A/N: The penultimate chapter! Big finale will come next time! It's insane I've written so much, I tend to start stories and never finish them but all of your support throughout this story has pushed me to finish it, so thank you because this story has been fun to write and your reviews always make me want to continue. I apologise yet again for the delay, I won't bore you all with the details… Enjoy!

It had been a couple of weeks since Emily had finally accepted that Taylor didn't blame her at all for the kidnapping and subsequent beatings, and Emily could finally walk around fairly steadily with a smile on her face, thankful that she was even alive. She didn't have to take her pain meds quite so regularly and she felt like she was actually ready to move on with her life.

Emily sent a quick text to Taylor to tell her she made it fine and pushed open the door to the coffee shop. Straight away she spotted her two friends waving her over, I mean, how could she miss Garcia's typically bright attire?

'There's my crime fighting badass superhero!' Penelope exclaimed jumping up out of her seat to envelope Emily in a bone-crushing hug before she could even say as much as a hello.

'Hi Pen' Emily smiled widely over Garcia's shoulder at JJ and gave a slight wave towards her from behind her overly-enthusiastic friend's back, gaining a smile and 'hey' back.

Taking her seat in the only empty seat at the table, Emily noticed her usual order sitting waiting for her, causing her to smile widely 'so…'

'How're you?' Garcia gushed out almost instantaneously

'Pen…' JJ murmured as she elbowed her friend in the side

'Hey it's fine Jayje. I'm doing better I promise Pen… Really good actually' she smiled to herself thinking about how good things had been with Taylor recently.

JJ instantly caught onto the smile and her own face broke out into a sly smile 'I know that look! Someone's been getting laid…' JJ emphasised the final word as she raised her eyebrows

'I…' Emily looked at the twin grins facing her and sighed '…can't deny it…'

'I knew it! Okay, so things are really good there then?' JJ asked, genuinely concerned at how her friends relationship was healing.

'Yeah, it took me a while to accept everything that happened, and yes I'll admit I blamed myself for getting Taylor hurt-' Penelope went to interrupt, jumping at the chance to prove the little voice in Emily's head wrong, before she was silenced by Emily's continued speech. '-But Taylor managed to get through to me and I guess the guilt's going away now' Emily shrugged.

'Well we're glad to hear it. Seriously Em' JJ briefly squeezed her friend's hand before taking another sip of her coffee.

'Yeah, plus we love Taylor so losing her would be a big mistake' Penelope winked at her now blushing brunette friend.

'Well I'll be sure to let her know she has your approval' Emily deadpanned causing them all to laugh

'Speaking of my other favourite sexy brunette lady, when is she going to be officially initiated into the BAU family?'

Emily glanced at JJ, scared that the blonde may have spilled her hopes of getting married to her girlfriend to Penelope, the one person whose enthusiasm could possibly border on dangerous. Seeing the subtle shake of JJ's head, Emily smiled at Penelope, basically admitting defeat, bracing herself for the oncoming squeals. 'Well when's the next family dinner?'

'Taylor! How're you getting on in there!?' Emily shouted to her girlfriend through the bathroom door while she finished adjusting her hair and checking her make up. They were going to be so late and she just knew what her best friends' assumption would be. 'Tay! Seriously we're gonna be late and they'll assume we're too busy fucking to get there on time!'

'Okay okay keep your panties on, I'm ready now' Taylor walked out of the bathroom, her own hair and make up immaculate as was to be expected; clad only in her underwear. Emily stood frozen, her mouth slightly open as she watched her girlfriend pair some killer heels with her matching lacy black underwear.

'We could be late for that reason you know' she managed to formulate as she watched mesmerised while Taylor found the dress she was wearing for the night.

Taylor smiled to herself before turning to face Emily, knowing full well that her attire was having the desired effect she wanted it to have – despite the scars from their ordeal, she knew undoubtedly that Emily still found her extremely sexy. She walked with a purpose over to her girlfriend, before slipping her dress on, inches away from Emily.

'Now we wouldn't want to be late would we?' She turned for Emily to zip her up. Once she felt the shaky hand do its job she walked behind her girlfriend and whispered as seductively as she could in her ear 'Anyway, I just wanted you to see what you will be fucking later.'

Smiling to herself at the sound that Emily allowed to escape from her throat, Taylor retrieved her purse off the dressing table and shouted over her shoulder as she descended the stairs 'C'mon Em! Jennifer and Penelope are waiting! Wouldn't want them to assume we're too busy fucking to get there on time now would we!?'

'Sorry we're late!' Emily gave JJ and Garcia her best apology smile as she led her girlfriend over to her two best friends.

'Mm hm' Garcia smiled knowingly and Emily groaned.

'I guess I should point out we're late because I was too long in the shower, not because "we were too busy fucking to get here on time"' Taylor laughed at Emily's discomfort, causing JJ and Garcia to laugh loudly at her first comment to them. 'Just to clarify, because you know Em here was scared that would be your first assumption'

'Well, to be fair she would be right' Garcia grinned, winking at Emily, causing her to just roll her eyes and take a seat at the table in the classy bar.

'Hi, I'm Penelope Garcia' she held her hand out to Taylor

'Hi Penelope, it's good to officially meet you' Taylor smiled taking her hand, gaining a grin from Garcia in return

'And you're Jennifer, right?' JJ nodded 'It's good to meet you… in better circumstances' Taylor added regarding their first meeting.

'I hear that!' JJ shook her hand too 'just so you know, the family calls me JJ, and you're a part of it now' she gave Taylor a warm smile.

'I'll remember that then JJ' Taylor smiled back; relaxing at how welcoming Emily's friends were.

'So know we all know each other' Emily interjected 'what's the deal with this place guys' she laughed

'Well excuse us for wanting to meet your girlfriend in a civilised environment!' Garcia defended their out-of-character choice of venue, what with the soft jazz playing in the background.

'She came to meet you guys not my mother's friends' Emily and Taylor laughed as Garcia and JJ tried to defend themselves.

'Should we go to our usual place then?' JJ managed to get out through her laughter

'Well I didn't dress up for nothing!'

With them all agreed Emily grabbed Taylor's hand and led her into the unknown with her best friends.

Oh God what have I let myself into? Taylor thought to herself due to the sly smile Emily was giving her.

'Here we are'

The four women exited the cab and headed towards a dingy metal door in the side of an old brick building, the soft dull thump of music escaping slightly each time it opened.

'And where exactly is here?' Taylor questioned sceptically.

'You're gonna love it!' Garcia exclaimed before pulling JJ inside.

'C'mon Doctor Williams, or are you scared?' Emily teased her girlfriend, before leaning in to whisper seriously in her ear 'I won't let anything happen'

Taylor smiled 'I know I trust you' she squeezed her girlfriend's hand, her heart beating that little bit faster at the thought of how much her girlfriend truly loved her. She took a deep breath and followed Emily into the frankly shady looking building.

The air was thick with heat; the strobe lighting a stark contrast to how dark the club was in general, and Taylor didn't even want to think about the potential damage to her hearing the loud music was causing. But to be perfectly honest none of that was overly bothering her as she reflected on how much fun she was having as she smiled, taking a sip from her drink whist she watched Emily and Penelope on the dance floor. She hadn't seen Emily laugh like that with anyone other than her in a while, and it felt good to see her opening up to everyone else that mattered to her again.

'Hey sorry about that, thanks for watching my stuff' JJ smiled as she returned from the bathroom, having to shout into Taylor's ear in order for her to remotely hear her.

'Don't worry about it!' Taylor shouted back

'Go dance! Pen will leave you two alone!' JJ winked at her new found friend

'It sucks you know me that well already!' Taylor winked back before sauntering towards her woman; determined to re-establish Emily's desire for the nights… activities.

Garcia saw Taylor coming from her peripheral vision, and before she could even get halfway to the dance floor, she began her exit, leaving Emily confused until she turned in the direction Garcia left and saw her one and only approaching. She knew from the look on Taylor's face how this was going to go and she was only too willing to comply. Their dance got hot and heavy fast, both oblivious to the knowing smiles from the sidelines.

'I'm really glad you got there in time Jayje' Garcia didn't need to explain what she was referencing for JJ to understand.

Without taking her eyes off of her favourite couple, JJ smiled wider seeing Emily kissing Taylor without caring who saw. 'I'm glad too Pen, I've never seen her happier'

Emily rolled over; the sensations of cool, sun kissed air on her naked skin, and the aroma of coffee hit her before she'd even opened her eyes.

'Morning' she could hear the smile in Taylor's voice and sure enough when she opened her eyes, there it was

'Good morning' Emily looked her girlfriend up and down and silently thanked God yet again that such a beautiful woman would ever want her.

'Coffee's on the night stand' Taylor pointed to behind Emily but her girlfriend made no moves to roll over and get it

'Come here' Emily pulled her down until they were lying forehead to forehead before capturing her lips for a short but sweet kiss. 'I love you' she murmured just enjoying the quiet moment they were in no means used to.

'I love you too baby, but you need to get your ass up' and just like that Taylor was up and heading to the bathroom, just stopping to grab some underwear.

Groaning Emily reached for her coffee and watched her naked girlfriend from across the room. 'Why?'

'Have you seriously forgotten or are you just vying for more of last night's activities?'

'I have seriously forgotten. Although while you're on the subject-'

'We're having lunch with your team at one'

'Shit' Emily said, noticing the time

'Yeah so get up please because unlike JJ and Penelope I kind of don't want your whole team jumping to dirty conclusions okay?'

'Hey. You know they'll love you no matter what right? I've already been told how you're "a keeper" and "how did you pull her?" and "she's amazing" so don't be worried, you're already in with them'

'I'm still nervous though'

'Come here' Emily patted the bed next to her and waited for her girlfriend to come and sit. 'What's going on in that head of yours' she kissed her forehead

Sighing, Taylor finally met Emily's eyes. 'Okay look. Were you not nervous about meeting my mom for the first time?'

'Um yeah, I was scared shitless. I don't get why that's relevant though-'

'Okay hear me out. Your mom is… your mom. I've never had to deal with this. …Your team, they're your family. You've said it a million times and I can tell just by the way they accepted us straight away no questions asked, but this is the same thing as you meeting my mom. These are the people who are completely on your side and want what's best for you and will fight anyone who hurts you. I get that they like me, which does help, but it doesn't mean that I'm any less scared shitless.'

Emily didn't say anything she merely captured Taylor's lips for a long, heated kiss. 'I love you. They love you. The rest we'll get through and I'll be right there with you'

'I love you too' Taylor kissed Emily once more before heading back towards the bathroom for her shower. She glanced around one last time 'But please get up because I swear to God if we are late it's no sex for you for a month.' She let the statement hang and disappeared into the bathroom.

Damn. Emily thought to herself. Smiling, she got up and began to get dressed. Once she was fully clothed she turned her ear towards the bathroom to hear if the shower was still running.

Satisfied it was, Emily headed into her closet and reached to just the right spot on the top shelf. Pulling what she wanted free, she opened it in her hands. Grinning to herself, Emily knew it was nearly time for her to finally get this ring on her Taylor's finger.

A/N: And there we have it! Just want to properly apologise for the wait. I got all your reviews etc asking for updates and I just want to thank you all for being so invested in this story and actually caring that there was a delay. I'm sorry for the wait but I hope this was worth it? (Please review; I need my fix just as much as you all do!) Just one chapter left in this one but I have some possible sequels planned out… (Plus a whole bunch of other ideas, so I guarantee once I get past exam time which is coming up soon you'll get a whole load of new stories.) Thanks again for reading, sorry again for the wait, and once again here's me shamelessly asking for reviews…;)