"Mom, she smells funny!" Paige complained once they were in the car. "And I don't want to go with her!"

"She and your grandfather both smoke," Laurel explained. "And, I assume they still have a house full of animals that they never clean up after."

"I know you don't want to go with her," Hotch added. "But, legally, we need to make an effort for you to spend some time visiting with her. I am sure we can work something out with the CPS people so you aren't left alone with her and your grandfather."

"Where are we going now?" he asked Laurel as he started the car.

"My brother and his wife are expecting us," she replied. "And, if I remember right, one of my sister-in-law's cousins works for Friend of the Court."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Laurel's brother lived in a 60's style ranch house located on a sizeable lot in the older section of the town of Fairfield.

"Laurel, I can't believe you are really here!" the short, blond haired woman who answered the door squealed. "It has been so long!" She threw her arms around Laurel.

"It has," Laurel agreed with a sniffle as she hugged her back. She pulled away and looked over at Hotch and Paige. "Lois, I would like you to meet my daughter, Paige, and my fiancé, Aaron."

"Hello," Lois beamed at both of them. "Come in – Come in. Dinner is almost ready. We can go back to the family room to visit while it finishes cooking."

"We've made some changes since the last time you were here," she told Laurel as they walked though the house to the family room. Hotch noted that she was discretely taking sideway glances at Paige as they walked.

"It's been a while, I would be surprised if you hadn't," Laurel replied. "The backyard looks great," she added as she walked over to look out the French doors.

"I thought I heard a car pull up," a medium height man with dirty blond hair came up the stairs from the basement. "Hi Sis!"

"Joel!" Laurel rushed over to hug him. "It is so good to see you!"

"I've missed you, Sis," Joel said as he hugged her back. He then looked over to where Hotch and Paige were standing watching. "And, these are?"

Laurel smiled at him. "Joel, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Aaron Hotchner, and my daughter, your niece, Paige," she said.

"I understand you are a Fed," the handshake was strong and controlled.

"A Profiler for the BAU," Hotch confirmed.

"I can't say I envy you that," was Joel's response. "It can't be an easy job."

"I am so sorry!" Lois suddenly interrupted. "But, Paige, I have to say it – You look so much like your mother did at your age it is scary!"

Paige stared at her uneasily and moved closer to Laurel.

"You'll have to excuse her," Laurel explained. "She was just terrorized by Mrs. Mercer. We stopped by the county cemetery to check on the – the grave – and she was hovering about out there. She grabbed hold of Paige and I wasn't sure she was ever going to let her go."

"She smelled!" Paige stated.

"I don't blame you," Lois declared. "That woman gives me the creeps, too." She shivered dramatically.

"Tell you what, Paige," she continued. "Why don't you come help me in the kitchen? Dinner is almost ready and you can help set the table. I'll pour you a glass of chocolate milk. Chocolate milk always makes me feel better."

After glancing at her mother, who nodded her approval, Paige followed Lois into the kitchen.

"How much property do you have here?" Hotch was looking out the French doors at the back yard.

"Almost an acre," Joel replied. "The lot is long so you can't really tell it from the street."

"Would you like to take a look?" he offered, glancing over at Laurel.

"Don't worry about me," she told him. "I'll go help out in the kitchen.

"Hey, you two – Need any help in there?" she called out as she headed towards the adjoining room.

She stopped for a minute and looked back at the two men. "Now, play nice, Guys!" she admonished them.