then." Garcia grumbled.
The case was finally closed after a grueling ten days. Emily was packing up when Hotch called her to his office.
"Close the door." He ordered. She obeyed and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. They leered at each other, knowing the call to the office was not professional.
"Come out with me tonight. We could grab dinner." Emily nodded enthusiastically.
"That sounds wonderful. I'll get my coat." Emily stood to retrieve her items from her desk. Hotch followed soon after he recovered all his items as well. They met at the entrance of the bullpen, receiving a wink from Morgan as they strolled out together.
"Your mother practically ran me over. From then I understood why your father pleaded with her to let the chauffeur take her." Emily was leaning over the table, laughing loudly. The couple was at Emily's apartment enjoying Chinese take-out.
"I can't believe that!" Emily was surprised by his stories. They shed a new light on her stoic mother.
"Well believe it. The ambassador isn't as put together as everyone likes to think." Emily shook her head, loving how simple the night felt. It was as if they had been together forever. It was peaceful with the conversation being free flowing and the silence being comfortable. Neither Emily nor Hotch felt the need to fill the silence with pointless and awkward comments.
"Hey! Are you home?" Axel's voice flitted through the apartment from the entrance. He walked into the space, making himself visible to the couple. His eyes landed on Hotch and he slapped his hand over his mouth.
"Oh sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt." Axel began backing up, preparing to sprint out of the apartment, embarrassed.
"No its okay Ax," Emily reassured him quickly, "We were just having dinner. Our first date actually."
Axel's eyes went wide, "Em, how is it okay that the ex interrupts the new guys first date?"
"What is he doing here?" Hotch whispered stonily. Emily turned to face her boss with a dubious look.
"I invited him over earlier, before you asked about dinner. I forgot to call to cancel." Emily explained, knowing that that wasn't what Hotch was referring to but hoping to be wrong. Hotch wouldn't try to make Emily stop being friends with Axel, would he?
"I don't think I like you being friends with him." Hotch whispered. Axel had walked closer during Emily's response and had heard him.
"Hotch, Emily and I are just friends now. There isn't anything shady going on here." Axel replied. Emily nodded sincerely, staring Hotch in the eye.
"I just don't think I can be comfortable with this." Hotch gestured between the former pair. Emily sighed irritably.
"He is the one that convinced me to go after you. He is the one that got me through the past month. It is not fair of you to ask me to let go of a great friend. I love you romantically Hotch and I love him as a friend and confidant. Please, believe us when we say that this," Emily pointed between herself and the DEA agent, "is just friendship."
Hotch nodded slowly and took her hand. He cleared his throat, "I'll get used to it… for you."
They turned to address Axel, only to see that he had snuck out after Emily's claim. She released a breath, feeling horrible that Axel had felt uncomfortable. That man had been a saving grace in her life and he felt the need to run… from her. She sighed, feeling sadness radiate through her body.
"So how'd it go?" Axel asked Garcia through his cell. He heard the blonde sigh dreamily and he smiled wide.
"We've been out a few times and he's great. He's everything I'd ever hoped for so thank you." Garcia began detailing every moment of the past dates with Hendrix. Axel opened the cabinet in his kitchen and pulled out a cup of dry ramen noodles. He tore open the paper cover after using a fork to create a hole.
"I'm so happy to hear all of this Penelope. You guys are perfect for each other. Thanks for actually calling him." Axel added hot water to the cup.
"Thanks for giving me his number, future brother-in-law." Axel chuckled as he opened his microwave. He slid in the cup of noodles and shut the door. He started the microwave as he made his way to the TV.
"Alright Garcia, I'm about to eat so I'll talk to you later." They exchanged goodbyes and hung up. He grabbed the remote and turned the TV on, lowering the volume as well. A knock sounded throughout the apartment, stopping the bachelor in his tracks. He walked to the front door, pulling it open and revealing Hotch.
"We need to talk."
A bit of a cliffhanger there but what do you think will happen?
