Emily watched as the tension seemed to leave his body, and just the hint of a smile appeared on his face. Still, her request hung in the air and she could feel her heart pounding, waiting for a response.

He took a step, closing the remaining distance between them. His eyes were intense, almost watering with emotion as he held her gaze. It was as if they were burning right through her.

"Emily," he almost whispered. "I've been fighting this for so long. I tried to push it aside, I tried to keep a safe distance from you, but you wouldn't let me. You kept drawing me in, even if you didn't realize what you were doing."

"Or maybe I did." she replied, looking down.

He reached up with his hand, gently tilting her face back upwards so that she was looking into his eyes.

"I love you." he said, his voice cracking just a little. "I love you and I really hope you feel the same way."

"I do, Hotch," she said with tears in her eyes. "I..."

Without giving her a chance to say anymore, he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. It was gentle at first, slow and deep. This time there was no doubt in whether or not she was responding to him. Her arms were around him, pulling him even closer if that was even possible. He ran his hands down her sides, slipping one of them under her tank top. He inhaled sharply as his hands met her bare skin for the first time, hearing her moan as he reached her breasts. It was driving him crazy. He was so lost in the kiss, lost in her...until she felt him trying to undo his belt. He pulled back, out of breath, and rested his forehead on hers.

"Emily, wait. We can't."

Not again.

"Please don't do this again. You can't just keep changing your mind about us."

He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her hips against him.

"Does it feel like I'm changing my mind?" he smirked.

"Then...what?"

"We have to take this slow."

"Slow? Really, Aaron, I think six years of foreplay is more than enough don't you?"

"It's not that." he explained, chuckling just a little. "You were hurt today. You need to take it easy, at least for tonight."

"I'm fine.."

"Five minutes ago your head was pounding. I want you, believe me, I want you. But I don't want our first time to be like this. I want you to be 100%. You're going to need to be well rested, believe me."

Emily didn't want to admit it, didn't want to lose this moment, but he was right. She was exhausted, but she still didn't want this to end. They stood there together, neither one wanting to lose the contact.

"So, for the sake of argument, let's say maybe you're right...what now?"

"I should probably go...but I don't want to. Not yet."

Her ears perked up. He didn't say he HAD to leave, or that he had to get home to Jack.

"I don't want to make you late to pick up Jack."

He nuzzled her neck, placing soft kisses there.

"Hmm. He's with Jessica for the night. I called her on the way over. When
I told her where I was going, she suggested she keep him for the night. And then she told me not to screw this up." he smiled.

Emily's wheels were turning. She didn't want to let him out of her sight...didn't want to give him any chance to reconsider or second guess himself.

"So...there's no reason for you to even leave at all."

"Emily..."

"You know, I had to lie to the doctor and tell him I had someone staying with me tonight. Otherwise, he probably would have admitted me."

He groaned. He could see where this was going. She was going to test his famous resolve.

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"You don't want to make a liar out of me, do you?"

She ran his hands over his chest, and began unbuttoning his shirt.

"Emily, what are you doing? I thought we just agreed..."

"Relax. I just really don't want to be alone tonight. And you're way too overdressed for bed."

She took hold of his hand and began leading him towards the bedroom. She heard him sigh heavily, but he wasn't resisting.

"I promise." she said, feigning innocence. "I'll keep my hands to myself... until morning. Then all bets are off."

He was lying next to her, his body curled up against her back and his arm draped over her stomach. She scooted back, settling in closer against him. It was torture, but the most exciting torture he had ever known. For the first time since he could remember, he was happy. Really happy. He could tell by the rythm of her breathing that she was almost asleep.

"Aaron?" she mumbled.

"Hmmm?"

"I love you."

He smiled against her, and gave her a light squeeze, realizing that she was drifting off to sleep.

"Goodnight Emily."

That's it folks. Thanks for all of the great reviews and for sticking with me through this story.