It had been a difficult case, and Emily was exhausted when they arrived back in D.C. Rossi had once again suggested that they all go out to eat. She had been on the verge of rain checking when Hotch had put a gentle hand on her arm and asked her to go with them. She couldn't resist when she looked into hazel brown eyes.
She'd seen Stella at the bar with Reid when she walked in. They looked as if they were deep in conversation on some serious conversation, but as soon as they spotted everyone else, both Reid and Stella stopped chatting.
Emily hadn't really had time to consider it, but Stella and Reid would make a very cute couple. Stella was mature for her age and Reid, although a genius, was still a young man—only twenty-five. They looked like they were enjoying each other's company as the team dined at the bar on wings and beer. Stella didn't seem to mind Reid's constant spouting of statistics and he seemed to like her quiet smiles and pleasant laugh.
Stella drove home that night. She had started to get used to the crazy traffic of the city, and besides, Emily was tired.
"You haven't said much tonight," Emily pointed out as they drove.
Stella shrugged. "Not much to talk about, I guess."
"School go okay this week? I remember how hard it always was to make new friends," Emily declared.
Stella's POVI smiled a little to myself. "Yeah, it's okay I guess. There are some girls who have
been pretty friendly, but all they can talk about is lip gloss and going to the mall."
Emily nodded understandingly. "You had to grow up early, I guess. You think about different things than they do."
"That's for sure. Whereas I'm wondering whether or not you guys are catching your serial killer, they're wondering when Brad Pitt is going to make his next movie. Different priorities, I suppose."
After a few more minutes of silence, Stella spoke again. "Reid said he'd pick me up around six tomorrow evening. Is that all right with you?"
Emily grinned, feeling a spark of happiness for the first time in a while. "Yes, that's fine. I want you home by midnight, though."
"I hardly doubt we'll be gone for six hours, Emily!" Stella exclaimed. "Surely Reid won't want to spend that much time with me."
Emily shrugged, imitating Stella's favorite gesture. "You never know."
"What about Hotch? Why don't you call and ask him to come over while I'm gone? I'm sure he'd enjoy some more coffee." I glanced at her from the side, trying to see if I'd gotten any reaction out of the non-emotional Emily.
She was still for a minute and then looked at me seriously. "Am I crazy to fall in love with my boss?"
I was a little taken aback by her direct question. I had suspected it, but I hadn't anticipated the question coming so soon.
"Um…Yeah, a little."
Emily sighed and leaned her head against the cool glass of the window. "I knew it was stupid. I knew I should have transferred out as soon as the feelings started. I knew I should have never asked him over for coffee the other night."
"Maybe you are a little crazy for falling for him," I continued. "But that doesn't mean it's wrong. He's handsome and the two of you look great together. Besides, if he loves you back, what does it matter?" I turned the vehicle into the parking garage of Emily's apartment building and started looking for a parking spot.
"What does it matter? He's my boss, damn it! There are…fraternization rules in the FBI."
"My daddy used to always jokingly say 'rules are made to be broken.' He thought it was okay to have ice cream in bed on occasion, or swim before breakfast. If you and Hotch are in love, then things will work out." I parked the car and shut the engine off.
"Do you really think so?" Emily asked me.
Suddenly, I felt that our roles had been reversed. Emily was the young teenager needing relationship advice and I was the big sister, telling her what she really needed to hear.
"Yes, Emily. I honestly think so."
Emily's POVLater that night, Emily was sitting in her bed, trying to read a book. It wasn't working. She was too distracted, thinking about what Stella had told her. Could things really work out between her and Aaron? They'd definitely grown closer over the past few months, but on this last case especially. The night she'd shot the unsub, he'd come to her hotel room to check on her. She'd tried to put up a brave front, but for some reason this case had really gotten to her. Maybe it was seeing the women who looked just like her covered in blood, sheets draped over their bodies.
Hotch, a skilled profiler, had seen through her in moments and before she knew it, she was in his arms, sobbing on the shoulder of his French blue shirt. He'd held her for hours and then made sure she had everything she needed before he left for the night. Emily was unsure how to interpret the incident. Did it mean he cared about her as more than just a team member, or was he just being kind when she needed someone?
Maybe Stella was right; Maybe she should call and see if he would come over tomorrow night for dinner. She had recently discovered that cooking for more than one person was much easier.
Moving quietly, she crawled out of bed and tiptoed down the hallway, past Stella's dark bedroom. Still moving stealthily, she crept down the stairs and got her cell phone off the kitchen counter where it was attached to the charger. Even thought it was close to midnight, Emily felt almost certain that Hotch would still be awake. He probably had gone back to the office after dinner. She'd come to work some mornings only to discover he had never left.
She dialed his number hesitantly, not bothering to use speed dial. Dialing the number gave her more time to change her mind, but she didn't. She put the phone up to her ear and let it ring.
"Hello, Emily," he answered the phone.
"I hope I didn't wake up," she said hastily, losing her nerve as soon as she heard his voice.
"Not at all. I was just leaving the office, actually. What's up? Are you all right, Emily?" Concern filled his voice and it was genuine.
"I'm okay. Look…I was wondering…well, Stella's going out with Reid tomorrow and…I…uh…"
"Can I come by around six-thirty?" Hotch spoke so suddenly that Emily almost jumped. Then, a bright smile spread across her face.
"That'd be great. Thanks so much…Aaron." She used his first name for the first time in a really long time. It wasn't lost on him.
Stay tuned for the next update, which will either come by midnight, or VERY early tomorrow morning. Get ready for Stella and Reid's night at the movies…will be quite a lot of fluff!
