#chp.9

"I know it was stupid but if she didn't hate me then I wouldn't have been able to stay away. Dave, I can't, no I won't let Emily end up like Haley." He took a breath "an Unsub threatened her while we were dating and it got to me. Everyone I care about gets hurt and I will not let the only woman that I can't live without get hurt. I know you will say it's not true but it is. Now I think I can live without being able to touch her or hold her but I can't live without her breathing on this earth. And if her being alive and… her being happy means I have to stay away then I will." Hotch wiped at his eyes tearing up. "Dating Beth was just to make sure Emily was safe, in a way."