When she had left the FBI, Elle's intention was to leave everything connected to her life here behind. She had wanted to start fresh, to find something that gave her happiness. Unfortunately, Elle Greenaway had never been able to escape her past. Indeed, it seemed every day she came across something that reminded her, and it rattled her to the bone. Just being around these people was debilitating enough. However, they seemed rather pleased to see her again, and therefore couldn't deny the invitation to come out for the evening.

The group ended up at their usual bar, not far from the unit and the academy. Inside was filled with agents and several cadets, all happy at the start of their weekend. Though they had to come in the next day, it didn't dampen the team's spirits as they began to enjoy their end of the week. At least they were home instead of stuck out-of-town.

Late in the evening, Elle sat at the bar with a drink in her hand, trying desperately to hide her displeasure. She watched as Morgan and Emily attempted to beat the undefeatable JJ at a game of darts. After her third victory, she conceding and let the two dual it out for the next game, sitting with her and Garcia at the bar.

"Ice water, please," she asked the bar tender, adjusting herself carefully on the stool. Neither action going unnoticed by Elle.

"Nice to see Reid and Riley made up," Garcia mentioned, sipping her seven and seven. "Too bad they didn't come out with us."

JJ nodded in agreement, but Elle was intrigued. "I can't exactly wrap my head around that. The last time I saw him he was this… awkward doe-eyed kid complaining how he couldn't get a date and now he has a girlfriend. Is it serious?"

"Yeah, I'd say so," JJ replied. Her water was placed on a napkin before her. She picked it up to take a sip and continued. "They've been living together for a year now."

"He's crazy about her," Garcia added. "Reid isn't impulsive. He wouldn't buy a ring unless he was sure."

Both girls looked at Garcia in surprise, JJ more than Elle. "Oh my God…"

Garcia sat in panic a moment, disbelieving she'd just said that. Garcia was good at finding anyone's secret in a computer, but when it came to keeping them…

Wanting answers, JJ pressed further. "Garcia… is Reid going to propose?"

Cringing at herself, Garcia lowered her voice. "I'm sorry; I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. I interrupted him when he was telling Morgan."

"Oh, that explains it." Elle smiled, remembering. "When we were talking before, he said he didn't think he would be dating much longer."

JJ was stunned, but she soon had a grin. "Oh my God… I can't… I mean, I know he loves her, but he never mentioned anything about marriage…"

"Please, please do not tell anyone else and please don't tell Reid I told you."

"Oh, my lips are sealed." JJ agreed, still grinning.

"Yeah, I wish mine had been." She set her drink down. "Alright, I'm going to the loo. I shall return."

Leaving them alone, Elle looked into the brown liquid of her drink. "Wow… Reid's getting married, Gideon's gone, Hotch is divorced, you have a family, Morgan's… well, still Morgan, but everything else has changed so much." She took a sip and shook her head. "I guess I assumed it would still be the same."

JJ looked over her former friend. She and Elle had never really been close, but her sympathy went to her just the same. "I think it's really admirable what you're doing, trying to find the killer of those girls. I have to admit, when Hotch first told us… I thought maybe-"

"I was crazy and paranoid?" She finished for her.

"That's not what I was planning on saying, no." JJ corrected.

"I'm sure that's what the rest of them are thinking." Elle looked to her. "But I do appreciate the help. I don't know why, but I just… have to do this."

This wasn't the first time someone had needed to pursue a case that had been haunting them. Not long after Rossi's arrival did he need to close a 20-year-old murder case of the Galen parents. And Reid had missed the birth of Henry when he needed to remain in Vegas to look into the death of Riley Jenkins, a case gone unsolved since he was a little boy.

"I do have one question for you, JJ." Elle said seriously.

"What's that?" She asked.

Elle gave a smile, her eyes twinkling for a moment. "When are you due?"

It came as a shock. JJ hadn't thought anyone would be able to tell. They couldn't last time. With a small twinge in her cheeks, she grinned. "September."

"Congratulations," she said with a smile. "Does anyone else know?"

"Well, Will knows, obviously. We've been trying for months… but I haven't mentioned it to the team yet."

Elle gave a smile. "Looks like my lips are sealed, too."

JJ held her water, about to take a sip. "Four years and you can still read people… I guess old habits die hard."

…

The next morning, just before ten, Emily stood outside the elevators. The lobby was dead silent, most of the building's occupants off for the weekend. The elevators were much too slow, especially since they were making minimal stops. She pressed the up button a few times more, urging it to speed up.

"You can press the button all you want, it's not going to come any faster," a voice said behind her.

Emily hated the fact her face felt warm as she smirked and looked behind her. "Hmm, I'm amazed you can show your face around here, Morgan, after getting your ass beat at darts last night."

"What makes you think I didn't let you win, Prentiss?" he asked, stepping closer to stand beside her. Emily wavered from her usual professional outfit, this time in black jeans and a blue button down blouse. Her eyes remained on the door, pretending she wasn't interested in the man standing next to her, Emily never noticed how Morgan admired the clothing fitting over her curves.

"So," she voiced, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "How was the rest of your evening?"

"What is that tone supposed to suggest?" He asked. His arms folded in question, and he noticed her eyes dart for a moment to the muscles of his arms, disappearing under his black t-shirt.

But she looked away and rolled her eyes. "Like I didn't notice you flirting with that group of girls when I left. The same ones who were giggling at you while we were playing. Forget the fact you were old enough to be their father."

Morgan let out a chortle. "That is an interesting color on you, Emily."

"What are you talking about?" Her voice squeaked, grateful the lobby was empty.

"You are green. With envy." He sported a gloating smile as at last, the doors slid open. He stepped inside, pressing for the unit's level. Emily followed quickly, glaring at him. "Jealousy makes a woman awfully transparent."

She rolled her eyes again. "We had this conversation yesterday. I am not jealous. I have never been jealous of you. I have nothing to be jealous of. Maybe you just want me to be jealous because I'm one of the few women you know who doesn't fall over herself for you."

Letting out another laugh. "Fine, if that's what you need to tell yourself, that's fine. Anything that will get you through the lonely nights."

He looked to her and gave a wink. She continued glaring, but couldn't stop the smile trying to form. She looked away, hoping he didn't notice the blush still vibrant in her cheeks. The doors opened and Emily rushed out, eager to get away from him.

JJ and Garcia were already inside, talking in the break room with fresh coffee brewing. Emily and Morgan left their conversation in the elevator, joining them. Just after Morgan poured his coffee, Elle arrived, looking messier than yesterday. Each one ignoring the fact she was wearing the same clothes as last night.

At 10:30, the last of the workers arrived. "Good Morning," Reid said with a bright smile, going to the coffee. "Everyone had a good time last night, I assume?"

"Sounds like you did, too." Garcia said with a significant smile. "Did anything special happen last night?"

Reid stirred in an obscene amount of sugar, an indication he didn't get much sleep. "I don't kiss and tell."

Emily let out a loud, annoyed sigh. "Alright, instead of getting into the recent masculine conquests of our teammates, why don't we get started on Elle's case?"

Her tone was sharp. Emily hadn't meant it to come out like that. But everyone knew she had a point. They ushered into the bull pen to work out a plan and what leads to follow. Garcia stayed behind. Her voice came out in a whisper. "Reid… I didn't mean that… I just meant-"

"I know what you meant," he whispered with a smile. "And no. I haven't asked her yet."

Disappointed, she whined "When?"

He gave the girl a pat on the shoulder as they headed to join the team. "Garcia, I promise, when it happens, you will be the first to know."

…

Riley and Spencer had decided they'd try to contact Will Reid this evening, and discuss what they needed to do. Maybe interviewing Reid's mother wasn't such a good idea, especially now, but they hadn't made any final decisions.

Having the morning to herself, Riley had left not long after Spencer. There were no pressing errands she needed to do. After grabbing coffee, she had decided to take a trip to a used bookstore and hunt for anything worth while.

By noon, she was ready to leave. With new purchases to add to her collection, Riley was thinking about making a call to see if the team was done for the day. Pulling out her cell phone, she opened the door to the shop. As she exited, she almost collided with someone.

"Sorry," she mumbled, a bit distracted.

"That's alright," His voice sounded young and very timid. As Riley searched through her contacts he continued. "You're Dr. Parker, right?"

Taken by surprised, just as she found the number, Riley turned to look at the speaker. He was a young man, with light brown hair, curly on top. His eyes were soft and it seemed a great effort for him to make contact with her. He had to be around 20-years-old.

"Have we met?" Riley asked, scanning his face. He looked familiar, but nothing about him stood out in her mind. If she had seen him walking on the street, she probably wouldn't even notice him.

"I've never made much of an impression on pretty girls." It was a plan statement, sounding as if he were expecting her to ask that. "I've heard a lot about you over the last few years, though."

That wasn't a surprise. Ever since Seattle, Riley had been recognized from the Undertaker case. At first, she had been stopped over a dozen times by people, all with a disturbing interest for details on her kidnapping. But that was a year ago.

And, considering her past history, Riley didn't take too well to strangers like this. "I see." She stammered. "You weren't… waiting here for me, were you?"

"How's Dr. Reid doing?" His question was genuine. He became more relaxed as he spoke.

The question only doubled to her worry. "How do you know Dr. Reid?"

"Just from a long time ago. He saved my life once." He gave a nod, like it justified everything.

The news did nothing for her fear. "Yeah, he… he's good at saving people."

"He saved you. A few times, huh?" The boy smiled. He looked so innocent, yet his very presence sent a chill down her spine.

A few deep breaths. "Are you interested in seeing Dr. Reid? Because I can give you his number, and-"

"No, I know how to contact him." He explained. "I just wanted to see you again, Dr. Parker. And tell you how glad I am Dr. Reid found someone who makes him so happy."

Without another word, the boy turned to leave. Riley wanted to call after him, ask for his name and press him for answers. But her fear stopped her. Her fingers quickly found Spencer's number. Riley listened, waiting through the rings.