A/N: I've added this in case you're interested in knowing who I've based these characters on, at least those characters who aren't actually featured in the show.

Simon Prentiss (Emily's father, works for the CIA - based at Langley but sometimes travels): Richard Jenkins.

Zachery Prentiss (Emily's son, 20 years old in season 2 and completing his undergrad studies at Yale during season 3): Adam Brody.

Happy reading! And please review.

Chapter 1: The Last Word

"You won't be sorry," Emily replied, turning quickly to grab her box of belongings and running out Agent Hotchner's office door before he could change his mind.

Emily made her way down the stairs and into the bullpen, through the glass doors, only stopping when she reached the elevator. She was not going to push her luck with Agent Hotchner by hanging around or trying to leave her belongings at one of the obviously empty desks. She awkwardly leant her box against one hip to reach over and press the elevator button, but in true Emily fashion, the bottom of the cardboard box gave out and she groaned as her belongings fell to the ground.

As she stooped down to pick her things up and try to jerry-rig the box so that it would last until morning, Emily heard footsteps coming towards her. She only hoped that the footsteps didn't belong to Agent Hotchner, and was relieved when a petite blonde woman dropped to the ground and collected the couple of framed photos that had fallen in the heap.

"Let me help you with that," the woman insisted, placing the frames in the box and continuing in her efforts to pick up more of Emily's belongings. As she placed a folder of papers in the box, the woman looked up at Emily and offered a sad smile, "Coming or going?"

Emily furrowed her brow, "I think I'm coming," she replied, "But that all depends on Agent Hotchner."

"Oh… you're the one Garcia told me about," the blonde remarked, "Uh… Agent Prentiss?" At Emily's nod, she held out a hand for Emily to shake, "I'm Agent Jareau… JJ." She paused as Emily shook her hand, and offered her another smile, "And don't worry about Hotch… if he didn't immediately kick you out of his office, you're in."

Emily grinned in reply, hopeful that this could be the start of a beautiful friendship, "Thanks, uh… JJ," she paused, "I just wish I had a desk already so I didn't have to lug this back and forth."

As the women stood, JJ tipped her head towards her office, "You can leave it in here until tomorrow."

"Really?" Emily replied, blushing at her reaction to such a simple, yet generous, offer.

JJ chuckled and nodded, "Of course, follow me." As she started down the hallway, checking over her shoulder to make sure the new team member was following, she wondered what questions she could ask now, without seeming like she was being too curious. "How long have you been with the Bureau?"

"About ten years," Emily replied, "I spent some time in the Midwest and now I'm here… or back here."

"You're a DC native?" JJ asked, taking Emily's box from her hands and placing it gently on the empty visitor's chair at her desk.

"Yeah… I mean… my mother is an ambassador, so I'm a native in that we lived here between postings," Emily explained, "How about you?"

"Oh, I'm Pennsylvania, born and bred," JJ replied. She picked up her purse from her desk and tipped her head towards the door, "Are you heading out now?"

Emily nodded, "Yeah, I am." She paused and waited for JJ to join her in the hall before continuing, "Thank you for your help," she explained, "I'm feeling a little out of place here, after the other day."

JJ reached over and patted Emily's shoulder, "Not a problem," she replied, "Garcia told me what happened with Hotch… and please don't hold it against him."

Emily shook her head, "Not at all…" her phone started to ring, interrupting the conversation, and she looked down to see Zac's name flashing on the screen. She looked over at JJ and smiled awkwardly as they reached the elevator, "I'll just be one minute."

Emily turned away from JJ to answer the call, lowering her voice as much as possible, "Hey sweetie," she said quietly into the phone.

"Hey Mom," Zac said in reply, "How was the first day?"

"Well, I haven't actually had my first day yet," she replied, "But I'll explain more later. I should be home in about an hour. Can I call you then?"

"Sure thing," Zac replied, "I want to hear all about it."

"Same here," Emily added, "I'll talk to you soon." She paused and lowered her voice a little more, "Love you."

"Love you too, Mom," Zac replied, before hanging up the call.

Emily turned back to JJ, just as the elevator doors began to open. JJ had been trying not to eavesdrop, but Emily could tell from her face that even the tidbits she'd picked up on from Emily's side of that conversation would probably result in some questions.

"So tell me, Emily," JJ began as they climbed into the car, "How do you feel about cocktails?"

Emily picked up the tray of drinks and turned to head back to the table, where Garcia and JJ were waiting. As she got closer to the table, Emily felt a hand on her back and she turned slowly.

"Uh, hi."

He was tall, jet black hair, dark eyes… just Emily's type.

"Hi," she replied, holding the tray awkwardly. The man looked down at the tray and took it out of her hands to give her a rest.

"I'm sorry, I'm not very good at this," the man began, causing Emily to chuckle nervously. She nodded for him to continue, which he did after taking a deep breath, "I was watching you before and… god, that sounds really creepy… but I figured I'd kick myself if I didn't at least say hello."

Emily offered a shy smile and nodded, "Well, I'm glad you did."

"I can see you're here with friends, so I will give these back," the man said, handing the tray back to Emily, "And add this to your order," Emily watched as he took his wallet out, removed a business card, and slid it onto the tray, "So if you're so inclined, give me a call."

Emily's jaw dropped and she watched him walk away, before she turned back to head towards the table. When she got back to her new friends, they were both looking at her with expectant faces. Faces that were expecting gossip.

"Margherita for Penelope, vodka and cranberry for JJ," Emily started, handing the drinks to the others, and then looked up as she took her own drink, a dry gin martini, from the tray, trying to subtly remove the business card and pushing it into her pocket. As she took her first sip, Emily looked up at the others' faces and then diverted her gaze away.

"And a steam hot drink of water for Emily," Penelope teased.

Emily rolled her eyes, "We are at a bar, right?"

"And… you're…" JJ glanced at Emily over the top of her drink, before looking over to Penelope.

"I'm what?" Emily asked, looking between the two women.

"Single?" Penelope asked.

"Of course I am," Emily replied, "What made you think I'm not?"

"No reason," JJ assured her new friend, "Just checking."

Emily smiled sadly, "Just a heads up, I'm not great at sharing and I'm not even sure I'll be sticking around long enough to share."

JJ and Penelope exchanged a look, then both turned to Emily, "Why do you think you're not sticking around?"

Emily furrowed her brow as she considered sharing with these women, "I just mean that… well Agent Hotchner doesn't seem to want me on the team, and he's the Unit Chief, so if I don't have him on my side, then what chances do I have?"

"You just leave Hotch to us," Penelope said, reaching over to squeeze Emily's hand, "You're here for the duration if JJ and I have anything to do with it."

Emily smiled and nodded, squeezing Penelope's hand in return, "So tell me about you guys… are you both single?"