Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

JJ is safe

Later, as they gathered at the bar to celebrate JJ's safety, laughter echoed around them, filling the spaces where silence had lingered too long. Emily scanned the room, taking in the joyful faces of her friends, the warmth of their presence rekindling the flame of belonging within her.

"How much longer do we have you?" Hotch asked, his eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her heart race. She felt a familiar sense of security that she hadn't experienced in years, and the absence of Beth by his side permanently only heightened the connection between them.

"Six hours," she replied, aware of the fleeting nature of their time together, yet unable to ignore the bittersweet longing that filled the air.

"Too soon," Garcia replied, disappointed.

"It's more than we had yesterday," Rossi said.

"I'm just glad I finally got to meet you, I've heard such amazing things" Alex said.

"All lies," Emily bantered.

"No, no more lies," JJ stated. She leaned in to kiss Will with a smile. Everyone looked relieved and happy to be gathered all together. "Nothing but the truth from now on." Hotch took a quick, uncontrollable glance at Emily.

For a little longer than usually the room was filled with laughter and joy, jokes were heard from afar and giggling as well. Everybody stopped thinking about hard times and bad thoughts, memories, but simply enjoyed the moment. It would have been wonderful if it could all stay like that forever.

Rossi chimed in, raising his glass in a toast. "To family," he declared, and as the group lifted their glasses, Emily's gaze met Hotch's once more. The moment stretched between them, rich with unspoken words and emotions that both frightened and exhilarated her.

As they drank, Emily could feel the warmth of the alcohol coursing through her, loosening the knots in her chest. Hotch's eyes held hers, a silent acknowledgment of everything that lay beneath the surface. There was a flicker of something unacknowledged there.

As the night wore on at the bar, the warmth of Rossi's toast still lingered in the air, but Emily could feel the weight of her impending departure pressing down on her. The laughter that had surrounded them began to fade, and she knew it was time to say goodbye. With a bittersweet smile, she stood up, turning the attention of her teammates.

"I should head out," she announced, her voice steady despite the swirl of emotions within her.
A round of heartfelt farewells followed.

JJ hugged her tightly, tears glistening in her eyes. Rossi patted her on the back, a mix of pride and sadness etched on his face. Alex shook her hand and greeted her again. Reid fell into her arms, gripping her tightly. Morgan hugged her too, padding her back and then looked in her eyes once more.

"We'll miss you," he said.

As she stepped away from her friends, a heaviness settled in her chest, knowing she was leaving them again.

When she approached Hotch, she felt a lump in her throat. He looked at her, his expression a mixture of concern and understanding. "How about I drop you off, to your apartment," he offered, his voice low and sincere.

Emily hesitated, grappling with her feelings. Saying yes was an automatic response; it was impossible to deny the comfort and safety she felt around him. "Okay," she replied softly, nodding, knowing it would give her a few more moments with him.

As they walked to his car, the unspoken connection between them crackled in the cool night air. She had spent so much time trying to understand herself during her time in London, sifting through feelings she had buried deep within. Now, it all felt confusingly clear yet unresolved.