Chapter 8

Before the DVD went black Emily could see the tears in Hotch's eyes and it broke her heart to know that she had caused him this pain. She had to decide what she wanted to do. She knew she had hurt him when she left. She knew it was wrong to leave that way and it ate her up inside to know that she had caused the man she loves pain. But it hurt her to see him with Beth and she couldn't sit by and watch him moving forward in his life while she had stalled in her past.

Now how to handle this? That was the biggest question of all and she had not a single idea of what she was going to do.

It had been three days since Emily had watched the DVD and still had no idea what to do. She knew what she wanted but scared to open herself up for the heart that could come with it. She had never been dependent on anyone in her entire life. She had never needed anyone before she had joined the BAU. Her team had become her family and she loved every one of them dearly. She had kept in contact like she had promised Penelope. Well, with everyone except Hotch.

She missed seeing him every day. She missed talking with him about her problems; now he was the problem. She missed Jack so much and knew she had to go and see him because she had made a promise to him and she never broke a promise. She would go see him and soon, because she loved that little boy more than anything else in the world. She felt terrible about not being there for him in the past few months and she knew she had to rectify that. If for no one other than Jack, she had to be there for him.

Three days later Emily had made her choice. Right or wrong it may be. She picked up her cell phone that had been lying on the couch beside her. She dialed the number and waited. She knew it was a probability that he was either in a meeting with Strauss or away on a case. She took the chance that he was doing neither of those things.

The phone rang, and rang, and rang. On the fourth ring she was about to hang because she didn't want to leave a message on his voice mail, he answered.

"Emily? Emily is that you?" He asked in a breathless wind.

"Yes it's me. I can call back if you are busy. You sound busy." She said quietly in to the phone.

"NO. Emily please don't hang up. I promise I'm not busy. I would never be too busy for you. I was just sparring with Morgan. Garcia said you were hurt… are you ok?"

I'm fine Aaron. I'll be back to work soon. I thought while I was out I could come and see… Jack. Would you mind?" She asked hesitantly.

"That would be great. He really misses you. I really miss you Emily."

"Aaron don't… please. Not like this, not over the phone. I can't get in to this on the phone." She said and he could hear the strain and the tears in her voice.

"Emily, please don't cry and don't tell me you're not because I can hear it in your voice. When would you like to come over? Or would it be better if I bring him over to your place?" he asked hoping she would choose hers because that way he didn't risk the chance of her running again.

"My place will be fine. Do you have something to write with?"

"Yes… ok I'm ready."

"My new address is 1515 15th Street Northwest. It's in DuPont Circle. Do you think you can find it?" She asked as played with her hair, twisting it around her finger nervously.

"I'll find it. When would be a good time for you?" he asked praying for sooner rather than later.

"Any time between now and next Tuesday will be good. I have to go back to the doctor then so that day is out."

"How about I bring him over Saturday and we can stay for a while… if that is ok?"

"That's fine. I'll see you then." She said and was getting ready to hang up when she knew she had to tell him.

"Oh and Aaron?"

"Yeah?"

"I miss you too." She said and hung up the phone.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was short but I felt like ending it here instead of having it run together with what I have coming up next. Hope you enjoyed it and thank you for all the reviews I have received. They are greatly appreciated.