Archive of Our Own

“So, uh,” Aaron clears his throat. Get it together. “Is Emily coming to the wedding?” He asks in what he hopes to be a nonchalant manner. 

Morgan suppresses his smirk, forcing it down and pasting a frown on his face. Emily would kill him if he blew it. “No,” he says, watching the imperceptible way his boss’ face falls, the way the corner of his mouth dips slightly downwards.

“Why not? That’s unlike her.” Aaron questions. Emily was always the first to celebrate anything regarding the team. Dave’s new book release, Garcia’s birthday, even when Reid finally got his philosophy B.A. It’s strange that she wouldn’t come to Morgan’s wedding, an event more serious and permanent than a birthday or an anniversary.

“She’ll be pretty busy at the time. Clyde’s working her hard,” Morgan shakes his head, lying through his teeth. “Even tried to talk to the guy myself, but no can do.” He elaborates unnecessarily. Why not have some fun with him, right? He’s so rarely given the opportunity these days. Emily was the only one allowed to get under Hotch’s skin without having her neck bit off, and Morgan missed joining her to rile him up, her presence an automatic shield for the both of them.

“Right.” Aaron frowns and turns on his heel, heading to his office and pretending to work on the mounds of paperwork piling on his desk.

Morgan winks at JJ, who had been within earshot. “She’s coming, isn’t she?” She asks.

Morgan shrugs noncommittally. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

****

Emily steels herself before answering the call. “Hey, Aaron,” she says easily as she moves around her kitchen, fixing herself a drink and a snack. “I was just about to call. How are you doing?” 

They spend a few minutes catching up, time slipping by as he tells her about the newest addition to the team and Jack’s new interest in basketball. He lasts longer than she expected him to, waiting until she finishes telling him about her day before he asks.

“Will you be coming to Morgan’s wedding?” He asks, as if he doesn’t already know.

Emily smiles but quickly wipes it off her face, knowing Aaron would hear it in her voice. She breathes out a long, tortured sigh. “No, I can’t,” she says, swirling her drink around. “Clyde’s being an ass, he’s got me up to my neck in cases,” she pouts to keep the laughter out of her voice.

Asshole, Aaron grumbles. “Don’t you have any vacation days? He can’t refuse if you use them officially,” he tells her, the prosecutor in him peeking through.

“He’s threatened to fire anyone who uses those,” Emily lies, rolling her eyes at herself. Really? Is he actually going to buy that? She plunges on, trying to distract him. 

“He’s being looked at by the higher ups, so all of us are under a lot of pressure,” she sighs. “It’s just gonna be a busy time.” 

“I tried everything I could but he’s not budging. Could you believe he still calls me his favorite after all that?” She asks incredulously, popping a grape into her mouth.

Aaron sighs. “It would’ve been nice to see you,” he tells her. Emily smiles, feeling giddy. It almost bursts out of her in this moment but she holds her tongue, shoving more grapes into her mouth to keep herself quiet.

“Yeah,” Emily laments. “Make sure to send me lots of pictures, okay?” She tells him. “If I can’t see Morgan drunk at his own wedding in person I’ll at least need some video proof.” She grins. 

Aaron laughs and promises to document everything.

Emily falls asleep that night with a smile on her face, her body jittery with excitement. Her dress is already packed in her suitcase, despite the long week ahead of her before she catches her flight.

****

When Emily walks into the hotel and sees her friends—family, really, all crowded together and laughing brightly, her chest glows with a warm sense of home.

JJ turns and sees her first. “Emily!” Emily eagerly envelops her in a hug.

“Hey, Jayje!” She laughs, wincing a little when JJ’s bony arms squeeze her tighter. JJ gives her a kiss on the cheek when she pulls back, her grin bright and infectious. 

“I knew you were coming!” She says triumphantly, giving Will a light punch in the stomach when he nears them. “Didn’t I, Will?” Poor Will stifles his groan and nods, and Emily laughs. He gives her a quick hug.

“It’s good to see you, Emily.” He drawls.

“It’s really nice to see you too! I’ve—” she doesn’t even get the words out before Penelope barrels into her, knocking the breath from her lungs. “Hi, Pen.” Emily giggles breathlessly, squeezing her friend back enthusiastically. Penelope’s chatter fills her ears immediately.

“Ohmygosh, Emily! Morgan said you weren’t coming but I knew you were going to, you couldn’t have missed it! And oh my, you look gorgeous! Wh—”

Emily grabs Penelope’s face in her hands, laughing as her friend’s wide eyes meet hers. “Slow down, Penelope,” she chuckles. “I’ll be here all night.”

“Oh, I just missed you so much!” Penelope wraps her arms around her and Emily returns the hug eagerly.

“I missed you too, Pen.”

Someone clears their throat behind Emily. “I thought the focus was supposed to be on me tonight?” Morgan asks. Emily lets go of her friend and whirls around, taking a quick look at Morgan before leaning into him. 

“Derek!” She hugs him tightly. His chuckle reverberates through her body as he wraps his arms around her.

She feels him press a light kiss to her temple, “Hey, princess. I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” she whispers, her eyes tearing up slightly. She’s always been close to everyone on the team, but Derek was slightly different. “Congratulations,” she leans back and rests her hands on his chest. “The playboy’s finally settling down,” she teases. “Who would’ve thought?” Emily elbows him lightly and he laughs.

“Well, you haven’t met my future wife,” he winks.

“I can’t wait to meet her!” Emily says excitedly, her smile stretching wide as she thinks of meeting this woman who captured her friend’s elusive heart.

“She’s excited to meet you too,” he lightly pinches her cheek, laughing when she swats his hand away with a huff.

Dave and Reid join them then, and they greet Emily with smiles and warm hugs (and a kiss on both cheeks from Rossi). Emily ruffles Reid’s messy hair, laughing when he leans into it, his gangly arm wrapping around her shoulders. She kisses him on the cheek, leaving behind a deep red imprint that matches the blush that starts to form on his face. She wipes it away as he begins to chatter to her about the latest French books he’s read, and Emily indulges him, recommending a few of her favorites and helping him with his pronunciation when he stumbles over the titles.

Emily’s introduced to Tara, and she shakes her hand with a grin. “Tara Lewis,” she says, smiling at Emily. “Really happy to finally meet you, I've heard great things.”

“Every bit of it’s true,” Emily jokes. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, too.” She tells her.

“We should totally go out!” Penelope jumps in excitedly. “We haven’t done a girl’s night in so long! You’re staying for the weekend, aren’t you, Em?” She asks.

“Yup,” Emily grins. “You guys are gonna get sick of me, trust me,” she says, ignoring the chorus of protests as she looks around the room. “Where’s Aaron?” She asks, disregarding Dave and JJ’s smirks when she calls him by his first name.

“I called him a while ago, he’s on the way,” Dave says. Emily pushes him to the back of her head—or tries to, as she catches up with her friends. Her stomach stirs with anticipation, nervous excitement flooding her veins. Finally she looks up and sees him and Jack walk through the doors, Aaron’s hand on his son’s shoulder.

Jack spots her before he does. “Emily!” He yells, running past Henry and colliding into her.

“Jack-Jack!” Emily laughs, wrapping her arms around him. He reaches her chest now, and she briefly laments the fact that she can’t gather him into her arms anymore and rest him on her hip. 

“Dad said you weren’t coming,” he beams at her. Emily gives him a kiss on his cheek, light enough that her lipstick doesn’t leave a mark.

“Your dad doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does.” She whispers, winking at him. Jack laughs and Emily does too, running a hand over his hair, careful not to mess it up.

“You look so handsome, buddy.” She tells him, needlessly brushing his jacket and fixing his tie. And so much like your dad, she thinks. She looks around briefly and sees him still standing at the entrance, his eyebrows slightly raised in shock. She gives him a quick wink that sends him moving towards them.

“Thanks! You look really pretty.”

Emily smiles. “Thank you, sweetheart. Save me a dance for later, okay?” She asks and he nods excitedly.

“Yeah!”

Aaron reaches them then and Jack bounds off to go find Henry. “Em,” he says in awe, his hands already reaching for her.

Emily sinks into his embrace, the scent of his cologne warming her from the inside out. “Hey, Aaron.”

“You said you weren’t coming.” He says into her hair. The scent of her perfume surrounds him, and his heart suddenly starts racing.

“Surprise,” Emily smiles, a twinkle in her eyes as she leans back and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. Aaron tries not to react and hopes the burning in his cheeks isn’t visible to anyone as she pulls back.

His hands rest on her waist, rubbing the silky material of her dress beneath his fingertips. “You look beautiful.” He tells her. Emily blushes lightly and fixes her gaze on his expensive suit, one she hadn’t seen before. He’s not wearing a tie, and the first two buttons on his shirt are undone.

Her hands reach up and fix his collar before she can think about it, and she smooths down the fabric of his jacket over his shoulders. “You look pretty neat yourself,” she grins.

He’d like to think it’s because he hadn’t seen her in so long that the breath catches in his throat. But who was he kidding. Her smile is wide and beautiful, her hair silky on her shoulders, and her dress clings to every curve, hugging her body and leaving his throat dry. The deep burgundy color contrasts with her dark hair and creamy skin, making it glow under the lights.

Emily Prentiss, he thinks, closing his eyes for a moment, has ruined the color red for him.

“It’s not like you to be so late, Agent Hotchner,” she teases, her brows lifted slightly. Aaron chuckles, his body already relaxing in her presence. 

“Jack was giving me hell with his tie,” he explains. “He insisted on doing it himself and made a knot that took me half an hour to undo.” He shakes his head at his son’s antics.

Emily laughs lightly. “He’s headstrong. Just like his dad,” she bumps her shoulders with his. “I can’t believe how grown up he is.” She says as she watches Henry and Jack crowd around Reid, begging him to perform another one of his tricks. It takes her back to JJ’s wedding and despite the sadness she had felt then, her lips curl into a smile at the memory.

“Well,” Aaron turns to her. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so surprised if you visited us more often.” He gives her a pointed look.

Emily bites her lips. “Miss me, Aaron?” She asks coyly.

“Yeah,” he murmurs, his hand reaching for her arm and hooking it through his. Emily’s hand squeezes his bicep as he leads her to the chairs before the altar. “I really do.”

The ceremony starts a little while later. Emily is seated between Aaron and JJ, who whispers to her excitedly about Savannah and how she has Morgan wrapped around her finger. Emily spots Reid next to Morgan as his best man, and her heart flutters with affection for them both as Morgan nervously straightens Reid's tie. Reid claps his hand on Morgan’s shoulder and gently turns him back around, aware that his friend was only moving because of jittery excitement. He says something that makes Morgan laugh and shake his head, facing forward as he prepares to see his bride.

When Savannah walks in, her veil trailing behind her and her dress stretched gently over her  rounded stomach, Emily’s breath catches. She smiles like an idiot at Morgan’s dopey smile, his face glowing as he waits for his soon to be wife to reach him.

Her eyes tear up slightly when Morgan begins saying his vows, one of Savannah’s hands held in his and the other resting over hers on her bump.

“I knew from the moment I met you that you would change my life,” he says. “And I can’t help but feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now, because out of anyone you could have chosen, you chose me. I promise to always be there for you, and to cherish and love you until we’re old and gray.”

Fuck, Emily sniffles, dabbing under her eyes and desperately trying to hold the tears in. Aaron turns and smiles at her, removing a handkerchief from his pocket and turning her slightly to him. He gently wipes under her eyes, careful not to mess up her makeup.

“You big softie,” he whispers, giving her the handkerchief so she can wipe her nose.

“Shut up,” she turns back to the couple in front of her as they begin exchanging their rings. She can see tears running down Savannah and Derek’s faces as they hold each other’s shaky hands. Her heart clenches with happiness for her friend, her love for him growing so rapidly in her chest she thinks it might burst.

Aaron’s pinkie links with hers. She turns slightly and smiles at him, biting her lip when he winks at her. Their fingers stay wrapped together until the officiant declares Derek and Savannah man and wife.

Emily claps loudly as they kiss, letting out one of her infamous wolf whistles she had learned to piss off her mother when Derek dips his new wife. She loops her arm through JJ’s and they giggle together excitedly, happiness for their friend flowing off of them in waves.

She’s sandwiched between JJ and Penelope at dinner, laughing so hard she almost snorts her wine. Her chest feels light, her stomach filled with butterflies as she reunites with her best friends. It feels good, simple, just like it was before. Aaron catches her gaze across the table and gives her a quick smile. Emily’s cheeks heat further and she shifts in her seat, licking her dry lips and sipping her wine to soothe her throat.

Emily immediately likes Tara. The newest agent has a quick sense of humor that has Emily bending double, her eyes tearing up as Tara forces laughter out of her. She’s sarcastic and dry, witty quips falling off her tongue easily as she banters with Emily and the rest of the team.

Tara doesn’t think she’s ever seen Hotch so loose. It’s a strange word, but it seems to fit his mood. He’s always so uptight, so rigid. But when she sees him with Emily Prentiss, his body language is comfortable, trusting. His face is relaxed, his smile easy as he laughs outright at what the brunette is saying, a smug smile on her painted lips. It’s not Hotch she’s seeing tonight, this is Aaron. The one Rossi can coax out of its shell occasionally. Emily though, seems to do it effortlessly. 

She tries not to stare at them, but she can’t help it. It’s fascinating to see; the comfortable way they move around each other, the way Emily looks up at him with a teasing smile on her lips and how he can’t seem to take his eyes off her. She sees before her eyes the reason why his voice is filled with warmth when he speaks out her name in the bullpen, a mention of how Emily is doing, or the time she did something to help them solve a case.

Derek and Savannah move to the dance floor, and after they have their first dance, other couples begin to join them. Aaron extends his hand towards Emily. “Dance with me?” He asks, and Emily smiles and nods, letting him lead her to the dance floor. 

“Where are you staying?” He asks her as he twirls her around.

Emily rolls her eyes as she leans back into him. “JJ’s basement.” She deadpans. Her hand slides into his hair and she plays with the strands between her fingers.

“Smartass,” he mutters under his breath. Emily laughs.

They sway for a while in silence. “Come home with me,” he says suddenly.

“Aaron..” she says disapprovingly, avoiding his gaze. “It’s not a good idea.”

His hand tightens around hers. “Why?” He asks, though he full well knows why. 

Because she knows how this will end. She knows she’ll go home with him and he’ll take her to his bed and they’ll stay up until night blurs into day. They’ll spend hours losing themselves in each other, and he’ll convince her to stay one more day. And she’ll agree, because she could never say no to him. They’ll kiss and laugh, act like lovers when that’s not what they actually are. And when Emily inevitably leaves, their hearts will be shattered beyond repair. Again.

It happened when she came back to help JJ, and it happened again when she came back for Strauss’ funeral. It doesn’t take a genius to predict it’ll happen now, too.

“What about my bags?” She asks, stalling.

“We’ll pick them up from your hotel,” he says easily. She doesn’t want to give in to him too quickly, though she knew it would happen from the moment he asked.

“And what about Jack?”

“I think you can stay quiet, don't you?” he smirks down at her. Emily’s cheeks heat, butterflies soaring through her stomach.

“Come on, Em.” He prods. She arches her brows at him and stays silent. “I miss you, sweetheart.” He whispers into her ear.

Emily closes her eyes. Fuck, don’t call me that. She could never resist when he did. 

“You’re playing dirty,” she tells him. From the tone of her voice he knows he’s won, and he grins winningly at her. Emily can’t help it; she beams back at him, her dimple matching his. Aaron links their fingers and twirls her again. Emily’s warm laugh echoes as he pulls her back in, his hand warm on her back as he brings her closer. Her head falls on his shoulder and she sighs, biting her lip in anticipation for the night to come.

Derek sweeps her away then, and Emily laughs as he dips her and twirls her around. “I’m really happy for you,” she tells him as he sways them gently. “Thank you, Emily.” He says sincerely, his tone gentle. “And thanks for coming,” he squeezes her waist.

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Clyde or no Clyde.” She winks at him and he laughs. “You had a bit too much fun with him,” she chides.

“I couldn’t help it,” he chuckles as he spins her. “He’s so uptight these days, I thought why not take the opportunity?” Derek shrugs.

Emily slaps his arm lightly. “When isn’t he,” she laughs, catching Aaron’s gaze over Derek’s shoulder and giving him a wink.

“When you’re there.” Derek says, suddenly serious. Emily scoffs and waves him away, though she knows he’s right. “When are you going to do something about it, princess? It’s getting painful watching you two.”

Emily gapes at him. Were they that obvious?

“I–there’s noth–” she splutters before he cuts her off.

“Don’t give me that, Emily,” he scolds gently. “The guy can’t keep his eyes off you. I don’t think he’s noticed anyone else all night, and I say that while barely keeping my eyes off my wife the whole time.” He smiles and she does too. “Are you trying to give him a heart attack with that dress?”

Emily laughs. “Well,” she says, “maybe just a little.” She smirks and Derek shakes his head at her fondly.

“Do something about it.” He tells her.

She mulls his words over in her head until the song ends and Jack comes over shyly. Derek gives her away with a kiss on the forehead and a pat to Jack’s shoulder. “Come here, honey.” Emily beckons him forward with a laugh, wrapping her arms around him and letting him lead, helping him when he stumbles. 

“You’re pretty good at that, Jack,” she says in surprise, smiling when he blushes.

“Dad taught me,” he tells her. “We had a dance at school a while ago.”

Emily gasps. “Did you? Who’d you take?”

Aaron watches with a warmth in his chest as Emily dances with Jack, both of them glowing under the lights. He hears Jack’s laugh when Emily tells him something, her smile wide as she helps him move them around. He can barely pay attention to the blonde in his arms but JJ doesn’t seem to mind, watching him watch them with a Cheshire cat grin on her face.

Emily moves to the bar and Aaron follows her. He teases her all night, his hands lightly brushing over her waist, his lips ghosting over hers when she turns her head and he’s leaning too close. “Aaron,” she hisses when his fingers dip beneath the thin strap of her dress. “Cut it out.”

“Hm?” He smirks. Her body grows warm. Emily doesn’t know if she wants to slap the smirk from his face or kiss it off. She pulls back and lets his fingers fall, looking around subtly to see if anyone was watching.

“I know you’re desperate for me, but could you try to tone it down a little?” Her lips twist into a cocky smile. “You wouldn’t want Dave to see you and start asking questions, would you?” She bats her lashes at him and he huffs.

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes and leaves.

Emily laughs into her drink as JJ joins her at the bar. “So,” JJ raises her brows and looks at Aaron’s retreating form with a smirk. “Anything interesting going on there?” She drawls, fixing Emily with what she mentally calls her ‘profiler face’. 

“Nope,” Emily busies herself with her drink and looks around, pretending to watch the couples on the dance floor.

“Really?” JJ narrows her eyes. Emily’s body betrays her, and her cheeks flush. 

“Aha!” JJ yells, pointing her finger at Emily, who swats it away impatiently.

“Shh,” she hisses.

JJ smiles smugly. “Spit it out, Em.”

Emily sighs. She tries to be annoyed, but really she’s not. She’s giddy, excited at the thought of spending time with him again, their previous little encounters permanently seared into her brain from the moment they happened. She doesn’t know what this thing is between them, and she doesn’t care to label it. Aaron doesn’t either, and they’re both content with what they are.

Keeping it a secret was easier. Their situation is complicated, not something either of them can easily define. All Emily knows is that she just feels so comfortable, so safe with him, completely at home between the cradle of his arms. Her cheeks heat when he kisses her, and she constantly thinks about him when he’s gone. He makes her heart race and her blood boil and her hands shake. And she knows she has the same effect on him.

But she also knows JJ won’t judge. “I’m going home with him,” she bites her lips, her eyes on Aaron as he dances with Penelope. JJ squeals and Emily shushes her again.

Her friend quiets, but her eyes are shining. “Emily,” she admonishes, and Emily ducks her head.

“I couldn’t say no,” she whines. JJ watches with rapt attention, unused to seeing her usually confident, unshakable friend so pliant to Aaron’s will. “Especially not when he calls me that,” she grumbles into her glass. 

JJ clutches her arms painfully. “Ow! JJ!” She hisses as her friend leans in close.

“Calls you what, Emily?” Her eyes are wide, her lips curved in a smirk. Emily groans and stuffs her face in her hands, savoring the brief darkness that envelops her before JJ rips her palms away from her face.

JJ gives her a pointed look. Emily breathes out a long sigh. “Sweetheart,” she mumbles, her cheeks flushing red. Even as she tries to contain it, her smile peeks through.

“What?” JJ shrieks, biting her lip to stop her smile from breaking across her face. “Emily! Since when?”

Emily waves her hands in front of JJ’s face, trying to deter her. “Nope, no, this conversation stops now. I already said more than I should’ve.”

“Em,” JJ pouts, her eyes pleading as she clutches her hands.

“No, JJ.” Emily laughs and shakes her head.

“Fine,” JJ sighs as she leans back. She watches her boss dance with Penelope, for the first time paying attention to his broad shoulders and big hands. Emily sips her drink and she leans in close again. “He must fuck you good if he’s got you blushing like that.”

Emily spits out her drink. “JJ!” She yells as JJ cackles, throwing her napkins to clean up the mess. Emily’s cheeks burn, further proving JJ’s point, and she grabs Reid’s hand as he passes by, forcing him with her on the dance floor as he protests.

She leads, swaying them around easily until Reid relaxes enough to twirl her around once. He begins teaching her about a dance he’d read about when Aaron cuts in. “May I?” He asks, and Emily grins.

“Please.”

She takes his hand, pinching Reid’s cheek as she settles into his arms. “Teach me that next time, yeah Spence?” Reid blushes and nods, moving off the dance floor when Penelope grabs hold of him and forcibly drags him back.

Aaron and Emily laugh at Reid’s surprised yelp, their hands already intertwined and his palm on her waist. “When do we get to go home?” He whispers in her ear. Emily throws her head back and laughs, the hand not held in his resting on his shoulder and squeezing lightly.

“Keep it in your pants, Hotchner. We’ve still got a long night ahead of us.”

He’s just about to reply when Jack and Henry approach them. “Dad, can I sleep over at Aunt JJ’s house?” Jack asks, his eyes wide. 

“Yes please, Uncle Aaron, can he stay with us?” Henry pleads. Emily looks across the dance floor and her eyes settle on JJ, a satisfied smile on her face. She flushes as her friend comes closer.

“Jack, you don’t have a change of clothes,” Aaron tells him, his brow furrowed as Jack’s face falls.

JJ places a hand on each of the boys’ shoulders. “That’s okay, Hotch, Jack and Henry are almost the same size anyways, they can share.”

Both boys perk up again and a chorus of yeses and pleases and can we’s immediately assaults their ears. “Okay, fine.” Aaron relents. The boys cheer and JJ throws Emily a wink as she gathers them away.

You’re welcome, she mouths.

When Aaron looks down at her, her cheeks are burning. “I guess JJ knows something about tonight, doesn’t she?” He raises his eyebrows at her.

Emily stifles a groan. “It just slipped out, I’m sorry.” She says sheepishly.

Aaron laughs. “I don’t mind. Especially not if she’s gonna be helpful like this,” he wiggles his eyebrows and Emily laughs. “Ew, don’t do that again.” She shakes her head and he chuckles, his fingers digging into her waist.

They stay for a little while longer. Emily dances with JJ and Penelope, pulling Tara in with them when she hangs back uncertainly. Derek introduces her to Savannah, and Emily hugs her friend’s wife. He looks at them fondly until the two of them start ganging up on him, exchanging gossip and watching his cheeks flush.

“Alright, alright,” he breaks them apart good naturedly as they laugh at him. “Don’t you want some cake, baby?” He asks Savannah. “Chocolate and raspberries,” he bribes, and Savannah can’t resist.

She bites her lips and gives Emily an apologetic look. “I better try that.” She whispers, and Emily waves her away with a laugh.

The party breaks up a while later, Savannah exhausted after being on her feet the whole day. Emily hugs everyone goodbye, making promises to see them soon in the next few days. She embraces Savannah.

“It was lovely to meet you,” she tells her, and Savannah smiles back and returns the sentiment, making Emily promise to visit again when their baby is born.

While Aaron enjoyed the party, he can’t deny the feeling of relief when he guides Emily to his car, opening the passenger seat for her as she climbs in with his hand on her waist. He holds in the urge to kiss her when she smiles at him, his brain only barely aware of the people still surrounding them in the parking lot.

She tells him the name of the hotel and he drives them there, his hand warm on her thigh as they catch up in soft tones. The scent of her perfume filling his car makes his brain fuzzy, and he grips her thigh tighter when she runs her fingers teasingly over the back of his hand.

They reach the hotel and Aaron gets out of the car, giving her a surprised look when she climbs out too. His brows furrow. “Wha–”

Emily crosses over to his side and pushes him against the car, shoving her hands in his hair and kissing him. His hands immediately grasp her waist and pull her closer. Emily moans when his fingers twist in her hair and tug lightly, her own leaving his hair and traveling down his chest to fist his shirt in her hands.

She leans back slightly. “I can’t wait till we get to yours,” she says breathlessly. “I’ve got a perfectly good hotel room up there.” She raises her brows. “I should take advantage, right?” She murmurs, her lips kissing the line of his jaw, feeling the warm skin beneath her lips as she nips lightly.

Aaron can’t form a coherent thought. “Yeah,” he says mindlessly, his hands tangling in her hair and pressing her against him.

Emily grins against his jaw. She presses a kiss to his cheek and pulls back, laughing when he looks at her dazedly. The warmth of her body is replaced with cool air as she walks away. Aaron hurriedly shuts off the car and goes to her side. Her hand immediately tangles with his and she pulls him forward, leading him to the hotel.

The elevator ride is torture as she wraps her arm around his waist and kisses his neck, refusing to let him capture his lips with hers. “Emily,” he says raggedly.

She looks up through her lashes. “What?” She asks innocently, pressing feather light kisses along his jaw. The elevator dings and she pulls him out of it, leading him to her room.

The moment they enter he presses her against the door and kisses her, groaning as their lips meet. “Finally,” he mutters, running his hands over her body and feeling the familiar curves beneath her dress as she arches into him.

“Aaron.” She gasps and he smirks.

He peels her dress off of her and lays her back on the bed. “God,” he rasps as she smiles up at him, her dark hair fanned across the pillow.

“No,” Emily laughs as she drags him down on top of her. “Just me.” She whispers against his lips.

Aaron shakes his head. “You’ve lost weight,” he says disapprovingly as he kisses down her stomach.

“Lots of walking to do in London,” Emily says breathlessly as he hooks her legs over his shoulders. He kisses the inside of her thigh then, and all coherent thoughts fly from Emily’s brain as she rocks into him.

Thank god Morgan decided to get married, she thinks deliriously. They stay up until the moon disappears from the sky, learning each other again and trapping this moment in amber, to replay in their heads for when she leaves again.

****

She wakes to a text from JJ, telling her to ‘take all the time she needs’. Emily rolls her eyes and buries her face in Aaron’s chest, savoring his warmth and going back to sleep. She wakes up reluctantly–but quickly, when he trails his hands over her bare skin and hooks her thigh over his waist. He kisses down her neck, drawing sweet sighs from her that make his brain fog.

He eventually drags her to the shower and they wake up properly, getting ready to take Jack out for breakfast. Emily sits on his lap as she does her makeup. Aaron is entranced by her routine, staring at her intensely and making her blush. “Stop it,” Emily laughs. “I can’t concentrate if you’re looking at me like that.”

“Sorry,” he murmurs, running his hands over her thighs. “You’re gorgeous, Em, I can’t help it.” She rolls her eyes and tries to hide her flush, but it’s useless. It gets worse when he starts dropping feather light kisses on her neck as she’s applying her mascara.

“Aaron!” She scolds when she almost pokes herself with the wand. Emily stands up from his lap and sets the wand down.

“You’re distracting me,” she chides, leaning down and kissing him lazily.

His arms wrap around her waist and pull her into his lap again. “Sorry, sweetheart,” he smirks. “I’ll stop, I promise.” He kisses her cheek.

He sticks to his promise and they leave the hotel room with Emily’s bag in hand, getting in the car and picking up Jack from JJ’s house.

They have breakfast and it reminds Emily of when she would attend Jack’s soccer games early on Saturday and they’d grab breakfast after. Jack chatters on about school and his friends and his new basketball club. He tells Emily more about the girl he took to the dance, a flush on his face. Emily ruffles his hair and laughs when he tells her about how Aaron had teared up before he left.

“He’s such a big softie, your dad,” she says, ignoring Aaron’s protests and smiling when Jack laughs.

“It’s too bad no one actually believes us when we say he is,” Emily shakes her head regretfully and Jack shares her disappointment.

“We should get some video proof!” Jack says excitedly after a few seconds.

Emily laughs and gives him a high five. “Yeah!”

They both ignore Aaron’s protests. “I can’t believe you’re ganging up on me.” He grumbles. Jack and Emily laugh at him.

****

Aaron drops her off at JJ’s house for a long awaited girl’s night with Tara and Penelope. Poor Will and Henry have been confined to the second floor, the both of them banned from the living room except for food purposes.

They gossip like teenagers and throw back shots like they’re twenty again. Emily collapses into giggles when Penelope tells them about a disastrous first date she had with a fetishist, and when Tara shares how a guy pulled out a ruler to measure the distance between her eyes in the middle of dinner, all that could be heard from the room is breathless wheezes that leave Will wondering if he would have to call the paramedics.

When JJ whispers in her ear, asking about last night, Emily shakes her head, her cheeks glowing red, and buries her face into a pillow. She’s proud of herself for resisting their advances, despite Penelope’s prodding and JJ’s threat of blackmail.

She shares a cab with Penelope and Tara and haves him drop her off last, not wanting them to see her final destination. Aaron opens the door when she knocks a little too loudly. “Shh, Em,” he stifles his laughter when she falls into him, her arms sloppily wrapping around him.

“Aaron!” She beams. “I missed you,” she kisses him, her hands grabbing his face and pulling him to her. Aaron tastes the alcohol on her tongue and pulls back reluctantly, brushing her hair away from her face.

“Let’s get you into bed, Em.” He wraps his arm around her shoulders and leads her to the guest bedroom.

“Nu-uh.” She protests, stopping him and turning him around. She kisses him again. “I wanna fuck,” she mumbles against his lips.

Aaron stifles his groan when her hands start to wander and he grabs them and brings them to his lips. “You’re drunk, sweetheart.” He says, looking at her glazed eyes. Which are also wide and pleading, sucking him in and leaving him helpless.

“But I’m leaving tomorrow,” she pouts. God help him. “Don’t try to be a good guy, Aaron. Besides, we’ve done this before.” His resolve crumbles when she brushes her lips against the corner of his mouth. 

Aaron lifts her up in his arms and carries her to his room. “Aaron!” She giggles loudly and he shushes her.

“Shh, Em. Jack’s asleep,” he whispers. She nods at him solemnly and kisses his cheek gently.

Aaron shuts the door to his room and drops her on the bed, kissing her when she yelps. Her hands are hot and desperate on his body and he links them with his, holding them near her head and pressing her into the mattress.

He takes his time with her, forces her to be patient as she writhes under him. “That’s it, Em,” he praises, his hand covering her mouth to muffle her moans. Her eyes flutter closed and her cheeks heat beneath his palm. “You’re beautiful, sweetheart.”

The alcohol’s nearly gone from her system by the time they go to sleep, their hands tangled together and her back against his chest.

****

Emily yawns as she stretches, her body feeling boneless and sore as she moves. Aaron is already awake, one hand tracing circles on her skin while the other holds a book. He closes it when he sees she’s awake and kisses her cheek.

“Morning,” he says, his voice low and gravelly with sleep.

“Hi,” she whispers, her stomach flipping. She snuggles to his side. It’s still early, but she has an afternoon flight.

Emily sighs when she thinks of going back. “What?” Aaron asks her.

“Is it crazy that I want to stay?” She asks, playing with his hair.

His eyes soften. “Of course not, Em. You know everyone would love it if you stayed.” He bumps his nose with hers. Emily smiles.

“Yeah,” she says, but she seems reluctant.

“What’s holding you back?” He brushes the hair away from her face. 

She sighs. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just scared it’ll be like before. But this weekend,” she shakes her head, a wistful smile on her lips. “It was amazing,” she whispers. “It was like nothing changed.”

“I don’t want to leave that, but I’m not sure if it’ll last, you know?” She asks and he nods. “I just don’t want to get my hopes up.” Emily bites her lips.

“You don’t have to say anything, by the way, I’m just thinking out loud.” She tells him.

Aaron kisses her forehead. “I think you should go back and think about it.” She looks up at him with a teasing glint in her eyes and he cuts her off before she even speaks. “No, I’m not trying to get rid of you,” he shakes his head and presses a kiss on her lips.

“I just don’t want you to regret it. Think it through. Maybe now, here, you’re too blinded by this feeling to think properly about it. Don’t rush it,” he says, kissing her again. “We’ll still be here when you decide. We’re not going anywhere.” He assures.

Emily smiles at him, her heart fluttering in her chest. No one understands her like he does, and because of that, no one can comfort her like he does. She’s hit by a sudden urge to say I love you, the phrase popping into her head unbidden when he looks at her like that, his eyes so soft and gentle, his tone reassuring. 

“Okay.” She says instead.

Aaron kisses the tip of her nose. “Go shower, I’ll make us breakfast.”

Emily leaves the bathroom and enters the kitchen, lighting up when she sees pancakes on the counter. Aaron is still flipping the last pieces on the stove. 

“My favorite,” she murmurs as her hands wrap around him and pull him to her chest. “Thank you, Aaron.” She kisses his cheek.

“Anytime, sweetheart.” He tells her. She thinks she’ll never get over it, her stomach bursting with butterflies whenever the nickname falls from his lips.

He brings the rest of the pancakes to the table and they eat in comfortable silence until Jack appears from his room. “Hey buddy,” Aaron says, passing him the syrup. “I’ll be driving Emily to the airport in a bit, you want me to drop you off at Jess’?”

Jack doesn’t seem surprised at Emily’s unexpected presence, and he shakes his head. “Can I come with you guys?” He asks. 

“Sure,” Emily pinches his cheek. Jack beams and starts eating, shoveling food in his mouth until Aaron tells him to slow down.

Jack insists on playing I spy on the ride to the airport and Aaron and Emily oblige. It feels heartwarmingly domestic, and strangely, it doesn’t scare her. She briefly indulges this fantasy of living with them, having pancakes every morning as Aaron wakes her up with his kisses, taking Jack to his basketball practice on the weekdays and soccer on the weekends. Her chest suddenly tightens and she wants it so bad she thinks she can’t breathe.

Get it together, she tells herself, forcing even exhales through her mouth and shaking her head to dislodge these dangerous, distracting thoughts.

Jack hugs her tight at the airport. “I’ll miss you, Emmy.” Emily’s chest tightens at hearing his old nickname for her. She kisses the top of his head and brushes his hair away from his face.

“I’ll miss you too, honey. I promise I’ll visit soon, okay?” She gives him a small smile.

“Okay.” He mumbles. She kisses his cheek and his eyes brighten a little.

“Love you, Jack-Jack.”

“Love you too, Emily.” He lets go and she turns to Aaron, who envelopes her in a tight hug of his own. 

“I’ll miss you, sweetheart.” Emily feels her eyes start to water.

Oh, fuck.

“I’ll miss you too,” she whispers, her voice slightly thick.

Aaron leans back and holds her face gently in his hands. “Think about it, okay? And take your time. We’ll be here no matter what you decide.”

Emily nods and gives him a wobbly smile.

He brings her back in and kisses her temple. “Have a safe flight, Em.”

She pulls back and lets her hands drop from his body. “Bye,” she waves. They wave back until she turns. Aaron’s forced smile drops from his lips and he wraps his arm around Jack’s shoulders, pulling his son closer to him.

“We’ll see her soon, buddy.” He assures. Aaron doesn’t know if he’s convincing Jack or himself.

****

A few months later when Emily needs Aaron’s help, she takes it as a sign. She focuses on the case first, giving it her full attention until it’s solved and they go out to dinner to celebrate their victory. He doesn’t even have to ask this time, an exchange of glances is all it takes to confirm that she’ll be going home with him tonight.

He kisses her desperately, as if she hadn’t been in his arms just a few months before. When he grips her tightly, Emily’s decision is made. She holds it in though, waiting until he wakes her up the next day with kisses to her neck until she tells him.

“When’s your flight?” He murmurs into her skin. He had accidentally left the blinds open last night, and she’s bathed in golden sunlight. Aaron’s breath catches and he leans forward to kiss her, to hold off the inevitable, to stop both him and her from counting down the hours until she leaves again. 

She pulls back and holds his face in her hands, playing with his hair and kissing the tip of his nose. “I’m not leaving this time.” She tells him.

Aaron’s eyes widen. “Really?” He asks breathlessly.

Emily laughs. “Really.”

He kisses all over her face until the laugh bubbles out of her again. “You’re staying.” He says, as if testing how it feels on his tongue.

“I’m staying.” She confirms. He kisses her again to hold in the I love you that threatens to burst out of him. She’s only just decided to stay; he doesn’t want to scare her away with his confession.

“Aaron,” she breaks the kiss and pushes him back, climbing into his lap.

“Hmm?” He grabs her hips and pulls her closer, nuzzling his face in her neck.

Emily laughs and shies away. “No, no, look at me,” she demands, holding his face in her hands and forcing him to look at her.

Bright brown eyes beam at her, like honey in the sun. “What, sweetheart?” He whispers.

Emily smiles. “I love you.”

Fuck, is this real?

“Pinch me,” he rasps.

Emily shakes her head and laughs. “You’re not dreaming, Aaron. I love you,” she kisses his face, like he did to her before. His cheeks, his forehead, the corner of his mouth. She presses an I love you into his skin with each kiss, until Aaron grabs her face and kisses her so gently, so softly she could cry.

“I love you, Em.”

She beams at him.