A/N So to anyone reading Emily very own stalker, this is something totally different. Something a little light hearted. Enjoy. And just in case you forgot I own nothing.

Hotch stood in front of her door and raised his hand to knock. There was a slight almost imperciptible shake to his hand. What is wrong with you? You have no reason to be nervous. She likes you. You like her. You already know that about each other. Calm down it's going to be ok. Hotch checked his breath. Ok were good, now knock on the door.

Emily was quietly freaking out. It didn't help that she was running behind. It was taking her forever to pick out a dress. She didn't want to give the wrong impression. But what is the right impression? She had started pulling things out of her closet and evaluating them one by one. Ok Emily what do you want to say? She pulled out a short slinky black dress. Ok this says why go out do me right now. No. She pulled out a long soft blue dress she wore to her Mother's last ball. This says I'm on a date with you, but you're probably not getting a second date. Defintely not. Dress after dress were pulled out, judged, and discarded. Twenty minutes later she looked at the massive pile of clothes that lay on her bed. Ok Emily you got to stop this. You've loved Aaron for a while now. He likes you. This is crazy. You know you're going to take it slow, he just got divorced. He's not going to jump you the second you open the door. Just calm down. Pick out a dress. It's going to be ok. Just remember that. It's going to be ok.

Emily was hurridly trying to put her shoes on when she heard a knock on the door. Of course he would be a couple of minutes early.

Emily opened the door, and Hotch's breath caught in his throat. She looked stunning. He stared open mouthed for a moment. She was wearing a black strapped dress that went to just past her thigh, but showed off her great legs. Her dress showed just a little bit of cleavage, just enough to make you want more. Down Aaron you can't do her right here.

Emily let Aaron stare for a moment. It felt good to see the unabashed look of lust that was on his face. She noticed the bouquet he had in his hand. After letting him get a good look she broke the silence. "Are those flowers for me?"

"Wha-, oh yeah. These are for you." He handed her the bouquet.

She looked at the odd combination of flowers, Amaryllis and Lilacs. "Do Lilacs mean something? Cause no offense but red and white flowers and purple don't go together real well."

"Yes Lilacs do mean something."

"What do they mean?"

"You'll just have to look it up later."

"You're no fun. Let me put these in water and then we can go."

/

A couple of minutes later they were in Hotch's car. "So where are you taking me?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"What's with all the mystery?"

Hotch smiled at her. "Everyone's life needs a little mystery."

"You're acting odd tonight."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No. It's just different. It's a whole new side to you. I kind of like it. "

"The masks we wear at work don't really help me here do they."

Emily gave a sad smile. "No. They don't."

"Sorry I guess we shouldn't bring up work. Kind of a buzzkill."

They lapsed into silence.

After a minute or two Emily started shaking a little. "C'mon tell me. I can't take it anymore."

"You're like a child. Don't worry we'll be there in a few minutes."

Emily turned and pouted. "Please Aaron. Pretty please."

"Ok you can turn off the pout we're there. Unbelievable." He said shaking his head. He walked to the other side and opened the door. Emily stepped out.

They had parked along the waterfront and in front of them was a cruise ship.

"You wanted to know what the date was it's dinner and a river tour of the city."

Emily didn't say anything.

"Is it bad? Did I mess up again?"

"No it's really good, c'mon."

They walked onto the boat. Emily looked out over the boat and noticed something odd. "Aaron is it just me or are there a surprising lack of people on this ship?"

"Damn I was hoping you wouldn't notice, see the thing is if you paid and extra couple of thousand the boat offers a complimentary cloaking device so you can walk around the ship invisible. And I just couldn't scrape together the money. I'm sorry." Hotch deadpanned.

Wait was that what I thought it was? "Aaron was that a joke and a Star Trek reference all in one?"

"Emily, you know me. I don't have a sense of humor." They stopped along the railing and looked out at the city lights.

"Uh-huh. So if it's only a couple of thousand do you mind if I pitch in? I've always wanted to be invisible."

"Sure If you've got a couple of thousand in that little bag of yours, why not?"

"Seriously Aaron, what's going on?"

"Well I arranged it so we have the ship mostly to ourselves. Not totally to ourselves, I couldn't get the captain to agree to keep the crew off as well."

"Aaron you didn't have to do that. It must have cost a fortune. That's a lot of money to spend on a first date."

Hotch turned and cupped Emily's cheek. "You're worth it."

Emily was choked up, so rather than say anything she leaned forward and kissed him. Her tongue rubbing along his lips asking for entrance. He gave it. Aaron's hand went to the back of her head and pulled her in closer. They broke when lack of oxygen became a problem.

"If that's how you say thank you. I'm giving you something every day of the week." Hotch quipped.

"That's not the only way to say thank you you know." Emily replied her voice low and sultry.

"I'm going to have to remeber that."

Emily laughed. "All right where's the food?"

"Follow me."

/

They had been eating for a couple of minutes when Emily looked up and asked. "So what's with the flower message thing?"

"It's something I diescovered years ago. And it's always fascinated me. It's speaking in code, and all guys like speaking in code."

They continued eating.

"The city is beautiful like this. The sights, the water, the lights."

Emily looked up from her meal. "It is. This was a good idea."

Hotch smiled. Nailed it.

"Have you gotten to see Jack lately?"

"I have. I get him every other weekend." I only get to see my son on every other weekend. What has my life become?

Emily could see the internal conversation inside Aaron's head, so she did the only thing she could think of, she reached across the small table and put her hand on Aaron's cheek and spoke in a soft and soothing voice. "Hey come back, don't go there. You're a wonderful father."

"How can I-"

"Hey it's not your fault. Jack loves you."

Hotch said nothing just closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of her hand on his skin. Wordlessly Emily stood up and guided Aaron to the railing. He put his arms around her waist and they both stood there looking out at the city. They stood there for a long time, not speaking. Simply enjoying the silence and comfort offered.

/

They stood in front of Emily's building.

Do I invite him up? Is that too quick? It's only our first date? Do I not invite him up?

What do I do if she invites me up? Do I want to get invited up? What kind of dumb question is that? Of course I want to get invited up? Ok fine but do you want to get invited up tonight?

There eyes caught each others. Hotch leaned in kissed Emily. After a few moments he pulled back.

"Do you want to come up?"

"Not tonight. But soon. Goodnight Emily."

"Goodnight Aaron."

The first thing Emily did when she walked into the house was go to her computer and get on the internet. She looked up Lilacs and what they meant. She smiled when she read what they meant.

Lilacs mean the first emotions of love.

A/N So these went a totally different direction than I thought. First it was all romantic maybe too romantic, then it was sad. I don't know it was weird. And because of all of that the lilac thing didn't work as well as I wanted. It's so obvious in what they do that they love each other. But all in all it's not terrible. Also I don't think Hotch would actually say nailed it, but I thought of it and the mental image I got was too awesome to not put it in. Let me know what you guys think, I haven't heard a lot from you lately.