Hey there.

So I got an overwhelming response to continue this story and what the readers want, the readers get. That and I couldn't bring myself to leave Emily so upset. I was really angry with Hotch so I figured I'd yell some sense into him, some way. I have a feeling I might have to do another chapter, but again I'll leave that one to you.

I do not own any of the movies I mention throughout this fic, especially "Practical Magic" (one of my all time favorite movies)

Please enjoy and review.

That's what love is like.

It makes your heart race. It turns the world upside down.

But if you're not careful, if you don't keep your eyes on something still, you can lose your balance.

You can't see what's happening to the people around you. You can't see that you're about to fall.

-Jillian Owens (Practical Magic)

Hotch braced himself for the impending attack as he saw Dave glance once more at Emily's retreating figure before marching up to his office. This was not going to end well.

Dave was shutting Hotch's office door before Hotch even knew what was happening. Dave stormed to the front of Hotch's desk and he just stared at his friend in righteous anger. Hotch could literally feel the steam coming off of Dave and waited for the explosion. However, before Dave could open his mouth and rip Hotch a new one, JJ came into the office not bothering to knock. If Hotch thought Dave was exceptionally scary, he hadn't the slightest idea what JJ was capable of.

He'd never underestimate her again.

JJ slammed a pile of files on Hotch's desk, ignoring the surprised look on Dave's face.

"Fix it, or so help me Aaron Hotchner they'll never find your body." JJ threatened with such a tone that made both Hotch and Dave shiver. She could be downright horrible if need be and apparently she believed the mishap between Emily and Hotch warranted her inner demon. She resisted the urge to smirk at the way Hotch's eyes widened with his words. Now was not the time for Dave's anger: JJ's would be more than satisfactory.

Straightening her back, JJ whipped around and left Hotch to deal with Dave, who was in utter amazement. "I knew there was a reason I admired her." Dave muttered as she shut Hotch's door.

Hotch rolled his eyes, "You mean other than the reasons that she's attractive and you've been pining after her since you walked through my door?" he couldn't resist.

Dave glared at Hotch. "This isn't about me Aaron. It's about how you royally fucked up with Emily," he snapped taking a seat in front of Hotch who visibly grimaced. Hit the nail on the head.

"You might want to start at the beginning." Dave said bringing his hands together to rest on his stomach in waiting. Hotch sighed and began to tell Dave about his relationship with Emily that had been going on since Foyet stabbed him. Dave's eyes widened but he didn't say anything.

When Hotch had finished Dave snorted. Hotch looked at his friend who wore a 'are you serious' look.

"So you broke it off because you got scared that you were developing feelings for the woman you were having sex with?" Dave asked and Hotch had to admit when he said it like that it sounded really ridiculous. Hotch nodded his head and Dave barely suppressed the urge to reach over and knock Hotch upside the head: Just barely though.

"Look Aaron, you fucked up big time: You don't need me to tell you that." Dave said.

"Then why are you?" Hotch growled out. Dave smiled evilly, "Because I like saying it," he replied as Hotch scowled at his older friend. Dave was having way too much fun with this.

"Emily is a very strong woman, that's no secret. She's dealt with the worst serial killers face to face and she didn't flinched. She investigated an old friend's death and dealt with your scrutiny since she joined the team. She can take a hit." Dave said relaxing in this chair. Hotch nodded in agreement.

"But we know how heavily Emily protects her heart. We've seen how vulnerable she can be during Matthew's case not too long ago. Once someone works their way into her heart they are there to stay. Unfortunately that also means they can hurt her more."

Hotch felt uncomfortable as Dave slowly began to broach the subject of the pain he had inflicted upon Emily. Going in he had never meant to hurt her, but he should've realized-he should have seen-the way she felt about their late nights.

"She can't compartmentalize love Aaron." Dave said simply and Hotch's eyes shot up to Dave's. Dave just nodded his head in confirmation of the simple truth Hotch had been denying since day one.

Hotch closed his eyes and felt his hand come up to pinch the bridge of his nose. He didn't know what to do.

"My advice Aaron is beg." Dave said and Hotch looked up with crinkled eyebrows.

"Beg her to take you back or let her go forever. Either way it's some form of surrender and I already know which one will be easier in the beginning, but if you let her walk out of your life Aaron, you will never be happy again. She is willing to love you; someone who sees himself as the broken shadow of a man. Who else could put up with that?" Dave asked knowing full well he had made his point.

Hotch paused and began to think.

Dave sighed. "Do you love her?" he asked and saw how Hotch's body jerked with his words. He smirked.

Hotch didn't answer, he just looked Dave dead in the eyes as his mind replayed every moment he had spent with Emily Prentiss over the three years he had worked with her.

Her smile, her laugh, her determination, her tears, the way her eyes narrowed when she was pissed, the way her hips swayed when she walked, the way she said his name…Hotch felt like a bolt of lightning struck him.

"Finally" Dave muttered and stood up, seeing what he needed to see. Dave had know for a long time that Aaron Hotchner had been in love with Emily Prentiss subconsciously. Hell he was sure the entire team knew that, and after Emily's reactions the past few days it was painfully obvious that she returned the sentiments only she knew and accepted it. Emily Prentiss wasn't to hide behind 'ignorance' when the reality was staring her blatantly in the face.

"I have a feeling JJ's threat doesn't have an expiration date but it may have a count down like a bomb, so I'd hurry up and fix this mess so we can go back to working like we used to." Dave said and with one last look at Hotch, Dave walked out of his office to the bullpen where JJ was talking to a worried Garcia. Reid and Morgan fell into the little circle the girls had created when Dave showed up. They all shared mixed looks but Dave assured them silently that the balance would be restored soon.

Hotch didn't have time to register the looks his team shot him as he rushed down the stairs out of Quantico while on the phone. He was talking a mile a minute, forming a plan as he walked. He had to get Emily back and he had a good idea of how to do that.

- - - - -

Emily sat on her couch dejected and blank.

She had tried telling herself she was acting like a child, but the pain in her heart silenced her logical approach. She had every right to pout and feel upset with the way she had Hotch had fallen apart at the seams. She was in love with a jerk: Story of her life.

"Practical Magic" was playing on TV and she felt herself smile. It was one of those movies that made her feel better despite any inner turmoil. After it was over Emily planned on putting in something darker, like "The Invisible." She figured a sad movie would do her justice tonight.

Emily looked at her black phone and found it increasingly difficult not to pick it up and turn it on. It would be a classical hurt female move, but it seemed like the right thing to do. Emily shook her head. No, she was stronger than that. It Hotch wanted to apologize he could bring his heartbreaking ass over here and get on his hands and knees for all she cared. Emily sighed and took another sip of her Oliver Red Wine. She wasn't trying to get smashed, just pleasantly numb. She'd be fine to go into work tomorrow and that was what mattered.

Emily fidgeted in her baggy sweats and lose T-shirt feeling out of sorts with the world. She sighed, not even the sight of a bunch of women banishing an evil spirit could cheer Emily up. Her heart hurt, as clichéd as that sounded. She wanted to believe that Hotch was capable of so much more than what he gave her, but as the seconds turned to minutes and then faded into hours she began to doubt it. Perhaps hers was a cursed love like the Owens women's love. She felt like she had been so caught up in him that she was falling so fast that once she hit the ground, she'd shatter into a million pieces.

Emily sighed and turned down the volume of her TV as a knock sounded at her door. Emily hesitated, torn between the intense desire to answer it and the need to be left alone. She probably would've stayed on the couch if Hotch hadn't spoken.

"Emily I know you're in there. Please open the door." Hotch said as he readjusted the mass in his arms.

Emily sighed and reluctantly got up. She walked slowly to the door, figuring he could wait a few more minutes since she had been waiting for much longer than that. She didn't even look through the peep whole, which she probably should have considering the mass in Hotch's arms threw itself at Emily when she opened her door.

Emily hardly managed to catch Jack.

"Daddy said you were sad 'cause of something he did so he thought we should come over and make it better!" Jack exclaimed hugging Emily tightly. Emily was rendered speechless as she rubbed Jack's back automatically. She looked down at the little boy in her arms before daring to look up at Hotch's face.

She could clearly see the worry lines and the pain in his dark eyes and felt exhaustion sweep over her. She was too tired to deal with this now, but Jack seemed adamant about helping.

"Daddy makes everything better Emmy, Daddy can make you happy again." Jack said with all the logic of a four-year old. Emily chuckled at Jack's reasoning and felt Hotch's pleading eyes on her face. Well, this hadn't been what she had in mind, but she couldn't resist the charms of both Hotchner men.

She was still sore with Aaron, but for now she was willing to overlook that part of her and she turned to walk into her apartment with Jack in her arms. She looked back and saw a hesitant Hotch and she bit her lower lip. She jerked her head, telling him to come in as she tired to ignore the little voice in her head that told her she was making the same mistake. Hotch entered and closed the door behind her.

He walked over to her and stopped to where their arms were brushing, causing Emily to shiver. He held up a little grocery bag filled with snacks and popcorn as if they were offerings of peace, which to a woman like Emily they were. Emily felt her anger drain out of her at the nervousness she saw in Hotch's eyes and he reminded her of a dog crawling back to its owner after breaking something in the house. Scared, hesitant, and unsure of what to do.

It was going to be a long night, but Emily leaned her head gently against his shoulder and finished watching Practical Magic before going to make the popcorn.

She had wanted Hotch for so long and as he stood in the living room with her she felt like whatever 'curse' she had felt existed vanished into the night. She wasn't falling anymore, just floating and for the time being that was fine with her.

Curses only have power when you believe them.

And I don't.

You know what?

I wished for you too.

-Gary Hallet (Practical Magic)

Oh that was fun. I had this idea yesterday that JJ would go postal on Hotch and boom, her line was born. I was cracking up because I can see JJ getting all pissed off just as easily as Emily or Garcia. She's always so quiet and light you know, so I figured let's throw her in there. I thought it turned out fairly nice. *laugh* I suppose, if you all request it, I can post another chapter. I think they need to talk. So just let me know.

Peace out.