Hey everyone! So I said I'd have this up by Wednesday and I did! How's that for dedication? *laugh*
I really had a lot of fun writing this fanfic even though I hated putting Emily through such hell. I feel kinda bad about that. I am going to start on another multi-chapter with WILL focus more on Rossi/JJ and Morgan/Garcia for sure. *laugh* I got sidetracked with this one and didn't have as much as them as I originally wanted. Sorry about that btw.
I hope you all enjoy the last chapter and review. (all of you have reviewed have been great and I really wanted to thank you! Your kind reviews really make my day!) Oh, and I do not own "I Will Be" by Avril Lavigne.
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There's nothing I could say to you
Nothing I could ever do to make you see
What you mean to me
All the pain, the tears I cried
Still you never said goodbye and now I know
How far you'd go
Emily was ready to leave, unfortunately her ride was running a little late.
Thankfully, Emily had something to entertain herself. Reid, who was currently spouting out fun statistics he thought Emily would enjoy, had shown up to keep her company at Hotch's request. Hotch had a last minute meeting that he couldn't escape from so he wouldn't be able to pick Emily up when they had originally planned.
Emily enjoyed Reid's company though she longed to leave her bland hospital room. Due to complications, Emily had moved the wrong way and pulled some stitches and was forced to say an extra night at the hospital; much to Emily's dismay. Reid was very good at distracting her though so Emily didn't mind sitting in her hospital bed a little longer. She was very grateful for the company.
"Speaking of accidental deaths did you know that toothpicks are the objects that Americans most often choke on?" Reid recited, his eyes alight with excitement as Emily chuckled. "Wow Reid, you sure know how to charm a girl." Emily said and smiled as he ducked his head awkwardly and blushed with embarrassment. Emily couldn't help but think it was the cutest thing: Reid was so innocent. She admired his ability to maintain that innocent quality in their line of work.
Reid looked at his wristwatch, "Hotch should be out of his meeting by now," he said noticing how Emily's eyes brightened as Hotch's name was mentioned. It was true how Reid didn't always understand certain things like relationship dynamics between a man and a woman, but it didn't take a genius to see how Hotch and Emily's relationship had shifted in the past few weeks. Rossi had called the intangible phenomenon between Hotch and Emily chemistry; Reid called it something different. Due to the complications of forming a romantic relationship while working together Reid knew Hotch and Emily hadn't really acted on their feelings. Well that and the fact Emily had been kidnapped and spent a few days in the hospital.
"I really appreciate you coming here to keep me company Reid. You didn't have to." Emily said gently smiling at the young man beside her bed. Reid shook his head slightly and returned her warm smile, "I wanted to. Honestly, I did." Reid said and rushed to Emily's side as she attempted to get out of her bed: This was a little difficult due to Reid's own restrictions. Emily winced as she felt the familiar pull in her stitches on her arms and chest. She thanked Reid as her nurse came in the room with some clothes JJ had dropped off earlier.
"Ready to change?" the nurse asked and Emily nodded as Reid cleared his throat. Emily laughed and walked away from Reid; limping slightly. It was one thing having him help her get up, it was another needing help getting dressed. "I'll be right back." Emily said and followed her nurse to a bathroom down the hall.
"He's certainly a handsome man. Who is he?" the nurse Cathy asked once Emily began to strip in the closed stall of the bathroom. Emily laughed. "He's a teammate of mine. He's Dr. Spencer Reid." Cathy looked shocked. "A doctor? He doesn't look that old!" she replied helping Emily ease her arms in the button up shirt. Emily laughed again, "He's not. He's brilliant," she explained.
"Oh, I see. Is he a romantic teammate?" Cathy asked curious as Emily slipped into some sweats. Emily felt her shoulders shake with uncontrollable laughter. "No, he's like a brother to me." Emily explained gripping Cathy for support as she righted herself. "Well, it's really sweet that he came to keep you company. You have quite a lot of people who care about you." Cathy said smiling and helping Emily out of the stall.
"Yeah, I'm pretty lucky if I do say so myself."
- - - - -
When Emily limped back to her room she smiled as she saw her entire team waiting for her. "You didn't think we'd miss your send off did you?" Garcia asked hugging Emily gently. Emily laughed. "I should've known better," she replied as JJ hugged her next.
"Yes, you should've." Morgan agreed hugging his friend as well. Rossi laughed and nodded his head. "Well, as much as I love seeing you all, I'd love to get the hell out of here. I hate hospitals." Emily confessed noticing how Hotch was missing. "Considering everything we've been through while in hospitals I can't say I blame you." Reid said as everyone nodded in agreement.
Before Emily could ask where Hotch was he appeared with a small bag of some sort. "Pain meds," he explained handing them to Emily while ignoring her frown. Emily didn't really like the idea of taking pain meds. It was one of the more irrational sides of Emily that her friends rarely saw.
"Well you heard the woman, let's get her out of here!" Garcia exclaimed ushering the others out of Emily's room. They all laughed and followed suit; glad to leave her dismal room behind. They all walked Emily and Hotch to his car, laughing and joking about Emily's "vacation."
"This sucks. Two to three weeks without work and a psych evaluation. Why don't you just kill me now and get it over with!" Emily exclaimed laughing at her team's serious expressions. "Not funny Em." Garcia scolded as Morgan and the others agreed. "Oh lighten up you guys." Emily scoffed but kept her morbid humor to herself. She knew in retrospect such jokes were best laid off for a few months.
Hotch didn't say much as they walked. Honestly he wanted Emily all to himself so they could have the talk they so desperately needed to have. Emily, realizing the probable cause for her silence, let her hand graze his for a moment and saw how the corner of his mouth twitched upward. She smiled.
The others noticed this and snickered.
They gave their goodbye hugs and Garcia slipped a few case files into Emily's bag and laughed as Emily fervently thanked her. Emily ruffled Reid's hair and laughed at his indignant protest and the childlike pout he shot her. But he smiled as she gently hugged him. "Thank you Reid; for finding my clues." Emily whispered to him and felt her eyes water as he quickly kissed her forehead in sibling-like fashion. Morgan swooped in and crushed her in a hug; still mindful of her injuries. "I'm glad you're back," he said and Emily squeezed him as hard as she could in her frail arms.
Rossi hugged her as Emily decided something while looking at JJ. "Hurt her, and they will never find your body parts." Emily threatened just loud enough for the older agent to hear. Rossi laughed at her threat and let her go. "Don't plan on it kiddo." Rossi replied and smiled as Emily laughed while hugging JJ. She gave JJ a knowing look and JJ blushed a little. "We'll talk later." Emily said and JJ nodded.
Hotch held Emily's door opened and smiled as she brushed up against his body. The others laughed and waved as Emily waved and Hotch drove off, leaving their friends behind.
- - - - -
The ride home was a pleasant one, especially because Hotch was holding Emily's hand the whole time. Words were not needed and they simply enjoyed each other's company. Hotch decided the time for subtly was over and Emily couldn't agree more. He may not be transparent but of late, Emily could read him better that she ever could before. It made her happy to know he was letting his guard down when she was near and letting her in. It meant a lot to her for him to show her such blatant displays of trust and affection.
"How many case files did Garcia slip you?" Hotch asked finally breaking the silence. Emily laughed, wondering if he had picked up on their not so subtle exchange. "Only a couple. Four or five I think." Emily said honestly. "Counting the one's she dropped off at your apartment?" he asked smiling as he felt her stiffen.
'Damn.' Emily thought and sighed in resignation. He was just too good. "No, she left seven at my house. How did you know?" Emily asked curious. Hotch laughed quietly. "Garcia may be the all-knowing oracle of the BAU, but I'm her boss. Therefore I know more." Hotch replied as Emily laughed at his abstract reasoning. She knew he wasn't going to scold her for doing work on her vacation. She knew he understood.
They arrived at Emily's and Hotch got out to help Emily. He opened her door and grabbed her bag in the back. Together they walked in that comfortable silence. Emily had grabbed Hotch's hand again much to his pleasure and refused to let go even as she unlocked her door. Hotch followed Emily inside and hadn't even set her bag down for a second before she turned on him at attacked him with her eager lips.
He groaned and managed to shut her door as she melted into his firm body. He was desperate for her touch and gently held her flush against him as he responded to her kisses. They were euphoric and they rode their high as they caressed each other like the world was ending. They gasped for air and their lips met in a high pitch fever. Their breathless names filled her apartment as they slowly regained their senses.
"Emily…" Hotch whispered as Emily kissed him once more. "I know Aaron, I know," she whispered and felt her heart explode as his eyes met hers. She hadn't seen that look directed at her in so long. The longing, the desire…the love. Everything Emily had ever felt for Hotch was pouring from his dark eyes into her soul; possessing her very being.
He didn't need to say how scared he had been, he didn't need to tell her how frantically he worked to find her. Emily didn't need to say how she had prayed that he'd save her, she didn't need to tell him how relieved she had been when he carried her out of that house. There were some things that could go unsaid because actions really do speak louder that words. All their unsaid words were being expressed through those heated touches and heart-stopping kisses.
Emily could feel his pain at almost losing her as Hotch could feel her relief of being found that cooled his burning blame like a refreshing rain. She was the light to his darkness that seemed to vanish like a ghost as he held her; as he kissed her. There were no words to express what had been building up for months. To deny this was a sin itself.
The only words that made any sense to Emily and Hotch were the words that they had been scared to utter for so long. Now as they clung to each other with a fierce passion, that fear seemed too trivial to ever entertain again.
"I love you."
You're the one thing I got right
The only one I let inside
Now I can breathe, 'cause you're here with me
I will be, all that you want
And get myself together
'Cause you keep me from falling apart
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Ah, it's over! Phew! That's all I can really say.
Again I'd like to thank the absolutely amazing people who have review this story and stuck by me while writing it! I really appreciate the support and I hope to continue to have your support as I keep writing my stories! I also hope you'll continue to give me ideas for future fanfic ideas/couples. I value everyone's opinion and ideas!!
Keep an eye out for "Taking Chances" my next fanfic which I will try to have the first chapter out no later than Sunday.
Peace out everyone. =)