The two men were seated at the small dining room table, each waiting for the other to break the silence. Axel was pretty sure that Hotch would never approve of his friendship with Emily. He couldn't say that he understood the older man's point. Yes, Emily had liked him romantically at one point. Yes, It was hard to think of him as anything but a threat. But Emily was loyal to Hotch. Axel also knew that he could be the downfall to the relationship. For that reason, Axel knew what he had to do.
"Axel…I trust Emily, wholeheartedly… I really do but-"
"You don't trust me." Axel interrupted. He stole the words right from Hotch's mouth. Hotch nodded, sighing loudly. Axel dropped his head and crossed his arms over his chest. As a profiler, he knew this was a defense mechanism. He was attempting to shield himself from the internal pain beating through his chest cavity. Hotch knew this wasn't right but he couldn't allow this man to be a constant in their life. He would always feel as if he was in competition with him and he was sure that, eventually, Emily would see that Axel was the best choice for her.
"You understand, don't you?" Hotch whispered, not believing that he was having this conversation. Once Axel had left, the date had been tense. He knew that the man would only be an obstacle. Therefore, instead of driving home, he called Garcia and asked for his address. The analyst seemed suspicious, almost unwilling to give such information. He could tell that the blonde had grown attached to Axel and seemed to want to protect his privacy. In the end though, his status as her boss beat out her loyalty to the handsome man sitting in front of him.
"As much as I want to… no I don't understand. She has loved you for so long. She has wanted you for so long. She wouldn't leave you for me. Trust me, I know. I figured it all out before you did. That's why I let her go, why I encouraged her to chase love. I can't believe this." Hotch leaned forward, his elbows propped on his knees. The older man rubbed his face.
"But I will do as you asked," Hotch snapped his eyes towards the man, "I care for Emily. I know how long she's waited for you and I'm not going to get in the way now that she finally has you. I'll leave you all alone, I promise."
Hotch stared at the man, surprised. He expected Axel to say that he would pursue Emily romantically, that he wouldn't give up on her. He had thought that Axel was using friendship as a way to snatch her from him. Still, he couldn't handle him being around; even though he now knew the other man's intentions were true.
"Emily is going to be so angry with-"
"I won't tell her and neither will you," Hotch was stunned once again, "She's gone through hell for you. You can't screw it up now and we both know she would be furious if she found out you even stepped foot on my doorstep. I'll pull away. Promise me you'll get her through it. Let Morgan help you."
"I'm sure she'll be fine without you. She's only known you for a month or so." Hotch blurted out, slightly agitated by the way Axel made himself seem so important to Emily.
"Just take care of her, okay?" Axel snapped back. He shook his head, as if trying to shake out the irritation. The young man took a deep breath, trying to keep a level head.
"I'm sorry." Hotch sighed, rising from his seat.
"No, you're not." Axel walked around Hotch to the door, pulling it open again. Hotch stepped out of the apartment. He turned and stared into Axel's eyes. He saw genuine sadness and anguish. He felt like an ass at that moment, wishing he could go back in time to Emily's apartment. He wished he could've stopped himself from making such a big deal about their friendship, stopped his phone call to Garcia, stopped his trip to the man's apartment, and stopped this giant misstep. Suddenly, he felt air swoosh past him, followed by a bang. Axel had closed the door on him.
"I am so sorry." Hotch whispered to the air, hoping Axel could hear.
"I felt so horrible about the whole thing. You have to believe me, Axel." Emily stood in front of him, with her hand on her heart. He felt dread in his bones. He knew this was the last time he would see her. The moment she left, he would change his phone number, not answer the door, and avoid her at all costs… and it was killing him inside.
"Em, it's all right." But it's really not. Axel plastered a smile on. Emily sighed in relief.
"You're not mad?" Her voice was low, insecurity present in her brown orbs. He felt his heart muscles tighten.
"No, Hun. I'm good," He wrapped his arms around the lithe woman, "How could I be mad at you? Look at 'cha."
"What would I do without you?" Emily chuckled. You'll have to figure it out soon.
"I have no idea." Axel kissed the top of her head. He released her from his hold but she didn't let go of him. Please don't make this harder than it already is.
Emily propped her chin on his chest, tilting her head upwards. She smiled at him then released the hold he had on his waist. She picked up her purse.
"I just came by to check on you. We have a case so I probably won't see you in a while," You have no idea, "Bye. And lock the door behind me."
"He hasn't answered any of my phone calls. I'm officially worried." Emily vented to JJ and Garcia, who was on Face Time, while sitting cross-legged on the hotel bed. JJ shook her head.
"Men." JJ scowled. Emily began chewing on her nails.
"Did he give you his new number?" Emily looked at Garcia, who was propped against the lamp on the bedside table between JJ and Emily's beds.
"He got a new number? When?" Emily questioned, thoroughly confused.
"Ya, he called the day after you guys left on this excruciatingly long case. He gave me his new number, said not to give it out under any circumstances. For that reason, I cannot bestow you with his number, my brunette warrior. You'll have to go to him and ask for it." Garcia shoved some chocolate into her mouth.
"That's weird. He didn't mention he was getting a new number." Garcia shrugged.
"Maybe it was a spur of the moment thing. Maybe he had a stalker. I mean look at the man." JJ suggested. She pulled her blanket tighter around her body. The weather in New Jersey was frigid and the hotel's heat was insufficient. Emily shook her head.
"Wouldn't he call me too?" Emily was afraid that the whole debacle with Hotch had angered Axel, causing him to distance himself.
"I don't know." Garcia whispered. Emily looked over to the analyst. Garcia looked inquisitive, as if she knew something she wasn't telling.
"What's wrong Garcia?" The blonde shook her head.
"Nothing! I just remembered that I forgot to record my favorite show. I gotta go." Garcia's face disappeared from the iPad. Emily turned to JJ, who was looking at the device oddly.
"What's up with her?" JJ questioned. Emily shrugged, slightly disturbed by the quirky woman's behavior.
So…how about that Hotch? But did Garcia put the pieces together?
