They both had stupid grins on their faces. In three months they would have a daughter. Nothing was more exciting, but Derek couldn't celebrate to long. He had to be on a plane in Washington.

He stayed as long as he dared. He knew that Hotch was irritated enough with him, but it was worth it. The team would be happy for him. Finding out he was having a daughter made it even more real.

He knew they next thing he would do was try to convince Lexi to live with him. Now that he had a daughter on the way he did not want them living in another city. Plus he knew that Lexi wasn't really enjoying the position at Virginia State. It wasn't the same, she had told him.

The drive back to Quantico was quicker. He still had to do more on victimology. Usually Reid or Prentiss were stuck with that assignment, but with Prentiss still out he could take it for one case. He was much better at crime scenes and pursuits.

"Hey Penny." He said, rushing into Garcia's office.

"Well what is it?" Garcia looked just as excited as himself.

"A girl!" He exclaimed. He felt like dancing around, a feeling usually rare in his line of work. Garcia jumped up and hugged him. They did end up dancing a little bit.

"That's awesome, Derek." Garcia was all smiles. "But your plane is leaving soon."

"I know. I have to call mom and my sisters first." And everyone else he could think of. He called his mother at work and listen to her cry. Sarah gushed and Desire screamed into the phone. Of course a girl was what they wanted.

He texted everyone else while he was at the airport. Garcia had likely told everyone on the team already. But now he had to concentrate on the case at hand. That would be difficult. He usually had no problem focussing on a case; today would be a challenge.

*~*

Somehow her world changed. She felt like a completely different person now. It was like she had lost something in her very being; not just her father. She refused to believe it was a depression. She was much smarter than that. But she still didn't know how to fix it or go back. Everything affected her differently. She had less patience and composure. She really had to watch her tongue.

Unfortunately, she did not at home. That had spurned more fights with her mother then during her high school years. For some reason she resisted leaving. Her apartment was collecting dust but she did not want to be there all alone. The first time in years she wanted company; even if she fought with them. Anything could potentially set her off. Usually it was her mother's comments.

Her cousin Gloria had also chosen to stay. They looked so much alike they could be sisters. Most thought they were. Gloria was the comic relief between the two Prentiss woman. She could chatter aimlessly about anything. Emily was glad to go back to work just to get away from her 'shadow'. She was the baby and spoiled rotten. Gloria had gotten everything she ever wanted; but then her standards were easily compromised.

Emily had figured her mother would force her out then listen to her grumble. Yet she hadn't said anything to her. Maybe her mother liked having her around. Elizabeth Prentiss certainly thought Emily should branch out and go to the dinners and luncheons that Emily had no interest in. She nagged her to go with her. She put up with a few. It was almost too much effort. She had to wear a fancy dress and smile when she didn't feel like it. It was better to fake it then put up with the sad questions of 'what's wrong' or 'you poor dear.' Gloria was much better at it then her. She thrived on attention where Emily hated it.

The BAU did help some. It kept her busy. She certainly had to work much harder at it then before. The team was always being nice to her. Some days she had little to offer. Hotch constantly stuck her on victimology or with JJ. Maybe he could tell her head wasn't right. She got so distracted sometimes; she didn't care. It wasn't the same.

It took her weeks to realize exactly what she broke. The best quality she had was to compartmentalize. She could separate any emotion and put it in its little spot and hold it away from her so she could think. Now all her emotions were tied together and inseparable. Try as she may, a part of her didn't want to do that. She figured she was starving her emotional being from not wanting feel. She didn't want to be a cold person like that.

"Emmie?" Gloria's high pitched girlie call broke her thoughts. Emily thought of fleeing but Gloria would only continue looking. Gloria was also incredible stubborn and when she put her mind to something; watch out. You could get caught in the wreckage.

"Yes?" She answered, quickly closing the case files on the desk. Gloria did not like to see unpleasant things.

"What are you doing Saturday night?" Gloria flew into her bedroom and through herself on the bed. Emily bit her tongue hard, not wanting to start another fight. She was exhausted from the days events.

"Nothing." Emily had no plans any evening. She would come to her mother's house, have dinner, eat ice cream (she had, had to switch to a low fat, low sodium brand), and do a little more work. Fall asleep watching television and wake up every few hours dreaming she was in a burning airplane. She now loathed flying on the jet.

"Well since it's my birthday, I want to through a party. Help me plan it?"

"Ask mother." Emily simply told her.

"She'll be away. She just got an invitation to go to some summit or something like that. I want to have it here, and to be a surprise."

"You're through yourself your own surprise birthday party? You're like 29." Gloria was too old to be playing some games. But then Gloria still looked 25 and Emily felt like she had ages 10 years in a month.

"Well, you'll be throwing me the party. I'll just be making it perfect." Emily loved how the Gloria automatically assumed Emily would do it.

"I want a big cake and the party favours to be..." Emily stopped listening immediately. If she was clever she could get Gloria to plan the whole thing and then all she would have to do is host.

"Are you going to invite your friends?" Gloria asked after about an hour.

"Why it's your party." If Emily could choose she would rather not; she saw these people day in day out, she didn't need to party with them to.

"But I don't have that many friends. I want this to be a huge party."

"And you're having this on Saturday?" Good god, they would be busy.

"Yeah. So I'll just send invitations out..." Gloria went off again.

*~*

Emily did invite the team, but didn't make a big deal about it. They weren't required to come. It wouldn't start until late into the evening. Gloria always liked all night parties. Emily planned to throw the surprise, cut the cake, and escape to bed.

"Thanks so much for inviting us Em." JJ gushed at her, through lunch.

"Sure." Emily stuffed her mouth full of sandwich so she wouldn't have to answer any more questions. It worked. JJ left, still smiling at her.

"This is going to be absurd." She said to Reid.

"I thought you liked your cousin."

"Like her? She would never be one of my friends. She's family. You never can get rid of those."

"Then why did you agree to it."

"Because...she asked me. I don't really know why. Gloria always wants to be the center of attention."

And center of attention she was. She picked out a very expensive dress for herself and Emily. Her answer to any resistance was `But it's my birthday!'. It was much easier to just give it.

Gloria had planned a huge party. It wasn't like the woman had anything else to do. She currently had no job. Well that was a stretch; Gloria worked in the family companies. Emily wasn't sure exactly what she did but she took a lot of time off. She had catering, a DJ and people putting up decorations by the time Emily got home. Gloria came running down the stairs in her undergarments.

"What did you get me?" She babbled. Her hair was half curled and in clips. Gloria jumped from foot to foot waiting. Shit, Emily thought. She completely forgot.

"Ah...it's a surprise Glor." She faked a smile, then after Gloria left she dialled Reid.

"Is that Star Trek in the background?" She asked him first.

"Maybe. Did you know that-"

"I need your help. I forgot to buy a present for Gloria. Can you run to ah....?" She tried to think of a good gift. "Sephora in Georgetown and pick up a gift bag? Please Spencer?" She did not have the time, and Reid lived right near there.

"I don't know Emily. I'm not that comfortable going in there."

"I promise I'll make it up to you. She can't see me leave. Just bring it when you come."

"I wasn't planning on going."

"You're the only one." She knew Rossi was even going. "Please Spence!" He finally conceded. When she finished getting ready, people were already arriving.

*~*

Emily greeted the guests at the door. She was thankful that no one asked how she was feeling; it was all about the party. A lot of younger people came first, dropping off a ton of presents. Reid showed up with her gift and she directed him to the dining room where they were being dropped off. Emily introduced him to Gloria.

The ever excited Gloria through her arms around and made him sputter. It was just Gloria's way. And it was entertaining to Reid flush deep red.

"It's so nice to meet you!" She exclaimed happily. Gloria wrapped her arm around his and led him into the Great room where the alcohol was being served. Emily briefly hoped Reid wouldn't become Gloria's next victim. But more people were coming. More of people she didn't know. Music began playing as the house filled. Emily was helping with the catering when Rossi tapped her on the shoulder.

"Good evening." He said handing her a bottle of wine. It was one of her favourites. Then she realized Hotch was behind him.

*~*

Hotch was no sure what he was doing here. Dave could be to blame but he secretly wanted to go just to see Emily. She had ignored him far too long. She looked particularly pretty tonight. The black dress she wore fitted her perfectly and he could be staring at her too much.

"Do you guys want a drink?" She asked.

"How about a Scotch?" Dave asked. Hotch just shrug. He really did not trust himself to speak. He continued to do strange things like randomly send her flowers or drive past her house hoping for a glimpse. But everything he sent her the flowers she perked up a bit and seemed happier the next day. He knew she was keeping the notes he never signed. He had seen them on her desk.

"Here. See you around." She gave them their drinks and then disappeared into the crowd.

"Big party." Rossi commented as they stepped outside onto the terrace. "So how's Hayley? She hasn't reconciled the divorce yet?"

Hotch took a swig before he answered. "No. It will happen. She sold the house last week. I have a month to move." He said bitterly.

"Too bad. I figured if anyone could do it; you could." Rossi said. Hotch downed the rest of the drink. That cheered him up. At least he wasn't stuck in the office. They got another round of drinks.

"Oh Hello." Hotch had to do a double take at this woman. She smiled like Emily, had the same eyes, nose, chin and her hair curled the same. But she was a little shorter and was glowing radiantly. This woman wore a fantastic blue dress that was very low.

"Hello." He breathed. This woman smiled brilliantly up at him, inching closer.

"I'm the Birthday girl." She told him.

"Your Emily's cousin?" That could be bad. And uncomfortable.

"Yes. I'm Gloria." She tilted her head. "Who are you?" She asked.

"Aaron Hotchner." He finished the second drink. "I am Emily's boss. This is..." Dave had disappeared. He turned back to her.

"Cool." She slowly walked back out onto the terrace that was deserted. He followed. She perched herself on the stone bar. If he couldn't have Emily...

"So you do the same thing as Emily?" She asked. They were now the same height.

"Yes, I'm the Unit Chief." Gloria was getting even closer to him. He took another drink. He had very confusing feelings pass. Gloria looked so much like Emily; yet she was incredibly young.

"How old are you?" He found himself asking.

"29." That was ten years difference. That wasn't too much was it?

"Are you married?" She asked back, taking a drink of his drink. She waved to a waiter to bring them more.

"No, well, I'm going through a divorce." Her eyes seemed to brighten even more.

"How sad." She gave a sad look and gripped his arm, only to pull him closer.

Would it be so bad if just let go and...

*~*

"Ack.." Hotch moaned, burying his face deeper in the fluffy pillow. He woke with pounding pain in his head. What the hell did he do last night?

He froze when he heard someone shift beside him in his bed. But wait- this wasn't his bed. His bedroom was navy blue and this one was...pink. The light hurt his eyes so he had to close them again. Oh god, this could not be good. It wasn't. Especially when he realized he wasn't wearing clothes. How did he become so irresponsible! And who was his bed partner? He was afraid to look. They shifted again. Could he just slip out...his pants were on the floor. He moved to get them but then felt warm hands on his back. He turned back and saw the Emily.

Or at least, her doppelganger. Before he could make some excuse to leave they heard someone cough by the door. He turned and saw the real Emily. Leaning against the doorway and looking very angry.

*~*

I love putting Hotch in uncomfortable positions! What's going to happen next? Keep reading to find out! And please review. I will update very soon.