Emily Prentiss didn't have the best upbringing, from the outside she had everything. The large home, lavish holiday's and a world class education but in reality it was cold and lonely. Her mother was distant and she raised by nannies and household staff. Emily had been forced to grow up fast, not necessarily because anything bad had happened but when you're an only child with limited friends you tend to learn to fend for yourself.
Being the daughter of an ambassador meant that there were certain expectations. Sit up straight. Don't slouch. TV should be educational. Her spare time was filled with piano, ballet and language lessons, all the hobbies of an educated lady according to Elizabeth Prentiss. It didn't help that they travelled so much, Emily had learnt from a young age that it was just easier to not make friends as she would end up moving away anyway, she came to learn that the only friends she had were books and that was a love she carried into her adult hood.
She had worked through the issues with her mother now… mostly. Their relationship was strained at best but Emily was okay with that, she had worked hard to get where she was and in some cases worked harder then most other agents. Ir was important to Emily that she became a good, successful agent on her own and not by using her mothers name. She felt like she had more to prove.
She had been with the BAU for almost a year now and was finally starting to feel like she belonged somewhere, she was making friends and she really did feel settled. Sure there was still allot they didn't know about her and at times she was still reserved but she was trying, everyone made her feel welcome. She loved Derek like the brother she never had, he had her back in the field and she had his, he practiced sparing with her and they spent time on the shooting range too, Reid was like the little brother she never had. They shared a love of books, played chess and she would often let him fill her head with facts on just about any topic. The one relationship that did surprise her was Rosie, for some reason which she was yet to discover, he had taken a liking to her. He really looked out for her and she was becoming to see him as a father figure in her life.
Of course, there was also the ladies. JJ brightened her world the moment she introduced herself, Emily knew from the first second she was a goner. JJ was smart, caring and not to mention beautiful. Garcia was bright, fun and a literal ray of sunshine if you asked Emily it was actual Garcia that had introduced Emily to this concept… healing the inner child. Of course, it wasn't totally new to the profiler. Emily knew what it was she had just never done it before meeting Garcia, they saw so much darkness and evil on a day to day that Garcia filled her bat cave with novelty pens, mugs and kitten pictures.
It was that mind set that had led Emily ordering 3 mini brand Disney capsules after one to many glasses of wine. The minute she pressed order she scoffed to herself, her mother would he horrified. She never would have been allowed toys like this as a child but Emily smiled as she thought she didn't care. She was an adult. They came the following day and at first she cringed a little, carrying the package to her sofa giving Sergio a little scratch on the head as she got comfy to open her first pod.
Emily had kind of forgotten about it until she entered the bull pen a week later to find a certain media liaison sat in her chair going through Emily's bottom draw, she didn't make a habit of going through her colleagues personal stuff but JJ happened to know Emily kept her snacks in the bottom draw and was often raiding it, Emily normally just happened to have the younger women's favourite snacks. Something she would swear blind was nothing more then a coincidence.
"Hay em!" JJ smiled up at her "you need to restock your supply"
"Gee I wonder why" Emily raised an eyebrow with an amused grin as the younger women popped a lollipop in her mouth
"Emily… why do you have a little box of miniature Disney toys in your draw?" She tilted her head curiously.
"Uh…" Emily faltered suddenly glad the rest of the team hadn't joined them yet "well I… I don't… don't know" it was a bad lie and she knew it "anyway why are you raising my snacks again you have your own"
This time, it was JJs turn to raise her eyebrow as she noticed the older women's attempt at changing the subject. JJ may not have been a profiler but she certainly knew when her friend was lying and for some reason, embarrassed.
"Well I like them" JJ shrugged "they're cute" she flashed that god damn smile that had Emily weak at the knees "I really liked the little mermaid" she spoke as she closed the draw and got up, perching on the edge of Emily's desk to allow the other women to sit at her own desk.
Letting out a soft sigh Emily sat, "didn't see a Disney film till recently. My mother Umm… didn't t like them. Didn't think they were educational enough" she rolled her eyes "anyway… Penelope said something about how it's important to heal our inner child so uhh… I may have ordered them for myself. My mother would hate it and I'd had almost a full bottle of wine" she chuckled nervously, realistically, she knew the other agent wouldn't judge but she was still embarrassed about being caught with some toys.
JJ listened carefully then smiled, "well I like it… although I can't believe you didn't see a Disney film to recently and now I know what the next theme for girls night will be" she pushed of the desk with a smiled leaving Emily sat there feeling embarrassed. A part of her knee she had no reason to be embarrassed, she was a grown adult who could do what she wanted with her own money but still.
Emily was grateful when JJ didn't mention it again, she knew the blonde would never mock her for it but it was still something she felt a little embarrassed about so the doubt was there. Later the same day they had been sent to New York on a case that ended up keeping them there for just under a week and they were all exhausted. Emily was especially exhausted after taking a decent blow to the head by the unsub whilst apprehending him.
On the jet home, Emily was sat in her usual seat, head against the cool window as she watched the night sky around them, Reid was fast asleep on the sofa with Morgan Hotch and Rossi sleeping on the other side too. The brunette flashed a soft smile as JJ settled opposite her.
"How're you feeling?" She spoke softly careful not to wake the others.
"Like I got hit by a 2x4" Emily chuckled and shrugged. Always the badass.
JJ simply nodded and checked everyone was still asleep before placing a mini brand pod on the table in front of Emily "umm Garcia made me promise to visit the Disney store before we left and I saw this and thought of you" she smiled sweetly "I'm sorry no one was there for little Emily when she needed it but I'm here now" she offered gently before squeezing the older agents hand.
Emily looked at her, a mix of shock and adoration as she felt her self tear up "JJ I-"
The blonde held her hand up "it's fine. I've always got you Emily. Always" she smiled and curled up with her trusty blue blanket.
It was at that point that Emily realised she really had found her family.