Chapter 35

Hotch and Emily walked into the BAU together, making sure not to touch each other. Once they got in the elevator alone, he reached for her hand and held it tight.

"You got your story straight?", he asked.

"Yeah, you?", she asked.

"Yep.", he said.

Once the elevator doors opened, they released their hands from each other.

They walked to the doors for the entrance to the bullpen. He held the door open for her and put his Unit Chief face on, emotionless. They saw everyone at their desk and JJ in the conference room.

"Well, I guess we didn't beat everyone else here after all.", Hotch said.

"Nope. Looks like everyone beat us here.", Emily said.

They walked in and JJ came out once she saw them and walked down the steps to them. Everybody else glanced over and gave them strange looks.

"There you guys are. What took you so long? Whoa, Emily! Look at you. Where are you coming from?", JJ asked.

"Blind date.", Emily said.

"Oh, well, I expect to hear more about that later.", JJ winked at her. "Hotch, nice suit. Is it new?", she asked awkwardly.

Trying to keep his composure, he said, "No, I just don't wear this one to work typically. I went to an art show at a gallery my friend had some work in so I wore something a bit different. I guess it's not too different than my normal attire though...", he said, looking down at it.

"Well you both look very nice. Um, I've got pretty much everything set up. I was just going to get the rest of the team together. So come on up and we'll get started.", JJ said, walking away.

Once everyone's eyes were off of them and walked upstairs, they followed.

"I'm just going to run into my office real quick and set this down but I'll be back in a minute.", he said, motioning to his briefcase.

"Alright, see you in a minute.", she said.

Emily walked in and everybody looked at her again. "Well, well. Look at you Princess, where are you coming from?", Derek asked with a huge grin on his face.

"Blind date, like I told JJ.", she said.

"Oh girl, spill. How'd it go? Where did he take you? Was he cute? Is he smart? Did he hold the door for you? Did he pay? You know how I am when it comes to gentlemen.", Garcia probed.

Emily laughed, "Calm down. We went to a fancy restaurant that I don't even remember the name of which is fine because I'm not going to see him again.", she said.

"What? Why not?! What did he do?", Garcia asked.

"Well...",she started and stopped once Hotch walked in behind her and sat down next to her.

She looked at him and pretended to act awkward and shy. "Go on Prentiss. JJ is still in the bathroom. We have a minute.", Hotch said with a plain look on his face even though they both wanted to laugh.

"Okay, well, he was very handsome and obviously cared enough to dress up nicely. But all he did was talk about himself and he wasn't even that interesting. Just a huge ego and he could barely keep his eyes up here the whole time.", she said, pointing to her face.

She felt Hotch lightly nudge her leg with his after she said that and clear his throat which made her almost let out a giggle. "Didn't really feel a connection either so I already deleted his number.", she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"He's lucky I wasn't there. I would've-", Derek started.

"Yeah, yeah, macho man. We get it. He was just a narcissist who was probably impotent and had mommy issues so...", she said. Hotch nudged her leg again, his hand over his face while looking down at case file to keep from laughing.

"Well, I might know a couple people to set you up with if you want.", Garcia said.

"Oh, you know, I'm probably fine but thank you. I'll let you know if I change my mind though.", Emily said. Garcia nodded as JJ walked back in.

"Alright guys. We got another serial killer. New Orleans. 5 men have been found...", JJ kept on while Hotch whispered over to Emily, "That last part better not have been true.", he quirked an eyebrow.

"I had to get the idea from somewhere.", she whispered back.

He gave her a stern look and she winked at him before she looked back towards JJ at the front. Once they were done reviewing the case, Hotch stood up and said, "Alright, we're headed to New Orleans. Wheels up in 20."

They all packed up their things and headed out to the SUV's. Hotch and Emily decided to drive together.

"Wait, Aaron, I need my go-bag.", she said once they got in the car.

"I got it for you in the back.", he pointed.

"Oh, thank god. I was not ready to run around in these all day or stay in this dress.", she said.

"I wouldn't mind if you did.", he said.

"Yeah, I'm sure you wouldn't.", she laughed.

"Em...", he said.

"Yeah?", she asked.

"You don't really think I have a huge ego or am a narcissist, do you?", he asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Noooo, of course not.", she said, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, I was just teasing."

"I know you were... but you know, a lot of people think I do and think that I am and... I know you'd be honest with me.", he said.

"Aaron, you do not have a huge ego. You are not a narcissist. I wouldn't be with you if you were. You haven't shown a side like that at all to me but trust me, if you did, you know that I would let you know.", she told him.

"Okay, good. Because I want to treat you fair and show you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I want you to know that I put you before me.", he said.

"Aaron, don't say that. You can't put me before yourself with everything.", she said.

"Emily, I love you. I'll be damned if I let anything hurt you.", he said, looking over at her briefly.

"Well, I don't need you to protect me.", she said.

"Emily, I take care of you. Sure, not because I have to but because I want to. I want to take care of you. And I don't just mean in bed...", he smirked. She smacked his arm and they both giggled once they had finally parked.

Later, on the jet, they'd finished reviewing the case more and they were all relaxing. Hotch was still looking over a file when Reid and Derek fell asleep. Emily and Hotch sat on the couch next to each other while JJ sat across from them in her own seat.

"So... who is she?", JJ asked Hotch.

"Who's who?", he asked.

"Oh come on. There's no way you got a suit like that just to go to an art gallery by yourself. So who is she?", JJ asked again, raising an eyebrow.

Emily looked over at him too and he made eye contact with her before looking back at JJ.

"Yeah, Hotch. Who's the girl?", Emily asked, teasing him.

"Fine. There's a girl. Ever since Haley left, I've been trying to go out a bit more. My friend who had some art in the show said he knew a girl and that she'd be there, told me to wear a nice suit, so I did and I think we might be going out again. There. Happy?", he said with a little chuckle.

"So what's her name?", JJ teased him.

"Oh, no, no, no... I'm not going to tell you guys that.", he said.

"What! Why not? Come on, Hotch.", Emily said.

He eyed her, almost warning her but she was loving it and smiled big.

"No, sorry. You guys are just going to have to live with the information you already have.", he said.

"Fine. But I can have Garcia track your phone and get into all your messages just like that.", JJ said snapping her fingers.

"I can turn back to 'boss mode' from 'friend mode' right now.", he said to her, raising an eyebrow.

They all laughed and Emily let out a big yawn.

"Emily, why don't you go take a power nap in one of the seats before we land?", Hotch asked.

"No, no. It's fine, I'm totally good.", she said.

After a few minutes Emily got more and more tired and closed her eyes. Hotch and JJ continued to talk about the case again, not being able to sleep themselves.

"Alright, that sounds good. Tomorrow morning or at least later in the morning, I guess, I'll have Emily go with you and I to the station and Morgan and Reid can go to the crime scenes.", Hotch said.

"Does that sound good, Emily?", JJ asked. When Emily didn't respond, JJ looked up at her. Emily had fallen asleep and rested her head on Hotch's shoulder. He seemed completely oblivious to it and JJ became confused.

"Hotch.", JJ said, bringing his attention up to her.

"What?", he asked.

JJ's eyes went to Emily and Hotch followed her gaze to his shoulder. He hadn't even realized Emily's head was there. He was just so used to her touch that it didn't make him flinch anymore when he wasn't paying attention.

He had no idea what to do in that moment. He wanted to stroke her hair and give her a kiss on her head but obviously he wasn't able to do that.

He had to act like he felt uncomfortable and professional, as if it were anyone else.

"Emily.", he said, looking back at JJ's wide eyes. She shrugged awkwardly.

"Emily.", he said a bit louder.

She still didn't wake up, but instead, nuzzled her head into his shoulder even more. He thought it was so sweet and then he wanted to hold her close and let her continue to sleep. But he couldn't. He kept his hands on the case file on his lap.

He cleared his throat and said a bit louder, "Agent Prentiss." Finally, she woke up, her eyes still closed.

"Mmmm sorry. Was I snoring again?", she said. She brought her head up and slowly opened her eyes, yawning. She looked ahead at JJ and her heart stopped. She panicked and looked confused until she realized where she was and what was happening, which only took about three seconds. She looked over at Hotch next to her, staring at her with fear in his eyes but trying to act like he was her boss in that moment. She knew his body language and facial expressions by now, including panic which she was starting to feel herself.

"Uh no, Prentiss. No, you were not snoring. You did fall asleep on my shoulder though... Maybe you should go take a power nap like I suggested...", Hotch told her.

Even at work, he didn't always call her "Prentiss". Sometimes it was just random, sometimes it was when he was serious, but she knew right now that it was.

"I'm so sorry, sir. That uh- you're right. I'm just going to grab some water real quick, stretch my legs, wake up more.", she said, getting up and walking to the back.

He watched her walk away and stared at her legs and backside until he snapped out of it. He brought his attention back to JJ, hoping she didn't notice where his eyes went.

"Well... I wonder if there really was a blind date after all...", she said.

Hotch panicked. "What?", he asked.

"She said she had a blind date but she just asked if she was snoring again and in that cutesy way... there was no blind date. There's someone she's waking up to whose told her she snores.", JJ chuckled.

"I'm sure it was nothing.", he tried to reassure her.

"Mmmmm I don't think so. Hotch, you've trained us pretty well. I may not be a profiler but I know how to profile pretty well by now... She's definitely seeing someone. I mean, look at what she's wearing. A girl doesn't get dressed up like that for a guy she's never met. This wasn't a first date.", she said.

"Who knows.", he said, giving up, both of them slipping into silence.

Emily came back out with a water bottle and sat down across from JJ. If her and Hotch weren't together and he was just her boss, she would've been extremely embarrassed but they were. She didn't feel embarrassed but she had to act like it. If anything, she felt nervous and panicked that JJ would have picked up on something. Hotch got up and went to the bathroom, giving the girls alone time to talk.

"Okay, so now I'm going to have to do the same thing I did with Hotch... Who's the guy?", JJ asked.

"What? What guy?", Emily panicked.

"Oh my god. Emily. There is someone you wake up to who hears you snore. There's a guy. There was never any blind date. So who is it? And why didn't you want anyone to know about him?", JJ asked.

"Fine. There's a guy and I didn't want anyone to know about it because I'm not sure what it is yet. Okay? Just let it go.", Emily pleaded.

"Emily! He's sleeping with you and my guess is staying the night too based on the fact that he hears you SNORE! I know you. I know you wouldn't just have any guy stay the night. Or dress up like that for just any guy.", JJ said.

"JJ stop, okay? I just don't want to talk about it. I'm exhausted and I like being able to share my personal life with you but not yet on this, okay? I'm sorry.", Emily said.

"Alright, fine. I won't ask anymore.", JJ said, putting her hands up and leaning back in her seat.

Once they landed and got back to the hotel, Emily sat alone in her room. Too tired to change out of her clothes just yet, she reached for her phone and called Hotch. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Hey, why aren't you asleep?", he asked.

"Because I'm too tired to get changed.", she whined.

"Which is even more reason for you to just get changed quick and go to sleep.", he said.

"Will you come help me?", she asked.

"Emily, your tone is like a helpless child. You can get changed yourself.", he chuckled.

"Pleeeaaaseee?", she begged.

He sighed, "Alright fine. I'll be over in a second."

Less than a minute later, she heard a knock on the door and groaned while she sat up to get it. She opened the door and let Hotch in, who was already in his pajama pants and a t-shirt. Once the door closed, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

She already took her shoes off and headed towards the bed to sit down.

"Alright, first, turn around.", he ordered.

He undid the zipper to her dress and let it fall to the ground. He placed a kiss on her shoulder and turned her around, planting a kiss on her lips.

"Sit. I'll grab your pajamas.", he said.

Right as she sat down, she unhooked her bra and threw it at him. "Hey. Watch it.", he said, pointing a finger at her, not looking in her direction.

"I don't need any pajamas if you stay in here tonight.", she giggled.

"Yes, you do because I'm not.", he said turning around. He stared at her for a second before he started walking towards her. "As much as I want to right now...", he laughed, shaking his head. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to her and grabbed the t-shirt he was holding. He helped it over her head, pulling it down and her arms through the sleeves.

"Here.", he said, handing her a pair of shorts and underwear. She took them but grabbed him down by his shirt with her fast, laying on her back. She pulled him back down with her, smiling before she placed her lips on his.

"Emily...", he said. She wrapped her legs around his waist and put her hands on his face, kissing him again. "Emily.", he said again.

"Ughh what!", she said, frustrated.

"We need to talk about earlier.", he told her.

She sighed and scooted up to the head of the bed as he followed. He put his arm around her as they laid back.

"Listen, JJ gave me a really weird look when you fell asleep on my shoulder earlier. I know you couldn't help it. You were asleep. But... it still seemed off and... when you said the thing about snoring... I'm surprised she didn't ask me how I knew you snored since you practically asked me if you were doing it again. So...", he said.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it! Even in my sleep, I guess I just want to cuddle up next to you.", she said, scooting closer and cuddling him. He laughed and held her tight.

"Yeah, I know but maybe next time when I say you should go to take a nap in another seat...", he trailed off.

"I'll go take a nap in another seat. I got it. Which... by the way...", she started.

"What?", he asked.

"JJ might know that there's a guy now and it was more than just a blind date.", she said.

"Might? As in, you told her? She tried talking about it with me but of course I acted like I didn't know.", he said.

"Yeah, well, she pointed out a few things but I shut it down, so, I think we just need to be a little extra cautious but we're fine, okay?", she said.

"Alright. Alright, fine.", he said, picking up her hand and kissing it.

She rolled over and sat on his lap, straddling him with her hands on his neck. "Emily!", he said.

"Oh, come on, Aaron. Live a little. I can feel that you're up for it.", she giggled.

"We can't. We're both exhausted. Well I thought we both were. Now I know you didn't really need me to come help you get changed. Just to get undressed.", he said.

"Come on, I know you want to. I can feel you wanting to. Just give in, babe.", she bit her lip with a devilish smile and moved her hips against his lap.

He laughed, "Babe. That's a new one."

"I'll do all the work.", she said.

"I hate having you do that. Like I told you earlier, I take care of you.", he said.

"Well... how about tonight... I take care of you... and then you can still take care of me after but I'll just do all the work.", she said.

"I can't let you do that.", he said.

She pulled down his pants, grabbed him in her hand, and said, looking up in his eyes, "Too late."