"Finally, we are wed now," Emily said happily, as she danced in her new husband's arms. The wedding ceremony had been short and sweet. Her mother had listened to her for a change. The decorations were very nice, but not overdone and there was enough food ordered for the reception to feed a small army, but considering there were over 400 guests Emily wasn't surprised.

Dave's family was here or at least his parents and grandparents, as they were very fond of Aaron and considered him a son. It was actually very nice to see how close Aaron was to Dave's family. She had a feeling that she would like them very much and wouldn't mind visiting every few years. Dave's family was genuinely warm and welcoming, and so different from her own mother that it practically left her head spinning.

"I know it seems like it's been a long wait, but it's really been just six months since we met, love," Aaron said softly. "I think you getting your memory back, being turned immortal and us being married in that amount of time is pretty good. I was rather anxious to and it did seem like a lot longer than it really was, but that's only because you're reincarnated from my lady love and as for me, well, I've been immortal for a long time now, but it's really only in the last few months that time has seemed to pass awfully slowly. Usually time flies, as if it has wings."

"I suppose that would be true to a man who has lived for centuries, so long as you keep yourself busy," Emily mused quietly, as she and Aaron danced.

The two were talking very softly because there were a lot of other people on the dance floor and they didn't want to be overheard.

"Which isn't that difficult, even today, is there so many things to see and do," Aaron said. "I still love to read for instance as you know. I suspect that my reading will take a backseat to other activities in the near future."

"I'm looking forward to it," Emily giggled kissing him, as the two of them finished their dance.

"So what about some refreshments, my love?" Aaron asked Emily.

"Sounds like a really good idea to me," Emily said her stomach growled. "I guess I didn't eat much breakfast."
"Nervous?"

"No, excited about finally marrying you," Emily promised. "Mom could've been making preparations for the next year, but she did it relatively quickly and I'm grateful. I'm sure that was very frustrating for her to arrange everything for as soon as possible and not wait until next summer or spring to get married."

"Your mother knew that you would elope with me before you allowed her to drag it out, to next year," Aaron suggested. "She knew you wouldn't wait until next spring or summer to tie the knot with me, as she knows very well your feelings towards her, especially after your argument."

"It's a good thing or I would've asked you to elope with only Dave and possibly Penny along, which would've disappointed a lot of people Dave's parents and grandparents for instance, since they're very fond of you."

"Or Taro and his wife," Aaron agreed. "All three parties mentioned would've understood though, once it was explained. Luckily, for your peace of mind, your mother, is very perceptive and intelligent, so likely made the preparations as quickly possible."

"She just didn't want the shame and embarrassment of one of her children eloping," Emily snorted cynically. "She's never listened to me before, so I don't see her starting now. Really, the shame of me eloping is the only reason I can think of for her to arrange everything as fast as possible."

"Or she could have realized that you're a grown up and doesn't need to interfere in your life unless you ask," Aaron suggested. "I mean you're 33, something you will remain the rest of your life now that you are..."

"I know. As for her realizing I've grown up I seriously doubt that. I'm not saying it's not possible, just that it isn't too likely," Emily said doubtfully.

Aaron didn't blame his love for her doubts about her mother's intentions, considering her childhood, which had been lonely at least, but only when the two strong willed women weren't butting heads.

He doubted Emily's childhood had been pleasant or fun. It was probably one command after another from Elizabeth Prentiss, so it had likely been a relief for Emily he was sure, when it was time for her to go to college at 18. Emily had been raised along with her brothers by a nanny and the servants so that could've been lonely indeed.

The two of them loaded their plates with all the goodies that were on the food tables and went to sit at one of the tables to eat in peace.

Suddenly a man sat down beside them without even asking and started asking her opinion on certain candidates for the next election.

"Sir, I don't care who you are. Either my mother didn't warn you that I hate politics and there would be no mention of them to me on this day or you didn't read your invitation that said at the bottom that there would be absolutely no discussion of politics then that's on you. I have never had opinions, as I hate politics with a passion. You will leave or I'll knock you out and have the best man transport you somewhere. So long as you're out of my sight I don't care where you end up."

The man started and protested and Emily glared at him, making him fall silent.

"This is my wedding day, sir. Don't you think is impolite to upset the bride on such a special occasion? I stay out of the political scene. If Aaron, here, had even a smidgen of interest in politics I probably would've turned down his proposal flat, that's how much I hate them," Emily told the man with impatience in her voice.

The man stared at Emily and she refused to look away, until he dropped his eyes.

"I might add that you didn't even bother to introduce yourself, which is rude," Aaron added. "Do you really expect Emily to know who you are? You just sat down and started asking her opinion on certain candidates until she put a stop to it."

"We won't have to worry about if he's rude again," Emily said sweetly, though the smile she shot the interloper was more along the lines of a tiger eyeing it's next meal. "It's already been decided that Aaron and I are going to move away from New York, just as soon as our honeymoon is over. I will never again have to put up with political talk, thank you god. I got enough of that growing up that I lost any taste that I might've had for it. When both parents basically ignore your existence, because they were too busy to pay you any attention that ought to tell you one reason I hate politics. Politics might not have been the only cause, but it's certainly a major factor."

"I thought surely the daughter of Alan Prentiss..." the guy began.

"See that's dangerous," Aaron pointed out. "Making assumptions. Children don't always turn out like their parents, especially when those children are basically ignored until there's an order to be given or they need to be criticized or berated for some minor error. I would think it would be more than understandable why Emily turned out totally different from her mother and father."

"Children need love, affection and understanding, not to be ignored. If you're married if that's the way you treated your children I hope you didn't expect them to turn out like you. Politics are all well and good, but not when it takes the place of things that should be more important ...Your family, especially your children. It's like replacing an emerald with a gem made of sawdust thinking you're getting a better bargain.

"People go after that piece of sawdust instead of seeing the real gem that's in plain sight, the one thing that should be the most important thing in the world...your family," Aaron said. "I suggest you go away before Emily makes good on her threat. She doesn't make threats and not follow through."

"I wanted to elope, but mother promised me that I would not be bothered by idiots who wanted to push their own candidate or just talk about politics. Letting her plan my wedding made her happy and got her out of my hair, but believe me, I would've had no problem eloping and in fact it would have been much easier and less troublesome."

"I'll take it from here," came the voice of David Rossi was the best man.

"I'm glad you're here Dave. I suggest you take this guy back to his wife or at least where he's out of Emily's sight before she really does punch this guy in the mouth," Aaron suggested with an amused quirk of his lips, which Dave returned.

"Well, David Rossi, to the rescue," Emily said amused, her good humor restored.

"I'm sure he was keeping an eye on the situation the whole time and swooped in when it really looked like you were about to hit that guy," Aaron suggested.

"Probably," Emily said. "Dave certainly saved that idiot from being punched in the mouth or the nose, something I don't think he really understood."

"He would've deserved it," Aaron said firmly. "The warning on those invitations is not just a mere suggestion. It's written at the bottom in capital letters so it ought to be obvious to any idiot, that it's just not a mere suggestion."

"I'm sure his wife will take him in hand," Emily smirked. "I'm positive she'll take him by the ear and make him realize what a social faux pass he made. Today is not a day to push any political agendas. I don't really care if he talks about politics with other people just not with me. People who are interested in politics are welcome to talk about it, even on such a festive occasion, to their hearts content, but as for me, if I never hear about politics again..."

"It'll be too soon," Aaron finished.

"Exactly," Emily grinned at him kissing him on the cheek. "I'm so happy that we met again."

"So am I," Aaron promised with a nearly blinding smile.

~~~Criminal Minds~~~

"Would she really have punched me?" the man asked, as Dave escorted him away from Emily and Aaron.

"You mean Emily?" Dave asked.

"Yes, who else could I mean?" the man asked a little bit impatiently.

"Yeah, she would have. She hates politics, with reason to do so," Dave explained. "From what I saw you didn't even bother to introduce yourself, which would have been the polite thing to do. I'm sure you thought that Emily would know who you were, but it's rude not to introduce yourself whether or not you know who she is, you can't just assume that someone knows who you are as well. Making assumptions is a way to make mistakes. From the way I understand it she doesn't even listen to politics if she can help it, that's how much she hates them. I'm sure you thought of her marriage had been arranged, just because that's the way it's done more often than not in political circles."

The man had to admit that was true he had made a lot of assumptions, ones that mostly turned out to be incorrect apparently.

"She made a comparison to replacing an actual gem with sawdust," The man said thoughtfully.

"That sounds like Emily actually," Dave said.

"How long have you known her?"

"About as long as Aaron has actually," Dave shrugged. "Aaron and I have been best friends for a long time and I met her at the same time he did, at a concert in the park. Aaron and Emily immediately got along like a house on fire, and started dating within a few days. The rest, as they say is history."

"She is nothing like her father," the man said.

"She probably has some of his traits and the fact that she doesn't love politics, doesn't mean anything. I'm sure Emily told you how both parents basically ignored her and her brothers, so somebody with Emily brains and determination would be determined to turn out differently, instead of being sucked into the world of politics, which would've made her unhappy at least. Parents who don't pay attention to their children a lot of times, are surprised when they turn out totally differently from what that parent expects. It's not like the people that they share DNA with had any influence or at least not much, so it really shouldn't be so surprising."

"I suppose so," the man admitted.

"I mean think about it. Neither parent was likely there when any of their children were sick, I mean really sick, not just a cold, they likely never praised them for good grades, or for any other accomplishment no matter how major, so can you really blame Emily for hating politics? The way she likely sees it is that politics is a large reason why her parents never had time for her. From the way I understand it her parents basically left her and her brothers in the hands of the servants. They never tried to forge any kind of relationship with Emily and probably not with her brothers either. It is up to the parents as to how close to their children they want to be, and so many choose to be selfish. They choose work or some other commitment instead of spending time with whatever children they have. I can understand working all the time if you're trying to provide for your family, but not when you are well off, like the Prentisses."

"Yes, I see what you mean," the man said thoughtfully never having thought about it in that way. "I do have a slightly better relationship with my own children, but not much better then Emily has with her mother and likely her father before he died."

"I don't even know your name but you know mine, though I do admit that we were never formally introduced," Dave added.

"I guess I never did introduce myself," the guy said embarrassed. "I'm Daniel Carruthers and I know you're David Rossi."

"That's right," Dave agreed.

"I've never heard of you before, which means you're probably not part a political circles either," The now named Carruthers said.

"No, I'm not, as I don't care for politics and in that way Aaron, Emily and I are well matched. I think it's dirty and dishonest and hurts a lot of people when politicians decide to cut some program, just to supposedly save money not thinking about the people that use it, who need to use it or they talk about raising prices for medicine and people who don't have insurance have no way to go to the doctor or buy medication, because they can't afford to. I know very well a lot of that money goes back into the politicians own pockets."

That was true, Carruthers admitted to himself. A lot of politicians did not care about the people they were hurting when they made decisions, likely never even thought about them.

Dave delivered Carruther's to his wife and told her a short version of what happened.

The last thing Dave heard was the wife scolding her husband and asking him did he really believe that the warning down at the bottom of the invitation was just a suggestion? Did you really think they would've printed invitations with the warning if they weren't serious about no politics being discussed?

Dave snorted in amusement and went on his way to find Penelope, whom he had of course, brought as his date.

~~~Criminal Minds~~~