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Chapter 16: Road Block

February 2013 (Present Time)

Hotch swallowed the lump in his throat as the Director and Section Chief took the seats across from him in the small office Strauss led him to. Any meeting with the Director always put him on edge, which for Hotch was not normal. He wasn't ever the nervous type especially at work. Confidence was a strength of his and it always had been but when the Director of the FBI comes calling anyone in their right mind would be somewhat fearful.

"Agent Hotchner it is good to see you again." the Director said leaning back in the chair.

Hotch took in the man's relaxed features as a good sign that this meeting was not a reprimand as he first thought. Not that he had done anything to gain a reprimand but with Strauss always on his case he never knew. "You too, sir" Hotch replied with a tight nod.

"Erin has told me your team has been at the top of their game the past few months." Strauss nodded in agreement. Hotch was slightly surprised at that omission. The woman doesn't compliment often so getting a good report to the Director from her was a nice boost for him.

"Yes we have sir." Hotch looked to Strauss for any inkling as to what the meeting was about but her blank face told him nothing. Hotch hated small talk, he liked getting straight to work.

"Let's just get down to business shall we?" The Director said bringing many files and folders from his briefcase to the table between them.

"I think that would be best sir."

"The Fly Team has requested your assistance again. I would like you to gather a task force as soon as possible. They just busted a sleeper cell in Afghanistan. You will leave in two days." the director told him with a stern voice then passed Hotch a folder as he walked out.

Hotch sat with his jaw dropped. The first thing that came to his mind was Jack. The last time he was sent overseas he was in Pakistan for 6 weeks before he was called back for the Doyle case. Those weeks nearly killed his son even with the capability of Skype keeping them in constant contact.

Looking up to Strauss he calmly asked "Is there any way out of this? I can't leave Jack again."

"I'm afraid not. The Director is set on sending you. Agent Morgan will take over your post until you return." She said with understanding "Aaron, I tried to get him to send Agent Conner but you're the best. I'm sorry. Let me know who you want on your team." Then she left.

Cooling himself Hotch remained in the office for a few minutes. His mind immediately went to Jack then to Emily, the only other person this could affect. Even though they weren't together she was still a part of him. Thinking about leaving right now made his heart ache. Gathering himself he walked out of the room and into his office without looking or talking to anyone.

-CM-CM-

Emily bit her lip reading over the report in front of her again in the past twenty minutes but near the middle she would lose concentration just like the previous times. Her mind was mulling over the simple question Hotch asked her. Simple as it may be she was having the most difficult time answering it.

Their date was perfect. As any date she went with him on in the past but she was still so hesitant. She wouldn't deny that she wanted this but at the same time she had other things to worry about. The baby sitting on her bladder was one of those things. The most precious thing in the world to her was not to him even though he said he wanted the baby she just didn't believe him. And with that her feelings don't matter much. Fact is he doesn't want another kid.

"Briefing room please" Hotch's voice interrupted her thoughts. She sighed as she gathered herself and readied her mind for another case, pushing back her personal life.

As everyone took their seats Emily watched Hotch pace the room anxiously. His face was blank to anyone else but she could tell he was stewing on something and he was nervous about it. That did not bode well for anyone. The saying 'If Mama ain't happy nobody's happy' applied to the team. If Hotch ain't happy nobody's happy. And that made for a grueling case.

"Sorry to take you away from your work but I have some things to discuss with you." Hotch started. Emily physically relaxed her shoulders, no case.

"As you know before Prentiss came back I was sent on an Investigative Task Force in Pakistan. The Director just informed me that I will be called out again. I know that this shakes up the team and I'm very sorry for that but Morgan will be taking over as unit chief till I return which could be months from now."

The room was silent for a moment everyone soaking in his words then Garcia spoke up. "Sir, why you? I mean you have Jack and everything."

"The Director was asked specifically for me. I was instructed to get a team together and leave in two days. I have already discussed this with Strauss so today will be my last day here. I want to spend time with Jack before I go." Hotch looked to Emily. He wasn't sure if he was happy or disappointed she showed no outward emotions about him leaving. Maybe it was best she wasn't affected, it won't be any harder on him leaving her for these months.

Emily took in his words and quickly compartmentalized her emotions. Schooling her face she smiled softly at him as he stared at her. She wouldn't let him know her heart was pounding out of her chest at the thought of him being overseas with the military. The task forces sent to places like Pakistan often investigated terrorist threats which she knew. Just the thought of Hotch being a part of that made her stomach roll.

After the meeting was dismissed Hotch stayed back waiting for a moment with Emily. "Hey" he smiled as much as he could.

"Is Jack going to stay with Jessica?" Emily asked keeping to neutral topics.

"Uh…yeah. I'm sure he won't be happy about it but…" he shrugged. "Emily…"

Emily placed a finger on his lips "its okay. We aren't going to make this more than it is. You are going to do a job then when you get back if we are still, I don't know, if we still want this" she motioned between the two of them "then we can take it from there." Half of her was somewhat relieved. Now she had more time to figure herself out. She needed that.

"But I don't want to just wait. It could be months. Emily, I love you and I want to be with you." He pleaded with her.

"Aaron" she took a breath pushing back her emotions. "We talked about this. We are not jumping into anything. You leaving doesn't change that. I still need time to work through my feelings." Her tone softened a bit and she slipped her hand into his. "This could be a good thing."

Hotch nodded slowly and bit his lip. "Or it could be the worst thing for us." He whispered dropping her hand and walking to the door.

Emily rolled her eyes "Hotch". For being a strong alpha male sometimes he could really doubt himself.

"No Em, I-I don't get it. Do you want…" his words were cut off by Emily's lips on his. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist holding her to him as their lips and tongues danced together just like old times. The passion still explosive and mind numbing even after all the months apart.

Breaking the kiss slightly panting Emily opened her eyes to gaze into his dark chocolate eyes that were hazed over just a bit. "Of course I want you. But for me I need you to go do your job and come home safe then we can figure all this out."

Still slightly dizzy from the kiss Hotch just nodded and leaned back in for a softer kiss.

A/N: So I have always wondered why Hotch was in Pakistan in 7x01 before he came back to help with Doyle. They said it was an investigative task force so I took some liberties with my way of it so please take it as you will. And I know as soon as they start moving forward I throw a wrench in the mix but hey I did give you a present time kiss! Makes up for it?