A/N: Hey guys, so this chapter continues on from the previous chapter. Hope you all enjoy and please don't hesitate to leave a review. They are incredibly motivating an helpful.

Early November 2007

Slouching against the cold metal of the elevator, Emily's eyes fixed on the numbers increasing. Spilling her guts to Spencer had utterly drained her mentally of everything. But even though he'd hardly contributed anything to help the brunette's cause, venting out her bottled feelings had helped clear her mind.

Any remaining anger she would blame for not having enough caffeine.

When the doors slid open, Emily made a pitstop into the kitchenette to brew herself coffee. "Hey," she muttered to Morgan who happened to be swirling a teaspoon through his mug.

"Hey. How was it?"

She shrugged, dropping her go-bag on the table before grabbing a packet of the caffeine she was craving, "Not as bad as I thought it would be… You know anything about this case?"

The shaking of Morgan's head answered her question, "nothing, just got here five minutes ago. Was gonna head out to the gym tonight, but that went down the drain."

"Same," Emily replied. Morgan glanced at her, weirdly, "I mean, my plans also got put to a halt. I don't…" She screwed her face up, "who goes to the gym on a Saturday night?"

Morgan smirked, "I do. Much quieter. People are out partying… Get the place to yourself. You should try it."

Pouring the boiling water into the mug, Emily answered, "uh… No thanks, buddy. I'll go to the gym any day, but Friday or Saturday nights… I've got better things to invest my time in."

"Yeah, like that new boyfriend of yours, right?" Emily nearly poured boiling water all over herself, hearing Morgan's words. JJ WOULDN'T have revealed her secret.

"Who told you?"

The man took a sip of his drink, "come on, Prentiss, you work in a behavioural analysis unit. It's pretty obvious that you're into someone."

"Gimme that," Emily ordered, taking the spoon in his hand, and swirling the coffee around. God, she was terrible at keeping secrets, or more like keeping her behaviour hidden from the prying eyes of profilers.

"So? Who's the lucky guy?"

The brunette laughed, shaking her head, "Penelope is going to murder you when she finds out you have all the info about my boyfriend before she does."

Morgan's eyes could have popped out of his head, "are you kidding? I thought she'd be the first to know…"

"Actually, at this rate, she'll be the last to know. I told JJ first, and I had no choice but to tell Spencer. I'm pretty sure Hotch has me sussed out, and now you know." If everyone knew, there wasn't much point in hiding her relationship. It was inevitable everybody would find out eventually. However, it was a shame everyone had to pry their eyes into her private life so soon.

"Hold up- You told that pretty boy over there about your boyfriend before me?"

The woman sipped her coffee, smirking. "I didn't think people could get so jealous when it came to telling others about relationships, but apparently it's a thing."

The two agents made their way back to their desks, Morgan still shaking his head, "I still haven't learnt his name yet."

"Oh, it's Devon," Spencer interrupted as the other two agents arrived, "and guess what, he's from England and is a journalist."

Morgan raised his eyebrows while Emily stood there confused, "hang on… I never told you that he was from England." In that moment, Penelope Garcia walked in, holding her laptop. Her expression seemed less than pleasing with those downright squinty eyes and pouty lips. "Penelope…" Emily began.

"Don't tell me." She whispered in her tragic, lost puppy tone, "I'm the last to know, aren't I?"

Emily faceplanted into her palms and sighed. She should never have mentioned it to Spencer in the first place. The woman swivelled around, and if looks could kill, Spencer would have been impaled with nine tridents by now. He visibly gulped, obviously intimidated by the harsh gaze from the brunette. "We just… Wanted to make sure… This is the right guy for you."

"Yeah? And break the deal we made?" Emily retorted back.

"Technically we never made a deal."

Prentiss wanted to throttle Spencer, "Just because we didn't make a deal doesn't mean you text other members of the team and have them dig through my boyfriend's life. That is so wrong on so many levels." This seriously couldn't be happening right now. "What happened to not profiling each other?"

"We all do it, Prentiss," Morgan reminded her. The brunette quirked an eyebrow.

"No. We profile when something is 'off' with one of us or if we have no choice." Emily immediately flashed back to Morgan's framing case last year in Chicago. "In fact, this isn't even profiling, this is an invasion of privacy."

"Forget I said anything," Derek muttered, holding his hands up in defence. This was gonna get really ugly, real fast.

"You're not seriously defending what they did, right?"

Shaking his head, Derek answered, "no, of course not. Baby girl, Reid, stalking a co-worker's personal life through the internet is wrong on so many levels-"

"When you put it like that it makes it sound so dicky…" Penelope began, "like I'm some stupid person who has no brain and doesn't think through their thoughtless decisions and now I've unintentionally hurt someone. I hunt those sorts of people online every day, and now I am one of those people."

Morgan stood up, pulling the woman into a hug as he could see the emotion pooling at her eyes. "Don't beat yourself up over it, baby. We all make mistakes."

Penelope smuggled her way out of Morgan's grasp, "NO! This wasn't a mistake. This was purposeful, and I should have known better." She swiped a tear from her cheek, "Emily, I knew that you were into someone, and I tried asking JJ about it, and she wouldn't reveal anything. My last resort was to ask Reid because you two have spent a lot of time together and I would have thought you might have revealed someth- "

"Okay," Emily said, pausing Penelope in her tracks, "I get it. You're frustrated that I haven't told you anything."

"I'm sorry, Emily. It's also my fault that I dragged Reid into this. If it weren't for my nosiness, he would never have told me about Devon."

"So why did he tell you about him? Did you manipulate him, or do you have something against him?"

"No!" Penelope quickly clarified. "I would never emotionally manipulate someone I love."

"But what you're saying is that you would do it."

"Spencer told me about Devon because I was a jerk and needed to know the sort of guy that was going out with one of my BFF's." Emily rolled her eyes with a scowl, "It will never happen again, to anybody. Especially you. I promise."

Her words and actions may have been well intended, but Emily still couldn't find it in her heart to find sympathy for her 'friend'. Friends didn't dig through your personal life just to know what sort of person you happened to be dating.

"With the job we have… And the amount of time we spend together, how hard is it to ask for a little privacy?" Garcia was in full-blown tears, "you could have just asked… And… I may or may not have told you about him. But you don't go around inquiring information online about your co-worker's personal life."

"I'm really sorry…" Penelope repeated.

"This is part of the reason why I was so hesitant in telling you guys." Emily felt a flush rise to her face. This was so embarrassing. She felt embarrassed for herself, sorry for Devon. And super irked at Reid and Penelope. All she could say now was thank God Hotch, JJ and that Rossi dude were elsewhere. But she knew eventually they'd hear the story, and that embarrassed her even more.

"Em, I…"

"Don't EM me, I'm mad." Emily snapped back at Penelope.

"I just wanted to say, he's cute?" The blonde's voice trailed off to a whisper, hoping to ease the tension. The brunette walked over, taking the laptop from Penelope and sure as heck, there Devon was. Her anger partially subsided as she stared into her virtual boyfriend's eyes, but she was still fuming at the woman in front of her.

"Yeah…" Emily barely said, "he's cute."

Handing the laptop back to Penelope, she rolled her eyes and collapsed in the chair, "alright, I'm serious. I never want to see his picture on your screen again, and Reid, word of advice… When a woman tells a man about her relationship, DON'T share that information with other people, not unless it's an emergency. Capeesh?"

Both parties nodded, "Capeesh."

"Sorry…" Spencer said, avoiding eye contact. He quickly made himself busy at his desk, reading something Emily assumed he had already read.

Penelope passed a sad smile, apologising once more before trotting back off into her computer lab.

It had become tradition for Spencer and Emily to hang out together at the airport before their flight was due to leave, but the brunette could tell by the mere absence of Spencer in the bookstore that maybe she'd hit a nerve with him earlier in the evening.

Of course, the whole situation had irked Emily, and she should have just kept her feelings to herself. But now she had calmed down, and she didn't want to spend the next few days in Montana avoiding Spencer- that would definitely have caught Hotch's attention. So, she glanced around, checking all the possible stores he could have been in. At last, Emily found Spencer in the tourist shop, with his nose stuck in one of those books describing Italy.

"I'm surprised you haven't read that already. It's a beautiful country, by the way." Her presence startled Reid to which Emily immediately apologised.

"How'd you find me?" He asked timidly, still avoiding her eye contact.

"We practically live in the airport, Reid, I know all the shops you like to look in." She paused for a moment, watching Spencer put the book back onto the shelf, "and I know that you feel really guilty for sharing… My situation with Garcia. I just wanted to say that I forgive you."

"But it was mean." He reasoned.

Nodding, Emily answered, "yes… It was. But I know that you can sometimes be torn between expectations of different people. When Garcia pressured you to share, you didn't want to disappoint me, but you didn't want to disappoint her either. I can imagine that must have been a tough decision."

"Well, maybe it wouldn't have been so tough if I'd thought it through better." They began walking out the shop, "it will never happen again." He reassured to the brunette.

"I know."

"I'm also sorry that you're missing out on a night with Devon."

She shrugged, "I'll live. I was so caught up in my own selfish feelings that I forgot to be grateful I had this job. You know… Life can be like that sometimes."

"What about Penelope?" They stopped, and Emily pursed her lips together. She wasn't quite ready to forgive Garcia just yet as she had facilitated the whole debacle, but Emily knew her intentions weren't malicious.

"I'll talk to her when I get back. Come on, they're probably waiting for us."

It seemed everybody on the team had caught onto Emily's new relationship thanks to Penelope Garcia. Hotch had listened to a conversation between Reid and Morgan on the plane, and while he hadn't understood the full story, he'd caught onto the fact that some personal boundaries had been broken. No matter how much Aaron loved the people in the unit, he couldn't allow that sort of behaviour to impact the job, which explained his decision to partner up with Emily as soon as they started fieldwork in Montana.

He needed her perspective on the situation.

Aaron watched as the woman powerwalked over to the car. She had lifted her brunette hair into a high ponytail, and the navy t-shirt she wore clung to her, accentuating the curves of her waist; it was hard not to notice. He swallowed away the thought of her body and refocused his attention to the task at hand. The case. "Ready?" Emily asked as soon as she got inside.

"Let's do this."

The drive out to where they needed to be would take a good twenty minutes, and it was all the time Hotch needed to ask her what had been boggling his mind. "How is everything?" He began casually, "I don't mean to intrude, but I heard that there was some sort of argument last night between you and Garcia. Is everything okay?"

Immediately letting out a sigh of discontent, Emily glanced out the window. That had been why he'd partnered up with her today. Well, there really didn't seem to be much point in lying. Sorting out team conflict was a part of his job description, so she simply whispered back, "Yes and no. I'm trying to sort it out."

His brow furrowed, "what happened?"

Emily really didn't want to get into the details with Hotch, but something inside told her that she could trust him. So, she explained the situation, reassuring him that she would talk to Penelope as soon as they arrived back. As she spoke, the man exerted no visible emotion, which always intimidated the brunette. It was almost like she was talking to a brick wall; except the brick wall was listening.

Upon hearing the events from the night prior, Hotch didn't know what to say. He never in a blue moon thought Garcia would use her technology in that way and for her to manipulate Spencer into sharing private information about a co-worker… Well, that wasn't sitting right with him. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner. You do realise Prentiss that's a violation of the law, don't you?"

The brunette shrugged, "I know that what she did was a dick move, but she didn't have malicious intentions. Garcia just doesn't think through her actions sometimes. And she can be impulsive, but that doesn't cost the woman her job." The last thing Emily wanted was for Penelope to lose her job over an incident as stupid as this. That's not to say that the woman shouldn't be punished, but deep down, Emily knew Garcia had simply not thought about the consequences of her actions.

Emily's argument may have been all well and accurate, but Hotch had already made up his mind, "I want to have a formal conversation with the both of you as soon as we return to Quantico. I can't have this sort of thing happening again."

Internally, Emily wanted to cringe. She couldn't believe this whole situation had landed her in a 'formal conversation' in Hotch's office over her new boyfriend. "Do we really need to have a formal conversation over this? Garcia is already mortified enough as it is."

"Yes. We do," Hotch reinforced, "it's not about guilt, Prentiss. It's about the safety and privacy of this team. And I cannot have Garcia violating that again."

It took Emily all her resistance to not roll her eyes in front of Hotch, "can I be the one to talk to her about it?" Hotch whipped his head around to Prentiss with a confused expression. "Please. She doesn't do well with stress, and I've already caused her enough stress as it is."

Aaron couldn't believe his ears, Prentiss kept on trying to dig her way out of the conversation that needed to be had, and it was beginning to irritate him. He didn't want to raise his voice to convince her, but it was getting to the point where he needed to. "Prentiss, what she did was wrong…"

"And she knows that. I promise you, Hotch, this is something I can resolve without your help." His penetrating gaze made Emily feel so vulnerable, but when he didn't say anything, Emily's eyes could have popped out of her skull. "So, no conversation… Right?"

"If I hear about it happening again, next time, Garcia won't be in my office. It will be Strauss'," Hotch warned.

Emily physically cringed as she imagined the three of them, Hotch, Garcia and herself in Strauss' office. "Understood. It won't happen again."

Silence passed through the vehicle before Hotch momentarily glanced over at the brunette, "does he treat you well?" Aaron asked on a brighter note, wanting to learn a little bit more about her new partner.

Emily looked across with a small smile on her face. "Yes. He does. I haven't felt the way I do in so long. I feel like I don't deserve it."

Hotch wanted more than anything to say that she deserved every bit of that relationship because he knew better than anybody how hard Prentiss worked. And it eased his mind knowing that she could vent to somebody who would support her with the horror and tragedy of her career. "He sounds like a good guy. Not a cop, is he?"

Prentiss smiled, imagining her one and only in law enforcement. He really didn't seem the athletic type, but she reckoned he'd look pretty darn hot in a vest and uniform. "No." She laughed, "He's a journalist. When I say I don't deserve him, I really don't. He is so kind and generous. And has to put up with my hideous work schedule. Every other man who I've met just runs away when it comes to my job."

Hotch's grip on the wheel tightened, and he immediately felt a swarm of regret as he thought of Haley. She literally had run away because he couldn't commit to both her and his career. He wished that some miracle would save his marriage, but with each day, it seemed more and more unlikely. Haley had made up her mind and made it clear every time the two spoke.

"As long as you are happy… Then that's all that matters."

Emily nodded, passing him a small smile. "I am happy," she whispered back.

Aaron's brow furrowed as he reflected on Emily's words. He wondered how on earth men hadn't thrown themselves at Prentiss. Maybe they had, but obviously, they didn't stick around for long. It wasn't like she didn't have that element of attractiveness to her, far from it in his eyes.

As the brunette smiled out the window, the thought of Haley crossed her mind. Last thing she'd heard was that Haley had moved out along with Jack, and that seemed like months ago. Emily couldn't have imagined how Hotch was coping, and she almost felt guilty for telling him about her new relationship. So, she asked how things were going in that regard.

Evidence of sorrow and guilt masked his face. And he didn't even bother trying to hide it.

Four months had passed since the separation, and Hotch still struggled every day to make sense of his situation with Haley, and truthfully, things seemed to be getting worse. Rossi had mentioned that he hardly called her anymore- unless he needed to talk to Jack. And every time he did call her and attempt to make things better, Hotch would only make it ten times worse. Haley obviously didn't want to give them a second chance and coming to terms with that bothered him.

He shook his head, "I really don't know…" He mumbled sadly. Emily nodded, feeling sorry for the man. Haley and Hotch made such a cute couple, and they really suited each other. It just sucked that things had to be this way. "We keep growing more and more distant…"

"She's not changing her mind?"

"Haley left because she wanted me to feel what it's like to live in an empty house. She won't return unless I force her to come back…"

A tinge of confusion touched her brow, "why haven't you?"

Silence dominated him for a few seconds, "I have… She doesn't want to come back."

Emily's mouth formed an oval, and all she could do to sympathise was give a sad expression. Relationship break-ups of any kind sucked whether they were long term or only a few days. After meeting Devon, Emily couldn't imagine losing him. She found it difficult to ponder what Hotch must have been going through all these months. "I'm sorry… That must suck."

Hotch fell silent for a moment before answering, "I'm more upset for Jack. I don't know how much or how little he understands… You just kinda feel helpless."

Emily nodded, "yeah… I still need to meet him. He sounds like such an awesome little dude."

This brought a sad smile to Hotch. Jack and he hadn't really spent much time together, but from what Haley had told him, his little guy seemed to be having the time of his life at pre-school, despite being naughty. "When he's not in one of his temper tantrums yes."

Laughing, Emily replied, "oh the terrible twos… Rather you than me."

"Thanks," Hotch said scoffing.

For Montana in early November, the air was scorching hot. Emily had to wind up the AC in the car, "what are we gonna say to that poor family when we get there?"

It was the double-edged sword of the job. Meeting families of the victims could be incredibly emotional, but also sweet, and Emily always struggled to know what to say. What could you say to someone that had just lost their partner or mother or brother?

The agents made eye contact for a moment, "play it by ear." Hotch replied.

Emily bit the inside of her cheek, not knowing what to expect when they arrived. It terrified her, but at the same time gave her that adrenaline rush that had her addicted to the job.

The team had finally arrived back to Quantico, and Emily wanted more than anything to resolve the conflict with Penelope.

She gently knocked on the metal door to the tech room and let herself in. Penelope sat there idly in her chair, eyes half-closed, fiddling with some weird figurine that could have looked like a miniature Einstein crossed with Dracula. Emily had noticed over videocam and phone calls that Garcia seemed low in energy the last few days. And as the brunette walked into her little den, an overwhelming lonely vibe hit her square in the chest.

With no windows and only screens to keep Garcia company when the team abandoned her, it's no wonder the woman felt left out of all the action. Emily dragged a seat and sat down next to Garcia.

She looked like she wanted to cry.

So, Emily held open her arms and the technician with tired eyes barrelled into her like a nail attracted to a magnet. As Penelope quietly sobbed, Emily patted her on the back softly. "I know that you were only trying to look out for me… I appreciate it."

Garcia pulled away for a moment, taking off her glasses and dabbing her cheeks with a handkerchief, "no Em… I know I crossed a line. And I've felt terrible about it for the last three days. I don't want to ever do that to you again… Or to anybody. I'm sorry."

Emily nodded with a sad smile, "I forgive you." Glancing around the darkroom, Emily said, "I never realised how isolated this room is. No wonder you feel like you're missing out on everything."

Penelope put her glasses back on, "it's not that bad when I'm happy. Because when I'm happy I get to talk to you guys and make jokes and… Track down all these suckers who try to hide behind frauds and fake credit cards. But when I'm sad… It feels like the walls are closing in, and I never feel like I am working at my best. And I hate upsetting you guys, it's the worst feeling in the world. If there is anything that I can do for you, I promise I will do it, I-"

"Penelope," Emily interrupted her calmly, "it was simply a mistake. And I don't expect you to do anything for me except to forget that this ever happened."

Smiling, Garcia nodded, "you wanna go out for drinks?"

Emily pursed her lips together. Devon could wait. She really needed to spend some more time with Penelope, "sure. Where were you thinking?"

A/N: At one point my computer crashed and I thought I'd lost all my progress on this chapter, but thankfully I managed to get it back. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It's fun writing about conflict and I thought it would be interesting to have Garcia cross Emily's boundary when it came to her personal life because it seemed like something she would do. Also, to have Emily convince Hotch that no conversation needed to be said was also fun to write.

Please review if you can and thanks for reading!