(Guess who's back. Back again. Sorry about the delay everyone, I started back to school and I've been venturing into the dating world (gasp) but mainly I've been at a huge writer's block. But great news! I have officially vanquished it! I know where this is going and there will be at least two more chapters, and maybe an epilogue. I hope you enjoy Chapter 13, and as always, please review!)

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." Lao Tzu

Emily

I lean back into the cushion of my chair. Around me, the team settles into their places on the plane, trying to get comfortable for the ride back to DC. I can acutely feel the exhaustion in every inch of my bones. We had finally caught the unsub earlier this evening. As we had hypothesized, he was white, late thirties, with more misplaced maternal anger than he knew what to do with. We had taken him down before another family was slaughtered, but only just in the nick of time. My shoulder throbs from where I had helped tackle him to the ground of the Pendergrace family home. I absent mindedly massaged it as I let my eyes inch closed.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I instantly smile, knowing that it's JJ. I open my eyes and pull it out. I'm slightly surprised to find a picture of my mother in law on the screen instead. My stomach cramps with uneasiness. I get along with Sandy of course, but we weren't quite in the habit of chatting on the phone, leading me to believe that something was wrong.

"Prentiss," I say, bringing the phone to my ear.

"Hey Emily, how are you?"

"I'm okay, Sandy. We finally wrapped up the case and are on the plane headed home. How are you?"

She lets out a sigh. "I'm okay, I just… Well, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"O…kay," I respond. I leave my chair, instead moving to sit towards the front of the plane where I'll have more privacy. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure. Or at least, I don't think so. Is… Have you noticed anything different about JJ?"

I pause for a moment, trying to figure out the delicate balance of being truthful with my mother-in-law and not revealing anything my wife wants to keep private. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, it's probably nothing. But on Sunday I drove up for a surprise visit."

"Oh how wonderful! I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"No worries, I understand. I ended up staying Sunday night, Monday night, and leaving yesterday morning. I wanted to stay longer of course, especially since you were out on a case, but I had to get back to work and Jenny assured me that your friend Penelope would take care of her."

I laugh. "Oh yes. Garcia might be the only person on this planet more excited about the baby than we are."

"That's what Jenny said. But while I was there, I noticed hat she was acting a little strangely."

I swallow. "How so?"

"I don't really know how to describe it, and honestly I might be making a mountain out of a molehill, but she's become quite the recluse. We didn't leave the house once. We either cooked our own meals or ordered in. Every time I suggested that we go out and do something, she insisted that we do something else at the house. It's just not like her."

I take in a deep breath. "Did you ask her about it?"

"She insisted that everything was fine, that she just didn't feel like going out."

I drum my fingers on the table, trying to figure out what to say. "Well… she has been a bit more homey since coming into the last trimester. I don't know, the midwife has assured us that everything is progressing okay."

"Has she been acting upset? I know it's none of my business, and I hate to pry, but after everything happened with Ros, it just, it's easy for me to get ahead of myself…" she trails off.

Guilt twists low in my stomach. "I don't think Jayje is depressed," I assure her. "In fact, every time I talk to her she seems even more excited about the baby. I think… I think maybe this is just JJ's way of nesting, I guess. I mean, when she was out in the field we were rarely home for more than a few days at a time, and maybe she just needs to stay close to home in order to feel prepared for the birth."

It's like I can hear the weight being lifted from her shoulders. "You're right. I'm just a crazy old woman, overreacting!" she jokes.

"I'm glad you got to spend some time together, though! I know that she misses you."

"It was really nice! I'm glad I came. But I'll let you go, I know that you're probably exhausted."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later, Sandy."

"Bye Emily. Take care of my little girl for me."

I smile. "I'll try my best."

When I pull into the driveway, I can see that the living room light is on. My heart leaps at the thought that JJ might still be awake. I unlock the door, trying to be quiet in case she fell asleep watching TV.

"Emily?" I hear her call from the kitchen.

"Yeah Jayje, it's me." I lock the door and drop my bag. She comes into the doorway and I can't help the stupid grin that comes to my face. "Hey there beautiful." Because she does look beautiful. Breathtaking, even. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail and she's not wearing any makeup. My Yale tee shirt is stretched across her ever growing belly. She's holding a washcloth and I swear that there has never been a more exquisite sight in the history of mankind.

"Oh please," she says rolling her eyes. She pulls me into a hug. "I am so glad you are home."

I let out a deep sigh, losing myself in her scent. "Me too, I didn't think the case would ever end."

She rubs her hand gently up and down my spine. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I shake my head, burrowing further into her neck. "Nope. I never want to think about it ever again."

"Okay." She rubs my back in silence for a bit longer, then pulls away, leading me to the couch.

"So, your mom visited."

"Yeah, she drove down." Her eyebrows pull together. "Wait how did you know that?"

I smirk at her. "I told you, you can't hide anything from a profiler." She drops her chin, looking at me expectantly. "Do you doubt my skills?" I ask in mock offense, before finally laughing. "She called me."

"Oh. Why?"

"Just to kind of check in, I guess. She's worried."

"Worried? About what?"

"She thinks you won't leave the house."

She suddenly becomes very preoccupied with a spare thread on the couch cushion. "Oh."

"I think I smoothed things over, told her that you're just resting up before the big event."

"Well good."

I pause a moment. "How are you feeling?"

She rubs her tummy. "Good! Still quite a bit of movement from baby, but good. I'm not sleeping as well, but it's okay."

"Well I'm glad, but that's not what I was asking."

She sighs and lifts her eyes to the ceiling, still not meeting my eyes. "I'm fine."

"Did you leave the house at all since I left eight days ago?"

My question is meant with silence.

"JJ."

"No, I didn't. I didn't need to."

"And Garcia didn't find that odd?"

"To her credit, Garcia has a deep appreciation for the art of ordering in."

"Have you… JJ maybe you need to talk to someone about this."

She finally looks at me, letting out a scoff. "Like who, a shrink?"

I shrug, keeping my face and voice gentle. "Maybe. Just so that you can get all of your thoughts sorted out."

"I'm fine, Em. Nothing is wrong."

"You haven't left the house in nearly four weeks."

She rakes her fingers through her hair. "I told you, I just feel more comfortable-"

"-at home, I know." I take a deep breath as I grab her hand. "I know, I've heard you. And I'm just telling you, I think I would be more comfortable if you would talk to someone. Even if it's not about going outside. Maybe just talk to them about the baby, about work, about us, I don't know. I just think it's a good idea." I run my thumb across her knuckles.

"I'll think about it," she whispers.

I lean in and press a kiss onto her lips. "Thank you." She deepens the kiss and places a hand my shoulder and I can't help but flinch at the pressure.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

I roll my eyes. "It's nothing I just slammed my shoulder when taking down the unsub."

She smiles and stands up, offering me her hand. "C'mon Em. Let's go to bed."

(Let me know what you thought!)