Partners

Chapter 14

(Emily) (Monday May 2nd )

Weeks had passed since the Carl Arnold case, in that time Derek and I had been out some more, as well as staying in. We were closer than ever before. We even had managed to double date with Jen and Dave once. The whole group of us, me and Derek, Jen and Dave, Hotch and Haley, Penelope, and Kevin had met up a bunch of times just to hang out. Penelope and Kevin had set a wedding date finally. The wedding was going to be September 10th My mom had only stayed for another two weeks. I had introduced Derek to her before she left and the two of them got along pretty well. Things at work were going well too. Gideon knew about our relationship and didn't seem to care as long as our work wasn't affected. Friday was going to be our two month anniversary and Derek was planing something but wouldn't tell me.

Today was Monday and I was on my way to meet up with Penelope and Jen. I had gotten off work an hour ago but stooped at my apartment to change. We had planned to meet up at 7:30 at Jen's place. I was already running a few minutes late but I knew Jen wouldn't care.

I quickly park my car as I pull up to her house. The lights are on and I can here my two best girlfriends laughing about something as I approach the door. I let myself in without knocking, they knew I was coming and I really wanted to sneak up on them. I quietly approach the living room where they were currently arguing over the latest season of American Idol.

"James is going to win, he's never been in the bottom and he's clearly the best." Jen Insists motioning with her hands at every word to emphasize her point.

"no, he's not. It's gonna be Lauren, She has the best voice." Pen fires back with just as much determination.

"Ladies, Break it up you're both wrong." I interrupt the both of them and walk into the room. They both jump at the sound of my voice and whip their heads around in my direction.

"Emily, you're finally here!" Jen smiles, "come on sit down we already poured you a glass of wine." she continues pointing to the full glass on the coffee table. I do as she tells me and relax into the back of the couch. Sipping the red liquid as I do.

"this is good." I point out unnecessarily. Both of the women nod their heads in agreement.

"so, whose your pick?" Pen asks

"for what?"

"American Idol." she explains the look on her face twisted in a frustrated scowl.

"Oh, Haley of course." I shrug.

" we need to bet, ten bucks for our favorite and whoever wins gets the pot." Jen suggests leaving no room to say no.

"okay but what if we all lose." I point out a serious look comes over Jen's face.

"then... we go out and spend it on drinks?" Penelope advises.

"I'm in." I reply removing a ten dollar bill from my purse and place it on the table, They follow suit.

"So tell us about Derek, How is everything going" Penelope asks a huge smile on her face. Jen nods enthusiastically.

"it's good, really good." I can't help but smile. "he's got something planed for Friday but he won't tell me. It's killing me I hate surprises."

"we know." Jen laughs.

"It'll be fine just relax." Penelope reassures me.

"i know it cant be worse then him surprising me with dinner at his parents house." Both women stare at me in shock. "oh, did I not mention that?" I ask innocently. I had purposefully withheld that information until to day and their reactions were priceless.

"wait, when, I …." Pen stutters

"why didn't you tell us sooner." Jen demands.

"Friday night, I would have told you sooner but this was too much fun you should see your faces right now." I laugh

"how did it go, were they nice?" Jen asks having regained her composure.

"it was fun, they were all very sweet. It was his mother and his two sisters. We're supposed to go back in a couple of weeks."

"awe, you guys are getting serious." Jen coos.

"i know, it's kind of scary, I mean I really think I'm falling for him and it's only been two months. But, enough about me, how is everything with Dave." I quickly turn the attention off of me.

"amazing, last weekend he took me up to his cabin. It was secluded and Very romantic." She smiles "he keeps it up the way he's going and I just might marry him one day."

the rest of the night goes pretty much the same, we talk about our relationships and our work along with how our friends are doing and other topics. Finally, at 11:30 Pen and I leave and head home.

Where I wait for Derek's call before going to bed.

(Derek)

a couple months had passed Since the Arnold case. Emily and I were doing great, I was currently at Dave's. Aaron was with us and we were in the living room Drinking beers and playing cards.

"Derek, How did Emily do at you're mom's house?" Hotch asks.

"great they all loved her, I think they like her better then me now."

"my parents are the same, they call Haley's phone now and talk to me when their done with her." Hotch smiles.

"good to hear, you two are good for each other." Dave nods before folding his hand.

"So what about you and Jen, you still together or have you moved on to the next blonde that crosses you're path." I tease him just to get a reaction out of him. I knew he was serious, he doesn't take just anyone to his cabin.

"screw you man, Jen's different. I think I really like this one so back off." he growls.

"Alright." I take the hint and back off.

Conversation quickly turns to work and whatever else comes to mind. About midnight I head home I had promised to call Emily before I went to bed. When I get home I feed the dog and take a quick shower. Once I'm dressed I walk back to the living room and grab my phone to call Emily. By now it's almost 12:30, I speed dial her number on my way to the kitchen to get something to eat. She answers after the third ring.

"sorry, my phone was in the bottom of my purse." she explains. "anyway, how are you.?"

"I'm alright, my apartment is quiet without you, and Clooney is pouting cause you're not here. Other than that I'm good." I smile into the phone, she just has that effect on me I can't help smile when I think about her.

"I was thinking the same thing. It's too quiet." she answers, " I had to turn to TV on just for the noise." I hear the muffled noise of the TV over the phone.

"how were the girls, anything new to report?" I ask popping some left over pizza into the microwave.

"not really, just girl talk, you know boys and movies and all that stuff" she teases. "what about you, you win anything."

"Cleaned 'em both out." I report happily.

"cheater." she laughs.

"no princess, it's called skill and I have it." I brag.

"um hum, we'll go with that."

"so, I was thinking since we don't have to work till three tomorrow,you want to meet up for coffee in the morning?"

"sounds good I know the perfect spot, you got a pen I'll give you the address." this was the perfect opportunity to take her to Bettie's shop, I still stopped by on almost a daily basis. Betty was dying to meet Emily since I talked about her a lot.

"hold on just a sec." I hear her sent the phone down and a minute later she comes back. "okay, ready when you are." she says.

"2258 E. Leon st. meet you there at 9. actually, lets make it 9:30."

"sounds great. I'm going to head to bed, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"okay, sweet dreams Princess.

"always Derek."

after she hangs up I finish eating, put my dishes up and then head to bed where I dream of Emily, and what tomorrow had to bring.

I know it's been a really really long time. And I apologize, however there is a reason for that. The amount of reviews and alerts for this have started to drop and I am slowly loosing interest in continuing so if you are still reading this and would like to see it develop PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW. Thanks, Brittany