If Not for You

Part 13

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Emily knew she had succeeded; she was over Hotch. Completely.

She knew it was so when she saw Hotch stepping out of the elevator of the field office. She did not get her normal heart palpitation at the sight of him, and she did not give him the once over as she was apt to do so when he came to work. She felt indifferent, just as if it was Dave, Derek or even Reid. In fact she wished it was one of the three here instead of Hotch.

Wow! Where did that thought came from?

"What have you gotten so far?" Hotch asked as he ran his hand over his hair. It was the fourth time he had done that. He was frustrated because he couldn't concentrate on the case. He found himself distracted by Emily. She seemed as if she was glowing, as if she had a secret that only she knew about.

What is it? I really want to know!

And what's with the turtleneck sweater? It had been quite warm in the field office building. It seemed the air conditioning unit was on its last leg. Even he had shed his jacket and loosened his tie slightly.

Then he saw it.

She was scratching her neck, right on the edge of the collar of the turtleneck sweater. He leaned in, trying to get a closer look and realized what it was: a hickey.

My god! A hickey!

I didn't know she is seeing someone? All the way here in New York City!

The guy she is visiting, do you think it's him?

I don't know but it sounds plausible.

But that kiss back in Quantico before she left?

What about it?

Come on, you're not that dense. She likes you!

Well, maybe but as is right now, she is not.

How do you know?

I can tell. The signs.

What signs?

She doesn't look at me quite as often. In fact she barely glanced over. She seemed somewhat preoccupied.

So, what are you going to do?

You mean we? I mean you are me. You're in this just as deep as I am.

Find out who she is doing…seeing?

Yeah, something like that.

Emily was running a finger around the collar; the sweater was annoyingly scratchy and warm. She wondered if someone had turned off the air conditioner. She wished she didn't have to wear the damn sweater but the hickies were visible and certainly not professional. She smiled as she told herself to remind Mac to nibble below the collarbone!

Hotch frowned when he saw her smiling. What was there to smile at? The case was not funny at all. They were nowhere near compiling the profile of the UnSub except the fact that the victims were all men in their 20s to 30s bracket. And they were heterosexual.

"UnSub has got to be a female. Castration is a common form of torture for love affairs gone wrong." Emily pointed out. They had been on their feet since she had arrived at the field office and Hotch arrived from Quantico. As it was just the two of them, they had to pool resources from the local agents. At least the good news was Morgan and Dave were almost done with the parole review and would be able to join them no later than tomorrow evening.

"Yes, that would be a stereotypical indication but still let's not rule out male UnSubs." Hotch contradicted.

Emily almost glared at him. He had been contradicting her a lot when they were on cases lately. Back then it had not bothered her as she accepted it as a learning process but now? It bordered on rudeness and disrespect. She knew she had more than earned that respect especially from him but since he began dating he had reverted back to the days when he was prejudiced against her presence in the team.

"Let's call it a night. It's getting late and I'm rather tired." Hotch said.

Upon hearing the word 'late', she quickly glanced at her watch; it was nearly 830pm!

Scrambling out of her seat, startling Hotch, she shook her head as she fished out her phone and began dialing as she stepped out of the room.

Mac answered by the second ring, "You're not backing out on our dinner, are you?"

Emily smiled, "No. We just finished for the night. Can you forgive me?"

Mac chuckled, sending tingles through the line and under her skin, "There is nothing to forgive. We can still have dinner. As a matter of fact, I'm near the feds building, how about I swing by and pick you up? We can have some fantastic Greek food at a small restaurant that is two blocks away?"

"I think that is a fabulous idea! I just have to pack up my files and freshen up and I'll be ready."

"Okay. I'll see you in ten."

"Thank you," she said, feeling happy. It was a very good feeling.

"Emily."

She turned around and saw Hotch about a foot away; how long had he been standing there and how much had he heard?

"Hotch?"

"I was wondering if you want to have dinner with me?"

Well, back in those days when she hungered for his attentions, she would be saying yes before he got his question out. But now, nothing.

"Sorry Hotch. I have a prior…engagement."

"Oh." His face fell.

Emily almost laughed aloud; the look on his face was classic, as if he had just lost his favorite toy.

"Maybe another time, Hotch. I have to get ready." Without waiting for a reply, she hurried back inside the room to tidy up and headed for the bathroom. Throughout that time, her heart was light and singing. She could hardly wait to see Mac again. It had been more than half a day since she saw him…when he left her in his bed.

…

As she stepped out of the ladies' room, she looked around and spotted Mac…and Hotch.

Apprehensively, she dashed towards the two men.

"Hey Mac! I see you found the place." She greeted him, trying to look calm but her insides were churning with excitement. She was very tempted to run to him and hug him right there.

Hotch turned to look at her as she did the introductions. "Mac, this is my Unit Chief, SSA Aaron Hotchner. Hotch, this is Detective Mac Taylor of the NYPD Crime Lab."

Both men, who had been sizing each other earlier, shook each other's hand, their grips were firm and unrelenting.

"Are you ready Emily?" Mac turned to her, his heart beating fast; she looked so beautiful even though he knew she had been working all day, nonetheless, she still looked very pretty.

So, this is her prior engagement, thought Hotch darkly.

"Yes. I am starving." She smiled at Mac.

"Be careful, Det. Taylor, when she said she is starving, she really is."

"Don't worry Hotch, Mac knows about my big appetite already." She watched Mac as she blushed.

Mac smiled; of course he remembered the dinner the night before and what happened after.

Hotch glanced from one to the other and knew that they were more than just friends.

Had he lost her?

Lost her? How could I lose her when I didn't even have her in the first place!

That's right Aaron. You move too slowly as always.

I don't want to talk about this now.

Tough. You are about to lose her to him because you had waited too long. And you need to wake up and start taking actions. She is enamored with this New York finest, and let's hope it's not too late.

I can still get her back. She is coming back to Quantico with me when we are done with this case. This Mac Taylor is staying here in New York City. And we know long distance relationship hardly works.

What happens if she decides to leave BAU?

No.

No?

She loves her job too much. We had talked about it a lot.

What happens if she has a change of heart because of him?

I'm sure you're mistaken. I know her and I know she likes me. Has been for a long time.

I know that. But you…we have been stringing her along.

That sounds about right.

Aaron, you ass! Your 'brilliant' plan just back fired.

If I'm an ass, so are you!

I'm trying to tell you, you need to get your head out of your ass and take charge.

Shut up.

"Hotch? Are you okay?" Emily asked as she stood besides Mac.

Blinking, Hotch nodded, "Yeah. I'm fine. Long day."

"I know. Well, I'll see you in the morning. Good night." Emily said and grabbing Mac's hand, she almost skipped out of the room.

Hotch couldn't help but stared at their joined hands and frowned hard.

Told you so.

Shut up.

…

"Mmm…this is great!" Emily closed her eyes as she savored the last bite of her fish soup.

"Knew you'll like it. Have some of my fried kolios or Mackerel." Mac offered.

"Thanks. It looks good too. Everything here looks good." Then she looked at Mac.

Mac smiled and stopped when he realized she was not talking about the food anymore.

He reached over and took her hand and raising it, he kissed her knuckles slowly. Emily blushed prettily as she savored the tingly feel his lips left on her skin.

"Mac…" She gasped.

"How about some dessert?" He kept his gaze on her.

Mesmerized, she nodded. Then she realized she didn't know what she was nodding to! "What?"

"Dessert. It's not really polite to leave without trying their dessert." He said.

"Mac! How could…I …um, okay."

Mac laughed, "Something simple?"

"Yeah."

"Is that all you're going to say?"

"Yeah." Then blinking she added, "Well, for now. But later, I don't think words are necessary."

Mac smiled widely, "Oh, there's later?"

She stopped smiling, "There isn't?" she was beginning to feel disappointed.

Mac shook his head when he saw her crestfallen face and pulled her close to him and kissed her. "You know I'm teasing you."

Wow! Her brain shut down as he deepened the kiss.

"Ahem! Dessert, Mac?" they were interrupted by the owner of the restaurant.

Mac pulled back reluctantly and grinned at his friend, "Surprise us, Sal?"

The owner beamed as he left them.

"He loves to do that." Mac said as he stroked her soft cheek.

"I hope it's not a big helping! I don't think I can put anymore in me." Emily laughed.

"You, stuffed? I find that hard to believe. Did you know you have eaten twice more than most people I know? Including myself?"

Emily laughed again, "I can't help it! And I'm not going to bankrupt you, remember I'm treating you?"

Mac tried to protest but she shook her head, "No Mac. A deal is a deal."

"Alright. But after tonight, I'm paying for everything."

Emily tilted her head as she studied him, "Kind of being pushy. I don't react well to alpha males."

Mac stared at her before bursting out laughing, earning a couple of stares from the other dining patrons. "You really think I'm going to buy that?"

Emily laughed with him, "I had to try. Alright, you can pay. But we're going to discuss about the 'everything' part. I don't think I can let you do it. After all, cop's pay are not all that."

Mac shook his head, "Don't worry about my paycheck. I can manage. If not, I can always sell one of my 'toys'."

Emily stopped laughing.

Mac was startled by the sudden change, "What? What's wrong?"

"That is not funny, Mac Taylor. Those…those…toys, they are one of a kind and definitely not to be sold. I mean if you're really financially strapped…"

"Emily!" he covered her mouth with his hand to stop her from talking more. "I was teasing you. And no, I'm not selling them. And I would never do that. Okay?"

Since his hand still covered her mouth, all she could do was nodding her head.

"Good. Glad to see you understand." He removed his hand and leaned in to kiss her again.

Unknown to them, Hotch had thought to grab a bite in the same restaurant but as soon as he entered, he spotted them. His heart clenched tightly when he saw Emily kissing that detective. Mac Taylor.

He gritted his teeth.

The hostess was intrigued by his expression and thought he was suffering a heart attack and was about to ask him when he abruptly left the restaurant.

Weird man. Must be a tourist; how rude.

Back at the table, their desserts came. It was the traditional baklava and a bowl of vanilla ice cream with honey, and another dessert Emily was unfamiliar with but tasting it, found it quite delicious.

"I thought it's supposed to be simple?" She stared at the spread.

Mac shrugged, "Sal likes his patrons to leave full and happy."

"Oh, I am full and happy." She smiled and thought; I'm happy not because of the food but this man sitting beside me.

Mac saw her looking at him in that soft tone and his heart raced; could it be? She is witty and intelligent, just like Claire. She seem so, so right.

"I'm sure Sal will let us take these to go. We can have them for a late night dessert." He said.

"I like that. I'm ready to go." She couldn't keep her gaze from him.

After the dessert was packed, Emily thanked Sal for the wonderful meal and asked for the bill. Sal shook his head and happily insisted this meal was on the house.

Emily shook her head and wanted to pay. At that, Sal leaned in close to her and said in a low tone, out of earshot of Mac, "Miss Emily, it is my pleasure to do so because anyone who makes our Mac so happy has my gratitude."

Emily smiled and finally nodded her head as she whispered conspiratorially, "Sal, it is more than my pleasure to do so. I really do like him."

The restaurant owner smiled happily, "Then go make our Mac happy, my dear! Go!" He made shooing noises and motions and began to laugh.

Mac looked at her, intrigued, "What are the two of you up to?"

Emily picked up the dessert box and turned to him, she replied, "Nothing much, just thanked him for the dinner."

Mac shook his head skeptically, "Oh no, you two were talking about me."

As they walked out of the restaurant, she stopped walking, turned to look at him, "Mac Taylor, you're a great guy and everywhere you go, you make an impression on people. And you definitely impressed Sal. Whatever you had done for him, you have a friend for life in him. You have been sad for a long time and Sal had been worried about you."

"You certainly impressed him as well for him to tell you all this."

Emily blushed, "What's your connection?"

Mac sighed, "When 9/11 happened, I went to look for Claire and in the chaos, found Helios who is Sal's son, trapped under a column. In short, I saved his life and Sal feels obligated to save mine." He closed his eyes for a moment.

Emily slipped her hand into his, "It's okay to talk about that day. The bureau…I have lost many friends that day as well. And you, Mac Taylor, are a good man. I feel very privileged to know you."

Mac tightened their clasped hand and nodded.

"Where to now, Mac Taylor?" She smiled at him.

"Why do you keep calling me that?"

"Because. It's a sexy name." She giggled.

Shaking his head, he pulled her close and kissed her.

Mac softened and grinned, "Let's go home, Emily Prentiss."

"Home," Emily uttered as they continued their way to his car. "I like the sound of that."

End of Part 13

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Thank you! Please, drop a line and let me know what you think so far!

Lizzie