AN: This is an AU, so I've changed some characters ages to fit the story better. Even if it is AU there are spoilers for season 5, season 6, and season 10 so far. (I think that covers all of them. If I left a season out let me know.)The Doyle storyline pretty much happened before the story takes place. It'll get explained better throughout the story. Also Rosaline's (JJ's older sister) story line is a little different.

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Character's ages

Declan (5)

Edie (10 months)

Henry (3)

Gwen (23 months)

Rosaline (33)

JJ (28)

Emily (34)

Ashley (23)

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Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any familiar characters. The title comes from the song As It Seems by Lily Kershaw.

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June 2006

Unidentified POV

I watched from my perch on the banister; like I had for everyday for the last few months. Agent Morgan and Dr. Reid both sat at their desks making it seem like they were doing paperwork. Technical Analyst Garcia stood by Morgan's desk in her normal colorful attire. JJ was sitting on the edge of Reid's desk telling them about her plans for Gwen's birthday party. There was a third desk in their cluster that remained empty. If I turned around and peaked through the blinds I would find Agents Hotch and Rossi going over files in his office.

The chatter downstairs was interrupted by Anderson opening the door for a young woman. I didn't realize it was raining until I saw the woman's drenched coat and hair. On her hip, no older than a year, sat a baby with chocolate eyes. For such a young age the eye were alert watching around them. I tried to tell if the baby's hair matched the dark brown of the woman's, but the black coat was shielding my view. The woman's right hand held on tightly to the baby and her left held the hand of the boy next to her. The boy was about five with blonde curly hair and dull blue eyes.

JJ jumped off Reid's desk and smiled at the woman. "How may I help you?"

I watched the woman tighten her grip on the boy's hand. "I'm looking for Agent Rossi."

"His office is up those stairs; the one in the middle," Morgan told her motioning with his pen.

JJ runs her hands down her skirt. "He's having a meeting with another agent at the moment, but I can get him if it's important."

The woman looks down. "Please"

JJ nods and walks up the stairs to Hotch's office. Garcia pulls a chair from the empty desk and motions to it. "Come sit; you look tired."

The woman hesitates but takes the seat. I'm finally able to see the baby has the same dark hair as her mother. Garcia instantly starts cooing over the kids. "You're such a cutie," She then turns to the boy, "and you are a handsome little man." Garcia turns back to Morgan. "I can't believe Henry and Gwen are gonna get this big."

I can't believe they'll get that big either. The little boy looks at Garcia questionably before shyly turning away. Rossi exits the office behind me and shouts before running down the stairs, "Emilia!"

The woman seems almost surprised by the name as she stands up and meets him halfway; the boy trailing after her. Rossi grabs her face and kisses both of her cheeks before engulfing her in a hug. The team is watching them closely; as am I. When Rossi pulls back he eyes the baby and boy questionably. The woman takes a deep breath. "Dad meet your grandchildren: Declan and Edie."

The whole team was shocked, and Garcia let out a tiny squeal. "You haven't been gone that long, have you?" Rossi asked his daughter.

"Declan is as much mine as Edie is," Emily replied.

Rossi smiled and bent down to the boy's level. "Hey"

Declan shook his head and clung to his mother's leg. "It's been very chaotic; he's still adjusting."

Rossi stood back up. "I understand dear." Rossi looked towards the team who were not so secretly starring. He put an arm around the woman. "This is my daughter Emily. Emily this is the team I work with."

"Nice to meet all of you," Emily said with a forced smile. I was use to the practice of forcing smiles, so I knew it wasn't real.

Rossi turned back to his daughter. "Does your mother know you're here?" Emily shook her head no. Rossi started leading them out of the office. "Garcia?"

Garcia was at his service immediately. "Sir?"

"Could you find a blanket and maybe some dry clothes for Emily before we get back?" Rossi asked noticing Emily's jacket was soaked.

Garcia nodded. "Yes, sir."

The rest of the team returned to their work, well they made it look like that's what they were doing. I debated following Rossi and his little family. I decided to give him his privacy, and I went to pay Gwen and Henry a visit at the sitters house.

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Emily's POV

The last 72 hours had been crazy to say the least. I didn't have to return so soon, but I needed something familiar. I needed to be on the side of the pond with my family. Three years was three too many to only have phone calls with them. I did however hate how quickly everything was changing. I was left with no time to process everything. We reached Mom's office too soon for my taste. I handed Edie to Dad. "I want to go in alone," I explained to him. I then bent down to tell Declan the same thing.

I knocked on the door, but didn't wait for an answer. Mom was standing with her back to me putting a book back on her shelf. "Who is-" She stopped when she turned around and saw me.

Much like Dad, she pulled me into a hug. "I've missed you so much," I whispered into her shoulder.

She backed out of the hug and held my shoulders firmly. "Three years is way too long to go with out seeing you."

"I know, but I have a surprise," I said with a hopeful smile. "Dad," I called opening the door.

Mom looked completely shocked when Declan and Edie came into view. "How?"

My face twisted, but I quickly hid it. "Mom meet Declan and Edie."

Dad handed Edie back to me. She was eagerly looking around at her new surroundings. Declan returned to my side; clutching my pants leg. "Another E?" Mom asked when the shock had worn off a little.

I gave a ghost of a smile in relief. "Had to keep with tradition."

"May I hold her?" Mom asked stepping closer to me.

I handed Edie to Mom. "Edie this is your grandma."

Mom's face was completely filled with joy. Dad spoke from behind me, "Em, want to see if Garcia has those clothes ready?"

I wanted to change into dry clothes, but I didn't want to leave Edie and Declan. Mom, however, read my mind like always. "I'll come with you."

"Thank you." I picked Declan up and followed them back to Dad's office.

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When we existed the elevator Garcia was bouncing on her toes with a bag in hand. "I found the clothes and blankets you wanted," She handed the bag to Dad, "I even found some clothes I think will fit the little gumdrops."

Dad handed the bag to me. "Thank you Garcia."

"May we use your office dear?" Mom asked Dad.

I notice Garcia seemed surprised. I guess they didn't talk about their marriage since Dad rejoined the BAU. "You may Erin."

I followed Mom to Dad's office. Everyone was watching us, no matter how much they tried to hide it. When we entered the office Mom shut all the blinds as I started pulling the clothes out of the bag. Declan sat on the couch quietly telling Edie a story. I took my soaked coat and top off first. Mom gasped when she saw the scar that ran on the left side of my abdomen. After seven months the physical damage had healed; the emotional damage still lingered. There were also several bruise that littered my pale skin. Mom stepped closer to me holding her hands out. "What happened?"

I shrugged pulling the dry shirt on. "It's nothing." I was glad my bra hid the brand on my chest.

The clothes Garcia had came up with were a blue FBI sweatshirt and blue sweatpants. She had also added a kid's t-shirt, pair of shorts, and footy pajamas that were a little big on Edie. The sweat shirt reminded me of the ones Ashley would steal from Dad when we were younger.

"We're going to talk about nothing later," Mom told me.

I sighed, "Can't you just be glad I'm back?"

Mom frowned and pulled me into another hug. "I am glad your back, but I also want to know that you're okay. It's not like you to just leave the job. I know you had to have left, or you would have called first."

Mom always knew me better than I knew myself at times. "I left because I was done."

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JJ's POV

When Strauss and the brunette stepped into Rossi's office we all turned to him for answers. "You're married to the dragon lady?!" Morgan asked.

At the same time Hotch looked puzzled. "You have two kids? How did I not know this?"

Garcia turned to Hotch. "Two?"

Rossi gave us all a look to be quiet. "Yes, I'm married and have three kids."

"Three!" Hotch and Garcia exclaimed at the same time.

Rossi allowed a small chuckle. "Joy, from my second marriage; Emilia, the one you just met; and Ashley, the youngest."

"Why didn't we have this information?" Garcia asked looking hurt. We knew it was her duty to spoil all the BAU kids or grandkids.

"Well Joy lives in California with her husband and son, so I don't see her as often as I would like. Emily's been out of the country since I returned from retirement. And Ashley-"

The doors opened and a frazzled blonde ran into the room catching all of our attention. "I got your text Dad."

Rossi smiled. "Speaking of the devil."

The blonde, who I assumed was Ashley, put her hands on her hip and stood by Rossi. "Hey, I'm the sweet angel. Emmy was the devil."

"And this is my sweet angel Ashley who wants to work with the big dogs," Rossi stated placing his arm around her.

My attention was drawn to Rossi's doors opening. Emily stepped out in FBI sweats followed by Strauss and the children. The children were dressed in clothes I had allowed Garcia to borrow. Emily spotted Ashley first standing next to Rossi. "Ash!" She yelled taking off down the stairs.

Ashley's head shot up and she smiled seeing the brunette. They met on the stairs and almost fell at the force of their hug. "I missed you Emmy."

"I missed you too Ash, but I'm back for good," Emily reassured her.

Ashley pulled back in disbelief. "You quit, but you love the job."

Emily looked down; her arms falling down to her sides. "I do, but family means even more to me."

Ashley smiled. "Good to hear it sis."

Seeing them interact reminded me of Rosaline. Ro and I had always been close, except for her need to shelter me from everything bad. I'm surprised she allowed me to ever leave the house.

"Would you like to meet your niece and nephew?" Emily asked Ashley.

Ashley's shock was quickly covered with joy. "Of course," She grinned.

Emily took the baby back from Strauss and grabbed the boy's hand. "Ash meet Declan and Edie. Dec this is your aunt Ashley."

Ashley bent down and held out her hand to the little boy. "Hi"

Declan didn't say anything, but instead backed further away. "He's shy," Emily told her sister.

Ashley stood back up and smiled at her sister. "Must get that from his father," She joked.

I watched as fear flashed through Emily's eyes. I recognized that kind of fear. She held her emotions well as she spoke, "More like it's been a crazy few days."

Strauss made an announcement from her spot on the stairs, "The days almost over, your team can go home early."

We didn't wait for her to change her mind. Even if we were curious about the day's events.

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Emily's POV

Mom turned to Dad after the team left. "I said you could leave early."

"Are you coming too?" Dad asked walking past her to get his bag from his office.

"No, but I'll be home later," Mom replied turning to him.

Dad returned with his bag and spoke to me, "Where are you staying?"

I felt defeated and hopeless. This is why I wasn't normally an impulsive person. "I was hoping we could stay with you. Just until I find something."

Dad put his arm around me. "Of course you can."

"We can bunk together," Ashley cheered.

Dad chuckled. "I think we have enough rooms in the mansion without you two needing to share."

I turned to Ashley, this was news. "You moved back home?"

"Dad suggested it until I get a steady job," Ashley explained.

Dad turned to us. "Ready to go?"

We both nodded and walked with Dad to the garage.

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"Your room's how you left it," Dad told me as we entered the house, "and Declan and Edie can use the kids room."

That was a new addition to the Rossi Mansion. "Kid's room?" I questioned.

"Erin and I do a fair share of babysitting. It's set up for Henry and Gwen, but Jack and Kai use it time to time," Dad explained.

Ashley laughed. "Those kids have a dream room here. I don't know how Dad gets them to leave."

"Who are the other kids?" I knew Kai, obviously, but the other three were a mystery.

"Henry and Gwen are JJ's kids and Jack is Hotch's son," Dad explained.

I'd heard Dad talk about Agent Hotch, but JJ was a new name. I remembered one of the woman mentioning those names. "Is she the blonde with glasses; the one with the last name Garcia?"

Dad laughed. "No, that would be Penelope. She's like a real life fairy godmother; has those kids spoiled more than I do. JJ is the blonde who came and got me from Hotch's office."

"Okay," I whispered following Dad to the kid's room.

Ashley wasn't joking when she said the room was every kid's dream. There were two race car beds against one wall and a crib in the corner by the door. The opposite corner featured a doll house. The wall to the right of the door was half chalkboard and half lego board. There were also books and toys scattered throughout the room.

"We're still working on putting toys back were they belong," Dad told me glancing to the mess.

"This is... just wow," I said in amazement.

Ashley walked over to the light switch. "Look up." I looked up to find the ceiling a light blue with clouds painted on it. "That's not all," She continued flicking the lights off. The ceiling lit up with a starry night sky.

Declan let go of my hand and took a tentative step further into the room. "We stay here?"

"Yes, you and Edie are going to stay in here tonight," I replied just as Ashley turned the lights back on.

Declan looked at me nervously. "You too?"

"I'll be right across the hall," I told him, "I'll even leave the door open."

He seemed okay with that. "Do you need time to settle in?" Dad asked motioning to my one bag.

I had originally left the bag at security, accidentally in my rush to get to Dad. Clyde said he would send the rest of my stuff when he got a chance to go through the house. I knew I wouldn't be able to stay in the house long enough to get everything. Once they had got Doyle and his men out we circled around so I could get the important things. Most of it was the kid's stuff anyways. "No," I replied.

A blanket of silence and tension fell across the room. Declan broke the silence, "We eat 'Ren?" My gaze shot to him immediately. He realized his mistake, hung his head, and shuffled his feet, "Sorry Emmy."

"It's okay Dec." I turned to Dad, "We didn't eat on the plane. May I fix us something quick for a late lunch?"

"This is your home too," Dad reminded me.

I allowed a small smile before leading Declan to the kitchen.

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Third Person

"What happened to her?" Ashley asked once Emily was out of earshot. "She's got her walls up again."

Rossi understood his youngest daughter's concern. "We'll soon find out. Walls crack and come crashing down."