Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds and I do not profit from this writing ; )

Family Trees:

Aimee's family—Cecilia (grandmother/great grams), Samantha (mother) Jack (step-dad), Carter (brother), Amanda (niece, carter's daughter)

Derek's Family—Sarah (mother), Desiree (Sister), Dominique (sister), Amantha (niece, Dominique's daughter). Dominique was unnamed in the episode 'profiler-profiled' so I named her, and created the character of her daughter.

Chapter 25: Meet and Greet

"Well?" Emily asked when Derek came back to the office.

"I don't see any battle wounds," JJ teased, pretending to look him over.

"Nor did they poison my drink," Derek added making them laugh. "I think they will hold off on killing me for the time being."

"So you survived the first family meeting," Rossi said walking up. "Brutal?" he asked jokingly.

"Surprisingly no," Derek said leaning back in his chair. He wasn't surprised his friends were concerned, but he was slightly surprised by Rossi's interest. It was hardly a secret the two of them antagonized each other. "I had already met her mother, and talked briefly with Carter," he admitted. "I think I won over her niece," he grinned.

"Amanda," Emily said quickly, surprising everyone she knew the name. "What? Aimee talks about her."

Derek was slightly surprised Emily knew about her and he didn't. "What has she said?"

"They are close. She said that her brother and niece lived with her for awhile. From the way she talks you can tell they have a mother-daughter relationship of sorts," Emily added leaning against the desk. "I didn't ask any particulars, I assumed you knew."

Derek shrugged. "I knew they were close, I just don't know why." He felt like he was missing a puzzle piece, something vital, and it was just out of grasp.

"Isn't your family arriving soon?" JJ asked. "This should be interesting," she grinned.

Derek picked up his mother, sisters, and niece the next night. "It was sweet of you to pick us up, honey," his mother, Sarah, said as she hugged him.

"As if I would let you drive to my place at this hour," Derek said good naturedly. By the time they finally got back to his house it was after 2 am. He carried his niece, Amantha, to the room he had set up for her and his sister.

He arrived late to the office after having a quick breakfast with his mother that morning. "When are the two families getting together?" Hotch asked.

"Tonight, I think," Derek said. "Hotch…" he started to ask, but stopped. Hotch looked as if he knew what Derek wanted to ask and waited patiently. Derek never involved Hotch into his personal affairs, and he didn't know why he was going to start now. "How awkward is it? Both families meeting, that is," he asked.

Hotch grinned. "Very, but I think you'll do fine. Just ask yourself if it is worth it if you find yourself in doubt," Hotch said going back to his office. He hoped the fact Derek would ask him meant that he was starting to work on his trust issues.

Derek thought over Hotch's answer and knew the answer, which was the easy part. Aimee was worth it.

He just hoped he lived through it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Do I look okay?" Amanda asked as Aimee finished fixing her hair.

"You look perfect," Aimee said as she turned Amanda around. She was always amazed when she looked at her niece; she was such a perfect combination of her mother and Carter. She pushed that thought away, though, before it brought on the wave of guilt and bad memories. She hadn't slept well that night just thinking about it.

But it was her punishment, and well deserved, she thought.

"I know Derek has a niece who is only a year or two younger than you," Aimee added. "Dominique. I think you two will be friends."

"I like Derek," Amanda said decisively. "He is almost as good as daddy."

"That is the highest of praise," Aimee laughed as she grabbed her purse and they met everyone else downstairs. Carter handed her the keys to the rental car, and they all piled in, including Cecilia who had arrived and was joining them claiming she wouldn't miss it for the world.

It made Aimee wonder what her grandmother expected to happen.

Aimee pulled up in front of Derek's house and stepped out. She grabbed the cookies from the backseat and headed upstairs. Carter placed a hand on her back. "Breathe," he grinned. "It will be fine. I remember when I met my in laws for the first time."

"First of all, we don't know if we are going to get that serious," Aimee said. "So don't say anything like that inside!"

Carter grinned. "Boy scouts honor."

"Doesn't count, you were never a boy scout," Jack grinned as Derek opened the door. Seeing him smile when he saw her made Aimee relaxed. So long as Derek was there everything would be fine.

She decided not to think on the fact she relied on Derek like she did Carter.

"I hope those are for me," Derek grinned as he took the cookies and kissed Aimee. In front of both their families.

"Maybe one or two," Aimee said.

Derek grabbed her hand. "Aimee, my mother Sarah, my sister Desiree, and Dominique, and her daughter Amantha. Ladies, Miss Aimee Adams," he said introducing Aimee.

Aimee shook all of their hands. "It is a pleasure to finally meet all of you. I am sorry I didn't have time to stop by when I was in Chicago, but I wasn't sure how you would feel by a surprise visit," she admitted shooting Derek a look. "Some of us wait for introductions," she said pointedly and he grinned.

"When were you in Chicago?" Derek asked confused.

"For those 10 days I was working on The Dark Knight," she said. "Filling in for a friend. My family," Aimee gestured. "My mother, Samantha, dad Jack, my brother Carter, my niece Amanda, and my grandmother Cecilia," Aimee introduced. Hellos went around as everyone greeted everyone. Amanda took the cue from Aimee as Amantha took the cue from her mother and the two girls went off on their own to talk.

When Aimee heard the conversation begin with Amantha saying "You don't have a mommy?' Aimee said a silent prayer their conversation would get better.

"You work in Hollywood?" Derek's mother, Sarah, asked Aimee, and Aimee felt the third degree begin.

"Yes," Aimee said as Derek handed her a glass of wine before handing one to his mother. He moved to hand one to Cecilia and Aimee's mother as Carter handed one to Derek's sisters. "I am a stills photographer. I take photographs as the action unfolds."

"Derek says you also do art," she continued.

Aimee nodded. "I do. All mediums, really, although lately my charcoal has been doing pretty good. But oil, acrylic, portraits, fantasy, anything and everything," Aimee smiled.

"Truth be told, I looked up your art on the internet," Sarah grinned conspiratorially. "Long ago when Derek first told me. I have to admit I was impressed."

Aimee nearly choked on her wine to hear her say that. "Thank you," Aimee said gracefully. "It means a lot you would tell me." Especially 5 minutes into her inquisition. She hoped it was a good sign.

"Derek has changed after dating you," she continued. "Changed for the better. I like what I see with my son, and I know you were part of that."

Aimee shook her head. "He is a good man, I just came around at the right time, perhaps, but Derek is…" she looked at Derek talking with her mother and one of his sisters. Jack and Carter were talking with his other sister and Cecilia. "Derek is wonderful. I feel like he helps me more than I him," Aimee admitted.

Sarah watched Aimee watching her son. "I wouldn't be so sure on that. I know he has confided in you what he wouldn't even confide in me."

Aimee looked at her and couldn't imagine what it would be like to learn something so dark had happened to your son. "If it is any consolation, it was only because of something dire I found myself in. And I think Derek thought not telling you would hurt less than you knowing, it was his way as a child to protect you," Aimee said.

Sarah nodded. "He has spent his whole life trying to protect 'his girls' as he calls us," Sarah smiled. She wasn't going to say anything out loud, but she was becoming more and more enthralled with Derek's girl. "It is nice to see someone taking care of him for a change."

Aimee laughed. "My pleasure, but don't tell him. He doesn't like to admit he needs taking care of," she winked. She watched as Sarah went to talk with Cecilia and Samantha, and Aimee found herself talking with both of Derek's sisters at once.

She took a fortifying drink of her wine. This would be a more brutal conversation than Sarah she was beginning to think.

Carter looked over and debated between stepping in and not. He knew girl talk was one area he was not prepared for, but at the same time he hated the idea of not helping Aimee out. He decided to wait to see how Aimee did before stepping in.

When it looked as if the three women were warming up to each other he walked down the hall to check on Amanda. He peaked in to find her and Amantha talking animatedly about some movie and walked back out to the adults. He, Derek, and Jack got into a quick discussion when suddenly Derek's phone rang.

"That was JJ, I have to head in," Derek apologized. He felt like a cad for bailing out on everyone.

"I think we will be fine, Derek," Sarah said happily. "You go on and be careful," she ordered.

"Yes momma," Derek grinned kissing her. He then kissed Aimee goodbye. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Go," Aimee grinned. "I'll find some way for you to make it up to me, leaving me alone with your family," she teased.

They ended up ordering food and staying until late. Derek found them pulling out when he was getting back home. "Uncle Derek, can Amanda come with us to get a tree? She says they got theirs this morning," Amantha said.

"If it is alright with her daddy," Derek agreed.

"No bloodshed while you were gone," his sister Desiree teased.

"It was a concern," he grinned.

"I like her, Derek," Sarah said. "And her grandmother is a doll. I think she is quickly becoming one of my favorite people."

Derek laughed. "Cecelia has that effect on people," Derek admitted.

The next day Aimee and Amanda went with Derek's family as they picked out a Christmas tree. "Aunt Aims," Amanda asked rushing up to her. "Amantha and I want to know, if you and Derek get married, will we be like sisters?"

Aimee stalled and looked at her niece. "Who says we are getting married?" Aimee asked.

"No one," Amanda said. "But he will be Uncle Derek to me like Amantha."

Aimee felt blood tinge her face. "If I marry anyone, he will be your uncle. If that person happens to be Derek then you and Dominique will be cousins," she explained. "But no one has said Derek and I will get married. It is way too early to think about marriage."

"We were just curious," Amanda said.

"What about this one?" Amantha pointed to another tree and the two girls rushed off.

"Amazing how children can make a person feel completely mortified," Derek said, and he grinned to see Aimee blush even redder.

"So you heard all of that."

"Which was why I was hiding behind the lovely Douglas Fir," he grinned.

"Thanks for the help there, Ace," she frowned. "Just for that, I am looking for the biggest, most expensive tree in the lot."

"If it's any consolation, you handled it beautifully."

"A slight consolation," Aimee conceded as Derek came up and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Derek, I think they found one," his sister called out laughing.

"I just hope it isn't one like Charlie Brown's" Derek laughed.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Aunt Aims?" Amanda whispered later that night from where she was sleeping next to Aimee, sharing her bed.

"Why are you still awake?" Aimee asked rolling over.

"I am sorry if we embarrassed you today," she said.

Aimee stroked back Amanda's hair. "You didn't do it on purpose, I know. When you start to like boys you'll understand. Boys don't have cooties forever."

"Only the boys my age do," Amanda said.

"Exactly. Once you get into double digits I am sure the cooties will go away."

Amanda sighed. "But you like Derek?"

"Yes."

"Then you are staying here?" Amanda asked sadly.

"Oh, love, I don't know," Aimee said seeing what was upsetting Amanda.

"I wanted you to come back home. Daddy said you were only staying for awhile, until great grams was better, but she is better now."

Aimee couldn't lie since Amanda had seen Cecilia was in excellent health. "I don't know what I am going to do, love. I know I am coming back home for a little while around Valentine's day. Remember Lila?" Amanda nodded. "I am taking pictures for her next movie. I'll be back home for that."

"And we can go out together again? Like we used to?"

"Promise," Aimee said and tucked Amanda in. She kissed Amanda's forehead. "Now get some sleep, we are going to decorate some more tomorrow."

She woke up to crying and it took her a moment to realize it wasn't her own. She quickly rolled over to scoop Amanda close. She glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly 3 in the morning.

The witching hour.

"Ada?" Aimee asked, resorting to Amanda's nickname. "What is it love?" Aimee asked terrified. "A nightmare? Did you have a bad dream?"

Amanda nodded. "I get them sometimes."

"Everyone has bad dreams," Aimee said soothingly. "If you tell me about it, it will help make them go away."

"It started out nice, I was with mommy," Amanda said as she tried to stop crying. It took all of Aimee's self control not to clutch Amanda closer. "We were at the park, the one with the walking paths."

Aimee knew she meant the park in the valley they went to a lot. "She loved to take you there in the afternoons," Aimee said as she rubbed Amanda's back. "That isn't scary. What happened afterward?" (A/N: The Valley is the San Fernando Valley, in SoCal).

"Everything was black, I couldn't see anything, but I could still feel. I felt so scared, Aunt Aims," Amanda said trembling. "Everything was dark, but I felt so scared, and I was afraid of leaving. Where was I going?"

Aimee wanted to cry herself. She knew this dream.

Nikki's death.

"People sometimes get scared when they can't see," Aimee lied, keeping her voice soothing. "How about a cup of hot chocolate?" she offered. Amanda nodded.

"Have you been having dreams a lot?" Aimee asked as she carried Amanda down. They both needed the comfort of holding each other at the moment. She quickly made them each a cup of hot chocolate and sat next to down at the kitchen table.

"Sometimes. Dad worries. He doesn't want me to see, but I know he does. I think he is scared of them, too. Don't tell him," she asked.

Aimee was saddened that her niece was wiser beyond her years. "Your daddy loves you, Amanda. He worries when he sees you scared, even if it was just a silly dream that was scary. It is harder for him to fight a dream," Aimee tried to explain.

She had the feeling she would one day be explaining that they weren't dreams at all. She helped Amanda back up to bed and tucked her in again. As soon as she was asleep she walked back out of the room and practically ran into Carter. "Is she alright?"

"She is fine," Aimee whispered. Carter took a peak and Aimee led him back down to the kitchen, handing him the cup of hot chocolate she had made for him moments ago. "How long has she been having dreams?"

"Not to long, I think," he said running his hand through his ruffled hair. Aimee knew he had probably heard Amanda, even on a different floor, and had come to check on her. "I thought, hoped, they were just nightmares. I am not so sure anymore."

"I am not sure, either," Aimee admitted drinking her hot chocolate. "Carter, she might be dreaming… dreaming of her mother."

"That is what terrifies me, Aims…" it was such a hard subject for both of them, and Amanda's dreams were forcing them to confront a subject they hadn't dealt with in the last 3 years.

"Perhaps it was just a nightmare," Aimee said hopefully.

"If not? I don't know how to help her, Aims."

"The same way you helped me," Aimee said hugging her brother. "You were always there, Carter. You made me feel loved, unique, useful, and beautiful when the world thought I was a freak. You kept the majority of the monsters at bay for me."

"I couldn't keep them all at bay," he said thinking of all the times he hadn't been able to save her from being hurt—physically and emotionally.

"You can't be everywhere, Carter. But I knew I could come to you. That was the most important thing to me growing up." She didn't want to let go. She couldn't bear to think about the pain her ability had caused both of them.

"Amanda said she wants a sister," Carter admitted. "But she knows she can't without another mommy."

"Carter," Aimee said sadly.

"It's not your fault, Aims," Carter said.

"Lets not talk about it tonight," Aimee decided. "I was thinking while Amanda was here sometime we could go up to New York and maybe see Mary Poppins or the Little Mermaid on Broadway."

"Couldn't get Derek to go to one of those?" Carter grinned, happy for the change in conversation.

Aimee laughed. "It makes the perfect excuse, taking my niece. You are welcomed to come, too."

"Why not. If I get a vote I vote for Mary Poppins, but we'll let Amanda pick."

As always, a huge thank you to Soccer Bitch and Sue1313. The dynamics of Aimee and Amanda's relationship (and Carter and Aimee's relationship for that matter) get explained soon.... around the time of Garcia's shooting. To my hundred or so other ghost readers, do pop in once in awhile to review!