A/N – Thanks to everyone who is still reading, reviewing and enjoying this story, hopefully I'll be able to wrap it up before Christmas!

Chapter 16 – Reality –

Monday Morning

Emily had managed to drop Kate off at school, even though the young girl had been extremely reluctant and Emily had ended up carrying her into the classroom before she then explained to Kate's teacher what had happened over the weekend. As Emily parked her Mercedes at Quantico she suddenly felt relieved to be back at work, she had spent the majority of the night trying to compartmentalise her feelings and at least now she had the distraction of work to help her. Emily walked into the bullpen and quickly sat down at her desk, she glanced and smiled at Morgan and Reid who were both already in and working, Morgan grinned back as he shuffled his paperwork along his desk.

"Morning Prentiss, bit late this morning, I had to get my own coffee today!"

"Yeah well sorry about that Morgan, I thought that maybe for a change you could get me one!"

Morgan laughed as he saw the look of relief on Emily's face that she could find normality for a short while.

"Ok I suppose that I can manage that!"

"Prentiss can I see you in my office please?"

Hotch appeared on the balcony and looked down on his team.

"Oh no the big boss man wants to see you, must be trouble Emily!"

"Shut up Morgan!"

Emily playfully shoved Morgan as he walked past her before she stood up and made her way up to Hotch's office.

As Emily entered the office she saw that JJ was already there sitting on the couch, holding a file in her hand. Emily closed the door behind her and sat down next to her friend as Hotch pulled up a chair opposite them.

"I'm sorry about the trial Prentiss, none of us were expecting that, we thought we left Pittsburgh PD enough to get a confession and plenty of evidence so that nobody would need to return."

"I know Sir, I can handle going back as I know the rest of the team can but Kate...hell no I was not expecting that!"

Emily's voice instinctively rose as she spoke and JJ reached across and rested her hand on her friend's arm.

"I think that JJ may have found the explanation."

Emily brought her head up and looked at JJ, her eyes begging JJ to tell her what was going on.

"I spent the weekend speaking to all my contacts I thought of that could help me find out a bit more about Richard Silkman, the Pittsburgh DA. He was re-elected last year after a hard fought campaign, he focused on cutting drug use and gang related crime. He actively courts publicity and several of my contacts believe that he wants to run for Governor next year and that he sees this case as giving him the coverage he needs to launch his election campaign. He is married with three kids, the perfect family man and the perfect politician."

JJ stopped and passed Emily the file, watching as the brunette flicked through it.

"So we are just going to be pawns in his game. God Hotch you know how much I hate politics, this is exactly why!"

"I'm sorry Emily. I am going to speak to Silkman this morning to see exactly what his plans are and to see if I can persuade him to go about this in a different way."

JJ took the file back from Emily and passed it across to Hotch before she looked at Emily once again.

"Oh and Garcia is pouring through his financials and everything else that has been recorded about him to see what she can find out."

Emily failed to stifle a small chuckle as the thought of Garcia angrily working away came into her mind.

"I will totally understand if you want to take a few days off Emily."

"I'm fine Hotch, it will help to be here, if I'm not I will only be at home thinking about what is going to happen. Is that all?"

Hotch waved his hand as JJ and Emily stood up and walked out of the office together, but Emily put her hand on JJ's arm as they stopped at the top of the stairs.

"So that's what you came in for on Saturday?"

JJ smiled at her friend as she nodded.

"Yes, I thought it was the best thing to do to help."

"Thank you JJ."

"No worries Em, come on let's get to work."

Emily engrossed herself into her paperwork, catching up on the never decreasing pile, luckily for her Morgan and Reid had sensed her mood had changed and had left her to her own devices. Eventually Emily lifted her head up and blinked her eyes several times, she craned her neck and looked at the clock, seeing that it had already past lunch Emily decided to get up and get herself a cup of coffee. As she stood up and stretched her legs Emily glanced up towards Hotch's office, he had been on the phone for most of the day and had yet to update her on any progress so she knew that it didn't bode well for her. Without another thought Emily turned and walked towards the break area, concentrating hard on making her coffee she didn't notice JJ approach her until she heard her voice.

"Hey."

Emily turned quickly, spilling some milk on the counter which immediately made her cheeks turn red.

"Oh hi JJ, sorry I didn't hear you coming!"

"Yeah I guessed that, here let me."

JJ reached across and quickly grabbed a paper towel and wiped up the spilt milk.

"Is there any news?"

Emily picked up her mug and held it tightly, needing to hold onto something firm as she waited for JJ.

"Some. Hotch has managed to persuade Silkman that the team don't have to give evidence but he is completely fixated on having you and Kate there, he is determined to garner as much publicity as possible."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry Em, Hotch has tried but he can't sway him."

Emily just shrugged her shoulders as she patted JJ on the arm before she took her coffee and walked back to her desk, determined to try and concentrate on her work once again.