Compromising Positions

Some weeks later Jack's parents were off to Ohio on another case. This time someone had been murdering married couples. Before they set out Garcia had come to Hotch's office. She was asking for JJ's job saying their jobs had crossed over a lot. He decided to give her a chance when she said she'd tone down her wardrobe choices. That was a huge sacrifice for her as she wore her individuality like a shield. To willingly tone down her wardrobe meant she was willing to give everything to the job.

That she did until Hotch saw the cracks in her behaviour. She was taking on too much and she felt it. She'd never realised before how much JJ had had to do and combined with doing her normal job on top it was too stressful. She finally snapped and asked if she could bring in Kevin Lunch to help on this case.

He raised an eyebrow at the mention of her ex. He had no idea they were still on good terms. No-one really knew anything about the break-up but didn't regret it as she and Derek were perfect together.

"He's a great technical analyst, sir, and I think it would really help the case if he's brought in," she defended.

He nodded and left.

When Emily got back with Morgan after Morgan told Hotch his theory he told him that Garcia might need help as she was taking too much on. He nodded and went to see the woman he loved.

"Derek, I really don't have the time," she snapped.

"Baby girl, you're trying to replace JJ. No-one can replace JJ. Think about what she'd want you to do," he answered.

"She'd want me to do the job right," she replied.

"It's time to go OG." She looked at him confused. "Original Garcia so take out these contacts." She took them out and he placed her glasses back on her face. He smiled, "there she is."

She smiled back at him and playfully swatted him away. She felt so lucky to have Derek. He always knew the right thing to say and made her feel so loved. She thanked Hotch for sending Morgan into her. He'd known he was the right one to send in to sort out Garcia. It was like when they sent Emily or Hotch to each other.

When they discovered where the UnSub was they went to the club. They found the UnSub was glaring at the crowd but they couldn't risk collateral damage. Hotch's eyes widened as Emily took out her earplug and off her Kevlar vest to look less FBI.

"I'll go in as a swinger and speak to him," she said looking down. She really didn't want to look in Hotch's eyes at the moment. He was probably having a fit but this was the only way of getting their UnSub.

He closed his eyes for a minute trying to regain his composure. He knew this was the only way to get their UnSub but if anything happened to Emily it would break him. Keep it together, Aaron! She's an FBI agent trained to protect herself. She'd proven herself time and time again she could. Also he could have Morgan and himself guarding the exits.

"Alright," he answered pleasing Emily. "You get him talking and we'll guard the doors."

She nodded summoning up the courage. She walked in and headed over to James Thomas and took on her undercover persona.

"Hey James, right?" she said pretending she knew him.

"Do I know you?" he answered.

"It's Emily. We met at a party a few months ago," she explained.

"So where is..."

"Aaron," she answered glancing over to see him by the entrance. He wasn't taking his eyes off them for a second. Good god, did the man even blink? "We broke up," she added turning back to James. "He couldn't handle the lifestyle."

"Yes, that sometimes happens...me and Marianne; we had a system...want to know what it is?" She nodded. "She'd come here, her favourite bar, by herself and I'd come to pick her up like we were total strangers fighting off other men." He then realised something was off. "We've never met have we," he said reaching for his gun and pointing it at her.

Hotch and Morgan put their fingers on the triggers off their guns as did Emily on the one in her handbag. Hotch's eyes darkened as he saw James pointing the gun at his girlfriend. No-one dared touch her and get away with it. A gun went off and James' body slumped to the floor. Hotch looked up to see Emily had shot him through her handbag. He was so proud of her keeping a cool head when a gun was pointed at her.

They dealt with the dead body and at the hotel he hugged her and she sunk into his embrace. He stroked her hair and she held him closer. He was so thankful she was still alive. Thank god she was!

"I was so scared," he whispered.

"I'm sorry," she answered stroking his face.

"You were doing your job and as you unit chief, you've done a wonderful job. As your lover I've never been so scared apart from..." she knew he was going to say when Haley died. She hadn't wanted to cause him any repercussions. She just had her eyes on the job, she'd never meant to scare him, and as he'd said as Hotch she'd done a great job.

"Aaron," she said stroking his face, "don't go there. I'm not going to leave you. I'm not going to die on you. You won't be burying me."

He took her hand into his and held it close to his cheek. "I want to believe you but you can't promise me that. We knew the risks of the job when we begun this. No-one knows or can help when they're going to die."

"I will never leave you willingly."

"I know. Neither will I. I love you, Em."

"I love you too, Aaron."

They kissed while running their fingers through each other's hair. They were there to live another day by each other's side.

They got home the next night to the children. They would never tell them how close they were to losing Emily on this case. Though the girls wouldn't understand it was bound to give Jack nightmares. He'd only recently in the last six months got over the ones left by Foyet.

They were off to the park a week later with Henry. They were spending a lot of time with Henry lately preparing for the birth of his sibling in four months. JJ had tried to keep up with the others but found she was spending more and more time with Emily and Hotch as the birth grew closer. There had been nights when she'd see Penelope and Derek and Spencer being Henry's godparents.

Will and JJ were keeping an eye on the boys while Emily and Aaron were swinging the girls. They were old enough to sit on their own now. They'd have their first birthday in two months time. They were already preparing the party for it. The girls were giggling on the swings while the boys took to the slide. They would try to go to the park as often as they could especially now the twins were old enough to enjoy it.