Hotchniss One-Shots

goodbye

Background text: Hotch and Emily had been dating for a few years before the return of Ian Doyle. After her hospitalisation and Doyles escape she search for refuge abroad, while the team is left heartbroken and in search for Doyle. Emily has been in hiding for 2 years already and is starting to loose hope of ever returning home.

December 6th 2016

"we never got the chance to say our last goodbye" she cries

Previously, December 4th 2016

Emily sits staring at the storm raging outside of the Parisian apartment she'd been cooped up for what feels eternity. It's been 1002 days since she has seen her family, since she's been home, since she's been with Aaron. With the wine swirling in her glass, she raises it to her mouth, gulping down the pinot, as the tears spill track down her cheeks, the rain keeps pouring. Not a day has gone past without her thinking about them, she wonders where Aaron is and how he's now and how that sweet boy, Jack is doing. She often thinks about their picnic dates, their early morning wake up calls and even though she would complain about their work interrupting their personal time, she now would take it back in a moment. She thinks about her friends and how they are doing, she knows Penelope would try and keep the spirits up, that Derek would blame himself, JJ would act like it doesn't bother her, Rossi, well, Rossi, is Rossi, he'd mourn in private, and Spencer, that poor boy, he'd all ready been through so much. With the thought of hurting her family, a silent sob escapes her throat. Standing up from the window, Emily walks over to the island bench pouring herself another glass of Goldeneye Ten Degrees Pinot Noir, her favourite since she's been in France. As she walks back to the couch, she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her eyes surrounded with dark circle, her health has significantly deteriorated, she's lost weight, her mental health was spiralling and she hasn't slept well in well over two years. Shaking her head, Emily walks back to the large window and sits down with a heavy sign. pulling open the drawr next to the couch she smiles through her tears as she stares down at the photo of her and Aaron. Jack had taken in of the two brunets while they were at the park one afternoon, it was her favourite. She was smiling up at him, while he gazed into her brown eyes. She turns on her record player and listens as Stevie Nicks sings the opening line of Silver Springs. it was one of her and Aarons favourite songs, in the early stages of their relationship they quickly bonded over their shared love for Fleetwood Mac and The Beetles. her mind starts drifting again and she wonders how she will ever love anyone again, like she loved Aaron. She continues her routine of staying up late and well into the early hours of the morning, listening to old records. Emily has convinced herself that she is alright, she knows she has to move on, but it hurts to try. While staying in Paris, she has found it hard to trust anyone. she's made a few friends here and there but she never gets close, scared of being found out.

A sharp knock pulls her out of the thoughts, her reaction as quick as always she reaches for her .45 and slowly creeps toward the door.

"Прага" she hears him whisper
Prague was their code word for situation like the one their are facing currently

Unlocking the several deadbolts on the front door, Emily swings the door open, urging Clyde in

"What are you doing here!" "Are you insane?" Emily whispers

"Relax Emily, I know what I'm doing" he says embracing her

"You've gotten thin darling"

"Please don't start" she begs

"Now, please.. what are you doing here" Emily breathes out exhaustedly

"He was tracked down in DC, the suit shot him square in the eyes"

"Without hesitation I might add" the brit continues

Emily just continued to stare back at him, her bright hopeful eyes, once filled with joy, now drained and destroyed

"You're going home Em"

in a act of desperation she grabs onto Clyde before she falls apart on her kitchen floor.

December 5th 2016

An unsettling, cold breeze blows through her hair as she opens the SUV door, her black boots crunching on the pure white snow. A few meter in front of her, 2 CIA agents, walk to the front door of the house she once share with Aaron. She lets out a slight huff, remebering all the years she was escorted to her own home as a young girl. Shutting the car door, her heart starts beating heavily and her throat tightens.

The agents knock on the dark oak door, waiting for a response, she hangs back, scared for the reaction that might come.

"Agent Hotchner?" one agent speaks up as the door opens

"Yes? Can I asked what you are doing here?"

"Aaron?" she speaks up

The couple makes eye contact as the agents move aside. They both pause for a moment, unsure if this is actually happening.

"Em?" his voice breaks as he steps out

He almost doesn't recognise her, her hair had grown out since he'd last seen her, and it was evident she hadn't been sleeping. But the most notisable was her weight, even with the large cardigan she had on, Aaron could tell that she was even thinner that she was before.

"oh Emily" Aaron rushes forward, running down the steps as Emily starts moving towards him

He hugs her tighter than her has ever before, while she clings to him, the state of emotionless she's been stuck in for suddenly dissipates as both of their tears pour down.

"I never thought I'd come back" she chokes out

"I tried Em, everyday, I made a promise for myself, for Jack, for us" Aaron says as he cups her face

"we never got the chance to say our last goodbye" she cries

"it's never goodbye" he kisses her forehead

"never again" she says looking up at him, raising her hand, she smoothes her fingers over the beard he'd grown. Raising to her toes Emily leans up and kissing him. A light peck, but it's something they both needed as reassurance. Aaron intertwines their hands as they continue sharing a moment of comfort. The first they had in a while.

The pair stood in the snow, shivering as they embraced each other. Nothing could tear them apart. Not now, not ever again. They had a lot to work through, and they would get to that. But for now, all they needed was one another.

Authors Note:

I'm back!!! I will be updating when I can, and I'm so happy to be writing again. I've taken a while to deal with my mental health and to deal with everything happening in our world at the moment. I hope everyone is staying safe and taking care of themselves. Remember to put yourself first <3