Episode: Epilogue
"He wants to know if the experience can change. I can relate to that."
Emily paused then glanced up to see Hotch's eyes transfixed upon her own. "Reid felt a warmth and saw a light. When I coded in the ambulance all I felt was cold and darkness. And I would like to think that there's a different future waiting for me."
Hotch was speechless as the conversation carried on around him. Death had always been something that had hung around him all his life and while he was saddened by it, he'd never really thought of it too much. Death didn't scare him as much as it could have and it never really had.
But evidently Emily felt different.
Hotch ordered the team to go off and do things for the next five minutes, wracking his brain to think of mildly useful things for them to do. They seemed to take the hint though and wandered off while Hotch practically dragged Emily into the room, closing the blinds and ignoring the fact that it looked extremely suspicious.
Emily stepped into the room, knowing exactly why Hotch had took her in there but trying to avoid this topic of discussion. Death was not her forte and she didn't intend for it to ever be.
"Emily?"
She winced as he used that voice. The one that always seemed to break her in the most irksome but (and she'd never admit this) adorable way.
"Its fine, Hotch. I'm really alright."
"Emily."
"Ok, I'm not alright but I'm getting over it slowly. I just need time, I think."
"Anything I can do to help you?" Hotch leaned against the wall, pulling Emily by her sleeves forward so she was leaning against him.
"Not really, no. Let's just wrap up this case and get the hell outta dodge."
Hotch smiled to himself, pressing a kiss to the roots of Emily's hair.
"You don't have to be brave, Emily."
"I know."
OoOoOoO
Hotch got into his car with a yawn, rubbing his face to wake himself up. It probably wouldn't be very good to die as he drove home leaving behind what was just shaping up to be a rather appealing life.
Blinking out of his thoughts, Hotch realised that his side door was opening and someone was getting in. With reflexes that were as instinctive as breathing, Hotch reached for his gun, hidden in a compartment in the door beside him.
"And to think I thought this was going so well. Suppressing some homicidal urges there?"
Hotch breathed a sigh of relief, staying his hand and reaching up to pull Emily into a kiss before he replied. Maybe some would call him a hormonal teen for being practically unable to be alone with her and not kiss her but hey; he deserved it after god only knew how many years of refraining.
"Shhh, don't tell the others, they might try lock me up as a future UNSUB. What are you doing here?"
Emily paused, chewing the inside of her mouth. "This case rattled me a bit and I... don't really want to..."
Hotch stopped her ramblings with another kiss, pulling away after without a word and starting the ignition, leaving the parking lot with a stifled yawn and a hand tight around Emily's.
OoOoOoO
"I trust you still remember where stuff is?" Hotch grinned teasingly as he punched in his alarm code, the beeping stopping with a cheerful double beep.
Emily rolled her eyes, slinging her go bag over her shoulder. She'd come straight off the plane and was glad for it.
Showing up to work in one of Hotch's suits may not be the best idea.
Emily felt hands pulling at her waist, walking into the bedroom and she had to smile at this. All of this. It was just so new and ... perfect.
"What are you smiling about?" A voice rumbled in her ear, the smile growing even larger at the words.
"You," Was her only reply as she grinned and toppled back onto the bed.
OoOoOoO
"Ready to talk yet?"
"No, not really." Emily was curled up against Hotch's side her eyes half lidded as she felt rather than listened to him speak.
"But you do know I'm here when and if you ever are, right?" Hotch's voice, tinged with worry, actually calmed Emily.
"Of course. Now shut up, I'm trying to sleep."
A chuckle ran through his body and Emily closed her eyes. She felt safe here, the walls of Hotch's bedroom surrounding and cradling her in the aftermath of ... everything. She had been to hell and back and yet here she was, lying there and listening to the steady thump of a heartbeat, muffled by Hotch's thin grey t-shirt. With a sigh, Emily adjusted herself, pressing closer to her warm companion.
Home. She was home.
Break Hands – Cameras
Ok, I know these have been really short lately and I apologize but I haven't had a lot of time on my hands and I have a lot of other fics I need to work on as well as new ideas I have. WHY CAN'T I JUST FINISH THESE THINGS ARG. Anyway, please keep reviewing, we've hit the triple digits! I actually love each and every one of you who reviews, favourites, follows and just reads this. It all means so much!
