Conversations (A Hotchniss fanfic!)

Anytime..

It had been another long case, and the flight back seemed to last an eternity. Once back in the BAU Bullpen, the agents grabbed whatever they needed from their desks and headed home under hotch's orders. He told the team to go home and get some rest, rest that they were all in need of. That didn't include him however. He went up to his office and sat behind his desk and began his paperwork, as a unit chief, the work never ends. That was one of the main things that led to the brake down of his marriage. The long hours he worked and all the away cases took its toll on Haley and filed for a divorce. She had full custody of Jack - their son - but he had the right to see him whenever he wanted, and whenever he could. He missed having the company. Going home to an empty house didn't feel right. He missed Haley, god knows he missed having jack around all the time. He was missing parts of jacks' life that really mattered, but he knew that by fighting the monsters in the world, he was making it safer for Jack and all his friends. He was so distracted in his thoughts he hadn't heard the knock at the door. He was surprised to say the least when he looked up and saw Agent Prentiss standing half way between the corridor and in his office....

"Sorry, I did try and knock, but you were deep in thought..."

"Sorry, it's just these cases, the work load, it gets to me sometimes... Is there something I can do or help you with Prentiss?"- Hotch looked up at her and watched her walk towards him and sit across the desk from him in one of his spare chairs.

"No nothing like that at all, I was just about to leave and I saw you were still here, I just came to see you were alright? I know how hard the cases can get and you just want to lock yourself away and deal with it all on your own, but if I can tell you anything, it's that keeping it all to yourself all the time isn't such a good idea. We all go through it and we're a family. If you ever want to talk, any of us would be happy to listen.. Including me!"

She studied his face, he was lost for words at what she just said. For all the time she has known him she has never seen him like this. It was like no one had ever offered to listen to him before, she waited for his response.

"I know I should talk to people, hell it's partially that that broke up my marriage! It's just hard to offload to people, and here's me offloading to you, I'm sorry, you really should be at home resting. We've had a rough few days with that case. Go home and get some sleep Emily"

She couldn't tell you one time he had called her Emily. Ever since her first day her name has been 'Prentiss'. Nevertheless, she was not going to leave him alone.

"There is no need to appoligize Hotch, especially not to me. I can't begin to know what it's like to go through a divorce from person you love, but I know what it's like to keep the weight of the world on your shoulders. When Doyle vanished from prison and made his way back into my life, I had to keep it all with me all the time. He threatened all of you and I had to keep you safe. If I could have told someone and avoided all that happened I would, and I'm here to listen to whatever you have to say."

Hotch was no idiot, he knew how hard it was for Emily to talk of her encounters with Ian Doyle. It was him who nearly killed her. She was really opening up to him and he could tell it was an uncomfortable subject. He tried his best not to profile her she was biting her nails which she only did when she was nervous or stressed. He stood from his chair and guided her to the couch, so they could sit together not over a desk, that way it didn't seem so professional.

Emily followed without thinking and sat facing him. His eyes darkened as he locked hers. He sat with one leg tucked another with one arm along the back of the couch.

"I've always been with Haley, since high school. I always thought we'd be together. When she told me she was pregnant I was over joyed. I rose through the ranks of the FBI to where I am now and I know there's more to come in the future. The pressure of the job became too much for her to handle on her own. I've never told anyone this but when Strauss suspended me, Haley asked me to resign or swap to another unit in the bureau, and I nearly did. But there was something in my mind that was telling me I couldn't leave. I miss seeing jack every day and I hate going home to an empty house at night but I know that I couldn't have left the team."

Emily could see the tears beginning to fill his eyes and un -consciously she grabbed his hand and stared directly into his deep dark eyes.

"I won't pretend to understand, and I won't tell you that I've experienced anything like what you have because I haven't. I can tell you that you are a fantastic father to jack, and a fantastic leader of this team. We see so much terror on a daily basis and you keep the whole unit together. You are the BAU. Hayley shouldn't have made you choose between your family and your work. That was wrong of her. I promise you though, by doing this job you are creating a safer world for jack to grow up in! That Is all anyone can ask of a parent to protect their children. I can also promise you that you will find love again. There is someone perfect out there for every one of us. Just because you've had Haley doesn't mean that you have blown your chance. There is someone out there, who will connect with you and you will know when its love. And they may even be able to make you smile, and you can show off your dimples."

Hotch smiled at her words, his dimples on full show.

"Emily I, I can't begin to thank you for staying here and talking to me. I shouldn't have had to off load to you, but I'm glad to have talked to someone."

"Any time hotch, I'm always here for you. And I hope you know that." - She smiled and so did he.

He stretched his arms out for her to move into him for a hug, which she did. He wasn't blind. Emily Prentiss was a very intelligent, sophisticated and beautiful woman who had always been there for him. She had proven herself to him and to the rest of the team since the day she joined the unit. There had always been a part of him that cared for her, but since they worked together and he was her superior he wasn't going to let anything happen between them. But right now, he had her in his arms. She fit perfectly against him and she understood the pressure of the job, the hours they worked, the horror they saw on a regular basis. Could she be the one?

The hug had lasted longer than they both expected but it didn't bother either of them. They were happy in each others arms, just holding one another. It was her who broke away to sit upright again. They were still staring into each others eyes and before they could say anything he pulled her head towards him and kissed her passionately. They broke apart when the lack of oxygen became a problem and just sat grinning at each other.

"Thank you, for everything, Agent Emily Prentiss" He said laughing a little flashing his dimples.

"Anytime Aaron Hotchner" She said with a smirk.