"I'm getting eaten up over here." As soon as Strauss brought up their little 'exercise' Garcia has been less than pleased.
Things only got worse as Struass explained that they'd spend a week in Virginia's woods.
Emily could see the worry slap it's self across Hotch's face and she knew he was worried about their relationship slipping out.
Emily, who'd been nonchalantly watching Morgan and Hotch chopping the firewood they'd need for the fire, whispers," if you'd shut up you'd see this spectacular view."
Hotch had given in to a short pit stop to 711 half way through their trip and JJ graciously dumped half a bottle of Vodka between them on their cherry slushies.
JJ is still feeling her buzz. "Jesus," she mumbles as Hotch finally sheds his flannel for his white shirt. They'd watched Morgan pull off his shirt as soon as they got out of the car. And talk about a hallelujah.
"Who new?" Garcia whispers in complete shock.
Emily, who's buzz is fading, giggles," I did."
Surprising all the women Rossi answers,"nooo. You and..."
Emily giggles again but stops when both Morgan and Hotch look up from their axes.
Even Rossi turns away with the girls trying to seem innocent.
"We need to go back to the car," Hotch shouts to them swinging his axe into the stump in front of him. "I'll need someone to help."
JJ pushes Emily forward," Emily'll help, Hotch."
It's obvious to everyone that the blondes are drunk and even more obvious that Rossi's canteen isn't full of water.
"Hotch," Morgan shakes his head," I'll get the stuff from the car.. You and Emily can gather up some smaller sticks for the fire."
_¡|《》|¡_
"Where the hell are we?"
Fuck, he wishes he knew. "My guess? Probably about a mile away from camp."
Emily let's out an exasperated sigh," can you find our way back?"
The sky is only getting darker and it's going to make it harder to get back. "It's getting dark, Emily. We should probably just stay where we are."
Emily spots a larger tree just a couple feet in front of them and seats down on a protruding root. "You were defenatly a boy scout."
Hotch puffs but seats down on the next root over," how have you come to that conclusion?"
Emily rolls her eyes," are you kidding me? You're easy. You collected pennies, Hotch. You're a theater geek that can't act. Of course you were a boy scout."
Hotch leans back against the tree," I ran track in high school."
Emily smiles at him," track. Right makes sense. Long legs." Emily bits her lip and looks around the woods.
She leans back against the tree, there's only inches separating them.
"I can't believe we're lost."
Hotch doesn't answer so she watches him trace the woods with his eyes for anything threatening.
The cool August air sends a shiver down Emily's back and she moves her side against him," are we going to tell them?"
He moves his arm but not towards her.
"Aaron," she whispers and takes his hand," I know it makes you nervous but we need to tell them eventually."
He tilts his head down and leans it against hers," why? You know how my marriage ended. You know I can't change... why?"
Emily wraps an arm around his waist," Aaron, Haley fell in love with a nerdy high school kid you auditioned for a play to impress her. She didn't marry a Unit Chief dedicated to the job." Emily kisses the skin under his ear," I fell in love with the Unit Chief who loves his son and thinks he's good enough for me." She moves the hand from his waist to his cheek," well news flash, sir. I decide who's good enough for me."
A stick breaks only feet from them and Hotch jumps up armed with a branch to defend Emily and himself.
"Wo! Wo! Wo!" Rossi throws his arms up as he passes through a clearing to find Hotch ready to kill.
"Dave!" Emily runs past Hotch to hug Rossi," bless you, you Italian God!"
Morgan's laugh finally makes it click in Hotch's brain and he drops the stick. "You were just supposed to collect some firewood, guys. Not get lost."
Emily rolls her eyes and shoves him," shut up and help us back to camp."
Not a single person misses Emily lag behind and grab Hotch's hand as they march back.
Rossi even smiles proudly at the brunette couple. He just wonders what happened for the two to finally come out with their little thing.
Tomorrow's prompt is "Pet Names"... if you have any suggestions you can drop it in the comments!
-SH
