A/N – not sure about this chapter as writing whilst very tired and stressed so hope it flows ok...

Chapter 21 –

Emily managed to keep a lid on her emotions as she walked through the bullpen, luckily for her neither Reid or Morgan were there as she walked up the stairs not even stopping to knock on the door as she walked in.

"Emily!"

Hotch closed the file and quickly got up from his chair and walked over to the couch where Emily had sat herself down, he stopped briefly to close his door and then he sat down beside her.

"I'm sorry Aaron, I managed so well to keep everything under control."

Hotch didn't say anything as he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding Emily tightly he closed his eyes as the sounds of her sobs filled his office. Stroking her hair Hotch then rested his chin on the top of Emily's head.

"I'm the one who should be sorry, you shouldn't have had to have gone through that, especially so soon after getting back home."

"Well it's done now."

Emily lifted her head up and looked at Hotch, dark eyes hitting dark eyes.

"It wasn't as bad as I thought, maybe there is a small amount of blood pumping through that ice heart of hers!"

Hotch laughed as he saw the large grin appear on Emily's face.

"How is Natasha?"

"Well JJ and Garcia are with her at the moment which is good, I don't think that she is quite ready to be left alone yet."

Hotch nodded as he stroked Emily's hair back away from her face.

"Did you want to come round for dinner tonight?"

Emily smiled as she let her head rest against his hand.

"That'd be nice, I am sure that Jessica would be happy to have Jack."

Emily looked at Hotch, the smile no longer on her face instead it was replaced by a look of seriousness.

"You'll get your explanation Aaron, you deserve it."

Hotch went to open his mouth but closed it as he realised that it their fledging relationship was going to progress they needed to be open with each other and Emily needed to tell him her story.

"Ok thank you Emily."

"Well I'd better get back to Natasha, thanks for listening Aaron."

"Anytime Emily."

Hotch took the decision there and then to move in closer, when Emily didn't flinch he bent in and kissed her softly on the lips, he held them there for a few seconds before he pulled away and a large boyish grin enveloped his face.

"I'll see you tonight then Aaron!"

Emily stood up, her heart beating fast as she smiled back at a still beaming Hotch.

"I'm looking forward to it!"

Emily waved her hand as she shook her head before walking out of his office, her mind definitely more at ease and her heart slightly less heavy.

JJ walked over, carefully balancing the three cups of coffee as she quickly placed them on the table, she smiled as she sat down next to Garcia and looked across at Natasha.

"Feeling better?"

Natasha sat up slightly as Garcia reached a protective arm around her.

"A bit thanks. I'm not used to feeling like this, I'm meant to be fit and healthy I'm an athlete."

"Hey sweetie it's ok we understand, did your mom tell you about when I was shot?"

Garcia looked at JJ who took a breath before she spoke.

"Then there was the time I was a mess on a case, I'd had to kill some dogs that were about to attack me, I was so jumpy then next day that I nearly shot your mom."

Natasha nodded her head as the two women spoke, she swallowed hard as Garcia put another arm around her pulling Natasha towards her.

"Its ok sweetie, you don't have to be strong anymore, we're all here to catch you."

Garcia looked at JJ as she cradled Natasha's head, she stroked the blonde hair as gradually Natasha drifted off to sleep on her lap. Once that she was sure that Natasha was asleep Garcia turned her head.

"There's nothing to her JJ, she's just skin and bones!"

"I know Pen, that's the main problem, it's probably why she keeps collapsing."

Garcia kept a hand on Natasha's head as JJ reached over and passed Garcia her coffee, Garcia nodded as she accepted the cup and the two women sat in silence not wanting to disturb Natasha from her sleep.

Emily walked to the door, her arms full with grocery bags, as she put the key into the lock she had expected to hear voices but when she opened the door and was greeted by silence she started to worry.

JJ heard the door open and looked down at Natasha who was still sleeping on Garcia, gently she got up and walked to intercept Emily before she woke Natasha. JJ met Emily's gaze and raised her finger to her lips, she saw the worry edge away from Emily's face as JJ took some of the bags from Emily and they walked into the kitchen.

"She's sleeping on the couch, well actually she's sleeping on Garcia."

Emily looked over and smiled as she watched Garcia raise an arm and wiggle her fingers in her direction.

"Is she ok?"

"Tired and weak, she nearly fell in the bedroom."

"Again! Oh god!"

JJ reached out and put her hands on Emily's arms.

"You know what the doctor said, she has lost a lot of weight and hasn't been sleeping, we just overdid it a bit this morning."

Emily nodded as she looked at JJ who smiled gently at her.

"Did it go ok with Strauss?"

"Not as bad as I thought."

Emily felt a smile creep across her face as her mind went back to the moment with Hotch.

"So what brought that look on you face Em, something happen between you and our dark haired boss?"

JJ waggled her eyebrows and grinned as she saw the redness rapidly stretch across Emily's cheeks.

"He's coming for dinner tonight."

"Come on Em you guys have been for dinner before. Oh, Oh, Oh, he kissed you didn't he!"

JJ quickly put her hand to her mouth as she realised how loudly she had squealed. Emily shook her head as she moved out of the kitchen and towards the couch as she saw Natasha's head move.

"Who kissed who?"

Natasha blearily looked around the room, her eyes finally focusing on her mother as she stood by the window.

"Emily Prentiss have you been locking lips with a certain handsome dark haired unit chief?"

Garcia squeezed Natasha's hand as they both grinned at Emily as she walked over and sat down next to Natasha.

"How are you feeling?"

"Are you going to change the subject just like that?"

"Yes Natasha as there is nothing more you are going to get out of me until I know how you are feeling."

Natasha rolled her eyes as Garcia rubbed her back supportively.

"Better than earlier, guess I didn't realise how bad things were, sorry mom."

"It's ok we're home now and thing's will get better. How about I make us all some lunch?"

"Oh Oh that sounds good, Emily cooking!"

Emily shook her head as Garcia squealed from behind Natasha wrapping her arms around Natasha's waist she whispered into her ear.

"And then we can grill her some more about Hotch!"