A few days later, and Hotch was home. Emily had rang to make sure he was as good as he initially said he was. He'd be returning to the BAU the following Monday, so on this Friday evening he must be feeling better physically, but he had asked for her to go round for company. Checking herself in the mirror for the umpteenth time, she once again made sure she looked nice enough for him to find her attractive, but not desperate. She didn't want to make it obvious. Looking good. She left, and drove to his, heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.
When she arrived the door was ajar, and she let herself in. He looked a mess. Still handsome in her eyes, yet a mess. There were a couple of empty wine bottles and there was a smell of booze wafting through the apartment. He sat on the sofa, head in his hands. Rubbing his hands through his hair, he looked up at her, and his sad eyes met her gaze.
"I just couldn't bare being alone yet," he half shrugged, his voice panged with hurt.
"It's ok, I get it. I'm here as long as you need me."
She hoped that'd be a long time, but that soon it could be for a more positive reason. She shut the door and put her handbag on the table, then slowly approached Hotch. He sighed, then rose.
Before he'd even had time to speak, he kissed her. A long, slow kiss, holding her head gently with his hands. She didn't pull away – her stomach churned with excitement and guilt, but it felt too good. She didn't care that it was alcohol and grief fuelled, her needed her. In his grief-stricken state, he wanted her, and that's all she longed for. An Aaron that lusted for her.
As he pulled away, he started to apologise, but before he could fully comprehend a sentence through the babbling, she leant in to return his kiss. She didn't need apologies, she just wanted him to know how she felt. She could never find the words, but this way she'd never have to. In her head she tried to make it right, with Haley's funeral barely out of the way, but she reasoned that they'd been separated for a while, and she could make him happy. She could make the pain go away, and maybe for the moment she could make him forget everything. And as she leant into him, he leant into her and months worth of longing seems to disappear.
They kissed each other passionately, both seeming to want it so much. Emily moved her hands towards Aaron's neck as he held her waist and pulled her closer to him. For a split second they paused, taking in what was happening. Hotch smiled and kissed her, hesitated, and as he sensed a smile back, he once again pulled her in for another kiss as she pulled him into the bedroom.