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Chapter 2

Emily was on the phone to JJ in the car on the way to pick up Jack.

'So are you going to tell Hotch how you feel about him?' JJ asked.

'You've lost me.'

'Are you going to tell Hotch that you love him?'

'Love him as a friend? I'm sure he already knows that,' Emily was confused.

'No Em, that you are in love with him.'

'What no? I'm not in love with Hotch,' she denied quickly, before thinking about little moments shared between them and how she felt when she was around him. 'Oh... I do love Hotch.' Emily realised.

'Yes.' JJ smiled.

'No but I can't he's my boss.'

'Just because he's your boss doesn't mean you can't love him,' JJ laughed. 'And before you say anything, Hotch loves you as well.'

Emily scoffed in response to that revelation. 'No he doesn't. Also that's just complicated Jayje.'

JJ laughed again, louder this time. 'So first you're in denial about being in love with Hotch and now you're denying that he loves you?'

Emily almost smiled. 'I can't handle this right now, I'm picking up Jack so I'll see you at the hospital?'

'Yes, we'll see you at the hospital in a bit, try not to worry about the Hotch situation.'

'That's easier said than done but I'll try,' Emily replied as she pulled up in front of Hotch's place.

Getting back to the hospital with Jack, he ran into his dad's room.

'Hi daddy,' Jack ran up to give him a hug.

'Hey buddy, I missed you,' Hotch kissed his head and returned his hug before looking up at Emily and giving her a smile, mouthing the words 'thank you.'

Emily left Hotch and Jack alone to get a coffee where she met JJ and they had a chat.

'So are you still in denial?' JJ smirked.

Rolling her eyes, Emily took a sip of coffee and made a face at the taste. 'No. What am I going to do JJ? It's complicated.'

'I know it is, but everything will work out okay. I'm sure that we could pull some strings or blackmail some people and they'd let you and Hotch be together, if that's what you decide.'

'I don't know if I want a relationship with him... I haven't thought about any of that yet,' Emily replied honestly. 'I just realised.'

'Can you imagine spending the rest of your life with him? Does he make you happy and feel safe? Do you trust him?'

'Yeah of course I trust him and yes he makes me happy and feel safe. It's just... we're friends, I don't want to hurt him and I don't want to get hurt, not that I think he would but...'

'I get that. You don't have to decide anything at the moment. Whatever you decide we will be there to support both of you anyway.'

Emily smiled and gave her friend a hug. 'I know, thank you.'

'But the best relationships, start from friendship first.'

'I suppose that's true,' Emily smiled, that thought made her feel better.

'If Hotch asked you out on a date, what would you say?' JJ asked out of interest.

Emily smiled but thought about the answer properly for a minute. 'I would say yes.'

Later that evening.

'So how are you feeling?' Emily asked.

'I feel better, just waiting to get out. Thanks again, for bringing Jack and for everything you've done, I appreciate it,' Hotch gave her a smile.

'It wasn't a problem, I didn't mind doing it. He wanted to see you as well.'

They both stayed silent for a few minutes before Hotch spoke up. 'There's something I need to tell you.'

Emily swallowed and tried her best not to look away. 'That doesn't sound good.'

Hotch smiled softly. 'Look at me Emily.'

She looked up at him but it took a few seconds for her to look into his eyes as she felt her heart race. 'Is everything okay?'

'Everything is okay, I just want to talk to you about something.'

'Alright, I'm listening, what did you want to talk to me about?' Emily took a deep breath, not sure if she was ready to hear what he had to tell her.

Hotch thought about what he was going to say for a moment.

'You're starting to worry me,' Emily frowned as she became impatient.

He took a deep breath. 'I'm in love with you Emily. I love you more than anything,' Hotch spoke softly, so softly that Emily almost didn't hear him. 'I just want you to know.'

Emily was silent for a minute or so, as she took in what Hotch had said. She was shocked to say the least and he could tell by her face. 'I love you to Hotch.'

Hotch in return smiled as well. 'I couldn't think of a better answer. You make me happy Emily,' he took her hand in his as she moved closer to the bed.

'You make me happy to.' Emily squeezed his hand in return before moving up to kiss him carefully.

Hotch returned the kiss happily after a moment, as he felt his heart burst with love.

Emily pulled back abruptly with a shocked look, when he put his hand on her face carefully. 'Are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?'

Taking her hand in his, he just smiled at her. 'No, you didn't hurt me. I'm fine, are you alright?'

She let out a sigh but gave him a smile. 'Okay, I'm good.'

Hotch moved up in the bed. 'Come here.'

Emily looked at Hotch for a few seconds. 'Are you sure that's...'

'Yes, I'm very sure.'

Emily rolled her eyes with a smile, before getting into the bed next to him. He kissed her lightly. 'Is this okay?'

'Yeah, it's okay,' she rested her head on his good shoulder. 'It doesn't hurt when I do that does it?' He shook his head. 'Has the doctor told you when you can come out yet?'

'No not yet but it should be tomorrow at the latest, if I carry on like this.'

'Just take it easy when you come back to work and when you get home.' Emily told him seriously.

'I promise,' he kissed her head softly. 'When I get out of hospital, would you let me take you out to dinner?'

Emily looked up at him with a surprised smile. 'Yes, I'd love that.'

'It's a date.' Hotch kissed her gently.

'Can't wait,' she rested her head on his shoulder again.

There was a moment of comfortable silence, as the two of them lay there thinking about everything had happened.

'You look tired.'

Emily laughed. 'I'm really tired but I can sleep later.'

'Go home and rest.'

'You want to get rid of me already?' Emily teased, looking up at him.

'No of course not, but I need you to sleep and look after yourself. I'm perfectly fine, I'm not going anywhere,' he intertwined their hands. 'Rossi told me you haven't been sleeping and have been here most of the time.'

'I slept a bit. I'll be able to sleep fine now though,' Emily laughed, before getting a message on her phone from JJ.

'You don't have to go now, I don't want you to leave yet but you do need to sleep.'

'I don't want to leave either but aren't you tired?' Emily asked.

'Not really, I've been asleep for the last couple of days anyway,' Hotch joked.

Emily glared playfully at him. 'That's not funny.'

'I'm sorry,' he smiled at her. 'What can I do to make it up to you?'

Emily pretended to think about it for a moment. 'Kiss me.'

'Gladly,' Hotch replied before kissing her deeply.