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Lacy here kids with the next Officer Down story. I decided I'm gonna bring Gemma back since we haven't seen her since I first brought her up. There will be mention from the episode, Brothers In Arms. Emily's concern for how Morgan is handling the whole thing, talk about how far someone will go to prove they're not weak. So have fun.

Disclaimer: It's not mine. I want it to be but my mom says I'm dreaming too big. How is wanting to own Criminal Minds dreaming too big? *looks back over sentence* Never mind.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"Morgan was pretty shaken up by this." Emily said as she and Hotch entered Hotch's apartment.

Hotch nodded as he knelt down to let Gemma off the leash Emily had for her. Emily didn't like the idea of putting Gemma in a carrier so the cat was leash trained and sat in Emily's lap when they drove.

"He knows what it's like to be one of those guys." Hotch said. "He understood what they were going through. Oh fine," he bent down and picked up Gemma, who had been pawing at his leg. "you are more demanding then your owner, you know that?"

Emily gave Hotch a look. "Wanna repeat that?"

Hotch cleared his throat. "Not really." he looked at Gemma. "Help me out here."

The small cat just meowed and licked Hotch's nose. Emily giggled and took Gemma from Hotch.

"I think that might be Gemma's way of saying you're on your own." Emily said.

Hotch wanted to roll his eyes but couldn't. Seeing Emily with Gemma was too cute. Not that he'd tell her that. Emily would let Hotch call her a lot of things but the last time he tried cute, he almost got shoved right out of bed.

"Morgan's going to be ok, right?" Emily asked, pulling Hotch from his thoughts.

Hotch wrapped his arms around Emily as they settled on the couch.

"I saw him leaving with Garcia," Hotch said. "I think it's safe to say he's going to be just fine."

Emily settled her head on Hotch's chest while holding Gemma to her own. "Yeah, if there's anyone that can help Morgan, it's Penelope Garcia."

Hotch nodded. "That's right."

Emily ran her fingers through Gemma's fur. "It's still amazing how far some people will go to prove they aren't weak. That they aren't what people think they are."

Hotch's right hand joined Emily's left on Gemma's back. "It's not just some people, in a way we all want to rid ourselves of the negative things people see in us, even if the things aren't real, only existing in our heads. We all have a certain way we want people to see us and we'll fight hard to get it."

Emily looked up at Hotch. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."

Hotch gave a small nod. "I guess I kind of am. I worked hard at the end of my marriage to Haley to prove to her that I wasn't what she thought I was. It didn't work but I still know what it's like."

Emily leaned up and kissed Hotch. The movement cause Gemma to jump from Emily's chest, curling up under the coffee table.

"For the record," Emily said, pulling back some. "you won't have to prove anything to me."

Hotch didn't say anything, he just pulled Emily in for another kiss, trusting what she said. He knew she was right, no response was needed.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

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I know, I'm sorry, it's not long. it's a filler story really. Oh and cats can be leash trained. Mine is. Like me, she has problems with tiny spaces so I don't put her in a carrier. Let know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.

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