This chapter is the first in a series of chaoters based on my fic 'Fallback'. You don't have to have read it to read this, but if you have the time, it may be worth it. But for those who haven't the basic idea is that Derek and Emily have been having a 'relationship' since not long after she joined the BAU. It's not a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, but they basically keep going back to each other, convincing themselves it's nothing more than 'friends with benefits'. There's a bit more to it, but it's too much to explain (read Fallback ;))

Chapter 1: Demonology 4x17

"Let's get him out of here." Hotch said, taking the arm of Father Silvaro and guiding him away.

As her partner turned to walk away, the words fell out of her mouth, "Thank you." She called to him.

He immediately turned to face her, a serious stare boring into her for a short while and she wondered what he was thinking, but then he spoke, "Always." He uttered with conviction, continuing to stare her.

She felt a little jolt shoot through her chest; He had no idea what that word meant to her, but she knew what it meant to him…

~~CM~~

She took the final sip from the hot coffee cup she had had her hands wrapped around for the past half hour.

"You done with that Miss?" The silver haired man asked, stopping momentarily from mopping the floor of the otherwise empty café.

"Yes, thank you." She smiled, "What time is it please?"

He glanced at the watch on his wrist. "Nearly half past midnight."

"That late?" She said surprised, "I better be getting out of your way."

"Oh no rush dear. I'm open for another hour, but it is late. Don't tell me you have no man at home waiting for you. No one wondering where you are?"

Emily looked downward, a shy, tiny smile forming on her lips, "No." She uttered.

The old man shook his head, "What is wrong with young men nowadays? There is something wrong when a lovely thing like you hasn't got someone waiting for her at home."

"Thank you." She said warmly, "But I really am fine."

"If you say so." He chuckled with a wink before continuing along the length of the deserted café.

She began to stand, picking her coat from the back of her seat.

"Oh, let me." The man said returning to her and taking the jacket from her hands. He held it up and she slipped her arms in.

"Thank you. I guess you're one of the few gentlemen left eh?" She laughed lightly.

"There's no other way to treat a lady like you Miss."

"Emily." She said

"What?"

"My name is Emily." She told him, turning to face him as she did up the buttons of her coat.

"Well, it's lovely to meet you Emily." He replied with a tiny bow of his head, "Now make sure you wrap up warm. It's pretty bleak out there. You haven't got far to go have you?"

"No. Not too far."

"Take care Emily."
"You too George." She said glancing at the name badge pinned to his shirt, before making her way outside into the snow still beating down.

~~CM~~

She had walked for twenty minutes, but it felt like two hours. The snow was coming down harder and she could barely feel her hands or toes. She felt a small wave of relief flow over her as she turned the corner and her apartment building came into view.

Encouraged, she picked up her pace, rummaging around in her pocket for keys, her fingers barely functioning from the bitter cold. As she found them and looked back up towards the front door, she saw a figure sat in the entrance way, back against the wall, arms wrapped around himself and head bowed down.

She rolled her eyes with a concerned sigh…. A homeless guy out in this weather. It would break her heart to walk straight past him. But as she got closer, she frowned, recognising the man's frame.

She stood over the sleeping man and shook her head. What was he doing?

"Derek." She said softly, bending down and placing a hand gently on his shoulder.

He began to stir and she could see his lips had began to turn blue and his teeth were chattering.

"Hey." She continued, "Come on. You need to come inside."

His eyes squinted towards her as he began to focus, the cold having taken over his senses, "Emily?" He said, his voice gravely and tired.

"Yes. What are you doing?"

"You didn't answer your cell. I didn't know where you were." He mumbled as he got to his feet.

"I just went for a walk."

"I was worried." He whispered, staring into her, "Rossi said you didn't want a lift home and it's been hours."

"Well I'm ok." She half smiled, "You didn't have to wait out here."

"I did." He told her.

"Ok." She said with a small roll of the eyes and a tiny smirk, "Let's get inside. It's freezing."

He rubbed his hands frantically as he entered her apartment, blowing on them as he turned to face her.

He watched her dead bolt the door and remove her coat, hanging it on a hook to the side.

"You ok?" He asked softly as she turned to face.

She nodded, pressing her lips together as she subdued a thankful smile.

"Are we ok?" He muttered, a nervous swallow rippling his throat.

She took a step forward, this time allowing the smile to form completely, "Of course we are. I know I was hard on you. I was just…."

"Upset about your friend." He interrupted, "I get that and I don't blame you. But I was honestly only looking out for you. I will always have your back."

"Derek I know and I'm sorry I said what I did."

"I don't want you to be sorry. I understand why you said it, I just want you to believe it."

"I do." She whispered.

"Really?" He said with an expectant raised brow.

"Really." She assured.

"Come here then." He uttered, holding his arms out to her.

She smiled into his eyes and then closed the gap between them, her arms snaking round his waist and her head falling onto his chest.

She closed her eyes and breathed in his embrace she had missed over the past few weeks. But she was quickly bought back into the moment as she felt his body shudder against him.

"You're frozen." She said, her words muffled as she spoke into his jacket.

"I'm fine." He dismissed.

"Well, may be a hot shower would be a good idea." She said, pulling away from him.

"Come on." She urged, gripping his ice cold hand and leading him to the bathroom.

He shed his clothes as she turned the heavy spray on and the temperature right. He quickly stepped in to the large shower unit and turned to face her. "Hey, you coming in?"

"Derek." she sighed, "I'm not in the mood. I'm tired."

She watched his brow furrow and his wounded eyes stare at her, "That's not why I was asking. I wouldn't after what you've been though today. Jeez Emily…" He uttered, shaking his head with closed eyes as he rubbed his head that was pounding from the chill. "You're just as cold as me and….."

He opened his eyes and stopped mid sentence as she stripped off her shirt and threw it on the floor behind her.

He smiled invitingly as she shred the last of her clothing and took his hand, stepping in and facing him.

"I'm sorry." She said, cupping his face in her hands, "I know you haven't got a one track mind."

She smiled and reached up to press a gentle kiss to his lips, before wrapping her arms around him.

They let the hot water beat down on their naked skin; It stung at first from the contrast of the hot liquid against their freezing cold bodies, but in no time they were warmed up. He ran his hands up and down her long back, letting them eventually rest on her shoulders and immediately felt the tension in them.

"Turn around." He whispered.

She did as he said without question, and smiled as she felt his toned, hard chest against her back. As his strong hands gripped her shoulders, she closed her eyes feeling his long fingers massage her flesh and the tension of the long, cold day began to disappear…. Just a little.

He massaged the shampoo in to her long dark hair and she felt his hardness against her back as he did, but not once did he make a move; She knew he wouldn't… And she kind of loved him a little more for that.

"You feeling a bit better?" He whispered into her ear, pressing his lips lightly against her lobe.

She nodded and inhaled deeply as his hands fell to her hips.

"Wait here." He uttered before stepping out of the shower.

Her head was light and fuzzy from the steam and the aromas floating in the air from the shampoo and shower gel he had used on her, so before she could ask him where he was going, he had disappeared from the room.

A couple of minutes later she had finished washing all of the suds from her hair when she heard him enter the bathroom again. He became clearer as he got closer, the steam obscuring her view somewhat. She could see he had a towel round his waist and held another in his hand.

"You done?" He asked with a smile, holding the fabric out in front of him, inviting her to step into it.

"Yeah." She whispered, switching off the shower and then manoeuvring out of the cubicle and into his arms, the fluffy material immediately encircling her body.

She turned and faced him, "Thanks. I really needed that." She smiled, standing on tip toe to kiss his lips gently.

"You're welcome." He muttered, brushing a piece of wayward hair from her face, "Come on." He said, standing behind her and guiding her forward until they reached her sitting room.

The room was dark but for yellow and orange lights flickering all around, and on the floor by the open fire were a bunch of red and cream cushions with the green and blue knitted blanket she had owned for as long as she remembered, draped over them.

She smiled… he knew that was her favourite blanket; they had wrapped it around them the night they had sat on her apartment building roof so she could show him Sirius… the brightest star in the sky. And she had told him all about her grandmother who had knitted that blanket and shown her Sirius for the first time.

She felt the warmth of his body leave hers as he went and sat on the cushions, loosing the towel. She didn't need any encouragement to follow him and sit herself in between his legs. She lay gently back against him and let her head fall against his chest as he threw each edge of the blanket over them, wrapping it tight.

"Comfy?" He asked.

"Yeah." She breathed, the heat from him and the fire encompassing her head.

"So, where you been all night?" He asked, as he lightly rubbed the top of her arm.

He tensed up a little as she remained silent, scared she was about to close up on him and he had just undone all the good he had done over the past hour or so.

But she remained perfectly still and he felt her back press harder against his chest as she took a deep breath.

"Church." She uttered, he only just about hearing her.

"Church?"

He felt a shrug, "I didn't know where else to go."

"I didn't know you went to church." He frowned.

"I don't." She said with certainty, but with a labour to her tone, "Church was a big part of mine and Matthew's past when we were kids. But not a really good part. I dunno." She paused in thought for a tiny second, "May be I went there for answers."

"And did you get them?"

Her hair almost tickled his skin as she shook her head against his chest and silence fell over for them for a short while.

"You know," He began, his tone gentle, but deep and a little hoarse, "Bad things happen to good people Emily. I don't know if God is supposed to be able to stop that."

"We see far too much evil to believe that he could I suppose."

"Yeah." He mused.

Tracing a finger along his arm, she asked, "What do you think? About God I mean."

She heard a breathy chuckle, "I think I'm the wrong person to ask."

"Why?"

"My faith took a big knock many years ago."

She gulped, feeling guilty for even having to ask 'why'. She placed her hand over his and gently rubbed a finger over the rough skin, "I'm sorry Derek." She whispered, not knowing for sure if it were his father or Buford she was apologising for. More than likely both.

"It's ok." He uttered, placing a light kiss to her temple.

"But you did go to church when you were younger didn't you?"

"Yep. Every Sunday, as a family…. Well, up until my father died. After that, I couldn't bring myself to go. I was so angry; My mama tried her best to get me to go at first, but eventually she gave up. Never pushed me again. But I saw the disappointment in her face every week as she and my sisters left to go without me." He paused and she could feel his chest depress as he exhaled labouredly, "I'll never forget the look on her face." He said regretfully.

"I can't imagine your mom could ever be disappointed in you Derek." She told him, the sincerity clear in her tone.

"I'm not sure about that. I wasn't an angel when I was a kid you know."

The brunette laughed lightly, "I bet I'd give you a run for your money in the unruly teenager stakes."

"Somehow, I believe that." He chuckled, "One day, we're comparing notes Miss Prentiss." He teased, lightly squeezing her thigh just above the knee.

"Ok, but I may need some alcoholic inducement before that happens."

"Consider it done."

That little moment took them both somewhere else, just for a few seconds, but in tandem, their smiles began to fade. She pulled her arms in and drew her knees up a little as if trying to make herself smaller, and nestled into his body a little more before speaking once again, "So. Where are you with the whole faith thing now?" She asked gently.

"It's not like I ever stopped believing in God…."

"You were just angry with him." She stated.

"Yeah." He whispered, tugging playfully at a lock of her hair, "You sound like you know the feeling."

"Umm" She hummed thoughtfully.

"Look, I don't know what happened with you, John Cooley and Matthew when you were kids, but I do know that Matthew dying is not your fault."

He saw her shake her head, "You don't know that." She whispered.

"I'm willing to have a bet with you."

"A bet?"

"Yes. That if one day, you ever feel comfortable enough to tell me what did happen when you were kids, I'd still say that this was not your fault." He said with some certainty.

"It's not that I don't feel comfortable to tell you." She started a little desperately, "I just…"

"Hey." He interrupted, "You don't have to justify anything to me. We all have our secrets. And I kinda enjoy getting to know you bit by bit."

"What? It would be boring if I told you everything up front?" She chuckled.

"Nah." He shook his head, "Life with you will never be boring."

She rolled her body round so her forearms were balanced on his chest and her face just a few inches from his;

"Thank you Derek. For this. It's just what I needed."

"Anytime." He whispered. "I mean that." He said, his eyes widening momentarily and his head nodding forward as if it would convince her more.

"I know that." She smiled contemplatively, "And I thought I wanted to be alone tonight. How wrong I was."

"You really should listen to people once in a while Emily Prentiss." He teased.

"Really?" She said with a raised brow. "You mean I should listen to you."

"Yes." He stressed, then leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"Ok. May be I should." She mumbled into him, before twisting and sliding down his body, coming to rest comfortably with her head back on his chest. "But only once in a while." She breathed.

"Ok." He chuckled, pulling the blanket around them tighter, "Goodnight Emily." He whispered.

"Goodnight." She uttered back, sleep beginning to take over. "Oh and…"

"What?" He asked.

"Thank you." She said, wrapping an arm around his waist and resting under his back.

"Always." He replied….. And she thought she could hear him smile as he said that little word that meant so much. And she wondered if he had any idea just how much.

~~CM~~

"Morning sleepy head." He smiled, feeling her begin to stir upon him.

Their bodies were hot and clammy under the blanket, but the fire had gone out and he knew as soon as they removed the material, the cold air would hit their naked flesh.

"Morning." She uttered, turning her head so her face was buried in his chest.

"You ok?"

"Yeah." She muttered into him, then lifting her head to look at him, "Have you gotta get up?"

"No. But I did think we could go somewhere."

"Where?"

"Get showered and you'll see." He said with a wink.

Half an hour later they were both showered and dressed and Morgan stood by her front door. She grabbed her purse and he picked her black, thick duffle coat from the hook and opened it out in front of him.

As she turned to face him, she stood still and smiled.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing." She uttered, her smile broadening before she walked to him and let him help her in to the jacket.

~~CM~~

"We're here." He said nodding and pointing out of the windscreen of his SUV to the tall, gothic looking building.

"Church?" She said, turning to look at him.

He stared at her for a few seconds and he was sure he saw a flash of fear in her dark eyes.

"We don't have to stay Emily. May be this was a silly idea. I just thought that may be together we could…."

He stopped as she turned away from him and stared out of the window.

She watched as the people slowly drifted in to the morning service; The couple trying to keep their two children under control and well behaved. The lone, grey haired woman greeting the priest with a warm, friendly hand shake. The older couple, holding hands, supporting each other up the icy path.

"No. It's ok. Let's go." She said, glancing back at him with a smile before reaching for the door handle.

She rubbed her gloved hands together as she waited for him to lock the car up and jog around the back of the vehicle to join her on the sidewalk.

"C'mon then." He nodded towards the building and held a hand out to her.

She gripped his hand in hers and held on tight as they made along the iced path and then up the frosted steps. As they approached the tall, heavy dark wooden doors, he felt a tug on his arm. He turned to see she had stopped.

"What's up?" He asked.

He watched as she shook her head just slightly, but quickly, "I don't know if I can."

He smiled and looked around, "Tell you what. How about we just sit there." He said, pointing to a small cast iron bench, just barely big enough for two people. "We can just listen."

"Ok." She agreed, following him to the bench.

She huddled next to him and slipped her arm into his, her feet tapping on the floor to keep warm.

"We can go back to the car if you're too cold." He offered.

"No." She said with a shake of the head, the air in between them cloudy as their warm breath hit it, "I wanna stay."

"Ok." He whispered.

"I bet you think I'm pretty lame for not going in there….. Agent Emily Prentiss scared of the inside of a building?" She half chuckled, her teeth chattering from the cold.

He looked at her with a warm smile and snaked his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in closer, "Baby steps Emily. Baby steps." He muttered.

She lay her head on his shoulder and they sat in silence for a while, listening to the muffled voice of the priest giving the sermon.

"What you thinking?" He asked, sensing her mind had wandered away.

"Nothing really, just being silly."

"Tell me." He urged.

"Where do you think Matthew is now? I mean, his soul. Do you think it just dies?"

"Wow. That's deep." He lightly chuckled.

"Sorry. I told you it was silly."

"No. It's not. But honestly? I really don't know. But I'd like to think my father's out there somewhere, knowing what I've done with my life."

"Yeah. I'd like to think that too." She pondered.

"Listen." He began, "Like I said before, I don't know what happened with you and Matthew all those years ago, but I know he meant a lot to you and I know that he would be very proud of what you did for him yesterday."

"Too little too late." She said, a defeat in her tone.

"No Emily." He urged, parting their bodies to look at her, "We all have demons. We all have bad things happen to us and we all have choices. You couldn't be responsible for him for the whole of his life."

She bit her bottom lip and averted his gaze, looking downward and he responded by placing one finger under her chin and lifting so she was looking at him once again. "Life sometimes deals us a shitty hand Emily. I don't know if it's evil, if it's God, if it's human nature or the natural order of things. Those questions will probably never be answered. But one thing I do know, is that it's not you. You're a good person." He told her in a deep, serious tone.

She glanced up at him, a small thankful smile forming on her lips, "May be we can come back another day and actually go in next time."

His eyes lit up as his face smiled, "Sure." He said, standing up and offering his hand once again, "Come on."

"Where we going now?"

"I'm taking you for pancakes. I'm pretty sure you haven't eaten anything in over twenty four hours."

She raised a brow.

"Well tell me I'm wrong." He said with a small shake of the head.

She rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a shy smile, before taking a step forward and encouraging him to walk on.

As they walked down the steps and along the path, she looked at Derek Morgan. No one had known her like he did since Matthew. No one had shown this want to look after her and protect her like he did since Matthew… She wondered what demons Derek had…. What secrets. She wondered how he would feel about her if he knew all of hers.

But she was content too, to get to know him bit by bit…. Content to have this man in her life…. who did want to wait for her at home when she was out. Who did worry about where she was. Who was a gentleman, always treating her as lady.

She couldn't bare to lose him as she had Matthew…..

So what do you think? I would like to do some stories in the Fallback series based on certain episodes. So if you have any requests, let me know.

I'm in the mood at the moment to write oneshots, so if you have any other requests or prompts (Fallback based or not) just let me know…..

Oh and I will continue Our Fight too ;)