Chapter LIV

"Te iubesc." Ana smiled into the phone as she hung up, saying goodbye to her sister.

"What's that mean?" Emily asked from her seat on the couch. The woman was surrounded by case files, all of which Ana was technically not supposed to see. The girl averted her gaze.

"It means 'I love you too'." She told her. Emily had grown rather interested in the prospect of learning another language and knowing Russian was more than helpful in picking up Romanian. Ana watched as she mouthed the phrase over and over again just like she did with everything she was taught.

"Looking for new things to say to Hotch while you two are…canoodling?" Ana snickered as Emily's cheeks reddened. The couple had been together for months and they still couldn't be around each other without blushing. Ana found it quite cute.

"No." Emily pretended to read a new file. A thought occurred to Ana and she gasped.

"Oh my God, you two haven't-"

"Hey, none of your business!" Emily cried as she dropped the file in her hands. Ana scooted closer as her smile widened.

"And that's exactly why I have to know!" the girl's curiosity seemed to get the better of her. Emily sighed.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Ana." She threatened and the girl scoffed.

"If it hasn't killed me yet…" she tilted her head and waited for Emily to give in. Finally, the older woman dropped her pen.

"No, we haven't ok?" she raised an eyebrow as if challenging Ana to question her and of course, the teen did.

"But why not?" she crossed her arms. "You two are," she saw the look of warning Emily flashed her, "obviously in love."

"I know, it's just…awkward." Emily admitted. "I mean, we've worked together for so long and he knew me when I was this rebel, college kid."

"But that only proves that how much he cares for you." Emily frowned. "I mean, anyone who knew you back then would rightfully run for it." And there she was. Emily slapped the girl's shoulder playfully.

"True but I don't know. I guess I don't want to risk ruining it." Emily sighed as Ana held back her laughter.

"Oh, come on Em." The girl chuckled. "You can't be that bad at it."

"One day, you're going to bring a guy here and I swear to God, revenge will be sweet." Emily grumbled as she watched Ana giggle and rise from her seat. "Where are you going?"

"To make a phone call." Ana called over her shoulder as she went in search of her phone. Emily sighed knowing that whatever the girl was up to, it certainly wasn't going to be good.

The next few days passed slowly. Emily was still on leave from the BAU and Hotch wouldn't even allow her to step foot into the office. The man had grown overly protective of her since they established their relationship and Emily was sure that it would be something the two had to discuss in the near future. She cracked her knuckles and went for a shower. Staring at those case files all day was certainly doing a number on her migraine and a scalding hot shower seemed like the best remedy. Ana had other plans. As she heard the door close and the water begin to run, she ran to the phone and called her partner in crime.

"Ready?" the voice on the side asked.

"She just got in. You've got about a half hour." Ana informed the woman and hung up, immediately getting to work. Grabbing the wine from the fridge, she placed it in a cooler in the middle of the kitchen table along with two glasses. She ran into her bedroom and pulled out the plastic bag she had been hiding all day. Scattering the rose petals from the foot of the bathroom to Emily's bedroom, Ana couldn't help but smile. There was a knock at the door and she rushed to get it.

"Did you get it?" she asked. JJ flicked a strand of golden hair out of her eyes as she scoffed.

"Of course I did." The blonde presented a bag and Ana rushed to bring it into the kitchen. She could smell the freshly cooked meal from inside and her stomach growled in protest. She placed the meal inside the oven and set the table for two.

"Pork chops?" the girl asked JJ. The woman shook her head.

"Filet mignon with mushroom sauce and basil." She stated proudly. Ana was surprised that the blonde could cook.

"Leftovers?" she asked hopefully. JJ laughed.

"You bet." A knock at the door startled the two and Ana rushed to open it, revealing a very agitated looking Hotch.

"JJ called. Is everything ok?" the man rushed inside, searching for some sign of distress.

"Everything's fine." Ana smiled. Hotch frowned as the blonde emerged from the kitchen.

"Oh no you-"

"Food's in the oven, wine's on the table, Emily should be out in ten and Ana's staying with me." JJ informed him quickly as she grabbed her coat and bag. Hotch's mouth dropped.

"You're welcome to join her but I would recommend waiting until after dinner." Ana joked as she too, gathered her belongings. Hotch couldn't help but grin and shake his head. They were determined, he would give them that.

"Have fun." JJ chuckled as she sped down the stairs. Ana winked and gave him a salute before rushing after the blonde merely seconds before he heard the water stop running. He barely had enough time to collect himself before the door to the bathroom opened and Emily emerged in a bright red towel. Seeing him, the woman jumped and placed a hand on her chest to keep the towel from falling.

"Hotch!" she exclaimed. "What-what are you doing here?" she looked around the flat in search of Ana and understood what was going on when the girl was nowhere to be found. "JJ?"

"She told me that-"

"It's alright, I figured they would pull something like this." Emily chuckled as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I can go." Hotch pointed towards the door awkwardly. Emily's heart caught in her chest. She didn't want him to leave.

"You don't have to." She said quietly and held her breath for his reply. He smiled slightly before giving in and letting his eyes wander over the more than generous view of her toned legs. Emily blushed further under his gaze.

"Apparently dinner's in the oven." He informed her with a smile. Emily returned it before using her second towel to begin drying her hair.

"I'll be out in five." She said before rushing into her bedroom. She caught sight of the rose petals and nearly laughed out loud. They were a nice touch. She quickly dropped her towel and chose a pair of Yale sweatpants and black tank top, rivaling Hotch's equally casual look. She combed her hair and couldn't help but add a little bit of blush to her cheeks and eyeliner before emerging again. She saw Hotch leaning against the door to the kitchen with two glasses of wine in hand.

"They thought of everything it seems." He smiled as she took the glass.

"Seems like it." Emily shook her head again. They toasted and began sipping their wine in silence, both watching the other for any sign of disapproval.

"JJ made this?" Hotch asked as they glanced inside the oven. It smelled heavenly and neither could deny their hunger.

"If it has basil on it, then yeap." Emily chuckled as the meal was brought to the table. They ate in comfortable silence, more than content to simply steal glances at one another and blush when they were caught. Hotch couldn't help but feel like he was high school again and the thought made him grin. Emily, sharing his thought, grinned back. Leaving the plates on the table, the two made their way into the living room, wine glasses in hand. Emily had started feeling the effects of the alcohol after her second glass and she could tell by the flush of Hotch's cheeks that it was getting to him as well. That didn't stop them from refilling their glasses and settling into each other's comfortable embrace.

"I'm glad they did this." Hotch said softly as he stroked Emily's hair. She smiled.

"Me too. It's nice to have some peace and quiet around here."

"Life as an older sister not as you planned?" he joked and Emily chuckled.

"It's definitely interesting." She nodded. "She started looking for schools in the area and-"

"Emily," he interrupted and placed a hand on her cheek.

"Hm?" she glanced upwards from his shoulder, her eyes slightly glazed.

"You're so beautiful." He practically whispered as he continued to stroke her cheek. The sincerity of his words not only surprised the woman but also invoked feelings she wasn't aware she had. Tears stung in her eyes as she- for the first time in her life- actually believed him. "No, don't cry. I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's not your fault." She sat up and tucked her knees underneath herself. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin it."

"Emily," he leaned closer and raised her chin so she was looking at him. "You couldn't ruin it if you tried."

"It's just that…" she searched for the right words as he waited patiently. "I've never…felt like this about anyone before."

"Neither have I." Hotch admitted and Emily frowned slightly. "Even when I was with Hailey, it wasn't like this. Yes, I loved her but with you, it's like…it's like the simply thought of being without you causes me physical pain. Like being with anyone but you is a crime. I love you, Emily Prentiss." She couldn't help the tears that continued to stream down her face. Hotch used his thumb to brush them away as soon as they appeared.

"I feel the same way." She admitted, her voice slightly shaky. "I love you too." Te iubesc. Hotch smiled a 100 watt smile at her before leaning even closer. Their proximity to each other was too much for Emily to bear and she soon diminished the distance completely, pressing her soft lips against his and shuddering at the contact. The kiss deepened almost instantly, both participants craving the other's touch. Emily felt Hotch's hands at her waist, tugging her forward. She obliged and gently laid on top of him, placing one hand on his chest and the other on the side of his face. Both could feel the other's heart beating out of control and smiled before deepening their kiss further. Soon enough, Emily felt Hotch's arousal press against her upper thigh and sat up, her grip on his collar forcing him up to follow. The two stood, chests panting and hair ruffled, before latching onto each other once more. Although they both knew the general direction of Emily's bedroom, the combined adrenaline and wine made it twice as difficult to get there. They stumbled into furniture and walls, laughing along the wall, before Hotch finally reached around her and turned the knob. They stumbled inside but refused to relent their assault on each other. Their hands fumbled at the hem of their shirts and soon enough, both were scattered on the floor. The two continued, the feeling of the other's flesh on theirs the only aphrodisiac they needed. Hotch's lips traveled down to Emily's neck and the woman sighed contently at the contact. Her hands felt Hotch's muscular chest and caressed the scars she found there as he did the same to hers. As his hand came across the brand on her chest, their eyes found each other, their undying love sealed in their gazes. Emily couldn't help the tears that spilled from her eyes as Hotch leaned forward and pressed a kiss on top of the clover before caressing her sides and moving his hands slowly upwards. Emily's fingers trembled at Hotch's pants buckle but soon enough they too, were on the floor. She felt his calloused fingers make quick work of her bra and she shrugged it off, feeling his attention shift as soon as it left her body. Soon enough her own sweatpants joined his and both were left in nothing but their underwear. Their lips parted only to take in air as Hotch stepped forward until the backs of Emily's knees met the bed. She allowed herself to topple onto it, taking him with her. His hard body pressed against hers made Emily whimper and reach for his lips once again.

"We don't have to." She heard him utter against her ear and did everything in her power not to laugh.

"Oh, I think we do." She chuckled as she felt Hotch harden further. Stifling any concerns the man might have, Emily's hands slowly traveled south until they reach the hem of his briefs. She tugged at them, signaling that she wanted them off of him as soon as possible and Hotch was more than willing to oblige. Freed from their constraints, he groaned as he felt himself make contact with her warm thigh. It took milliseconds for Emily's underwear to disappear onto the floor as well. He took her face into his hands and kissed her slowly.

"I love you." He whispered against her lips, causing a tremor to pass through the woman. She hooked a leg around his waist and pulled him against her.

"And I love you." She barely managed to utter before the two were joined in glorious friction and her hands began to claw at his back.

Finally.