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Lost Time

Chapter 4

As Emily walked down the corridor with Dillon holding her hand and Derek behind her, she could hear the squeals of Garcia before she could see her. As soon as she had heard about Emily's return and the existence of a miniature Morgan, Garcia had hounded Derek until he bought them both in to see her before they saw everyone else. Emily was surprised at the fact that Derek was ok with this…..after all, as soon as everyone saw the little boy, they would know he was Derek's.

"Oh my god oh my god oh my god!" Garcia couldn't get the words out quick enough as she tottered towards them down the corridor, her stilettos slowing her down. She hugged Emily so tight she thought she would burst.

"Hey Pen, it's so good to see you."

"Oh Emily, I can't believe you're back…" She looked down at the little angel staring up at her, completely mesmerised by the techie… "Emily, he's gorgeous… I didn't think it was possible for a human being to be more perfect than Derek Morgan….." Garcia knelt down in front of Dillon…."but you young man are actually perfection personified."

Dillon looked up at Emily, "Mommy, is she ok?"

Emily couldn't help but laugh…."Sweetie, this is Aunty Penelope. She's a really good friend of your daddy…. and me. Say hi."

"Hi Aunty P'nelope."

"Hey little prince, I've got some goodies for you. Wanna come see?"

Dillon looked up at Emily for her approval and she nodded…. "Not too many E numbers Garcia."

They were all sat in Garcia's office and Dillon was exploring….it was like an Aladdin's cave, with all of Garcia's little nik naks.

"I'm going to introduce this one to a few people." Derek said taking hold of his son's hand and guiding him out of the room.

"So, I've sorted it all out Em… everyone's coming to my place tonight"

"I can't wait to see everyone... Pen thanks for doing all of this…..I just wanted to tell you how sorry I was that I didn't say goodbye."

"Hey, that doesn't matter now, I know you had no choice. Anyway, I'm more annoyed with you for not telling me about you and that hunk of burning love out there."

"There was nothing to tell Pen. It only happened once and that was obviously right before I left… there was no time to fill you in on all the gory details."

"Well, it should have been obvious really. Everyone was gutted when you left, but he was broken. I knew he was always in love with you anyway. I should hate you really." She said winking to her friend.

"Don't be ridiculous Garcia…"

The conversation was cut short when there was a knock at the door. Agent Farrell poked his head round….."Garcia, do you know where Morgan is?"

"Not sure. He went off to see a few people."

"Oh right. Stephanie's here. I'll send her down here to wait for him."

Before Garcia could say anything, Farrell had gone.

Garcia looked at Emily cautiously…. "It' ok Pen. I know about her. But I'm not sure she knows about me…..or Dillon. This could be awkward."

The door then opened and in walked a dark haired woman. She was pretty, probably a couple of inches shorter than Emily, with tanned skin.

"Hi Penelope….." the woman began….."Sorry to intrude like this. I was just after Derek. Do you know where he is?" She had a soft voice Emily thought… very 'sweet'.

"I'm not sure. He had to go to see some people." Garcia responded. Emily knew she hated having to lie…although it wasn't really a lie, just a bending of the truth.

"Oh, it's just he hasn't been answering his phone. I thought may be he had a case or something."

"Errr, no. I mean he is really busy at the moment." Garcia said trying to make the poor woman feel better.

Stephanie turned to Emily as if she'd just noticed her…."Hi. I don't think we've met. Are you new here?"

"No….I used to work here a few years ago. I'm just visiting."

"Oh right, well I'm Stephanie." And she held out her hand for Emily to shake.

As awkward as she felt, Emily took her hand….."Emily." She replied. As she did she saw the expression on Stephanie's face change slightly. She was almost frowning, but trying hard not to show it.

"I think Derek's mentioned you before…. How long have you been back?"

Emily could tell straight away that this woman was beginning to join the dots. She may be sweet, but she wasn't stupid.

"Oh, erm…. A few days."

"Right, well I better be off if you don't know when he'll be back. Tell him I came by. I'll catch up with him later…at his place." He words were a little more harsh, certainly not soft anymore. Emily wondered if that last statement was intended for her, to let her know that he was hers.

After Stephanie had walked out, Emily turned to her friend, "Sorry Pen."

"Hey it's fine…..I'm too thrilled to have you back and to have a new little playmate to care." And she gave Emily another hug.

"Do I get to get in on this action?" Derek startled them as he walked in with Dillon.

Both women turned and stared at him….

"What?" He asked, feeling like he had something alien growing out of his head the way the two women were looking at him.

"Errr Derek….." Garcia started…"Stephanie came by."

"What she was here?"

"Yes right here …..she says she'll catch up with you later….at your place."

Derek looked at Emily with sorry eyes…."I errr, well I better give her a ring."

Trying her best to ignore the current situation, Emily got up and put out her hand to the little boy…."Dillon, come on sweetie, we better get going. Daddy and Penelope have to work now."

"Oh, but I want to play with Aunty Penelope some more mommy."

"You'll be able to tonight. We're going her place and it's way more fantastic than this office."

"Really?" He squealed in excitement.

Emily stood up and took of Dillon's hand. Derek stood in front of her…."I'll pick you up later to go to Pen's. Ok?"

"Derek, if it's going to cause you a problem it's fine. I can drive."

"No, I'll be there at six." It was definitely a statement and not an offer.

"Ok, I'll see you later….Dillon give daddy and Aunty Penelope a kiss goodbye."

As Emily left the room, Garcia looked at Derek and raised her eyebrows.

"Don't look at me like that Penelope."

"Why haven't you told Stephanie about Emily and Dillon? She's not just going to go away you know?"

"Yes I'm well aware of that."

"Well….." He cut her off by putting a finger to her lips.

"Not another word Garcia…I'll deal with this my own way ok?" and he turned to walk away.

"Oh by the way Derek…."

"What?"

"Dillon's amazing… and I'm glad she's back too." And she gave him a massive Garcia smile and winked at him. He smiled back and carried on walking out of the room.

Everyone waited at Penelope's place, excited to see Emily. Somehow, she had managed to convince Derek and Emily to keep Dillon a secret from them all. She loved surprises and couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces as the three of them walked through the door.

JJ was there with Henry, Spencer, Rossi and Hotch.

Outside, they sat in the car…."Oh god Derek, I've suddenly gone all shaky. I'm really nervous."

He took hold of her hand. "Why on earth would you be nervous? These are our friends."

"I know it's just…oh I'm being silly. Let's go."

Garcia was looking out of her window…."Oooh they're here guys."

They were all pleased they were going to see Emily for the first time in four years, but Garcia was acting strange, even for Garcia. She opened the front door and signalled for Derek to stay outside with Dillon…both Derek and Emily rolled their eyes in unison but went along with Garcia's little game. Emily slowly walked in the front door feeling like she was about to be paraded about by Garcia like a piece of meat at a farmer's market. She was greeted by big smiles from all of her old friends.

JJ was the first to wrap her friend in a big hug…."God Emily, it's so good to see you."

"You too JJ."

It was interrupted by Garcia pulling them apart.

"What the….." JJ started

"Guys, there's someone else to come yet." Garcia squealed.

"Yeah, where is Morgan?" Reid asked oblivious.

"Derek!" Garcia shouted.

They were all watching the door expecting to see Morgan's 6'3" frame walk in. Instead, all eyes moved down to see a beautiful little boy cautiously walking in. He surveyed the room and saw his mother and quickly walked over to her and nestled into her legs, overwhelmed by all the strangers in the room. Emily, lovingly put a hand on his head to let him know he was safe.

JJ gasped…"Oh my god."

Garcia clapped her hands in excitement as Derek walked in. Rossi, Reid and Hotch turned to look at him, mouths hung open. JJ's eyes were firmly fixed on the boy and for a few seconds everyone appeared lost for words.

Feeling like she had a thousand eyes staring at her now, Emily broke the silence…"Guys, this is Dillon…. Dillon, say hi to everyone."

Dillon looked at his mom and then buried his face in her legs…"He's just a bit shy. He's had to meet a lot of new people recently."

"Emily, he's gorgeous….how….." JJ couldn't get her words out.

Hotch walked over to Derek and held out his hand, "Congratulation Morgan….although right now I'm very confused as to how you managed this one. I guess it'll be a conversation for later."

"Thanks man" Derek replied with a smile. He looked over to Reid who just looked confused.

"You ok Reid?" Derek asked him.

"How…?" Derek gave him a playful tap around the back of his head.

"C'mon now. We had the birds and bees talk didn't we?" and the room laughed.

Everything settled down and they all said their hellos to Emily and Dillon. It wasn't long before it felt like they'd never been apart.

Emily went into the kitchen to make a drink and JJ followed behind her. As Emily was at the counter she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and found JJ in front of her. JJ took her friend into a big hug, "Em I missed you so much."
Emily forgot how sweet JJ smelt, how warm her hugs felt and what a real friend she had been back then. She remembered what a strong, yet still soft and feminine woman she was. They had shared a special bond back then, knowing how it felt as a woman to see the horrific things they saw day in day out. She wished JJ had been there when she found out she was pregnant. She was petrified at the time, and knew that JJ would have grounded her.

"I missed you too JJ."

With a smirk and raised eyebrows JJ said, "So you made Derek Morgan a daddy hey?"

Emily let out a little laugh, "No JJ. He made himself a daddy…he just never knew it."

JJ's expression changed…."He didn't know?"

Emily shook her head.

"Jees….I guess we do have a lot to catch up on."

"Later….. Henry is amazing by the way. I can't believe how big he is."

Reid then joined them in the kitchen looking a little sheepish.

"Hey Reid, come and give me a proper 'hello'" and Reid walked up to Emily and gave her an awkward hug. JJ left them to it.

"Spence….." she looked him in the eyes….."I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye you know. It was really hard."

"I know." His voice was broken and strained.

"So how's you mom Spence?" She asked trying to break the awkwardness.

He didn't reply, just looked at her with his big sad eyes. She could see tears welling.

"Oh no… Spencer I'm so sorry." And she pulled him back in for another hug.

"She died Emily….." She could hear the pain in his voice and she cursed Derek in her mind for not telling her. She held him tight feeling his silent sobs. He may be a genius, but she had always felt like he was a child who needed looking after and she was happy to step in.

"C'mon you. Let's get back to everyone…..you know I'll be expecting you to impart some of that 'geniosity' on Dillon don't you?" He gave a little smile and they went back to join the others.

Emily managed to briefly catch up with everyone. Rossi was enjoying his retirement. Mainly occupying his time with book touring and he had also found the next 'Mrs Rossi'. Emily wondered if this would be the final one.

Hotch was enjoying his promotion and was heading up a white collar crime task force. He didn't bring Jack as he was at baseball practice, but Emily couldn't wait to see him. She wondered if she would actually recognise him.

She had a good night and had promised to see them all once she got back from Canada and moved back permanently.

On the drive back to Emily's parents, Derek and Emily laughed at events of the evening. She knew she had missed her old team, but didn't realise just how much until today. She also missed these conversations with Derek. Her teasing him and the both of them laughing at the foibles of the team.

The conversation however then turned to more a more serious topic, which was common place these last few days.

"Em, I was thinking…about when you go to Canada."

"What about it?"

"Well, I really would like to spend some decent time with Dillon…."

"I'm not leaving him Derek."

"No, I'm not suggesting that…but wouldn't you trust me?"

"Of course I would, don't be ridiculous, but he's had so much upheaval lately, me leaving him for weeks really isn't the best idea."

"No you're right. Anyway, like I was saying, what if I took some time off and come with you. I mean I can help you move and I get to see him away from all the distractions here."

Emily was taken aback by the suggestion….."When you say distractions, do you mean Stephanie? Is she going to be ok with this?"

Derek paused for a few seconds….."That's for me to deal with."

"Oh ok."

He could hear the upset in her voice…..

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I just thought you didn't want to talk about that side of things just yet."

She didn't respond. Her head was spinning. She hated the thought of him going back to another woman tonight but knew she had no right to say anything to him. On one hand she wanted to talk about it, but on the other, she was frightened of what the outcome may be. She was taken out of her thoughts by Derek's voice, "Well? Would it be ok if I came with you?"

"Sure Derek…It would be really good for Dillon."

She wondered what she was getting herself into here, but went with it anyway.

They said their goodbyes and Emily took Dillon into the house. As she walked in the front door her phone rang out. She looked at the screen and didn't recognise the number….."Hello?" she asked curiously.

"Hi. This is Stephanie. We met earlier. I think we need to talk…"