Waking up in her bed on a Saturday with no case is usually something that Emily would be happy about, but not today. She had really, really been hoping that there would be a case so she could get out of the Ambassador's Ball. Now, on top of getting dressed up to go to an event that she couldn't care less about, she was going to have to see her mother on top of this too. She needs to figure out a dress to wear tonight. Maybe, JJ and Pen would want to go shopping for something new? Something maybe red or black would be a good option. Lifting her phone from the bedside table, she looks at the notifications sitting on her lock screen. The text from Aaron catches her eye.

Jack's soccer team is having a sleep

over tonight, so I was thinking if you

don't have plans, maybe we could hang

out? Do our workout? Maybe make dinner?

Watch a movie?

I have plans tonight, sorry.

Next time though.

Next time for sure.

She could have invited him. He has a suit, he could have been her date. So why didn't she ask him? She ignores these questions as she pulls up the group chat with Pen and JJ and types a new message.

I need to go out and find a

dress for an event tonight. Want

to come along?

She's not even surprised that Pen is the first to respond.

When do I ever say no to shopping?

What time? When? Where? And

how long do we have?

I'd say we have at least a couple hours

if we leave soonish. I can come pick

you up

That's fine. I'm just sitting drinking coffee

JJ you want to join?

Can't. Henry has a fever.

I'm staying home with him.

Will has a shift today.

You'll have to join next time.

Emily places her phone back on the bedside table as Sergio climbs up to circle, before sitting down on Emily's lap. "Hi buddy." She scoops him into her arms and holds him close. It's really only ever been them two since, well forever at this point. She got Serg shortly after joining the BAU and mornings with him is her favorite thing. Getting to cuddle her baby boy, it can make any day feel better. His meows cut through the silence as he begs for his breakfast. It's the soundtrack to her mornings always, but she holds him close as she pushes herself from the bed. As the blankets fall from around her, she loses the warmth that they had given her. Segio continues his conversation as they make their way to the kitchen. Hopefully, for once, he'll eat his breakfast slow enough that she doesn't have to worry about it ending up on her kitchen floor a few minutes later.

Once she gets him all settled with his breakfast, this time a mix of wet and dry food to see if that slows him down, she decides that coffee is important while she gets ready. Her and Pen can probably grab food somewhere while they're out, but right now she needs to get some caffeine in her or the drive over to Pen's is going to be miserable. So as the coffee pot fills, she checks through Facebook and Instagram to see what the world is up to. The first picture that shows up on Instagram though catches her eye and she can't keep swiping. It's from Aaron's feed and it's a picture of Jack, probably from his soccer game this morning. His bright red uniform is sprinting down the field after the ball. The caption simply reads, Jack's Saturdays are filled with soccer these days. No hashtags, nothing else. Just a simple update for family and friends about his son.

Spending the day at a soccer game, or was today the day Jack had two, and then hanging out with Aaron sounds like a much better plan than spending her day getting ready for the Ambassador's Ball, but she had promised she would be there. As much as she would rather hang out with her favorite Hotchners, she did have a promise to keep. She doesn't really want to spend the night being hounded by her mom to meet 'suitable' matches and talk about politics, but if it gets her mother off her case for a while, she'll do it. No matter how suitable the matches might be, none of them will be Aaron.

Taking her coffee with her, she makes her way back to her bedroom, with Sergio hot on her trail. Shopping with Garcia is similar to working out, but the attire is different, so instead of reaching for her workout clothes, Emily pulls out a pair of jeans, a solid color t-shirt, and a pair of her favorite boots. Checking the weather on her phone, she can see it's a little cold, so she slips into her leather jacket. Taking a sip from her coffee, she makes her way into her bathroom to put on a little bit of makeup as well as attempt to tame her hair. The kinks and curls are all over the place, even though she had calmed them last night after her shower. Ideally she should take the time to add some structure or straighten it, but seeing as she doesn't know what she wants to do with it tonight, the safest bet is to put it in a ponytail and call it a day.

When she's finally ready to go, a solid twenty minutes have passed since she started getting ready. She shoots a leaving text to Pen before grabbing her keys and purse. Making her way down to her car, she sees her neighbor that has two kids outside playing. She waves to them before getting in her car. She doesn't know them well enough to stop and say hello, but a friendly wave now and then seems polite. Upon getting in the car, her phone connects to her speaker and Can't Buy Me Love by the Beatles starts playing. It's a good song to brighten her mood, although she's in a fairly good mood since she's heading off to see one of her friends. If only she could get pulled into a case before tonight, but seeing as they're not on call, the likelihood is very, very slim. Almost impossible if she's being honest. Unless Aaron pulled some strings, and maybe he could. But does she really want to give up her whole weekend just to get out of tonight?

It's not worth it. You have a completely free Sunday. You're wanting to give that up to get pulled into a case you don't need to work? Her mind berates her as she turns down the streets that will take her to Pen's house. She knows that her mind is right. She has the whole day tomorrow to do whatever she wants, but she just needs to make it through tonight.

"I think that one is killer." Pen says looking at how the red fabric drapes down Emily's body.

"You said that about the black one and the navy one too."

"That is because you are able to pull off almost anything." Garcia takes a sip from the coffee cup in her hand. "Are you trying to impress someone there?" Her eyebrow raises as she asks the question.

"No, but there's probably going to be press photographers and such. I just want to look ok. A picture is worth a thousand words and all. Plus with the press that will be there, these will be on the internet forever." Emily shrugs, turning to see the back of the dress.

"Well then any of these will work. Especially because you are looking so toned. Like your arms are almost better than Michelle Obama's but if she asks me if I said that I will deny it." Emily glances at her arms in the mirror. She can see a bit more toning to them than she had in the past, so Insanity must have been doing something for her.

"Well thanks Pen. I think I might go with the black one. I think most people will be in black and white, so it will be easier to blend in."

"If everyone is going to be wearing black and white, you should go with the red. Really stand out."

"Mother is already going to draw more attention to me than I want, so I'd rather blend."

"You should still get the red dress. Save it for something else. Because it looks too good on you to pass up."

"I have no need for a second dress right now."

"There's the Director's Ball in December."

"That's months away. I could even wear the black one for that."

"You could, but you know who's mouth would hit the floor if you showed up in that red one?" Emily raises an eyebrow at her friend, already guessing where this is going. "Hotch. He would die seeing you in that dress."

"Why would I want to kill our boss?"

"Don't even. I know there's something going on between the two of you. I'd have to be oblivious not to see it. So don't even think of denying it. Just think what he would think if he saw you in that." Emily glances back in the mirror. The red chiffon wraps around her body in the most flattering way. It cinches in at her waist before bellowing out slightly towards the floor. Would Aaron like it? Probably. But that's not the point. December is months away. Who knows what could happen between now and then? Could Aaron and her get together? Sure. Could they also fall miles and miles apart by then? Also a possibility.

"Even so, I don't need a second dress." Emily says, turning back towards the dressing room to get out of the dress that she won't be buying.

"So you're not denying that there's something there?" Pen asks, not letting the topic drop even though the door has closed.

"You did tell me not to try denying it?" Emily said, neither confirming or denying as she unzips the dress and pulls it from her body.

"Emily Prentiss, that is not an answer. Is there or is there not something between you and Hotch?" Penelope demands.

"I think there could be, but I'm not sure." Emily pulls her own clothes on as she says what she hopes will satisfy her friend.

"That sounds like a we need to get brunch and talk things out kind of thing."

"Pen, I think it's best to just let it go right now. There's not anything I can do today with the event and everything."

"But tomorrow is an off day." Penelope's voice sparkles with her hope of getting her BAU ship together finally. If Emily had to guess, she would bet that Pen had her fingers crossed and maybe even her toes.

"Tomorrow is a Sunday that will probably be filled with cleaning my apartment and going grocery shopping. Not confessing love or anything else that you would find interesting. That was last weekend." The words slip out before Emily realizes what she said.

"Last weekend? I think we have some catching up to do and brunch is the best place for it. Come on, let's pay for your dress and then I know of the best place for us to sort out your feelings." Pen pulls her towards the cash register with the black dress in tow.

As they sit down at the table, Penelope looks at Emily. Instead of hiding her feelings like she normally does, she can see a few lines of worry perhaps etching into Emily's skin. "So do you want to explain what is going on that I have apparently not been told for a week?"

"There's been a lot. I more needed a Penelope catch up moment, and we haven't really had that."

"No excuses. I always have time for news, especially about my favorite ship. I can't believe things have happened for team Hotchniss and you didn't tell me." Emily rolls her eyes at the ship name Pen had made up ages ago for the couple she ships. "I should be the first person you come to when you have decided to make a move on Hotch."

"I didn't necessarily plan to make a move. Things kind of just well... happened." Emily shrugs as she takes a sip of her coffee.

"Ok, this sounds like we need something stronger than coffee. Do you see our waiter? We should get mimosas."

"I'm not drinking right now." Emily says.

"Holy shit. Don't tell me you're pregnant with his child already."

"We haven't even slept together."

"Then why aren't you drinking?"

"I'm doing a fitness program to get ready for my vacation. So I cut drinking out for the most part since that started."

"Oh right. Morgan was saying he thought you and Hotch were working out without him."

"Is he jealous?" Emily asks with a smirk.

"I think a little bit. He used to being the fitness one. So I think he thinks that you would have come to him if you wanted to do something fitness related."

"Aw, well it was nothing personal. Aaron and I just made a bet."

"So it's Aaron now?" Penelope smirks over her own cup of coffee as she asks. Emily rolls her eyes and doesn't say anything as she sips on her own coffee. "So what has happened between you two?"

"We made out. Twice." Emily's voice doesn't come out louder than a whisper as she adds, "We also may have told each other we love one another."

"Anyone on this green earth could have told you that." Penelope pushes up her glasses before asking, "wait if you two have admitted your feelings and made out, why are you not practicing to make little Hotchniss babies?"

"He said he wants to take me out on a date before we sleep together."

"So when's the date?"

"We don't have one."

"Why the fuck not?" Penelope's voice comes out harsher than she means for it too. "Really though, if a date is all it takes to land him-"

"I'm not trying to land him Pen. This is our boss remember."

"You know what I mean. You both want to be together, so why aren't you?"

"Because I'm a scaredy cat."

"You? Scared of something? Impossible."

"I'm scared of losing him."

"So you're turning him down? That logic makes no sense."

"Who said I'm turning him down?"

"You. You said he wants to take you out and that you're a scaredy cat. Hence you turned him down."

"I didn't turn him down. He technically never officially asked me out."

"So you're both being stupid." Penelope sets her mug of coffee down on the table. "How am I supposed to get my ship if you're both being stupid?"

"Technically, we're not saying no." And Emily starts in on explaining everything to her friend.

"So he's waiting for you to be ready? That's why he hasn't asked you out? Emily Prentiss, don't make me wring your pretty little neck." Emily's brows fall together at Penelope's words. "He loves you, he's your best friend, and he literally is saying like all the right things. So why isn't he worth a risk?"

"I'm not saying he isn't."

"Then why aren't you calling him up and saying yes please take me on a date ASAP?"

"Because that sounds like you, not me."

"You're purposely avoiding the point." Emily knows she is too. She doesn't really have any excuses anymore. "You could invite him to tag along to the event tonight." Penelope suggests what her mind had suggested already.

"I'm not trying to torture him. Plus this event is my mother trying to make political matches, so if I show up with a date that kind of defeats the point."

"If your heart is already with someone else, doesn't that defeat the purpose too?" Penelope tends to be right about a lot of things, but it seems she's spot on with this one.

"I never said I wanted to make any matches at the event tonight. I said my mother does."

"The point still stands. Hotch already has your heart and your mom is going to learn that at some point probably, so why not start with tonight?"

"Trust me I've thought about it. But I don't think it's the right place to start out either."

"You still sound like you're making excuses. Don't make me step in and work the two of you out."

"Don't you dare." Emily's eyes light with the fire behind them. She loves her friends but having them step into her relationship with Aaron is something completely different. "I'm a trained spy, remember."

"Your petty threats do nothing. I'm trying to make sure my ship becomes canon. Why won't you let me help?"

"Pen, I'm serious. Don't."

"Fine, but you have to make a move on him soon. You two are going to be fantastic together." Their food comes out and Emily is able to turn the conversation off of her and Aaron. By the end of brunch, she knows she needs to head home and get a workout in if she wants to not have to do it tonight after the ball.

"I probably should start heading home." She admits to Pen.

"You still have time to invite him." Penelope throws out as one last hope.

"Drop it Pen, please. I'm not going to invite him, especially this last minute. He probably already has plans." Liar, her mind shouts at her, but not loudly enough to escape her lips.

"Fine. I'm just saying you could."

"That's not dropping it." Emily rolls her eyes as they make her way to the car. "I can leave you here to think about your ship if you'd rather."

"Take me home." Penelope says with a laugh.

Once she drops Pen at her apartment she starts to head home to get a workout in. Little does she know, her friend is still trying to play matchmaker. Penelope pulls up her computer and does a quick search with a few clicks of her keys. Finding the invitation was easy. Especially since Emily's mom's assistant had scanned and emailed a copy to her earlier this week. "She'll thank me for this." Dragging the image into her inbox, she emails a copy of it to Hotch with the body simply reading- if you have no plans, you can spend the evening with a certain someone.

Across town, Aaron hears his phone ping with a new email. He opens it to see an email from Garcia. The Ambassador's Ball? That's what Emily is going to tonight? His hand itches to text her and ask to accompany her, but then he remembers- they talked this morning and she said nothing. If she had wanted him there, he would have been invited by her and not Garcia. So instead of replying, he hits trash on the email. He'll need to talk with Garcia about invasions of coworkers privacy. He doubts Emily knows that Garcia sent this to him. He'll add it to his to do list for Monday.

Emily walks into her closet and pulls out work out clothing. Her shoes are right by the door, so those are an easy grab. Next she takes a pair of shorts out of her drawers before looking for a tank top to wear. The first one she grabs is a grey one that says 'I hate Running but I love French Fries.' It doesn't totally work for today's workout, but it's clean and it fits so she'll wear it. She has forty minutes to get through and then she can pamper herself through the rest of the evening to get ready for the ball she doesn't want to attend. But right now, she'll make herself walk out into her living room and click on the workout to get through it. The montage fills her living room and she lets herself stop thinking about anything but working out for the next forty minutes.

At the end of it, she's dripping in sweat and ready for a shower. She'll let her lavender body wash fill her scent as she washes today from her skin to start fresh. Turning on her bluetooth speaker, she lets the music take over her bathroom. The first song to start playing is St. Jimmy by Green Day. The beat of it has always made her feel happier, but it also makes her feel like she should go for a run. A good hype song in her opinion. Turning the water to hot, she allows the steam to fill her bathroom as she strips the sweaty workout clothes from her body. She also pulls the hair band from her hair so that the curls can rest around her face.

After stepping out of the shower, she towel dries her body before reaching for her hair dryer. She needs to attempt to wrangle her curls if she wants them to look decent for tonight. Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage plays over the speaker, even though her hair dryer buzzes through it. She runs her hand through her hair as she hums along with the song. A few others play as she dries her hair. But eventually she has curls that have some semblance of body to them and are no longer dripping water.

Making her way across the apartment, she starts to get dressed, putting on some underwear and stockings. She doesn't want to put on her dress yet to avoid getting makeup on it. So instead she leaves it hanging on the doorway to her closet before making her way back to the bathroom. Taking a look in the mirror, she tries to decide what to do with her look tonight. Maybe do some darker makeup and then pin her hair up? That would probably work.

Digging through her makeup bag, she goes looking for the shadows she hasn't used in a while since she hasn't had a place that really needed it. But grabbing out the black and gold matte pallet, she opens it to see the mix of nudes and darker colors. She doesn't want to go for a full on smokey eye, but some darker colors with a neutral base might work. She starts to swipe colors along her lid. I'll Stick Around by the Foo Fighters takes over the silence of her mind as she works on applying the makeup. She decides to do a bright red lip to make up for the lack of colors anywhere else. After finishing her hair, she pins up her curls loosely so they're back and away from her face.

Going back into her bedroom, she slips into the dress she bought earlier today. It's sweetheart neckline comes up high enough to hide the mark on her chest. The waist cinches inward before the skirt drapes down to the floor with a little bit of a train. Making her way into her closet she goes looking for a pair of heels. Because of the length of the dress she needs the heels to be at least four inches, if not taller. She finds the best pair waiting in the back of her closet. They're black strappy heels with a five inch heel. Plus they're rather comfortable, so she hopefully won't be dying at the end of the night.

As she walks over to get jewelry, she calls for an uber, not wanting to drive tonight. It will allow her to drink as much as she needs to get through this as well as she doesn't have to deal with parking a car. Since she has about ten minutes until it gets here, she reaches into her jewelry box and tries to pick some jewelry. The first thing that catches her eye is a silver bracelet with a double infinity on it. So while she clicks that on her wrist, she looks for other silver pieces that will go well with it. Sitting in the upper drawer of her jewelry box is a pair of ornate chandelier earrings that Nana Prentiss had given to her for her high school graduation. The diamonds on them catch the light so she pins them on. Lastly, she reaches for a silver ring with a princess cut ruby that had been in her family for generations. If she's remembering correctly it was her great great great great grandmother's engagement ring. But ever since she was a child she had always been mystified by it, and tonight seems like a good reason to actually wear it.

After riding in her uber across town, she arrives at the hotel that the ball is being held at. There's a silent auction for charity going on, but Emily walks past it. If her mother doesn't know she's here, she'll never hear the end of it. "Now that can't be the same Emily Prentiss I knew from all those years ago." Emily looks over to where the voice is coming from.

"Marshall?" She asks, slightly unsure, but pretty sure her childhood friend was standing in front of her, inches taller than her as he had always been.

"In the flesh darling." He offers her a smile as he holds his arms out to her for a hug.

"It's been far too long." She says as she hugs him close.

"That's why you need to make your way across the sea sometimes."

"Some of us have jobs that keep us traveling a lot. Plus going out of the country has a lot of paperwork attached to it." She replies honestly. "Pretty sure you make it to DC often enough. You ever think about visiting the other direction."

"When I'm here, it's always for boring matters of state and such." He waves his hand trying to diminish the idea. "But if I had known that you were going to look like this, I would have come visit way sooner. You look absolutely smashing."

"Thanks Marshall. You clean up very well too. So tell me how is the Foreign and Commonwealth office treating you these days?"

"Nothing to complain about."

"Ambassador Wellix, can we grab a photo of you?" Marshall flashes his traditional press smile.

"Sure, sure. You've caught me with the prettiest belle of the ball. Emily, have you met Jennie? She's a journalist with… is it the Guardian?"

"Yes. Still with the Guardian. Emily? As in Ambassador Prentiss' daughter Emily?"

"One in the same." Emily extends a hand to the journalist.

"You're an FBI Agent right?" Jennie asks, suddenly interested in Emily's career.

"I am."

"Well maybe I could get a quote from you regarding-"

"Unfortunately any quotes will have to come from the FBI communications liaison. I'm just here to enjoy the ball and support my mother." Emily flashes a tight smile. "You understand don't you?"

"Sure, sure. Well how about that photo? Maybe the two of you?" Marshall wraps an arm around Emily's waist and pulls her in as they both flash light smiles towards the camera. "Ambassador, the people can't wait to hear how you plan to make relationships with America even strong." Her eyes flash back to Emily, and her accusation is almost screaming. Emily thinks nothing of it, knowing that Marshall is very happy in his own relationship. When the petite redhead walks away, Marshall turns to face Emily.

"Well it seems no matter how many times I tell people that my fiance and I are completely happy, they want to insinuate otherwise."

"It's fine Marshall, I promise."

"Just promise you'll say that if you get accused of being the other woman."

"I'm pretty sure the people who actually know me will know that can't be a possibility."

"Ah does Miss Emily Prentiss finally have her eyes on someone worthy of her heart?"

"That's Agent Prentiss to you."

"Pretty sure going to boarding school together cancels out any need to call each other by our titles." Marshall lets out a laugh. "I should go find out where George has scampered off to. I'll catch you later? I'm pretty sure I still owe you a drink from the last one of these functions we were at."

"I'll take you up on that for sure. I should go looking for my parents anyway."

"Give them my best. I'll probably find them at some point tonight but in case I don't."

"I will Marshall. I'll find you and George later. I've missed him too."

"We'll have to get you to come visit eventually." She nods and turns the opposite way from where he's going. She sees a waiter walking around with glasses of champagne, and takes a glass when offered.

"You know I remember the days when you were sneaking those to try and be funny."

"Hi Dad." She turns to see her father in a black suit, his navy honors pinned to his chest. "Is the she beast coming to find me?"

"Your mother is not looking for you yet. I thought you were over that nickname."

"You forbid she devil, remember?" Had to return to my older nicknames."

"Personally, I'd rather neither of them. Now, since you haven't been home in a while, how about you catch me up on work, your personal life, all other things a father should know?"

"There's not much to tell." Emily takes a sip of her champagne.

"I haven't seen you in months and that's all dear old dad gets?" Emily smiles at her father's antics.

"I didn't think murder was a polite conversation topic according to Mother."

"She might be right on that. But what about in your off time? Any one noteworthy?"

"I'm not dating anyone if that's what you're asking."

"Well your mother has a few people she's interested in introducing you too."

"That doesn't mean I'll be interested in any of them either." Aaron's dark eyes flash through her mind, and part of her wishes she had invited him. She could have avoided all of this, but instead she's going to have to pretend that she's at least remotely interested in anything the men her mother has to offer her have to say.

"That sounds like the sounds of someone who's heart is off the market. Want to talk to your dad about it?"

"You're reading into things again Dad. Or you've had too much of this." She raises her own glass of champagne towards him.

"Haven't even touched it. I just know my daughter. So why didn't you bring him?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine, fine. I'll let it go for now, but sooner or later, you'll tell me about him. You always do." He smiles at his daughter. He takes her right hand that has the ruby ring on it. "Someday I would like to see something like this on your other hand you know? Make your old man a happy camper?"

"Weddings usually take two participants Dad." She rolls her eyes.

"I know that. But you know what also takes two participants? Grandbabies. And I'd like some of those in the future too."

"As soon as there are any prospects of that, I will let you know. For now, don't you have to go and be on Mother's arm?"

"I'm good right now. Maybe take my daughter to look at some of the silent auction prospects. We could win big you know."

"The last time you won big, we had that trip and Mother nearly killed you for messing with her schedule." Emily reminds her father of a few years back ago.

"But a trip would be fun. It's been awhile since you took time off."

"I'm actually taking vacation in a few months. Getting some time to relax."

"Where are you going?"

"Fiji. Two weeks on the Mamanuca Islands beaches with nothing to do but read trashy chick lit and work on my tan."

"Taking any friends with you?" Her father insinuates.

"Going all by myself." She replies before taking a sip of the bubbles in her glass. "Do you have any trips planned with any friends?" Emily turns the question back on him with a smile.

"Your mother and I are flying to Ireland and then Dubai in the next few weeks to take care of some stuff for her job and mine. Then we're taking a trip to Morocco for her birthday." He wraps an arm around her back. "Come on. Humor your old man." He motions towards the silent auction.

"Fine, but you can't bid on anything that Mother will get mad about. Because she'll blame me. I'm the bad influence according to her."

"She says that, but then she'll always blame me once you go home. She just knows we're cohorts." He smiles at his daughter. "I've missed you Emily."

"Missed you too Dad."

"You should come home more often." People wave at them as they walk by on their way to the silent auction. Most of the people here know her parents, so it isn't a surprise. She's honestly so used to it, that she doesn't even notice it until her dad starts pointing out people that she should remember. They look over all the things at the auction, ranging from luxury purses to trips to appliances, and her father places his bidding number on a couple of them. When she raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything, he replies with a quick, "What? It's for charity."

"You said that about the last six items too."

"I had a feeling I'd find the two of you over here." Her mother's voice comes from behind her. "Really Emily, you couldn't even come say hello? You're making me look bad in front of the press."

"I was coming to find you earlier-" Emily starts to explain.

"I found her and distracted her." Her father interrupts her. "I figured we'd come support the DC Children's Hospital while you mingled." He places a kiss on his wife's cheek.

"No bidding on trips. We have too much planned right now." She reprimands her husband before turning her attention to her daughter. "Now Emily, I have some young men to introduce you to." Let her personal hell burn. "Come along." Emily switches her empty champagne glass for a filled one as she follows her mother into the lion's den. It's going to be a long night.