The Significance of you

Everyone wants to be loved and experience that love that defines all boundaries. Emily is no different. But most people don't go around catching serial Killers for a Living. When Emily least expects it, she loses her heart. But can a relationship ever work under the pressures of her job at the BAU and the secrets hidden in her past?

AN: Thought I'd give you a little heads up on what I plan for this story.

This is going to be a romance, comedy, suspense, little bit of everything Fic and I'm hoping for it to span from series 2 in the below chapter all the way to series 7, although I haven't quite figured out how yet.

Usually I'm a huge fan of the Emily / JJ pairing so I've slightly shocked myself that this hasn't turned out to be a E/J story although there will be ton's on their friendship as the story progresses... but with this I felt like doing something a little different...

I hope you all enjoy the chapter and it gets you wanting to read more, I'd be grateful for reviews, just so I know what you're all thinking and If I'm heading on the right track (I hope I am!)

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters I'm simply using them for a bit of artistic license...

Chapter one

Reaching her hand to the old fashioned brass door knob of the coffee house, Emily unconsciously flicked a piece of her dark raven hair behind her ear. Stepping inside she let her brown eyes take in her new surroundings. God it was busy in here this morning, she thought as she proceeded to join the ever growing queue; the bell above the door signalling someone else had followed her in.

Looking at the Menu of various drinks above the counter, Emily tried to decide on what coffee she would like as her ears where filled with the sounds of animated conversations, scrapping chair legs, and the high pitched hiss of steam being realised from the milk frother.

Having finally made her mind up she let her thoughts wonder as every few seconds her feet would progress a few steps nearer to the counter.

Having been at the BAU for nearly two months she still couldn't help but feel that something wasn't quite right. After the paper work mix up on day one, Emily's guard had immediately gone up. How could something like that have got lost in translation? This was the FBI for Christ sake, Never mind the amount of clearance she'd had to go through... it just didn't add up. What annoyed the dark haired profiler more than anything was the feeling that maybe her mother was involved in this somehow... Had Ambassador Prentiss been behind the scenes pulling strings? But why would she? Emily through straight back at herself, what purpose would it serve her?

Soon finding her train of thought interrupted, the brunette finally reached the front of the Queue, her worries slipping back into their mental compartments, as she smiled at the young girl behind the counter who was ready to take her order.

"Morning Mam, What drink would you like today?" the young girl asked with her long blonde hair tied up into a high pony tail.

"Can I get a Hazelnut Latte to go please?" Emily replied and was soon stood watching the blonde pouring the nut syrup into her go cup.

Emily had found herself coming down to the Coffee house every morning that she was in DC before heading to the Office. She loved its old antique feel with the brass bell above the door, and the book shelves that were stacked with old brown leather hard backs. Not to mention they made one hell of a cup of coffee.

Seeing the young girl walk back and place her drink on the counter, Emily dug into her bag and pulled out her purse to pay. Handing over the notes, she took a quick sip of the hot drink.

So good, she thought to herself, as the sweet flavour of the hazelnut hit the spot perfectly. Thanking the girl and placing her purse back into her bag, Emily never saw the woman next to her also turn and do the same motion.

Feeling her elbow catch someone else's, Emily instantly froze as she recognised the sound of coffee suddenly being spilt and the splattering as it covered the wooden floor. Moving her eyes to the side as she daren't move for fear of coursing more damage, she took in the brunette stood next to her, who was now wearing the contents of her coffee cup down her cream coloured blouse.

Kaitlin had no idea what had hit her... well apart from the coffee... it was more she hadn't been expecting to be suddenly soaked in it. Looking up to see who the culprit was; the hot milk of the latte tingling the skin on her chest, Kaitlin found her eyes meeting those of a tall brunette with stunningly dark iris's and a blushing complexion.

"Oh My God I'm so sorry" Emily Rambled" "I didn't realise you where so close to me"

Kaitlin found herself lost for only a few seconds as her eyes still locked on to those of the women in front of her.

"No Really its fine" she half smiled trying to make the other women feel less uncomfortable. "It was just an accident".

The voice that left the woman stood in front of her was not what Emily expected. She was English, and really well spoken. Not just posh English, like the accent that everyone tried to do in the movies, but her voice seemed somehow graceful, as if she lovingly pronounced every vowel in each word. "No doubt her parents probably paid a fortune in elocution lessons for her when she was a kid the profiler thought.

"But look at your blouse I've totally ruined it" Emily continued as her dark eyes surveyed the large brown stain on the women's top.

Spinning back round to the counter, Emily found her mind starting to come back into control and she began looking for something to wipe the mess up with. Grabbing a handful of paper napkins she turned and started dabbing at the brunette's blouse; before stopping having realised that that probably was a bit forward of her, after all this women was a complete stranger.

Taking the napkins off of Emily, Kaitlin began to dab at her blouse "Thanks" she replied as she tried to get more of the stain out.

"At least let me get you another coffee" Emily asked reaching back into her handbag to retrieve her purse.

Looking up at the women in front of her, Kaitlin lightly stepped forward and placed her slender fingers on Emily's wrist stopping her mid action, the pressure on her skin barely noticeable, but Kaitlin couldn't help but feel her stomach lightly flip as she reached out to this unknown woman.

"Please really its fine; it's only a cup of coffee, no harm done"

Emily's eyes moved from her bag and straight to the fingers that ghosted her wrist, the highly polished dark red nails standing out against her pale complexion. Suddenly feeling the pressure intensify, Emily found the coffee stained woman guiding her away from the main counter as a young guy came towards them with a mop and bucket, than began cleaning the puddle off the floor.

Having moved slightly away from the still growing queue, Emily and Kaitlin suddenly found themselves looking once more at each other, Emily's tantalizing dark eyes searching into Kaitlin's piecing blue as her fingers still lay hooked around Emily's Wrist.

What was it about this woman? Emily questioned herself as she felt her skin lightly goose bump from the touch of her fingertips. Feeling the moment growing slightly awkward as maybe they had stared at each other for a fraction to long, at least a fraction to long for strangers, Emily found herself breaking out into another apology.

Not dropping her gaze from that of the brunette, Kaitlin lightly laughed as her smile grew. This woman was so adorable, she could tell she was genuinely embarrassed about the mishap. Wiping her damp hands on the napkin, Kaitlin extended her hand.

"Stop saying you're sorry" Kaitlin laughed again; her blue eyes trying to convey to the brunette that truthfully this was no big deal. "I'm Kaitlin by the way"
Taking the brunettes hand in her own, she was surprised at how strong her grip was. "However I mostly get called Kate" she added smiling.

"I'm Emily" the brunette agent replied, finally letting herself smile as she released the other woman's hand.

Glancing once more at Kaitlin's stained blouse Emily let her eyes take the rest of the women's appearance. With brunette hair, a few shades lighter than her own which was half pinned up, Emily guessed that maybe she was about thirty. She had a single string of pearls around her neck that had elegantly matched her cream blouse, and a Navy Pencil Skirt that ruffled ever so slightly on the one side. Whoever Kaitlin was, Emily was under no impression that she was both courteous, beautiful and had a great sense of fashion.

"Well as you won't let me get you another coffee, at least let me pay to get your blouse dry cleaned" Emily offered.

"What this old thing" Kaitlin stated as she pulled at a piece of stained, soggy material "I'll just throw it in the washer when I get home and it will be as good as new"

Emily wasn't so sure.

Looking down at her watch Kate did an internal sigh, it was nearly eight forty and she realised she had better head back to her apartment and get changed before heading into the office, she had a feeling she wasn't ever going to be able to make a coffee stain fashionable.
However looking back at Emily, Kate found herself not wanting to move.
She found it strange and slightly unnerving that the brunette in front of her seemed to have a hold over her.

"I know your just being nice to me and everything but I can't help but feel bad" Emily sincerely smiled.

"Well if it makes you feel better I can throw my coffee over you too and we can match" Kate chuckled, her face lighting up with a playful smile.

"I guess that's an option" Emily smiled back, sliding her palms down the trousers to her suit, as her stomach flipped at the naughty glint in Kate's piercing blue eyes.

"Or next time you bump into me, not matter of fact I should add, you can just get me another coffee and where quits, I'm sure I've seen you in here before"

"Okay that's a deal and definitely not matter of fact, I've think I've done enough of that don't you!"

"Well I don't know you just might be one of those klutzy people" Kate chuckled and then stopped as she realised what she had just said. "Oh God that sounded really bad, I don't even know you and I've just insinuated that your a Klutz!" Kaitlin blushed.

Now it was Emily's turn to laugh. "In all fairness I think you've summed it up pretty well, I'm just thankful that today's not one of my dropsy days.

"Oh hell I have those days to" Kate returned happy to know she hadn't offended the attractive women in front of her. Hearing her phone ring in her bag, she quickly excused herself and answered the call.

"Kaitlin James speaking"

The line was silent for a few seconds as Emily let her eyes roam back around the coffee house as she tried to make it not obvious she was listening into the conversation. Maybe it was Kaitlin's Husband? Emily's eyes instantly zoned in onKate's ring finger – No, no ring. Well maybe it was her Boyfriend or... Girlfriend? Dream on Prentiss, Emily thought to herself a little smirk taking to the corners of her mouth.

"What you're kidding me, please tell me you are?" Kate complained down the phone before telling the caller she'd be there as soon as she could and returning her phone back to her bag.

"Emily I'm sorry but I'm going to have to go, I've just had a meeting called forward, and I guess I better head home and change my blouse first" Kate stated, her eyes rolling down to the now cold stain on her chest.

Smiling back at Kaitlin but letting her eyes slightly drop, Emily felt another wave of guilt come over her, just great, now she was going to make the brunette late for work!

Looking down at her watch on her left hand, but twisting her wrist as she'd put it on back to front as usual, she grimaced at the time, if she didn't hurry up soon she'd be late herself, even so she couldn't stop the word's leaving her mouth.

"Wait Kate, My Car's parked outside let me drop you back to your place, it's the least I can do, really"

Kate smiled once more looking up at Emily. Why did her stomach twist hearing the other brunette call her Kate? Looking back down at her watch and then back at the brunette, she realised if she excepted Emily's offer she would more than likely make the other woman late.

"If you do that you'll probably be late yourself, I only live a few blocks away on the Emerson development, I'll be home in a few minutes, but thanks for the offer that was really kind"

Looking back at Emily, for a split second she could have sworn she saw a flash of disappointment shoot through her brown eyes before vanishing

"Okay no problem" Emily returned feeling a little bit dejected. What was going on, she didn't know Kaitlin, why did her rejection affect her?

"Look I better go, it's been nice talking to you though"

"You to" Emily replied as she watched the brunette take a few paces in front of her before turning back around, her hand buried in her handbag.

"Err Emily... I don't know" Kate lightly stuttered" "If your ever at a loose end and fancy meeting up for that coffee you offered there's my cell number" she smiled as she involuntary squeezed Emily's arm.

"Thanks" Emily replied, her lips lifting into a small smile.

"No problem, I'll see you around" and with that Kaitlin turned back on her heels and headed out of the coffee house.

Standing still for a few seconds longer then what was probably necessary, Emily's eyes remained on the recently closed door ; the heat from where Kaitlin's hand had been only a few minutes ago still warm on her skin. Okay what was that? Emily asked herself, as she remembered the card in her hand. Looking down and side stepping as a gentleman with a brief case walked past her she looked at the details.

Kaitlin Paige James – Political Journalist - The Washington Post.

"She's a journalist?"Emily quietly whispered to herself "and a political one" Placing the card into the pocket of her coat, the profiler decided she should finally make a move before people started giving her strange looks.


Three blocks away, Kaitlin's cheeks still flamed red. What the hell was that She kept asking herself? "You just gave her your card... your card... you hit on her! God how embarrassing is that" Kate grumbled to herself.

Nearing her apartment a small breeze blew over her body causing the wet fabric to send a trail of goose bumps over her skin and the sweet smell of her hazelnut latte to her nostrils.

Walking into the foyer and heading to the lift, Kaitlin let out a sigh, as her morning had really not gone to plan. Looking down at her watch, her pulse rushed a fraction as she saw she had less than half an hour to get to the newly scheduled meeting.

"Shit" Kate quietly mouthed as she stepped into the lift and ascended to her floor. Ramming her key into the door lock, she dropped her bag in the hall way and ran to her bedroom, peeling her wet blouse off on the way.

Throwing the stained item into the wash and grabbing a clean top, she quickly did the buttons up before heading back to the door and heading out into the main hallway.

"Please let me get to this meeting on time" she prayed as she jabbed at the lift button.


Emily's mind had been everywhere on her journey into the BAU, mostly though on the card that lay in her coat pocket and the women who had given it to her. Emily knew Kaitlin had meant it as a friendly gesture, of course she had, but why did she secretly hope it was a little bit more?

Scanning her ID to get into the bull pen, Emily never saw the black little film canister hit her squarely on the forehead.

"Hey what was..."Emily asked out as she looked around the room to see what had hit her.

"God Emily I'm sorry" Reid flustered as he realised the trick he had been showing Garcia & JJ had smacked his fellow team member in the head. "I was showing the girls one of my physic, kind of magic tricks and..."

Reid was cut off and Emily smiled and headed over to him "Really, oh show me" she said, and moved to stand behind the young genius and her two blonde colleagues...