When they came to, the found themselves in a dark room that seemed to be an office that was cleared of its furniture. They soon realized that they were tied up to a pole that went from the floor to the ceiling. Also, they rather uncomfortably found out that they were seated very close to each other wearing nothing but their underwear. Like all the previous victims of this psychopath killer.
"Where are we?" Emily groaned, her head throbbing. The pipe they were hit with had left a huge gash on her forehead. Hotch also sustained injury, his nose bruised and bleeding.
"Judging from the blood stains on the wall," Hotch Began uneasily. "I'd say that we're in the room where the murderer keeps and kills her victims." Emily shot him a worried glance, her dark eyes wide with fear. Both frantically began to tug and pull at their shackles in an attempt to get free, but all they got was extremely frustrated and a nasty rope burn.
"Great. Just great. We're going to die." Her teeth began to chatter nervously, as if she was biting invisible nails. He noted the habit.
Although they were laid under these excruciating circumstances, he couldn't help but stare at her. Never had he seen such a beautiful woman before. Moonlight from the small window in the room danced across her pale skin, highlighting her curves. The black-lace bra with matching bottoms didn't help either.
"Hotch!" Her sharp cry broke his thoughts. She had noticed him staring at her. He apologized and looked away, embarrassed.
Emily didn't usually appreciate people staring at her. Men who came her way always seemed to be undressing her with their eyes. That was the reason why she steered clear of construction sites; she couldn't stand the outrageous comments workers gave her. But if Hotch was looking at her in such manner, she sure as hell wouldn't complain.
She took this opportunity to check him out herself. He was well built for his age, arm muscles rippling as he tugged at the rope. She didn't expect him to be so muscular, but then again his body was always covered in a clean suit. Right now, though, all that covered him were navy blue boxers. Emily gasped once her eyes reached his groin. She was surprised at how much she affected him.
No. She shook her head and looked away. This isn't the time. You shouldn't be doing this. This was her boss. She knew she had no right to have feelings for him. She swore silently to herself that if they got out of this, she wouldn't have another thought about him again.
"Do you think that she strips her victims because she wants them to perform sexual acts with each other?" She asked abruptly. It was a dumb question, but she wasn't thinking straight. Hotch's arousal grew more, and he crossed his legs in attempt to conceal it.
"No. Reid told me that she was raped by her father in her childhood. The stripping could have come from resurfaced memories of when she was raped." She gulped at the thought of having to have sex with Hotch against her will. At least it wasn't going to actually happen.
As the silence between them resurfaced, as well as an uncomfortable tension. In the years that they had worked alongside each other as friends and as co-workers, this had never happened. Both their lives were on the line, and they were bound to a pole nearly naked.
The weight of it all suddenly fell on his shoulders. And like he always did, he had to lift it.
"Emily." His voice was like a knife slicing through butter. "I'm sorry you were pulled into this situation."
Emily looks up at him with wide, frightened eyes. She does her best attempt at a compassionate smile as black streaks began to run along her face.
"You couldn't have done anything different, Hotch."
"I… I want you to know that you were a valued member of the team, and that it wouldn't have been the same without you. Your skills as an agent were desperately needed at the BAU. You'll die in honor."
"You were the leader, not me. I should be saying those things to you. The team has thrived because of your efforts. But they're strong. They'll survive without you. Us." She takes a deep, shaky breath. "At least my last few hours will be spent with you. I've loved you for a long time now, you know. And I'm a damn fool for waiting until a time like this to tell you.
Surprise mixes with darker emotions that he's feeling right now. Hotch brings his eyes up to hers, and he can see the love in her eyes. Tears pool in his eyes. He's loved her too, and so strongly that sometimes he just doesn't know what he can do about it. Now that he knows she feels the same, he hasn't got the time to love her.
"Many times…" He pauses, searching for the right words. "Many times I've thought of you as more than just a friend. Sometimes when I've had a long day, your image brings a smile to my face. You've been there for me when no one else has. I thank you for that. But my position in the BAU has restricted me to act on my feelings for you. In another reality, I would have in a heartbeat. I love you. It's my fault that we're going to die. I should have been more aware of things…" He trails off as she begins to cry. Moving as close to her as possible, He rests his forehead on hers. "Emily, please don't cry. I don't want my last memory of you to be like that."
"Oh, Aaron." The name sounds strange coming from her mouth.
As their lips touch, the world around her seems to melt away. She wonders if this is what heaven will feel like when she gets there. Nothing matters anymore. There love is what will keep them alive, even through to the afterlife. They've taken too many chances in their life, and this counts as one. It's like playing a game of Russian roulette, Emily muses. You never know when it'll land on you.
Footsteps can be heard pounding off outside. They don't dare stop. As they get closer, shouts are added to the mix. There's a few pounding sounds at the door before the FBI SWAT team storms in, shining their lights around and jabbing their guns in Hotch and Emily's faces. The team shouts "Clear" and leaves, revealing JJ and Rossi.
"It's alright now. We caught her." The latter says. He takes out a knife and swiftly cuts away the rope from Hotch's hands. Rossi helps his friend off the floor and gives him a much needed hug. JJ manages to get the knot undone on Emily's rope, and lifts her up as well.
"Lace? Are you trying to impress someone, Emily?" She laughs, giving her a hug. Emily hugs back and gave her friend a playful slap on the arm. If the agents saw anything when they came in, they sure didn't mention it.
They're brought out to an awaiting ambulance where they're treated for their wounds. Sitting on the back of the car, they huddle together under a single green blanket in the evening Connecticut air. Halls and Reid have joined them and are in the warehouse, trying to find their clothes.
Rossi nears them, along with another man.
"There's someone that wants to see you." He steps back to reveal Derek Morgan.
"When JJ phoned me and told me what happened, I came right over. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there with you. Are you guys alright?"
"We're fine." Hotch answers.
"Derek, you don't have to be sorry. You were visiting your mother in the hospital. You didn't even have to come over here."
"My mother's fine now, don't worry. That woman can get through anything. What matters now is the safety of my friends. So you're sure you're alright?"
"Perfectly sure." Emily rolls her eyes. "If you're so concerned, why don't you help Reid and Detective Halls find our clothes?"
Morgan noticed for the first time that his friends are only in their underwear, and blushes. He agrees and runs off towards the warehouse before his eyes prolong their stay on Emily's body.
"It's good to see that you're in good spirits again." Hotch wraps an arm around her waist, and she snuggles closer to him. The heat radiating from his body is so warm that she feels like the blanket is unneeded now. Everything feels new to her, but also familiar. She wonders aloud what's in store for them now.
"I suppose I should take you out on a date. If Strauss comes and barks at us about this, I'll deal with it when it comes."
"Ok."
"I could take you out for dinner tomorrow night, if that's ok with you."
"I can't Aaron, I'm sorry. I promised I'd go shopping with JJ and Garcia, and I don't feel like telling anyone yet. I can't deal with it right now."
"Alright." He seems mildly disappointed, but not hurt. "How about Friday? I could take you to that new Greek restaurant."
"Sounds good to me." She grins, and he does the same. For once in his life, he's found a woman who can actually love him.
A couple steps away, Rossi and JJ are talking to an officer when JJ notices something. She turns toward the ambulance and notices Hotch and Emily.
"Rossi." She gets his attention. "Have you ever seen Hotch smile like that?"
The Italian man looks in the blonde's direction and witnesses his friends cuddling up with each other, Her head on his shoulder and his arm around her waist.
"Well I'll be. The bastard finally did it."
"What is that supposed to mean? …Oh."
"They make a good couple, don't they?"
"Yes, they sure do."
A great love is a lot like a good memory. When it's there, and you know it's there, but it is just out of your reach, it can be all that you think about. And you can focus on it and try to force it, but the more you do, the more you seem to push it away. But if you're patient, and you hold still, well maybe, just maybe, it'll come to you. –Michael Burns
Author's Note: Managed to work Morgan into the end of the story. Sorry this tooks so long! I had almost abandoned this fic, but your encouragements kept me going. Thanks a lot for your support! Hope you enjoyed the ride!