Deception - Hotchniss

Chapter 4

"Sir?" Emily stepped into his office, finding him standing inside, rubbing his fingers together subconsciously at his sides.

"I'll do it."

"You-  what?"

"I'll be your, um, boyfriend for the wedding."

Emily took a step back and stared at the man in complete shock. This was certainly unexpected. Before she knew it, she found herself asking him why he would do this for her.

"You need a date, and you thought of me. What kind of friend would I be if I turned you away? Besides, you have helped me through far more difficult situations," he answered, his expression unwavering.

Emily swallowed thickly as he referred to his ex wife. Hayley was living with her fiancé in Vermont now, from what she understood. They got divorced nearly three years ago, and Hotch had moved on.

"Hotch, are you sure? Because I don't know if you completely understand what you're getting yourself into with my family. . ."

"I worked for your mother for years. I have a pretty good understanding of how your family works," he said through a tight lipped smile.

"Thank you," she said, feeling a tidal wave of relief wash over her as she registered that this conversation had been completely in her favor, which was much to her surprise. "So much."

Hotch smiled softly, subconsciously asking himself what in the world he had gotten himself into. "When is the wedding?"

"At the end of September," she replied nervously.

"Okay, so that leaves us with a little over two months to get to know each other."

Emily narrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"Well, if i'm going to be your boyfriend, I should probably know a lot about you," he answered with the smallest hint of a smile.

"Hotch, you're my boss, and well, my friend. You already do know a lot about me."

"I know about what you tell me as your boss. If we're going to pull this off, I have to know you as a friend- well, more than a friend," he said, practically watching as Emily's brain processes this. "I mean, what makes you tick. Your favorite food, your family and friends."

It was only now when Emily realized what she'd done. Not only did she embarrass herself in front of her boss by asking him to be her fake boyfriend, but now she had to get to know him on an intimate level.

"Are you sure that you still want to do this? Because we can put it behind us like nothing happened."

"No, you're right. I just- I didn't realize how much of a commitment this is going to be."

Hotch tipped his head and smiled.

"How about we meet up at some point within the next two months and talk about it?"

"Hm," Hotch clicked his tongue in disagreement. "I don't think this is a one and done situation, Emily. I am going to be your boyfriend. Er- fake boyfriend."

"Okay, so we set up a couple of dates to get to know each other. How about every Friday?"

"I'll be there," he said a little too quickly. "If we're not on a case, that is."

"Okay, great." The two of them stood there, smiling at one another for the next few moments. "What about the team? Should we tell them?"

"No," he answered quickly. "We're never going to hear the end of it."

"Right."

"How about we talk more about this on Friday?" he asked, looking out over the bull pen through his window.