Unforgettable Nights, Unforgivable Mistakes

Chapter 15: The Other Woman.

Hotch parked his car at his apartment complex, it was late at night, and he had been driving around in circles trying to clear his mind about the events that had occurred that night. He had made love with Emily in her office on top of her desk...not exactly the romantic scene he had pictured when he had thought of being with her again. But, one thing had led to another, and they had ended up making love. It was without a doubt the best sex he had ever experienced and as a gentleman, he never rated his sexual experiences with women, but it was difficult not to when he was talking about a woman like Emily Prentiss because she was everything he had ever wanted in a partner. She was utterly beautiful, had one of the most amazing bodies he had ever seen, she was sweet and compassionate and she had an amazing heart. But, she was also a strong, independent woman that could put anyone in his or her place. She was highly educated and successful at anything she did, and his chemistry with her in intimacy was cosmic. Everything about her made him crazy, her smile, her laughter, even her temper, drove him crazy...the good and the bad, and she made him want to scream in frustration and ecstasy. He had realized tonight just how much he still loved her; how crazy he was about her, even if she had taken over his job. Hell, she was even great at that, and he hated to admit she was even better than him at the job, but he wouldn't have expected any less from her.

For many years, he had avoided letting his feelings or emotions show; he had been hurt badly by the woman with whom he had shared more than a decade of his life, and he had sworn he would never fall in love again, but then, Emily was hired at the BAU, just after he had made his vow. Aaron had instantly felt more than attracted to her...who wouldn't be…the woman was hot as hell for her age, in fact, he wasn't the only one in the building that had a thing for her, and not only that, she had an amazing personality that could make any man melt. But, he hid his feelings, he pushed her away, even being an asshole to her because he was sure if he let himself get any closer, he would have ended up in love with her way beyond reason. His tactic worked for three long years where he pushed her aside and treated her like crap, but it was necessary so his heart wouldn't get involved; then one day she decided to leave, tired of his crap and his treatment of her, and that was when he realized he could no longer hide his feelings...he couldn't let her get away. That night, he came to her going away party and had the most amazing and memorable night he had ever experienced when he took her to the hotel room, and they ended up making love, him tasting her, feeling her, and it was the closest experience to heaven he had ever had. Aaron had it all under control...the next morning, he would wow her with flowers and breakfast, he would get on his knees and ask her for forgiveness and beg her not to go, then he would reveal his true feelings to her hoping he could convince her to stay. But, instead, he had woken to an empty bed, and he had never seen her again.

And, after almost four years, she was back and while he was hurt for the way she had left, and he had wanted to do the same thing, push her away again and be an asshole to her, he had not been successful. Tonight, he had lost, he had realized how much he still loved and cared for her, he was crazy jealous about Dave, and he realized he couldn't torture himself any longer, he had lost his battle and had ended up making love with her in the office and while it wasn't the romantic scene he knew she deserved, it had been as wonderful as the first time.

He knew he couldn't continue hiding his feelings, he wanted nothing more but to spend the night talking with her, telling her how he felt, making love, and he didn't care anymore...he wanted to be with her no matter what. He would fight for her even if it was the last thing he did in his life, he was crazy about her, madly in love, he had even fallen in love with her beautiful daughter when he had dared to visit her a few more times behind Emily's back, he just couldn't resist himself, if he was crazy about Emily, he couldn't even put into words what her little girl made him feel. Bay made him feel a tingly feeling in his stomach and heart, she was as beautiful as her mother, and there was simply something about that little girl that made him want to come back over and over again.

He got out of his car and began walking toward his apartment...he would figure a way to win both of their hearts. Hotch opened the door to his apartment tiredly, and he was taken by surprise by what was in there, or better yet, who was in there.

"Beth, what are you doing here!?" Hotch asked, as he saw the woman sitting in his living room.

"I know I shouldn't be here without being invited, but I needed to talk to you, honey, I just really miss you." Beth said, in a sickly sweet voice, standing up and walking toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Beth, please." Hotch said, removing her arms from around his neck and pulling away from her gently.

"I thought we were taking a break." Hotch said, walking away.

"I know, honey, but I really miss you. I realized this time how much I really love you, and I don't want to take a break." Her arms going back to his neck. Hotch gently pulled away again...he hated to do this, but he couldn't help himself.

"Beth, stop please, you can't just come into my apartment like this...I asked for some time away because it was me who needed the time away." Hotch watched as her fake, innocent face turned to anger.

"What in the hell do you need time for, Aaron? I said I was sorry, and I wouldn't act the way I did anymore." Beth hissed.

Flashback:

A few weeks ago, Hotch had attended a family reunion with his parents and other close family friends; Jack and Sean had also been there, and since it was a family thing, he wanted it to be just that. However, Beth had followed him to the event and walked in uninvited and made a scene when he had been dancing with his brother fiancé. Beth began screaming at him in the middle of the dance floor and basically embarrassed him in front of his family and friends. What had pissed him off the most was that Jack had been there and had witnessed everything. Hotch had already been having issues with Beth because she was beyond jealous bordering on obsessive and possessive, something that Hotch hated because he didn't like being controlled, or to have to explain himself to anyone for every single move he made.

At the same time, he had also realized he wasn't in love with Beth and really didn't have close feelings for her, and he couldn't simply stay in a relationship that he knew wasn't going to have a future. That night, he was so mad they got into a huge fight and he intended to break up with her, but, as he had imagined, she didn't take it very well and ended up crying and throwing another martyr scene. Crying and begging him not to end their relationship, even getting on her knees and begging, in the end he agreed they would take some time apart. But even then, Hotch was sure that he didn't want to be with her.

End of Flashback

"I heard you, Beth, but you don't seem to understand...when I need space, I'm not ready to talk. I still need time and space." He said frustrated, trying not to lose his temper.

"But, Aaron, please, let's just sit and talk until we come to an agreement, please, baby." She begged.

"Beth, it has been a really long night, and I really don't want to do this now. I'll call you when I'm ready to talk." Hotch said politely.

"I won't leave until we talk." She said stubbornly.

"Fine, you know what? Stay! As long as you want. I'll leave." And with that, he walked out of the apartment and left her there, screaming and crying.

Hotch knew now he should have never gotten involved with Beth. She was becoming irrational and that truly scared him. He didn't love Beth, and he never had...she was pleasant and uncomplicated, but he loved Emily; he always had and he knew now that was why he had never been able to really care for Beth, or fall in love with her...that and the fact that she very quickly became unbalanced after they began dating.

He started driving around again...damn, Beth...all he wanted to do was go home and go to sleep; now, he couldn't even go to his home, he should have never given her a key to his place. He needed to find a way to break up with Beth, knowing it wasn't going to be easy or good. He took the highway again, maybe he would go back to work and do paperwork, then suddenly an idea bounced into his head...he quickly took the next exit and made a U-turn. Maybe this wasn't a good idea, but he wanted to be there, he just couldn't help himself.

Hotch parked at the hospital and got out, hoping she wouldn't slap him for being there without her permission. He walked inside the hospital and made his way to the room since he was familiar by now where Bay's room was. He stopped outside the room and watched Emily through the sliding glass doors. Bay seemed to be sleeping deeply and Emily was sitting in the big chair going through files. It was at least one in the morning, and he couldn't believe she was still working on paperwork this late. He gently tapped on the door so he didn't wake Bay; he didn't want to just go in...Emily removed her eyes from the files, and looked toward the door, and the files almost landed on the floor when she saw who it was, her heart began to beat crazily in her chest, and her eyes landed on Bay. What the hell was he doing here...he couldn't see Bay, and she couldn't allow this, at least not right now. She stood up quickly and as quietly as she could walked toward the door and walked out of the room, closing the door immediately as if she was trying to shield Bay from his eyes.

"What are doing here, are you crazy!?" Emily asked terrified.

"Yes, I'm crazy, I'm crazy about you, I can't hide it anymore." Aaron said, as he pulled her into his arms kissing her deeply. Emily was relieved JJ and her mother had already left.

"Aaron, stop, what do you think you're doing, you can't be here." She said nervously, pushing him away.

"I know, I'm sorry I showed up like this...I just wanted to see if you needed anything, if she...your daughter, needed anything." Aaron's eyes going to the bed where Bay was sleeping, making Emily even more nervous.

"I'm fine, we're fine." Emily said, tensing up, he couldn't see Bay...he just couldn't.

"I still wanted to check on you, I know how hard this has been for you with the BAU and your daughter sick, it's a lot to handle." Aaron's smile was soft and genuine, Emily finally relaxed a bit.

"Thank you, she seems to be doing well, she has the best doctor, she's sleeping now." Emily didn't want to be rude, but she needed to make sure he didn't see her daughter, or maybe she should say…his daughter.

"What about you, are you doing well?" Aaron asked, grabbing her hands tenderly and pulling her close.

"Aaron, please, I'm not very happy with you right now?" She said severely, although her eyes were soft, and there was a small smile on her face.

"Why is that? Did you not enjoy it? Because it sure seemed like you did." He teased, pulling her close and giving her a foxy smile.

"That is not what I meant and you know it, you left me a huge hickey, Aaron, a HUGE hickey, are you insane?" She slapped at his chest.

"About you I am." He said, unable to control himself and kissing her passionately.

"Stop, Aaron, behave, please, my daughter is here." Emily reprimanded, pushing him away again.

"I know, I'm sorry, I just...I know I've been a complete asshole to you, but I did it to hide how crazy I was about you. I know we can't talk here, and I owe you an apology. I just wanted to come here and tell you I'm here for you for anything that you need, or your daughter needs." Aaron said, looking at her deeply. Emily wanted to cry at his words.

"Thank you, we do need to talk, but not here. Bay is my first priority over everything." She said honestly.

"I know, I'll leave now, so you can get back to her, we'll talk later." Aaron kissed her lips and then her forehead.

"Thanks for coming." Emily said, as he started walking away...he smiled and then blew her a kiss.

Emily just stood there watching as he left with so many emotions in her head; she had been terrified about the fact he could have seen Bay. She was also still jazzed about what had happened earlier that day. She was touched that he would come if she or her daughter needed anything, he did care. All this time, she had believed he didn't give a damn, but he really did care, he also cared about her, he said he was crazy about her. Aaron had apologized for his behavior, and suddenly, she had seen a different side of him in a matter of minutes, a side she liked, a sweet and compassionate side she never knew he had, and the final truth was she, too, was crazy about him.