On Monday Emily returns to work with a note from her doctor saying she has to lay off physical activity for 2 weeks. Hotch smiles at her.

"Hopefully this will change to 9 months plus maternity leave."

Emily grins. "Crossing my fingers while at the same time trying to remind myself that the first time usually doesn't work."

Hotch raises an eyebrow. "Good luck with that."

"Thanks. I'm going to need it," Emily admits.

She heads to her desk and stares at the files waiting for her. With a sigh she opens the first one. Reid studies her for several minutes.

"Are you okay?" he asks with concern.

Emily looks up at him. "What? Why?"

Reid is frowning. "You sighed twice and clicked your pen three times, tapped it five times, then clicked it three times again. You only do that combination when you're feeling anxious."

Emily stares at him a minute then breaks into a grin. "You know, Reid, it's kind of creepy that you know that, yet oddly comforting, too." Reid just grins. "Actually, I was wondering if the time comes when I am pregnant if all these cases will affect the baby. Crazy, huh?"

Reid purses his lips as he thinks. "Well, not really. Outside stimulus has been proven to both negative and positively affect a fetus. For example, JJ used to use earphones on her stomach to play calming music whenever we discussed cases. Studies have shown that—"

"Uh, Reid?" Emily interrupts. "I love you. But seriously…stop. I'll let you know if I need to know more stats than I've already read or been told by Jen."

Reid chuckles. "Sorry. Haven't had a chance to use all of this knowledge since JJ was pregnant."

Emily grins. "Save it for Traina."

Reid blushes and quickly looks away. Emily frowns.

"Reid? What's going on with you and Traina?"

Reid sighs. "Nothing really. It seems like every time we have a date either she has a case or we do. We even had to cancel our New Year's plans."

Emily's face falls. "Oh, Reid. I'm sorry. Are you all still trying to make it work?"

Reid shrugs. "She wants us to 'talk' tonight. Rossi and Morgan both say when a woman wants to 'talk' it's code for break-up."

Emily chuckles. "Reid, are you really going to listen to a 'playa' like Morgan and a man who's been divorced 3 times?" Reid frowns, considering that. "Take it from a woman, Reid, she just wants to see where she stands with you. She wants to know you're willing to fight for her."

Reid smiles, blushing. "I really like her. I want to make it work."

Emily nods confidently. "Then I'm sure you will."

Reid nods. "I hope so. Thanks, Emily."

She smiles at him. "Any time."


Just before noon JJ walks into the bullpen. "We have a case. Prentiss, get ready to put your liaison skills to use."

Emily nods and grabs her notepad. Once the team is assembled, JJ pulls up the particulars.

"Four women, blonde hair, blue eyes—"

"Fucking figures," Emily mumbles.

"—found raped and strangled along a walking path in Charleston, WV over the last 3 weeks. They have been identified as women who went missing in Lancaster, Ohio, which is why we're being called in."

"Where are we going to base?" Morgan asks.

"We'll fly into Lancaster. Morgan, Reid, and JJ will go to Charleston. The rest of us will stay in Lancaster. We'll need to figure out if the unsub's comfort zone is the abduction or dump site and why. Once we know that, we can figure out where to focus our investigation," Hotch decides. "Wheels up in 30. JJ, a minute?"

The team heads out to get ready. JJ walks over to Hotch, who points to the seat beside him. She sits, worried what he might be about to tell her.

"JJ, I know you've passed one of the three tests needed to qualify as a profiler." She nods. "Let's face it you'll pass the next two with no problem. You've got your practical case reviews done; Morgan signed off on that. This case, you'll be going in as profiler-in-training. You've never been shy about putting forward your thoughts and opinions. But this case you need to be more vocal, even if it's just asking questions. Morgan and I will both be signing off on your evaluation but don't expect it to be sugar coated."

"Of course not, sir. I'll prove I'm ready to be a profiler. I swear," she vows.

Hotch smiles. "Of that I have no doubt."

They stand and head out to get their things together. A few minutes later JJ meets up with Emily at the elevator. The brunette is on the phone with Francesca.

"As soon as we have an idea when we'll be back we'll let you know." She listens a moment. "I know, Francesca. I swear, I'll be the liaison this time. They just lay around the precinct all day doing nothing so I'll be fine." That comment earns a nasty glare from JJ as Emily grins evilly. "Yes, of course. We'll be in different cities tonight so we'll both be calling. Give Henry a hug and kiss for us. Love you, Francesca."

She hangs up and looks at her miffed wife.

"Liaison's lay around and do nothing?" JJ repeats.

Emily smiles. "Jen, you know I don't believe that. But Francesca was fretting about me going away on a case so soon after…Friday."

"Then why the evil grin, Agent Prentiss?" JJ challenges.

Emily chuckles. "Well…I did think it was pretty funny."

JJ doesn't get a chance to respond as the elevator opens for them. Reid runs up and joins them on the way down. He smiles at Emily.

"Don't worry about JJ, Em. I promise to protect her out in the field," he says with a wink.

JJ laughs. "Protect me? Right, smart boy. I'll save your ass before you save mine."

Emily rolls her eyes. "Oh, geez, if you two are going to be as competitive as Morgan and I can be he's in for a fun trip to Charleston."

The trio laughs and split up in the parking lot. Once in the Lexus, JJ takes Emily's hand.

"I know I don't need to say this but I needto say this: Emily, don't put yourself in the field. Please. No matter what. I heard you mutter when you saw the victims."

Emily nods. "Yeah, it kinda hit me in the heart." She looks into JJ's eyes. "I think I finally get how you feel when the victims look like me and you're stuck out of the field. It really does suck."

"You have no idea. Yet. But I'll make you the same promise you make me: I won't take an unnecessary chances and I will listen to my partners."

Emily stares into JJ's eyes. She feels so helpless and really hates it. But her wife is a damn good agent and she'll be with two men she trusts with her life, including the man who is Emily's best friend. She finally sighs.

"I love you, Jennifer. I know you will be phenomenal profiler. I'll try not to be an annoying worry-wart. And I'll try to live up to the standard you've set."

Emily pulls JJ into a deep kiss. "Be safe, my love."

JJ nods. "Always. Try to keep your stress levels down."

Emily chuckles. "Finally I ask myself how the hell am I going to manage that. I should have asked that sooner, I guess."

JJ chuckles. "Yep. Day late and a dollar short, Prentiss. Now, drive me to the airstrip so I can start my profiling career."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

Holding hands and smiling, the women head to the airstrip to see if this grand plan they came up with can really work.