Erica looked around the 'family' dinning table as her mother set the food out. she only really knew about half the people there, she still considered Emily a stranger, sure everyone willing let her woman back in but Erica was hurt and now guarded against a person she once loved. Emma, who looked like a younger Emily was situated between Sam and Emily, was giving Sam sideways glances, almost like she knew what Erica was thinking. Sam, was much harder to read, Emily told her once it's the politician gene. She never believed that. Erica's father, didn't like the young Sam at all, you could feel it coming off him in waves, but Sam was all smiles toward him. JJ kept her focus on who ever was talking yet hasn't spoken so far. Emily was Emily, quiet, smiling, polite and yet one major difference a lot more protective over everyone. Marry, she's 11 what else has to be said?
"So Jenny, tell us about your trip?" Ken asked pulling Erica from her thoughts.
"Well…it was cold and miserable when Edwin was around."
"JJ, be nice about Emily and Emma's father." Abby chastised.
"No worries Ms. Jareau, we taught her all the insults." Emma smiled and Sam nodded.
"Did you have fun?" Marry asked.
"Yes, tons of fun."
"I still don't know how there was snow." Marry pouted.
"The mountains are colder so the snow stays longer." Sam explained.
"But it's May!"
"Yes, it's still colder." Emily aided. Marry nodded and looked at Sam.
"Did you go?"
"No, I had to stay with my family."
"Oh, I had to too."
"Families can be fun too, sometimes."
"But JJ is my family, and Emily." Marry said.
"Yes but your family includes your sisters and parents."
"But I wanted to go."
"Did you have school?"
"Yes."
"did you learn anything cool?"
"Yeah! Sulfur is a rock!" Sam laughed.
"Are you glad you went?"
"Yeah…"
"Would going to Russia have been better?"
"Yes."
"Missing fun…"
"No…"
"See?" Sam grinned.
"Fine." Marry pouted and looked at Emily.
"She's not related to me." Emily said.
"Sure." Marry said. Sam looked down at her food, causing Emma to look at her.
"You, k?"
"Yeah." Sam smiled at Emma and everyone knew it was fake. Dinner went on as normal as any dinner with 8 people could. At about six thirty Emma took Sam aside.
"Hey, your not yourself."
"I…your leaving here soon and I'll be all alone again."
"Sam, I'm not going any where." Emma made Sam look up. "I'll be staying with Emily for as long as they'll have me."
"How long is that?"
"As long as she wants." JJ said stepping over to them. "Emily and I had a rough start, she wants it to be as easy and carefree as possible for you. She's scared to have someone hurt as much as she did."
"This whole popping up thing needs to end, you'll kill one of us." Emma said.
"Sorry."
"So you and Emily," Sam looked JJ up and down. "You'll make it."
"JJ!" Andrew yelled suddenly and JJ looked at Sam.
"I should go…"
"Jay?" Emma said making JJ turn back to her. "Do you love her?"
"Yes."
"Then don't let her get too lost."
"And don't tell her not to go to the academy." Sam said.
"Alright." JJ wasn't sure how Sam knew Emily wanted to join the FBI, or how JJ was nervous of it, but she's glad she said something.
"JJ?" Andrew yelled again. "AH! Sanders."
"Andrew stop acting like a child." Alex said and shooed the dog away.
"Alex, Jason, Andrew come on in." JJ said putting Sanders in the den. "Head out back We'll star in a few." Andrew nodded and led the way when they stepped outside they saw Emily putting the war paint marks on Erica and Marry. Marry had a helmet that looked three sizes too big, and a Manning jersey on.
"GRR! Let's go!" she looked at Andrew who burst out laughing.
"Andrew don't be mean." Alex scolded.
"Hi Alex." Emily said without looking.
"That's Alex?"
"Yeah, scary huh?"
"Yes." Erica laughed. Alex was one hell of a catch, but she was the reason politics were still around, just because she wouldn't fit in anywhere else, she was going to be on hell of a politician though.