Last chapter, we dealt with Cassandra's nightmares and the Prentiss family decided to move; this chapter will actually be covering that move, as well as the inclusion of another foster kid; I'm not going to lie, I've been looking forward to this character as she really has some similarities with a teenage Emily (that, and we get to deal with how the BAU men (minus Reid) go all protective on her dates xD). Also, given that this takes place after the move, very big time skip (as in, it's now July)

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Criminal Minds; however Emily's father, sister and the Prentiss children are mine so don't take them please!

Scarlett Cade

July 9th, Saturday

"Morgan, so help me if you drop that box…!"

Emily threatened as the dark-skinned agent entered the foyer, in his arms he carried a box filled with china given to Emily by her mother.

"I know what's in here Princess, and I have no desire for the Ambassador to come after my boys thank you very much."

Morgan huffed, shooting the dark-haired agent a glare as he walked past her into the grand room, where the kitchen opened into.

He released a whistle after placing the box on the counter, glancing around the large room; this was the first time he had actually seen the new Prentiss house, as Emily had hired interior designers to redecorate the rooms, and he was very impressed.

"Wow, just how rich was your great-aunt Em?"

"Very, some of it was her trust fund, some was the successful candle-making business and the rest was from her multiple divorce settlements."

Evelyn replied dryly as she entered with a box of silverware in her hands; Rossi and Hotch entered behind her, lugging a large sofa.

"Remind me again why I had to help Aaron? Last time I checked, I wasn't a buff, dark-skinned agent always boasting about how fit I am."

Rossi complained as he and Hotch put the sofa down where Emily had directed them to, letting out a groan as he felt his back crack slightly.

"Uncle Dave, Aunt JJ says you need to stop whining."

Nathan called out as he entered, a playful grin on his face; the difference in the boy was visible, he was less thin and had grown considerably but even more so, he was a lot more joking and willing to tease his family.

"Watch it buddy, or else I'll throw you into the pool."

"Don't threaten my son David Rossi."

Emily warned, entering the room with Cassandra in her arms; she shot Rossi a look, smirking when she saw him visibly gulp.

"Mommy, why you scare Uncle Dave?"

Cassandra asked, tilting her head to the side as she looked at her mother; Hotch smirked as he made his way over.

"That's because Uncle Dave is fun to scare."

Hotch replied, holding out his hands for Cassandra; Emily willingly handed her daughter over, unaware of the profilers observing the scene.

JJ was curious as to whether Emily and Hotch were aware of how much they looked like a family, a smile crossing her lips when she saw Nathan move over to Hotch.

Rossi had the same thoughts, though he smirked when he saw Hotch subtly place a hand on the small of Emily's back.

"Come on guys, we still have a lot of furniture to move."

Garcia stated as she walked in with Reid carrying a box behind her; the BAU men went back to work while the ladies stood around, JJ and Garcia cooed at Cassandra while conversing with Nathan.

"Finally!"

Reid exclaimed, collapsing on the couch with Morgan following suit; Rossi and Hotch quietly agreed as they sat down across from them.

"Really, you guys can chase a perp for miles but when it comes to carrying a few pounds of furniture…"

Evelyn stated in disbelief, raising an eyebrow as she handed the men a beer (except for Reid, who asked for iced tea); Morgan managed to shoot her a dirty look as he took a chug.

Cassandra came running into the living room, jumping onto Hotch's lap as she soon as she saw him; Nathan sat beside his mother and aunt.

"So, are you guys staying for dinner? I'm making braised balsamic chicken."

"Are you kidding? No way am I going to miss your wonderful cooking Princess."

Emily shook her head, laughing as she entered the kitchen and began preparing supper; she felt a presence behind her and looked up.

"I thought Cassie was comfortable on your lap?"

"She was, but then Uncle Morgan decided to take her."

Hotch explained, looking over his shoulder at the happy brunette girl; he could hear Garcia threatening that, if he dropped her, Morgan could look forward to a lot of pain.

"Seriously Baby Girl, I'm not going to drop her!"

Morgan protested, bouncing Cassandra up and down as she giggled and squealed; his stomach started grumbling when the smells from the kitchens started drifting in.

"It already smells great Mom!"

Nathan praised, causing the dark-haired woman to blush; she shot her superior a glare when she heard him chuckle.

"Here, help me carry the food out to the backyard."

Emily instructed, grabbing the plates and glasses as she walked out the back doors; Hotch grabbed the chicken while Nathan grabbed the rice.

The group eventually sat down, the dinner quickly becoming filled with wisecracks (mostly at Reid's expense) and laughter.

Reid quizzed Nathan on what courses he was planning on going with and proudly proclaimed he could get him into his old alma mater ("he's only thirteen Spencer!").

"So Morgan and I are pursuing this guy, when all of a sudden this woman comes out of nowhere and…"

Hotch stopped talking, the echoing of a phone ringing catching the group's attention; Emily placed her napkin down and stood up, giving everyone an apologetic look.

She walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the phone, picking it up to stop the ringing.

"Hello, Prentiss residence; how may I help you?"

"Emily…?"

The brunette agent paused, immediately recognizing the voice as Lucy Devon; she looked over her shoulder before turning her attention to the call.

"Lucy, what's going on?"

"I have a case for you; a fifteen-year old girl is in the hospital right now, her foster father is facing charges for the murder of her foster sister and…she needs a new home."

Emily shut her eyes, pain coursing through her veins; she was already aware of what foster parents were capable of, but still…

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

She replied, hanging up the phone; she glanced up to see Hotch walk in, worry in his eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

He questioned, moving quickly to her side; Emily sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder as she spoke.

"That was Lucy, a fifteen-year old girl is in the hospital because of her foster father; he's facing charges for the murder of her foster sister."

"Damn…"

The stoic man hissed, his eyes burning in fury; he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Emily opened her mouth to refuse, state that it wasn't necessary, but then she stopped.

"Sure, I'd like that."

The two went back outside and explained the situation (though it was said in kid friendly terms to Cassandra); Rossi, Derek and Reid had angry expressions while JJ, Garcia and Evelyn were already making plans for the girl's room.

Emily felt tears prick her eyes, wondering how she had ended up with such wonderful friends.

I have the best life…

Emily felt her breath hitch when she entered the small room, fighting back tears at the scene before her.

She recognized the girl as the one who had been there when she and Cassandra had met Nathan; to see the difference was frightening.

Her copper locks were now messy, her dark brown eyes were blank and her face was caked with blood, Emily could see the signs of a fight, of the girl's desperation to save her sister.

"Hello Scarlett."

Scarlett glanced up, her body tensing when she saw Hotch standing next to Emily; sure he had a lot more hair than her foster father and was definitely a lot fitter but still…

"My name is Emily Prentiss, this is my friend Aaron Hotchner; he's a good man sweetie, he won't hurt you."

Emily soothed as she sat next to Scarlett, the brunette agent gave the red-haired girl a gentle smile in an attempt to reassure her.

Scarlett gave this woman a shocked look, when Miss Devon had told Scarlett that her new foster mother would be coming to the hospital she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

She was used to her foster parents babying her, or at least acting indifferent; not this woman, she had a different feel to her.

"The detective handling the case told me that there had been signs of sexual abuse, he asked me if…"

Scarlett trailed off, feeling tears prick her eyes as she brought her hands up to cover her face; Emily bit her lip, gently laying a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Sh, it's okay…"

"He asked me if I knew, and I…I didn't! I didn't know, how could I not know he was doing that to Chloe?"

Scarlett demanded, looking up at the dark-haired woman with her big brown eyes; Emily shook her head, not seeing Hotch silently leave the room.

Emily was startled when the red-haired girl quickly wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug; sobs began escaping and Emily squeezed the girl.

"He won't hurt you Scarlett, no one will."

"You want me? Really, even though I'm damaged?"

Scarlett questioned in disbelief as she pulled back; she flinched when Emily raised her hand, though quickly relaxed as the agent began stroking her hair in a comforting manner.

"You are not damaged, don't ever think that."

Emily demanded, feeling anger at whoever had put that idea into Scarlett's head; the two looked up at the sound of a cough.

Evelyn stood there with Nathan at her side and Cassandra in her arms; she gave Scarlett a warm smile as she placed Cassandra on the ground.

"Hewwo, my name is Cassandra!"

The little brunette introduced herself after she crawled onto her mother's lap; Scarlett let her lips turn in a sad smile.

"I'm Scarlett Cade, a pleasure to meet you Cassandra."

"This is my daughter; the boy over there is my son Nathan."

Emily explained, adjusting Cassandra while Nathan made his way over; he gave Scarlett a grin.

"Don't worry Scarlett, Mom's the best foster mother."

Scarlett blinked, looking at Evelyn who was making her way over.

"Hi, I'm Evelyn; if you let me, I'll be your Aunt."

Evelyn stated as she grasped the girl's hand; Scarlett felt tears forming in her eyes, having never felt such a strong sense of love as she did now.

She suddenly burst into laughter, tears falling down her cheeks as she laid her head on Emily's shoulder; the brunette agent wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulder and began rubbing it in comfort.

"I'd love to live with you…"

Scarlett whispered quietly, burying her nose in the woman's neck and breathing in the comforting scent; Emily smiled softly.

"And we'd love to have you."

Originally this was going to be longer but I decided short and sweet was the way to go; next chapter will be getting Scarlett adjusted to her new family (and she gets dragged shopping by Garcia, god help her).

Scarlett Cade: Emily's eldest daughter, she is an intelligent, incredibly kind-hearted young girl with a fierce loyalty to the people she loves; her interest is primarily in criminology, due to her mother's occupation, though she also has an interest in gymnastics, and she can be very snarky at times.

Please leave a review and tell me what you think!