To confused guest...first off, thank you for your review, and second, to clarify your confusion, there is no actual timeline to this story as to when episode 200 started. (yes, when JJ worked for the State Dept and when she went overseas, it happened in Oct 2010. But since then, nothing else was indicated.)

I hope you will continue to read this regardless. Thank you.

.Thank you to everyone who fave/followed this story!

.Enjoy!

Criminal Minds

Meeting Marcella

Chapter 2

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"Hotch?"

He blinked and realized he was back at the present time, and in the conference room with his team.

"Hotch? Are you okay?" JJ asked him, a worry look on her face.

He blinked his eyes and looked around the room, the concern eyes of his team staring back at him. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's just...it's still a shock."

Earlier, he had introduced the team to the Ambassador and his daughter Marcella to everyone.

Of course, as expected, everyone was surprised, and thankfully, they spared him the embarrassment of the 'how-did-it-happened' part.

JJ and Garcia were over the moon with meeting mini-Em but Marcella, intimidated with meeting so many people at the same time, immediately took refuge behind the Ambassador's imposing body.

Hotch had held his hand up and instructed them to let her settled down and get used to them first and he informed them about Marcella's birth defect.

The team aw'ed and oh'ed as their faces fell, but Alex Blake stepped forward and peeked around and signed with Marcella, introduced herself to the little girl, thereby drawing her shy personality out.

Soon, Blake began to introduce the others to her, with the help of the Ambassador.

"Hotch, she is absolutely gorgeous and so beautiful." Blake smiled as she turned to him.

He nodded proudly as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"She looks just like Emily." JJ smiled widely, Garcia nodded enthusiastically. "Oh she's such a peach!"

Soon, Marcella gave a great big yawn and began to rub her eyes.

Elizabeth smiled, "That's my cue to take her back to the embassy hotel for her nap." She turned to Hotch, "You know how to reach me, Aaron, and please keep me inform." She nodded to the rest and prepared to leave when Hotch stopped her.

"I'll escort you to your car." He turned to his team, "We'll meet in the conference room in half." They nodded before they parted.

Elizabeth walked with Hotch and Marcella, "You didn't have to do this, Aaron. I know the way to my car. But somehow, I think you're not doing this for my benefit, right?" She indicated her granddaughter.

Hotch nodded, "Look who's perceptive?" He smiled.

She smiled, "Marcella can get into your heart."

"I think she has already." He said softly. "I'd like to get to know her more."

"I'd like that for her." She watched him. "I'm sure Emily would like that if she's here." She said.

He nodded, "Are you busy for dinner this evening?" He asked her suddenly. "If it's not too much to ask."

She seemed startled for a moment before she recovered quickly and nodded, "Not at all, we'll be delighted to have you...unless you have somewhere in mind to meet?"

He nodded, "I was wondering if you don't mind, I'd like her to meet my son...her half brother, Jack."

She smiled, "I think Marcella would be thrilled."

As if sensing she was the topic of discussion, Marcella looked up at the adults and held her arms up at Aaron and signed to him, "Hold me, papa."

He didn't need the Ambassador to interpret for him as he bent down and picked her up and held her closely.

She placed her head down on his shoulder trustingly.

Elizabeth smiled, "She's trusting you already."

"I hope it's a good sign." He smiled as he patted her back.

"It's a great sign, Aaron. Marcella does not trust easily, even with her Nanny...it took her a while for her to get used to."

"Her nanny? Where is she?"

"Oh, she's waiting downstairs at the lobby. I hope you don't mind, I just don't want to overwhelm everyone."

"Oh...of course." Hotch said uncertainly. "I take it, Emily has her background investigated?"

Elizabeth laughed, "Yes! Yasmina is a delight and we liked her a lot."

"Yasmina?"

"Yes, Yasmina is British and the youngest daughter of Emily's dear friend, Sinar. She had been working with children who are deaf mutes."

"Sinar?" They were near the bottom of the elevator ride.

Elizabeth nodded as she chuckled, "I know, I haven't the slightest clue how Emily found these people but she vouched for them, and that's enough for me. The story she told me was that, in one of the missions three years ago, she had saved Sinar's life and now, in repayment..." She frowned slightly. "I think that's what she said...I'm not entirely sure but it's one of those Middle Eastern cultures.." she shook her head. "Anyways, all I know is Sinar is forever in Emily's debt, and the only way he could repay this debt is by taking one of his daughters as help mate."

"Help mate?" Hotch repeated. "Ambassador, I hope you're not saying what I'm thinking you're saying."

She looked at him in horror! "Oh no Aaron! Don't you even think about it! You know Emily better than that! Of course she tried to refuse the gesture. But Sinar would not have it, telling her that it would dishonor his family...entire family...for that matter. She explained to him she can't take any of his daughters as anything because it would be illegal in the eyes of our law."

He nodded.

"It was at this time, she found out she was pregnant." She smiled. "So, she found a more diplomatic solution."

Hotch nodded, "She asked him to help her."

She nodded, "Exactly. Sinar was more than delighted. A family debt paid. But Emily insisted that she would also pay for Yasmina's wages."

"Did he accept her condition?"

She sighed and shook her head, "No."

"No? Why not?"

"Family pride, it always boils down to family pride, even though they're not exactly rich. So Emily came up with another plan."

"I knew she would, she always does." He grinned.

"Yes, she does."

"What was the plan?"

"She offered Yasmina a full college scholarship if she worked as an au pair."

Hotch nodded, "That's quite a generous offer."

"It is, and with reluctance, Sinar accepted."

They were walking towards the lobby now and Hotch spotted a young lady about the age of eighteen, sitting by herself who as soon as she saw Elizabeth, stood up.

The Ambassador introduced Yasmina to Hotch.

"How are you, Yasmina."

"I am good, Mr. Hotchner."

Elizabeth turned to her, "It's Agent Hotchner, Yasmina. He's an FBI agent."

Covering her mouth in shock, "Oh my apologies, sir! Please forgive me, Agent Hotchner!"

Hotch shook his head, "It's okay, you can call me Mr. Hotchner."

She nodded shyly, "You are Miss Emily's husband?"

"Well, no...we're not married yet, but who knows? Maybe one day, we might." He and the Ambassador exchanged surprised looks.

Yasmina smiled, "Oh, it's so nice to meet you finally, Agent Hotchner. Miss Emily has mentioned you many times."

"She has?" Hotch smiled. "Well, forgive me, but this is the first time I'm meeting you, and my daughter, Marcella."

She turned to the Ambassador, "I don't understand...? First time?"

Elizabeth nodded, "I'll tell you later, Yasmina, we'll not hold Agent Hotchner any longer, he has a meeting to attend, and we have a sleepy baby."

Yasmina smiled as she looked over to the now asleep Marcella, "Oh...she's sound asleep! This is unusual, she's a hard one to take a nap." She removed the sleeping baby from Hotch's shoulder. He parted with his daughter regretfully.

"Must be all these excitement she's had this morning." Elizabeth said. "Aaron, how about eight this evening, and perhaps we can dine at the restaurant at the embassy hotel? That way, it's close by for Marcella's bedtime."

He nodded, "I like that idea. Eight this evening, Ambassador." He nodded as he began to move away.

"Oh, Aaron?" She called out.

He paused and turned back to her.

"Please, call me Elizabeth." She smiled.

He looked pleased and nodded again, "Thank you, Elizabeth."

…..

End of Chapter 2