A/N Sorry for delay, but here it is the next chapter this one takes place before, during and after "A higher power"
"We need to talk."
Crap that sounds ominous. Emily body tighened up slightly. Hearing those words come out of Hotch's mouth frightened her just a little bit. They were in a restaurant. Is he going to break up with me? Did he bring me to a public place so I wouldn't make a scene? I haven't even got to have sex with him yet. Just a couple of kisses. It can't end yet.
He could see her body language change. She was afraid. Dammit I knew I should have used different words. Those word have a negative connotation. Idiot. "It's nothing like that. Or. It could be. I guess if that's what you want. Or maybe it-."
"What is it Aaron?" Here it comes. After everything. This is it.
He paused. He didn't know what to say. After going over this conversation a million times in his head, now that he was here, he didn't know what to say. "Let me start this way, I like you."
That's an odd way to start a breakup.
"And I guess you like me, or we wouldn't be having this dinner. I mean the first dinner maybe it was just curiosity maybe-."
"AARON. You're rambling."
"Right. Sorry. Here's the thing. If we're going to do this. We need to make a couple of decisions. Because the brass isn't going to like us dating. And some of the brass will use it to their advantage."
Strauss. Bitch. "What kind of decisions?"
"Well. We could hide it from everyone. And after a while of going on cases we could show the Bureau it hasn't affected our objectivity. They might not make any changes to the team and would condone our relationship."
"Or?"
"Or one of us could transfer."
"That wouldn't be fun."
"No. It would also mean we wouldn't see each other every day. We wouldn't go on cases together."
"Ok. I'm going to vote no on that plan."
"Ok. There's a third option, but it's a little out there. And it might not work."
"What's that?"
"I could step down as Unit Chief. Dave could take it. Then it's just two collegues of equal rank. That's frowned on a lot less."
"I don't want you to give up your position, not for me. So we hide it."
"Are you sure I don't what you to feel like your my "girl on the side" or like my "dirty little secret". This is so much more than that. And If people find out. You're the one that's going to suffer. It's not right. And it's not fair. But there will be whispers about you. About sleeping your way to the top. Stuff like that."
"Do you not want this?"
"I want this very much, but you're risking a lot more than me. You need to be aware of the consequences."
"Damn the consequences. I want you."
"Ok. So we hid it. That means no touching at the office, no sleeping in each other's hotel rooms. But we have to be careful if we ignore each other too much that will send red flags up with the team. They will notice the change in our behaviour. We've been spending a lot of time together."
"So we act normal?"
"Yeah just act like you did when we weren't sleeping together."
"We're not sleeping together now." Emily said with a devious twinkle in her eye.
"That will change soon."
"You promise."
"I promise."
"Well let's get the check and get out of here."
"Not tonight. I need to talk to Jack in the morning. I've got to see him. ... I can't lose him." He looked down at the table lost in sadness and fear.
Emily reached forward and grabbed a hold of his arm. He looked up a gave her a sad smile. "I understand. Go talk to your son. I'll be here."
"You'll have to leave the restaurant eventually. Where are you going to be then?"
Emily playfully slapped his arm. "Again with the jokes. You're a very different person when you're dating Aaron Hotchner."
"Ohh. Say that again."
"What. Aaron Hotchner."
Hotch shivered with pleasure.
"AARRRRROOONNN HHOOTCHNERRRRRRR." Emily purred.
"I might have to rethink my plans for the evening."
"No you're right you need to see your son tomorrow. You're going to get a good night's sleep."
"Are you saying I wouldn't get a good night's sleep at your place." Hotch replied with a wicked twinkle in his eye.
"You wouldn't get any sleep at my place." Emily countered in a sultry voice.
"Tomorrow then."
"My my aren't we impatient."
"Says the woman who five minutes ago wanted to get the check."
Emily stuck her toungue out at him.
"You look cute doing that. It's like looking in the past and seeing you when you were five years old."
Emily slapped his arm again a little harder. Hotch rubbed his arm faking injury. "Be careful. That hurts."
"Awww. Poor baby. Want me to kiss it and make it better?"
"Absolutely."
Emily leaned in. "Where does it hurt?"
Hotch pointed to his arm under where she had slapped him. Emily kissed it. "Anywhere else?"
Hotch pointed to again higher on his arm. She smiled and kissed the spot. "Anywhere else."
Hotch pointed to his cheek right next to his lips. Emily smirked "Really? Pain traveled far I see."
Hotch flashed a big smile. "You hit pretty hard."
Emily leaned forward and kissed him long and soft where Hotch had pointed. "There all better now."
"I don't know... I think I got a little more pain."
"Sucks to be you."
Hotch laughed.
/
The next day Emily was called into the conference room. She noticed Hotch wasn't there, but she knew he wasn't going to be there today. Her phone vibrated in her pocket at the end of the briefing. She opened it up and saw a message from Hotch
"On my way to see Jack. Will catch up with you and the team when I'm done."
Emily smiled, and put the phone away.
/
He's here. Emily smiled to herself at the thought that his presence could make all the difference in her mood.
He shot her a small smile, before pulling on the Agent Hotchner mask and getting down to business.
/
Later at the hotel Emily hears a knock on her door. She knows who it is before she opens it. She holds the door open so Hotch can enter.
"How was Jack?"
Hotch shook his head "When I told him. He hugged me. He hugged me and he told me it was going to be ok."
"He's right you know. It's going to be ok."
Hotch simply smiled. He didn't have any other response. Emily stepped forward and hugged him tightly. Hotch sagged a little as the stress and fear slowly left his body.
/
On the jet home Hotch sat down next to Emily. He knew this case affected her. He could see it. "I was thinking. If you wanted to tonight I could come home with you."
Emily gave him a sad smile. "That sounds wonderful, but I'm not in the mood."
"We don't have to do anything. I'm just offering to keep you company. We can do whatever you want. If you want I'll just hold you and we can sleep in each others arms."
"That sounds ... really good. Let's do that."
Hotch glanced around the cabin and noticed everyone was asleep or lost in their own worlds. He grabbed Emily's hand in his and lightly stroked it with his thumb.
Emily smiled and put her head on his shoulder. It felt good having him around. He defintely made it all better.
A/N Reviews are like christmas presents under the tree, there should be many and from something from everyone.