AN: And the plot thickens; well after a few drinks.

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"A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts."

~ Steve Fergosi

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Emily almost ran off the plane as they returned from their case the next day. She knew from a text from Mattea that Clyde was still on their couch and would remain there till the weekend. JJ walked up behind Emily with her go bag. "The team sometimes goes out for a few drinks after a case. We were wondering if you were interested. If you can't make it it's totally okay."

Emily bit her lip. On one hand she wanted to get home to the girls, but on the other hand it wouldn't hurt to spend time with the team. These were the people who were responsible for having each other's backs. "Is it okay if I go home and change first?"

JJ's face lit up. "Definitely."

So that's how Emily found herself quickly sneaking in to see the girls and then going to change. Clyde didn't say anything when she entered the apartment, but he did speak when she left, "Where you off to?"

"The team invited me out for drinks. I'm not staying long, and the girls are already asleep," Emily replied.

"Call me if you need a ride," Clyde called to her as she stepped out the door.

Emily sent a smile over her shoulder as she let herself out of the apartment.

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Emily was surprised to see the team including Garcia, Haley, and Strauss had already arrived. "Section Chief Strauss," Emily greeted with a hint of nervousness.

"You can just call me Strauss or Erin outside of the office," Strauss replied.

Emily nodded and joined them to the table. "Well if it isn't Princess," Morgan spoke downing his shot.

"Glad you could join us," JJ repeated from earlier.

"Can't stay long though I have to get up early in the morning. Five a.m. and a hangover don't mix."

Hotch spoke next, "After a case you don't have to be in before 10."

"I know, but I have company staying for the weekend," Emily explained.

"Old friend at your door?" JJ asked calling back to the phone conversation.

"Yeah, he has decided that my couch is much better than an expensive hotel," Emily replied letting a wall or two fall.

"Well let's enjoy the time we have!" Garcia cheered.

"I'm gonna get another round," Morgan stated. "What does everyone want?"

"Green fairy!" Garcia yelled a little to loudly already a little drunk.

"Orange-spiced coffee," Reid said much more reserved.

"Beer for us," Hotch said referring to himself and Haley.

"Same," JJ and Emily said together.

Morgan turned to Strauss and Rossi. "Sprite and Whiskey?" He asked.

Rossi nodded. Before long Morgan returned with drinks and a fish bowl. It was no shocker that two hours later they had a few very drunk agents on their hands. "Aaron and I will take Reid and JJ home," Haley announced when they decided it was time to go home.

Morgan, who held his alcohol pretty well, said he'd call a cab for himself and Garcia. Strauss turned to Rossi, "I guess we get Prentiss."

"For someone who wasn't staying long she sure got drunk," Rossi acknowledged.

Emily was trying to stand at the table but obviously failing as she clutched to the top. "Emily it's time to take you home," Rossi spoke as he gave her his arm for support.

Slowly Rossi and Strauss walked to her car as Emily stumbled along holding on to Rossi. She'd fought him at first but after almost falling she held on to his arm pretty tight. Once they were in the car it took a few tries but Strauss finally got the address, so they could take Emily home. Rossi had suggested they just take her to their house, but Emily had instantly protested.

"Promised I'd be home," Emily slurred.

"You're old friend I assume?" Rossi asked.

Ever since he had found something familiar about the new agent he had been trying to learn as much about her as possible.

"No, not Clyde. I told Clyde; promised Taya," Emily corrected in her drunken state.

"Who's Taya?" Strauss whispered more to Rossi.

"Don't know. The only thing I know about her is she keeps to herself, and her mother is Ambassador Prentiss," Rossi replied.

The way Emily scrunched her face up at the mention of her mother didn't go unnoticed by them. Arriving at the apartment Rossi cursed who ever built an apartment building with out an elevator. With a few stumbles they finally made it to the third floor. "Do you have a key Emily?"

"Nuhun," Emily said shaking her head. She then hit the door with all her strength. "Clyde open the door."

Clyde threw himself off the couch with a grumble. He didn't even pay attention to who it was as he angrily complained, "I swear if you wake Chloe or Elise up I'll shoot you."

Rossi and Strauss both looked skeptically at the man dressed only in his t-shirt and boxers. "Did you just threaten three FBI agents?" Strauss asked.

"Pretty sure I out rank you," Clyde stated.

Emily ignored everything and stumbled into the apartment immediately tripping over a Barbie. "Shit!" She yelled as she hit the ground.

"Great," Clyde sighed knowing at least one of the girls was bound to wake up.

Rossi rushed forward and took note of the cut now gracing Emily's forehead from the hall table.

"Who's there?" A voice called from the hallway.

"It's just us," Clyde called back helping Rossi get Emily to her feet.

Mattea felt relief as she saw there was no intruder; then she saw the cut on her mom's head. Strauss was shocked to see the same girl from the grocery store.

"What happened?" Mattea asked rushing forward.

Clyde and Rossi set Emily down the couch. "I tripped," Emily giggled.

Mattea looked to Clyde. "She's drunk isn't she?"

"She's had a few drinks," Rossi replied.

"And you are?" Mattea inquired.

Rossi stuck his hand out. "Agent Rossi, I work with Emily."

Mattea shook his hand and then noticed Strauss. "Good to see you again."

"Yes, I suppose," Strauss said stepping forward.

"You've met?" Rossi asked confused.

"I told you about being run over by a child. She was with the child," Strauss explained.

Mattea looked at her feet. "Once again I'm sorry about that."

"It's fine. You added a little excitement to my day," Strauss told her.

Mattea looked up and glanced to Emily. "Thank you for bringing mom home. What-"

Mattea was cut off when Elise walked into the living room. Elise looked up with her blue eyes and dragged her soft yellow blanket behind her.

Rossi gasped and looked at Strauss to see if she realized it too. Mattea didn't see their reactions and instead went to pick Elise up. "Did we wake you up?"

Elise nodded her head against Mattea's shoulder. "We hate to rush but we better get going," Rossi spoke leading Strauss to the door.

"Thanks again," Mattea spoke before turning to Clyde. "Clyde can you?" She asked nodding to Emily.

"Sure thing Dancer," Clyde replied helping Emily to her feet. "Time for bed darling."

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Rossi and Strauss sat in the car with the silence circling around them. Rossi flipped open his wallet to reveal a picture of a grinning three year-old with shining brown eyes and her brown waves pulled back in a ponytail. Strauss met his eye with a sad smile and a sigh.

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"You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories."

-Stanislaw Jerzy Lec