A/N: Alright folks - I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm posting the first chapter of this story without any plan as to where this is headed. Having said that I'm up for suggestions so drop me a line in a PM or in the reviews! Happy reading!

"And that's it, in a nutshell." Emily smiled at the conclusion of her story. The team was en route to the FBI building after returning from a case in Atlantic City. This of course reminded Morgan of a comment Emily had made some time ago about a Sin to Win weekend. It had of course taken him the entire trip from the airport to convince her to tell him what a Sin to Win weekend actually was.

"You know the term fits in a nutshell comes from a Roman encyclopaedist named Pliny." Reid began to explain as the four Agents walked through the parking lot. "He tried to write down pretty much everything he'd ever heard. Some of his writings are an invaluable source of knowledge. For example Pliny claimed that there was a copy of the Iliad so small that it could fit inside a walnut shell. In the early 18th century….."

"Spence, let's try to stick to facts from this century alright?" JJ said with a grin on her face. Looking to the petit blonde Reid smiled and readily agreed.

"Jennifer!" An older man called from behind the group of Agents.

Hearing her name, hearing that voice had stopped JJ dead in her tracks, unable to turn around and face the man behind her. She stood there with her eyes closed, trying to figure out why he was here, why he would come.

"JJ?" Emily asked, noticing right away the shift in her body language. Seconds ago she had been smiling, laughing, and relaxed. Now she stood stationary, eyes closed, tense and if Emily didn't know better there was fear.

"Jennifer!" The man called again with his deep voice.

"What do you want?" the venom in her voice was unmistakeable as she spun on her heals to face the man before her.

"Is that really how you're going to greet me after all this time?" He asked, with a stoic face.

"Yes." JJ replied anger evident in her voice.

"JJ, who is this guy?" Morgan asked taking a protective stance in front of the blonde profiler.

Making eye connection with the man before her; "No one," JJ answered before turning to leave.

"Jen…" The man tried again.

"What?" JJ spun and started walking towards him. "Why are you here?" She all but yelled. "What could you possibly want?"

"I need your help." He stated simply looking at her before glancing over her shoulder to where the rest of the team stood looking on with confusion.

"No." JJ said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"At least hear me out before you…"

"No." JJ said again unwilling to change her mind.

"Will you at least listen to what I have to say."

"No! You lost that right years ago." The finality in her voice said this conversation was over as she turned to leave however she felt a hand grabbing her arm preventing her from leaving. "Let go." She stated firmly.

"Is there a problem here?" Morgan asked in all seriousness as he placed himself between JJ and the older man. Emily and Reid were, of course, right behind him just as confused as to what was going on but willing to protect JJ should she need it.

"Excuse me." The older man said in angry as he looked at Morgan. "This is between me and my daughter."

"I have nothing to say to you." JJ said walking away, ignoring the shocked looks on her friends faces. Emily and Reid stood watching as the young blonde walked into the building behind them before turning their attention back to Morgan and JJ's father.

"I suggest you leave." Morgan growled at the older man. He didn't know what the history was between JJ and her father but she obviously had no interest in talking to the man and that was all the information Morgan needed.

The older man huffed before walking off to his car.

"What was THAT?" Emily asked, turning to Morgan who was still watching the older man to make sure he was indeed leaving.

"I don't know Princess." Satisfied that JJ's father was indeed leaving and wouldn't be any more bother tonight Morgan turned and started to head for the office building.

"Do you think JJ's alright?" Reid asked as they walked.

"I don't know, let's go find out." Emily said as the three Agents made their way into the building and up to 6th floor BAU offices.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

Sitting with her elbows on her desk and her head in her hands JJ tried to figure out what had just happened.

"JJ?" Emily asked, her voice was full of concern as she approached.

Lifting her head in acknowledgement of her friends presents JJ asked; "Where are Morgan and Reid?"

"In Morgan's office. We thought you might need some space."

JJ smiled at her friend. "In other words you got the short straw." Emily gave JJ a compassionate smile as she sat down in front of her friend. "Did he leave without causing a scene?" Emily nodded and JJ let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"There's not really much to talk about Em. I haven't seen him in…" She paused to do the math in her head before continuing. "…in 18 years. And for years before that the only time we spoke was to yell at one another." Seeing the look on the older profilers face that said 'I understand,' JJ continued. "He wasn't always like that you know." Sitting back in her chair with a sigh JJ decided she would explain. "When I was 11, my sister Annie committed suicide. My parents both took it pretty hard, as you might expect. But my father, he thinks that Charlie and I should have been able to stop her since we were home at the time."

"JJ you know this isn't your fault or your brothers." Emily tried to reassure her friend. "For whatever reason your sister felt that taking her own life was the only solution to the problems she was facing at the time. You and Charlie were only kids yourself JJ."

"Charlie was 19." JJ tried to correct her friend, but by the look on Emily's face she wasn't impressed. "She came to me the day before... She uh, came into my bedroom and gave me her necklace, her favourite necklace Emily." JJ tried to explain as tears threatened to fall. "She told me she loved me no matter what...My father is right I should have," she stopped taking a breath as the first of the tears made tracks down her cheeks. "I should have known, I should have done something." She said her voice cracking and tears now flowing freely.

"JJ," Emily said waiting for the younger woman to make eye contact. "Annie's death, wasn't your fault, regardless of what your father or anyone else says." And that was it, that's all it took for JJ to lose what little composer she had left as the tears began to flow freely and the sobs following close behind.

Emily reached over and embraced her friend in a hug. As Emily comforted JJ she could see Morgan and Reid watching from the far end of the bullpen, concern written on their faces. While they were concerned they also had a great deal of respect for JJ's privacy and wouldn't come any closer until they had the all clear from Emily.

You like it? (maybe not so much?) I should continue?