A/N – So this is the sequel to Tempe Secrets, Emily & Hotch trying hard to establish their relationship and Natasha about to start at Georgetown. As ever I don't own anything...

Chapter 1 – Alpha

Dropping her bag onto the floor as the door shut behind her, Emily's eyes instantly shot to the alarm panel to her right but she saw that it had already been disabled and a wry smile crossed her face as she saw the empty water bottle laying sideways on the kitchen worktop and her daughter's running trainers strewn across the floor. Emily walked into the kitchen and immediately tidied up the clutter that Natasha had left before her eyes caught the clock on the oven as it clicked around to 5pm and the lack of sleep suddenly dawned on her, quickly Emily poured and drank a glass of water before she picked up her bag and walked up the stairs, the sound of water running got louder as she reached the top. Emily headed straight to her bedroom, dropping her bag at the end of the bed before she collapsed on the bed, she closed her eyes but she didn't fall asleep.

Natasha turned the shower off and quickly dried herself off before she walked across to her bedroom, humming to herself as she pulled on her underwear, a pair of jogging bottoms and one of her mom's FBI t-shirts.

"I hope you haven't left your sweaty clothes on the bathroom floor!"

Natasha immediately jumped at the sound but almost instantaneously relaxed as her mother's voice rang out.

"Umm, sorry mom!"

Natasha ran out of her room and stood in the doorway of the other bedroom as Emily opened her eyes and slowly turned her head towards her daughter.

"I wasn't expecting you home until later, I thought I'd have time to clear up before then!"

"It's ok, I'm just glad to be home."

Natasha slowed walked into the room, she saw the sad look etched on her mom's face as she watched the hazelnut eyes move and stare up at the ceiling. Natasha walked around and climbed onto the bed, lying next to her mom as she slipped her hand into her mother's grasp and shivered slightly as she felt the cold skin.

"I'm glad you're home too."

Natasha rested her head on her mom's shoulder, she knew not to ask any questions, that her mother would talk when she was ready.

Emily opened her eyes, blinking them several times as she tried to focus, her mind slightly disorientated as she realised where she was. Turning her head Emily noticed that it was now dark outside and that she was in the comfort of her own bed with the warmth of Natasha still laying beside her.

"Hey."

Natasha moved her head as she spoke, using her elbow to prop herself up on the bed as she looked at her mother's tired eyes.

"Sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That's ok, you looked like you needed the rest. Do you want me to get you something to eat?"

Emily placed her hand over her mouth as she yawned, her stomach growling loudly in unison.

"Thanks sweetie that sounds great. I think I'm going to go and grab a shower."

Natasha smiled as she swung her legs off the bed, her bare feet padding across the floor before she stopped at the door and turned back.

"Pasta?"

"With Granddad's sauce?"

"Of course."

Natasha grinned as she saw a smile creep across her mother's face, satisfied that the memories of the last cast were slowly ebbing away Natasha carried on walking down towards the kitchen.

The smell was intense as Emily walked out of the bathroom and back into her bedroom, the contents of her bag were strewn on the bed as Emily gathered up the clothes and dumped them in the laundry basket without even sorting whether or not they were clean or dirty, she then quickly repacked the bag, having learnt early on in her BAU career that it was always good to be prepared. Only after that job had been done did she throw on some clothes and followed the enticing smell downstairs. Emily walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of red wine and two glasses, taking them over to the dining table where Natasha was laying the table

"It smells wonderful."

"Thanks mom, do you feel better?"

"Well a little bit more awake."

"Good, sit down, you probably haven't eaten properly since you left."

Emily went to open her mouth but as she saw Natasha raise an eyebrow she just grinned.

Natasha pushed her plate away and stood up.

"Couch?"

"Definitely, leave the plates I'll sort them out in the morning."

Emily refilled the glasses with the last of the wine as she followed her daughter over as they sat down together, with Natasha curling her legs up and tucking her toes underneath her mother's legs.

"So you filled out the forms?"

"Yes, I hand delivered them."

"Good."

Emily nodded as she spoke, glad that Natasha was returning to college but also relieved that she had decided to apply to nearby Georgetown and was happy to continue living with her.

"But if you ever need some space, you know for you and Aaron, then you only need to say the word, Garcia has said that I am more than welcome to crash at her place."

Natasha smiled as she spoke, watching her mother's reaction carefully as she shook her head.

"Sometimes Natasha I think that you have been spending far too much time with Morgan! You know that Aaron and I are taking things slowly, not just because of our jobs but we've also got you and Jack to think about."

"Mom I'm twenty one years old! You're happy, Aaron's happy, Jack's ecstatic and adores you!"

"Yes well, I've been hurt too many times Natasha especially lately, I'm not going to be burnt again."

Natasha sighed as she moved down the couch and hugged her mom.

"Sorry mom, I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's ok sweetie, I'm just tired. I'm going to go up, you won't stay up too late?"

"No I want to go for a run first thing."

"Ok."

Emily gently lifted Natasha's head up and kissed her daughter on the cheek.

"Night mom."

"Night sweetie, I love you."

"I love you too."

Natasha let go as Emily dragged her exhausted body up to bed, grabbing the remote Natasha flicked on the television, quickly turning the volume down as she searched for something to watch. Finally Natasha settle on watching Project Runway and she picked up her iPad, checking her email as she semi-watched the program. After sending an email to Garcia Natasha rested the tablet on her lap and made herself comfortable, engrossing herself in the program until her iPad suddenly started vibrating. Quickly Natasha picked it up and concentrated on the screen, her heart pounding hard and fast as she realised that it was Garcia's program that had been activated and her grandmother was on the move.