Emily would have sworn if they had been alone.

But then logic and recent events began catching up with her.

"I know we've done a lot of wild juxtaposing lately, but..." her words trailed off.

"Wait a moment."

After instructing Henry to bring the grocery bags to the kitchen for her, JJ found a particular photo album. She and Will had been looking through it during the previous night. With some fervor, she flipped through its pages.

Emily picked Zion up. "What are you looking for?"

"This!"

JJ was pointing at one photograph in particular. It was of Will as a toddler. He was dressed in overalls, with no shirt or shoes. His hands were even tucked behind his back and he had curly hair for days. Just like Zion. The younger version of Will even stood in front of a bush of bridal wreath spirea, and bore a smile on his face that of an overeager child, proud to be able to follow through on smiling for the camera. It was a snapshot of childhood innocence.

But... toddler Will's resemblance to Zion was uncanny. 'Identical' was the word.

Zion pointed the picture. "Emmy? That's me?"

Emily hugged him. "No, little bird. You just happen to look like a very good friend of mine."

"But why?"

"That is a very good question, but let's never mind that. I want you to meet someone."

Zion saw where this was going and turned to the other person in the room. "Hi, JJ. You're pretty."

"Thank you, little friend." JJ said in amusement. "I'm sorry I startled you."

Zion shrugged as if to say it was already forgotten. "Okay."

"Are you hungry now?"

Zion decided that he was.

While JJ worked on making snacks, Emily introduced her little charge to Henry and Michael. They were perfectly friendly towards him. Henry even indulged him in all kinds of questions. Michael even hugged Zion in comfort when began to cry over a glass of accidentally-spilled juice. Henry cleaned it up and poured their little visitor a new cup. Zion was in awe. None of his cousins were like this. He loved it all.

Emily and JJ took this time to chat away from the boys.

"What the hell is going on?" JJ asked.

"I'm as confused as you are, but it looks like I brought home part of the mystery." Emily said in truth. "Even if it was an accident."

"You say accident, I say plot twist."

Emily smirked. "Ginny says her life has been nothing but plot twists ever since her injury."

"Be serious and act your age, please!" JJ put her hands on her hips. "Zion is obviously Ginny's boy... but he looks like my husband's time-traveling twin. Do you know who his father is?"

Emily shook her head. "He's in the in the 'anonymous' column, I know for sure. Zion is an IVF child."

JJ thought fast. "Then what about Ginny's parents?"

"Well—"

Before Emily could finish her sentence, the front door opened. Will had arrived.

"I'm home, cher!" he called. "Have Emily and Zion made it yet?"

JJ left to greet him.

She listened attentively as he talked about his day, and even did some cleaning in their bedroom while he took a shower. Talking about what had transpired could wait for a few more minutes.

But Will could tell that his wife was antsy.

"You're acting super jumpy." he said after putting on clean clothes. "That isn't like you."

JJ chose her words with exact precision. "Something's come up. The universe handed us another part of the mystery."

"In what way?"

"Trust me—you wouldn't like it if I spoiled it." JJ led him out of their bedroom and down the stairs by the hand. "Come on."

As Will trusted his wife implicitly, he said no more and let her lead.

They found Michael and Zion in the playroom. They were squatting together over a gigantic I Spy board book. Emily was there to read the captions... and to watch in amusement as they searched for a green frog. She got their attention when she saw the LaMontagnes watching.

"Michael," she said softly to him. "Can you look up?"

He took Emily literally and looked at the ceiling.

"I mean look who's at the door."

Michael did and gave an extra wave to Will because he hadn't seen him since that morning. "Hi, daddy!"

Will waved back. "You havin' fun?"

Michael bobbed his head and turned back to the book. He was determined to find that frog.

Emily gave Zion a soft nudge because he hadn't broken his concentration yet. "Please do me a favor and look towards the door for a moment."

Zion beamed at JJ when he saw her. "I'm really having fun!"

"That's great!"

As JJ spoke, he kept a hand on Will's chest to keep him steady. He had already recoiled at the recognition. Falling apart now would just be bad.

"Zion, this is Will." JJ told the little boy. "Can you say hello?"

Zion gave him an innocent wave. "Hello!"

Will composed himself. "Hey, Zion. You just keep enjoying that book with Michael, alright?"

"Okay!" Zion trilled before going back to it.

Will backed out of the room, and JJ followed. Emily joined both of them.

She just didn't expect for both of her friends to be at a loss for words. And staring at her.

Emily moved back a pace. "Why are you looking at me like I planned this?"

JJ eyed her closely. "How much do you know about Ginny? In the way of parents and siblings?"

"Ginny has three younger sisters, but no brothers." Emily answered. "I also know who her mother is."

"Operative word being 'who,' so I see. Is she well-known?"

Emily kept poker-stiff expression. "Yes, actually."

Her phone rang before JJ could fire a retort. Virginia was calling.

"Hey, you." Emily greeted her. "All done with your meeting?"

"Yes." Virginia replied. "I just stopped at home to change and put some things away, but…"

Emily read into her hesitation. "Having a bad leg day?"

"No, but I swapped out the crutches for the walker. I just felt like using it now." Virginia grew nervous. "Are the LaMontagnes going to have second thoughts about me? I don't know if my device will even fit through the doors. That would be awkward..."

Emily was quick to soothe her. "The walker will fit, and I promise that my friends will think nothing of your differences. They can't wait to meet you."

Virginia heaved a sigh of relief. "Thanks. How has little bird been?"

It took a lot of self-control to not blurt out what they'd seen. "He's really happy. The boys have been treating him like a brother."

"Sounds precious. I have to go pick some things up, but," Virginia checked her pocket watch. "I should be along within the hour. Could you please relay that message for me?"

"You got it, Ginny. I'll see you in awhile." Emily said warmly. "I love you."

Virginia echoed the words back. "And I love you. See you soon."

The LaMontagnes looked at Emily expectantly when she hung up.

"Ginny is about to set out from her place. Her meeting is over." Emily explained. "She said to tell you that she'll be along within the hour because she has one more errand."

Will nodded in understanding. "Quite alright. What was that about her differences?"

Emily thought about how to phrase her next words. "Ginny served in the USMC and her local police force, she was injured in the line of duty as a detective. It was bad. Now she has a permanent limp."

Will easily recalled the time he was shot (even if he had been wearing a vest). "Sometimes injuries are a cost of service. What kind of mobility devices does she use?"

"Ginny alternates between a walking frame, a wheelchair, and crutches. It depends on the day."

"Then what is 'bad leg day' code for?"

"I'm curious about that, too." JJ added.

"Ginny's walking abilities are alright, but being unsupported is a bad idea. She was worried about being judged." Emily went on. "Her other concern was about whether or not her walking frame can fit through the doors here. It can."

"Sounds like you assuaged her." Will remarked. "Is there anything else of note?"

Emily nodded. "It's worth mentioning that Ginny has tattoos. A lot. There is a compass rose on her palm, and she has two full tattoo sleeves, from shoulders to fingertips."

"Ginny sounds fascinating."

"That's one of many wonderful ways to describe her." Emily said with a dash of pride. "You and JJ are going to love her. So will the boys."

"Fantastic." Will said confidently.

JJ blurted, "All of this is well and good, but am I going to have to be the one to say it?"

They'd made it back to the elephant in the room.

Will sighed. "Is Ginny my sister?"

"She very well could be." Emily said. "If what we think is happening is happening, then that makes you an uncle to Zion."

JJ interjected one of her own thoughts. "What if we find a new key about June?"

"That would be something." Will mused.

Emily broke things up before her friends could embark on any tangents. "I'm going to tell Zion that his mother is on the way, but I can definitely help make dinner. Who will be starting that?"

"Me." decided Will.

JJ took stock of what she was wearing. "Then I will put on something new and come help when I'm done."

So the trio separated, each heading in separate directions.

What would the rest of the evening bring?

JJ and Will waited together in the kitchen while Emily went to meet Virginia outside.

Both of them were feeling nervous.

Will worked on calming JJ. "Come on, cher. It isn't like you don't hang out with a best-selling author all the time."

JJ finally laughed for the first time in awhile. "That's true. I'm so used to Dave as a person that him being an author is a second thought now."

"Even though his books got you through the beginnings of your D.C. years?"

"Yeah." JJ patted Will's chest and looked up him when she realized he had to be feeling more nervous than she was. "I can't imagine how you must be feeling."

Will exhaled audibly. "This is all so crazy. What did we uncover?"

JJ fixed a wrinkle in Will's top. "I wish I knew."

On the side of the house, Emily was putting Virginia's things away and helping her dry off the wheels on her walking frame.

"What's wrong?" Virginia asked when she finally finished.

Emily answered a little too swift. "Nothing!"

"And I'm not buying that tone. You're hiding something."

"Funny thi—"

Emily was cut off by the sound of running feet. Zion had appeared, with Michael right beside him. They were inseparable now.

Zion hugged Virginia around the waist. "Mama!"

Virginia hugged Zion in return. "Hello, my little prince. Tell me something fun you learned here."

Zion paused for a second as he looked into her eyes. "Umm... Henry taught me a new word about numbers!"

"And what was it?"

"I forgot, so I'll go ask again. He's really smart." And Zion was off again.

Emily scooped Michael up when she saw that he had remained behind. "I want to introduce you to someone. That cool?"

"Yes." Michael decided. "Please."

"You are so polite." Emily indicated their companion. "This is Ginny. She's my friend."

Michael poured on the charm. "Hi!"

Virginia smiled at him and handed him a kid-friendly book from the side pocket of her walker. "Hi, Michael. I got you a fun book about numbers and letters going on an adventure. Why don't you go show Zion?"

"Okay!" Michael took the book and slid out of Emily's arms like a bar of soap. "Thanks!"

He exited quickly.

"That boy is as every bit as adorable as you said." Virginia looked Emily up and down. "What are you not telling me, my dear?"

Emily just kissed her. "You'll find out."

"That isn't a direct answer."

"Come along, Ace." Emily beckoned to her. "They'll all be in the kitchen. It's the central hub of this home."

Virginia followed Emily away.

Michael and Zion were at the kitchen table together. Henry remained at the island. JJ was just on the other side. Will was not in the room. But Emily understood.

She told her girlfriend. "This is my family. I love everybody so much. You met Michael, but show the others that you know them."

"Sure thing. I can do that."

Virginia moved to the island towards Henry. The boy reacted like a deer in headlights.

But the author was very patient. "Hi, Henry. I'm Virginia."

"Wait." Henry said as he unfroze. "That's what Ginny is short for?"

She nodded. "Yes. My mother has called me that since I was teeny-tiny because I couldn't spell my real name."

Henry pushed his glasses into place when they slid down the bridge of his nose. "Even though you grew to write stories?"

"Yes. That's also why I put my nickname on the cover of my books, but not too many people know that. May I trust you to keep the secret going?"

Henry nodded. "Yes, Virginia."

"Outstanding. I also know you read my books, but do you have any of your own?"

Henry shook his head. "Nope. I borrow my mom's."

"Time to change that."

Virginia pulled a copy of her first book from her basket and handed it to Henry. When he held it, he treated the volume as though it was made of gold.

"Thank you!" he told Virginia with great enthusiasm. "Thank you!"

Virginia's heart bloomed at the sound of his tone. "You are very welcome. Enjoy it."

Henry promised he would, even squealing in delight when he saw that the book had been signed.

Virginia moved on to Henry's mother. "JJ, I'm so pleased to meet you at last."

"Likewise. And welcome to my home." JJ said as they shook hands.

"Thanks. It's lovely." Virginia reached into her bag one more time. "I learned that we have the same birthday, and that you've been reading my things forever. Please consider these as early birthday presents."

Virginia presented her with signed first edition copies of her first and most current books.

"Thank you." JJ accepted them gratefully. "I love this. You're so thoughtful."

"I'm just happy to meet more family of the woman I love. Everything is perfect." Virginia looked around. "I know that your siblings are grown and have their own lives, but where is your husband?"

JJ set her books on a nearby side table. "Will was organizing some things, must have lost track of time. One second."

She exited the room and returned with Will, a few moments later.

Then time stopped all over again.

Virginia and Will registered each other, but they were seeing what was clear in Zion. Resemblance.

Will spoke first. "It's true…"

Virginia sat hard on the seat of her walker. "Just what is true?"

Here, JJ turned to Henry, who was watching him in curiosity. "Please take Michael and Zion out."

"But mom—"

JJ spoke in a tone of warning. "Henry Isaac…"

The only further sign of protest Henry made was a stomp of his right foot in indignation. All the same, he picked up his new book and abided by JJ's request. The kitchen was quiet within moments. Will even arranged three of the kitchen table chairs around Virginia in a semi-circle. What was coming was unavoidable.

Virginia looked at Will as he settled right across from her. "Why do we look alike?"

"Therein lies the real rub. My growing-up years are foggy because my mother left by the time I was two. I don't remember her. Or know anything about her." Will ran fingers through his hair. "My father had so much resentment towards her that he wouldn't even say her name after she was gone."

"That's just so awful. Are there no records to check?"

"Nothing that I've ever found—Hurricane Katrina took everything."

"I really am sorry, Will. What became of your father?"

"He was a New Orleans detective for as long as I can remember. I was even in the same department. My father was also totally stubborn. The night Katrina hit, he wouldn't even leave the house."

Virginia was taken aback. "Why the hell not?!"

Emily answered this. "Will's father had just found a clue to a case. From what we learned, he was very close to cracking it. The BAU met Will shortly after the storm so we could help out on that front. A tree hit the house, and... you get the picture."

"Yes. That's fine." Virginia shuddered as a million questions poured into her brain. "How did you three make a leap even remotely in my direction? Try me. I've seen it all."

JJ spoke up. "To make a long story short: we just had a majorly topsy-turvy case involving my family. As a result, my husband made the choice to find his mother."

Will nodded. "And at the same time that the case went down, we found out that JJ is pregnant with twins. I felt like the only right thing do after that was to do what I can to fill in the missing links on my side of the family tree."

"That's a total parent thing to do." agreed Virginia. "How did Emily get in?"

Emily said, "They asked me. Our team is also aware."

Virginia took this in stride. "Okay. Did you all find a hint about this mystery?"

"And then some." Will said haltingly. "Clues were uncovered that evidenced something of an affair, but... even that didn't last because the other woman abandoned my father. To say he took it hard is an understatement."

"And your mother skipped out around here?"

"Near as we can figure. She was gone altogether before my February birthday in 1978."

Virginia shuddered again. "And I was born in July of that year..."

Emily chimed in, "What do you know about your mother's younger years?"

"Not much in detail." Virginia said at length. "My mother had me when she was quite young. She's also an orphan. I also know that she made the choice to divorce her husband. Is there a missing element? Like the name of that other woman?"

"She's called June McCann."

This triggered an old memory from deep within the recesses in Virginia's mind. "Oh…"

"Yes?" Emily and the LaMontagnes chimed in unison.

Virginia's tone was of deep recollection. "My boy was born in early July, but for awhile, I thought he was going to be born in June. That name was even on my list of maybes. I just mentioned it in passing to my mother."

Emily wrinkled the bridge of her nose. "Go on."

"She issued a warning to my middle sisters and I because we were all massively pregnant at the same time. Apparently, the last person she knew called June had scorned her terribly so. She went on to say that she would be damned if any of us ever name any daughters of ours June. What?"

Emily and the LaMontagnes were gazing at her in wonder. Virginia actually did have a key.

As far as the woman herself was concerned, she didn't feel angry. Confused. Perplexed. Curious. But not angry.

Will cleared his throat. "Virginia, did your mother ever mention the last name of the woman she knew called June?"

Virginia laughed hollowly. "I think she would have sooner spit on the ground. Have you all found a picture?"

"Yes. June was really gorgeous, but she doesn't look like me. Or you." recalled Will. "I could even tell that snapshot was taken in my old neighborhood. Her name and the picture's date were inked on the back."

Virginia held her hands in a time-out position. "But all three of you entertained the idea for a minute—even though it's borderline preposterous—that June could be Will's mother."

"Yes." Emily confirmed.

"Unbelievable."

JJ laughed in a dry manner. "The bar on unbelievable is pretty high right now."

Virginia plowed on. "But you all wholly jumped on the idea that my mother is the actual missing equation when Zion showed up here. Who saw him first?"

"Me. The recognition hit me like a freight train because he looks just like Will did as a kid—we were looking at old photo albums last night. That's how I connected it so fast." JJ elaborated. "Then Zion saw it. He actually asked Emily if that was him in the picture."

"Huh…"

Virginia stopped yet again to process what she was being told.

Will spoke directly to her. "I can go get the picture in a second, but I have surefire way to really prove on the spot that we're…"

"Brother and sister?" Virginia finished.

"Yes."

"I'm all ears."

"Have you ever heard tell of a pocket watch in your mother's possession?"

Emily's heart cartwheeled. She knew that Virginia never left home without the timepiece.

"It'd be gold," Will added. "With an engine on the front, billowing steam."

Now it was Virginia's heart doing cartwheels over and over. Slowly, she reached into her pocket, extracting her prized possession.

"This one?"