AN: This story takes place after my other story Post Minimal Loss. It might be helpful to read that first if you haven't already. There is a reading order list on my profile.

AN2: Normally when I name a piece of work, I pick one name and stick with it. As is evident in Black Cat. However, occasionally, I fight with a piece of work so much that it goes through several different titles. This one in particular was originally called Demonology, but I decided that that would be cheating and so I came up with a new name, Survival. It fits really well because this story is all about surviving. The reason why this story is no longer entitled Survival is because I wanted to name my final chapter "If You Survive". Which happens to be the tattoo that mein Engel has. So I asked permission to use her phrase as my chapter title and then I decided that I liked it so much that I wanted to call the entire work "If You Survive". So here we are. A new story about Emily and Catherine entitled, If You Survive and dedicated to Engel.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds nor do I technically own the title of my story. I don't own Winnie the Pooh either. :)

No one achieves anything alone.

So let's embark on a new journey together.

- Leslie Knope.

Tucking away her cell phone, Catherine walks up to the steps in front of a large stone church. She stops directly in front of Emily's still form and bowed head, humming softly.

Emily doesn't bother to look up; she merely stares at the boots in her line of vision. "Creirwy (kree-ree) how did you find me?" Emily asks quietly, her facial expression warring between delight and consternation.

Catherine bushes off the snow-covered step before sitting now next to Emily, unsuccessfully trying to hide her smirk, "Your phone."

"My phone?" Emily questions Catherine.

Catherine smiles happily, "Mhm, your phone and technically I didn't find you, the GPS did."

"Catherine." Emily sighs.

Catherine rolls her eyes, "Okay, so that was a bad joke."

"That's not what I was going to say," ground out Emily.

"It wasn't?" asks Catherine, looking innocent.

Emily frowns, "No, I was going to ask if Garcia helped you or if you came up with this on your own?"

Catherine smirks, "No and no."

"There was only one question," says Emily with a furrowed brow.

"It was a two part question Em. You don't really want to argue semantics with someone specializing in Literature and Languages do you? "

Emily rolls her eyes, in exasperation.

Catherine continues, "Penelope did not help me but I didn't exactly come up with the idea on my own. I have no idea what has happened these past couple of days. Jen hasn't told me anything."

Emily snarls, "If you have no idea what has happened then why are you here?"

Catherine shrugs, "I thought you could use a friend right now."

"Who called you?" Emily demands.

Catherine raises an eyebrow, "Wow, you're testy tonight."

"Catherine." Emily spits out in aggravation.

Catherine rolls her eyes, mutters "Fine," and doesn't say anything else.

"Catherine," Emily starts again calmer, "who called you?"

There is a faint blush of embarrassment on Catherine's face when she replies with a whispered, "Dave."

Emily's eyes widen in astonishment, "Rossi called you?"

The 'p' of Catherine's "Yup" pops.

Emily shakes her head, "I didn't even know he had your phone number."

Catherine shrugs, "I dunno, I didn't ask. It was weird enough for my one of my sister's bosses to call me while I was at school. "

Emily looks confused, "Why were you still on campus? Don't you usually go home or come to the BAU after class?"

"I needed to do some research at the library." Catherine frowns, "I have this new replacement professor in my Classics' class who won't let us use the Internet for our papers."

Emily smirks, "Oh no! You can't use the Internet! Whatever will you do?"

Catherine pokes Emily in the ribs. "Stop mocking me Emily."

Emily's lips twitch; "Back in my day-"

Catherine interrupts Emily, looking affronted. "You did not just say that. You're not that old yet Em."

Emily rolls her eyes and says in a voice heavily laced with sarcasm, "Thanks."

Catherine smiles genially, "You are most welcome."

With a blank look on her face, Emily continues to stare out at the snow.

Shivering, Catherine asks while gesturing to the church, "Do you want to go inside?"

Emily glances at the church before focusing her gaze on Catherine. "I think I just want to sit out here alone for a little while."

"Well, you can sit out here alone but I'm going to sit here with my friend." Catherine huffs.

Emily frowns, "That was a hint for you to go away Catherine."

"I know and I'm ignoring it." Catherine smiles at Emily, "If it makes you feel any better, you can pretend it was a social cue and I'm Spencer."

Emily snorts.

"Ha! I got a laugh out of you!" Catherine crows.

Emily's lips twitch, "That was a snort not a laugh."

"Spoil sport." Catherine says sticking her tongue out.

Emily and Catherine sit in silence for a few minutes, just watching the snow fall before Catherine interrupts the silence that has settled over them like a white blanket. "Emily, you have been deflecting since I got here. Do you want to tell me why we're sitting outside in March in the snow?"

"Well, I don't know why you're here," says Emily stubbornly.

Catherine sighs, "Emily we covered that. I thought you might need a friend."

Emily frowns, "What exactly did Rossi tell you?"

With a cheeky smile Catherine says, "He reminded me to call him Dave or David and not Mr. Rossi."

"Catherine." Emily growls.

"He's right you know Em, you need someone who will listen," says Catherine, staring hard at Emily.

"And what makes you think that I don't have someone?" Emily says defensively.

Catherine rolls her eyes, "Because I know you Emily Elizabeth Prentiss. You are the Queen of compartmentalization. You're sitting here in front of a church thinking God knows what. "

Emily makes a low sound in her throat, possibly a growl. "I didn't ask for help."

Catherine extends her hand tentatively towards Emily, "You don't have to ask to receive help from friends."

"I don't need anyone right now Alice," says Emily viciously.

Catherine's partially extended hand curls into a fist and she punches the side of Emily's rib cage.

Emily's breath is expelled in one quick whoosh and she winces before saying, "Fuck Catherine that hurt."

Catherine says very calmly, "If you're going to talk, then talk. If you're going to bitch, then bitch but don't attack me and not expect me to retaliate."

"I didn't attack you," protests Emily.

"Oh you didn't? So why exactly did you use my first name when you know I hate it and everything it represents?"

"I just want you to go away. I want to be alone."

"Do you know where your friends are Emily Prentiss? Do you know where the rest of the team is right now? Do you even care?"

"I just want to be left alone," says Emily in a small voice.

"Fine, I take it back you don't need a friend," says Catherine angrily.

Emily flinches.

Catherine looks at Emily through narrowed eyes, "You don't need a friend, you need your family. The team is a family. We are your family Emmy."

Emily, still rubbing her side, ignores Catherine.

"Well, do you want to know where they are or not?" asks Catherine, trying to get a reaction from Emily.

"What I want is to know what Rossi told you about me and about the case," insists Emily.

Catherine ignores Emily. "If Aaron has left the office, he will have gone home to an empty house. He will be utterly alone except for pictures of Haley and Jack. Derek and Penelope are having a sleep over because neither one wants to be alone tonight. Jen is probably home by now with Will and Henry, but she's still going to be looking over the other case files, trying to figure out where the team is going next. Spencer is at my University's library researching exorcisms. Why is he researching exorcisms Emily?"

Emily ignores Catherine's question. "You didn't say anything about Rossi."

Catherine take a deep breath, releases it, and then says nervously, "That is because he is parked around the corner, Dave drove me here."

"You got into a car? You got into a car with Rossi?" asks Emily astonished.

"I know," says Catherine, "I'm trying for progress."

Emily is still hung up about the car, "You got into a car and drove around for who knows how long without Reid? With Rossi?"

Catherine pauses before saying, "He is family, just like you are family."

Emily snorts.

Catherine looks away, "Okay fine, he's not family like you're family but I'm trying. I'm really trying hard to trust him Emmy."

Emily frowns before saying softly, "Creirwy (kree-ree)."

The nickname grabs Catherine's attention like Pooh to a honey pot and she turns her head towards Emily.

"I'm sorry for snapping," apologizes Emily

"And I'm sorry for punching you," Catherine says sincerely before sticking her tongue out at Emily and continuing, "because now my hand hurts."

Emily huffs and rolls her eyes. "Now, now Catherine, no more dancing, what did Rossi say?"

Catherine snickers, "Wow Em, pot, kettle much?"

"Whatever." Emily stands up to leave.

"Where are you going?" asks Catherine, worry colouring her voice.

Emily stares hard at Catherine, "I'm going to find Rossi, unless you tell me what he said right now."

"Okay, okay," says Catherine, holding up her hands in mock surrender, "You sure know how to motivate a girl don't you."

Impatiently, Emily taps her foot. "Well?"

Catherine looks up at Emily, "All he said was that the case had been particularly hard on you."

Emily raises one eyebrow, "That's it? Nothing else?"

Catherine breathes out, "He also said that you didn't go home and that you wanted to walk around for a bit."

"And what is wrong with that?" questions Emily defensively.

Catherine frowns, "Normally nothing would be wrong. But you're nine miles away from wherever you were with the team and you haven't moved in more than an hour Emily. It's past twelve now. So please Emmy, tell me what's wrong. I want to help."

Emily bites her lip to stay silent.

"Well?" prompts Catherine, echoing Emily's earlier phrasing.

Emily looks away from Catherine, "I found out that an old friend of mine died earlier this week."

Catherine winces, "I'm sorry Emmy."

"It's fine." Emily brushes it off.

"You're lying. If it was fine, if you were fine, you wouldn't be out here. Did you call anyone Emily? Did you talk to anyone?"

"I asked Garcia to look into something and I spoke with Hotch," says Emily evasively.

"That's not the kind of talking I meant," mutters Catherine.

Emily continues on as if she hasn't heard Catherine, "We worked the case… " Emily trails off.

Catherine speaks up in the silence, "Have you slept at all?"

Emily refuses to look at Catherine.

Catherine takes her silence as a no. "Emmy, why didn't you call me? I would have come over," reproaches Catherine.

"That is exactly why I didn't call you," states Emily in a very matter of fact way.

"Huh?" Catherine wrinkles her nose.

Emily pouts, "You would have made me sleep."

Catherine gives Emily an incredulous look, "I can't make you sleep Emily."

"No, but you would make me tired, like you're making me tired right now," protests Emily.

Catherine raises an eyebrow, "I'm not sure if I should be offended or not."

Emily smiles "Don't be. In most cases, it would be a good thing."

"But not this time?" prompts Catherine.

"No, this time sleeping would be a bad idea," whispers Emily.

Catherine frowns, "Who did you lose Emily?"

"Why do you think I lost someone?" hedges Emily.

Catherine rolls her eyes, "Stupid question Emily. Even if you hadn't have just told me you lost an old friend. No one else from the team was hit this badly, and Mr. Rossi, I mean Dave said that you shouldn't be alone. That usually implies a personal connection. Who was this old friend?"

Emily wraps one arm around herself.

"Talk to me Emmy, please?" beseeches Catherine.

Emily bites the nails on her free hand, "His name is- was, Matthew. He was my best friend when I lived in Italy. We were fifteen- I haven't seen him in years but I miss him so much now that he's gone Catherine."

Catherine stands up and moves towards Emily, "I know Emmy."

"How could you possibly know?" Emily says bitterly.

"Beth." That single whispered word, filled with pain and longing fills Emily with more of an understanding than any lengthy explanation ever could.

Emily wraps one arm around Catherine. "Does it get better? Losing your best friend I mean."

"It does, but it takes a long time Emmy. It's been 11 years and sometimes I wake up from a dream and think, I have to tell Beth about the purple pool or the talking penguin. Then I remember that she died when we were seven and it hurts all over again. Some days I don't think about her at all and-"

Emily finishes Catherine's sentence, "And then you feel guilty."

Catherine nods.

"You shouldn't feel guilty you know," says Emily sagely.

"Neither should you," says Catherine with a strong voice. "You hadn't seen Matthew in years. There was no way you could have known he was in danger. That he was going to die."

"I should have known something was wrong," proclaims Emily.

Catherine rolls her eyes at Emily's stubborn insistence, "Emily, saying something like that is like saying Jen should have known I was going to be kidnapped."

Emily snaps, "That's irrational and not the same at all."

Catherine rolls her eyes again, "My point was that you thinking you should have known something was going to happen to Matthew is irrational."

"That doesn't make it hurt any less," whispers Emily.

Catherine whispers back, "I know but you can't blame yourself. Worrying like this is going to give you an ulcer."

Catherine and Emily sit down on the snow-covered steps. Catherine scoots closer to Emily and rests her head on Emily's shoulder for a second before recoiling in horror, "Fuck Emmy, your coat is soaked through. Aren't you freezing?"

"No," says a shivering Emily.

Catherine scoffs before standing up, "Yeah right, you're shivering just as much as I am."

"I am not." Whines Emily petulantly.

Catherine pulls Emily up off the steps, "Come on Emmy, let's get you home."

Emily makes a small noise of protest.

"No arguments Emmy." Catherine maintains position, "If we catch pneumonia Jen will kill us and then the rest of the team will resurrect us before killing us again."

Emily chuckles, "Have you been reading Harry Potter fanfiction again Catherine?"

Catherine's "Maybe" is drawn out and a sheepish smile covers her face.

Emily and Catherine start walking down the snow-covered street towards the corner around which one David Rossi has been hiding in silence. Emily's arm is draped over Catherine's shoulders while Catherine's arm is wrapped around Emily's waist, both providing and receiving comfort.

"Do we have to see Rossi?" asks Emily in a small voice, breaking the tranquility.

"No, we don't have to, but it would get us home faster." Catherine looks around, "I don't even know if there is a subway station around here."

Emily raises an eyebrow, "Us home, Catherine?"

"Of course," says Catherine sagaciously, "you're not getting rid of me that easily."

Emily frowns, "What about JJ? Won't she be worried?"

Catherine smiles, "I texted her a while back, saying that I was staying at your place."

Emily scoffs, "Isn't that a bit presumptuous?"

Catherine smirks, "Emily, you're the one who gave me a key to your condo, not to mention a permanent bedroom. You also said, and I quote: 'Come over at any time, day or night.'"

"That is true," says Emily in defeat.

Catherine rolls her eyes, "Besides, you don't honestly think I would go home at one in the morning and risk waking up Henry do you? Jen would shoot me before asking any questions."

A few seconds later, the two women arrive at David Rossi's black bureau issued SUV. Catherine and Emily can see Rossi leaning back in the front seat of the SUV with his eyes closed.

Emily hesitates, "What if he's asleep?"

"Really Emmy? That's all you've got? No, I don't want to piss my boss off by making him sleep in his car all night?" Taunts Catherine.

Emily snickers. "Fine. You win. We'll get in the SUV and Rossi will drive us to my condo."

"I always win Emily." Catherine snickers, "You should remember that."

They bicker lightheartedly for a few seconds.

"Spoiled brat."

"Old lady."

"Princess."

"Jen certainly thinks I am, I'm so glad you agree Emily," says Catherine, sticking her tongue out.

Emily rolls her eyes at Catherine's antics. "Do you want the front seat or the back?" she asks gesturing to Rossi's sleeping form.

"Back," says Catherine without hesitation.

"Alright, I guess that leaves me with the front," says Emily with a grimace.

"No it doesn't, you can sit in back with me," urges Catherine.

"No I can't," insists Emily.

"Yes you can, and you will," commands Catherine; "I was in that car with Mr. Rossi for forty-five minutes. You owe me."

Emily looks incredulously at Catherine "What happened to helping out a friend?"

"Oh, no. You don't get to play that card," says Catherine emphatically, "I would have come to help you anyway. But it was Mr. Rossi-"

"Dave" teases Emily.

"Dave," says Catherine while rolling her eyes, "Who insisted on coming to get me." Catherine shudders, "I had to sit up front with him for a really long time and he was too close." Catherine's breathing has a panicked edge to it.

"Creirwy (kree-ree), you managed to make it all the way here without a panic attack?" asks Emily cautiously.

Catherine nods once.

Emily smiles broadly, "That's really good. I'm proud of you."

Catherine gives Emily a weak smile.

Emily lift's Catherine's chin so they can face each other, "Catherine, you know that he won't hurt you right?"

Catherine nods again.

Emily smiles sadly, "Knowing doesn't change much does it?"

Catherine shakes her head.

"Baby steps Creirwy (kree-ree)," whispers Emily.

"Baby steps Emmy," echoes Catherine.

"Okay, back of the car it is," says Emily, changing the subject, "Now who is going to wake Rossi?"

"Not me," says Catherine. "You should do it, he's your boss."

"Chicken," taunts Emily.

Catherine is resolute, "I don't care; I'm not waking him up. What if he pulls his gun?"

Emily goads Catherine, "Oh so you want me to get shot then?"

"No! I don't want you to get shot Emily. I just don't want to wake him up. I'm sorry." Catherine ducks her head.

Emily says, "C-" Right before David Rossi rolling down the passenger side window cuts her off with, "Are you two getting in or not?"

"Yes sir." Says Emily and opens the rear passenger door. "Get in Creirwy (kree-ree) before he decides to leave us stranded here in the snow."

Catherine's eyes are huge when she looks at Dave, "You wouldn't really do that would you?"

Rossi smiles, "Not to you kiddo."

The SUV is warm and Catherine smiles at him shyly while climbing into the SUV. She sits down directly behind Rossi.

Emily climbs in beside her before taking Catherine's small hand in her own.

"Ready ladies?" asks Rossi, while pulling away from the curb.

"Do you need directions?" asks Emily, trying to maintain her walls while Catherine is crushing her hand.

"No. Catherine already programmed the address into my GPS."

"Creirwy (kree-ree)?" questions Emily. There is a note of surprise in her voice.

"Need to go home now Emmy." Whispers Catherine, tightening her grip on Emily's hand even further as Rossi pulls onto the highway.

The ride back to Emily's apartment is short, for which Emily's hand is eternally grateful. Emily and Catherine both thank Rossi quietly once they arrive at the condo building. Rossi says good night to Catherine, and tells Emily quietly to take Monday off if she needs it before driving away.

Many people need desperately to receive this message:

'I feel and think much as you do,

care about many of the things you care about,

although most people do not care about them.

You are not alone.'

- Kurt Vonnegut

AN3: I have an out-take scene that didn't end up fitting in. If you would like to read it, please let me know.