Emily is standing at the terminal waiting for Hotch. When he finally steps off the shuttle, Emily grins at him.

"Parked in Economy?"

He raises an eyebrow. "You didn't?"

"Heck no. Mother has an account at Capital Car Service. Might as well make use of it."

Hotch rolls his eyes. "Reid's right. Sometimes you just suck."

Emily laughs and hands him a boarding pass. "Shouldn't say that to the woman that upgraded you to first class."

Hotch stares at the paper. "How the hell did you check me in without me being here?"

Emily rolls her eyes. "Please…like I plan to tell all my secrets."

Hotch just laughs and follows her into the terminal. They head to the security check in so they can get to the gate without issues since they are armed. Hotch studies Emily's skirt and jacket set.

"Shoulder holster?"

"Yep. Uncomfortable but, well, pants just didn't seem appropriate considering where we are going."

Hotch nods. "I understand. How's JJ doing?"

Emily smiles. "She's better. Slept until almost noon yesterday. No nightmares either night. That stuff is through her system so her mind should be working things through without a problem now."

"Good. I've seen the bags under her eyes. I've been worried."

"Me, too. But she'll be fine. Honestly, I think her mental injuries were worse than the physical. Now that her body is clean again she'll be able to deal with those injuries with no problem."

"And is she seeing the doctor you all don't officially see?"

Emily chuckles. "Yes, she is. Took my appointment this morning. She'll see when Doc can reschedule me for later this week since Jen's appointment tomorrow is right in the middle of the funeral."

"Good. You've been…a lot better since you started to see the doctor. Working through your crap with her has made you a better agent and a better person."

Emily turns to him, touched. "Thank you, Hotch. That means a lot to me."


Three hours later Emily slowly approaches the coffin at the front of The United Church of Christ. She glances at the large, official police photo of Detective Abigail Hicks. Finally she stares down into the face of the woman she had only known a few days but had come to like and respect.

"I am so sorry, Hicks," Emily whispers.

"Agent Prentiss?"

Emily turns to find Hicks' girlfriend, Julie, and Mrs. Hicks standing behind her. Emily swallows. "I am so sorry."

Julie takes her hand. "Thank you for coming. I didn't get to tell you that night you…told us but Abs told me about you. She really liked you as a person and as an investigator."

Emily nods. "I felt the same about her. I have a niece named Abigail. I hope she grows up to be as fine a woman as your Abigail."

Mrs. Hicks smiles, "Thank you, Agent Prentiss. That is very kind of you to say."

"After the funeral there will be a gathering just for immediate family and friends back at our house," Julie tells her. "We would love for you and your boss to attend."

Emily starts to shake her head. "Oh, I couldn't. If it's just for- -"

"Please. Abs would want you there," Julie insists.

Emily forces a smile to her face. "Thank you. I'll be there."


That evening Emily drops onto the bed in the hotel room. She and Hotch had both attended the gathering at Hicks' house and had enjoyed hearing stories about the brave, well-liked officer from her family and friends. It really did make it a little easier. Just a little. Emily had left her number and email with Julie, telling her anything she needs to call her, even if it's just to talk.

She is about to call home when there is knock on her door. She gets up and is surprised to see Hotch through the peep hole.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you happen to notice where the funeral is tomorrow?"

Emily rolls her eyes, immediately understanding. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Nope. Turns out the officer died right by his church."

Emily sighs. "His Catholic church. Hotch, I want to honor him but I don't want to cause problems for his family, the force, or the FBI. I'll do whatever you think is best."

"Let me call Captain Durning. He can make the decision."

"Sounds fair. I'm going to give a call to the house. Jen may still be at work but I can at least talk to Rocky and Henry before they have to eat and go to bed."

"Alright." He glances at his watch. "Dinner at 6:30 sound good?"

"Perfect. Thanks, Hotch."

Emily goes back in and sits on the edge of the bed, calling Chateau Prentiss. When Francesca answers, Emily hears wailing in the background.

"Hello, cara."

"You sound awfully chipper for someone dealing with a child crying like that. Dare I ask who is having the tantrum?"

"Henry. He wants to swim and I have explained to him it is time for dinner. He is in the time out chair at this point just making himself cry. Even Alaska has left the room."

Emily chuckles. "I see. Want me to speak with him?"

"Si, you can try, cara." Francesca holds the phone away from her mouth. "Henry, would you like to speak with Mama?"

"MAMA!" Henry yells. Emily hears small feet running towards the phone. "Mama, go s'immin'!" is his greeting.

"Henry, it's late. If Aunt Franny says no, the answer is no."

Emily winces in pain when he slams the phone into the floor, the sharp sound piercing her ear drum. "NO!"

"Henry. Time out chair. Now," Francesca orders as she picks up the phone. "Emily?"

"I'm here. I guess these are the infamous Terrible Two's. When will he grow out of this?"

"When did you?"

"Uh, I think I was 30. Kick me now," Emily jokes.

Francesca laughs. "Hopefully he will not be quite so bad as you, cara."

"Let's hope not. Is Rocky around?"

"She is in her high chair covering her ears."

Emily grins as she pictures it. "Well, think she can uncover one for me?"

"Perhaps, cara. Rocky, want to speak to Mama?"

"Mama!" Rocky squeals.

"Hey, sweet girl. You being good for Aunt Franny?"

Emily listens as Rocky happily babbles away. She is excited as she realizes more and more of those babbles are sounding like real words. Her two babies were growing up. It is wonderful.

"You sound like you just had a wonderful day, Rock. I am so happy for you." Rocky babbles a little more. "That's great, sweet girl. I love you, Rocky. Think I can speak to Aunt Franny again?"

Francesca, who had been listening, takes the phone away, wiping off the slobber before speaking into it. "Would you like me to tell Jennifer to call you when she gets home?"

"No, I'll call her. Hotch and I are meeting for dinner after he finds out if I can attend the funeral at the Catholic Church tomorrow."

"If you can attend?"

"Long story. Gives me a headache to even think about. Tell Henry to get over his tantrum or no swimming for a week. He's not really sure how long a week is but he doesn't like the sound of it."

Francesca chuckles. "I will tell him. Have a good evening, cara. We love you."

"I love you, too, Francesca. Give them both a kiss and hug for me. Even Grumpy Pants."

"I will, cara. Goodnight."

"Night, Francesca."


It is just after 8:30 when Emily calls her wife. JJ mutes the TV as she answers.

"Hey, baby. How you doing?"

"I'm good. Funerals always suck but there's something about cop funerals with the bagpipes and everything that makes it so much harder."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. What about tomorrow?"

"Fran told you?"

"Yep."

"Durning actually said to hell with the church. The funeral is to honor a fallen officer and any officer that wants to be there is welcome. He said he will personally tell the priests that if they try to cause problems and that if they want to continue using his officers to block traffic and escort funeral processions they will respect his wishes."

"Go Durning!" JJ cheers.

"That's what I said. I might have to buy him something pretty."

JJ laughs. "That should go over well."

"Yeah." Emily sighs. "I'm glad I can pay my respects to the fallen officer. It would have pissed me off that shit that went down when I was 15 interfered with that."

"I bet."

Emily takes a deep breath, needing to change the subject. "So, what fun did I miss at work today?"

"Nothing much. Oh, but I did book Garcia and I for a spa day on Saturday. She postponed her big night with Kevin since she ended up putting nearly as many hours in as we did."

"Nice. So what about me?"

"You get to babysit the kids while Pen and I get pretty. You don't need the extra work," JJ replies.

Emily laughs. "As if you do, beautiful."

"When I noticed how much concealer I've used the last couple of weeks I thought I needed more than a morning at the spa."

"Jennifer, you are beautiful inside and out. Nothing will ever change that for me. You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever known and I thank God every day that you are in my life."

JJ sniffles. "You say such wonderful things to me, Emily. I love you."

"I love you, too. So, how did your appointment with Doc go today?"

"Really good. We finally talked about my guilt over pulling my gun and all the 'what if's' I have going on in my head."

"Did it help, sweetheart?"

"I think so. I…I watched the video again. It still seems…like TV show or something. Do you know how scary it is to watch yourself do something and just…just not remember a single thing about it? God, what if I had jerked and fired or something."

"No, I don't what that feels like," Emily answers honestly. "Jen, in the video, did you see your trigger finger?"

JJ frowns. "Um, no."

"It was never on the trigger. Even in that state you knew not to put your finger on the trigger until you were ready to fire. Part of you was still working, baby. Your mind was not completely gone."

There is silence on the other end of the phone. "I…I need to watch it again. You don't know how much it will mean to me if you're right."

"I am right, Jen. Morgan and I both noticed that. I'm so sorry I didn't think to mention it sooner."

"Can I spank you later for omitting that information?"

Emily laughs. "Kinky, Agent Jareau."

JJ smiles. "But you love it, Agent Prentiss."

"Yes, yes I do." Emily glances at the clock. "I hate to do this but I need to finish up my report on this case. I want it done. I just…need it over."

"I get that. I think we all finished everything today; even expense reports. It's a win but it sure feels like a loss."

"Yeah, it does. Well, I will see you tomorrow night, honey. If you need me during the night, call. Promise me."

"I promise. Thank you for taking care of me even from 100's of miles away."

Emily smiles. "You do the same for me, Jen. I love you."

"I love you, too. Night, sweetheart."

"Night, baby."

Emily disconnects and plugs in her phone. She stares at the ceiling for a minute, her mind straying to Julie and how she was handling her first night after saying a final goodbye to the love of her life.

"I'd lose my fucking mind," Emily mumbles. "How the hell would I go on for the kids without Jen? How the hell would I do it?"

She shakes her head. Not even worth worrying over. She sets up the coffee pot for the next morning and plugs in her laptop so she can finish her write up of the Hartford case and put it safely in her past.