I'm sooo emotional right now, omg. Well, first of all a huge thank you for everyone that read and reviewed and faved and turned on the notifs! Y'all guys are amazing, really. Another enormous thank you to Lisa for literally saving my life and being an amazing beta! And Fran, you crazy creature that inspired me to write this and made me keep going ;)
I suggest you read the NY part listening to the song (You and Me - Lifehouse). Hope you enjoy it!
"LO-FI"
Another adventure awaited right after he purchased his new place – The Langham, uncontested – and this time she was the one to volunteer. Unpacking the few belongings her Unit Chief had brought to the apartment, they both realized furniture and decorations, or the lack thereof, were top problems to be solved. She didn't want to admit, of course she didn't, but silently, buried behind strong walls, Prentiss flamed with a terrifying hope in their future.
Their, yes, because the Ambassador's daughter analyzed him closely, watched every tiny shift in his unmatched behavior. There was not a day he wouldn't leave a cup of her favorite coffee on her desk, or that she didn't catch him staring at her just a bit longer than usual. He had joined her on jogging, swimming once though his skills were far from passable. When one uncovers the other darkness, it's always easier to see their light.
And she could see it, sense it, almost even taste it one night when their adieu lingered to a warm embrace.
Sunday trapped them to a huge home store nearby Emily's, wearing casual attire which resumed to shorts, flip flops, tanks and tees. It was still surprising – in good ways, matter-of-factly - to watch the older agent deconstruct his serious image. Even though, the brunette realized quickly how much they did him wrong. This, somehow, influenced directly on his easy detachment, his hollowness compared to the others. Someday, she'd understand this deeply, much more than she ever wondered back then.
But now, the younger woman walked around piles of corridors with two stacked special carts, most inner décor since the bigger objects would be delivered later. As she dragged them, looked for a certain vase of a certain color only Emily Prentiss could possibly recollect, his worn out eyes never left her slim figure.
"You have something to tell me" her sentence seared the space between them, shoved him against reality, against her easiness on reading him. Him. The man whose profile was considered the most difficult to crack into. No breaches, no paths in, two weaknesses. His family and his job.
Except there was a third now, tossing within as he nurtured with unbelievable care.
Thus, he spoke in such rational, measured voice that it took her a delectable while to perceive what he was aiming with the announcement. Aaron was heading to a help group. Fortnightly on Saturday morning, specialized in people seeking a way out without digging all their way in. She needn't question his bureau records, the effects this would have on his career. Furthermore, inquiring if their Section Chief was informed on such private matter almost elicited an inappropriate bubble of laughter.
The father of one tamed paperwork, maneuvered those files in order to sustain their Unit in ways nobody could ever understand. Dave hated politics, despised bureaucracy at all and obviously refrained from these exertions, what usually left Hotch or Morgan to trail that uneasy part. His plans were plain to her, it was thrilling.
"Have you chosen your alias?" his eyebrows rose as she grabbed one artifact to observe better.
Instinctively, a masculine palm cupped her hip in order to reach for something far from the lean table's edge, bending forward in the movement "Anthony Carter".
New York unleashed everything. Jealousy and anger and hurt and those exhilarating sensations like a freight train, ready to hit them flush. It started with Kate Joyner reminding him – her as well – of Haley, shamelessly expecting more from him, antagonizing with the dark agent who Emily immediately backed up. Also, Detective Cooper with his flirtatious methods, ones that left her - briefly - hanging by a thread, wondering what the true extents of her relationship with her boss were.
Throughout hell, the brunette pair rarely wasted time with questions such as why or what. Their first night had been accidental. Never a long time coming or even idly anticipated. There never had one single planning for whatever they were supposed to become, for whatever the outcomes of that obscure, confused night might possibly be. No definitions, no boundaries.
This case, this awfully exhaustive case, brought them one missing piece to their puzzle: fear. Fear to lose each other in so many different shades. From simply drifting apart for countless reasons to never even being able to connect their sights in that discreet ballad of lovers which they now swayed to with imprudent steps, halting with any move.
Still, it delivered them good news, dashing hope in humanity that was growing within their blonde friend. That night, when Emily barely could shut her eyes and boldly decided to head to the lobby therefore she could just watch the pale stride of eventual guests, it was not a surprise to find him sitting alone. FBI file opened right across his tense figure, left hand swirling his calligraphy as his other one ran his short hair so that he could shush screaming voice of weariness.
"I like this song" she proposed after minutes of strictly professional chit chat.
Then, his gun-callused fingers entwined with her long similar ones, amusement written all over her face by the very instant he pulled her closer. Once more, her chin rested on his shoulder, his hands enveloped her narrow waist, made her feel small in his arms. It smelt like home, it felt like home, and both of them would give anything to confirm their suspicions that, yes, it tasted like home also.
It was an old record, old but new because there had been three years. They could see winter, every sorrow, every unwanted road they rode from the last year to where they met each other now. Tears pooled, glassy eyes held back for they were both too good at hiding their feelings. And if their faces buried deeper on the other's shoulder or neck, his grip on her sleep shirt's fabric became tighter or she skimmed the hem of hair on the nape of his neck, the raven-haired agents unspeakably agreed it wasn't time or place to make decisions.
'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose
After hours, the younger woman promised herself she'd take some time to visit Cooper. No feelings, no second intentions. Just an unabashed guilt mocking at her for not arriving there in time, for shooting their possible suspect or their first solid lead.
And it's you and me and all of the people
The blonde hoovered over him and he couldn't deny he was ghosting her every step. Kate reminded him of summer, warm summers with Haley and Jack playing in the park. Echoes of childish laughter, sandy hair, boyish smile appeared on his every breath and became the reason he was even holding up.
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
Albeit Dave personally intended to punch Aaron every time the younger profiler kept that ridiculous game of protecting agent Joyner, he recognized his reasons. Home had been quite a somber room for him with the exception of a certain brunette whose doe eyes flamed with anger anytime she caught a glimpse of the British woman.
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
After this was all over, they wrapped up the case and landed back at Quantico, they would finish putting every fracture of his new residence in its perfect designed spot and he'd give her a key. It was likely never to happen, for he still maintained that nerdy interior avoiding much of a success on the romantic roll, but he enjoyed the simple thought of it.
I'm tripping on words
Enclosing herself inside the black SUV, safe and sound and with anxiety consuming her thoughts whilst the young Detective was still in surgery, Emily unwillingly fished her phone. A call could interrupt anything he was going, could even make her fool herself with words or whatever that she wanted to tell him. There was this pain inside her, an anguish reflected from the way she was picking her nails to a different tightness inside her chest. As precaution, she typed something short, a reminder.
You got my head spinning
Still in the elevator - still careless somehow -, the blonde resumed their informal conversation after Aaron checked his phone. It was her, her whose doe eyes he dreamed of and whose lips he so damn wanted to feel against his again.
I don't know where to go from here
When they walked outside, crossed the empty street while the cool night-like breeze kissed his rough skin, he thought about what he'd put in that vase.
'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to prove
He thought about the flowers he should give her as a gesture of how thankful he was for everything. Everything. Lilies, roses and chocolates, it was almost certain. She loved chocolate, his memory never faltered. Likewise – or maybe with greater intensity -, he thought about making love to her, savoring what they never did. Flatly even thought about introducing her to Jack, maybe even tell Haley about it.
And it's you and me and all of the people
In the end, he wasn't quite sure why those musings stole his attention for that short minute. He wasn't quite sure why or how he was brutally thrown to the curb on the other side of the street. He wasn't sure of why his mind blacked out just seconds after a loud sound thumped against his eardrum and probably blew it. He was varying on why the metallic taste of blood painted his tongue with all those crimson textures.
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
Moreover, he remembered her last request that he might never be able to accomplish as numbness took over.
'Be safe. E.'
That's it guys! Review plz! And tell me what you thought about this chapter, about the whole thing, well, I'd love to hear from you *wink*.
See you next season :D