A/N - this was quite a hard chapter to write so hope that everyone is still enjoying the story, have to say that this won't be a romantic JJ/Emily story so please don't flame if you are upset...

Chapter 14 –

Three Days Later...

Emily sat alone at the kitchen table, staring hard at the cup of black coffee in front of her, JJ had left with Henry fifteen minutes earlier so that she had time to drop him off at the childminder's before she headed into work. Emily sighed deeply as her eyes looked at her reflection in the oven door, this was her first official day back at the BAU and like anybody else she wanted to make a good impression. Quickly Emily was brought out of her own reverie as she heard heavy footsteps stomping down the stairs and Emily lifted her head up, a smile crossing her face as Kate finally entered the room but her mood was as dark as the black skirt and tights she was wearing.

"Don't."

Kate glared at Emily who managed to suppress the giggle that was building in her and just nodded her head. Kate sat down and looked at her mom, eyeing her carefully before she raised an eyebrow.

"Dressing to impress?"

Emily laughed softly, finally Kate's comment had lightened the mood between them before Emily winked at her daughter.

"Like you aren't?"

Kate opened her mouth to shoot back a reply but bit her tongue just in time before the expletive left her mouth, instead a heavy sigh left her mouth.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I know that today is going to be difficult for you."

Kate nodded her head before she got up and poured herself a glass of orange juice and sat back down next to Emily, quickly reaching over to kiss her on the cheek.

"Sorry mom, I didn't mean to..."

"It's ok Kate, come on why don't we start again?"

"Ok, you look good mom."

"Thank you Kate, your uniform's not too bad either, I take it that was part of your criteria when you were short listing the schools?"

"The main one actually!"

Emily laughed loudly and was pleased to see a smile cross Kate's face before Kate looked quite seriously back at her mom.

"Are you ready for today?"

Emily looked quizzically at her daughter before she slowly nodded her head which only caused Kate to move closer and take a hold of Emily's hands.

"I know that it's going to be harder for you today mom, I'm just going to a new school, nobody knows me or anything about me."

Emily sighed deeply and bowed her head slightly but Kate just edged closer and squeezed Emily's hands that little tighter.

"It will be ok mom though, we've been through worse."

Kate managed a smile, the nightmares of the cabin and the traumatic way in which they had met had been playing through her mind lately but it had helped put recent events into perspective.

"I guess you're right, thanks Kate."

Emily smiled as she reached over and kissed Kate on the top of her head, swallowing hard as she didn't want to cry, it was too early, there would be plenty of time at the end of the day for that.

"Mom?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"We'd better get going, it's not going to go down well for either of us if we turn up late!"

Emily lifted her gaze up and looked at the clock before she quickly stood up and beckoned Kate to follow her as the two of them rushed out of the house.

Emily scrupulously took notes as she listened to Hotch and JJ brief them about the latest cases that had come across the BAU's radar, luckily none of them required the team to drop everything, they were all consults but Emily knew that a simple consult could easily turn into the worst thing imaginable very quickly.

"Ok then we all have the files that need our immediate attention, so if we can all ensure that they are finished before we leave for the day."

Hotch had a warm smile on his face as he finished speaking, Emily had just quickly glanced at him before she scribbled a few last notes before he motioned for Reid to stay sitting. Emily, without taking a breath, carried on writing some notes, bringing her head up as Hotch finished speaking, only then did she notice that virtually everyone had left the room.

"Oh umm well I'd better get going, I don't want to fall behind on my first day!"

Emily laughed hesitantly before she dropped her eyes down to her files and quickly gathered them together.

"Uh Emily?"

Emily had her hands on her files as she brought her head up and looked at Spencer who was sitting nervously at the table.

"Spencer."

Emily smiled as she spoke before she moved her hands and sat back in her chair, noticing that the door was closed, silently thanking Hotch for ensuring that she could finally clear the air with the young doctor. Emily took a deep breath as she watched Spencer look down at the table, she knew fore well that the words would sound hollow but she also knew that they needed to be said.

"I'm sorry I lied to you Spencer."

Actually you didn't lie, Hotch and JJ did."

Emily sighed as she listened to his emotionless voice, it was at times like this, when he was hurt and angry, that Spencer reminded Emily so much of Kate.

"Spencer they only lied to you because of me and Kate."

"I mourned you Emily, I cried for you, I cried for Emily because not only had she lost her mother but she was not allowed to see any of us!"

Emily sat still and let Spencer vent his anger and frustration at her, knowing that it was the only way for Spencer to eventually forgive her.

"You can't just come back and expect things to return to normal."

"I don't Spencer."

Emily's voice was flat but inside she was screaming, she wanted to go over and shake him, to tell Spencer that the months Kate and her had spent away, hidden from everyone were worse than hell, that at times she wished that Doyle had finished her off in the warehouse. Emily watched carefully as Spencer stood up and walked away from the table, taking a moment to look out of the window before he turned back to look at Emily and her heart sank as she saw the tears evident in his eyes.

"Spencer..."

Emily quickly stood up and walked over to where Spencer was standing, gently placing a hand on his shoulder as a sense of relief raced through her body as Spencer didn't move away from her.

"I am happy for Emily and Kate as well."

The words broke slightly as he spoke and Emily took the plunge to move closer and place her arm around his waist.

"Thank you Spencer."

"But it does hurt Emily."

"I know Spencer and I know that 'sorry' does not even start to cover it."

Spencer nodded his head as Emily's softly spoken words reverberated around his head and he started to realise how hard it must have been for Emily to return and he moved closer allowing her to hug him.

"I'm sorry Spencer."

"I know Emily."

The last words were whispered between the two of them as they held each other tightly, things weren't completely mended but the repairs had started.