Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to anything

I actually wrote this yesterday. Posting this is quite hard after hearing today's horrible news. I'm feeling very sad right now!

Family

Garcia came bounding into the bullpen carrying a box wrapped in bright pink paper, with a massive purple bow. Emily saw her coming and couldn't help but smile at her, but was also cringing at the embarrassment she was about to encounter, especially with the balloon Garcia had trailing behind her.

"Happy Birthday my favourite, kick ass profiler!" she said as she handed Emily the present and gave her a big Garcia kiss.

"Hey baby girl, I'm supposed to be your favourite!" Morgan interrupted.

"Morgan, Emily is both a Goddess and a salsa dancer as I recently found out! That makes her my favourite. Deal with it!"

"Salsa dancing?" Morgan said raising an eyebrow at Emily. Once again he thought how much he didn't know about this woman!

"Thanks Penelope. Should I open this now?" Emily asked worried that whatever Garcia had got her may not be appropriate for opening in the middle of the bullpen.

"No, you can wait till your party tonight."

"Party? I thought we were just having a drink?"

"Well that's a party….. make sure you're not late!"

Emily wasn't really in the mood for a party. Since getting the news that Ian Doyle was on the run, she really hadn't been in the mood for anything. She had told her team mates about Doyle being on the run, but had totally played down how much danger she was in. She had to tell them as she had to meet up with her old team from Interpol a few times and needed a bit of time away from work. She knew Morgan was already suspicious that there was more to this than she was letting on so she agreed to the party to try and put him off the scent. It would also get Garcia off her back and take her mind off things she guessed.

That night they all went to Garcia's for the 'party'. All the team were there….. Hotch, Rossi, Reid, Morgan, Garcia and JJ! Garcia had managed to keep JJ a secret from Emily all day and was extremely pleased with herself when she saw the happiness on Emily's face as JJ walked in. They had all had a few drinks and were pretty merry. It had been a long time since they had all let their hair down like this.

Emily watched her team mates and it made her feel warm inside…and the wine certainly helped. She loved times like this…they were all so different to when they were working. At that moment, sat in that room, she realised how much she loved them all. They weren't like her family, they were her family. With everything going on…. the threat that Emily was facing, it made her think about her own mortality. She wanted them all to know how she felt and with the wine swirling round her head, she decided that now was the right time.

Emily took a deep breath, "hey guys".

JJ and Garcia stopped talking and looked at her, but the others didn't hear her.

"Guys!" she raised her voice.

That got all their attention.

"I err….. I know this is a bit weird, and it's probably because of the wine, but I just wanted to say something."

"What's the matter Emily?" JJ said looking concerned.

"Oh no….. nothing's wrong, I just was thinking that I never tell you guys…"

"What? What don't you tell us?" Reid asked.

"Ok, so I'm embarrassed now, but I'm just going to say it anyway…You guys are an amazing bunch of people and I want you to know that I think of you as my family…."

They all were looking at her in shock. It was not very often they saw this side of Emily Prentiss.

"…..Rossi, you're a friend, a confidant and a mentor to me. You believed in me without question at a time I needed someone to believe in me the most. You are like a rock and you always know the right thing to say. You are one of the best listeners I know, not to mention very charming…..whoever turns out to be the final Mrs Rossi will be a lucky lady….."

They all let out a little laugh as Rossi raised his glass and winked at Emily.

"Hotch, you are an incredible leader and teacher. You never fail to amaze me. With everything you have been through, how you get through every day with the drive and integrity you do is beyond me. Jack is a credit to you and if he grows up to be half the man you are, he will be a lucky boy….."

Hotch gave her a small smile, fighting back the thoughts of Hayley.

"Reid, you are the irritating little brother I never had….." and she winked at him…."you are truly one of the most incredible people I have met. I know you will go on to achieve things that most could only ever dream of. And make sure you think about producing some of those baby geniuses we spoke about."

Reis let out a little embarrassed laugh.

"JJ and Pen, you are the sisters I never had. JJ you are incredible….. so together, grounded and truly a loss to this team….believe me when I say it will never be the same without you. Henry is adorable and will no doubt grow up to break as many hearts as you do… Pen, you are the most amazing woman I have the pleasure of knowing. Your ability to see the good in everything and everyone in this dark dark world should be an inspiration to us all. You make me feel good every single day. Please never never change."

Both JJ and Garcia had tears in their eyes…but they were happy tears.

Emily then turned to face Morgan. He was just staring at her. She took a deep breath and they could all see she was now fighting back the tears.

"Morgan… I really don't know where to start…."

"Stop!" Morgan said quietly, but firmly. They all turned to look at him, taken aback by his bluntness.

"What are you doing?" JJ asked annoyed with him.

"Can't you see what she's doing?" he turned to face JJ.

"What are you talking about Morgan? The poor girl is pouring her heart out here…..what's wrong with you?"

"You can't see it?"

Thay all continued to look at him, not knowing what to say.

"She's saying goodbye!" Morgan was almost shouting.

They all turned to look back at Emily, willing her to explain.

She didn't say anything, just looked at Morgan. Pleading with her eyes for him to stop.

Morgan continued…"You're going away aren't you? There's more to this Doyle guy than you've told us right?"

"I….. I have to."

"What do you mean you're going away? What for?" Reid asked her.

"I have to go, just until we find him."

"You mean you're offering yourself up as bait?" Morgan asked her angrily.

She didn't answer him. They all realised that Morgan had got it spot on.

Morgan shook his head and said, "this is bullshit!" and he stormed out of the room.

They all turned to look back at her.

"Is he right Emily?" Rossi asked

"I errrr, I need to go and speak to Morgan." And she walked off after him. They all watched her leave wandering what on earth was going on.

Emily walked down the stairs and out of the apartment building. She found Morgan with both hands up against the wall. He was breathing heavily.

"Hey." She said softly.

He didn't answer her. Just glanced at her and then looked back down at the wall.

She moved over towards him, took hold of one of his arms and pulled him round to face her.

"Why are you so mad with me?"

"Emily, why didn't you tell us how serious this was?"

She looked down and then looked him back straight in the eyes.

"You never let me finish in there."

"I don't wanna hear it. I don't want you to go anywhere."

"Shhh" she said and placed one finger on his lips…. "let me speak…" and he did as he was told.

"From the day I met you, you made me feel a part of this team. You are one of the kindest, sweetest guys I have ever met. I know that the only thing on your mind is to do the right thing. You care about people….you make them feel good. I know there isn't a bad bone in your body…..that's why I always support you without question. I would trust you with my life every day for the rest of my life…" she stopped for a second and swallowed, trying to steady herself….."the truth is, and I know this sounds weird, but you are my best friend…."

"Emily…please, I can't listen to this….."

"Ok…..let me show you then….." and she leaned forward and gave him a sweet kiss. It was the sweetest kiss he had ever had. At that moment, Morgan thought back to all the times they had had together. She had always been loyal to him and she was right, she was his best friend. The truth was, she was the most incredible woman he had ever met.

"Don't go Emily, please….." and he held his forehead to hers.

"I love you Derek Morgan" and she kissed him again, letting it linger for a few seconds….. "C'mon, let's get back to the others." She took hold of his hand and went to lead him back upstairs.

But he tugged her back, "No, you can't say that and then just walk away from me…..if you go away you're signing your own death warrant and you know it."

"I'm not, it'll be fine…." She knew that wasn't true. There was every possibility she wouldn't be coming back. Her old team couldn't guarantee her safety, but it was the only way to stop Doyle and save a whole bunch of other lives. She turned and went to walk back upstairs…..

"What if I told you I love you too…. That you have something to stay for… would you still go?"

Emily stopped dead in her tracks…..