Are you on a case?

This was the text Emily found on her phone after a call to Penelope, to update her on information to search with. Covering every base was of the utmost importance. At this point, Emily just wanted to stay the course of the investigation without any more interruptions where her personal life was concerned.

She felt a genuine stab of annoyance at the sight of a text from her boyfriend.

But she still stopped to answer him. Yes, but it's in town. What's up?

Can I see you tonight? It's really important.

Emily went from annoyed to curious. Are you in trouble?

No. Nothing of the sort. It's just really important.

I'm not feeling my most tip-top today, but why don't you come over at eight?

Okay. See you then.

Pleased, the profiler stuck her phone in her pocket. Now she had a timeframe for coming back to the hospital to find out if she was delusional or not, processing the results, and going back home again to wait for Andrew. She would only have to be Emily.

These thoughts preoccupied her all the way to room 305. She arrived to find JJ and Sandy pulling apart from a hug.

Emily asked them, "Are you two alright? I can come back."

"We're fine." JJ motioned to her friend. "Come sit, Em."

She pulled a chair up to the bedside.

Sandy remained where she was with JJ. "Is this the part where you ask me what I'm doing in D.C. in the first place?"

"Yes," Emily said. "And even if JJ is in bed, she's still my partner. Just be open."

"I can do that."

"Also—thank you for bearing with us through the craziness that has been today."

"I'm always up for an adventure." Sandy said. "I also didn't want to leave without visiting Jenny, or giving you all of the information you've been after. Each of us have been waylaid for different reasons."

"Understatement of the year…" JJ muttered.

Sandy ignored this. "Let's think now—I came to town for an event over at the convention center by the White House."

Emily began taking notes. "What is the event, exactly?"

"It's a large swap meet. Whoever thought of the name was just plain unoriginal because it's called TradeCon."

"Yeah, that's definitely not very original." Emily agreed. "Why come to D.C.? Is East Allegheny too small for a swap meet?"

"Shockingly, no, but everybody knows everything about everybody—including unique things that someone else owns. I prefer variety for what I collect."

"What's that? I collect USMC pins, comic books, and anklets. I also know how to knit."

"I collect rare books, and unique journals because I love to read and write." Sandy elaborated. "I run the main library in East Allegheny."

"That's really neat. How long is the event?"

"Three days. I'm off on an adventure to South Carolina."

"Who lives there?" Emily said curiously.

"My siblings. I'm going to see them."

"Well, that's nice. What were you doing by the station house?"

That part of the day seemed so trivial now. Sandy had almost forgotten.

"Oh, that—there's a drug store at the end of that block. I went to get something I left at home."

Sandy looked to JJ with an arched eyebrow.

"Don't. You have that look that says you were about to lob a complaint in my direction."

Emily snickered. "Quit while you're ahead and just say what you're thinking. Even I saw the look that your mother is talking about."

"Okay, fine." JJ looked to her mother. "Were you going to drop me a line about being in town?

"Yes, but I planned on being at my hotel first. Telling you before would have ruined the whole thing." Sandy said smoothly. "The fact that I wound up near Will's building was a happy coincidence. Feel better?"

JJ relented. "I do. Thanks, mom."

Emily examined her notes, making sure she'd gotten everything for the sake of the investigation. "It looks like we have everything we need now. Is your hotel in town?"

Sandy nodded. "Yes, but I left all my luggage at the station."

"There's an officer from the station outside the room here. I'll make sure he brings you to wherever you need to go."

"Thank you; that's really kind." Sandy said in surprise. "I hailed a taxi from the train station and asked the driver to bring me to the nearest drug store. That's how I ended up over there."

Emily made a clicking sound with her tongue. "Gotcha."

"By the way, Emily, I met the nicest couple when the train made a connection in New York."

"Is that so?"

"Elizabeth and Fitzhugh say hello. They're very charming people."

Emily winked. "That's my parents described in two words. Why is my world so small?"

"Besides having a child in the FBI, there's another thing that I have in common with your parents."

"They're also going to the event?"

"Correct. We're even going out for cocktails later."

"Have fun, but change the topic if my father starts talking about where he grew up. I got my crazy streak from him." Emily warned. "You'll want something stronger than cocktails when you hear about his growing-up years in the English countryside."

"Message received." Sandy said in amusement. "Thanks for that."

Emily gave her a mock salute. "We're family now."

JJ wanted to ask exactly what Emily meant by this, but didn't get a chance because there was a knock on the door. Hannah had arrived.

"Is it alright if I visit for a little bit?" she asked tentatively.

JJ moved into a sitting position. "Yes! Come in!"

Emily and Sandy backed away to watch as Hannah drew level with her stepdaughter.

She spoke softly. "Hi, JJ. How are you?"

"A lot better than before I had my panic attack, thank goodness. The doctor said I can even get out of here soon."

JJ guided Hannah to sit on the bed. She needed her to be physically closer.

"I want to tell you something, Hannah." she said.

"Yes?"

"Learning about the twins when they were already adults hurt me almost as bad as getting abandoned by dad. I was also very mad about being kept in the dark about August and Katherine." JJ said seriously. "I won't lie about that."

Hannah showed her compassion. "I understand—you have every right to have those feelings, no matter how old you are, JJ. I am so sorry that you were hurt. When did you start having a change of heart?"

"When I saw how saw my poor mother felt as she told me about August and Katherine. I wanted to be angry that she agreed to keep the secret for so long, but it wasn't worth it when I saw how torn up she was about something she hadn't even done."

JJ fiddled with a loose thread in her blanket. She needed something to do with her hands just then.

"My actual change of heart happened when I was visited by August and Katherine in the same week. They're so perfect. Now I love them like I've known them forever." JJ let the thread go and offered Hannah a kind smile. "I forgave my mother after she told me everything. So… I'm forgiving you."

Hannah's heart jumped into her throat. She hadn't been expecting along these lines at all.

"Oh, JJ, thank you." Hannah embraced her warmly. "That makes me incredibly happy to hear. I accept your forgiveness."

They hugged a little more before Hannah sat to face her again.

"I'm so glad that we've had this part of the conversation because I have something extremely special to share with you."

JJ gave Hannah's hand a gentle squeeze. "What is it?"

"You, August, and Katherine are going to be big siblings later this year. I'm going to have a baby."

Hannah watched JJ with some anxiety. The woman's entire world had been turned on its head today; one more big new discovery might freak her out all over again. That would just make everyone's day longer.

Imagine her surprise when JJ met her with joy.

"This is amazing—I'm so excited, and I know my husband will be, too."

Hannah could hardly believe her luck that JJ had responded this well. "What about your sons? They might get confused."

"My boys are extremely clever. They'll understand when we explain it to them." JJ reassured her. "It'll more fun to watch them digest the concept of the babies all being the same age."

"The three of them will have known each other for their entire lives, and they haven't even been born yet..." Hannah said thoughtfully.

They continued on in conversation. A friendship was forging.

Meanwhile, Sandy thoughts had now turned to Emily. She looked troubled. Her "I'm fine" issue was on the verge of boiling over.

It was just a matter of when.

Sandy watched Emily as she observed the scene in front of them. The agent was even holding both of her hands to her middle. They were even splayed the way a mother protected the precious cargo. Her baby.

The look on Emily's face was even full of just one thing: longing. And not just any kind. This was deep longing. An expectant mother was happy and blissful didn't behave this was. A woman desperate for a dream that was just out of reach did.

Or… one who didn't or couldn't see what was right under her nose.

Emily was pregnant, but had no idea.

It was up to Sandy to keep her from falling down a rabbit hole.

In a show of understanding, she patted Emily's hands in a comforting way as she walked past her. She needed to know that the world wasn't over.

When Sandy made it to the bed again, JJ fell quiet at once. She knew exactly what was coming. This moment had also been imagined many times in her head.

"H-hello, officially." Hannah stammered as she rose to her feet. "I don't know what to say."

"Hello worked. I'm happy to meet you."

"Really? You are?"

"I am. You made two people who JJ loves deeply, and a third who is coming." Sandy said. "Being loved by JJ is really something special. Trust me, Hannah—if she can love her siblings and make friends with you, then I really am happy to meet you."

Hannah's heart felt like was doing jumping jacks. "Thank you."

"I can still be civil around him because we still have a daughter in common, but I'm happy to be friends with you because we don't have a long history together. JJ is also your daughter in the eyes of the law. I won't get in the way of that because we're all adults here." Sandy said to her. "It's time to start a new chapter in the family history."

Hannah sobered up—none of what Sandy had just said was by any means light. "I get it. I also promise I won't ever try anything sly."

"Thank you." Sandy held out a hand to Hannah. "Friends?"

Hannah shook her hand. "Friends."

In a surprise move, Sandy hugged Hannah like they'd known each other for years. Mutual goodwill was paramount from this day forward. For the good of the family.

Even though it was as backward as it was.

JJ burst into tears, overwhelmed by what was happening. It was a lot to take in.

Emily sat with her and held her. "It's okay, Jayje. It's all okay. Just breathe."

With comfort from Emily and both of her mothers, JJ was feeling as right as rain after a few minutes. It was as if a new chapter had started in her life.

"Is there any room for us?" came a new voice.

August had arrived now. He had Olivia in his arms, but beside him was a woman whom JJ had only ever seen a picture of. Aurora, August's wife. Lucy was even half-hiding behind her. These people were more of JJ's big family. How she loved them.

"You bet there's room, August. Please come here so we can make introductions."

August hugged his big sister as soon as she was within reach.

JJ asked first, "Is Olivia still asleep?"

August nodded and showed her. "This kid has been a heavy sleeper for her entire life."

"Then you and Aurora are good to keep taking care of her?"

"Yes. Don't worry, JJ."

"Okay." JJ sighed. "I just had to ask."

She motioned between from her brother to her mother as she spoke, addressing them each in turn.

"August, this is my mother, Alexandra Leviticus." she said. "Mom, this is my precious brother, August."

The significance of who Sandy was, in the grand scheme of things, was not lost on August. This woman was the mother of both of his big sisters. August had never before been able to envision meeting his older sisters' mother. Yet… here she was.

"Hi." he greeted her.

"Hello, August. You can call me Sandy—everyone else does." she held his face in her hands. "How are you? Nervous?"

"Yes. I am."

"Don't be. All I want is to be friends. Would you like that?"

August nodded. "Yes. I really would."

"Okay, then. Consider us friends now." Sandy hugged him and then held him out at arm's length. "Everything will work out because JJ's team is the very best at what they do."

All worry that August had had about his twin's case evaporated, just like that. He completely trusted Sandy's approval of the BAU.

"Thank you, Sandy." he said. "That's a big relief."

"Good. Now please finish introducing your family to your sister."

Amused by the straightforwardness, August moved to where his wife was standing. He put his hand in the small of her back and guided her forward. Aurora was almost as nervous as her husband had been.

"I'm Aurora." she said of herself. "I'm so happy to finally meet you."

Like her husband, Aurora Jareau also had the occupation of zookeeper. She even had a heavy English accent. Unlike August, Aurora was of Asian descent. This and a cute baby bump were two of the first things JJ noticed about her sister-in-law.

She smiled at her. "I'm happy to meet you, too."

"The feeling is mutual on Lucy's end." Aurora lifted her daughter into her arms. "She and Olivia were born on the same day. Michael was born within twenty-four hours of them."

"Oh, wow."

JJ turned her attention to her niece. Before today, it had been a long time since she'd been around a little girl.

"Lucy, do you know who I am?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes." Lucy blew her a kiss. "Auntie JJ."

"Would you like to come cuddle?"

Lucy nodded and leaned in JJ's direction. "Yes, please."

The toddler heeded JJ's compromised state and gave her a delicate kiss on the cheek as she was put on the bed.

"This is for you." she was extending a bag to her.

JJ was genuinely surprised, but took the offering. "How sweet, Lucy. What's in it?"

Lucy gave a nervous giggle. "Surprises!"

JJ opened the bag to reveal a stuffed otter and a stuffed turtle. Both of the toys were meant for kids, but JJ understood the gesture. She was very touched.

"Lucy, I love them!" JJ gushed.

The little girl trilled, "Good! Mumma said you share them with the babies in your tummy!"

Amused, JJ glanced at the adult Jareaus. August and Aurora were both looking sheepish, and they even took a collective step back. Hannah just laughed.

"They figured it out when they saw me in the gift shop. Lucy got attached to the toys, and insisted on giving them to you, herself. Is that alright?"

"Of course it is, and now my babies have their first toys. I love them. Thank you."

She looked to Lucy again, and gave her a hug.

"Thank you."

Lucy giggled again and let out a yawn. "I'm tired…"

"That's okay. Lay down and close your eyes."

Lucy did just that. She was out like a light.

Before she could let her imagination wander, JJ beckoned to Emily. She joined her immediately.

JJ spoke to August and Aurora. "This is my partner, Emily Prentiss. She's my best friend, and my partner. We're heading the investigation."

They thanked Emily profusely for looking for Katherine and the missing children. She accepted their thanks very graciously.

Once Emily saw them off and made arrangements for Sandy to get chauffeured to where she needed to be, she collapsed unceremoniously into the chair beside JJ's bed.

"So." JJ said simply.

Emily dearly would have loved to have said, "So, what?" but chose not to because it would have just been an invitation for JJ to push her buttons.

"Yes?"

"How far along are you?"

Emily tried to be shocked. "I—what?"

JJ laughed humorlessly. "Don't play dumb with me, Emelise. You're pregnant."

"I think I am." Emily rubbed her middle. "I also think this is the beginnings of a baby bump that I'm feeling, but I haven't had a chance to slow down, let alone talk to Andrew."

Only JJ knew that Emily was dating at all. "Oh, boy."

"Precisely. Wouldn't you know it, though—Andrew sent me a text just a little bit ago."

JJ spoke in the tone of an impatient baby sister. "Well, what did he say?"

"He asked me if we were on a case. I said yes, and that we're in town. Then he asked me if he could come over to my place tonight."

"Was he specific about why?"

Emily shook her head. "He just said that it's important, so I told him to come over at eight."

"So you gave yourself a timeframe."

"Exactly…"

Emily's thoughts trailed off as she thought of another issue concerning her boyfriend. It was already giving her an uncomfortable amount of misgivings.

JJ spoke firmly to her. "Come on. Get everything off your chest before we have to go be profilers again."

"I want kids very much, Jennifer." she said after a beat. "Did you know that?"

"I've gathered that over the years, yes." she answered.

"If I am pregnant right now, I'll be especially happy because I'm at a point where I have the means to give any kid of mine the best life possible." Emily rubbed her eyes. "Ask me how it went with Andrew during the one time I mentioned having kids."

"Okay. What happened?"

"Andrew gave me a vague answer and then just changed the subject." Emily said sadly. "I would love to be married so that my kids can grow up with two parents, but I wouldn't want that person to feel obligated to us."

A lightbulb went off over JJ's head. "Meaning that you can't be with someone who doesn't want kids, or else who gives you any kind of misgivings because that's an immediate deal-breaker?"

"Bingo. I mean, we haven't even said, "I love you," yet. What do I do?"

"You keep your feet planted on planet Earth for starters, and just get through the rest of the day. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. That's it."

JJ reached for Emily's hand. Emily gave it to her.

"You are my family, and so is any child of yours. Come to dinner at my house tomorrow if things go bad. You can hang out with us and play with the kids. We've got your back."

JJ felt like she was going to cry in a good way. "I love knowing that. Thank you."

Emily hugged her and stood.

"Where are you going?" JJ asked.

"To see what I can make happen to bust you out of this joint. I'll be right back."

It was in JJ's favor after a checkup that the doctor declared her fit to be released.

As Emily had ridden to the hospital in the ambulance, she and JJ were without a car. This was remedied by Captain Walsh driving from the station to pick them up. It was only a few blocks away.

JJ had just finished sending an update text to Will when Emily's phone rang. It was Penelope calling.

Emily put her phone on speaker. "PG, you're on speaker with me, Captain Walsh, and JJ!"

Penelope was momentarily distracted by the sound of the double initials.

"JJ, my sweet," she breathed. "How are you?"

JJ touched a hand to the swell in her middle as she felt the babies turn small flips, but she answered, "I'm doing really great. Will you tell us why you're calling?"

"Right." Penelope cleared her throat. "JJ, your father and stepmother came back."

"What the hell?!" she protested. "We just saw them!"

"There was a rebroadcast of Katherine's missing persons report."

Just as quickly, JJ relaxed. "Ah. That would do it."

"Focus!" Emily called. "What else did you call about?"

"The parents of the Salazar, Coleman, Goldberg, and Ridley families are also here. Everyone just showed up with the last few minutes." Penelope informed them. "They also saw the broadcast about Katherine."

"And they were all uncooperative before when it came to any follow-up. This is progress." Emily remarked. "Are you the only BAU person at the station right now?"

"Yes." Penelope realized with a start. "What do I do?"

"Just introduce yourself, move them to an empty meeting room, and tell them we're on the way. Alright?"

"Okay, E! PG over and out!"

Both parties hung up.

JJ breathed a sigh of relief. It was time to be a profiler again.