AN: To those asking, yes the last chapter did resolve the Doyle thing rather quickly, but this story was never meant to be about him. I wanted to focus more on Emily and Alex's relationship as it relates to Emily's pregnancy progressing. As always, thanks for taking the time to read and review!

The first thing Emily saw upon waking up from the sedation was Alex contorted in an impossible position in the uncomfortable chair beside the bed. "Have you been there all night?" she croaked upon finding her voice, throat dry and raspy. She reached for the water waiting on the bedside table.

Alex yawned, stretched. "Was it only a night? It felt like an eternity." Seeing Emily reaching for the water, she passed her the glass that was just out of reach.

She drank greedily for a moment, watching from the corner of her eye was Alex attempted to roll the kink out of her neck. "You could have gone home..." she said guiltily, "Isn't your husband wondering where you are?"

"He's working tonight," Alex said with a dismissive wave. "But he stopped by to check on you during his break." She smiled faintly; she appreciated the gesture, even if he'd yet to make the time to meet Emily while she was conscious...

Before Emily could say anything in response, they were interrupted by Elizabeth Prentiss bursting into the room, looking ready to read someone the riot act...and Emily had a feeling it was her. No matter how old she was, in her mother's eyes she would always be six years old, tracking mud through the foyer of the Russian embassy in her formal dress.

"When were you planning on telling me you're pregnant?" she said by way of greeting, not bothering with pleasantries and small talk.

"Hello, Mother," Emily deadpanned with a roll of her eyes. "Nice to see you too. I'm fine, by the way, just got rescued after being held prisoner, no big deal."

Elizabeth did not seem amused by her smart mouth.

"I'm twenty-four, Mother, I don't have to tell you every detail of my life," Emily continued, just as unamused. "Besides, I'm not keeping the baby, so it's really none of your business."

"None of my business?" Elizabeth repeated, brow raised. "You're still my daughter and you're carrying my grandchild. Of course, it's my business. You didn't think I'd need to know?"

"Just to be clear..." Emily said, holding up a hand to stop the verbal tide, "Are you just upset that I didn't tell you or do you actually object to adoption?" Not that she cared either way.

Elizabeth scowled. "What I object to is you not thinking about the consequences of your actions. Did you ever pause to think how your choices reflect poorly on me? Did you ever stop to think what people would say about you? About me?"

Emily scoffed. "No, Mother, you're right – I should have stopped to think of you when I missed my pill and consider whether people would think you raised a whore for a daughter."

Alex, who had been trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible, choked on a sip of water at that, coughing and sputtering, drawing both women's focus. Emily, at least, seemed to find it amusing, tipping her a wink.

Elizabeth raised a brow, unimpressed. "Who's this?" she asked, as if Alex weren't there and capable of answering for herself.

Looking less than pleased about it, Emily introduced, "Mother, this is Dr. Blake – my faculty advisor. Alex, this is my mother."

Elizabeth studied Alex as if she were a curious but distasteful new species, making no move to shake her hand. "Why is she here?" she asked, turning back to Emily after completing her evaluation.

"Because she cares about me," Emily retorted, mortified but not surprised. She didn't bother putting voice to the waiting barb that at least someone seemed to care about her...

Elizabeth hummed a note of displeasure, continuing on undeterred as if Alex hadn't interrupted by almost choking, "I want you to move back home."

"What!?" Emily cried, "Why?" It was clear from her expression she couldn't imagine anything she'd rather do less.

"You obviously aren't safe living on your own. You'll come home until you give birth, where my security detail can look after you. We can address the security issues for after you give birth at a later date."

"Not going to happen," Emily said, rolling her eyes once again.

"Emily, you were just abducted," Elizabeth pointed out as if she were particularly slow. "You clearly aren't in any position to be making decisions about your personal safety, let alone the safety of your child."

"She can stay with me," Alex offered before she knew she was going to say anything. Both women turned to look at her – Elizabeth skeptical, Emily hopeful. "I mean, if she wants to..."

"I don't think..." Elizabeth started to say.

"Really?" Emily interrupted. "It wouldn't be intruding?"

Alex shook her head, smiled meekly. "We've got lots of room and James is rarely home, so I wouldn't mind the company."

"Emily, I really don't think..."

Emily ignored her mother. "If you're sure...?"

Alex nodded.

Emily smiled brightly. "I'd like that."

Emily dropped a duffel bag on the floor of Alex's spare bedroom, settling herself on the edge of the bed with a sigh, one hand rubbing her small belly.

"Is this all your stuff?" Alex asked, carrying a box into the room.

Emily shrugged. "Pretty much. I'm used to travelling so much, I've never really had the chance to accumulate possessions. Makes moving easy." Alex looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. "I always wanted different for my kids – I wanted them to have one stable home where they could make memories growing up, where they could make friends and keep them, maybe have more than toys than could fit in a suitcase..." Emily continued. She shrugged, almost shyly. "This looks like a nice place to grow up." She offered Alex a smile.

"I hope so." She returned the smile, settled next to her. "When we bought it, I always imagined the house filled with laughter and little footsteps, first steps and first words," she paused, bit her lip on a smile. "It's hard to believe it's finally happening after thinking for so long it never would."

Emily leaned over so her shoulder bumped into Alex's. "There's no one I'd rather give my baby to."

They sat in companionable silence until the front door opened and closed and James' voice floated up the stairs announcing his presence, interrupting the moment.