Okay, so it's been awhile but lots of crap has let me to actually return to writing this story :] I love this chapter the most b/c I can relate so I hope it seems genuine. Reviews are welcome, thanks for reading :] FYI- I was listening to Erykah Badu's Love of My life feat. Common while writing this so listen and it makes a bit more sense lol
Placing her key into the lock and finally getting into her apartment were the last defenses that Emily felt she had to put up. She closed her door behind her and let her tears fall down her face as she gathered everything she felt she needed. She didn't notice that her makeup was running or that she was frantically searching her kitchen for a bottle of wine and a glass. As Emily found exactly what she was looking for, she headed into her bathroom and started to run water for a bubble bath that she was in desperate need of. As she added her strawberry scented bubble bath, she realized that she was letting herself act as if her world has fallen apart. Derek is the only man that is able to make it seem as if the sky is falling. What else could possible go wrong? As Emily sat on the edge of her bathtub, she absently ran her hand through the warm water thinking about how the situation had gotten do out of control so fast. She admitted that she did act a bit hastily, but she couldn't manage to get a grip on her emotions. She decided that her mind needed a rest, so she washed her face clean of makeup and deposited her clothes in the hamper before gently getting into her bath. She relished in its warmth it provided and conceded to the overwhelming urge of crying once again. This time her tears weren't hurried, but more as if every one fell with purpose and a message that she was meant to grasp and interpret on her own.
As she lazily drew patterns in the bubbles at the surface, she heard a persistent knock that she didn't intend to deal with. The person at her door knock a good four more times before it got quiet and she figured that whoever it was had left. That being, before she heard the distinct sound of a key enter her lock and she froze. She didn't have a spare key, so it had to be one of three people: JJ, Garcia, and Derek because they had keys in case it were an emergency. She really hoped that it was one of the former rather than the latter, but she honestly was preparing for the worst. As she sat in her bath, Emily couldn't help but wonder why exactly any of them would be at her apartment to begin with. Deciding that seeing who was there would ease her worries and settle her stomach that seemed to drop every second she was in the dark, she resentfully pulled herself out of the water and threw on her black silk bathrobe that was just a little too short. It may have left a good majority of her legs in sight, but her first priority was to get her apartment free of anyone that wasn't herself. She didn't feel the need to talk to anyone but Derek, and yet that was the one thing she didn't want to do just yet. Tying her robe, she then pulled her hair into a ponytail and opened her bathroom door, coming face to face with the one person that had made her cry more tonight then she had in a long time. Breath hitching in her throat, all she managed was a weak smile as she sidestepped him and headed for her couch. As she sat down, all Emily felt was the need to rush back into the bathroom to drown herself in red wine that had been long forgotten. Emily shut her eyes as she felt the cushions of her couch dip to accommodate Derek that sat no more than one foot away from her, and couldn't help the need to cry once again. As she gathered herself, she looked into his eyes and noticed that they seemed to be slightly red as if he had rubbed then too many times. Taking a deep breath, Emily only really had one question for him,
"Derek, what are you doing here?" she asked tiredly, her voice cracking as she said his name. she honestly thought that she needed to know the answer, but figured out too late that it was a question that had too many other emotions and events attached to it. Derek linked his fingers together in his lap and looked at her, knowing that she couldn't handle the answer he had readily prepared. How exactly do you tell your best friend that she's become the love of your life? She'll think I'm only trying to make everything better, when I rally just can't bear the fact that she has no clue that my heart belongs to her.
"Em, if you honestly want to know why I'm here I'll tell you. But I can't take back what I say after the fact okay?" he asked, letting her see the vulnerability and uncertainty that he was struggling with. He looked like a little boy that just wanted to be hugged and told that everything was going to be okay, and she had to remember that he was a grown man that needed to be honest with her.
"Okay Derek, I'm listening." She leaned back against her couch and jumped as he unexpectedly got up from the couch and started to pace. She watched amused for a second before she stopped at the smoldering look he gave her that made it feel as if she were on fire and couldn't breathe. She waited as he tried to find the right words, and let the air from her lungs escape as she heard him breathe and start to speak.
"Emily Prentiss, you are my best friend. We may have gotten off to a rocky start, but I've grown to admire and respect the woman that you are" she smiled that the obvious affection in his voice and let him continue,
"That being said, I can't believe the way that everything played out today." He said it and they both winced, realizing each of their own personal mistakes and knowing that everything could have been handled better.
"I'm not blaming you, but I just didn't understand how my amazing kick ass best friend could turn on me and make me feel as if I didn't mean anything to you. That was something I never want to feel again, because it feels as if you're suffocating and the only thing that can save you is a million miles away. It's terrifying Em, and yet I've only felt it when I fight or disagree with you." She teared up at his confession, wondering just how aware he is of the affect he has on her. She may appear strong and stone faced, but seeing him with a number of women has broken down her resolve that maybe they did have a chance at something better.
Raking a deep breath once again, he sat down close to Emily grabbing her hand and lacing their fingers together. He was overwhelmed with her scent of strawberries, and couldn't help but smile at just how much that smell both excited and calmed him. Looking in her deep brown eyes, Derek knew that if he wasn't man enough to tell Emily just how he felt, he wasn't even remotely worthy of her love or anything else she could give him.
"Emily Prentiss, you are my best friend and the love of my life. The knowledge that I get to see you every morning and spend hours on end with you gets me up in the morning, and thinking of just how much I trust you and would do anything to see you smile help me sleep at night. Losing you to someone else kills me to even think about, yet hurting you the way I did today was more than I could bear. Knowing that you cried over me made me feel as if I was worse than the Unsubswe catch. You should never cry over me, I'm not worthy your tears," he said as he gently wiped away the tears that had started to make their way down her cheeks. He cradled her face in between his hands and leaned forward so he was able to rest his forehead against hers, feeling his own rapid heartbeat mix with hers. Derek's voice then dropped an octave, taking on a huskier tone before proceeding with a whispered,
"I love you Em", as he tentatively pressed his lips against hers, feeling a sense of warmth that spread throughout his body making him lightheaded. He felt Emily respond as she placed her hands on the back of his neck, pulling him closer against her. She ran her hands over his neck and back and forth over his arms. His lips moved from her own to kiss her eyes, forehead, cheeks and nose before going back to her mouth. He brushed his lips passed hers in a sensual dance that made them both feel this kiss throughout their entire bodies. Derek then ran his tongue along Emily's lips, eliciting a throaty moan from her before she snaked her tongue out to dance with his. It was his turn to moan this time, and Emily was able to feel it through her hands that had been resting back on his neck. She shivered at the sound and bit gently on his lower lip making him repeat the action once again. Both unfortunately having to separate do to their lack of oxygen, all Derek could do was smile a thousand watt smile that couldn't be wiped off his face by anything. Looking back over at Emily, he realized that he had the same big smile on his face that she's wearing on hers. Intertwining their fingers once again, Emily leans her head against Derek's shoulder and breathes something into his chest giggling.
Laughing which shook Emily's entire body, he asked her what she had said, only barely catching her response,
"I'm not the one telling JJ and Garcia 'Hot Stuff'" she said laughing, feeling her body move even more when he broke into laughter.
"Sure thing baby, anything for you."
Like it? Not so much? I loved it so…yeah. Review and keep it going :)