Emily knocked on Garcia's door and keyed in her code, before walking inside. Her friend turned in her seat and shot a sad look in Emily's direction. "I've already managed to convince you to stay once. You sure I can't do it a second time?" she asked. Emily shook her head and smiled as Garcia pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry," she replied, "And you didn't convince me. Hotch did."
Garcia pulled back and wrinkled her brow. "But I put the idea in his head. So I take full credit," she retorted. Emily smiled and nodded. "Of course you do," she replied. Garcia pulled Emily into a chair and sat down in her own, facing her. "So why?" she asked bravely.
Emily shook her head. She'd been asked this question already, by both Hotch and Strauss. And both times she'd answered with a lie. This time would be no different.
"I just want a change of pace. I need to live a little and the BAU doesn't give you much time for that," she replied. Garcia nodded and Emily breathed a silent sigh of relief. She was worried that her answer wouldn't satisfy her friend, but she wasn't about to tell her the truth.
"So do you know what you're going to do?" Garcia asked. Emily shrugged and sat back in her seat. "I don't know," she replied, "I have a heap of money saved up so I was thinking I'd spend some time overseas. There are a few places I didn't get to go while I was growing up so… who knows?" Garcia smiled and nodded. The penchant for travel was something they both shared, though Garcia had fewer stamps on her passport than her good friend.
"Well, make sure you keep in touch," she ordered. Emily nodded and grinned. "I'll let you know my blog address and you can keep up to date on my adventures," she replied. Garcia grinned and nodded. "You need help setting it up?" she asked. Emily nodded and smiled. "Sounds good," she replied. Garcia grinned and turned in her seat, opening various windows and explaining to Emily the intricacies of blogging.