Zach had called me the night we returned from the case and I politely declined his offer for a second date. Mick had tried to speak with me two more times over the past three weeks since he confronted me in the parking garage. I managed to get myself out of those conversations at convenient times.

This morning I was the last of the team to arrive, and I saw Garcia and JJ standing at my desk. I approached them, dropping my bag in its usual spot. I was about to ask what they were doing when my eyes caught a large bouquet of red roses. They watched impatiently as I took the small white envelope that was taped to the vase and I opened it, reading just the single letter 'M' written on it. I knew instantly that it was Rawson.

"Who are they from?" Garcia asked, the curiosity finally overcoming her patience.

"Rawson, I think." I put the paper and envelope down. I took my phone from my pocket and looked for his number "Nope". I texted the single word and put my phone down. I took the vase and walked across to the bullpen to the wall lined with cabinets for files. I set it atop one if the cabinets and returned to my desk, sitting and turning to the computer and paperwork waiting for me.

I heard Garcia sigh and she excused herself to return to her office, and JJ sat down at her own desk beside me. No case had come up so far, so it was just another day of paperwork and conversation.

Over two weeks, two more bouquets were left on my desk. I found the third today as I arrived. I rolled my eyes and continued on to the conference room where the others awaited my arrival.

"Mick is persistent." JJ smirked at me.

"I'm gonna file for harassment." I joked as I got coffee and sat down between JJ and Hotch.

"Maybe you should talk to him." Garcia spoke now.

"Case." I opened the file in front of me and looked at the crime scene photos before continuing to the information.

We were in Pocatello, Idaho for four days. When we got home, we decided we'd all go for a few drinks together before heading off to our separate lives for the weekend. Rossi offered to drive me and then bring me back for my car over the weekend when I needed it. I accepted the offer eagerly and walked into the parking garage with them. When we exited, I stopped by my car to drop my bag off and saw Mick there again. "Jesus Christ, are you stalking me or something?" I asked him. The team stopped with me and awaited his answer.

"I am spending so much money on roses." He said simply.

"Then stop sending them."

"Not until you let me take you out."

I sighed as I walked passed him to the back of my car and threw my bag in. I walked back and stood beside him, "I don't have the time to date, not to mention that I don't want to date. I told you what the deal was, you decided you didn't want that, and that's fine with me. Stop sending me stupid roses! It's not going to happen, I'm sorry."

Rossi drove Garcia and I to the bar the team had agreed on and we went inside. We were the second to arrive, Morgan before us, standing at the bar. We went over to him and ordered drinks before finding a table and sitting down. JJ, Reid, and Hotch were not far behind us. I didn't feel so uncomfortable in public anymore, although that could be just because everyone was here with me. After Hotch had two beers and JJ had one, they both reluctantly stood to go retrieve their sons.

"How about we continue this at my place? You two can bring Henry and Jack, and Will of course, and keep drinking, worst comes to worse you all stay the night."

JJ smiled, "I'll call Will on my way out and let you know." She kissed my cheek and Garcia's before leaving, Hotch right behind her after accepting Rossi's offer.

Rossi decided it best if we left now because if we stayed any longer, he'd have another drink and be incapable of driving.

Once we were all at Rossi's and seated with drinks, Jack and Henry upstairs in bed, I copped the questions concerning Mick. I tried my best to dodge them, but I had to answer a few that I couldn't find a way out of.

Eventually, we all ended up staying over, all in the rooms we always stayed in on nights like these.

JJ and Will drove me to the precinct the next morning morning on their way home for my car. I went home and went back to sleep for a few hours before I did some chores around the house; dusting, laundry, etcetera.

My phone sounded at about four in the afternoon. I opened Mick's text:

"Are you 100%?"

"Yes." I texted him back quickly. I didn't apologise this time; he should understand that no meant no. I put my phone back down and turned my attention back to the TV.

I got to work this morning and there was a bouquet of sunflowers on my desk now instead of roses. I dropped my bag and shook my head; it was irritating now. I lifted the vase and moved it across the room to the cabinets where I had put the other ones.

I took my coat off and sat down, still looking at the bouquet as I grabbed a file off the top of my pile. I heard JJ clear her throat, "Are you interested in him, Emily?"

"No, I'm not. Even if I was, it wouldn't matter. I don't want to date, I don't have time to date, and I don't think dating another agent would be a smart idea anyway."

"You went out with Casey…"

"Once, and I didn't go on a second date when he asked. I don't like it; it's uncomfortable and awkward, and sex is always expected. At this point in time, I'm not too keen on having sex with just anyone."

"That makes it sound like you used to be a huge slut." JJ laughed. I laughed with her and shook my head. She knew that it wasn't something I was going to change my mind on. It wasn't worth the conversation. I hadn't really dated anyone since Ian; no one seriously, anyways. Sure, I went on a few casual dates here and there, like that of Casey. I only did it for something to do; I wasn't looking for a commitment or a relationship.

Our paperwork seemed never ending throughout the day. The moment the clock struck 5, the others around the bullpen packed their things quickly and headed out. I stayed behind again; I had no one to go home to. When I thought about it sometimes, it might be nice to have someone to see at the end of the day, to speak to about my day, to relax with after cases. I also liked going home and being alone for once. This team spent so much time together, we basically lived together; JJ's and my menstrual cycles had even synced. It was nice to go home after a case or just a long day and have no obligation to talk to anyone or do anything.

It had just hit 7 when I heard Hotch exit his office behind me and descend into the bullpen. "Staying late again?"

"It's like the paperwork triples overnight." I joked. I sat back in my chair and looked at him. He had gotten changed. "…Do you have a date?"

"Maybe. Good night, Prentiss." He smiled and left the bullpen, leaving me alone in here.