*February 18, 1986*

Emily rushed through the halls of the hospital, desperately trying to find an exit, not wanting to face the reality of the decision she had just made. After all, she was fifteen. She couldn't raise a child. No; her mother wouldn't let her.

Elizabeth Prentiss had set forth high expectations for her daughter, and therefore upon learning of Emily's pregnancy, forced her to give the baby up for adoption.

Emily had only asked one thing of the sweet couple that adopted her newborn daughter. That her middle name be Emily, after herself, so a piece of her would be with her daughter at all times. They would be together no matter how far apart they were.

After what seemed like an eternity, Emily Prentiss pushed open the door and nearly fell over onto the lawn of the hospital as she struggled to regain control of her breathing, the bitter winter air only making it harder. Taking a minute to compose herself, Emily walked quickly to the black SUV parked on the corner where her mother had been waiting for her.

"Let's go, mother." She said weakly, as a single tear made it's way down her cheek.

That evening in the hospital was the last Emily Prentiss would see of her daughter, whom the adoptive couple had named Alexandra Emily. And it tore her apart.

*April 1, 2001*

"Lauren Reynolds is dead."

Emily repeated these four words to herself over and over again in an effort to convince herself that there was absolutely no way it was *him.* There was no chance it could be Doyle. After all, he was supposed to be in a high security prison in North Korea, but she wasn't so sure.

Despite having faked her alias' death, Emily knew what Ian Doyle was capable of. She knew he could figure out what she had done and she knew he could find her. He was a hitman and she knew it.

"Lauren Reynolds. Is. Dead." She repeated once again, this time in a hushed tone, as the team had gathered in the conference room to be briefed on their case.

Reid glanced at her, having heard her mumbling, to which she gave a half-hearted smile and turned her attention to Hotch and JJ.

"Alright folks, it seems we'll be heading up to Boston for a missing child case." Hotch said as he motioned for JJ to take her place by the projector.

"Fifteen year old Alexandra Emily Schmidt has gone missing from her family home up in Boston, MA." JJ stated, clicking the cursor twice to bring some images on to the screen.

Emily's heart sunk immediately at the sight of the young girl who she recognized without a doubt.

"Alexandra was last seen yesterday afternoon by her teammates, leaving the soccer field around 4:15pm. According to her mother, Alex never made it home."

Emily stood and reached for a case file, feeling tears welling up in her eyes, unable to process what was happening.

"Boston PD wants our help." Hotch added, as he turned his attention back to the team. "Wheels up in 30."

Emily immediately turned around and rushed out of the Round Table room desperately in need of some air. Her actions did not go unnoticed, however, as JJ saw the emotion in her friend's eyes and sought to follow and talk to her.

Emily rushed down the stairs and out the side door of the BAU, tears falling as she looked up at the stars.

"How?" She thought out loud, "Why her?" not noticing JJ lingering a short distance behind her.

"Em." JJ said softly, reaching out a hand to grab her friend.

"No. Please." Emily responded, now crying harder. "I can't. She stuttered.

"Emily." JJ said seriously, grabbing Emily by the shoulders and turning her around to face her.

"Jayje, please."

"Em, talk to me. You know I know you well enough to know something was wrong before you even walked out of the BAU. Just talk to me, please." JJ spoke softly, rubbing her thumb comfortingly across Emily's arm.

"Jayje, she's... that's... Alexandra Schmidt."

"She's your daughter."

"Yes," Emily choked out, tears streaming freely as she let her walls down in a very un-Emily-Prentiss-like way. "She... I... I was fifteen. My mom made me give her up for adoption." She spoke between sobs. "I never thought I would see her again, and definitely... definitely not.. like this."

"Oh honey," JJ said, wrapping her arms around Emily and pulling her into an embrace. "I'm so sorry. It's okay."

"I just can't... I can't lose her again."

"Shhh, Em, it'll be alright," JJ said, arms still wrapped around her friend, "We'll find her, and we'll find the guy who did this."

Emily sighed, her breathing slowing slightly as she began to calm down. "It's him." She thought to herself. She already knew it had to be him.