Chapter 33
The next morning, Emily woke up to the sound of the shower running. She opened her eyes and Hotch wasn't beside her. She rubbed her eyes and got up, walking into the bathroom. She approached the shower and saw him scrubbing shampoo into his hair.
"Hi.", she said, biting her lip, smiling.
"Good morning, beautiful.", he replied. She stepped in and got under the water.
"How'd you sleep?", he asked.
"Really well actually. I think I needed that but I always sleep well when I'm with you.", she said.
"Well, I'm glad. I did too. You didn't even wake me up with your cute little snoring.", he laughed.
"You little-", she started and got cut off by his lips pressing on hers.
"Care to finish that sentence?", he asked.
"Maybe later.", she said. "Right now, I care to do something else.", she smirked.
Halfway through their workday, Emily got a phone call from Tsia. Once she saw the name on her phone she looked around and headed for the bathroom to answer it in private. Hotch noticed this from his office and made a mental note to check in with her after.
Emily answered the phone by the time she got to the bathroom. "Tsia, hey.", Emily said.
"Are you finally alone?", Tsia asked.
"I mean, I'm at work but I'm alone at the moment. I stepped away. Any update?", Emily asked.
"One of Doyle's people was just found dead in D.C.", Tsia said.
"Are you serious?", Emily whispered, even though no one could hear her.
"Yeah, obviously foul play is suspected but no one is asking any further questions about it. I'm sending you over a picture now to identify him, if it was the man you saw last night.", Tsia said.
Emily checked her phone and looked at the picture. "That's definitely him.", she said.
"Well, he's not a problem anymore. Apparently he was just released from serving ten years. Must've had some enemies, most likely enemies of Doyle's. Looks like you have nothing to worry about now, alright?", Tsia said.
Emily let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank god. I was already having nightmares and worrying my- uh- I don't know...", she trailed off.
"Your boyfriend?", Tsia asked.
"I really don't know what he is but he's my Unit Chief here and he's smart. He knew I wasn't really on the phone with my mom when we spoke last night. It's been hard to keep this from him whenever something related to it comes up. I'm just glad it's over before it got too far.", Emily said.
"Well, you're in the clear now. Whoever took care of this, made sure that there's nothing left to bother you. They didn't do it for you most likely but it benefits you so, problem solved.", Tsia said.
"Thank you, Tsia. Really, thank you.", Emily said.
"I barely did anything. Let me know if there's any other updates we need to know. Keep in touch.", Tsia said.
"Will do. I'll talk to you later, give Sean, Jeremy, and even Clyde my best.", Emily said.
"Will do.", Tsia said.
"Bye.", Emily hung up.
Emily felt a huge wave of relief wash over her and wanted to go and let Hotch know immediately.
She walked out of the bathroom, headed straight towards his office, and stepped in, closing the door behind her.
Hotch shut the blinds, immediately walking over to her as she did the same, meeting him halfway.
She put her arms around his neck and held on tight. His arms wrapped around her and he kissed her cheek.
"I was just going to come find you when you came back out. Are you alright? That's just me checking in.", he said, trying not to pry.
She pulled back and kissed him. She grinned and looked him in the eyes. "I'm better than alright. That problem is no longer a problem. It's done, it's over with.", she said.
"Really?! Thank god. I hated seeing you like that even just for a few hours.", he said, kissing her again. "I'm so glad, Em. I really am."
She hugged him tight again and whispered in his ear, "I love you so much. Thank you. For being here. For being so supportive."
"You're welcome. That's what I'm here for.", he said.
She pulled back and placed both hands on his face, pressing her forehead to his.
"You are something very special to me, Aaron Hotchner.", she said.
"You are something I never knew I could be lucky enough to call my own.", he told her. She smiled and pressed her lips to his. Her fingers trailed down to his, linking together.
"An old friend of mine is having some of his art featured in a show at this gallery downtown tonight. I was thinking it might be nice to go if you want.", he said.
"I would love that.", she said, smiling big.
"Great. Let's stop by your place after work. Grab a nice dress, fancy heels or something?", he said.
"I get to dress up? I never have that opportunity. Sounds great.", she said.
"Good. I can't wait.", he smiled and kissed her. "Now go do some work.", he told her.
"Alright.", she gave him a peck on the lips and walked out of his office.
Later that day once it was dark and they got off work, they waited till everyone else left before they did together.
Hotch came strolling down from his office to her desk. "Ready to go?", he asked.
"Absolutely!", she said.
They drove to her apartment and she went upstairs to change. "What do you think of this dress?", she held it up.
"I think you'll look amazing in anything but yes, that would be perfect.", he said, sitting on her bed.
She got changed in her closet with the door closed, purposefully, just so she could walk out and surprise him. She opened the door once it was on and his jaw dropped.
The plain black dress was tight and form fitting, ending just above the knees with 2 inch straps over the shoulders. She had put on black eyeliner instead of the white one and heavy mascara with a subtle yet obvious eyeshadow and neutral toned lipstick with her hair curled.
She had put on black wedges that went up to her ankles and her favorite perfume that he couldn't deny was his too. It was sweet but had a hint of vanilla as well.
He stood up, speechless for a moment and struggled to find the words. He had never seen her dressed up like that before. Not since he worked for her mom and they'd had a few parties and he'd watched her through the crowd and occasionally made conversation with her. But this was the first time he'd seen her dressed like this, for him.
"Wow. I- wow. Em... you look gorgeous. Truly stunning. Words cannot describe how beautiful you are and how amazed I am by you.", he said.
She walked over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. "You think so?", she flashed him a smile.
"Definitely.", he said, looking her up and down. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her in close. "You are absolutely gorgeous. Drop dead gorgeous.", he said.
"You're not too bad yourself. I like this shorter, tighter suit on you more than the baggier ones. But you look very handsome no matter what.", she said, smiling and playing with his tie.
He pulled her in even closer until their bodies were pressed against each other as much as possible. He stared in her eyes and brought his lips to hers, softly.
"Mmmm.", he moaned into her mouth. "I love you, Em."
"Mmmm. Mmhmm.", she moaned, barely pulling her lips away, leaving their foreheads and noses touching. "I love you too.", she grinned.
She grabbed the back of his head and stroked it, running it down and around to his face, kissing his cheek.
"Let's go. I don't want to get there too late.", she said.
"Of course.", he said, interlacing his fingers with hers.
She handed him her keys and phone once they stepped out of her apartment.
"Oh sure, no problem. I'll hold onto them, Miss "I don't need a purse".", he chuckled, putting the keys and her phone in his pocket.
"Listen, you know I refuse to carry a purse. But it's okay, I have you to hold my things.", she teased.
"Alright, fine. Only because I love you.", he said, smiling, looking over at her.
"Good enough for me.", she said.
They got to the art gallery and walked around it for a while, admiring different paintings, photographs, sculptures, and more.
It felt weird for him to be standing so close to her, his side touching hers, having his hand on her back, displaying affection in public. But it was nice. It felt nice.
As a caterer brought around trays with champagne on it, they each took one, sipping it slowly. They eventually ran into his friend.
"Aaarronnn!", his friend said in a deep voice, messing around with him, pulling him in for a man hug.
"Carson. How are you man?", Hotch said.
"Oh you know, livin' the dream.", Carson said. "How about you, any big news in your life?", he asked, eyes looking over at Emily, forgetting all about what he just asked Hotch.
"Hi, I'm Carson. Carson Miller.", he said, flirtatiously, holding out his hand and shaking Emily's. "And you are...?", he asked with seductive eyes.
Hotch picked up on his moves and got defensive. "Carson, this is my girlfriend, Emily. Emily Prentiss, since we're doing the full name introductions.", Hotch said, putting his hand on the small of her back.
Emily's heart skipped a beat and she looked over at him right after he said "girlfriend" and smiled. Maybe he had heard her when she started to say "boyfriend" the other night.
"Ahh very nice to meet you, Emily Prentiss.", Carson said, still eyeing her.
She chuckled and smiled, politely, "You, as well."
Wanting to break the tension, Emily decided to start a conversation. "So, Carson. I saw some of your work back there; it's amazing. Uh, how did you and Aaron meet again?", she asked.
"Thank you so much, yeah, I uh- met Aaron all the way back in law school and we were both prosecutors until he decided to join the FBI and I decided to quit and become an artist so, hard to tell who's more successful.", Carson laughed.
"Oh wow, so you guys go way back.", she said.
"I'm not that old.", Hotch said.
She rubbed his arm for a second. "No, of course not.", she laughed.
"I take it, you guys met whenever you started at the BAU?", he asked Emily.
"Actually, no. We met uh- oh god- over 10 years ago, I guess. He worked with my mother, who's an ambassador, for a while and I was just around a lot. We knew each other a bit.", she said.
"No shit!", Carson said, surprised. He crossed his arms and smiled in amazement. "And now you two are re-connected. Ha, wow...", he said, smiling at the couple, eyes looking back and forth between the two.
"Well, how's Hannah? You guys still together?", Hotch asked.
"No, she uh- moved to California for a job. I wasn't exactly ready to pick up and move with her so I guess that's that but we're good. I actually just spoke to her yesterday and the job's going well, she got a place by the beach so she's doing pretty alright, yeah.", Carson said.
"I'm sorry. Well, for now you've got-", Hotch started before he was interrupted by his phone buzzing in the pocket on the inside of his suit. He pulled it out and saw that it was work related and sighed.
"Em, I'm so sorry, I have to take this. It's work.", he said.
"It's alright.", she said.
"Don't worry. I'll show her around some more.", Carson said.
Hotch leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and walked out of the doors, answering his phone.
"So.", Carson started.
"So...", Emily giggled.
"Did you see the black and white photography section yet?", he asked.
"No, we hadn't gotten there yet.", she said.
"Follow me.", he said.
They walked into an area of the gallery displaying the black and white photography. Still sipping on her champagne Emily looked all around with him as they moved from one piece of art to the next, chatting with each other along the way.
"So tell me... what drew you to Aaron? I mean, you're a beautiful, intelligent, impressive, kind hearted woman. Yet, you haven't settled down yet. No one has snatched you up until now. Why is that?", he asked.
She blushed and looked slightly shocked and stuttered. "Thank you... Well, I- uh... I used to work for Interpol before I started at the BAU. Traveling everywhere, being on long assignments, never really had the time to meet anyone, let alone be in a relationship with them. Nobody good came along until Aaron came back into my life, I guess.", she half smiled.
"Do you love him?", he asked.
She looked down and back up, smiling. "Yeah, I do.", she chuckled, shy.
"You know, I've known Aaron a long time... I haven't seen him this happy for a while. I can tell how much he loves you. He really adores you. That's something special I can already see between you two just from the brief moment I've had with you guys even standing next to each other. You have something special.", he said.
"Thank you. I can't remember the last time I've been this happy either.", she smiled.
"Oh and uh... what happened to his neck?", he whispered.
She took a deep breath in. "We were working on a case not too long ago and the unsub got me... Aaron had his gun drawn but the unsub shot him a few times. Once in the neck, once in the shoulder, and the other one thankfully was caught by his vest. Probably one of the scariest moments of my life.", she nervously laughed.
"So he literally risked his life for you.", he said.
"Yeah.", she rolled her lips in and looked down, remembering that day. "Yeah, he did."
"Wow... I'm really sorry you had to go through that.", he said, softly.
"Yeah, well, I already yelled at him for almost bleeding out in my hands and scaring me so badly when he flatlined in the ambulance.", she chuckled. "We always tell each other though, it's just part of the job.", she said.
"Doesn't make it any easier...", he said.
"No. No, I guess not...", she said.
"So nobody at work knows, I'm guessing?", he said.
"No, that would be a disaster if anyone were to find out at work. I guess the only person who knows at all is you.", she laughed as he did too.
"Well, your secret's safe with me.", he smiled.
"Thanks. And thank you for inviting us tonight. We don't exactly get to go many places in public together or at least not with somebody else we know. It's really nice.", she smiled.
"Always my pleasure. I'd love to get together with you guys again. Maybe do something else other than this.", he suggested.
"I'd like that a lot.", she said right as Hotch walked over to them.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side.
She put her hand on his chest as they both shifted their faces to each other and he planted a kiss on her lips.
"Everything good?", she asked Hotch.
"Yeah, just some boring work stuff.", he told her.
She looked back at Carson and smiled. She could tell by the look on his face when his eyes met Hotch's that they needed to have alone time. Man to man.
"I'm gonna go the restroom real quick. You two talk amongst yourselves, I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on.", she said as Hotch took her glass of champagne she handed to him.
She rubbed his back and walked off, knowing what they would be talking about.
Leaving the two men alone, Carson looked him straight in the eyes and said,
"What the hell are you doin' man?"