Author's Note: Basically this chapter is a filler one, providing previously left out information and a little background on Abbie and Emily.

Chapter 12, the hearing, will be up as soon as its finished. =D

Monday evening, (October 11th,) found them seated haphazardly in Emily's living room. Though it was spacious, there was only so much furniture. Rossi and Abbie had claimed the plush leather chairs, Spencer and Hotch had brought in chairs from the kitchen, Derek was sprawled on the couch leaving barely enough room for Penelope and JJ, and Emily was leaning against her bookcase, her eyes drifting occasionally from Abbie to JJ.

They were going over trial prep, which originally would be done one on one, but since it was only a few last words and reminders, and they were each going to take the stand tomorrow, there really wasn't any harm in it.

"So, I've met with the Judge and he's not exactly happy with William for filing an EOP with no real cause for it. So that should work for us. And with your healthy background and his...not so healthy habits, we find another plus."

"So basically all we have to do is tell the judge that JJ's fit and Will isn't?" Spencer asked, uncertain because he would have to be up in front of a lot of people..

"In theory." Abbie answered. "I don't know his lawyer, so I'm not sure how hard it's going to be."

"What kind of lawyer doesn't know her competition?" Derek jibbed.

"One who's just been flown in." She said, laughing as he raised his hands in mock defeat.

"You flew her out here?" JJ turned to Emily who shot Abbie a nasty glare.

"Anyway." she said, deflecting JJ's questioning glance by heading to the kitchen to replenish her drink.

"Yeah...I'm not sure what sort of questions his lawyer will be asking, but just keep it short and truthful. There isn't much he can ask that would discredit you as a witness, seeing as how its a custody hearing, not a murder trial." She smiled wistfully, and Emily threw a small pillow at her.

"Watch it Prentiss. I have dirt on you for almost twenty years. And I'm sure your collegues would love to hear all about you in your high school glory days."

"No! Please, no. I'll be good."

"Ok. After we win, then." Emily hid her face in her hands, shaking her head, as the rest laughed (at her).

* * *

Penelope and JJ were the last to leave Emily's that night, and they sat in companionable silence at Emily and Abbie bickered over payment.

"I refuse to take payment for this." Abbie said, strong in her conviction.

"Do I get any say in this?" JJ chanced from the couch.

"No." It came from Abbie and Emily at the same time.

"How are you going to stop me? What if I just put it in your account?" Emily countered Abbie's argument..

"Just how do you propose you do that?"

"My mother is the Ambassador for Ukraine. I'm pretty damn sure I can find a way."

"I swear if I find any extra money in my bank account I will never trust the banking systems ever again. So much for privacy." Abbie muttered.

* * *

As she watched JJ walk towards the door with Penelope, to her own house tonight, for the first time in almost a month, Emily had an overwhelming urge to pull her back. Wrap JJ in her arms and never let her go. She had grown up with lawyers hanging around. She knew how desperate they could be. And when lawyers got desperate, they got dirty.

As she heard the door close, she fell onto the couch, her head in Abbie's lap, reminiscent of their teenage years.

"Tell me what are chances are. For real." She said.

"Well, it might look bad that she tried to take Henry from Will in the beginning. He might try to argue that she started it all. But since they're both on the birth certificate, they have joint custody, fifty-fifty. So either of them can take him anywhere, technically. And since he was being a total bastard at the time, and you can attest to that, things are starting to look up for JJ. I'm just not sure how they're going to slander your relationship." Abbie ran her fingers through Emily's hair.

"You never were one to keep your sexuality under wraps." she chided.

"I remember a time when you didn't care about that." Emily said, looking up at Abbie and grinning.

"Well yeah, when you were pushing me against the wall kissing my breath away while I was supposed to be in class, and everybody knew my name because of my "bad ass girlfriend", I totally thought it was hot. But I doubt Judge Walshe is going to share that sentiment."

"You always were straight to the point." Emily laughed. "I've missed you Abs." she said, sitting up and turning Abbie's face towards her.

"You're so sweet, Em. Just don't get too sweet. Wouldn't want to have to explain it away to my love." She laughed at the hurt look on Emily's face.

"You mean my replacement?" she feigned indignation. "How is Olivia anyway?"

"She's good. Totally bad ass." She grinned.

A/N: I wanted to end it on a slightly uphill note, what with tomorrows being so heavy on everyone's minds and all.