XII

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Reid mumbled as Emily and JJ explained what had transpired between the two and their prisoner.

"What choice do we have?" Morgan sighed and waited for the genius to respond.

"We could just let her go." Reid's answer shocked the rest of the team. "We don't have any proof that she's a thief and she's right about Hail protecting her from whoever is out to get her."

"You didn't see those bruises Spence." JJ shook her head as she leaned against the table.

"Hail would keep her safe from his enemies," Emily said. "But who's going to keep her safe from Hail?"

"How do we know she's even telling the truth?" Rossi asked. "About the bruises, her relationship with Hail, everything."

"Rossi, the girl's been traumatized." Emily announced. "Spend five minutes with her and you'd see it too."

"I'm not saying she's had an easy go," Rossi continued. "But she's a known manipulator and liar."

"You think she's playing us?" Morgan frowned as he seemed to consider the possibility. JJ and Emily on the other hand weren't having it.

"Did you see her in there?" JJ asked the men. "She couldn't even hold a gaze after we brought up Hail. She's terrified."

"Or she's acting." Rossi quipped, earning himself a glare from the women.

"So you think Hail's all smiles and rainbows?" Emily crossed her arms defensively.

"Hell no, he's a crazy bastard but that doesn't mean he abuses her. If his enemies consider her a viable weakness, doesn't that mean that Hail genuinely cares for her?" Rossi asked the women.

"There's no way she's going back to him." Emily announced. "Period." The finality in her statement threw the others off. If Mackenzie was telling the truth then her relationship with Hail would be parallel to Emily's relationship with Doyle. No one dared turned that rock over for fear of the worms the lay underneath.

"I already spoke to Strauss." Hotch's voice broke their silence. "She's approved the protection order as long as one of us is with her at all times." Everyone nodded, not willing to compete against the women and their boss. "She also wants her out of the city as soon as possible."

"Where are we taking her?" Reid asked. They knew there were a handful of safehouses in and around the city but exactly how far was far enough when it came to Adrian Hail?

"There's a lodge in the Poconos that she suggested. It hasn't been used in years but everything's running." Hotch explained.

"How long of a drive is that?" JJ asked.

"About 2 hours." Hotch looked over each member as if waiting for a volunteer.

"I'll go." No one was surprised when Emily spoke.

"Are you sure Em?" JJ raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't exactly…like you."

"She doesn't have to like me." Emily shrugged and glanced at Hotch from the corner of her eye.

"Alright Prentiss," he seemed annoyed. "We'll get you directions and a car. You can leave in an hour." The team dispersed, leaving the two alone once again.

"What is it?" Emily folded her arms and waited.

"I don't like you going by yourself." Hotch admitted.

"You know we can't take any more attention off the murders." Emily's voice softened, knowing that Hotch was upset.

"You didn't have to volunteer."

"I wanted to." She admitted quietly and sighed. "I see myself in her Aaron."

"I know. I see it too." His eyes softened and found her gaze. "I know you want to help her; so do I, but you have to be careful. We don't know what Hail will do to get her back."

"I will. Promise." She smiled slightly before taking a bold step and placing her hand in his. A shock passed through the two as their skin touched and both found that they soon had trouble controlling their heart rates. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone." She whispered, causing a rare smile to break on the unit chief's lips.

"No promises there." He chuckled slightly as he entwined his fingers through hers. How many times had he dreamt of holding her hand? Of hugging her? Kissing her? The thoughts came like a tidal wave and Hotch did nothing to stop them. Instead, he took a step forward and his breath hitched as their noses brushed. He found his warm hand encircling her waist and pulling her closer by the second as hers rested calmly over his heart. Surely she could feel how fast it was beating? After a second, their hold on one another tightened and Emily felt her chest press against his. The need to feel closer to him heightened with every breath she took. Breathing in each other's scent was a better drug than either could ever ask for. Staring intently into his hazel eyes, Emily raised the hand on his chest and brought it to the back of his neck. Before she could think of a reason not to, she raised herself on her toes and brushed her lips against his. The feeling of her lips on him made Hotch's vision hazy and soon enough, the gap between them closed. With one final, ragged breath, Emily crashed her lips against his and sighed in content. Momentarily frozen in shock, it took Hotch a second for his mind to catch up with what was happening. Once he did, he wrapped his arms around the woman and pressed her against him. He held the back of her neck as she tangled her fingers into his hair before licking her bottom lip. He felt her moan in approval and open her mouth to him. Toe to toe, chest to chest, lips to lips, the couple explored each other's mouths with an intensity that could set fire to a small city. Hotch found that the back of Emily's shirt had eased upwards, exposing an inch of flawless skin and when he pressed his hand against it, both trembled. He couldn't help but snake his hand further underneath the fabric as she nibbled on his lip. Reluctantly forcing their lips apart, Hotch found a new target: her neck. He grazed his teeth from behind Emily's ear to her collarbone and inhaled as he went. She smiled and closed her eyes, goosebumps forming at the mere thought of Aaron Hotchner's lips on her body. She wove her fingers in his hair, urging him onward as she felt him roll her flesh in between his teeth. She couldn't help the sound that left her lips and only seemed to encourage him as she ground her hips into him. Drunk off the feeling of their bodies melded together, neither agent noticed that JJ, Mackenzie and Rossi had passed the glass doors and momentarily gawked at the scene unfolding in front of them.

"You're telling me I have to sit in a car with Agent Cupid-Smacked-Me-In-Face for two hours?" Mackenzie blurted as JJ and Rossi led her to the car. "I don't think I could steal enough money in three lifetimes to deserve this." JJ couldn't help but chuckle as she strapped the girl into a bulletproof vest. Despite their current situation, the blonde couldn't help but feel happy for her two friends. She shared a look with Dave, both communicating the same thing: it's about god damned time.

I've been pretty sick for the past few days so I haven't had the chance to write a lot. I'll pick it back up soon enough.