The Lake House Chapter 3, a criminal minds fanfic

OK I give up with the A/N at the end. Someone let me know how to make the line that separates the A/N from the story text as FF won't let me use symbols.

Criminal Minds characters and universe are not mine, but the original characters, storyline and wording are mine.

The Lake House

Chapter 03

Aaron turned away from her and slipped out from under the blankets once he was facing away from her completely, standing as quickly as his aching muscles would allow him. He walked with measured steps toward his bedroom, relieved once he was able to close the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, exhaling slowly, before moving to his bathroom. His problem wasn't going to go away as quickly as he needed it to unless he helped it along, so he strode to his bathroom, stepping into the shower and turning it on.

The first icy shock gave way to warmth and then heat, and as the water ran down his body he curled his fist around his hot and rigid cock, pulling slowly with hard pressure. He hissed through his teeth at the sensation. He moved his hand more quickly, trying to keep his head clear, but was unable to completely. His mind played over and over the image of him sliding into her slick, pink heat and the look of ecstasy on her face, her eyes closed and her little wet tongue just visible through her barely parted lips. He came fast and hard, biting his other fisted hand so he didn't make any noise.

He stood for a minute letting the water wash over him before washing himself and his hair. He told himself it was a natural reaction after having been pressed against a beautiful, naked woman all night. He ignored the part of his brain that was not just a little intrigued with her. Angel. She had called him an angel. He wanted to find out why at some point, but that could wait. There was a great deal of trust to be earned on his part, considering the circumstances. Especially as he had yet to tell her that she was trapped here with him for what could be weeks. Why did the thought of that fill him with hope?

He dressed quickly in jeans, a t-shirt and a thick Aran sweater, pulling on thick socks but no shoes. With the fire burning constantly there was no need. He rummaged through drawers and found some long forgotten leggings and sweaters that had belonged to his sister. He knew she wouldn't mind the loan so he grabbed them and laid them on the bed. He made sure there were fresh towels in the bathroom and made his way back to the living room, taking a large, soft dressing gown with him. It was his, and would be huge on her, but it was that or she would have to wear one of the blankets to get to the bathroom. Also, he liked the idea of her wearing something that was his.

He saw that she had moved a little closer to the fire, still wrapped in the blankets. She looked up and smiled as he entered the room and for a second he forgot what he was there for. Then he remembered the dressing gown in his hands.

"Put this on. There's a bathroom adjoining the bedroom there, and I've put some clothes on the bed for you. They belong to my sister but she hasn't visited this place for years and they'll be a better fit than anything I have." He chuckled. She was almost a foot shorter than he and his clothes would have swamped her. "I'll get some breakfast cooking, take your time, it's still early."

She nodded and sat up, the blanket covering her chest. With a smile she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you. Again." He nodded at her, unaware of the huge grin her small kiss had elicited, and turned away to get things started in the kitchen and to give her enough privacy to put on the dressing gown.

He heard the shower start as he took out food and pans. He had no idea how long it had been since she had eaten so he prepared a big meal for the two of them. By the time he heard the shower stop he had the food almost ready and started making hot chocolate for both of them. He was pretty damn sure, after the night's events, that neither of them needed any caffeine any time soon. He turned as he heard the door open and while he knew he was staring, there wasn't a thing he could do about it. She was freshly clean and looked stunning in cream leggings and a dark grey sweater. He couldn't tear his eyes away as she walked toward him, her hips swaying unconsciously. He had to shake himself out of his stupor, whole sentences would be required shortly.

"It smells great." she said with a smile.

"Take this" he said, handing her a steaming mug of hot chocolate "and take a seat; the food's almost done."

He watched as she climbed carefully onto one of the tall stools at the breakfast bar, noticing that she would wince every now and then as some part of her that was particularly sore still was put to use. He could feel her eyes following him as he turned back to the stove to serve out the food, but although he felt a little self conscious he also felt warm inside. When he turned back to her with two plates, she continued to watch him unabashedly, only looking down when he placed the food in front of her and handed her a knife and fork. They ate silently for a few minutes, watching each other occasionally, comfortable in the silence. Suddenly something occurred to him.

"I don't know your name." Her answering giggle was like music and he couldn't help but smile at the sound.

"I'm Lily." she said, holding out her hand. He grasped it in his, which dwarfed hers but felt very, very right.

"Your accent?" he asked.

"English. Although it's getting Americanised very quickly; I'm one of those people who can't help taking on the accent wherever I am." She touched the large bruises on her throat gently. "My voice isn't quite back to normal yet, but it's nice to be able to talk again without pain."

"I'm Aaron, but I also answer to Hotch." He squeezed her hand warmly, letting her know without speaking that he understood what she meant.

"It's nice to meet you, Aaron. I guess I'll figure out which fits best as we go along." She squeezed his fingers back slightly.

"About that." He set his mug down and took her hand again, this time with his left, holding it gently. "I need to tell you, this and several other counties are snowed in. The tracks are under about twelve feet of it so we're pretty much stuck here. If the cabin weren't on a slope it would be over the windows. I was planning on staying at least three weeks anyway, but I know that obviously you weren't."

"It's OK." She squeezed his hand again. "I took a look out the window while you were in the shower. I figured it was something like that. But thank you for telling me." He could hardly find a response to that, his inner self was so busy celebrating the fact that she had been stood naked in his living room.

"I just didn't want you to worry if you suddenly realised you were trapped here with a complete stranger." He was glad she was taking it so well.

"Well I don't feel trapped." she smiled. "And we've been introduced now, so we're not strangers any more." She laughed again. He was beginning to love the sound.

"I'm glad."

"Under other circumstances I think I'd be feeling a little guilty for intruding on your quiet time. But mostly I'm just feeling pretty lucky that you happen to like the quiet. Things might have gone differently if you hadn't been here."

"I'm very happy for the company. And even happier that things went the way they did." He squeezed her hand reassuringly before letting go.

They ate the rest of the meal with idle chitchat. Lily put away the plateful of food like she hadn't eaten properly for a long time, but he didn't want to push for too many details yet. Just because she seemed to be bouncing back well, didn't mean that she would stay like that if she had to dredge up the memories. He found out that she was travelling with no particular destination in mind; she learnt of his job, and by the look on her face that seemed to raise him in her estimation no small degree.

Eventually he got up to do the dishes and she refused to stay resting while he did, instead joining him at the sink and drying the dishes as he washed them. He noticed that she had, of course, used his shower gel and deodorant. From his head to his toes, every part of him loved that she smelled like him. He followed her to the living room when they were done, taking a seat next to her on the two seater couch where she curled her legs up under her and leaned against the side of the couch, facing him.

They found out a little about each other as they sat, Aaron rising to put a fresh log on the fire or replenish their mugs. He was happy to find out that they shared a deep love of books. He ached to ask her something, and in the end couldn't resist.

"Could I…ask you to do something for me?"

"Of course." she answered seriously.

"I've been reading the Game of Thrones books. And I've never heard them in an English accent, as they seem supposed to be read. Would you…would you sit here and read just a little bit of one for me? I'd like to hear what it sounds like."

"I'd love to." She seemed genuinely delighted. He rose to fetch them more drinks, pausing to grab the book off the shelf on his way back to the sofa. He sat setting their drinks on the coffee table and handing her the book.

"Would you be disappointed in me if I told you that I haven't read any of these books yet?"

He feigned shock. "No!"

"Really. I've been remiss." She laughed wholeheartedly then, and Aaron felt like his heart had dropped through his stomach. It was the most amazing sound he had ever heard and it made him feel good all the way through just hearing it. It was the infectious kind, and he was sure that when she really went for it other people found themselves laughing just because she was. She opened the book and settled back into the sofa. She looked at him and tapped her open hand against her thigh. "Lean back, I'm gonna rest the book on you while I read. You'll be able to follow at the same time." He raised an eyebrow." She laughed again.

"OK I feel shy about being watched while I'm reading." she said, her cheeks pink. He laughed then, too.

"It's all good. But say if you get uncomfortable."

He turned around and leaned back against her, his head resting on her torso where her belly met the bottom of her chest. He worried about the bruises but figured she would let him know if the pressure hurt them. He relaxed as he felt Lily's arms slip around him and saw her prop the book on his chest. It was a comfortable distance for them both to see, and he listened as she started reading. Her voice was low pitched and clear, and the story unfolded in sharper detail in his mind than it ever had while he'd read it to also found that it was a useful position in which to turn things over in his mind without having to worry about her seeing him mentally dissecting her and her situation.

He didn't know how long they had been lain like that, well over an hour he guessed, when she shuffled herself under him a little and twisted her fingertips absently into his hair. He missed half a chapter before he could get his mind back on the words she was reading and away from the feel of her fingers in his hair and at his temple.

It only lasted to the end of that chapter, when they had to take a bathroom break. But while it did, it felt like a puzzle piece falling into place. He hadn't asked her her age, but he figured she must be about eight or ten years his junior. And yet, it seemed not just natural but necessary for them to have some kind of physical contact. He wondered if it had something to do with what had happened, if the proximity made her feel protected and him feel like he was protecting her still. A voice in the back of his thoughts hoped that there might be a little more to it than that.

They read five more chapters together before having some lunch, and got some more wood in for the fire. She hadn't wanted to venture too far from the safety of the doorway, but they managed and he kept a constant lookout. Talking some more, they prepared a dinner together. They both liked to cook, and the preparation was as enjoyable as the meal. Later they settled down to watch a couple of films. He lay on the sofa with her laying against him, her head propped on his arm, the other around her.

They only half watched the films, talking through them a lot of the time and long after they finished. When it came time to go to bed, there was a short but heated debate. Lily at first refused to sleep in the bed, saying that as he was so much taller it made more sense for him to take the bed. He had put his foot down, citing her injuries and winning with that one, at least for that night. He thought that they might repeat that discussion again the next day.

As she finished helping him make up the sofa bed and went to go to bed, he hugged her spontaneously and kissed the top of her head. She just smiled up at him.

"I think I was right about the angel." she muttered under her breath as she walked away. He turned off the lights and got under the covers with a smile, determined to find out what she meant.

03.10.14 Sorry if some things seem a little different if you're rereading from the beginning. I'm going through and editing out any mistakes and also improving a little where I thought the continuity of these earlier chapters wasn't the perfect fit for the more fleshed out and serious direction I've taken the later chapters in.