A/N: It feels like forever that I wrote H/P (and it's been a while, in fact). The draft of this story/chapter has been sleeping on my hard drive for months, though, and my muse eventually convinced me to edit and post it.

Originally, I intended to post it as a separate story, but then I realized that I would have to explain too much since it refers very closely to the first chapter. So, I decided to adjust it to the structure of the first chapter and post it as a second chapter. Either way, I hope you like it.

Rating is a very strong "T".

Disclaimer: You didn't really think I owned anything related to Criminal Minds, did you? Anyhow, I want to make sure that you know, no, I own nothing. It all belongs to CBS.

VI. The sixth cycle: Here we are

Release

Aaron Hotchner is a man of facts. He doesn't indulge in fantasies. Usually. Today, well... today is an exception. Or not because this fantasy has become real. His hands caress her smooth skin, touching, feeling, relishing. He can't believe he is here with her or rather that she is here with him. Back in Washington. And she is not only here; she is here with him in the best possible way.

They had dinner together. Dinner. There was no way one of them could have written that off as business. It was only the two of them and not once did they talk about work. It was almost scary – how easily they were able to talk about other things, private things. And now, they are in his apartment because she has no apartment here anymore. She lives in London, but he prefers not to think about it at this moment. Not when he just peels off another layer of her clothing. Thank God, he planned ahead and arranged an overnight stay for his son. As much as he loves his son, tonight, he doesn't want to think of himself as a father or as a unit chief. Tonight, he doesn't want to think at all.

"Emily...," her name is a temptation on his lips.

Hotch remembers how he said her name at the beginning of their phone call. The one call that started all this because he eventually was able to be honest and tell her about his feelings, about everything.

"Yes," she replied back then as she does now.

Now, she does it simply because she knows he likes the sound of her voice.

Back then, his call took her entirely by surprise. Emily didn't expect Hotch to contact her. Let alone what he was about to tell her. When she had seen him for the last time, he had a girl friend, seemed to move forward with his life. Without her. One of the reasons that had made her leave. Perhaps the main reason, but she never admitted that to anyone. Not even to herself. It was too painful.

"I have to tell you something." His mouth is right next to her ear, his breath sending sweet shivers down her spine.

Again, these are the words he told her during their call and he deliberately repeats them now. His lips caress her skin, leaving goosebumps. He hears and feels her take a deep breath. She does that when she is tense in the worst and in the best possible way, did it during their conversation over the phone when he told her that...

"I have waited so long for this, much too long." It is almost eerie how the words just fit. Back then as well as here and now.

And with this, she understands that they are reenacting the words of their first call. Save that they complete them with their actions. It is the first time that they are together like this. It has taken them five weeks and countless phone calls with probably hundreds if not thousands of words to get here. Let alone the international flight she had to take.

Emily didn't allow Hotch the easy way out on the phone some weeks ago and she won't do it tonight either. She understands his motives, is aware of the strokes of fate life threw at him. Nonetheless, it was him who gave the wrong signals, who dated another woman. He messed it all up, at least kind of, and he has to work to make it up to her. Of course, there is no other woman in his life anymore; Hotch broke up with her right after their first call. Emily doesn't exactly know what they are to each other these days. Despite the fact that they talk about a lot of things, more or less everything, they avoid to attach a label to this thing between them as if classifying it could endanger it. Then again, they are profilers and don't need to speak their minds aloud. They both know the truth. Every phone call, every word, has brought them closer and closer together and tonight means more than a simple release of bottled-up, unresolved tension. Much more.

His lips trail over her collarbone and her neck up to her face where he finds her lips.

"Waited so long for what?" she whispers before he silences her with a kiss.

When Hotch called her, Emily immediately knew that something was going on, heard it in his voice that was hesitant, yet determined, but nonetheless completely different from the voice she was used to hear from Aaron Hotchner, her former unit chief. In retrospect, she can pinpoint the exact moment when he finally decided to tell her everything, could almost hear all the unsaid words pushing against the back of his throat before he actually told her. After all, calling her and telling her were two different things. It was her question and most likely her tone of voice that signaled him it was okay, the right thing to do, that she was ready to listen to him. Not necessarily prepared because how could she have been but ready, anyway. It felt so good to hear him say the words that followed back then and it will feel even better when he will act upon them tonight.

It is not the first time that they kiss. The cab ride was long enough to create an almost unbearable tension. Her body next to him, the knowledge what would happen once they arrived at his apartment... When his hand found its way on her thigh, she pulled him toward her. Hotch always expected to find out that Emily Prentiss is a passionate woman to make love to. He didn't expect to feel all this in one kiss. It almost took his breath away. Literally.

Now, they are in his apartment; their kiss intensifies and Hotch almost wishes they would have taken a hotel room. Not because he doesn't want her here but because he already knows that it will be devastating to live here alone when she is back in London, surrounded by the memories they are about to create.

They are standing in the middle of his living room and he doesn't care if they ever make it to the bed as long as her kisses taste that good. Almost doesn't care because he is burning up inside fast.

"I don't know where to start," he interposes when they have to come up for air, remembering how he said that to her on the phone and how scared he was, expecting to be rejected.

In a way, it is also true now. Hotch may be the confident, experienced unit chief and man but not when it comes to her. Never when it comes to her.

"Then, why don't you just start anywhere," Emily breathes, laughing quietly.

Who could have known that this phrase she used back then to encourage him to confide in her would fit now so perfectly to encourage him to... do other things to her. Her body shivers in anticipation. Why doesn't he just start? Anywhere.

There is a brief moment of hesitation and uncertainty, but in spite of his words he seems to know exactly where to start. Desire takes over and makes him stray from the script their phone call wrote for them.

"Here?" he asks hoarsely as his hands roam over her body, caressing the soft curve of her hips and taking a dive even deeper over her thighs and her back.

"Or here?" his voice is barely audible as he feels the hold-up stockings she is wearing, pulling at the hem of her dress so that the skin of her upper thighs is exposed.

She moans into his mouth and he pulls her dress up even higher, only the soft fabric of her thong separating him from the sweetest oblivion.

Her classic black dress is short and low-cut. However, Hotch doesn't want to fumble with cloth and reaches for the zipper, looking for permission that he finds in Emily's eyes. The dress falls to the ground and is joined by his tie, jacket and shirt soon.

It's a dance of push and pull they do because they know once they cross the line, it will be over fast. Somehow, they must have moved their position within the room and are standing next to his desk now that has just the right height to... Emily steadies herself against it and pulls him even closer, the heat of her body attacking all of Hotch's senses mercilessly. He needs to feel her skin, all of it, and removes her silk bra.

The way she arches her back right into the touch of his hands and lips, he is certain by now that they won't make it to the bed, but he doesn't care and neither does she. When he feels her reaching for his belt, her quick breathing is the final temptation to simply give in and let it happen. He pushes her thong out of the way because he needs to get closer and closer until the heat is overwhelming and the sweet sounds she is making threaten to carry him away. When he finally can't get any nearer, there is nothing but silence for a brief moment, both of them holding their breath.

"Don't move," Emily's voice trembles with desire; he can barely understand her.

It requires almost inhuman strength, but somehow Hotch manages to comply with her wish, aware that she tries to prolong this moment as long as possible. He just holds her and remains perfectly still otherwise, the weight of his body pushing her softly down on his desk, only his lips tenderly caressing her face and neck. The last time he felt that intoxicated he dived too long and ran out of oxygen, had a rush when he came up to the surface. Rationally, he knew it was dangerous, but it felt fantastic, and in a way, this situation is equally fantastic and dangerous. How can he have her like this and let her go again? Back to London.

She releases a breath and stirs almost imperceptibly in the process, but it's enough to make him hiss frustrated. In response, she pushes up her hips as permission for him to move again. He does and it's an immediate sensual overdose; she closes her eyes and arches her back another time. But there is one thing he needs to say before their next movement will push them over the edge. Hotch supports himself on one arm and touches Emily's face with his other hand to get her attention.

He told her this over the phone when he called her and he needs her to hear it again. Here and now.

"I can't even remember anymore when it has not been you."

VII. The seventh cycle: Where do we go from here?

Affiliation

In the morning, they will talk about tomorrow, next week, next month. About the inevitable. What the future holds for them.

She will fly back to London. He will stay in Washington. Nevertheless, they will stay together. It won't be easy, but they will find a way.

The days will be filled with work, with enough distractions not to feel the loneliness. The nights are a different matter. No, it definitely won't be easy, but they won't throw the previous gift of what they have away carelessly. They have waited too long for it to happen.

They don't know it yet, but life means well for them. They can't imagine it currently; there seem to be too many obstacles, but they will live together soon. A home. A place to find solace, inner peace and love.

And every now and then, they will remember that one special night. And he will draw tender lines on her skin and she will whisper tender words in his ear so they can relive it again and again.

I could have let the story end after part VI, but I wanted to show a short glimpse at their future and that there is happiness waiting for them.

Thank you for reading. Every review (short or long, praise or constructive criticism) is very appreciated.