Painless

A few weeks later they had another case and he still hadn't done anything to make them a couple again. They were off to Boise, Idaho. On this case they had to revisit a case Hotch and Rossi worked on ten years ago. A killer was killing survivors of a school shooting and bombing. While they were talking to reporters Morgan started a prank war by getting them all to call Reid if they had any questions.

During the case they found the previous killer Randy Slade had had a hit list of people he'd wanted to kill. The latest killings though had nothing to do with the list. They found out the killer had been the true hero of the previous incident whose moment of glory had been taken by an imposter.

Shortly before they took him down Reid had lost it while he answered his phone for the hundredth time. He was about to swear at the caller when Hotch reeled him in so he ended the call. It was hinted though to him what had really been going on by Rossi and Morgan.

When they finally faced the UnSub Hotch and Emily found him. The killer aimed his gun at him and they both brought up their guns. Hotch shot a warning shot. He was just about to shoot Hotch when Emily put her finger on the trigger. No way was she going to let this arsehole kill her man. Before she could though she heard Hotch's gun go off and the UnSub fell down dead.

Soon they were back on the jet. She was sitting opposite Rossi and Morgan while Spencer slept beside her. Morgan put on his iPod only to receive a bulletin.

"We interrupt your music selection with an important bulletin. Never pick a prank war with a military school graduate we have a tendency to go nuclear. So lean back and listen to the dulcet tones of me screaming in your ear," Spence said through the iPod. He then started doing so and Morgan took off his headphones.

"Real cute kid," he answered while Spencer pretended to be in a deeper sleep.

Morgan's phone went off and he saw it was his wife. "Hey babe," he said only to get Reid screaming in his ear again so he hung up.

Rossi handed him a tissue and Emily got up. She headed to her ex as she'd seen he'd been troubled during the case. She wondered if it was Jack as she knew he'd had a parent teacher conference beforehand. She knew it had to be something that came out then.

She sat opposite him while he dealt with some files. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," he answered back looking up and putting the file down.

"How's Jack?" he looked confused. How did she know something was wrong with Jack? "I'm sorry I guessed..."

He nodded. Maternal instinct! She'd had it since before the twins. "There's a boy at school who's being mean to him. His solution is to invite him over and try to make friends with him. The twins took an instant disliking but I thought it was because of their shyness."

She smiled slightly though she hated the fact she'd made Alexia shy when she used to be confident. "That is the sweetest and saddest thing I've ever heard. Jack didn't tell you, huh?"

"No, his teacher," he answered looking down.

"Ouch, that's got to hurt. He wants to deal with it himself and you want to let him but part of him wishes you could protect him."

"I want to protect him from the evil of the world but I know I can't."

"You can be there for him. You can show him you're not alone."

He nodded. "How did you survive in Paris?" he'd wanted to know ever since she came back.

"Well I spent a lot of time playing online scrabble with a cheetobreath..." they looked at JJ and smiled. "I also played a lot of chess with Jason..."

"I'm glad he looked out for you."

"Thanks for giving me a friend."

"Anytime. I didn't want you to get lonely."

She smiled at his care for her. It showed he never stopped caring even when she'd wronged him. She knew she also had to confess about the calls. "I also called someone every day just to hear his voice. Guess I'm crazy in love."

He beamed. "I knew it was you."

"I just needed to make sure you were alright."

"They were the highlight of my day and helped me through."

"I'm glad," she answered putting her hand over his. He smiled back. "How did you get by in Pakistan?"

"I had a job to do but I managed to Skype the children daily." She smiled. "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"I got to go to mother's Christmas ball," she rolled her eyes.

"Have fun," he smirked.

"Thanks." She'd expected him to offer to go with her. She hadn't been to one of these events since she was pregnant and her mother had implied she was a slut. Now she had to go as a single woman again. Last time she'd had Aaron to defend her and scare off other guys. Now she was on her own. Damn him! She got up to leave annoyed and disappointed. It had seemed at first like he'd wanted to spend tomorrow evening with her now this. "Thanks for feeding me to the lions."

He followed her with his eyes feeling guilty. He knew how much she hated going to these things alone. He just didn't feel ready to go to one of those again when they weren't even a couple yet. He slammed his hand down and went back to the file. He'd screwed up again but he was scared.

The next day at work didn't go well either. There was absolutely no interaction between them two. It was obvious she was trying to avoid him. When she handed her files to him at the end of the day she wouldn't even look him in the eye. Oh man, he'd fucked up royally.

He felt like such a jerk. He'd raised her hopes up and crushed them in the same breath. He had asked her what she was doing tonight then blew her off when she told him about the event. He was such a fool.

She left and headed home to change. She changed into a jaw dropping black dress and black high heels. She let her shoulder-length brown hair hang out and onto her shoulders.

"You look beautiful," Dave said.

"Thanks Dave," she answered playing with the locket Aaron had once given her. She now wore two. One which held pictures of the twins the other a picture of Aaron and another of Jack. She had been given them back at the hospital a year ago.

Eliza and Alexia then came over to pick her up. They'd been talked into going by their parents. They would be accompanying her to the ball.

When Aaron got home he put the twins to bed then Jack. He took a candle and lit it.

"Why are we doing this again, daddy?" he asked.

"We haven't done it for a while and I thought it might help," he answered.

"Help with what?"

"I don't know...like if you've had a bad day...Mrs Collins told me Paul's being mean to you."

"He's not being mean to me..." He didn't want his daddy to worry about him. He'd sorted out the problem this morning. They'd been mean to him about the situation with his mummies. He'd stood up for himself by telling him he had two actually. One who looked over him from above and another who was FBI and protected him fighting monsters.

"He's not..." Jack shook his head. "Well maybe we can ask mummy to look after you."

"And my sisters..."

"Yes and them."

"And daddy."

"Ah, yes him too," he smiled at his son. He was proud he looked out for others and didn't resort to violence.

Soon after JACK blew out the flame and Aaron took it placing it on his bedside table. He kissed his forehead and tucked him in.

"Love you, daddy," he said.

"I love you too, buddy," he answered.

"Daddy," he said turning to look at him seriously.

"Yes Jack," he answered concerned.

"Go get Emily. She makes you happy. She loves you and you love her. I want her back, daddy," he smiled slightly.

"So do I, buddy," he smiled down at him stroking his hair.

"Go get her, daddy."

How did his son get to be smarter than him? He was right he had to go get her. They'd been tiptoeing around their feelings again since she came back. They couldn't carry on like this. It was time to end this now. He needed her and he was sure she needed him too. It was time to stop being a coward and pluck up his courage. He had to get her back by his side.

He also needed someone to look after his children though. He also needed to know where to find her. He didn't know if she was at her mother's ball or at Dave's house. Only Dave could give him that answer. He dialled his number.

Dave informed him she was still at the ball and he'd bring Declan over to babysit the other children. There was no way he would leave the pre-teenage boy on his own. He was only twelve and still recovering from his incident. Emily would kill him if he left him alone.

He got the boy ready to go over to the Hotchner residence. Some day he'd live there and Aaron would be his father. The twins and Jack already were his siblings and he treated them as such. He was glad that Aaron was about to put the wheels in motion finally. About time!

Meanwhile AARON WAS CHANGING INTO A TUX. HE KNEW HE COULDN'T JUST WEAR HIS WORK SUIT TO THIS POLITICAL BALL. IT WAS A PRETTY FORMAL EVENT. THE LAST TIME HE'D WORN A TUX WAS AT THE LAST GALA THEY BOTH ATTENDED. HE SMILED SLIGHTLY AT THE MEMORY AND ALL THAT HAPPENED SINCE THEN. HER MOTHER AND HE HAD EVEN BECOME CLOSE OVER HIS DAUGHTERS. SHE'D TURNED INTO A FANTASTIC, LOVING GRANDMOTHER.

WHEN THE DOOR KNOCKED HE ANSWERED APPREHENSIVELY BUT WAS RELEIVED WHEN NONE OF THE CHILDREN WOKE UP. HE ANSWERED TO FIND Dave AND Declan on his doorstep. He smiled when he saw them and ushered them in.

"The kids are in bed," he said.

They nodded and then he led Declan aside. Declan had had Emily to himself for a few months now. He wanted to make sure her son was alright with what he was about to do. That he was alright with Emily and him being a couple.

"What is it, Aaron?" he asked worried. He was scared Aaron was going to hurt Emily by chickening out. He'd seen how upset Emily was that Aaron wasn't coming so he almost leapt for joy when Aaron changed his mind. He just wanted his foster mother to be happy and she loved Aaron.

"Are you ok with this? I don't want to be stepping on your toes if Emily and I get together," he said concerned.

He smiled up at him. He was just concerned about causing friction between them. He was worried he would come between the two of them but he liked him. "I like you, Aaron. You love Emily and she loves you. I want you to be together."

"Thanks kiddo," he answered ruffling his hair. Declan smiled up at him. He hoped he would be his father some day.

"How are you going to get in?" Dave asked coming up.

"I'll use my badge if I have to," he answered.

"Good luck,"

"Thanks," he answered after taking in a big breath. He had to admit he was nervous. He was about to take one of the biggest gambles of his life. He had no idea if it was too late. He had no idea if he'd already blown it for good. "Since Declan has school in the morning you can stay over, remember."

"Thanks mate." He really didn't want to split Emily and Aaron tonight. Now when they were about to get back together. They needed to talk things through. He was pretty sure they were going to get back together. Emily had just been waiting for him to come back.

"Right," he said mustering up his courage and leaving home. He drove off to the venue he'd found out from Eliza it was at. He'd called Eliza shortly after Dave. She promised to keep his attendance secret and gave him instructions.

When he got there and a valet took his car he took another gulp looking up at the imposing state building. He hadn't been this nervous since he joined the FBI all those years ago. He straightened up his stance, pulled himself together and texted Eliza.

'I'm outside' he said waiting for her to come to the entrance. When he saw her he smiled slightly and she waved him up. He walked up the steps nervously and she talked them into letting them in.

"Where is she?" he asked.

"Over there," she answered pointing her out.

He looked to where she was pointing and found her with some sleezeball feeling her up while they danced. He saw red and green and walked over to her. She tried to keep this man's hands off her body wishing her Aaron was here to save her. Not that she was a damsel in distress. This guy just wasn't taking no for an answer.

Suddenly she felt someone tap her shoulder. She looked round and couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the very man she'd just been thinking about. He was here! It lifted her spirits so she smiled up at him.

She pushed the other man away from her but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He grabbed her arm and Aaron yanked it off. He tried to pull her back.

"I believe the woman said no," he said trying to grab the guy's hand off of Emily's arm.

"If you don't get your hand off her I will have you arrested for sexually harassing a federal agent," Aaron threatened showing his badge. The man gulped and let go leaving her to Aaron.

She just sunk into Aaron's embrace and he held her close. He was never going to let her go again. She smiled up at him and he smiled down kissing her forehead.

"I've missed you," she whispered.

"I've missed you too," he whispered. "Can we go for a walk?"

She knew they had to talk about them but she wanted to delay it a little longer to relax her nerves. "Might I have the dance first?"

"Sure." They had a whole evening to talk about them.

He took her hand and led her into a waltz. His mother had taught him how to when he was a child. She'd wanted to help her boys become gentleman rather than the drunken cheating abuser that his father had been for most of their lives. They'd always been close to her. He still missed her but he knew he would visit her grave once a year.

"You look beautiful," he whispered taking in her scent.

"So do you," she smiled up at him.

"I love you, Emily Prentiss."

"I love you too, Aaron Hotchner."

They touched their foreheads together and completely relaxed. They were finally together again. They were complete again. They were one and without each other they were broken.

"That's the first time you've called me Aaron for over a year," he smiled.

They smiled at each other. They then looked towards her mother who was smiling at her as was the FBI director standing next to her with his arm around her shoulder. They were happy they were back where they belonged. He knew they could do their jobs staying objective and be together. They worked better that way. Emily smiled at her mother's approval and rested her head on his chest closing her eyes. She was so happy again. She was back with her soul mate.

After the dance he escorted her to her coat for their walk. It was November. He didn't want her to get cold as they had this important conversation. She smiled as he helped her into her coat while she put on her gloves. Always the gentleman!

He took her hand and led her out to the gardens. They held hands walking through then sat down when they found a bench. He looked her right in the eye to show he wasn't going to chicken out and held her hands.

"Emily, I want to be with you..." he said.

"I want to be with you too, Aaron," she answered looking him in the eye.

"Please hear me out..." she nodded and he smiled though they were both nervous. "I still love you, Emily, always have always will but I want to take it slow this time..." she looked at him confused. What did he want? Did he just want them to be friends? She had promised to hear him out though. "We didn't date last time. I want us to have dinner next week. Will you be free next Thursday if we don't have a case?"

"Even if we do have a case I'll go out to dinner with you..." he smiled showing his dimples. "I love you, Aaron, always and forever."

He smiled even more and then claimed her lips for his own. She kissed him back with even more passion while he placed her hands on her cheeks as she did his.

"Let's go home," he said/ even though he was only ready to date her at the moment he would always consider the house as their home. They'd bought it together for their children.

She nodded. There was nothing more she wanted to do than go to his house. "What about Dave and Declan?"

"They're already there... He's been babysitting."

She nodded. Even better she thought.

He took her home after she made her goodbyes to her family who understood she needed some time with Aaron as they'd just got back together.

When they got there Dave smiled when he saw them both walk in hand in hand. Obviously things had gone well. He turned off the TV and got up when they came in smiling at them both.

"So I see things went well?" he said.

"Very," she answered smiling up at him while he smiled down at her kissing her nose. "So where's Declan?"

"Asleep in the spare room. He wanted to take the couch first instead of me but I talked him into taking the spare room."

Emily smiled about her son. He was definitely a gentleman already at the age of twelve. He would be turning thirteen in two months time. "Sounds just like him. When I slept in Aaron's office he wanted to take the floor instead of the couch."

Aaron looked at her confused and concerned. "You slept in my office?" he asked.

"The night we returned...I couldn't come home and I didn't wan to evict my tenants. I didn't want to inconvenience anyone so I took your office," she defended.

"I offered to carry her out when she tried turning down my offer," Dave added.

"I can imagine that," Aaron smirked. "Well if you're to sleep on the couch we might as well turn it into the sofa bed," he added.

Emily nodded heading up to get the spare bedding.

Wh9ile she was out of the room Dave asked, "So what have you decided? Am I to lose them?" He'd gotten used to having their company and couldn't imagine living alone again.

Aaron smiled at him slightly. He could see his friend had got used to living with Emily and Declan. He was glad that they had a loving home until he was ready for her to move back in. "We're going on a date next Thursday and taking things slowly. Even if they were to move out you'd never lose them."

"That's probably the best way. You're both carrying so much baggage."

He nodded and brought out the sofa bed while Emily came back with the bedding. She gave it to Dave and he wished them a good night.

As they were going up the stairs she asked, "So where will I be staying tonight? I can go sleep on the floor in Declan's room." She hoped one day it would be his room.

"No way, you'll be lying by my side tonight," he answered. "I may want to take it slowly but I also don't want to ever let you go again."

She smiled up at him. "I'm never going to let you."

He smiled back down at her when they got to the top of the stairs and hugged her. "I love you, Em."

She beamed up at him and hugged him closer. "You know that's the first time you've called me Em in a really long time."

"Well now I get to, don't I?"

"Of course you do." She then kissed his chin and he led her into the bedroom with her bag. They'd picked it up on the way home.

In there they changed out of their clothes. He just changed into a t-shirt and boxers while she changed into a pair of pyjama bottoms and the t-shirt of his she'd kept as a comfort blanket. He smiled at that.

He then climbed into bed while she climbed into the side that was once hers. Once she was under the sheets he pulled her into his and she cuddled into him. She understood he wasn't ready for sex just yet but she was more than happy for this intimacy.

They woke up in the morning in the same position though his arm felt dead. She smiled up at him while he smiled back.

"Morning beautiful," he said kissing her forehead.

"Morning handsome," she answered kissing his cheek.

"I've missed this."

"So have I."

"Want to wake up the kids together?"

"I'd love to."

They got up and he went to wake Jack while she went to wake up Declan. After doing so they went to the twins together.

They already were awake when they got there and talking to each other. When they turned two and a half Aaron had converted their cots into beds.

When they heard them come in the room they looked up and jumped out of bed excitedly when they saw her.

"Mummy," they shouted.

"Hey," she smiled back hugging them.

Jack came in like usual to help his dad with his sisters. He beamed when he saw Emily. This clearly meant she was back with his daddy. Everything might go back to normal again. Everyone might be happy again. He hugged her and she hugged him back.

"Emmy," he exclaimed.

"Hey buddy," she smiled down at him.

"You and daddy are back together?"

"Yes we are," she smiled down at him causing him to smile even more.

Declan then came in. He smiled when he saw them all together but also felt a little on the outside.

"Uncle Dave tells me to tell you that pancakes are ready," he said.

Jack ran up to Declan along with their sisters and hugged him. He smiled feeling more like part of the family now. They'd made him feel almost welcome from the moment they met him especially the twins. Jack had taken some warming up to him.

"Alright, let's go downstairs," Aaron said while Emily nodded. The children followed their parents down the stairs and smiled when they saw Uncle Dave. Dave smiled when he saw the family enter while he was flipping pancakes. He was so happy to see the family again back together. This is where Emily and even Declan belonged. Declan belonged with a family and definitely this one. He seemed happy with the family. That's what this kid deserved. Love and happiness!

"You didn't have to, Dave," Aaron smiled when he saw the pancakes.

"I wanted to for one of my favourite families," Dave smiled while the others smiled back. Aaron placed his hand on Declan's shoulder and pulled him close while Declan smiled up at him. Emily smiled at them both. Things were going to be just fine between them all.

Later JJ came and sat on Emily's desk and Garcia came too. It hadn't escaped their notice that when Emily came in she had a spring in her step and Hotch couldn't help smiling. Two things they hadn't seen in so long. Maybe things were working out now. Obviously they'd got back together.

"So?" JJ asked.

"So what?" Emily answered pretending to act dumb.

"You and Hotch seem happy."

"We've reached an understanding," she smiled. She was going to make them drag it out of her. She wasn't going to make it easy for them. She was so happy she wanted to play. She knew she couldn't keep them secret or at least they would work it out even if she did.

"You're moving back in together? You're getting married?" Garcia asked.

"Hey, hey, hold your horses," Emily laughed. "It's only a date."

Penelope was now almost jumping in excitement. "Oh my god, oh my god," she exclaimed then quietened when she looked up at Hotch's office.

Emily looked up to see Hotch standing in his doorway with his eyebrow raised. She looked down feeling ashamed as she hadn't talked to him about coming out straight away. She soon felt his presence beside her so she looked up at him.

"What do we have to hide? We already have permission," he smiled down at her.

She nodded smiling up at him.

On Thursday JJ came over to help her get ready for her date with Aaron. She was so excited but nervous at the same time. They were starting all over again and what if things went wrong again? She wouldn't be able to cope losing him a second time. He was all she wanted in this world and the father of her children.

They chose to change her into a blood red dress with slits up the side, a black shawl and black high heels. They decided to leave her shoulder length hair out touching her shoulders. She would wear her long black coat to keep her warm in the cold November air.

"You look gorgeous," she said.

"Thanks JJ," she answered.

"I'd better go. Don't want to be here when Hotch arrives." Emily nodded in response. "I don't need to wish you luck as I know it'll work out." Emily smiled back at her and they made their goodbyes.

Half an hour later there was a knock on Dave's front door so he answered to see Aaron there ready to pick up Emily for their first date. He almost felt like the father of the girlfriend. He knew Aaron would never hurt her but he felt protective over her. He would harm him if he ever hurt her. Emily had been to hell and back.

He let him in and shouted for Emily who was upstairs getting her last things ready. He wanted everything to be perfect for Emily. He really didn't want to screw up again. Emily was everything to him and it would kill him to lose her again.

She came down the stairs and smiled when she saw him. He looked so handsome in his suit and red shirt with his top buttons undone and no tie around his neck. He smiled back up at her. She looked amazing. When she got downstairs they greeted each other.

She went to grab her coat when he took it off her and said, "Allow me." He helped her into it and left telling Dave when to expect them back.

"So where are we going?" she asked as he led her to his car.

"It's a surprise," he answered increasing her anxiety. Where was he taking her? She sure hoped their first date would go well. She wanted to see how Aaron dated. She'd never had that pleasure before. That had been taken from them by Foyet.

He got them into the car and he drove them off to a fancy restaurant. He parked the car outside and took her in. She found the restaurant was completely empty apart from a candlelit table. He took her over, pulled out her chair and she sat down. He pushed her in then sat across from her pouring the wine.

"How did you get this all to ourselves?" he asked.

"It's a secret," he smiled with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

The waitress then came and placed the starters on the table in front of them. It was a night full of surprises as the courses turned into all her favourites and his favourites.

The chef then came out and said, "I hope you enjoyed the meal." The voice was familiar and she looked up to see Sean. No wonder the chef had known all their favourites. It was his brother.

"It was a fantastic meal. Thanks Sean," she smiled at him.

"Yer, thanks Sean," his brother answered.

"Anything to make sure you two have a special night."

"It's much appreciated. How much did it cost?" Aaron asked.

"It was a favour for a brother," he smiled back. "Don't think about money."

He nodded and then led Emily out. He took her for a walk in the park then back to Dave's. It hurt to say goodbye to her but he wasn't ready for them to live together yet and he had to get back to Jack and the twins. He also wanted to date her properly so sex was off limits for the moment. Maybe after the third date he knew there was some sort of unwritten rule that you did it then.