Ten minutes later…

The team had all gathered inside the conference room. With the exception of JJ and Emily. They were waiting behind the door where no one could see them. Emily was getting nervous just standing there, she started pacing along the window, lucky for her the blind was down and no one could see her. Yet. She thought in her mind. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

JJ noticed her starting to get worried, she walked over to her and grabbed her arm lightly. "Hey, there is nothing to worry about. Everything will go along smoothly, they will all be glad your back."

"But they all think I'm dead JJ. What if they think you are just playing a joke on them? Or if they hate me for running off on they like that and lying? What am I going to do if they hate me? I don't think I could take them hating me for wanting to protect them." Emily replied fear evident on her voice.

JJ could understand where her fear was coming from but tried to reassure her. "Emmy listen to me and listen good. They are like your family, yes they might be upset that you ran off and lied to PROTECT them. But they all care about you, they will love you no matter what you have done Emily. Just breath and relax, soon you will all be back together again. And you will feel so much better. I promise."

Emily started to take long deep breathes trying to calm her heavily beating heart. She knew JJ was right but she kept running every bad turnout in her mind. Finally, she was cooled down enough to think straight. Then Hotch said "JJ, would you both come in now please."

Meanwhile…

In the conference room…

Reid's POV

He could see it in everyone's eyes. They were upset about having Emily being replaced. She had always had been a special part of their small family. He liked remembering her smiling when they all went out to eat. Or when they had a party at Hotch's house, for Jack's birthday and she brought Jack the best present he called it. When he received a picture album of not only Jack's late mother but of the entire team, and the places they had been on cases.

It sometimes hurt him inside to remember, what she looked like. When he would walk by her desk he would stop and just imagine her there arguing with Morgan over a joke. Or laughing with JJ as she came down the stairs. Though she always has a seriousness about her that suggested that she was hiding something. But she never told them , any of them. That was until they found out about Ian Doyle. That man, brought feelings of hate from Reid that he never knew he could feel. Reid blamed him for Emily's death.

At night Ian haunted all of their dreams. Though none would ever admit it. They knew Garcia had it the worst. She had accidentally fallen asleep at her computed during a late night case. Morgan had walked in on her screaming for Emily, with Hotch. Hotch had left feeling traces of guilt, but no one knew that they just believed that he didn't know how to deal with crying people.

No one knew that she was alive. They had all silently wished it for the longest time after she died. But they knew all deep down that she wouldn't return to them now. She was six feet under.

Hotch coming through the door broke him from his thoughts. He looked like he was fighting some odd internal battle. Hotch sat at the head of the table and started talking. Reid thought it weird that he start without JJ. But he listened still. " Hello, today we have a case in Texas, 7 woman where found lying at different locations on the side of highway 35 south heading to Waco from Dallas. They all appear to have nothing in common. They are found one week apart from each other."

Rossi interrupted before he could continue. "Then why are we just hearing about this now? I mean seven murders that must have raised red flags when it first started."

Morgan imputed after Rossi finished. " Yea. I mean why are we just hearing about it now there must be some reason."

Hotch started again. " I'm sure that there is a good reason for the delay of response. But I have had no contact with the police there, so I have no idea what is going on. Strauss just handed me the report on the way out of her office after our meeting. She said it was important to get started right away. That we would have to show her new arrival how to work the scene.?

Garcia stated over the TV screen where she had been listening the entire time. " Hold up there. Did you just say STRAUSS new arrival? Who would that be, and what does her arrival have to do with us?

Hotch realized that the next few words out of his mouth would change the atmosphere of the room completely. He sighed deeply. "Strauss has filled Emily's position on the team. Before you all start talking all at once hear me out. She knows what she is doing. She has been around this type of atmosphere before. So please try to be nice. I have met her and I think that you will all get along just fine. Just let her speak first before you all bomb her with questions. Garcia you should come in through the front door of the conference room to be here. I have a feeling that you might want to when it all goes crazy."

Hotch waited until Garcia reached the room and sat down before continuing. " She has been through a very rough time these past several months so I suggest you are nice to her and please for all our sakes one question at a time. Okay?"

Everyone nodded.

Hotch seemed somewhat relieved from what Reis could tell. " JJ would you both come in now please." A JJ came in through the door with Emily silence reined.

-Sorry it took so long to write more. Was very busy. My sister had some hand surgery to remove 4 tumors in one hand. Will write more soon I promise. Already started chapter three. If you want you can write ideas for my story in your reviews. Thanks for reading. Till next time.