Our first three cases with the team since Hotch's return went well. He met with them all individually and asked them to go to Rossi if they had any issues that they didn't want to bring up with him or me.
No one seemed to be bothered. Morgan had come around; he said it was obvious that we could manage to stay objective, and that Hotch didn't seem to have a problem with putting me in harm's way in the field. That comment hadn't sat well with Hotch, but he brought that up with me afterhours, and not with Morgan.
I assured him that it was okay, that it was our job. He just tried to stress that if he could have it his way, I wouldn't be in harm's way, but it was what was required of him. I got a little defensive; I didn't like the idea of him trying to protect me from the world, I could take care of myself. I told him not to worry, that I would be fine.

Now we were no longer being monitored by Strauss, who had also met with the team on a regular basis regarding Hotch and I. She seemed to have accepted the fact that this wasn't going away, and there was no reason for her to make it go away.

Now we had hit seven weeks since he returned. Things seemed normal to me now. He was a little more cautious with Jack and I, but he did his best not to show it.

"Are you still going to therapy?" I asked Hotch quietly, breaking the comfortable silence we were laying in while we watched a movie.

"Yes, when I can." I felt his lips move against my temple where he rested his head.

"Will you let me know when you decide you don't want to go anymore?"

"Of course, I promise," He kissed my temple, "Watch the movie."

I settle back into his arms and back into silence. I was feeling a little nauseous tonight, like I had on and off all week now. I figured maybe it was something I ate, or the change in my gym or meal schedule; I wasn't going to the gym very often lately, and I was skipping or delaying meals in order to get some more work done or do something for Hotch and Jack.

After about an hour of the movie, I noticed myself starting to drift in and out of sleep. Hotch seemed to notice too, because he stopped the movie and turned the TV off, and then guided me to sit up, "Go to bed, sleeping beauty."

I smiled and pressed a lazy kiss to his lips, "Are you coming?"

"I'm right behind you. I'm just going to check on Jack and set the alarm."

I nodded and got up. I washed my face in the bathroom, and then went to his room. I changed into his old shirt that I slept in and decided just panties would do tonight; it was a little warm for me.
When he came in and dressed down to just his boxer briefs, he got into bed beside me and placed his hand on my thigh. I looked at him and his lips met mine, kissing me slowly at first, and then turning more passionate. I pushed on his chest to get him to stop and he pulled back, looking at me questioningly. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing, honey. I just don't feel very well tonight. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise. Why didn't you tell me sooner that you were sick?"

"I'm not sick, I just feel a little nauseous. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. I'm fine, I'm just tired and want to get some rest."
He nodded and lay down beside me, kissing my temple. I rolled onto my side facing away from him, he placed his hand over my waist. He hugged me tightly to him and whispered goodnight in my ear.

The next few days I felt a little more tired than usual. I chalked it up to long days of paperwork at my desk, sitting for long periods of time and the days dragging on.
Tonight, the team wanted to go out for drinks. At first I declined, but then I realised that if I went, then Hotch probably would too, and he needed to be out and see the team more outside of work at the moment.

I got ready at home and Hotch picked me up on his way to the bar. On our drive there, I watched him out the corner of my eye before I put my hand on his thigh. I slowly brushed my hand upwards towards him, and he grabbed my hand quickly. "What are you doing?"

"Teasing." I smirked at him, meeting his eyes.

He shook his head and linked his hand with mine, resting them on the centre console, "Save it for home, please."

"Yes, sir."

"Emily." I wasn't looking at him now, but I knew he was rolling his eyes. I laughed to myself and squeezed his hand.
When we pulled up at the bar, I saw Garcia outside on the phone, looking exasperated. "Kevin again." He predicted in my ear.

I stopped in front of her and I motioned for Hotch to go ahead. He hesitated, looking around. I just gave him a stubborn look; I could take care of myself. Standing outside the door of the bar with Garcia wasn't going to invite trouble. He pressed a kiss to my lips, nodded to greet Garcia, and headed inside.
It didn't take long for Garcia to end her phone call, and then she smiled at me. "…What?" I asked.

"He just kissed you in front of me. You two are adorable, it hurts my heart."

I rolled my eyes and decided to change the subject, "Who was that?"

She groaned, "Kevin. He made plans for us tonight without telling me, so I'm here, and he's mad because I didn't go home to join him on the plans I didn't agree to. Doesn't matter, let's go inside." She pulled me in with her without giving me a chance to respond regarding Kevin. I went to the table where the rest of the team sat, and I saw a fresh gin and tonic in front of the empty seat beside Hotch.

"Thank you." I smiled at him as I sat and kissed his cheek. He linked his hand with mine under the table, resting on my knee. We joined the team's conversation, which – as usual – was some ridiculously trivial topic.

We were on our fourth drinks when I started to slow down and eventually pushed my drink away a little bit.
Hotch saw and leant over to whisper in my ear, "Are you okay?"

I smiled at him and nodded, "Yeah, just starting to feel a little shitty again."

He looked overly concerned now, "You've felt sick for a while now, and you've been tired and run down the last few days. Can you please go see your doctor?"

"I'll call and book an appointment tomorrow." I wouldn't really; I hated going to the doctor, and I knew this was just a passing bug. I would be fine, but I wanted him to stop worrying for now.

One more drink and Hotch told the team we needed to leave. They complained and tried to convince us to stick around, but he was adamant that I needed to go to bed.
He drove to my place, grabbed his bag from the back, and followed me up. He assumed correctly that I didn't want to come home alone. Or he just didn't want to be alone, either.

I had a glass of water and took some aspirin. He came into the kitchen, got a glass of water for himself, and then watched me as he finished the glass.

"What?"

"Nothing." He placed his cup down and took the few steps needed to close the space between us. He caressed my cheek and kissed me gently. "I love you."

I smiled and returned his kiss with a little more aggression, "I love you too." I took his hand from my waist and guided it down to the button on my jeans. He got the hint and unbuttoned my pants before slipping his hand past my panties to make direct contact with me. I bucked forwards when I felt his finger put a little pressure to my clit, but his other hand had since dropped to my hip, and he held me in place.

He removed his hand before long and guided me upstairs. I took my shirt off as I ascended the staircase and removed my jeans before I lay on the bed. He stripped down to his underwear and took my underwear off me straight away. He lay down beside me and pulled me over to hover above him.
He toyed with me for a few minutes before he slipped his fingers in, and then left them motionless. I whined and looked at him. "Ride my hand." His free hand ran into my hair and then gripped tightly, pulling slightly.
Just before I reached my peak, he stilled my movements and removed his fingers. Just before I complained, he entered me roughly and unexpectedly. I cried out in surprise and closed my eyes. He felt so good.

After one orgasm, he guided me off him and to lay on my stomach beside him. He positioned himself behind me and pulled my legs up with my arse in the air. He held my top half down to stay against the mattress. Then he continued on and gave me my second and third orgasms before he finally let himself go.

Laying together in bed afterwards, we were silent for a while. The room was pitch black and all I could hear was his heartbeat under my ear. It was soothing.

"You were extremely loud tonight." He said quietly.

"Well Jack isn't home tonight."

"No, but your neighbours are." He laughed.

"I'm sorry, do you prefer when I'm quiet?"

He laughed again, "Absolutely not." He tightened his arm around my shoulders and kissed my hair. I snuggled into him again and closed my eyes. "Goodnight, sweetheart."