Chapter five

A/N: Thanks for sticking around guys, I know it's been tough. Believe me, it's been hard for me as well. I just don't have much time anymore. However, because class is winding down now, I might be able to manage my time a bit better. I'm not making any promises but I will try my best.

Alright, let's try and wrap this story up… Enjoy chapter five, and make sure to leave a review please!

With lunch now finished, the two brunettes argued over the check. Emily insisted that she pay for the meal, due to him picking up the last check. Aaron sighed and locked eyes with his female counterpart. "Emily, I took you out for lunch today. It's my job to pay." He held her eyes for a long while, waiting for her to give in. Reluctantly, she did. Emily rolled her eyes at the man and chewed her lip as she glanced down at the numbers on the check. The cuisine hadn't exactly been cheap.

The brunette was stubborn. She hated having people pay for her. Even if it was how she was raised. Emily believed that the man shouldn't have to pay all of the time. With a sigh, she watched as Hotch pulled out his wallet. He slid two twenties on the table, including a tip. After their waitress returned to collect their payment, Emily stood up from the booth, Lorelai at her waist. "You really did not have to pay for me… But thank you." She sent him a small smile, her eyes landing on Jack as he stood up next to his father. For a brief moment, Emily wondered what it'd be like to have meals with the family of two every day. Images of the kiss settled at the forefront of her mind. The brunette blushed with a sheepish smile pulling at the corners of her lips. Her hands swayed back and forth as she walked back to the car, Aaron at her side. She cautiously glanced up at him, seeing a small smile tug at his own lips. Her smiled widened a bit as she looked away.

"Anytime." Aaron nodded, feeling her eyes on the side of his face. He slowly brought his gaze to settle on hers and their eyes connected for a fleeting moment. Both looked away with a larger smile. The man took in a large breath and worked his jaw, going completely unnoticed to the other brunette agent. He watched Emily for a moment, smiling as he compared him to her. She really was his counterpart, his other half. He swallowed hard and stopped walking. They were feet away from the car when Emily glanced back a second after she heard his footfalls cease.

"Hotch-"

"Listen," Hotch exhaled softly and stepped up to her, closing his hands around her own. "Emily, I… When we go back to DC, I can't promise you anything-"

Emily tried to interrupt, about to speak and ask him what this was about, when he pressed her against the car and kissed her. The kiss was soft and sweet and very tentative and it also seemed to end way too quickly for Emily's liking "Emily, just…. Listen. I can't promise anything, but when we get back…" He shook his head, her eyes widening. "Emily," He gave her hands a squeeze and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "This vacation has made me realize that you were here all of this time… That you and I-" He bowed his head and swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat.

For the first time in his life he was speechless. Speechless and flustered. His cheeks flushed and he glanced down at her, unable to look away from her perfect lips. He brushed his thumb along them and sighed. "What I am asking you for is the chance to show you that I care… The chance to show you that we can make this work." He inhaled softly and exhaled through his nose. "If you want to, I mean…" He frowned, his hands gripping her sides gently while the kids played together in the back seat of the car. "If you don't, then we can just go home like none of this happened, everything will be forgotten." He closed his eyes, afraid of her answer. Would she want this?

"Aaron…" Emily stared at him with wide eyes and an arched eyebrow. "Are you… Do you want that? Me?" She spoke softly and looked into his hazel eyes. Her stomach fluttered with anxiety as he stared down at her with those eyes. His lips curved slightly upward at the corners of his mouth and he worked his jaw for a moment.

Before she could think, she felt the palm of his rough hands rest against her cheek. He brushed his thumb along her jaw and exhaled softly. Emily closed her eyes and tilted her head into his hand. Aaron slowly brought his lips down to Emily's in a soft kiss. He tilted her head back further and kissed her again, this time heatedly. He pulled back slowly, just as Emily began to deepen the kiss with a moan. "Does that help?" His voice rumbled deep in his throat, her chest pressed against his own.

"It might…" A smile widened on her face as she relaxed against his embrace. "I might need a little bit more persuading though…" She cocked her head to the side and grinned slyly as she stood on tip toes to kiss him once again. Her hands cupped either side of his face, holding him in place as she gave him an entrance he seemed to seek. The tip of his tongue traced along her lower lip, drawing out a sigh from the brunette. They pulled apart breathless, suddenly remembering that they had two kids in the car waiting for them. The two brunettes stared straight into each other's eyes, both not saying a word.

Breaking the moment, Emily nodded and reached for his hand, a large smile still evident on her features. "We should probably go… Um, the kids are waiting." She shrugged slowly and turned back to the car as Aaron released her with a smile of his own.

The brunette opened the passenger door and smiled a bit wider once she saw both toddlers sleeping already in the backseat. Lorelai's head rested against Jack's as they hugged each other tightly while they snored. Turning to glance at Aaron, Emily nodded. "They look so cute together." She did not know what the future held in store for them but she did know that her life had truly changed during that vacation. Aaron gave her shoulder a soft squeeze and placed the car into drive.

"They sure do." One hand on the wheel, his other gripped Emily's at his side. They drove in silence for a few minutes, just taking in the scenery for one last time before Emily left Iowa.

She spoke softly, half to herself, "It's beautiful here… In a farmland way, I mean." She shrugged. "I can see why your parents like it out here so much." Aaron chuckled softly and nodded, stealing a glance at her.

He pulled into the long, dusty driveway with a sigh. He stopped the car and turned to Emily before she could exit the car. "Emily, I'm glad you happened to come to Iowa while I was here. There's nobody I'd rather have seen here, nobody I'd rather have my parents meet." He blushed a soft red and smiled. "You made this trip great and I'm glad we met up. Thank you for letting me buy you lunch." He leaned in slowly and kissed her cheek. Emily just sat in the passenger seat shocked. She had never heard him admit to anything like that and didn't think she ever would.

"Aaron… I-" She shook her head, unable to form words coherently. She closed her mouth and licked her lips before trying again, "This week has been one of the greatest I've had in a while." She ran a hand through her hair and smiled. "Thank you." She opened the car door and got out, walking around to the back to wake Lorelai from her nap. As she grabbed her things and placed them in her own vehicle next to Aaron's, she realized he had climbed out of his own car to help her. She raised an eyebrow and shook her head, "Aaron, that's not necessary… I have everything already and-" He crossed the distance and quieted her with a kiss.

"One last kiss for the road." He mumbled against her lips and groaned as Emily pulled him closer, nibbling his lower lip. She was the first to break away from the kiss, making her way to her car, Lorelai already inside. "Have a safe trip home." He closed the door behind her and nodded as she rolled down the window. She started the car with a soft 'thank you'. Aaron took in a soft breath, watching as Emily checked her mirrors before putting the car in reverse. "Oh, and Emily?" He called out just before she could leave. Emily poked her head out the window and arched an eyebrow in question. "I'm taking you out to dinner when we get back home. Sound good?"

A smile arose on her features and she nodded. "Sounds great. I'll see you back home, Aaron. I'll call when I'm in." With one last nod and wave, she was out of the driveway and down the dirt path road. Aaron watched her leave, his heart feeling lighter knowing that he had somebody in his life again. He had a new reason to smile. This was the start of a new life for him. For both of them. Together.

FIN.

A/N: Thank you so much for your lovely reviews and story alerts as well as for staying with this fic. I love you all. Again, I'm hoping to update more of my stories! Please stay with me.

-Emily.