Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Rating: M

Author's note: I know the last chapter was short, so here's a longer one. Hope you enjoy!

As JJ heard the door close, she typed a quick text to Hotch saying the two women would probably be late due to the Ambassador's emotionally straining appearance at their home. JJ emerged from her hiding place and slowly made her way over to her sobbing lover. Sitting down on the floor next to Emily, JJ wrapped her arms around the older woman and held her close letting her cry out all her frustrations and fears.

"There was a part of me that wished she would accept me and love me, even want to be a part of our lives. I know it was stupid of me to hope for such a thing, but she's my mother, Jen. I can't help it; I just want to know she loves me," Emily whispered, her heartfelt confession muffled by tears.

"I know, baby, but it's her loss. You are an amazing, beautiful woman. She doesn't see the terrific person you are or the phenomenal things you have accomplished. I know how badly you want her acceptance and love, but you have a whole group of people who accept you and love you for the person you are. You don't have to fight for our love or prove who you are because we all love you as if you were always part of our family. No matter what, Emily, we love you."

"I know. Like I told her, you all mean the world to me, but still, there's a part of me that wants to run into my mother's arms and have Her be happy simply because I am. It kills me that she will never understand how happy you make me or see me get married to the love of my life. It hurts so badly that after all these years, my mother chooses her role as an ambassador over her role as mother. I just want her to love me, and I can't understand why she doesn't. How is it so easy for a group of complete strangers to love me and accept me after only a few months when my mother hasn't been able to do that in over 30 years?" As her deepest and most personal thoughts spilled out of her heart, she hugged tightly to JJ and continued to cry. The blonde sat still, holding the other woman while soothingly running her hands over Emily's back whispering sweet words into her ear. She couldn't imagine what it was like to be ignored by your own mother. Her mother and father has always supported her and never once withheld their love. While Emily's mother on the other hand had never voiced her love for her daughter, not once. JJ wished she could repair the relationship between the two Prentiss women, but she also knew that such a relationship was beyond repair.

An hour later, an emotionally drained Emily Prentiss and an equally somber JJ walked into the BAU. Both mildly happy to not have a case, but both met with daunting stacks of paperwork. JJ gave Emily's shoulder a reassuring squeeze Asa the blonde continued to her office. She popped into Hotch's office to inform him of their arrival.

"Sorry, we're late, Hotch."

"Everything work out? You look tired," Hotch commented glancing up from behind an ominous stack of files.

"I wish I could say so. TheAmbassador stopped by early this morning demanding Emily's decision, and Emily basically told her the relationship was through and that the Ambassador no longer had any control."

"I can only imagine that that didn't sit will with the Ambassador."

"To say the least. I've seen Emily at her worst; we all have, but Hotch, this broke her. I can't get over the concept myself. It's been an emotionally draining morning, and I tried to get her take a sick-day. But you know Emily, convinced she can compartmentalize the world."

"I'll make sure she knows she needs to take off early. I think I'm pulling the team off rotation for a couple more days. It would be nice for everyone to be caught up on paperwork, and this situation with the Ambassador has brought some stress on everyone. Maybe you should see if the team could go out for drinks tonight. Looks like Emily could use some family time."

JJ nodded her thanks agreeing to talk to Garcia about plans for that evening as she made her way to her office. She glanced down into the bullpen and saw Emily diligently working on paperwork to avoid thinking anymore about the happenings with the Ambassador while Reid and Morgan exchanged worried glances over the brunette's head.

The day continued without any excitement until about 4:00pm when Hotch announced that the team was leaving early to catch happy hour and dinner. Emily looked at him quizzically as everyone else packed up, all seeming to have known about the plan. She knew she needed to spend some time outside of work with her family and didn't complain as she moved the file she was currently working on into her pending drawer. Garcia pranced into the bullpen filled with excitement.

"Alrighty, my little crime fighting action figures, let's go get a round... Or two," she giggled pulling Morgan toward the elevator.

"Everyone's coming?" Emily asked.

"Of course, my lovely kitten. We even convinced Reid to reschedule his date with a new physics book to come along," Garcia replied, a smile tugging at her lips as she gently teased the boy-genius.

"I take offense at that. I have a social life. I could have had an actual date," Reid replied, feigning hurt.

"Yeah, kid, and I can beat you at chess," Morgan joked sarcastically.

"Actually, the likelihood of you beating someone with an IQ level of 189 is 1 in 896, so it's very unlikely you could beat me at chess," Reid countered, entirely missing the joke in the other man's words.

"That's the point, boy-genius. The likelihood of you having a date is like 1 in 896," JJ stepped in as Morgan couldn't point out the joke as his laughs filled the elevator.

"Oh. I get it. You know, one day I'll surprise you. I will have a date, and she will be awesome," Reid countered.

Emily laughed at the teasing banter as the members of the team parted to get to their separate cars.

As Emily slid in the passenger seat, JJ spoke, "It's nice to see that smile. I missed it today." She leaved over the center console and placed a kiss to Emily's lips. "Sorry, I didn't fill you in on the plan, but I knew you could use some fun out on the town with the team."

"Thanks, Jayje. It's exactly what I needed. I'm glad we didn't have a case. I can't wait to have a couple of drinks, play some pool, have my ass kicked at darts, and enjoy the company of my family. Then I can't wait to fall asleep with you in my arms."

"Sounds like the perfect evening to me," JJ replied pulling out of the garage and heading to the team's favorite bar. JJ's ear-to-ear smile sparkled as she thanked God for the wonderful people in her life as she glanced to her right at the smile of her beautiful fiancé.