Hm. Got an idea here. Just from the top of my head, totally not thought through, but still.
As far as I can see it, Hotch would never get involved with Emily while they're still on the same unit. He just wouldn't, it's unethical and unprofessional, not only they're co-workers but because he's her boss. So in order for them to get together one of them has to leave the BAU. But if Hotch really cares about Emily, he won't let her sacrifice the job she fought for so hard and is so good at for his sake and the sake of their romance. As her boss, he has the necessary resources to stop her. So what I'm thinking is that if the push finally comes to shove, he just might take the promotion or get a transfer. Here are the reasons as I see them:
1. Family is of a great value to him, has always been (I still believe that he might have left in the beginning of season 3 if Gideon had shown up to take charge of the team) and after what happened this season this value could only grow. So if he ever gets another chance of having a family again, he might take it.
2. Before this season there was no one who could leave the team if Hotch left and he knew it. As I said above I still believe it to be the main reason he stayed on with the BAU when Haily so desperately wanted him to leave. He wanted to stay, sure, but the fact that the team needed him was a much stronger reason than his own wish. Now there's Morgan who proved he can be entrusted with the leadership so Hotch is no longer irreplaceable and he knows it.
3. If he and Emily do even so little as admit to each other their hypothetical feelings, they still won't be able to work together after that. It would be unprofessional (and they both are enough of a pro to know that) and compromising to the job. One of them would have to leave anyway, breaking up the unit - so it seems only sensible to make the best of a not very good situation and at least stay together as a couple, because otherwise the unit would be broken up for nothing.
And, btw, come to think of it, I'd really love to read that kind of story: where Hotch and Emily get together, but it's him who leaves the BAU, and she stays on. I don't know, it just feels right to me for some reason. :) Like, more "in canon" than the other way round. :)
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As far as I can see it, Hotch would never get involved with Emily while they're still on the same unit. He just wouldn't, it's unethical and unprofessional, not only they're co-workers but because he's her boss. So in order for them to get together one of them has to leave the BAU. But if Hotch really cares about Emily, he won't let her sacrifice the job she fought for so hard and is so good at for his sake and the sake of their romance. As her boss, he has the necessary resources to stop her. So what I'm thinking is that if the push finally comes to shove, he just might take the promotion or get a transfer. Here are the reasons as I see them:
1. Family is of a great value to him, has always been (I still believe that he might have left in the beginning of season 3 if Gideon had shown up to take charge of the team) and after what happened this season this value could only grow. So if he ever gets another chance of having a family again, he might take it.
2. Before this season there was no one who could leave the team if Hotch left and he knew it. As I said above I still believe it to be the main reason he stayed on with the BAU when Haily so desperately wanted him to leave. He wanted to stay, sure, but the fact that the team needed him was a much stronger reason than his own wish. Now there's Morgan who proved he can be entrusted with the leadership so Hotch is no longer irreplaceable and he knows it.
3. If he and Emily do even so little as admit to each other their hypothetical feelings, they still won't be able to work together after that. It would be unprofessional (and they both are enough of a pro to know that) and compromising to the job. One of them would have to leave anyway, breaking up the unit - so it seems only sensible to make the best of a not very good situation and at least stay together as a couple, because otherwise the unit would be broken up for nothing.
And, btw, come to think of it, I'd really love to read that kind of story: where Hotch and Emily get together, but it's him who leaves the BAU, and she stays on. I don't know, it just feels right to me for some reason. :) Like, more "in canon" than the other way round. :)
I don't know if I'm making any sense here. :)