I have a few of these half written, so I decided to wrap this chapter up and get it posted. It's below my usual 2k word limit I set myself, but still, I feel it says what it needs to. And a big thank you to those that have already reviewed and added this story. Wow. Way to make a gal feel special lol :P Now remember, I warned people in the drabble, the first few chaps are half and half, to get us through the undercover operation. The bulk of the story is once they get home. So only another chap or two, or three I can't remember, and then the boys come home and we start the main part of the story. Woot woot! Okay, okay, go ahead and read on :D

Footsteps sounded outside of Ashton's office only moments before the door opened and someone came rushing inside. He wasn't the least bit surprised to see that it was Sebastian. He was the only one who would simply rush into his office this way. The young man wore a wide, happy grin, his eyes lit with that light that said he was thrilled with whatever it was that he'd found. Not that it really took much to make him happy. In his hands he clutched a book which Ashton would bet was the source of his joy. "Pater, Pater, look what I found! Look!" Sebastian exclaimed excitedly as he got close.

The man across the desk from Ashton raised an eyebrow when Sebastian raced straight around the desk to practically shove the book in Ashton's hands while at the same time sitting himself down on the corner. The man looked even more surprised when Ashton smiled at Sebastian and took the book, turning it to look at the spine.

In an instant he saw why the young man was so excited. It hadn't taken long before the two discovered a shared love of classic literature. Once the two had moved into the compound, Ashton had happily showed Sebastian the library they had and he'd enjoyed watching the man grow so excited over it. Many times over the past three months the two had sat and discussed books at length, or even read together here in the office. Sebastian had curled up a few times on Ashton's couch to read aloud to him or to read to himself while Jace was working. Though capable of being alone, Sebastian seemed to thrive better in small groups or one on one company and he was quickly becoming very well loved among the people in their family.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray." Ashton read aloud. He stroked a hand over the spine. This was one both the both of them had admitted to loving and one that neither had. "Where on earth did you find this, my child?"

"Mattie took me to town with her today so I could find myself some new books, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste. The kind with the red and white, not the blue and white. That's important, mind you. After we obtained our toiletries, Mattie took me to the Salvation Army and we looked at clothes. I insisted I needed no more clothes but she bought me seven new socks, all of them spectacularly different, two new sets of arm warmers and three sets of colorful gloves. Wasn't that magnanimous of her?"

Ashton smiled at the almost childlike enthusiasm that clothes seemed to have garnered in his newest child. "That was very generous of her, yes."

"Then while she looked at women's items, she proclaimed that I needed to occupy myself as it is apparently inappropriate for a man to be with a woman as she buys underclothes. I don't quite understand the logic in that. She told me that you or Jace would explain it to me because you're both men and you understand, but I think Mattie might have just been unable to answer so she hopes that one of you can. Not that it matters. I was quite pleased to go to the literature as she asked me to and to peruse what they might have. And lo and behold, look what I found! I had to get it and when we arrived home, I had to bring it straight to you to show you. May we start reading it immediately, Pater? May we, please?"

Laughter bubbled up Ashton's throat. "I'm completing some business right now, child." He explained gently. When Sebastian's face fell, Ashton made a split second decision. "You know, I was almost done." He rose from his chair and gestured toward it. "Why don't you sit here and finish the last book you were reading in here while you wait for me? I'm going to escort Mr. Alec out to his car and finish the last of our discussion along the way. Does that sound acceptable to you, Sebastian?"

"Yes, Pater. Thank you so much for your consideration." Springing off the desk, Sebastian made his way over to the table where he kept his books that he read in here. He grabbed it and brought it back over, seating himself in Ashton's large chair. He preferred to set the boy there to wait because he knew that, after a day walking in town, Sebastian was going to be sore. Everyone knew the boy had been injured badly on his knee in a particularly serious assault neither he nor Jace liked to speak of. Occasionally when he walked too much or the day was too hot, he'd get swelling in it. They had to be especially careful on the days he was in his self-defense training because Sebastian would push himself much further than he really should. He was so eager to learn to defend himself, though, and such a star pupil. So long as it was explained right to him, if the instructor took the time to say it and show it the right way and he allowed Jace to assist, then Sebastian would absorb everything he was taught.

Ashton knew that if the young man sat on the couch right now he'd curl his legs up and only make it worse for later. Here in the chair he was forced to sit properly. Stroking a hand over Sebastian's hair in a paternal sort of way, the man looked over to his guest. "Come, Alec, allow me to escort you out. As soon as you get those items I requested, we can complete our business." As he spoke, Ashton led Alec from the room, paying absolutely no attention to the folders he'd left on his desk, right out in the open, or to the young man who suddenly was shifting his book to rest on the desk right by those folders. He never saw as the usually dreamy, happy eyes turned suddenly sharp.

If she was honest with herself, Emily would admit that Andrew Carlton—or Drew, as he asked to be called—was a good profiler and a nice person. Really, he was. He was friendly to them all, well mannered, acted well with victims and could be ruthless with Unsubs and he was also good at his job. Any other circumstance and she would've considered it perfectly fine to work with the man. Hell, he was even pretty easy on the eyes. Not as muscular as Morgan, but still in good shape. He stood like an inch taller than her. With his blond high and tight hair and bright blue eyes, he had a tendency to get a few looks from people. Even Garcia had glaringly admitted that he had a minor appeal, though she'd quickly amended the statement by saying that he was nothing like her 'chocolate God'.

All of those things, Emily would admit on a good day. Today? Not a good day. Not at all. Though it was entirely unfair, almost everything he was doing today was slowly driving her up the wall. Why? Well, as stated, she knew it wasn't fair, she knew it wasn't right, but today of all days she was having problems even having to see the man in connection to their job, let alone work and listen to him.

Today was Reid's birthday.

Since she'd joined the BAU, this would be the first birthday the team wouldn't spend with him. The first one they wouldn't bring in a cake and presents and watch the young genius laugh and stutter and blush his way through a party that still surprised him each year. To know that right now she was stuck with this, this replacement while somewhere out there, under who knows what kind of conditions, with only Morgan beside him as a friendly face, her little brother—and she just dared anyone to try and suggest that the scrawny little nerd wasn't her brother. She'd adopted him a long time ago and that was all there was to it—was celebrating a birthday without his family around him. It was just wrong.

It was because of that, because of the irritation that simmered underneath the surface, that when Andrew made some innocent comment toward her, she found herself snapping before storming away, leaving a very confused man standing behind her.

Drew turned to look at the other profilers left in the room, hoping they'd be able to shed some light on the situation.

Dave was the one to take pity on the man. He reached out, putting a hand on his shoulder briefly. "It wasn't anything you did." He reassured him softly. "Today is just…difficult for Prentiss. Her…adopted brother, his birthday is today, and she's having a hard time not being able to be with him."

Sympathy crossed Drew's face. "Thanks for telling me, Rossi." The profiler said. He didn't mention the quick flash over Dave's face, or the slight tightening around the Unit Chief's eyes, or any of the other signs that told him that this wasn't just a hard day for Emily Prentiss. Something about this day was hard for all of them except for maybe Ashley Seaver. She seemed her usual self. Yet drew knew that there was no point in pressing it, most especially with this group of people. The three in question were the type to clam up the instant they felt someone was getting too personal. He'd get nothing out of them. Maybe he could get answers out of Ashley later, if she actually knew anything, that was. Sometimes he had a feeling that she was just as much an outsider as he was, and Drew knew he was an outsider.

It had been three months to the day since he had joined the team and in those three months he had to say that they treated him okay here and they were all friendly. That, he could never deny. Yet he couldn't erase the feeling that, sometimes when they looked at him, they were wishing someone else was there. Maybe he was being ridiculous. Maybe he was overreacting. But that thought stayed in the back of his mind.

Later, maybe he'd corner Ashley and ask her, and maybe he wouldn't. For now, he put on his best face and nodded at his coworkers before getting back to work. They had an Unsub to find.

Hope I did okay with this. I'm trying to expand a little and work on my characterization of the other BAU members. I tend to uh, forget them sometimes :/ Or, not write them well. At least in my opinion. So, this was my little attempt at Emily. Hope it went okay :)