A/N – sorry if there are any mistakes in this chapter, am taking a few liberties with the adoption process and also if there are any editing mistakes then sorry but got knocked off my bike this morning on the way to work so just posting this as it was written...

Chapter 17 – Becoming –

Three weeks later -

Emily woke to her alarm ringing loudly, as usual she was laying on her side with her arm draping over Kate who had come in during the night looking for comfort and Emily had been more than welcoming. Scrunching up her face she tried to blank out the noise Emily pulled up the duvet further over her head but found that she had a fight on her hands as Kate started climbing over her grabbing the cover as she did and finally achieved her aim of turning the alarm off.

"You can't keep ignoring it mom!"

"Why not?"

Emily grinned from under the covers as she felt the nine year old start to crawl down beside her.

"I take it you know what day it is?"

"Thursday."

Emily failed to stifle a laugh as Kate playfully shoved her on the arm, giving up on the game she pulled her body up the bed once again as she rested her head onto the pillow and waited for Kate to join her, knowing that the smile on her face would put the girl at ease.

"I haven't forgotten Kate, how could I?"

"So you're not going to change your mind?"

Kate leant on her elbow and the self-doubt that had been evident as long as Emily had known her was back again, Emily reached across and pulled Kate towards her so that Kate's head rested on her shoulder.

"Of course not munchkin, you're here to stay now and today is only going to confirm that. After I completed all of that paperwork, come on Kate you know how much I hate paperwork, there is no way I am not going through with this."

"I know mom, I'm sorry it just feels..."

"Weird, strange? If you feel at all uncomfortable then now is the time to say so, I know that this is a big step, for both of us."

Emily looked seriously at Kate as the girl thought carefully.

"No it's ok, just nerves I guess, are there going to be a lot of people there today?"

Kate blinked her eyes, her long lashes tickling against Emily's neck as she spoke.

"Well Grandma will be there, as well as everyone from the team, the woman from Social Services that came round the other week and the lawyers."

"I suppose that I'd better get dressed then."

Emily pulled Kate gently towards her and kissed her on the head before she smiled softly.

"Yes I don't suppose my mother would be impressed if we turned up late to your adoption hearing."

Emily stood in the kitchen making pancakes whilst she waited for Kate to come down and join her, the adoption process had been fast-tracked thanks to her connections, but she had had to go through the same vetting process as everyone else and thankfully it had gone off without too much trouble, with them agreeing that her mother and Garcia were suitable guardians when she was called away for work. Emily sniggered at the memory when she had told JJ and Morgan about Garcia being called 'suitable', their expressions had told the whole story. A knock at the door shook her out of her reverie as she wandered over, confused as she was not expecting anyone but a smile soon crept across her face as she saw who was waiting on the other side, quickly Emily opened the door and stood aside as JJ walked in shaking her head as she did.

"Nice outfit, I'm sure the judge will approve!"

JJ grinned as she looked at Emily who was wearing a FBI sweatshirt and a pair of faded jeans.

"Yes well, I haven't had a chance to get dressed yet, I was concentrating on preparing breakfast and I wasn't exactly expecting company!"

Emily wandered back into the kitchen, quickly flipping the pancake before it burnt beyond recognition, once that was done she reached and picked up a fresh mug, filling it up with coffee before she passed it across to JJ.

"Thanks, I thought that you might like a little support!"

"You know that you are always welcome here JJ, and I know that Kate will be pleased to see you, it's a big day for her."

"And for you Em."

JJ smiled as she put a comforting hand on her friend's arm.

"Aunt Jen!"

Kate squealed in delight as she saw JJ standing in the kitchen, quickly running around to her and throwing her arms around JJ's waist.

"Morning Kate, how are you?"

"Good thanks, how come you're here?"

"Well the smell of pancakes was too much, plus I wanted to see you and Emily. It was a good job too, for a minute there I thought that Emily was going to court dressed like that!"

"Ok I get the hint JJ I'm going up! Help yourself to pancakes munchkin."

Emily stopped to kiss Kate on the head before she walked up the stairs.

"Mom says that everyone is going to be at court today."

Kate moved a couple of pancakes onto her plate as she jumped onto the stool next to JJ who had already started to eagerly tuck in.

"Of course, we're all really happy for you and Emily. Are you nervous?"

"A little bit, but excited too, it's nice to have something good happen for a change."

Kate lifted her eyes up and looked at JJ who reached over and tucked a stray piece of hair behind Kate's ear.

"I know sweetie, nobody has forgotten what is ahead for the both of you, and we just want you to be happy and safe."

"Thank you Aunt Jen."

Kate smiled as JJ tried to pinch another pancake from her plate.

Kate held the envelope tight in her hand as she sat at the table, inside was the piece of paper that showed her legal name now to be Katherine Stanley Prentiss and her legal guardian was Emily Elizabeth Prentiss. Hotch had insisted on everyone going out to celebrate and they had headed to a nearby Italian restaurant. Kate looked around the table, she had sat in between Emily and Garcia, and she was pleased to see how relaxed and happy everyone looked. Kate leant over and rested her head on Emily's arm, instantly causing her to pull Kate in and rest her arm around the young girl, bending down to whisper softly in her ear.

"Everything ok munchkin?"

Kate nodded her head as she allowed Emily to hold her tightly.

"It went well didn't it?"

"Thanks mom."

"Anytime Kate, you know that."

Emily smiled as she felt Kate move in closer to her, she knew that soon they would have to go to Pittsburgh to testify but for now she wanted to revel in the happiness of the day.