Thank you to all who had read every chapter and also to those who reviewed!
And thanks to HGRH35 for your relentless 'nitpickingness' where in if it weren't for that, it would not look as good as it is now! Thanks a bunch!
Ah…and now the conclusion…
.
Bringing Emily Home
Part 5
Not again! Emily thought. He's dead! He's dead!
She kept that chant running through her head as she pointed her gun at the door.
But as the door opened, she sighed in relief as she lowered her gun, hands shaking.
Hotch looked at her in surprise; he knew what she was thinking about; Ian Doyle by her wild looks in her eyes.
Stupid! Stupid! He should have called her, giving her the heads up; he could have been shot! She was very accurate with her weapon.
"Hotch!" She exclaimed as she tucked her gun into the back of her jeans.
"Yeah. I'm sorry Emily. I should have called ahead."
Nodding, she said, "Yeah you should. You'd be meeting your maker right now if I hadn't hesitated."
Hotch widened his eyes at the implication, "You hesitated, why?"
That was not the question she had expected him to ask, yet again she was not surprised he did. He always looked at things outside the box.
"I kept telling myself he was dead, that it couldn't be him. And hoped that it might be you."
Hotch nodded as he approached her. "You're right. I am glad you hesitated."
The need to change the subject was forefront, so she asked, "Why are you here? What's happening?"
"I decided to have lunch here." He stated simply.
Suddenly, Emily knew the reason and couldn't resist.
"Is she still plaguing you?"
Hotch nodded his head. "She was wherever I was. Even lunch yesterday was unbearable with her sitting so close to me. You know me and spaces."
She nodded; everyone in the team knew to not crowd him.
"I just had to get away. I told the team I had forgotten a file from my room and here I am. I was so focused on avoiding her that I didn't think of calling you. I'm sorry."
"Hey, no need. If I was in that situation, I think I would probably react the same way."
He nodded then looked at her, "So, what's for lunch?"
Emily grinned as she picked up the hotel restaurant menu and passed it to him.
…
An hour and a half later, Hotch's phone buzzed. It was Morgan.
"Hotch! Where are you?"
Hotch curved an eyebrow at Emily who was sitting opposite from him at the table, empty plates and files surrounding the table.
"I'm sorry Morgan. I must have dozed off in my room. Has something happen?"
Hotch listened and nodded as Morgan briefed him on the latest.
Snapping his phone shut, he stood up, "We have him. The UnSub."
Emily stood as well, "Oh?"
"You were right. It was the editor of the newsletter. Crime lab is at his apartment. Morgan said that he had been stalking these women since they subscribed to the newsletter. I have to get back to the field office for interrogation."
Emily nodded, glad that this case was over.
"Emily, I can't thank you enough for your help…" He held out his hand, "Let me finish. I know you're going to say about teamwork and we are team but really, this was something we had glaringly overlooked. And would have still been wondering when he is going to strike were it not for you. So, thank you."
Emily blushed slightly, "Hotch…I," then she stopped as she saw his expression and relented, "You're welcome."
Hotch nodded as he put on his jacket that he had taken off when their lunch arrived.
"I'll see you later. And I'll try to remember to call before I come in. Don't want another repeat and don't want to risk finding out how fast your reflex is."
Emily smiled, "Gee, thanks!"
Hotch grinned as he looked at her one more time before he left, the door quietly shut and locked when he walked down the hallway towards the elevator.
His mind went back to earlier; he had thoroughly enjoyed his lunch. They had a lively discussion about UnSubs and the methods and patterns used. Some were quite predictable and yet, there were some that tested their minds.
It hadn't seemed long but before they knew it, lunch was over with Morgan's phone call. He didn't want it to end, their conversation. He found that he could freely express his opinions and whether she agreed with him or not, he was not upset as he listened to her. It was something he couldn't help, comparing her to his ex-wife, Haley. She on the other hand would purse her lips and shut down if he disagreed with her opinions. He sighed as he pushed the button to call up the elevator, since Haley was gone, he had not really bothered with the dating scene; truly, he didn't have the time for it anyways, what with work and his son whom he devoted his off work hours to.
Now, maybe, he had something to hope for. If she wanted to; he had felt the vibes from Emily and he knew that what he had felt, she did too. It was a good vibe. But after this case wrapped, after they were home in Virginia, they would talk.
And there were many things to talk about. The first being how they were going to explain her 'resurrection' to the rest of the team.
They had to inform JJ of her whereabouts. He was sure that JJ would be frantic by now as she had not received her weekly check up calls from Emily.
And then what?
He never liked uncertainty. He liked his 'I's dotted, 'T's crossed. Then again, why wonder? Why not take things as it come?
Especially if she was willing.
Emily Prentiss.
Who would have thought it was she that he came to like, wanted to know of and most importantly, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her!
He sucked in a surprised breath; where did that thought came from?
And the urge to turn around and went back to the room, to take her in his arms was strong. He had to take several deep breaths, quelled that feeling and stepped into the elevator car.
…
The BAU team managed to get a confession from their UnSub now identified as Eric Cranson. They found out that his stressor was a bad break up from his fiancée of three years. She had had enough of his controlling ways and wanted to leave but he had other ideas. Dave and Reid found that idea; the fiancée decomposed body was found in the basement of the apartment building he was renting from.
As it had turned dark when they finished with Cranson, the team spent another night in town before a sunrise take off back to Virginia.
Tiredly, Hotch and the team trudged back to the hotel; no one was interested in a celebratory drink at the local bar, invited by the field agents.
Hotch surreptitiously texted a quick message to Emily, letting her know he was on his way up.
"Good night all," he said as one by one, they stepped off the elevator to different levels. "Meet me at the lobby at 7.30am." He reminded them as the door closed. Dave's and his room were on the top floor and as they stepped out of the elevator, they said a bleary good night and moved towards their rooms.
Emily was waiting when he walked into the room; she was sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Hey," she greeted him, her eyes sparkled at the sight of him.
He smiled at her and it felt as if he had not seen her for quite a while and had missed her much.
"Hey," he replied.
"How did it go?" She asked. As he took off his jacket, he gave her a quick summary of the interrogation.
Emily nodded when he was finished, "Well, we were lucky to have caught him before he moved to his next victim."
He grimaced as he recollected what Morgan had told him; at Cranson's apartment, there were photographs of another woman and he had admitted to them that she was to be his next victim.
Sighing a collective relief, they closed the case; the sheriff formally charged him and hauled him to the county jail.
At this point, Hotch's stomach rumbled loudly, he blushed slightly at the offensive sound.
"I take it you have not had dinner?" She asked.
He shook his head.
"Me neither. How about ordering room service?"
"That's fine. I didn't feel like going anywhere but this bed."
Emily grinned as she said, "Well, I get to have you for the rest of the evening?"
Hotch glared at her, "You are enjoying this too much."
"Yes! Besides this afternoon lunch which, by the way I had lots of fun, the only other person I saw had been the waiter delivering my food."
"I…" His replied was cut off by a knock on the door.
Emily perked and they stared at each other before she scrambled to the bathroom and closed the door softly.
Hotch walked to the door and asked who it was.
It was Agent Margaret Holden.
Shaking his head; he knew nothing good would come out of this.
Reluctantly he opened the door.
She smiled when she saw Hotch and saw that he had removed his jacket and tie and a small tuff of chest hair peeking from behind his shirt where he had unbuttoned a couple of buttons from the top.
She liked man with chest hair.
"Yes, Agent Holden?" He asked warily. He saw where she was staring and was instantly angered. Why couldn't she get the hint that he was not interested in her?
"Hotch… Aaron…I was wondering if you had dinner and if not, we could go get a bite to eat, I know this Greek restaurant that serves really authentic Greek cuisine."
"Agent Holden," he saw a flicker of anger in her eyes and knew that she was not happy that he had insisted on addressing her formally. "I don't think that's a good idea. I'm just too tired and we have an early start, I'd like to get some sleep."
Pouting a little, she pushed the door wider and wedged herself in and sighing, Hotch let her in.
Pleased by her own insistence, she thought she had won a point. Be aggressive; she had always told herself and most times, she got what she wanted.
This delicious hunk of a man was really playing hard to get and the more he pulled away, the more she wanted to pull him back. And she always won.
"Agent Holden…"
She decided to be bold and cut him off by flinging herself to him and tried to kiss him. She knew that one kiss from her, no man would refuse.
Luckily Hotch saw that coming and quickly deflected her by holding her hands away from him.
"You are leaving right now."
"But Aaron…"
"It's Agent Hotchner. I have not given you permission to use my name."
"But…" she tried to tear up; it worked for her too.
"No. Leave now or I'll write you up for sexual harassment. And you'll not be working in a supervisory position ever again." He was furious she had not taken him seriously.
She tried to laugh but he was not reacting, so she glared at him, "You filing a sexual harassment on me? Who would believe you?"
Hotch replied firmly, "My team. They knew about you and your flirtatious manner. One of my agents over heard you describing me in a less than professional manner to other female agents in your unit. They heard you admitting to another agent that you'd sleep your way up if you had to, to get out of the field, starting with me. Would you like me to continue?"
Agent Holden stared wildly around, she was embarrassed; everything he had said so far was true and if he were to file a report on her, there went her career.
As quick as she came in, she shook her head and ran out of the room before he could say more.
Hotch leaned back against the wall as the door clicked and he closed his eyes.
"Hotch?"
He opened his eyes and saw Emily standing near him, looking at him worriedly.
"Yeah?" He closed his eyes again but opened them after a short moment.
"Are you okay?" She knew it was a stupid question but still it was necessary.
He straightened himself from the wall and approached her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. She was persistent and I had to threaten her."
"I heard." She replied as she moved closer and touched his arm. "You did the right thing, Hotch. There's no other way you can get around and that will teach her a lesson in tact. She is a walking sexual harassment. One of these days, someone will report her."
He nodded. And he was eager to change the subject.
"What were we talking about before she came?" Hotch asked.
Emily thought for a moment, "Dinner for two and something about the bed." She smiled cryptically.
He looked over to where the bed was and smiled. "Well, the bed will have to wait. How about you ordering for us, I'm going to take a quick shower and then we'll talk when the food arrives?"
Emily knew what that talk would be about and she nodded as she picked up the hotel room phone.
Hotch picked up his go-bag and headed to the bathroom.
It was going to be a long evening. But he was actually looking forward to the talk. He wanted to spend more time with Emily. He wanted to watch and listened to her voice when she talked. And yes, they had to inform JJ of this news. As well as the news he received from the Director earlier; Strauss was suspended, pending investigation on her involvement with the Ian Doyle case. Hotch was now interim Section Chief.
Hotch was glad as the case against Doyle, even dead, was still open; too many people, including a child, had died at his hands. Information in the Bureau, specifically the BAU unit had been compromised; especially security surveillance footage was released to him. That in itself was a serious crime against the Bureau. She was going to have her hands really full trying to answer the whys.
After that, the real talk; of him and her. What were her long term plans.
He liked to plan; he liked to be ahead of the game. And with Emily, even though he told himself to take it a day at a time, he still wanted to know about the long term. And he hoped she had the same mind frame as he. He saw the excited look on her face when he came back earlier. He saw the concerned look when she came out to check on him after Agent…whatever her name was…left. He saw the look of anticipation on her face when she reminded him of their earlier conversation about the bed.
"Hotch! I'm ordering chocolate covered strawberries and whipped cream, is that okay?" He heard her as he was stripping off his clothes.
What? Those are food for … that woman!
"Emily! No it's not okay! I want sustenance. Not appetizers!" He yelled back.
He shook his head when he heard her chuckled.
"Emily? Did you hear me?" No answer, just more laughing.
Damn that woman!
But then, he was not upset at her; he knew she was pulling his leg.
He trusted her. He knew she had ordered dinner…real food.
Right?
"Emily! You'd better order the right food or I'd show you what I will do with those damn chocolate covered strawberries!" He had a good imagination of them…and it had involved her in the nude, on the bed and sharing those damn strawberries…he grinned at his reflection when he recalled her naked body.
Oh yeah…
"Hotch?" He heard her called him from the other side.
Two could play the game, so he decided not to answer her.
"Okay…I've ordered grilled snapper, sautéed potatoes and asparagus. See, I remembered what you like…Hotch?"
Hotch chuckled, and then he stopped.
Looking down, he saw that he had stripped down completely. Grabbing a towel and quickly wrapped around his waist, he rushed out and went up to a shocked Emily and wrapped her tightly in his arms before he leaned in and kissed her surprised lips.
He suddenly needed to hold her. He wanted to feel her and most importantly, he wanted to kiss her senseless.
To hell with the shower!
And the heck with the talk; he preferred to show her instead.
Oh, he showed her. And she didn't reject him.
When she realized what he was doing, her heart sang as she began to return his kisses.
At last.
She had been surprised to see a half naked Hotch but she also remembered what his lower half looked like and she really liked it. She tingled when she remembered.
And when he walked up to her and held her tight…she was shocked but it was not an unpleasant shock, just unexpected…especially from him.
She had seen the way he had looked at her, and when he saw her naked the other night and she saw the appreciation and admiration in his eyes. It didn't take a proficient profiler to know his feelings for her.
Oh yeah, she definitely felt the vibes between them.
She had had the biggest crush on him for the longest time, and it turned into woman crush or love. Yes, she had been in love with him for the longest time.
She hadn't dared tell him for fear of rejection; at that time he had never paid any particular attention to her so she chalked that up to non interest.
It wasn't much after Haley was gone that she thought he had been looking at her in a different way. He began to partner with her more and those times, he, in his subtle way, began to open up a little about himself and mostly he talked about Jack. She had accepted that, any out of work conversation was gold to her and she cherished those moments with him as she never knew when would be the next time or he might shut her out again.
No, he had been giving out hints she never caught on to but while she had been holed up in this room, and seen him in a more personal manner, her mind had been about him and all those hints came back and she realized that he was shy about actually doing anything, and figured showing her was more than enough.
Emily had smiled when she remembered…
…she was lying in the secured hospital recovery unit. She found out that it was CIA agents that were playing security guards outside her room.
Hotch had come in and his face paled when he spotted her hooked up in tubes. Slowly, he walked up to beside her and unconsciously, he reached over and smoothed over her bangs. She remembered the tingle she felt when he touched her.
And more tingles felt when he held her hand. She wanted to cry, to shed tears of joy to feel his compassion and care.
"Emily, I'm sorry I was not there to protect you. I'm sorry I didn't get there before he…" his voice cracked and he couldn't go on.
A pause when he tried to regain control.
"Emily, when you leave here…you will no longer be with us. You will be taken away somewhere far until Doyle is found. I wish I could be there with you, protect you more but this is for the best. Know that wherever you are, I'm there with you…in your heart."
He squeezed her hand gently and kissed her forehead before he released her hand and left.
When she knew he was gone, she released those heart wrenching tears. She wished she could reciprocate him but she had a breathing tube in her mouth preventing her to respond.
At that point, she told herself that when she took care of Doyle, she'd come back and tell him. She would let him know she knew how he felt and she would tell him how she felt for him…
…as he pulled slightly away from her now swollen lips, he was panting for air.
She smiled wider as she laid her hand on his face and cupped his stubble cheek and began to tell him of that night. And how she felt for him.
Hotch's heart contracted when he heard her confession. She loved him!
She really loved him…all those times!
Hugging her harder, he laughed.
Emily was surprised to hear him laugh…actually laugh. She thought to herself that he should do that more often and to think, she was the one that made it so!
…
A few hours later, it had gotten quite late but Hotch didn't feel exhausted anymore.
They had stopped for dinner but after hurriedly finished their meal, they continued showing each other how much each had meant to the other.
…
Two days later, Hotch held a meeting with his team.
He informed them of Strauss' suspension and her involvement with the Doyle case.
The team was shocked at first and then thought justice was now balanced. They thought regretfully that if it weren't for Strauss' betrayal, Emily would still be here with them.
Instead of his normal serious frown, Hotch broke into a smile which astonished all.
"Speaking of Emily…"
At that point, the conference room door opened and everyone gasped in surprise at the sight of the visitor…
… The End…
So, please let me know!
Thank you all for reading this story. I hoped you enjoyed it as well I did writing it.
Thank you,
Lizzie