Moving on from the introdution to Emily. This chapter is pure flashback.
Inspired by 'I Believe in You' by Bob Dylan.
Continued from the previous chapter's flashback... Hotch has found Emily.
-Flashback-
Hotch stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. He could make out a dark figure laid on the floor of the kitchen behind the breakfast bar. He turned and switched the overhead lights on above the bar and found Emily curled up in a foetus position. Her face was red and bloodied and her knuckles were white from the grip on his knees pulled up tight to her chest. He stumbled back towards the kitchen door and closed it softly before walking back to her.
"Hey… Hey… it's just me, Hotch" he whispered to her whilst crouching near her.
She didn't acknowledge his presence and her breathing was shallow and shaky. He could see her hair sticking to her head and face, and her eye were damp and she was trembling.
"Miss Prentiss?" he asked again, still a whisper but firmer. He started to worry that she was catatonic and would have call an ambulance. That would mean attention so no, this would need to be all him.
"Emily? You're safe. It's Aaron, sweetheart" he tried again.
This time it provoked a response from her.
"No." she breathed.
"Don't call me that. D-Don't call me that" she sobbed in reply.
"OK OK" hotch held his hands up signalling he meant no harm. Seeing her cry quickly became the most horried thing he had witnessed.
"It's Aaron, Emily. I'm sorry it wasn't appropriate. We need to get you checked over; you're bleeding" he spoke in a soothing voice all the while trying to not frighten her. This clearly was not an accident.
Emily sniffled and huffed before shakily speaking again.
"I think… I think we're past appropriate aren't we, Agent". He chose to ignore the sarcastic biting remark even though she was right. They had already crossed that line.
Hotch cleared his throat and open his mouth to speak again "Right now, I'm not Agent Hotchner. I'm just Aaron… look at me, Em". He tried to get her attention and sure, the line had been crossed but even if it hadn't, it didn't take him being FBI to understand what had taken place here and that stop him from doing what he could to make another person feel safe in his presence.
She finally dragged her eyes to him, and he didn't look like Agent Hotchner. He looked normal and even though she was fortunate enough to have caught the wicked sight of him in only a bathing suit, it was odd to see him dressed down. He wore a navy-blue half zip sweatshirt and washed blue jeans. His hair mused, 'clearly didn't do much after changing out of his swim gear' her mind uttered. 'Noooope, he was definatley not in work mode.'
"I'm not going to hurt you, darling. It's OK… I'm just going to put my hand on you to sit up… is that, OK?" he asked holding his hands up so she could see him. Her whole body trembled as his hand drew nearer to her and she tried to shuffle back away from him. Hotch become apprehensive and anxious, the last thing he wanted was for Emily to have a panic attack.
"Emily?" he asked.
She looked to his face; he didn't look nearly as tired but his eye were sad.
They made eye contact and that was enough of an acknowledgment for him.
"Do you think you can sit up by yourself?" he asked again.
At this, Emily started to relax and nodded. She began to move on the floor to sit up, her hip throbbing whilst she moved and managed to brace herself on her forearms and then her hands to eventually sit on her bottom. She leant back against the cabinets, exhausted.
There was a small pool of blood left on the floor, but the extent of her injuries became more apparent in the light. Her check was red and swollen, Hotch wouldn't be surprised if a black eye would appear in the morning. Her nose was also red, and blood had begun to dry around her nostrils and upper lip. There was a small cut on bottom lip and purple bruises were forming on her neck and collarbone, also her breathing was laboured.
The last thing she needed right now was for a display of rage from a man, but Hotch was struggling to control his anger. He tried to calm down by breathing deep and flared his nostrils whilst trying his mom's anxiety technique to see if this would work for rage too. He counted back from ten and continued to breath as the numbers descended. He got to 3 before he felt his blood cool to a normal temperature enough to speak to Emily without scaring her.
"Can... uhhh, sorry… Can you stand up darling?" he asked her.
Emily shook her head at his question.
"Can I help you? Emily, I promise you that I won't hurt you. It's ok, I'm here to keep you safe".
She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes, before knitting them together and huffing at him.
"Yeah, you're here now and not when I needed actual protection".
He knew she was angry and reluctant so he let her take a shot at him. Though he knew this wasn't his fault, he couldn't help but feel guilty that he wasn't her for her. Hotch held out his hand for her to take... he gave her a verbal nudge.
"It's Aaron, darling. It's OK" he said again.
Her small hand landed in his and was immediately engulfed but the warmth. It shot up her arm and he felt rather than heard her exhale as she finally relaxed. She was indeed safe with him. His gentle voice surprised her and comforted her, she was certain that now she was addicted to his voice. She heard his baritone, raspy vocals when giving orders and updates to the team, or when he would report to her parents, but this was new. Soothing, and gentle, like the tide of the ocean at sunset. Calming and non-threatening. She was safe with him.
"OK, I'm going to put my arm around your waist to help you stand. It's OK, it'll be quick and then I'll let go of you but I'm right here if you need me" he said again. This was the voice she was used to, commanding. Informative.
He was still crouched next to her and slipped his arm around her back so his hand could settle on her waist. He was so close to her; he could feel that she was holding her breath. She was rigid like a statue, and it pained him to see the confidant woman from this afternoon reduced to steel. She felt his fingers tighten slightly on her hip and he curled his hand around her side. She hissed at this.
The noise didn't miss a beat with Hotch, and he fought again to not tap into the anger that was starting to consume him. He shushed Emily and whispered that she was safe with him.
"I've got you, darling. I know it hurts, but I've got you". He muttered.
She stilled again as he lifted her effortlessly and she managed to stand on her feet though her legs were shaky. Emily hunched over with her arms folded over her stomach. She had started to shake again and Hotch wondered if this was from the cold or from shock; it could have easily been a mix of both.
The loose neck on a sweater that was easily three sizes too big her wouldn't help keep her warm especially if she was in shock. He reluctantly let go of her and stepped back as an idea sprang to his mind.
"Can you stand by yourself for a sec". he said again.
He very slowly raised his arms and lifted his half zip over his head. A fitted grey t shirt did nothing to hide his physique and she smiled slightly as his already mused hair was messed even more as he shock head free from his sweater.
"That bad huh? My need for a haircut?" he asked and smiled playfully at Emily.
For the first time since she'd seen, Hotch's smile grew into a beaming grin.
Emily shook her head and whispered "no".
"Here… Do you want to put this on? It'll keep you warm." His voice continued to be gentle, and the offer was sweet. He held up the layer he'd been wearing but kept his distance.
She was sceptical at first but eventually took it from his hands and brought it up to her face and her lips curled just.
"Harvard Law, huh?" her raspy voice came out.
Hotch shrugged and stuffed one hand into his pants pocket and the other scratched the back of his neck.
"Guilty". He replied.
The faintest of squeaks left her lips as she tried to lift her arms to slip the sweater on. Her ribs thundered in pain as she raised her hands above her head. She huffed and looked down at her feet, toes curling on the hard floor.
"Can you help me" she whispered.
"Sure" Hotch replied. He moved a step closer to her and took the pullover top back. He simply dropped it around her shoulders instead of making her go through that again. She wasn't tall to begin with, and very slim, which he had of course noticed when she decided to wear almost nothing in front of him earlier duing the day. But having her here in front of him so fragile and in pain, not even able to raise her arms. His sweater draped over her like a blanket with the noticeable large size. He smiled at how delicate it made her look.
"How is this" both arms slipped around lithe waist and to his surprise, she stepped into his body and buried her face into his chest. Her hands balled up against his stomach and she began to shake. Hotch stood there awkwardly still unsure of what to do.
When looked down at the 20-year-old in his arms he saw the light grey fabric start to darken and he realised that Emily was crying. All the adrenaline finally started to leave her body and she continued to sob silently against the wall of muscle.
Hotch gingerly brought one hand up to her hair and combed his fingers through the silky strands while he spoke into the top of her head.
"OK OK, I've got you. It's ok" he whispered and tighten the arm that was around her waist to hold hold her close as if willing his strength to flow through to her.
"Come on, darling, let's get you cleaned up" he spoke again as he started to move backwards to the door.
Hotch had managed to tuck her close under his arm so they could walk side by side as they left the kitchen and made their way to the staircase. Grateful for the late hour, he didn't have to worry about being caught with Emily in such close proximity and she didn't have to worry about explaining herself.
Her cries subsided as they ascended the stairs and walked together slowly to the bathroom opposite Emily's room at the very end of the hall. He guided her through the threshold and kept his arm around her back whilst he leaned down to close the toilet lid and gestured for her to sit down. Emily pulled his jumper around herself as a shiver crawled up her spine and she heard the tap run and sink begin to fill.
Hotch riffled through the cupboards in search of a first aid kit, a house like this was bound to have one. Once he found a small red pouch with a white plus sign, he knelt down on one knee in front of Emily and rested the pouch on his other to look at the contents.
He could see the trembling in her body in his peripheral vision. Dropping the pouch, he looked up at her and leant forward on his knee.
"Hey hey, Em, look at me. You're good darling, I'm here." He said softly.
"Now, I just need to clean up around your face, it might make you feel a little better. Even if it's one percent better, that's something, right?" he tilted his head to catch her attention and she nodded.
Hotch stood up and turned the tap off and bathed a rag in the warm water before ringing it out. He took a deep breath and knelt in front of her again. "OK, darling, this might hurt a little. I'm going to put my hand under your chin and then wipe your face. If at any time you want me to stop, just let me know." He instructed her.
A thought crossed his mind. He had to see her smile, anything to hide his pain at seeing hers.
"How about with 'Harvard is the best'" he grinned at her in the hope this was enough to get a reaction out of her. She raised her head to face him and look at him dead in the eye. Hotch's stomach clenched at the empty orbs that pierced his soul. He winked and finally, she smiled though it wasn't a full smile – he would still take that!
"Really, Emily… Just tell me to stop and I will" he said firmly.
They both took a deep breath in preparation for Hotch's next move, and he pressed the damp, warm cloth into her cheek as gently as possible considering the swelling that had formed. The cloth moved with his hand from her hair line down to her jaw and then across to her chin. He moved the rag away from her face to refold it, and then the warmth of it pressed back into her cheek near her hairline again and dabbed it inwards across her face to her nose and then up to her eye paying close attention to the now purple bruise under her eye. 'Make up off for the next week' he thought to himself.
His eyebrows knit together, and he hummed, the baritone of his voice caused his chest to rumble and she swore she could feel the vibration.
"There's a small cut on your eyebrow too... Small but still small enough to piss me off" he screwed the cloth up to gently press at the thin red line on her eyebrow. She looked at him so intently as he did her, focusing on not hurting her more than she already had been. She felt calm around him and like a storm couldn't drag them away from each other. He made her feel so safe, her heart lurched in her chest. She was going to was going to suffer hard when his post finished. 'This is why we don't get attached to agents' her mind pipped up.
Hotch's voice broke though her trance-like-state.
"I'm going to wipe your nose now, alright" he stated rather than asked. A sheen of moisture coated her face and Hotch bit his lip whilst Emily continued to stare at his face. She took in every feature; hard jaw line, the start of a 5'oclok shadow, 'he'd need to shave that in the morning' she thought, there were small scars on his cheek and chin so faint you'd have to be this close to notice. 'Chicken pox as a kid?' and then a line on both cheeks by his mouth… 'dimples… yes, those dimples' she thought again.
All the while Emily observed him, Hotch focused on the job at hand and wiped the dried blood that coated her cupids bow and nostrils. With patience, it didn't take long to come away though he pressed a little harder to remove it completely. He was meticulous and his face gave nothing away whilst he worked.
He threw the rag up to the sink and then rummaged through the first aid pouch again looking for disinfectant.
A rasp left his throat "Where's your mind at?" he asked as he found some cotton pads and a small bottle of wound cleaner. He placed the pads on her knees and opened the bottle before squirting the liquid onto one of the pads.
"Safe" Emily replied, her voice was hoarse.
"Yes, you're safe with me, Em. I won't let anything happen to you" he replied softly as he moved the pads resting on her knees and set the bottle on the floor.
"What makes you think something happened to me" Emily snapped.
'Denial was a funny thing' he said to himself. He knew he had to tread lightly next. He couldn't help but tilt his head dramatically and raise his eyebrows as he pulled a 'seriously' face.
"Look, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. But I am here for you, my job has changed over the last few weeks and whilst originally, I was here for the ambassador, you're now apart of my working day and no, I'm not a bodyguard by any stretch. I'm just here to keep you safe, Em. Sure, this post is short, but I take my duties seriously. I'm grateful for my degree but my purpose is to do more than sit behind a desk wondering 'what if' as cases come to through. Being a prosecutor was great but I can do more with the bureau and catch the guys before more damage is done." He spouted on.
Emily smiled "Harvard Law" she said, and a small chuckle left her lips.
"The connections your mother has could mean some great opportunities so I'm grateful to have been chosen for this position, you know? Who knows where I'll be in a year's time but eventually, I'd like to lead my own team and I don't know, maybe run a unit". Hotch said again. He was incredibly ambitious and was excited for his options.
"I love Sea…" Emily's voice came out in a whisper.
"Mmm?" Hotch missed what she has said.
"I love Seattle" she said again.
"Oh right… I've never been but there is a field office there, right?" he replied, and she nodded.
"It's a place where you feel the seasons" she thought of the year she spent there with her parents when she was blooming on becoming a teen.
"I like the sound of that. Not a fan of anything too hot or too cold" he spoke back.
"No neither am I" Emily agreed as another shiver shot through her. She pulled his sweater tighter around her body.
"This is going to sting… I'm sorry" his voice coated in regret for his next actions.
He dabbed the disinfected pad over her eyebrow and Emily pulled her face away from his hand. Hotch put his free hand under her chin again to draw her back to him and keep her still whilst he pressed the pad back to her brow and she growled and squeezed her eyes shut as if to alleviate the sting. He pressed the pad under her eye and around her nose as well as. A new graze appeared upon lifting the dried blood on her jaw.
Emily winced again at the burning sensation and clenched her jaw.
"I know, I'm sorry darling but I'm all done now" Hotch reassured her, but she still didn't open her eyes.
"Open your eyes, baby" he whispered, the endearment slipped out before he could catch himself. fuck fuck fuck.
She opened her eyes gradually wondering if she heard him right. His floppy hair and kind eyes met her, and her lips curled again.
Another smile was good enough for him however small.
Hotch stood and threw the pad and rag into the trash before washing his hands. He took a nearby towel to dry his hands. He wondered how could a trusted employee could hurt a member of the very family they were assigned to serve and protect.
"So, there are some bruises on your neck and collarbone. Is there anywhere else you're hurt?" he'd seen her, he knew she was hurting but thought to test her to see if she would trust him enough to help further.
Emily shook her head quickly at his question. Hotch sighed and crouched in front of her again.
"Emily… It's ok, you can tell me anything. I won't hurt you and I certainly won't judge you. I know you were hurting when we were downstairs… so, is there anywhere else you're hurt?" he pressed again.
Emily's eyes filled with tears. She sucked and curled her lips over her teeth, and gradually nodded at him.
"I-I need your help, please" she whispered and placed her hand on top of his shoulder as she leant on him to raise herself inch by inch until she stood.
"What do you need?" Hotch asked still crouched, looking up at her.
"Ju-just a hand, please" she bit out thought clenched teeth.
Hotch held his hand out and she placed her small palm in his as he curled his fingers around hers and stood with her.
"You're really warm" she said so quietly he had to strain to listen. Emily looked at their hands together. With a sigh she wriggled her fingers to indicate to him to let go, he held his hand flat and let her do whatever she needed to. She stroked along his thumb with hers and grazed her fingertips up his wrist and along his forearm all the way to his elbow. She marvelled at his soft skin and the prominent green veins peering at her, she stroked along them and curled her fingers around his elbow.
Hotch tried to contain a snigger. The gentleness of her touch tickled ever so slightly but if this was what she needed to stay grounded then fine.
"Are you kidding" his voice hoarse. "You were the one keeping me warm just now" he smiled down at her.
This was so not the time or the place for anything other than being her friend and confident.
"Come on" he cleared his throat and broke the silence "what do you need me to do?" he asked.
"I-I don't know if it'll show but I think I-I might have some marks. I just know it hurts here" she said in a broken voice and gestured at her ribs.
"Alright, well let's just go slow. How far can you lift your arms?" he asked.
Hardly was the word that came to mind she managed to get her elbows in line with her chest.
Hotch pulled his sweater from her shoulders and slung it over the edge of the bath. "Your jersey is super loose so we should be ok to lift from the bottom, straight up without you stretching too much. Otherwise, I can just as well get some scissors on there?" he suggested playfully.
"You'd better not. This is my favourite." She replied in kind. "Just tell me when we're going." She requested.
"Here… I'm going to put my hand on your hips" Hotch settled his hands on her hips. His fingers splayed and almost met across her back. Slowly, oh so slowly, he moved them up her waist, taking the fabric of her cotton sweater with him. He grit his teeth at the feel of her skin. He felt like such a bastard for thinking about her in this way, but the attraction was like gravity pulling him to earth. He couldn't help but.
Emily's skin was on fire the second she felt his rough palms on her. This thumbs pressed gently into her abs. Heat radiated over her immediately and she tried to focus on getting this shirt off and not the 6-foot-1, muscular white knight in front of her.
Hotch was concentrating on the satin skin of her torso as his thumbs gently grazed over the goosebumps that now had broken out. Her breathing was laboured like she was in pain though the reality was completely the opposite. She couldn't tell him this, it was not the time or the place.
He struggled with being the caused of her uncomfort. His large hands clearly a reminder of those who assaulted her in the first place. He didn't need an explanation from her, or Barnes. He was a Federal Agent, ex-prosecutor and has been in law enforcement for 2 years… He knew what had happened, just not the why. Apart of him really didn't care for the why. There was no justification for this.
"I'm so sorry" he whispered gently as he saw tears fall from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, darling. I'm trying to not touch you, I'm sorry…" he said regrettably "… bend your hips forward for me, Em and straighten your arms in front of you… that's it" he said as he took a step back and puled the sleeves of the sweatshirt and finally it was in his hand and Emily was in just a black bra. One arm folded over her chest and the other over her stomach.
Hotch dropped her clothing next to his draped over the edge of the bath and just looked at her. She was beginning to feel self-conscious. Panic. Her breathing became shallow, and she started to feel dizzy. Just has she hunched over, Hotch was quick on his feet and moved to stand in front of her.
"Whoaaa, ok baby. Just lean on me, I've got you" the endearment left his lips again and she definitely heard it this time.
She braced herself against his chest and opened her mouth in a silent scream.. She just couldn't prevent the droplets from leaving her eyes and sobbed. Remembering the fragility of the situation, Hotch just let her cry against him. He brought his hand back to her hair and raked his finger through the tendrils again. He started to hum, the rumble of caused by his deep voice against her cheek caused every muscle in her body to loosen, every limb became like jelly as he continued his tender touches against her scalp. He was very broad, and she felt complete here with him, against him. She had already seen him without a shirt on - and wet - but his perfectly fitted t shirts didn't hide his physique and she wasn't going to complain about it.
Hotch pressed a light kiss to her crown, and she raised her head, all the while staying in arms against his front.
"You usually use a lot of endearments?" she raised an eyebrow at him.
A blush crept up his neck and he turned a shade of pink out of embarrassment. He chucked shyly, "you caught that huh?" he asked as he moved his hand form her hair to her face. His thumbs carefully stroked under her eyes to wipe the moisture that has gathered from her cries.
"I guess I get it from my mom. She's still calling us by anything other than our given names. Even now, I'm 26 and if I hear her say 'Aaron' I think I'm in trouble for something" he said into her hair.
"Us?" she asked.
"Ahh yeah, I have a younger brother, Sean. He's starting college this year." He smiled at the thought of his younger sibling.
"Do you miss him?" she asked as she nuzzled into his chest and relaxed completely.
Hotch didn't miss her snuggle and his heart swelled at the gesture. Knowing she was here, safe, and completely comfortable with him filled him with something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"I do. Got to let him go his own way though. He calls every month to check in and let me know that he's been up to".
"Is that why you're here for me?"
"No, Em, I'm here because I know someone has broken your trust and hurt you, and rather hunt them down and kick their ass, you need someone to listen and not meet violence with more violence. There's no pressure here, I just want to help you".
"Do you think I'm helpless? Like I should have fought for myself?" she tensed waiting for him.
"No… No darling" he stammered for the first time since he was a child. "I don't think you're helpless. I don't think anything other than 'why hurt her'. The person who did this will pay, Emily, trust me. Plus, in a situation like this, I know when to speak and when to listen. The words you don't say are the loudest" he muttered under his breath.
Emily wondered what he had meant by his last sentence. She knew his work would take him to dark places but how many times does a federal agent stumble upon someone being assaulted.
Hotch knew to not go into any more details. This was about her.
"Do you think I can look at you?" he asked.
Emily inhaled a deep shaky breath and nodded. Hotch leant back slightly, and Emily put her hand on his flat stomach to for balance.
"I've got you; I've got you" he held his arms out either side of her in case she needed him.
'Ohhhhhh that. Son. Of. A. Bitch!'
There was a more than evident handprint on her upper arm, vivid and ugly, a clear result of a grab. Light bruising on her right side most likely from the fall as she was hit on the left side of her face and then deep shades of red and purple bruises on her ribs just as she described. Emily's eyes were screwed shut and she couldn't bare to have him see her like this. She could hear him breathing though.
"Hotch?" she called out.
"I'm here, baby... uhh… sorry… I'm here" he reached for her hand and squeezed gently as if to reassure her.
She stifled a smile at his gesture. "It's OK. Are you OK?" she whispered.
His eyes snapped up from her imperfect perfect torso to her face in surprise. She had been attacked and was baring her soul to him and she was asking if he was ok?
Hotch knelt in front of her and placed her hand on his shoulder so she could feel his was still here.
Emily's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and wondered what on earth he was doing on the floor. She held her breath at the unknowing of his actions. This evening, he had been direct and clear about what he was doing and the thought of not knowing caused her to feel uneasy. Was he just messing with her so she would lower her guard just for him to do the same thing as Barnes?
Emily held her breath as she felt something soft tickle her tummy. The brush like texture quickly left and was replaced by something thing different, it was flat and warm-ish. 'What the in the heck'. She heard him sigh and her tummy jumped at another tickle, caused by cool air. She realised that it was Hotch. She bit her lip and looked down at him to find he was resting his forehead against her stomach.
She raised the hand that was limp by her side and threaded her fingers through his thick dark hair. It was much softer than she had imaged. Emily brushed his hair down the back of his head and scratched her fingernails against the skin along the collar of his shirt. He sighed a sound only a completely content male could make. To his own surprise and hers, he moved his face forward and pressed a butterfly kiss to the taunt skin of her tummy next to her belly button. He smiled at the army of goosebumps that had formed and looked up and her before standing up straight.
"Sorry" he mumbled.
Emily couldn't respond, she didn't know what to say to him, so she just nodded in the direction of their tops hanging on the side of the bathtub. He picked up his sweater and wrapped her up in it and then opened the bathroom door for her. He picked up the contents of the first aid kit and tidied up before making his way to Emily's room.
Hotch tapped a single knuckle on the door and heard a quiet "come in" from the other side. He opened the door and stepped in.
Emily was now in a loose Metallica t shirt and plaid shorts obviously designed for sleeping. The material clung to her hips, and she looked gorgeous and comfy.
He smiled and placed the now neatly folded Yale sweater on a chair in the corner of the room.
"Get some rest." He simply said to her. Her light on her nightstand the only light on the room meant he didn't see the way her mouth opened in disappointment.
"What? Wait, Hotch" she said as she sat down on the bed.
"Emily, you need some sleep and so do I. I'll be right next-door if you need me" he replied.
"A-aron, please don't" she cried as she stood. Dread and fear paralysed her and she couldn't step forward to move after him.
"Please… Please" she began to panic, her breathing shallows again and she couldn't calm down.
Hotch watch her try to settle but between begging him not leave and the start of a panic attack. This wasn't going to end well.
He made his way over to her and put his has on her shoulders to guide her back to her bed, where she sat down still pleading him not to leave her.
"OK, OK, Em, put your head between your legs for me" he put his hand on the back of her head and knelt beside her.
"I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere I promise. Just breath, baby" he cooed. Her breathing levelled out, but she shook her head in disbelief when he said he would stay.
"Emily, I promise you I'm staying here. You're safe." She stopped speaking and hiccuped. He reached for her hand and stroked her hair, all the way down to her back.
"I'm right here" he said again.
Emily settled and tiredness hit her like a ton of bricks. She glanced up and saw him looking back at her intently though he continued to rub her back, it was soothing, and she was calm once more.
She shook him off and crawled backwards into bed where she watched him debate with himself about where he would sleep.
He stood and looked at her all tucked up with the comforter curled under her chin. He sat next to her and motioned to the chair.
"I'll be right over there. I won't leave you" he said.
"OK, thank you. I'm sorry" she mumbled.
He smiled and raised his hand to rest against her cheek. His thumb rubbing in soft circles before he brushed the back of his knuckles down and across her jaw only for his thumb to rest on her lower lip.
Emily pursed her lips together to kiss this thumb.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Em." He finally said. "Get some sleep, I'm here if you need me".
With that he removed himself from the edge of her bed and walked the few feet to the armchair at the other end of her room. It didn't take long for Emily to drift off into a peaceful slumber.
Hotch on the other hand watched her slow breathing. Thoughts of the developing – less than professional – feelings between him and Emily flooded his mind.
Could he really let this continue? Could he really let some college kid get in the way of his career? What if their feelings grew? One of them, or both of them would get hurt. He knew he could recover, but could he hurt her?
He closed his eyes and ran his hand over his forehead. She was nothing like he expected, she was like no one else he'd met. The sexy, openly flirty, her confidence was contagious. She was smart and cute, kind, and caring, she made him laugh. Being around her, it was like being with a part of him he didn't even realise was missing. He was falling quickly, and he dread what would happen when he finally landed; this was going to wreck him.
I'm looking forward to the next one! Uploading soon :)