So I'm not going to be on for a little while and I just finished this chapter so I figured this could hold you guys over until I'm back. Hope you guys like it, let me know if you have the time! Enjoy!

A few days passed with no word on Arnold. Those days turned into a week. That week turned into three and everyone became more concerned as they watched the raven haired beauty become frustrated with how things were going. The team seemed to walk on eggshells when they were around her because they didn't want to upset her.

No one seemed to be able to find any information about where Karl might be and that made Emily the most upset because she was starting to worry that she was doing and going through all this for no reason. What if he wasn't even coming after her? She was living her life in a shell for no reason whatsoever then.

Hotch began to see the light in Emily's eyes die down because of the same routine and never being able to do anything differently. The rest of the team continued to go out and have fun once in a while having a few drinks or just to grab something to eat, but Hotch and Emily always had to decline. The thing that Hotch knew bothered her the most was Jack had wanted to go to the zoo one Saturday afternoon and Emily had to tell him that she couldn't go and he had been so upset because Emily had promised that they would do anything that he had wanted. But luckily he quickly got over it and they spent the entire day playing with Lego's and race cars.

Another Sunday made an appearance and Hotch knew Emily was itching to go out and do something. Anything really.

"What can I do to make this better?"

Emily turned her gaze to the man who was in this hell with her. "I want to stay at my place. I know we said that it wasn't a good idea but I want to."

"Then that's what we'll do," he agreed. He just wanted to make her happy, and even if he still had a bad feeling about going to her place after all these weeks, if that was what she wanted then that is what they would do.

Hotch parked outside of Emily's condo and they both got out of the car. Emily beamed when she saw her building in front of her and quickly grabbed a hold of Hotch's hand and pulled him with her into her building. She quickly unlocked her door and walked inside taking a deep breath. She heard Hotch chuckle beside her.

"What's so funny?" she asked as she turned her gaze towards him.

"You're smelling your place."

"Of course I am, and it smells just like I remembered it," she laughed as she walked farther into her place.

"Emily stop!" Hotch commanded quickly and she halted her actions. She turned to look at him with confusion written in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Will you please just close your eyes for a minute and relax."

Emily did as she was told and after about five seconds she immediately tensed up then quickly opened her eyes and found Hotch's. Her eyes widened and she made her way back towards the door.

"Go pack a bag Emily," Hotch told her.

"I don't want to stay here for another second, let alone five minutes as I pack another bag Hotch!"

Hotch placed his hands on her shoulder to calm her down. "Emily listen to me. You don't have enough clothes at my place, please go up and pack another bag. Grab as many clothes as you can and then we'll leave and I promise we won't come back until he's locked away."

"He's watching me Hotch, I feel it."

"I know, so hurry up." He said as he pushed her towards the stairs for her to go to her room. He watched her go and then he walked over towards her large bay window and looked out it searching for any sign that someone was watching her place. He sensed it right when he walked in. Emily came running down the steps with a large bag in her hand, she grabbed Hotch's arm and pulled him towards the door.

"Time to go."

"Wait," Hotch started, "stay close to me when we walk out of here okay?"

Emily nodded her head and looped her arm through his tightly and he felt her shiver.

The two walked out of her building arm in arm and Hotch quickly opened her door and ushered her inside, the entire time watching his surroundings. He made his way to his side of the car then pulled off in record time. "Are you alright?" Hotch finally asked when they were pulling up to his apartment.

"Yes," she mumbled as she got out of the car quickly and jogged her way up the steps to get to her destination faster.

They got inside and Emily immediately went to her room and shut the door. She needed a second alone to think, to breathe, to relax. She closed her eyes and relaxed just like she had at her place, but there was no feeling of someone watching her like there was at her place.

"Emily?" Hotch called out as he knocked on her door.

"I'm okay."

"Can I come in please?"

"I just need a minute Hotch," she said but rolled her eyes as she saw the door open and Hotch entered anyway. "Come on in," she said sarcastically.

Hotch took a seat next to her on the floor ignoring the jab and leaned against her bed. "Everything will be okay Emily. I promise you that."

"You don't know that. How am I supposed to go back to stay there when I feel so creeped out that he was watching me?"

Hotch ran his hand over her back in soothing circles. "We'll figure that out when the time comes, but right now at this very moment, you're here, with me and I told you I will keep you safe. No matter what I have to do. You are safe with me."

Emily unconsciously moved closer to Hotch and leaned into him, relaxing into his touch. "What are we going to do?"

"We are only going to leave this apartment to go to work. That's it, we aren't leaving besides that. Jessica said she'll pick up Jack whenever I need her to, and the team said if we need food they'll grab it for us, and after this, they will be more than willing to help out. Stop worrying so much Emily, it'll be okay." As he said those words he wished that he believed them. He wished he knew where Arnold was. All Hotch wanted to do was find him and lock him back up so Emily wouldn't be afraid anymore.

They continued to sit in silence, just being relaxed in each other's company. Finally Hotch broke the silence. "Let's go get some dinner and watch some TV."

Emily was going to object but Hotch gave her a look that shut her right up, and he helped her stand up then walked with her to the kitchen. They ate their dinner in the living room in silence as they watched some random show.

The silence lasted through two hours when finally Hotch couldn't take it anymore. "What are you thinking about?"

Silence.

"What's wrong?"

Emily continued to stare at the TV completely oblivious to what was on as she ignored the man beside her.

"Emily, what's wrong?" he asked again.

Silence passed between them. "Emily!" Hotch said with enough force to cause her eyes to lock angrily onto his.

"You want to know what's wrong?" she barked as she stood up and looked down at him. "I'm tired of this shit!" she yelled. "I want to go home. I want to go out with my friends. I want to go dancing, and drinking. But I can't!" she screamed as tears filled her eyes. "Instead I have to be stuck inside like a prisoner and I'm so tired of this Hotch." She took a deep breath to calm herself down before looking at Hotch again. She saw the hurt in his eyes but also understanding. This caused more emotions to attack her.

Covering her face with her hands Emily sat back down on the couch and tried to hold back the tears. "I'm so sorry Hotch. I'm just so frustrated! I don't mean to take it out on you. I'm sorry," she said again as her hands still covered her face.

Why was she treating him like this? It wasn't his fault and instead she's making him think it was. He deserved better than that. He's been through enough, and he's just trying to help.

Music came on and Emily finally looked up from her hands to see Hotch holding his hand out of her. "What are you doing?"

"We are going to dance. I can't take you out dancing, so I'm bringing dancing to you. Now get up and let's dance," Hotch told her as he grabbed her hands and gently tugged her up from the couch.

Blondie came on and Emily smiled. She loved this song, but could she dance like a crazy person and just let go in front of Hotch? Before she could question herself anymore Hotch took off his tie and unbuttoned a few buttons of his shirt. Emily laughed as he started hopping around to the beat. Deciding that if Hotch of all people could let loose so could she and that's exactly what she did. They both danced like the other wasn't in the room, while still managing to dance with each other. Emily reached a hand out and ruffled Hotch's perfect hair.

"That's better," she said loudly over the music. Her heart melted as Hotch sent her a two dimpled smile.

Three songs later a slow song interrupted their crazy dancing. Emily tried to walk to the couch but Hotch grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. Emily relaxed and placed her head on his chest.

"I know this isn't easy for you Emily, and I'm trying everything I can to make this better. To make you comfortable." Hotch wrapped his arms tighter around her smaller frame.

"I know," Emily nodded against his chest, "and I'm sorry I spazed out. It's just very infuriating. I miss being outside when it's dark out. I miss my friends. I miss going out with the team for drinks. And I hate him for making me live like this, and I hate him for making you live like this to protect me," she said with bitterness in her voice.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere but where I am," Hotch confessed.

Emily looked up at Hotch and couldn't control the smile or the tears that rushed to her eyes. "I don't think I ever thanked you."

"For what?" he smoothed his hand over her hair.

"Everything. I've been miserable but somehow you've put up with me and I never thanked you, so thanks."

Hotch smiled, "I would do it all over again if it meant you were safe. I hope you know that. I'd always protect you. No matter what," he whispered softly against her hair.

Emily couldn't take the frustration or longing anymore. She wrapped her hand around the nape of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. It was gentle and sweet and everything she ever imagined it to be.

She pulled back slightly and blushed. "Thanks for the dance," she whispered as she kissed him gently again before saying good night and heading to her room. She quickly locked the door and sat on her bed.

"Holy shit, I just kissed my boss," she mumbled out loud. "And he kissed me back!" She knew that if she had stayed in the living room she would have done much more than kiss him. And no matter how much she wanted it, she refused to start a relationship while being held prisoner in an apartment. They wouldn't even be able to go on a date and she very much wanted to see how Aaron Hotchner treated her on a date. Laying back on her bed she smiled as she ran her fingers over her lips. It was even better than I imagine it would be she thought to herself. Leaning over to flip off her light, Emily slowly drifted off into a peaceful dream where her boss was the star.