"Special Agents Prentiss and Jareau, and Sergeants LaMontagne and King!"

They turned as one when they emerged from the elevator on to the sixth floor in the BAU building. Section Chief Mateo Cruz was watching them. He only showed up when things were about to become extra memorable. Such as that trafficking ring in Texas.

"What's going on, sir?" Emily asked when they joined him.

"I need to speak with all four of you in my office." Cruz informed them.

"Are we in trouble?" asked JJ.

"No one is in trouble." Cruz turned and indicated for the others to walk before him. "Walk with me to my office."

Cruz's receptionist closed the door behind them when they finally did make it in.

He moved towards Primrose with one hand extended. "Hello. I'm the unit section chief, Mateo Cruz."

They shook hands. "How do you do? I see you know my name, sir, so may I ask—are you Emily's boss?"

"Yes. The most direct one, too, but we're all friends here. Please have a seat."

They sat together that the work table in the middle of the room.

"I'm here to deliver a message," Cruz began. "But I'm afraid that none of you are going to like it: turns out I've been told to tell you all that your current investigation is to be suspended for the time being."

There followed a deafeningly loud silence at his announcement.

Primrose just stared openly for the second time that morning. What was BAU life?

Emily at once looked to the LaMontagnes.

"But why?" the couple blurted together.

Cruz continued to be very calm. "I'm only at liberty to say that while the director appreciates the complexity of your current case, he feels that your team's profiling skills are needed elsewhere. In other states."

JJ simmered back down. "That's a good point, sir. We haven't left D.C. for... some time."

Will also took the new development in stride. "Has our captain at the MPD been made aware?"

"Yes. I also told her that I would include you and your partner in this briefing."

"Alright. Thanks."

Next to Will, Emily was beginning to realize that something huge was at hand. But history showed that even attempting to figure it out would be a bad idea.

Yet she relented. "I understand what's being said."

"So do I." Primrose told Cruz obediently.

JJ was a step or two short of begrudging. "And me."

Will's mood matched his wife's, but he was better at keeping his cool. "Same here."

"Excellent." praised Cruz. "I'm so sorry to halt you all in your tracks, but orders are orders."

He spoke directly to Emily.

"Catch your team up and put the evidence in storage. I'll also expect some kind of word in the morning about where your team will be headed on the jet."

"Understood." Emily said soberly.

Cruz now spoke to Will as he rose and strolled over to the door. "There is an hourly shuttle that goes from a stop outside the front door all the way to the train station, where there is further transport back to the metropolis. Just stop by Stephanie's desk on your way out to the hall. She has everything you and Sergeant King will need for fare."

"Thanks." Will told him.

Cruz opened his door for them. "And you are very welcome."

Everyone else rose and filed back out. The meeting was over.

"I'm sure this was a difficult pill for all of you to swallow." said the chief as they all passed before him again. "Thank you for understanding."

Mateo Cruz then gave one last wave of good-bye before closing his door again.

Primrose broke the silence when they powwowed in the elevator lobby for the second time. "I've been all over the place. All over. Security at Dulles and JFK. Even the Boston airport. In another lifetime, I was Navy. None of that makes me FBI, but... I am not unobservant."

"Of course not." Will reassured her.

"Primrose, we value you very much." said Emily.

"She's right." JJ added as she privately wondered how old Primrose was.

"Then what the hell was that? Back in Cruz's office just now." Primrose jerked one thumb behind her. "I know shadiness when I see it. Can we trust him?"

"One hundred percent." JJ said as remembered her biggest adventure with Cruz. "No question there, but Mateo Cruz loves his job and takes it very seriously. That man does what he's told."

"No matter what?" Primrose pressed.

"Correct." JJ responded.

Will couldn't help himself as he asked a question regarding the mysterious commanding officer. "And he knows better than to bite then hand that feeds him? Even when the orders are absurd?"

"Yes." Emily and JJ said together.

Primrose asked, "Anyone else think that Cruz is being leaned on?"

Will merely shrugged.

Emily shuddered. "I really hope not."

JJ said, "I'm just hoping to send out happy vibes—or something—into the universe. We have not seen the end of this mess. Think of this as just hitting the pause button."

"I agree with her." Emily motioned to the other three. "Come on. We still have to tell everyone else."

'Taken aback' didn't begin to cover the rest of the team's feelings about Cruz's new proclamation. Especially after they were informed about June's backwards recognition of Will. But they also understood.

It wasn't like they could stay in this dreamland forever.

Emily sent a text to Virginia some time later.

I'll explain tonight, but it looks like we're going to be jet-bound to another state tomorrow.

Virginia answered fast. I eagerly await your explanation. Off at five again?

Yes.

Then you're welcome to gather any or all of your items at my brother's house to bring here ;)

Emily's heart skipped a beat. Will do. I'll keep you in the loop, my love.

Excellent. We'll see you later, then. Love you.

I love you, too xoxo

Emily then sat back in her seat. For a mere moment. She just wanted to be with her family. Holding them. Taking care of them. But… part of her job was about going to other places.

And she still had a pressing matter on her plate. Calling Amaya.

Once she got the correct number from Will, Emily gave herself a moment to steady before calling her girlfriend's mother.

Amaya picked up surprisingly fast. "Hello?"

"Amaya, this is Emily." the agent said.

"Oh! Good morning, Emily! What can I do for you?"

"Something has happened in our case."

"What was it?" Amaya asked curiously. "Did you see June?"

Emily was honest. "Yes. It was... interesting, to say the least. But she isn't the matter at hand. Thanks to circumstances beyond my control, we've had to declare this case cold again."

"Oh." said Amaya after a pregnant pause. "Emily, were you watching my chat with SSA Simmons when I came for a visit?"

"Yes." Emily said patiently.

"Then you heard what I said about not having sympathy for the devil. I lost a baby to that man. Sweet Halo would have turned ten this year." Amaya sighed. "But... my precious little rainbow arrived on the scene after he died. They never met. I can't begin to imagine what things would be like if my monster was alive today."

Emily rubbed her middle as she pushed back old memories of her own. "I know what you mean. Truly."

Amaya gave a soft gasp. "You had someone like this in your life before?"

"Not in an identical fashion, but yes. I had my own monster."

"Then you get it that I had to move on completely. For the sake of my littlest."

"Yes, Amaya. I respect it."

The other woman smiled even though Emily couldn't see her. "Thanks. And I suppose this call was out of courtesy?"

"Mhm. That's exactly it." Emily confirmed.

"I appreciate it. Thanks again." Amaya paused. "When is the next time your team has to go out of the area for a case?"

Emily glanced at the small stack of manila file folders in front of her. "Tomorrow, is what it's looking like."

Amaya tried not to sound too disappointed. "Alright. I can work with that…"

Emily finally laughed. "I can't see you right now, but I'm going to guess that whichever hand isn't holding the phone, you're flexing your fingers, one after the other. Your elbow is probably also on the table."

Amaya sat up straight at her desk. She had been doing exactly what Emily had said.

"Incredible." she marveled. "You got me. How did you know?"

Emily didn't miss a beat. "I've now seen Will, Henry, Zion, and Virginia pull the same stunt when deep in thought or nervous. Michael actually taps his fingers on a table. He picked that up from his mother."

"Wow." Amaya cleared her throat. "I'm going to come back to my first question, but I have another one. How much do you love my daughter and her boy?"

"So much so that I knew by the end of the first meeting that I want to marry Virginia. And yes. She does know that."

"Wonderful." Amaya's heart bloomed greatly. "Talk to me about your affection for Zion."

Emily's own heart lightened as it always did whenever thoughts of the little boy crossed her mind. "Amaya, I love him like my he's mine. Zion recently called me 'mama,' all on his own. I really love it. This even sealed the deal for his mother and I."

"Your answer makes me so happy—both as Virginia's mother, and Zion's grandmother. Thank you." Amaya was very cheerful now. "I'm finally back at my main question again. May we please have a gathering when you get back from your next case? I think you, your parents, Virginia, and I are quite overdue for a meeting."

"We would love nothing more than for that to happen. Our feeling about the overdue part is mutual."

"Perfect. Glad we're on the same page. Dear one, I've been hearing stories about your parents for ages. But... life happens. You know that tune..."

"All too well." Emily lamented. "My parents will be ecstatic. What do you think about another time, too? For when we can all get together? I really want to meet the rest of your children. I bet Will and JJ also would."

"It'll be like herding cats because Nix and Lili have crazy hours, but they'll be on board." promised Amaya. "Leave that to me."

"Thank you." Emily said graciously.

"My pleasure. It was really great to talk to you." Amaya said. "And thank you for the call. I really do appreciate it. Good-bye, dear one."

Emily beamed at the second use of the affectionate term. "See you around."

And both mothers hung up.

But then Emily was finally out of excuses when she looked back at her desk. Time to really focus on her work.

Naught but a long day was ahead.