Emily sat at her desk, fingers typing away at her keyboard. She had to finish an assessment, and it isn't going to finish itself. But, she had been working on this for four hours in a row, on three hours of sleep and six cups of coffee. Her guard was down. She read over the words once more, her eyes simply ghosting over them as her thoughts kept her from registering the words she read. What was she going to get for dinner? She felt no need to go to a social area to buy things, and she couldn't order food. She couldn't give out her address. She needed to be on high alert. Maybe she could just share Sergio's food? He may not like that. Her eyes had stopped moving completely, and her fingers had slowed to a typing rhythm that she had no control of.

"BOO!"

Emily woke from her trance, the sound surprising every cell in her body. She jumped, knocking over her half filled coffee cup, and swung her fist towards the sound on instinct. Surprised laughs were heard, barely detectable sadness and worry in them. But still detectable. Eyes darting around, Emily took in a deep breath and finally understood what happened. Embarrassed, she closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was so lost in thought on the computer, Morgan had decided to try to snap her out of it. He had snuck behind her and startled her, her fist inches away from his face as he then retreated, laughing in relief and worry.

Said man lifted his hands up in defeat."Wow! Slow down there, Prentiss. Just a little wake up call. You alright?"

It was obvious that he was profiling her. So be it, then. "Ya, just a little...surprised."She easily lied out.

She didn't try to hide the lie. Didn't try to make it better or make it seem like the truth. She said it, maybe just trying to convince herself of the words. They could profile her if they wanted. Write down a diagnosis, tell her what she's thinking. She didn't mind. She was partly used to it, anyway. Besides, she might even listen. She didn't quite know what was going on with herself to begin with. But for now, although she wasn't fine, she was fine enough to say it and be alright. That was good enough for her.

Taken aback by the reaction, Morgan simply put his hands down and raised an eyebrow."Alrighty...then. Well, J.J. has a case for us, and Mama already set it up. So, come on."

Emily nodded her head slowly, but showed no intent to do that. This time, When Derick spoke, his voice was softer, caring. As if saying, You don't have to lie to me. You know me. I'll help if you ask."Are you sure you're alright?"

The unspoken words were obvious. I know you arn't alright. I'm not going to pry if you don't want to tell me, though. But can you keep it together?

Emily smiled and nodded, slowly getting up. The stretch of her face muscles didn't meet her eyes. Morgan nodded slowly, still skeptical, but retreated back to the de-briefing room anyway, looking back half way to make sure that the raven hair was still there.

She was there, but it was like she wasn't.

Like a ghost, he thought.

Like a ghost.

A/N First Criminal minds fan story. I felt that, when Emily was being hunted, they showed us what she went through, but I really wanted to know how the team would act. They knew something was up, but as seen, they didn't pry. (For a while, anyway.) I feel like something like this would happen. This is set, of course, when Emily was still there. She's one of my favorite characters. She was like a ghost. She tried to stay at her job for as long as she could without blatantly putting herself in danger. But she wasn't really there. She was so caught up in everything, it was like her body acted for herself. Like she was there, but wasn't. Like a ghost.

I do not own Criminal Minds or claim to own it in any way. I own nothing.