A/N: Thank you much for the reviews, favorites, and follows! This had definitely encouraged me to continue writing this.

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone from Criminal Minds.

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It's been an agonizing three months.

Haley didn't want to drown herself in self-pity, she knew she was stronger than that. But she still had trouble accepting that nothing would fill the empty void. Her stomach still remained flat. Meanwhile, she knew friends that were expectant mothers, and she envied them with a passion. She's too ashamed to admit that she was infertile.

Only one woman knew, and that was Haley's best friend, Kate. Even then, it took Haley a month to finally tell her. Kate had tears in her eyes and hugged her best friend fiercely, telling her that she'd always be there for her.

Haley would sit and stare through the window for hours at a time, watching the soft snow lightly come down from the sky, leaving white blankets on the sidewalks.

Every time Aaron would get home from work, he'd see her in the same position every time. Yes, he was hurting, but not as much as his wife. It pained him to see Haley stare blankly outside, as if there was no hope.

"Haley, I'm home," Aaron says, hoping to get her attention. He receives a non verbal sign, a nod of her head. Aaron sighed; this has become a routine. He wasn't annoyed; he just conflicted on how to help her. She'd have these moments where she'd remain silent, but then she'd be found crying at the end of the day. Aaron would just hold her until she fell asleep.

Aaron knew she'd get better soon, he just didn't know when. He always knew that there was adoption, not to mention a surrogate. He just didn't know what would be alright with Haley. It was a shame, because Aaron really wanted a child. He was hurting, but he knew that if Haley would get better, so would he.

These things take time.

Aaron didn't know, however, if he could truly trust that statement anymore.

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Thirteen year old Emily Prentiss put her hair up in a bun, trying to ignore to deathly glares from her older "sister". Ever since her parents died in a drunken car accident a few years ago, she had placed from foster home to foster home. Three years of experience in foster care taught her that the foster system sucked. She had been in the Wheeler household for three weeks, and she disliked it.

Actually, disliking the home was an understatement; she hated it. She hated her foster mother, she hated her foster father, and she especially hated her "sister" Christine.

Christine was the couple's biological child, so she was treated a lot better. She made sure that she rubbed it in Emily's face whenever she could. Her parents would turn the other cheek. Christine could kill three cats, run over a box of puppies, and shoot a nun and all she'd have to say was that Emily really did it. Emily was labeled as the "criminal" in their household. Mrs. Wheeler would accuse the young girl of stealing, despite being completely clean. It was their real daughter that had done the stealing.

"You know they don't love you, right?" Christine taunted the younger girl, who was trying to keep her temper under control. Emily had been kicked out of homes prior because she couldn't control it. This time, she found herself caring less and less,

"Yeah, and you think I give a shit?" She snapped, putting up her black hoodie. Christine visibly grimaced at the clothes,

"No wonder mom and dad don't love you, with clothes like that. You look homeless, then again, you carried all your clothes in a black bag. It's honestly appalling," she sneered. Emily looked down at what she was wearing; a black hoodie, ripped jeans, and worn out converse. Then, she looked at what Christine was wearing; designer, designer, oh and more designer clothes.

Clearly not showing favoritism.

"These are the only clothes I have," Emily said lowly, her eyes glaring menacingly at Christine. The other girl scowled and said,

"These are the only clothes you deserve. They never told me what happened to your parents though," Christine had smirked, knowing she had touched a nerve when she saw Emily's hand curve into a fist. She went on, "I bet they gave up on you. They probably didn't even want your pathetic ass."

"Shut up," Emily warned, using her dangerous tone. The older girl didn't listen, her smirk only growing wider,

"Did I hit too close to home? Oh wait, you don't have one. Not really, anyways. You'll never have a real home-"

"I said shut up!" Emily said again, only she was louder. Just one more comment, only one more and she'd black out and go into a fit of uncontrollable rage.

"Your parents were probably deadbeat drunks, anyways." That was it. Emily's eyes had grown wide with anger, seeing nothing but red. She didn't think; she tightened her fist and swung with all her might. She wasn't surprised when Christine tackled her, leaving a nasty bruise on her face. Emily didn't stop there. She couldn't stop.

She wanted to hear her cry.

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Haley had poured herself a cup of coffee at the table. She decided that she couldn't watch the snow fall down anymore. It was making her too depressed. Aaron had just gone to work; and she tried to kept herself busy by reading magazines. She wanted to get this whole "infertile" thing off her mind.

Just when she was reading something about a celebrity affair, her phone had decided to ring. She sighed; she still wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone right now. Reluctantly, she picked up the phone and answered, "Hello?"

"Haley? It's Kate," Oh, okay. She could talk to Kate, but something was off with her voice, it seemed very urgent. But something was up, Kate would never call Haley at work,

"Oh...hey Kate. What's up?" Haley put the phone in between her shoulder and her ear while she flipped through the magazine. A sigh was heard from the other end, something was definitely wrong,

"I hate to do this...but I need a favor," Haley waited for Kate to continue, she had never asked her for a favor during work hours, that could only mean one thing, "I was recently called in to take a girl away from a foster home. She was fighting with the couple's biological daughter, and I need her to stay somewhere for a few days."

"What?!" Haley closed the magazine and sat up straighter, now giving Kate her full attention. She knew that Kate worked for CPS, which was probably why Haley had offered her frien comfort sometimes after a difficult case. Still, She wasn't expecting this, "Aaron and I aren't even foster parents! We're not...we-"

"It's just for a few days, Haley. Please." Kate was practically begging over the phone now. Haley let out a distressed sigh, she couldn't say no. She wanted to say no, she really really wanted to say no. Then again, this was probably the closest she'd ever get to being a mother, even if it was for only a few days. She's sure Aaron would understand too, knowing how much she wanted children,

"What's her name?" Haley asked.

"Emily Prentiss. She just turned thirteen a week ago, please Haley, can you do it?" Haley ran her fingers through her hair. She didn't answer right away, completely nervous, "Kate, what did you say she got kicked out for?" Haley heard Kate sigh,

"She got into a fight with the couple's biological child. Okay I know that-"

"Kate!" Whined Haley, "If she's violent then-"

"She's not violent, Haley! I promise. She's just misunderstood. Please! This is the only time I'll ever ask you to do something like this ever again!" Haley grumbled under her breath, Kate owed her big time. She took a breath,

"Okay," she replied. It was only for a few days, after all. This should be easy, right?

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A/N: That's right! Emily Prentiss is the first, but certainly not the last, foster child of the Hotchner home. What will Aaron think? Who'll be the next foster child? Review and find out! :)