Thank you so much for the reviews as always….. Sorry I don't get chance to reply to everyone, but they are very very much appreciated and spur me on. Hope you like the next bit…. rather longer than the last ;)
"So. Is everyone gonna be there?" Emily asked, a little shake in her voice.
Derek glanced over at her in the passenger seat as he drove to Rossi's, "You nervous?" He said in a deep tone, reaching one hand over and grabbing hers that was set in her lap.
"A little." She shrugged, "We're about to drop a pretty big bombshell Derek."
He smiled, "There's nothing to be nervous about though." He assured.
"I know. It's just feels like we'll be on show with everyone there. I don't like being the centre of attention."
"Well, I don't think you'll get away with that tonight." He winked, "It'll be fine. Just enjoy it." He squeezed her hand, "And you get to meet Reid's girlfriend."
"I know." She breathed excitedly, "I can't wait. I never thought I'd see the day."
"You and me both." He chuckled.
Derek and Emily were the last to arrive, Rossi greeting them at the front door and leading them into the hallway. He slipped Emily's jacket off her shoulders and hung it in the side closet.
"We've got about an hour before the food is ready. I got delayed. Sorry." The older profiler told them.
Morgan looked over Rossi's shoulder, spying Strauss busying herself in the huge kitchen and smirked, "Delayed eh?" He said with a suspicious raised brow.
Rossi eyed the younger agent and then turned to look at the Section Chief.
"So Strauss gets invites to team functions now does she?" Emily teased.
Rossi shrugged, "She was there when I asked everyone. I couldn't leave her out now could I?"
"Of course not." The brunette chuckled, sharing a momentary smile with Morgan.
"Anyway." Rossi emphasised, holding up the bottle he had in one hand and offering them both a glass, "I've got an eighteen year old single malt whisky… especially for you." He said nodding towards Emily.
He signalled for them both to lift their tumblers and poured a generous dose of the golden liquid. Emily's eyes widened as she glanced over at Morgan who shrugged.
"Now, everyone's in the sitting room if you want to go through. I'm off to help Erin in the kitchen." Rossi said with a raise of his thick eyebrows and a smirk before turning and walking away.
"I can't drink this." Emily whispered, leaning into Derek as Rossi disappeared.
"I know. It's ok, we'll just tell them." He said as a matter of fact.
"No. I'm not ready." She said firmly with a quick shake of the head.
His brow furrowed, "Not ready? So we're not going to tell them tonight?"
"No. We will." She told him, pouring her drink into his glass. "Just not yet. Later."
"But why?" He asked, as she placed one finger under his tumbler and pushed it up to his lips.
"Just because….. Now drink that." She hurried him.
"I can't. I'm driving." He said lowering the glass.
"I'll drive. Just drink!"
She guided the drink up to his mouth again and stood and watched him with a stern expectant expression until he gulped down most of the liquid.
"Ok, let's go." She ordered, grabbing his arm and leading him into the sitting room where the team waited.
JJ was the first to spot them, "Emily!" She almost squealed, jumping up and greeting her friend with a hug. She squeezed her tight and then pulled away, examining the brunette's face, "You look really good Emily. London is definitely agreeing with you."
"Hey, don't say that…" The familiar techie's voice called from behind the blond, playfully tapping JJ's arm, "…. We want her not to like London." She winked, before wrapping her arms around both of her friends.
"It's good to see you Pen." Emily beamed, as she pulled out of their embrace.
"My god. JJ's right. You're glowing." Garcia exclaimed.
The brunette chuckled shyly, and then turned, her attention drawn by Rossi entering the room, the same bottle of whisky in his grip.
"You enjoyed that eh?" He smiled, almost proud of himself, nodding down towards the empty glass she was holding.
"It's a good choice." She replied with a nod of the head.
"Ok. You better get a top up then." He said, holding the bottle out once again.
"Oh no. I'm fine." She shook her head and pulled the glass towards her.
Rossi grabbed for it though and continued to pour the liquid anyway, "I know Emily Prentiss can take her drink. You have given me a run for my money plenty of times. Now enjoy yourself. You can get a cab."
"Yes Sir." She mocked with a chuckle, raising the glass to her mouth and allowing the liquid to just brush against her lips.
For the rest of the next hour, Rossi appeared to be following her around with the bottle, encouraging her, in amongst speaking to each of her old team mates, plus their dates, to finish up her drink so he could top it up. It was clear he missed their times they had shared over a glass or two.
After the third or fourth time of her pouring the drink into Derek's glass, he gave up arguing and did as she said. Truth be told it was going down too well, but far too quickly. Problem being, he hadn't drank like that in a long time and it was getting the better of him.
By the time they sat down to eat, he was hot, clammy and could feel his head swirling, having to concentrate hard to focus on events around him. His blurry attention was drawn to Rossi, who stood at the head of the table and sounded a fork against his wine glass.
"I'd like to propose a toast." He began, raising his drink, "Firstly to Beth who is off on her travels. Good luck, have fun and please come back soon or this one." He said gesturing towards Hotch, "Is going to be mr grouch."
A ripple of laughter flowed along the table as the Unit Chief turned and smiled to Beth, squeezing her hand under the table.
"Secondly." Rossi continued, "To our Emily. You have no idea how good it is to see you. You look more beautiful and happy than I remember and that means a lot to all of us. Just don't leave it too long before you come back again." He winked.
"Here here!" Morgan suddenly called out, throwing his arm in the air holding up his wine glass.
The group laughed at him and reciprocated with a chorus or 'here here's', resulting in a blushing Emily, who discreetly nudged Derek in the ribs.
"Hey." He mumbled to her, but ss Rossi continued with his toast, Garcia leaned into the dark profiler, "How much have you drunk Derek?" She whispered, as he swayed a little in his chair, but not so much that anyone else really noticed.
He frowned an exaggerated frown at the blond, "Not enough." He sarcastically smirked, taking another sip of his wine.
Emily then grabbed Derek's knee under the table causing him to turn to her, "What?" He whispered.
She glared at him and signalled towards the glass of water sat on the table in font of him, to which he just stared at deciding upon whether to do what she said, or ignore her… after all it was her who made her drink all that whisky in the first place.
"And lastly." Rossi continued, grabbing their attention once again, "To family. I'm so glad you could all make it tonight. Here's to many many more nights like this."
As he raised his glass, a chorus of clinks could be heard around the table and as he sat back down, Rossi let his gaze wander around the room as his friends settled down, wine and conversation flowing. Kevin and Garcia. JJ and Will. Beth and Hotch. Reid and his new girlfriend, Chloe and Erin sat at his side. The older profiler, contemplating, leaned back in his chair and spied the final two friends.
"So Morgan. Emily… when are you two going to grace us with a date?" He called across the table.
The brunette frowned at her old friend, "What?"
"You two are the only ones here without a date." He stated.
"So Erin is your date." Emily answered, almost as a petulant child getting one over on her father.
A trickle of subdued giggles and snorts could be heard throughout the room, as Strauss dabbed her lips with a napkin in an attempt to hide her embarrassment, whilst shooting Emily daggers with her gaze.
Rossi casually chuckled and continued, "Don't deflect." He told the brunette, "So have you met anyone over in London yet?"
"Yeah." Garcia added, "We know you're a sucker for those British accents. Come on. Spill."
JJ chuckled watching Emily squirm and stiffen up.
"No." She said flatly, reaching out to pick up her glass of water, taking a sip as her mouth began to dry.
"We'll get it out of her later." Rossi winked. "A few more of those whiskeys will do the trick."
"Oh really?" Emily said, eyeing Rossi as a challenge.
"You're throwing down the gauntlet eh?" He nodded slowly, "I like it. That's my Emily." He smiled at the brunette who returned the gesture warmly, realising how much she missed that man.
"So what about you then Morgan?" Beth asked with a smile, taking a sip of her wine.
Everyone looked to the dark agent, who sat looking at the table in a trance, as if he were in another world.
Emily nudged him.
"What?" He said looking at her.
"Beth asked you a question."
"Oh sorry." He said turning to Beth with a goofy smile, "What did you say?"
"What about you? Any romance on the horizon?"
"Well." He began, going to pick up his wine glass. He paused, staring at it curiously, before moving his hand to the glass of water and picking it up, "There is this one chick." He said, pointing to nothing in the air.
"I know who it is." Garcia interrupted excitedly, clapping her hands together.
Emily swallowed nervously as Morgan turned to look at the techie with a questioning glare, "Well?" He muttered.
"It's that Hastings." She stated.
"Hastings?" He frowned.
JJ chuckled at him across the table, "Yeah we've seen you talking to her." She teased.
"No I haven't." He spat, the room all smirking at his child like defensiveness.
All, that was, except Emily, "Who's Hastings?" she asked quickly, regretting it as soon as the words left her lips.
"She's from the Academy." Reid told her.
"A trainee?" The brunette asked.
"She's no one." Morgan protested, but Emily just held a hand up to halt him.
"Reid?" She said, looking to the young Doctor.
"No she's a trainer. When you left." He chuckled, "I think Morgan missed someone to flirt with, so he replaced you with her."
"Reid. What are you talking about? I talked to her like twice." Morgan stated, feeling himself burn up.
"Morgan you're getting all flustered there." JJ interjected with a chuckle, "She's cute you should…."
She suddenly jumped in her seat, "Ow!"
Will looked from JJ to the dark profiler, a frown forming, "Morgan. Did you just kick my wife?"
Derek held his hands up in, "Sorry man, I just meant to nudge her."
"It's ok." JJ whispered, "I think I deserved it." She winked at Derek.
"Anyway." Morgan continued, shaking his head, "Hastings isn't anyone." And he turned to Emily who had her arms folded and a scowl.
As he caught her stare, she looked at him with a raised brow, "Don't you think you've had enough." She sniped, nodding towards the alcohol on the table.
He frowned, "Are you kidding me?" He said, his pitch considerably higher than normal, but she just turned away from him.
"Oh, I'm going to the bathroom." He whined, standing up and chucking his napkin on the table in a huff.
"Yeah and you may wanna go and get some fresh air whilst you're at it Morgan." Hotch suggested.
The dark profiler looked to his unit chief who sat glaring at him with that look a disappointed father gives his son. He then looked to Rossi for some help, but he had the same look. So too did Strauss. His last port of call was Emily, but she refused to look at him and remained sat, staring ahead, arms folded.
He shook his head, pushed his chair back and walked out of the room.
"Do you think we went too far?" Garcia asked the room, lowering her voice so he wouldn't hear.
JJ half frowned, "He seemed a bit over sensitive about it."
"He's just had too much to drink." Hotch bargained.
"Or may be he does like her." JJ smirked.
All their attention was suddenly drawn to Emily who stood up, "I'm just going to get a glass of water. Anyone want anything?" She asked, enough focus on Morgan that no one noticed her fake smile.
In the kitchen, she stood at the counter, letting the tap run as she attempted to clear her head.
"Hey."
She heard his soft tone behind her, but carried on busying herself with nothing in the sink.
He didn't touch her, but she soon felt his presence right behind her.
"You could have backed me up in there." He muttered.
"You could have not replaced me with Hastings."
He closed his eyes and sighed, "Emily, I have spoken to her twice in about two months. I don't even know her first name…. and since when does Reid know anything about flirting anyway?"
He watched her shrug, still refusing to turn around, hiding the smirk she couldn't help after his last comment.
"You're being ridiculous, you do know that don't you?" He stated.
"You're drunk." She snapped, the annoyance returning in a flash.
"And whose fault is that?" He argued back.
She turned on the spot to face, still leant up against the work surface.
"Actually. Yours." She said.
He frowned in confusion, "What?"
"You got me in this state in the first place." She said gesturing downwards.
He stared at her for a few seconds and then gazed down at her tummy, a proud smile slowly creeping across his face.
"I don't remember you arguing about it." He muttered, glancing up at her.
She pressed her lips together in a vain attempt to subdue her smile.
He took a brave step forward and placed his hands on her hips and stared into her big eyes, "You're not really mad with me are you?"
She bit her bottom lip and shrugged, and then her eyes widened as he began to shrink in front of her.
"What are you doing?" She whispered frantically to him, as he fell on to his knees, his hands still fixed on her hips.
"Now Smudge." He began, talking at her tummy, "Mommy and daddy just had a little argument, but it was a stupid argument over nothing, because of her hormones."
Emily put one hand over her mouth as she muted her laugh.
"In fact." He continued, "I think she's gonna have to make it up to me tonight."
"Oi!" She scolded playfully, tapping the top of his head.
He glanced up and caught Emily's warm smile, "Get up before someone comes in." She chuckled.
"One more thing." He said before returning his attention to her belly, "Now. If you're a boy, I have some advice for you. Girls are always right….. Especially your mommy." He leaned in a little closer, "Even when she really isn't." He whispered.
Her smiled widened.
"And if you're a girl, well…." He paused in thought for a second, "Never ever go near any boys. They're all no good….. and they smell."
He then took hold of the hem of her shirt and lifted it slowly, exposing her skin. He closed the gap and gave a soft, warm kiss just to the side of her belly button.
Just as he felt the gentle touch of her hand on top of his head, he was startled by the high pitched voice from behind.
"Morgan! What are you doing to Emily?"
Derek jumped up, knocking Emily's arm sending the glass she was holding, flying across the room. The smashing sound reverberated against the walls, as Derek turned and stood next to Emily, both of them now staring at Reid who looked at them both with confused horror.
"What was Morgan doing to Emily?" JJ asked, coming up behind Reid, followed one by one by the rest of the guests.
They all stood in the archway glaring at a both startled and awkward looking Derek and Emily.
"But you were…"
"Shut it Reid." Morgan interrupted.
"What's going on?" Garcia asked with concern.
"He was..…"
"Reid!" Both Emily and Derek shouted in unison.
Rossi made his way through the group and stepped ahead of them, "What's going on?" He said, glaring at them both. "Or I am going to let Reid tell us."
"Ok. Ok!" Emily said, holding her hands in the air and taking a small step forward. "I'll tell you."
The brunette took a deep breath as she looked at her silent expectant friends, "Well. This fine specimen of a man," She started, pointing at Derek, "stood dribbling next to me…."
"I am not dribbling." He protested, before wiping his mouth and then squinting to examine the back of his hand.
"As I was saying." She said turning from Derek to the group. "Derek and I have…" She paused, "Well we've…. Since I….."
She paused and turned as she heard Morgan huff.
"She's my girlfriend." He blurted out.
As Emily turned back to her friends there was a stunned silence, a few mouths agape as they looked at the pair.
She looked back to Derek who was swaying a little and then back to the group… "And I am so proud of that right now." She smirked, rolling her eyes.
A ripple of laughter echoed in the room and just as JJ and Garcia were about to break away, Derek held a hand up to them.
"Hey…" He began, nudging Emily's arm, "Why don't you tell them why I'm in this state?" He slurred, pointing to himself.
"What does he mean?" Reid questioned.
"Yeah, what is he on about?" Garcia added.
"Ok." She sighed, exhaling to compose herself, "Derek has been drinking my share for me."
"What?" Rossi said, "Didn't you like it?"
"No. I love it. I just…. can't… drink it." She stuttered.
Emily watched the room. JJ's mouth fell open and turned into an excited smile. Garcia's eyes widened and she clenched her teeth together in an attempt to subdue her squeal… it didn't work. Hotch and Rossi both smiled warmly looking at Beth and Strauss respectively and Reid turned and looked at everyone behind him, "She means she's pregnant right?"
"Yeah, well done Spence." JJ said sarcastically, tapping him on the shoulder as she skipped across the room, flinging her arms around her friend, closely followed by Garcia who enveloped them both.
"Congratulations." The two women almost sung.
"Hey, can I get in on this action ladies?" Derek muttered as he slipped one arm around JJ and the other around Emily's waist.
"Well." JJ said, shifting sidewards to allow him room, "Seeing as you did the real difficult job of impregnating our friend, I guess so."
"Yeah." He nodded with a smug smirk, "I can step up to the plate when I have to."
"Yeah, not tonight though buddy I think." Rossi said, slapping the dark Agent on the back, winking towards Emily.
"I forgot Derek can't handle his drink." Emily chuckled to Rossi, as she pulled out of the group hug.
"I too can take my drink." He protested, "But you were making me drink that stuff like it was orangeade or something. Seriously." He said looking towards Hotch and Rossi, "She was forcing it down me."
"Ok Morgan, you go sober up while I take your girlfriend for a proper chat." JJ said, taking hold of Emily's hand and leading her away.
"Yeah, she's got some explaining to do." Garcia added, following them behind. "And don't think you've gotten away with it Derek Morgan!" The blond called back.
As the girls disappeared, Rossi offered his hand to the dark profiler, "Congratulations Morgan."
"Thanks man." Derek said, giving a firm shake.
"Do you have any idea what you're letting yourself in for?" Hotch chuckled, pulling the younger agent in for a hug, surprising everyone.
"No." Morgan whispered, just before the Unit Chief pulled away.
Hotch smiled and tapped Derek on the top of his arm, "I'm going to enjoy watching this…. But seriously, you know where I am if you need anything."
"Thanks Hotch."
Reid held his hand up awkwardly grabbing the men's attention, "You know…"
"Is this going to be some statistic on…." Morgan interrupted, throwing his hands up in the air, "I don't know… something?" He said tiredly.
Reid frowned, "No." He muttered, looking down at the floor, shuffling his feet, "I was actually going to say I think you'll make a wonderful father."
A big grin crept across Morgan's face, "C'mon here kid." He said taking a step forward with his arms wide, taking the young Doctor in a hug.
After a twenty minute probe of the past few months from JJ and Garcia, the techie teasing out the finer detail from their first night together and subsequent liaisons, JJ and Emily were left alone as Garcia left to continue her interrogation with Morgan.
They sat on the small wooden bench outside, huddled together to keep warm, "So, how's the pregnancy going?" JJ asked with a warm smile, "Any weird cravings yet?"
"No." Emily shook her head, "Nothing yet. But I am so tired."
"I remember that part." JJ chuckled.
"I can't believe it JJ. I'm worn out just walking up the stairs. In fact no, I'm worn out sitting at my desk."
"You able to cut your hours?"
"No. there's too much on. But I'll work through it." The brunette shrugged.
"It must be tough on your own though." JJ sighed, her big blue eyes full of sympathy, remembering her own struggles.
"Honestly JJ…. I hate it. I wish he was there."
"What are you going to do?"
"I have no idea." She said with a bewildered shake of the head.
"What does Morgan want?"
"For me to move back here of course."
"And you don't want that?" JJ uttered with a sad expression, looking downward.
Emily sifted her body round slightly to face her friend, "JJ. I wish I could get you all and fly you to London. I love the job. I really do….. I dunno, I just…. I just settled in straight away there and it's interesting and…"
"It's ok, you don't have to justify wanting to stay there Em."
"But that could all change right? I mean I could have this baby and not want to work."
"But you may want to work…. Like me." The blond bargained.
Emily put her hands to her mouth and exhaled hard, "Oh, this is so hard JJ. I don't know what to do. All I know is that wherever I am, I want Derek with me."
"You think he'd make a good stay at home dad?" JJ smirked.
"Probably." Emily smiled, "But I don't know if that's what I want."
The younger profiler laughed and shook her head, "Come here you." She muttered, wrapping her arms around Emily, "You are in a mess aren't you."
The brunette nodded against her friend.
"Well, you've got a few months to figure it out and I'm right here to help you ok?"
"Ok." Emily smiled, pulling back to look at the blond.
"You've just got to do what's right for you, Derek and that baby, whatever that is."
"How do you it? How do you have it all?"
"It isn't easy Emily. It's taken a lot of working out for me and Will. There's been lots of ups and downs… You know that. But one thing is for sure, you and Derek need to at least be in the same country to do it."
"I know….."
They sat in silence for a few seconds just staring at each other until a big smile crept across JJ's face.
"What?" Emily smirked.
"I'm so pleased for you Em." JJ whispered, "You look really happy. Derek looks really happy. You are happy right?"
The brunette nodded, "Very." She muttered.
~~CM~~
A week later, Emily had been back in London for a few days. Derek jumped into his office chair and flipped open the laptop. He had a few minutes to call her before he had to get to a briefing for a case that had just come in.
"Hey baby." He muttered as her face appeared on the screen.
"Hey." She smiled.
"How's your day been?"
"Hectic. I'm exhausted. I just literally walked in. Time to put in a microwave meal and then go to bed."
"Em." He sighed, "You really need to eat better than that."
"Derek." She mimicked him, "You really need to not tell me what to do. I've been at work for ten hours and I'm tired. The last thing I wanna do is cook."
"But my mama says…."
"Ah ah." She interrupted holding one hand up, "Let's get something straight early on. I think your mom is great, I really do. And I know she's a wonderful mother, but if you keep starting off sentences with 'my mama says' all the time, we're gonna have a problem."
"Alright." He chuckled. "So what did…"
He stopped as his office door flung open.
"See, I told you he'd be talking to her." Garcia said as she and JJ marched into the room and moved to stand behind Derek.
"Hey Em!" The techie waved frantically.
"Hi Pen. JJ. You two good?"
"Yes." Garcia answered excitedly, "Look. I wanted to show you these."
She held up a pair of rainbow coloured knitted booties earning a big smile from Emily, "So, you're going to spoil this child before it's even born." She chuckled.
"You betcha" The techie assured.
A chiming sound was suddenly heard in the distance.
"Oh hang on. That's my front door. Give me a second." Emily said, looking behind her.
They watched as she walked away.
Morgan pointed at the screen, "See that book case… the really heavy looking one?"
"Yes." JJ said.
"Well, I spent hours assembling it whilst she was at work. Put it exactly where she wanted it and then put all those books on there. And what do you think she did? That night, she sat on the sofa and told me it didn't look right and I had to….."
He stopped.
"Had to what?" Garcia asked.
"Shhh." He hushed the techie.
They watched as they heard the front door slam shut and Emily's voice plus an unfamiliar man's voice coming from the hallway.
"You can just bring it in here." They heard Emily say.
They saw her emerge, followed by the man, wearing suit trousers and a shirt, unbuttoned at the top, his tie loose and slightly to the side.
"Here you go." The man said in his strong British accent, placing a large, heavy looking cardboard box on the coffee table. "I only noticed you left it in my car when I got to Riverside."
Morgan frowned at the screen.
"You didn't have to bring it back." Emily offered, "It could have waited till tomorrow."
"I know what you're like." The man teased, causing Morgan to shift uncomfortably in his seat, "You'd of been sitting here restless, thinking you could be working….Even though you shouldn't be."
They heard Emily's familiar chuckle, "You're probably right. Thanks." She muttered.
"Ok, well I'll leave you to your evening then." The man said, turning and beginning to walk back into the hallway. "I can pick you up in the morning if you like?" He offered.
"No. It's ok. I'll be fine. But thank you."
"Well you know where I am." He told her, his voice fading as he stepped out of the front door.
"I do. Thanks. See you tomorrow."
JJ and Garcia looked at each other and grimaced as Morgan sat in silence, glaring at the screen.
"Sorry about that." Emily said, sitting back down and smiling at them all oblivious to the tension now in Derek's office.
"Who was that?" Derek asked without taking a breath.
"Daniel."
"Who's Daniel?"
"Daniel from work…. I told you about him."
"No you didn't."
"Ok…. Well if I didn't I didn't, now I have. What's the big deal?"
Morgan went to answer, but stopped as he felt a warm hand on his back, he knew as an attempt to calm him.
"Em, we have to go." Garcia called out, diffusing the situation. "We have a briefing now."
"Ok." She smiled sadly, "Have a good day you guys."
"Bye Emily." JJ waved, then leaving with Garcia.
"I have to go too." Derek began, "We're flying out to Illinois straight after the briefing."
"Oh ok. Well I guess I'll speak to you tomorrow then." She said softly.
"Yeah." He whispered, placing his hand to the screen, "Bye Emily."
"Bye Derek." Her doing the same.
They stared, each waiting for the other to sign off. He watched as she leant forward, about to hit the button.
"Hang on." He called out.
"What?"
"You know that everything I do and say is because I…." He shook his head and swallowed, "Well, it's for you and that baby. You know that right?"
She smiled with a nod, "I do." She whispered, "I know this is hard for you. But we'll figure it out… I promise." She said gently.
"I know." He uttered, "I really have to go, but get some rest." He half smiled, "Sweet dreams Emily."
"Have a good flight Derek. Be safe. Bye."
He stood as he watched the screen go blank and shut down the laptop, grabbed his bag and walked out his office.
JJ and Garcia stood waiting outside of the briefing room and watched him as he stomped towards them with a deep frown.
"Morgan?" Garcia said as he walked past.
But he didn't respond. All they heard was him muttering something about 'Daniel' under his breath.