Hotch sat up in his bed from a restless sleep. He had offered it up to Emily, but she refused, repeatedly. She was currently sleeping on the couch outside, the TV still on, he assumed, hearing the faint sounds of music and talking. He stood from his bed and slipped on a shirt before walking out of his room.
When he got to the living room, he saw Emily pacing the living room floor, currently wearing a pair of his sweats and a t-shirt. She was biting the tip of her right thumb, while her left hand was glued to her hip.
"Emily?"
Her head immediately shot up and she turned to him, her tears now present. "Emily, why are you crying?"
She lazily shrugged her shoulders and gave a weak, watery smile. "I'm… I'm scared, Hotch. I don't want him to find me. And I really don't want him to come here to traumatize your son even more."
Hotch shook his head and made his way over to her as he watched her try and choke back a sob. He watched as she tried to back away from his hug, but he took her into his arms without much effort. She laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his torso as he rubbed her back and ran a hand down her hair. As she sobbed, Hotch hugged her tighter and kissed her head, trying to soothe her without words. When she pulled back, he looked down at her and wiped the tears from her eyes. She sniffled. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
She pointed to his shirt and hid a laugh. "I made a wet spot in your shirt."
Hotch looked down and smile back at a giggling Emily. "I'm sure it'll come out. You ok now?"
Emily nodded slightly and gave him a small smile. "A little. Thank you."
Hotch gave her another small hug before sitting her down on the couch. "I'm going to stay out here with you, ok?"
He sighed as immediately shook her head, but sat down next to her. "Emily-"
"No Hotch, I'm ok, really. I refused your bed for a reason, so you could stay there. There's no reason for you to stay out here."
"There is one reason, Emily."
She shook her head but looked at him. "What's that?"
"I want to protect you, keep you safe. And I especially don't want you to cry in my presence."
She nodded lamely. "I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"No, Emily. I didn't mean you weren't allowed to. I meant I don't like seeing you sad."
Emily looked up at him with sad eyes. She looked from his eyes to his lips repeatedly, before he leaned in. She held a gasp as she hesitantly leaned a little closer, but backed away at a banging against the front door. Hotch immediately pulled her back against his chest as she cringed. "Who is that?"
Hotch began to answer but was cut off by a yell from the other side of the door. "Emily! I know you're in there, get out here. NOW!"
Emily turned in Hotch's arms with frightened eyes. "It's Billy."