A week had passed since Hailey had been killed. The team had undergone what the Bureau called debriefings, but it seemed more like the FBI was looking for a scape goat and wanted to point the blame at Hotch for the entire Reaper case. Fortunately, the day before the funeral, Strass had deemed the whole incident, as she called it, righteous, and cleared Hotch and the entire team of any wrong doing.

The funeral was beautiful and touching. Everyone had tears in their eyes, but so many tears had fallen in the past week, everyone seemed almost cried out. They wanted to stay strong and support both Hotch and Jack.

As the team and their significant others sat around a table that afternoon, Chelsea reminisced, "I wish I had more time to get to know her before she and Jack were sent away in protective custody. She seemed like a nice lady and a wonderful mom."

Morgan was curious, "When did you met Hailey?"

"I first met her for just a few minutes last May when she brought Jack to Rossi's house for the team barbeque. Spencer was still on sick leave and Hotch, Spence and I were the first ones there."

Morgan nodded, "It sounds like you met her another time?"

JJ spoke up, "It's the day our plane was grounded in Memphis. You babysat Jack that night."

This time Chelsea nodded. "It was several weeks after Spencer had been back to work and you finished the case in Tennessee. I remember your flight was scheduled to leave at 10:00am and that would have Hotch home in time to pick up Jack before Hailey and her sister had a commuter flight to Manhattan."

JJ continued the story, "I remember Hailey had given the night off to her regular sitter because Hotch had called the night before and said we were wrapping up and would be leaving Memphis in the late morning. He would have been home in plenty of time. Then there was a problem with the jet communications system and they wouldn't let us take off until they found a new part and it was repaired."

Morgan signed, "I remember that flight, I had a hot date that night I had to cancel. We didn't get in until almost 9:00pm. All over a stupid radio."

Chelsea laughed, "I think you might be happy that your flight crew can communicate with the towers for takeoff and landing."

"Hotch had to call Hailey to tell her that bad news," JJ continued. "Hailey was livid. She and Jessica had Broadway musical tickets, hotel and dinner reservations and non-refundable airfare. I remember Hotch trying to explain that it wasn't his fault. The FAA was keeping us grounded. He really did want to see Jack. Before he hung up, I suggested having Chelsea babysit."

"I don't think she really liked the idea at first," Chelsea conceded. "She didn't know me well and although she liked Spencer, I don't think she would have left Jack with him. I think she still saw Spencer as the kid who started in the BAU at 24 without a lot of social skills."

"He still lacks social skills." Morgan chimed in. Chelsea just glared at him and Morgan turned away.

"Anyway," Chelsea continued still glaring at Morgan, "She was desperate, but not desperate enough to leave Jack with someone she didn't really know."

JJ smiled, "I made Hotch give me the phone. I told her what a great person Chelsea was and that she and Spencer had babysat Henry before. Convincing her that if she could take care of an infant she could watch an almost 4 year old."

Nodding, Chelsea filled in the rest of the story. "After talking to Hotch, she said she would think about it and Spencer called to tell me what was going on. I understood her reluctance and said if she wanted me to sit with Jack I'd be happy to, but I wouldn't be upset if she decided not to." Smiling about the memory, "I don't know if it was Hotch or JJ that convinced her to call, but around 1:00 that afternoon, she did call me. Her flight was at 5:00 that night. I suggested she and Jack come over around 2:00 and sit down and talk for a while. If she didn't think my apartment was child safe or she still didn't know me well enough, she could then cancel, she didn't have anything to lose. She stayed for about an hour and we had a very nice chat. Jack stayed, we had sandwiches from the deli for dinner and we made cookies for desert. We drew pictures and played a few card games. He was asleep in my guest room by the time Spencer and Hotch got there at 9:00pm."

Prentiss looked surprised, "I'm surprised I never heard about that."

Chelsea shrugged, "It wasn't a big deal, although now I wish I had time to get to know her better. I'll have to remind Hotch about that and tell him if he ever needs a last minute sitter, he can call me. I don't know if he's even thought about what he's going to do, but if he does go back to work, Spencer will be gone the same time he is and I would be happy to help."

Morgan was about to reply when his phone rang. He came back to the table shaking his head. "We've got a case."

The whole table was in shock. How could they call in the team hours after Hailey's funeral? Morgan continues, "All of the other teams are on cases and it's time sensitive."

Will who was holding JJ's hand spoke up for the first time, "Aren't they all?"

Everyone nodded as Morgan headed over to let Rossi know about the case. He had been on the patio talking to Hotch.

As the team, minus Hotch, headed towards the door, JJ kissed Will goodbye, Garcia and Kevin said their goodbyes, and Spencer turned to Chelsea saying, "I'm sorry. We really shouldn't have to go, not today. I thought this week after the funeral would be the perfect time to give them all the good news."

Sighing, she hugged him and whispered, "Spence, there is never a good time for a serial killer. I think I've figured that out. I want to tell them all about the engagement, but you know we need to get past the funeral first. Don't worry about me. Just catch the bad guy and come home safe, OK?"

Spencer smiled and kissed her goodbye. He held her left hand where the engagement ring should have been sparkling on her finger. "I will. I hate that you can't wear your ring yet."

"Me too. But everyone needs to process this before we tell them." She said sadly as Spencer pulled the car keys out of his pocket and handed them to her. "I think I'll stay a while and see if they need any help cleaning up. I'd like to talk to Jessica also. I noticed that she recognized my name when I was introduced. Probably from the story I just told, but I'd still like to give her my condolences." Spencer nodded gave her hand another squeeze and headed out with the rest of his team.