A/N: Thank you for all the kind reviews you've left in response to this little story. It's my first attempt at (believable) Hotch/Prentiss romance so hopefully I'll get better with practice. Anyhow, this is probably the fastest I've ever written and updated and it's thanks to all of you!
Hotch was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"There aren't any lights on so I didn't know right away but the furnace has stopped and there's no light coming from my alarm clock. I think the power's out." I hope he doesn't think that I planned this in order to trap him here. As much as I would love that…Em, give your head a shake! Fiorinal makes you high. You're not thinking clearly.
Hotch gently detached himself and went to the window. "Yep, you're right," he said, getting back on the bed. "It looks city-wide." He debated internally holding her again, but she seemed better and he didn't want to take liberties.
"You're kidding." She got up and looked for herself. Hotch was pleased to see that her head seemed much better.
"One of those freak things, I guess," he commented. Emily couldn't tell from his tone if he was upset or not. She turned from the window and wanted to go back to the bed but her head was better, she was slightly buzzed from the Fiorinal and she didn't trust herself. Alone in a dark room, with someone she had fantasized about as an adolescent… it was a recipe for trouble. She hugged herself as a shiver went through her body – the warmth from Hotch's body was sorely missed. She methodically went to her closet, pulled out a sweater and put it on, unaware of Hotch's eyes on her. With her back to him she said, "I suppose it's too dangerous for you to leave with no traffic lights and all."
Hotch got up and stood behind her. "Do you want me to leave?" His voice sounded strained to Emily and she wanted to cry out, no stay, please stay. I want you to stay forever.
"I want you to do what's safe," she answered, finally, voice flat and emotionless. She turned and looked up at him, hoping that her eyes wouldn't betray her thoughts. "You are welcome to stay. I have an extra room and it even has a bed." She laughed hollowly and moved around him, the closeness of him intoxicating. "I'm going to grab something from the fridge while it's still cold. Do you want anything?" She didn't wait for him to answer – she had to get out of the room while her head was still fairly clear.
When she emerged from the kitchen with a couple of glasses and some juice (wine wouldn't be a good combination with the drugs), Hotch had moved into the living room and opened the drapes.
"There's a bit of light from the moon," he said in answer to her questioning look. "Thanks for the drink" as he took the glass from her. She curled up in the easy chair, leaving the couch for him if he wanted it. Hotch settled easily on it and took a sip.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, kindly.
"Yes, thank you." Silence descended. Emily wondered if Hotch was feeling as uncomfortable as she was. She wracked her brain for topics of conversation but it seemed like every thought had been extinguished in her head. She blamed the drugs. Hotch, for his part, seemed content to drink apple juice and stare at her. At least it felt like he was staring at her. She couldn't be sure because she didn't dare look at him.
"Emily." She inwardly cringed at the kindness in his voice. "What is it? Have I done something to offend you?"
"No, of course not! It's just…" she tried to gather whatever courage she still possessed "I've wanted to get to know you better ever since you came to work for my mother. And now you're here but I don't want you to think that I got you here under false pretenses. I really did think I was calling Penelope…" her voice trailed off.
"I owe you an apology." Startled, Emily looked at Hotch despite herself. He was smiling slightly, an unusual expression for him. Emily wondered if it was a trick of the moonlight.
"You owe me an apology?" she repeated, incredulously. Her hand started twirling with her hair in a way that broadened Hotch's smile.
"Yes, and it's long overdue. I was unbearably rude to you the day you showed up in my office, having been assigned to the team. It was a difficult time for the team and for me personally but that's no excuse. I should have remembered what you were like as a young person and not suspected you of being involved in Strauss' games. Will you forgive me?"
Emily couldn't believe her ears. "Of course I forgive you but I didn't expect you to remember me, let alone my character. And based on my mother's position, why wouldn't you think that she had something to do with my being assigned to the BAU? Controlling people and situations fits exactly with her character." Her voice turned uncharacteristically bitter, which did not escape Hotch's notice.
"Still cynical about politics? The real kind?"
It was the sympathetic note in his voice, she would decide later. That had to be the reason that she would throw caution to the wind, so to speak, and reveal her secret to her boss of all people. It certainly had nothing to do with a teenage crush or the darkened room that begged confidences to come forth.
