Disclamer: Dow'ning CM... But I wish it otherwise!
Author's note: Soooo... I have a small confession. I've gotten this new idea... And it's kinda big... And I kinda need to maybe, discuss it with someone? Sooo... If you want to be my idea-bouncer please let me know! The bunnies won't let me alone!
Hotch closed the door behind them. "So..."
"Do you want to go for a walk?"She smiled and crossed her fingers in secret.
"Sure." He looked around. "I think there's a park down there somewhere." He said and pointed.
"Lets' find it then!"
They started walking in silence.
"When do you have to be home?" Annie said breaking the silence mentally encouraging him to take her hand.
"Well, Jessica is babysitting Jack and she... Well, she said she could stay over night – not that I expect that would be necessary!" Annie blushed and felt an embarrassed smile dominate her face. "It, just that I haven't been out with anyone for quite a long time, and she wanted me to relax and have a good time and I don't expect you to be the kind of woman who..."
"You can stop rambling now." She interrupted him. "You're only making this more awkward."
The silence returned. Take my hand. Come on, please take my hand!
"So... uhm... When do you have to go home?" Annie smiled and looked at her feet.
"I'd prefer to come home tonight – I'm a bit cranky if I don't get my beauty sleep." She glanced at him and discovered him looking at her intently. She looked back down and blushed again. "But it's not like I have to be home before 11 or anything. I'm a grown woman living on my own and everything."
The silence was interrupted as they neared a bar. The music floated out of the open windows and filled the air with life and the smell of smoke and alcohol. A couple of patrons stood outside smoking and laughing. Hotch took Annie's hand possessively and she felt her heart rate speed. They passed the bar patrons and catcalls followed in their wake. The silence turned awkward.
"So... uhm.." They said in unison.
"You go first." Hotch said willing the silence to end.
"No, please. You go first!" She met his eyes and he cleared his throat.
"The weather's quite nice."
"I'm sorry I forced you into taking a walk! I just really like to take a stroll after I had dinner..."
"You didn't force me into anything. And I like this... 'strolling after dinner'-concept." He smiled at her. "Besides, I'm in excellent company."
"Why, thank you!" She smiled shyly. "I can tell you that the feeling is mutual." She leaned a bit closer to him enjoying the radiating body warmth.
They stopped at the corner both looking at the small park in front of them. It looked dark and abandoned and far from welcoming.
"We could go back to the car." Annie suggested. Hotch nodded.
"That would probably be a good idea." They didn't move. Hotch let his thumb caress her hand, slowly stroking her soft skin. "Let's do it," he finally said and they turned to walk back.
As they neared the bar again Annie felt Hotch's fingers twining with hers. A smile spread on her face as the movement sent a flash of warmth from her scalp to her toes. She would happily walk around like this forever.
When they passed the bar the patrons had disappeared – probably inside – and the music enveloped the two people.
"... shipping up to Boston, to find my wooden leg..." the music exclaimed and Annie hummed along softly.
Hotch smiled to her and wondered if going dancing would be a proper second date.
He smiled at her as he put the car in park and motioned to get out of his car with her.
"Aaron, you really don't have to walk my to my apartment."
"But I want to," he reassured her still smiling.
"Oh... Okay then..." She fumbled a bit with her seatbelt but finally got out of the car finding Hotch standing ready at the door.
He held the door for her and his hand rested on the small of her back all the way in the elevator and the during the small walk from the elevator to her door. She turned slightly and smiled to him.
"I had a really nice evening, Aaron."
"Me too." She opened her purse and and pulled her keys out. She looked at him as he spoke again. "If you wouldn't mind I'd like to take you out on a second date?"
She smiled and turned towards her door to hide her blush.
"Hey!" She exclaimed, a thought suddenly occurring to her. She faced Hotch again. "If you think about it, this was actually our second date. We met at Starbucks and had coffee, right?"
"I suppose you could look at it like that."
"Great... Well, since this is our second date, this should be acceptable..." and she leaned forward pressing her lips gently against his. She smiled as she felt his hand around the nape of her neck, gently pulling her closer. She couldn't help but smile as the serious man intensified the kiss. She opened her mouth and Hotch didn't waste time and slid his tongue into her mouth. His hand traveled up and glided through her hair, the other one still resting on her back but now pressing her against his warm hard body. She let her hands rest on his arms and sighed as the kiss made her toes curl and gave her goosebumps down her arms.
They broke the kiss and stood breathless and stared at each other for a moment.
"I should get home to Jack and Jessica." Hotch's voice was thick with regret.
"I should probably get to bed too." She fumbled with her keys finally getting her door unlocked.
"I had a really nice..." she turned to tell him but he stopped her pressing his lips against her again.
"Me too." He smiled and touched her cheek. "I'll call you."
Numbers' are relative ;)
Is this how adults date, or am I completely wrong? I'm 20 – I still make out with strangers on the actual dance floor. I've never even been on a real date!