A/n: Everything in this chapter is based on my actual family members. I love them dearly, every single crazy, inane one. Triple update today! Possible fourth. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

Chapter 15 - Family

Summer's POV

Hotch rented me a car the night before so with that taken care of, it only took me about 2 hours to get out of Charlotte and 45 minutes to get to my destination. Plus the 15 minute stop at Starbucks for coffee and breakfast. Making my total length of my trip to little Rockwell, NC 3 hours.

"Omigod! Summer!" My cousins Sierra Socorro and Alexis George yelled as I walked into my aunt's house at 10 am on a Saturday morning. I hugged them as our 'adopted cousin' tapped my shoulder.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tiffany Wix asked.

"Well, I'm here on business, well Charlotte actually." I said.

"Like what? A lecture at UNC?" Sierra teased. I laughed.

"Yeah, I wish. But no, actually I'm no longer teaching. I work for the FBI now. The Behavioral Analysis Unit." Looks of shock and disbelief covered their faces. I took out my badge and showed them.

"Wow!"

"Friggin' cool!"

"Nice."

"Yep," I said. "You remember the people I was telling you about? The ones who saved me last December?"

"From Tyler?" Lexi asked.

"And his sister." Tiff added.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's the team I work with now. We're, well more like they are, profiling The Newlywed Killer."

"What does your dad think?" Sierra asked.

"He's not too happy with my choice, but he supports my decision to help." I shrugged. "And he works with me, so he able to keep an eye on me. He's not on this case though; he opted to stay in Virginia. Today's um, well, the day that Mom…" I said my voice sounding weird as tears stared to form. They nodded, understanding.

I cleared my throat. "Anyway, Hotch gave me the day off, so I thought I'd spend some time with my family."

"Well, you know you're always welcome," My aunt Joanne said, joining us in the living room, "but as soon as you start mourning Delilah's death, I'm kicking you out. Celebrate her life, like she wanted. As a matter of fact, we'll have a get together. Share some memories of our beloved mother, aunt, and sister-in-law."

"Oh, I see how it is, straight and to the point. No 'Hi Summer, how've you been?" I smiled. "Doesn't matter, I'm gonna go down to the creek, before everyone wakes up and no I am not mournin' no one's death, nor am I celebratin' anyone's life. I'm gonna go clear my head of all things good n' bad and enjoy the sweet, sweet, beautiful music of nature I've been longin' for." We all smiled as my Southern Belle accent came out when I saw my aunt.

"Good to hear you back to normal," Aunt Jo said.

"Y'all know how much Hades I'm gonna catch when I return to Charlotte? A lot," I said as I walked outside.

"Mmmhhmm. Y'all city folk must be real against us hillbillies," Sierra teased, mocking my accent.

"All right, all right. If y'all need me y'all know where to find me. I shouldn't be gone long, so I'm leavin' my cell here. If it rings, let it go to voicemail. I should be back around noon." I said, heading to the woods.

"Aight!" Sierra called after me.

As I walked back to the creek, I listened to the few birds singing along to the whistling of the wind through the trees. It was a particularly beautiful October morning. The air was cool but refreshing. Before I slid down the steep bank, I rolled jeans up and slid my heels off. I sat on the dry embankment for a while, taking in the scene.

The sunlight glistened on the flowing water like diamonds. The sound of the water trickling over the rocks just upstream joined in with the sound of the birds and wind. The smell of wildflowers, honeysuckles, and freshly dug up earth reached my nose as small autumn breeze blustered.

The sound of splashing of an overactive four legged animal pulled me back into reality. "Sammy Girl!" I called. The big black Lab ran over to me and shook off. "Ahh!" I shrieked as I was soaked by the dog. I heard a girly laugh behind me. I turned to see which one of my family members made the trek back.

"Yen Mei!" I said seeing my best friend, my accent still in place.

"Hey Rainey! Long time, no see!" the young Chinese-American girl called back. I smiled at her Chinglishism. "I would hug you but Sammy soaked you."

"Hahaha! We have soo much to catch up about!" I said, ecstatically.

"Yes but first I just have to show you!" She held up her left hand. "Thankfully Sierra called me before I booked a ticket to VA."

"Why were you goin' to Virginia?" I asked. She pointed to her third finger where a beautiful diamond ring sat.

"I want you to be my Maid-of-honor." I stared at the ring before I realized what her words meant.

"Omigoddess! When did Dewei Jing Chan propose?" I screamed.

"Two days ago. I was gonna call but I decided against it and wanted to surprise you in person." She said.

"Oh my best friend is gettin' married!" I said.

"Okay enough about me, what have you been up to this past year? I don't think we've spoken since the funeral." Mei-Mei said.

"Well, I'm warning you. I've been through a lot." I said as we started walking the steam. I dived into my experiences, both good and bad.