-EMILY-

This couldn't be a worse time. Even with Hotch's help we couldn't get Spencer out of prison. He had recently been beaten, which made me worry about his sanity. Lenora was starting to act out because she missed him so much. Not to mention, Spencer had specifically told me he wanted to take our relationship slower. This news was just another nail in the stressful coffin.

I had been trying desperately to hold it together, but it was proving to be more difficult than I could've imagined. I hadn't slept well since his incarceration and my appetite was non-existent. I just kept pushing through in hopes that some how we would finally catch a break.

I was trying to focus on a separate case that had been tossed our way, because the FBI didn't care that Spencer was in jail. They pretty much abandoned him the moment he had crossed the border without permission. They had no sympathy for how this affected us, just get the job done was their motto. I was hanging by a very thin thread and feeling ready to crumble at any moment.

I stood at the conference room table staring at the evidence, none of it registering in my mind. I started sweating and feeling lightheaded.

"Emily?" J.J.'s voice sounded behind me.

I turned to look at her, but she seemed far away and blurry. More voices could be heard until suddenly everything went black. I'm not sure how long I was passed out for, but when I came to, I was laying on the floor with a wet paper towel on my head. J.J., Tara, and Luke were kneeling next to me. The concern apparent on all of their faces.

I lifted a shaking hand to my forehead and burst into tears. I felt so stupid, but the stress had proven too much for me and I broke.

"Emily, it's ok. Take a deep breath," J.J. said as she held my free hand.

"Do you need us to call an ambulance?" Luke asked.

I shook my head no.

"What can we do to help?" Tara said.

"Make all of this go away," I sobbed.

"I'll go get her some water," Luke said, realizing this may be a girl moment.

After he left the room, I slowly sat up and wiped at the tears on my face. I gave the girls a sheepish smile as they consoled me.

"Everything will be ok," Tara said.

"How? How will it be ok? Spencer isn't going to come out of this the same. I've already failed him in getting him released," I cried.

"Emily, you have been working your ass off, day and night for him. This is not your fault. All of us are just as frustrated," J.J. insisted.

"It doesn't matter, because if he doesn't hate me now, he'll hate me when he gets out," I said as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"What? Why in the world would he hate you?" J.J. said.

"I promised we would take things slow," I said as though that answered everything.

"Ok, I don't understand," J.J. replied as she looked to Tara who shrugged.

"I'm pregnant," I blurted.

Tara and J.J.'s jaws dropped.

"How far along?" J.J. asked softly.

"I don't know. I just found out this morning," I said.

"You need to go to a doctor," Tara said as she rubbed my back.

"I know. I will. I just, I can't even be happy about it because of everything happening around us. This is the worst possible time," I said getting upset again.

"Or maybe this is the perfect time. Maybe we all need some good news," Tara suggested.

"What if he never gets out of prison? What if they convict him and he's sentenced to life? His child will never know their father. Oh my God," I said as I erupted again.

I felt their arms wrap around me as I let out everything I had been holding in. I felt like I was never going to stop crying.

"We won't let that happen. We will find out who did this and we will get Spencer out of there," Tara said.

I let her words settle around me as I cried until I felt like I could breathe again. Looking up from my knees, I saw a glass of water on the table. At some point Luke had returned, but hadn't stayed. I appreciated that. It was bad enough I was breaking down in front of the girls like this, I didn't want an audience.

"Thank you," I whispered after taking a sip of the cold water.

"I can't imagine what you are going through, Emily, but please know we are all here for you. We will do whatever we can to help you, Spencer, and Lenora," Tara said softly.

J.J. nodded her agreement as she stroked my hair.

"Why don't you go home for a bit. Wash up and try to rest a little," she said.

"No, we have a case –"

"Emily, we've got this. You are no help to us right now anyway. You are burning the candle at both ends and need to take some time for yourself," Tara said sternly.

I considered this for a moment before nodding. It would be nice to take some time to myself. Lenora was spending the day with Henry and Will, so the house would be quiet. I was glad that I agreed to go because I hadn't been in the house for more than 2 minutes before I crashed on the bed, falling instantly asleep.

(xxxxx)

I sat in my car staring at the sonogram in my hand. There it was. The little cashew on that piece of paper would grow to be a baby. Mine and Spencer's baby. What if he wasn't happy about it? What if Lenora was angry? Why did this have to happen now?

When should I tell him? Was it something that I should tell him now? Would it be something that would be helpful to get him through his days? What if it made everything more stressful? I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.

The doctor warned me that I needed to be careful not to stress out too much as this could cause a miscarriage. No pressure there. She had no idea the weight I had sitting on my shoulders. But I would do everything I could to keep myself as calm as possible for our baby's sake.

(xxxxx)

I walked into the office where I was greeted immediately by J.J. and Tara. Both had promised to keep the pregnancy a secret. We didn't want everyone to find out before Spencer did. They followed me into my office like two little ducklings following their Mama.

"Well?" J.J. said excitedly.

"I'm 10 weeks," I said with a small smile.

It was hard not to be excited when I saw the joy in their eyes. Both girls grinned at me as I reached into my bag and handed them the sonogram.

"Awe," they said in unison.

"Look at baby brain," Tara cooed.

"Oh Em, I am so happy for you," J.J. said.

"I just hope Spence will feel the same," I sighed.

"Emily, he is going to be thrilled," J.J. replied.

I still wasn't convinced, but I did promise myself that I would tell him sooner rather than later. I felt that news might give him more fight to survive until we got him out. At least I hoped.

(xxxxx)

A/N: thank you all so much for the comments and support! I hope you like this turn of events!