DISCLAIMER - I DO NOT OWN CRIMINAL MINDS OR THE CHARACTERS.

AN - All non Criminal Minds characters are my own.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. My muse left me with no clue of what to write next.

Reviews and opinions are always welcome. A big thank you to everyone one who has reviewed this story or put it on alert. I am counting down the days until season 8 starts. Hope we see more of Strauss next season as I think she could become a valued side member of the team. Plus I LOVE Strauss/Rossi. lol

CHAPTER 7 - Emily's decision

"I never thought that Dave would have married again, let alone Strauss." said Emily as she, Reid, Morgan and JJ were packing up to leave later that day.

"I know what you mean. I can't understand why he never mentioned the fact he was married when he rejoined the team." replied JJ as she grabbed her coat and joined the others.

"There is a lot you don't know about their relationship guys. They will tell us everything in due time." said Morgan as he left the others to discuss it further. He didn't want to let slip about the baby so thought it best just to stay out of it. He was happy for David and Erin as they seemed to love each other and that was enough for him.

"What did he mean by that?"

"I don't know Reid but I think he knows something which we don't." replied Emily as they watched Morgan enter the lift.

"You could be right about that" came the voice of Hotch from above them "but I suggest you all go home and think about how you are each going to cope with this news. You need to decide if you can move on from everyone's past actions and see if we can still work as a team." was Hotchs parting words as he went back into his office to finish his mountain of paperwork.

"Well I don't know about you guys but I need a drink. Anyone wanting to join me?"

"No thanks Emily. I'm going home to see my son and to think about all this." replied JJ as she left the office.

"Count me out as well. I need to think about this with a clear head." said Reid as he too followed JJ out.

"Okay. I'll ask PG if she wants to join." thought Emily.

"Hey PG. you fancy a drink?" asked Emily as she walked into her office. "Why are you researching pregnancies?"

"Oh, a friend of mine just found out she's pregnant and I wanted to refresh my knowledge on it as I have volunteered to keep an eye on her when she's at work." replied Penny. "Whoops. Way to keep it in the vault Penelope." she thought.

"That's lovely you care so much about her. She will be very lucky to have someone like you looking out for her."

"Thanks honey. Can I take a rain check? I was planning to soak in the bath with a wonderfully trashy novel tonight as I have been snowed under helping Rossi."

"I thought Rossi left after lunch. Come to think of it, so did Strauss. Did she order you to cover for them?" asked an annoyed Emily. Not even a full day had passed since their relationship had been disclosed and already Strauss was using her position to get the team to do her bidding.

"No. Nothing of the sort." replied Penny as she tried to find a way out of this conversation. "A family emergency came up and they had to leave. I volunteered to help them."

"Oh well as long as you know what your doing. I don't want to see you being used as one of her pawns. It's not fun."

"I promise you I am not being used as anyone's pawn. They asked for my help. You know I can't say no to helping people. Anyway, I think you should go home and think about your next move." replied Penny.

"What do you mean, my next move?"

"From what I have seen today Rossi is very much in love with our Section Chief. You need to decide if you can accept that and move on from everything you have been through with her or if you are going to hold that grudge against her you've got and lose your friendship with Rossi. The way they look at each other makes me think that if Rossi had to choose between Erin and us, I think we would lose." remarked Penny. She needed to get Emily to really see that Rossi and Erin were serious and that her decision would affect the team.

"Really? He'd choose her instead of his family?" asked a puzzled Emily.

"In a heartbeat." replied Penny. "You forget that they have been in each others family longer than he's been in ours. I thought you would have realised that after what was said this morning."

"A lot was said this morning Penny. Most of which I haven't had time to decipher yet."

"They weren't speaking in code Em. They merely explained the circumstance of their marriage and asked us to join in a celebration of THEIR grandsons birth. I think it is so we see the couple, not the facade that they hide behind at work. It would appear that Rossi has already been accepted in the Strauss family if he thinks of the baby as his grandson." remarked Penny. She really hoped Emily could move past her problems with Erin but she knew that Emily could be too stubborn sometimes for her own good.

Realising that she had only seen one side to Rossi and Strauss she decided to make her decision on how they were outside the office. If Erin and her family had truly accepted Dave and cared for him then surely she could do the same in return for Erin. She didn't want to upset the team balance anymore than she already had by not being able to accept Dave's reasons for lying. The rest of the team had just about forgiven her for lying about her fake death. She was just complaining because David appeared to have found his perfect match.

"Fine. I will be civil towards her and I won't decide until after the weekend. Deal?"

"Deal. Now go home and relax. We are still grounded till next week. We can go out after Rossi's little get together as a team and see what everyone thought of the Strauss/Rossi family." suggested Penny.

"I think that's a good idea. Do you think Strauss will realise that we will all be profiling her on Saturday?"

"Probably." replied Penny as she gathered her things and left behind Emily. "I mean she has been married to Rossi for 7 years. He's probably the reason none of you have ever got a good read off of her." laughed Penny.

"You're probably right. She has always had that blank expressionless stare that Hotch and Rossi do so well. I always thought it was something you picked up by being in politics for so long."

"I know I'm right. I'll see you tomorrow and don't over think this." replied Garcia as Emily got into the lift and she went to meet Kevin.

"I promise to try. See you later."

As the rest of the week flew by no one spoke of Erin and David relationship. Profiles were made and sent off as everyone eagerly awaited the weekend.

AN - Hope you've all enjoyed this chapter and don't worry, the next chapter is the barbeque. I hope to have it finished by the end of the week. :)