I do not own Criminal Minds, only the characters I have created in that world.

GIVE AND TAKE

This is the sequel to my other story Untold Truths. I'd recommend reading that first, but, who knows, maybe you'll be able to keep up without that story.

Summary: Hotch and Emily finally find themselves in a good place. Will a new case and its unforeseen consequences shake the very foundation they built? The team is in for quite a ride and a lot is changing for many members of the BAU family. Sometimes, life is unpredictable.

My writing mantra:

"Be a Sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them - in order that the reader may see what they are made of." - Kurt Vonnegut

Chapter 1: The End of One

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. – Lao Tzu

Life couldn't be better. Or so they thought.

As far as they were concerned, things were pretty good. Aaron and Emily were still going strong. Once their families left after Labor Day and things were back to normal, including the dog, they got back into the school year swing of things. Cocoa, the chocolate lab that Emily tried desperately not to fall in love with, her stupid little fuzz ball, became as much a part of their family as any human.

"I hate you, you know?" Emily spoke to the dog who was cuddled up next to her in bed licking her. "Ok, you're right. I love you. And it helps that you're a good cuddler."

"Better than me?"

"Hmm…" She pretended to think about it. Of course the answer was no, but she had to tease a little. A girl needed some simple fun every now and again.

"Mommy!"

"I'm kidding. You're the best cuddler. But Cocoa's close, aren't you girl? You're definitely a good bed warmer. Yeah, you like my bed more than your own. Isn't that right?" The lab's tale was wagging rapidly.

"Cocoa can't talk back mommy."

"I know."

"I wish she could."

"Maybe I can." Emily made a voice and attempted to throw it, trying to be the dog.

"Cocoa?" Charlie's eyes were wide as she stared at the dog.

"That's me."

"I think mommy's being silly Cocoa." She spoke to the dog, though she knew it was her mother.

"Oh. No I think mommy's great."

"Mommy's awesome. But she's still a silly goose."

"But you love her anyway."

"I love her a whole lot." Charlie climbed into Emily's lap and snuggled with both of them.

"I love you too Charlie Bear."

While initially opposed to the dog, it wasn't because Emily didn't want her, just that she didn't know what kind of stability the dog would have and that was important in the initial training stages. Thankfully, Sarah didn't mind the added work and happily took on the responsibilities. It helped that Hotch turned the training into a game with the kids. He would come over every day and set up his little brigade, usually just Charlie and Cocoa under his command, but it was even better with Jack. His little soldiers in tow, he set up a doggie boot camp. Cocoa was a good dog, a new and loving friend for their family.

She had to admit, part of the whole dog thing scared her because it was their first joint decision. Well, decision wasn't the right word, the choice was made for her. But it was their first joint commitment. Emily could've vetoed it, but instead, they adopted a dog together, making their first couple "purchase." It was theirs, she was theirs, a part of their combined family.

Would she go with Charlie to his house on weekends or stay at the house and keep Emily company? They really needed to get a move on that living situation talk. They actually started to… But, like usual with them, something got in the way.

"So…" They finally had some alone time again, trying to make it a regular occurrence, and after people kept bringing it up, purposely or not, who knew, Emily decided to broach the topic. Hotch was thinking about it too, but she beat him to the punch. "Charlie brought up something interesting the other day…" Again. Their daughter had a knack for that.

"What's that?"

"Well, she asked about us… about you and… and the house."

"About your house?" He knew where the conversation was going, and though he did want to have that talk, he couldn't miss the chance to toy with her just a little. She seemed so nervous and she had no reason to be whatsoever.

"Yeah… well no."

"Which is it?" Maybe she was toying with him too, he surmised.

"Though she brought up you living here with us, she mentioned the house you went and looked at with them. I just… I was wondering if you were still looking. I mean, it's totally ok if you are… It's just… I thought… Charlie loved that house. She said she and Jack could have fun there. The rooms were big and it was pretty…"

"You're cute when you ramble." Emily blushed. "Charlie's right. It was a nice house, a really nice one. Jack loved it, she loved it… I did think about buying it…"

"But…?"

"But, there were reasons not to. I have other things to consider like…" moving in with you, making her home theirs… But he never got to finish the thought as his phone rang and interrupted them. "Sorry." He whispered to Emily, putting his cell phone to his ear, "Hotchner."

"Agent Hotchner, this is Section Chief Strauss. I know it's late, but I need you in my office as soon as possible."

"Right away ma'am," he said and hung up his phone.

"You have to go?" Emily asked in the most understanding way, though she was inwardly pouting.

"I do. I don't want to though." His tone was apology enough.

"I know." She was being honest. They had the same job. She got it.

"But I have to." He tried to rationalize. A part of him still felt the need to explain himself and rationalize the drive and need to work away. But Emily wasn't Haley.

"Hotch… I get it. I understand, I promise. Work calls, you go. So… Go. Call me later if you can. If not, I'll see you in the morning."

"I will do my best to call. Kiss Charlie goodnight for me if it gets too late."

"I will. Love you. Drive safe."

"I love you too." He kissed her.

Emily watched him go and sighed. It was happening again. Every time they had something to discuss or needed to go over something, something else came up. It wasn't an end all conversation. There really was no rush, but neither wanted to fall back into that rut again. Eventually, that pushing off turned into neglect which turned into avoidance. They didn't want to get there. Avoidance did nothing but cause them issues.

Well, until he returned to her house or they saw each other again, Emily had something else to focus on, like her family. Their kids were both so amazing. There was one thing about the school year that she loved and that was seeing the kids come home and talk all about whatever they learned that day with such glee.

Jack was flourishing in school. Every time they saw each other, he filled Emily and his dad in on everything. Just a few weeks in and his grades were great. He even brought home a new friend, a girl. Apparently, cooties were a thing of the past. "If I have to give him a more detailed sex talk before he's even in middle school, I give you and Haley permission to shoot me," Hotch said when he was telling Emily of this new revelation.

"I'll be sure to let her know." Emily joked and threw a pillow at him. Ah the good times. The kids were growing up so fast.

Charlie, no surprise, was doing well in school too. It was a harder year for her, Henry no longer in her class. And, while she was good at making friends, she just couldn't seem to click with anyone in her new class. Being a little younger than most of them was effecting her for the first time. It made Emily question her decision. She was a year younger than everyone in her grade. Emily didn't think it would be a problem when she made the choice to enroll her in school early. The opportunity just presented itself. There was an opening at Penbrook Academy, a school she knew of and was looking into already when she heard great things about from JJ. Charlie was advanced, Emily taking the time to teach her to read and start writing early. Her little girl's mind was just so curious, always searching for answers. When she started asking how mommy could read and make words on paper, Emily knew Charlie wouldn't stop until she knew how to do it too.

And Emily was right. So, by four, she was reading and writing, even dabbling in other languages. She inherited her mother's gift of linguistics and both her parents' brains. But maybe, Emily thought, she was a bit too much like her, and that was why she wasn't making any friends that year. Maybe she pushed her too hard to excel. Maybe she should've just let her stay in preschool with all the other kids. But then… Then would things have played out the way they did? It was because Charlie was in a class with Henry that the events happened. It was what set everything into place. It was a scale she couldn't quite figure out, a game of give and take.

It was too much to think about. She liked the way things were, minus her sad little girl. But she would give up all her happiness to make it so Charlie experienced no pain at all. "Too much thinking Emily!" She berated herself. It was just hard not to. When she got a call from school, the issue became clear.

They were in the middle of the work day, going over some files when she got the call. "Princess, that your phone?" Morgan asked. She was grabbing a cup of coffee and didn't hear it go off on her desk.

"Crap." She ran over grabbing the phone. Seeing who it was, she picked it up right away. "Prentiss."

"Hello Ms. Prentiss, this is Nurse Shelley from Penbrook Academy."

The words sent a pang of fear through her. "Oh god… Is Charlotte ok? What happened?"

"She's fine. She came into my office about an hour ago complaining of a stomach ache. There's no fever and she seems to be otherwise fine, but she refuses to go back to class. I'd like to know how you wish to proceed. I could give her some medicine and send her back to class or someone can come pick her up."

"Are you sure nothing's wrong with her?"

"Yes, she's fine."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Sure." Emily could hear movement and then the hushed speaking. "Charlotte, your mom would like to speak with you."

"Mommy?"

"Hi Charlie Bear. What's wrong baby?"

"I want to come home."

"Why? Are you not feeling well?"

"My tummy hurts. Like before, when I went to the hospital." That was Emily's first real clue. Whatever was bothering her child, it wasn't her stomach.

"Ok, Charlie Bear. Hang in there ok? Mommy's coming. Give the phone back to Nurse Shelley."

"Ms. Prentiss."

"I think… I think I'm going to come get her anyway, just to be safe."

"Alright. I'll have her stuff brought over from class and we'll be waiting for you."

"Thank you."

After that, everyone was full of questions. "What's wrong?"

"Morgan said the school called?"

"Is Charlie ok?"

"She's fine. She says her stomach hurts and she went to the nurse, who assured me that Charlie is ok."

"Oh good." They all nodded along. It was always good news when things were ok.

"I should tell the mean old boss and see if he'll let me out."

"I'm pretty sure you should kick his ass if he doesn't." Rossi winked. He was always on their side. No one doubted that, but more so, he was on the kids' side. Whatever went on with the adults, he would step in and make them see reason if their actions were effecting the children.

"I will definitely do that. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Em, call me later ok?"

"I will Jayje." Emily walked up to Aaron's office, knocking gently on the door.

"Come in."

"Agent Hotchner." She greeted professionally. He was in a meeting. "May I have a word please sir?"

"Of course. Would you excuse me a moment?" He asked his guest. Receiving the affirmative, Hotch stepped out onto the walkway. "What's going on? Everything ok?"

"I got a call from Charlie's school. She's ok." Emily was quick to add. "But I'm going to pick her up."

"What happened?"

"I don't know. Sometimes when she freaks out or is sad, she says she has a stomach ache. And today she went to the nurse and said her tummy hurt like when she was in the hospital."

"For her appendix?"

"Yeah, so I think she's just having a rough day and I want to go pick her up."

"Yeah, go. Go, and I'll be there as soon as I finish with my meeting. But call me if anything comes up."

"I will."

When Emily went to pick Charlie up, her heart was struck with the stab of a knife. Not literally of course, but it sure felt like it. Her little Charlie Bear looked so damn sad. "Mommy!" The little girl ran to her upon first sight.

"What's wrong Charlie Bear?"

"I want to go home."

"We're going." Picking Charlie up into her arms and hugging her tight she took the backpack from the nurse and threw it over her shoulder. "Thank you Nurse Shelley."

"You've got a good kid on your hands. Take care of her."

"I will. Thanks again." Leaving, she just held Charlie close. She could feel the wet tears absorbing in her shirt. "Charlie, baby, what's wrong?" She finally asked as they got into the car. Emily sat in the back seat, Charlie still on her lap.

"They're so mean mommy!" She cried, officially breaking Emily's heart completely.

Gently swiping under Charlie's eyes, Emily asked, "Who's mean?"

"Everyone." She sniffled. "Everyone's mean to me because I'm littler and they're ogres."

Emily wanted to laugh. Ogres; that was such a Charlie thing to say, too may fairytales. "It's ok, mommy's got you." She pulled Charlie closer. "You're ok." Once Charlie calmed again, Emily knew it was time to get home.

Settling down for the rest of the day with cookies and ice cream, Emily tried to get Charlie to talk. "Can you tell me what the kids did to make you so sad?"

"I miss Henry mommy." She said quietly.

"Honey, we saw Henry yesterday. He came over to play with you."

"But he's not in my class. I don't get to be with him every day. He's my best friend. I don't get to see him or Jack and… and everyone's mean because I don't have any other friends."

"Yes you do. You have plenty of friends."

"No."

"Yes. Oh Charlie, baby, you have so many friends. Maybe they're not as good of friends as Henry, but a ton of people like you."

"But no one in my class."

"What did they do Charlie?"

"They wouldn't let me play the game."

"Why not?"

"They said I was too little and they didn't want me to. But I'm good mommy! I always win. I played them before!" Maybe the winning was the problem… "I just wanted to play mommy. And they said no. Henry wouldn't say no."

Emily was sure there was more to the story. Fact was, this year she was put into a class with a lot of students she never had class with. It was new to her and she didn't have her buffer. Her best friend and one of her biggest comforts during the hard year they went through was taken from her. She didn't want more change and the people in her class weren't making it any easier for her.

Charlie was usually so self-assured and confident. She didn't let what people said bother her. And why would she? She was five. It was all supposed to roll off. Of course, some things stuck and came out when something else triggered it, but this was bad. She was so sad and Emily wasn't sure how to handle it. It was grade school! Kids weren't supposed to turn into bullies that young. Why wasn't Charlie defending herself? She once pushed a kid down who was picking on Henry, but she wasn't doing anything for herself.

"Come on baby, let's get you ready for your bath."

"Can I sleep in your room tonight mommy?"

"Of course."

After the bath, Charlie snuggling next to her, Emily finally returned Hotch's call. "Hey."

"Hey."

"How are things? How's Charlie?"

"She'll be ok. She's just having a difficult day."

"And you? Are you ok? You sound upset."

"I am, but I can't talk about it now. I'll fill you in when I see you."

"Ok. Can I talk to her?"

"Of course. Will I see you tonight?"

"I wish. But it looks like it's going to be a long night. I have to finish these reports by the morning. I wish I was there with the two of you though."

"Me too. I love you. See you tomorrow."

"Love you too." Emily handled the phone to Charlie. Talking to him seemed to do her some good. It didn't help Emily though. She still felt horrible. She didn't even notice her little girl was having such a hard time. She wondered what else she missed. What else was her fault?

Charlie asleep, Emily went downstairs to her office for a little space to try and work out what she could do for Charlie. Knowing Aaron was still at work and not wanting him to feel like he had to rush over to her to be there for them, she decided to call JJ. It wasn't an emergency. She didn't want Aaron to think it was.

"Hey Em. How's Charlie?"

"She's… God Jayje, am I a horrible mom?"

"What? No. What's going on?"

"How did I not see it?"

"See what?"

"I think she's being bullied. I mean, I don't think it's terrible, like they're not going to be filling a bucket with blood to pour on her at prom, but school used to be fun for her. Now she says she has no friends and no one will play with her."

"What happened?"

"I guess the other kids don't like that she's younger than them and could beat them at some of the games. I don't remember age being such an issue, especially not that young."

"Me either."

"She says she misses Henry. With him in her class, she always had someone. Maybe this was happening all along but it didn't bother her because her best friend was there."

"Why don't you switch her class?"

"I thought about it. I don't know… I want to, but at the same time, I don't want to teach her to run away from her problems like I seem to. I don't want her to suffer either."

"I don't think it would be teaching her to run away. It teaches her that by telling you, you're able to help her and resolve the problem. I know Henry would love it and he would look out for her."

"I know he would. I just don't know how I missed this. Was I wrong to enroll her early?"

"I don't think there was a right or wrong decision. Each one had its pros and cons. You made the choice you thought was best. And you said it yourself, she loves school. So she's having a tough time, but it has also been a rough year. Maybe now that things have really calmed down, the adrenaline's all gone and it's really all coming at her at once."

"Maybe you're right. I'm going to talk it over with Aaron, but we'll look into changing her class. I know she loves school and I know she can handle herself… But I think you're right. She had to deal with more than most kids her age have and now that there's nothing particularly life changing going on, she's reacting to the little things. I mean, Henry in her class was a staple. It was a constant. They had each other to rely on and when the older kids picked on them they stood up for each other. Now she doesn't have that. I think switching her class could solve that for now and I can work on making her feel better about everything else."

"Sounds like you didn't really need to talk to me after all."

"I always need to talk to my best friend."

"Me too."

"I should let you go. Thanks Jayje. Night."

"Any time Em. Goodnight."

After talking it over with Hotch, Emily did work on getting Charlie into Henry's class. Both kids were excited and, because it was only a few weeks into school and both classes were doing the same things, there were no problems moving her. There were still a few incidents after that. But, when Charlie got bullied again, not only did she have her best friend by her side (and he had her too) but she remembered both her mother's comforting words and her big brother's advice.

"Just be nice to them. You can invite them over like I did. You can show them your cool toys and how much fun you are and then they'll like you forever."

"But I don't want them to come over and be mean to me. Mommy will yell at them."

"They won't."

"But what if they still don't like me?"

"Charlie, how can they not like you? You're the best."

Hotch and Emily watched the exchange. "We have great kids."

"We really do."

The time just moved so quickly after that. Emily wasn't surprised when Charlie listened to Jack and invited her bully over. She took to monitoring the situation more closely, talking with Charlie's teachers and having them look out for any developments and keep her informed. So, when Charlie asked if her friend Lacey could come over, she should've been a little more weary knowing from Mrs. Mink that was one of the class' troublemakers, but her daughter was her daughter and things like that were just her style.

Lacey came over. They had a playdate with Henry there too as Emily and JJ chaperoned. It actually worked out. Lacey left thinking Charlie was the funnest, bestest (her words) person ever and even invited the two kids to her house one day. It was a success. And things at school really started to get better after that.

Life was good. Things were looking up. With each day, they all just became more settled in their lives. The team moved passed all the relationship drama and worked completely in sync, like the well-oiled machine they were. They were on a case winning streak, two kidnappings, a serial rapist, an arsonist and a copycat all captured without incidence. Of course, that was about to change.

The storm on the last case should've been taken as an omen. They got called away on Emily's birthday. The team gathered at a local restaurant, opting for a quiet get together, just a nice meal and a few drinks after work. Hotch had a romantic private party planned for just the two of them after, and he and Charlie had a little breakfast celebration that morning. So it was all set. Birthdays weren't a big thing for the adults, but that seemed to be what they did for most, simple get-togethers. They did it for JJ earlier in September and each of the other members that allowed them to celebrate their birthdays. Of course, Morgan usually went home to Chicago or his family came to him, so they rarely got to get together. And with Reid, they usually ended up on a case or just coming home from one, so his tradition was cake in the office. Rossi just pretended he never aged. They each had their things, but after their next case, each birthday was going to seem like a whole lot more to celebrate.

They were called away just as they were about to start desert. "I've got the bill." Rossi offered and went to hunt down their waiter for the check as the rest of the group, save for Hotch and Emily went to the parking lot.

"What kind of birthday is this? I'm not even going to get cake!" Emily pretended to pout.

"You'll get over it."

"Only if you promise to make it up to me later."

Hotch kissed her. "And how would I do that?"

"I could think of a few ways. Something that involves chocolate… Yeah… and whipped cream."

Seeing him uncomfortably wiggle, knowing her words sent a certain tingle through him, Emily smiled in excitement. "You did that on purpose."

"I did."

Nearly growling, he said, "I'm still your boss Emily."

"In that case…" She leaned in as if to kiss him, instead, stopping her cheek pressed against his and mouth near his ear. "You can spank me later." She winked and went to meet everyone in the car. He took a second before following her out.

"Damn her." He hissed under his breath, carrying the doggy bag she left behind.

Hopping in their separate cars, JJ and Will with Hotch and Emily, everyone else in Morgan's SUV, they made their way to the Bureau. Will took off from their leaving the gang to get to work. They had to fly out to Nevada for a serial killer who liked to beat his victims to death.

They arrived in Nevada the next morning with, what they thought was, a head start. Looking over the case files and all the LEOs had on the crimes, they had a pretty decent preliminary profile on hand. Their perp was in his early thirties, probably unemployed and presumably in very good shape. They pegged him as white male, likely from one of three lower class areas of town.

Given the kill sites, they determined it was closer to the trailer park area right next to the desert campground. And with Garcia's help they were able to get it down to a name and address. Gearing up, they planned to take down their guy later that night. "Keep your eyes open and be ready. This guy doesn't just look physically imposing, he is. We believe he has training in martial arts or some kind of hand to hand combat. If you can avoid engaging in close quarters, do."

Speech delivered, vests on, they loaded into the SUVs and drove into the sandy plains. Preparing to break down the door to the small home, an agent caught sight of movement on the side of the house. "That's him."

"Jesse Matlin, FBI." It was no deterrent, and they knew it. He wasn't going to stop, instead, running straight into the maze of sand dunes and cactus trees as soon as he heard them.

Of course, as they were running through the desert going up and down the hills, out of nowhere, it started raining. It was raining in an area that got maybe a few inches a year total, as they were closing in on their UnSub. "Chang, take your team and search the house. Rossi take JJ and head west, Reid with me, and Prentiss, go with Morgan north."

Taking direction, they separated. The LEOs found someone in the shed of a Matlin home, his mother, they determined, frail and dying, and called for an ambulance as the team continues to chase their man. They were running, Morgan and Prentiss catching him on their end, hot on his trail, calling out for him, and pleading with him to stop. They knew he wasn't going to stop unless they captured him. He was sure he could take them, and he was probably right, but what they knew was that he was going to try, no matter what.

As they got closer, Morgan signaled for them to break apart and go around the last dune from opposite sides. The running stopped, no longer hearing footsteps. Matlin had to be hiding there. Giving him the confirmatory nod, they slowly made the approach. They were in control, but the rain worked against them, making the loose sand harder to walk on. Guns drawn, the two thought they had him cornered. "There's nowhere to go Matlin."

"Drop the weapon. Hands on your head."

The man just smiled at them. He didn't plan on being taken in at all. If he was going down, he was determined to take them with him. Emily made a step to get solid footing in case she needed to take the shot, and when she did, the soaking ground caused her to slide. The distraction had Matlin looking to her, ready and willing to charge, but it also gave Morgan time to make his attack.

Matlin's eyes focused on Emily, Morgan put his old football skills to use and rushed him, tackling him to the ground. Emily made her way over, but the two were too close together for her to take a shot or do much else without the threat of bodily harm or putting Morgan in a more vulnerable position. It looked for a moment that Morgan was going to come out victorious. He had Matlin pinned to the ground and called her over so Emily could come in with the cuffs to make it final.

As she made her way the last few steps, there was a shift in the air. Matlin, in a sudden surge, pushed Morgan right off of him and into Emily, knocking them both to the ground. Back up was already called, but they still needed to regain control. Unfortunately, odds weren't in their favor. Morgan's gun was on the ground, knocked from his hand in the fight and Emily put hers away in order to get the cuffs when they had him covered. With Morgan's weight pressed on her, she couldn't get to it.

The UnSub, decided to change it up a little, went for Morgan's gun, slipping it into the back of his jeans as he once again went after them. They were working their way up from the ground when he made his move. He got Morgan off of Emily, sending him down to the bottom of the small hill. Emily was ready, in fighting stance as he took the first swing. She ducked, making a mental plan to just dodge his hits and, when the opportunity came, to knock him down, hoping that would be enough to get him cuffed and taken in.

Another wild swing on his part, and Emily saw her chance, kicking him and sending him down toward Morgan. The team was just a few seconds away at that point, and it looked like control was back in their hands. Morgan, was about to turn him over onto his stomach when the UnSub took the chance to pull the gun.

"Morgan!" Emily yelled, drawing her own gun.

But she was too late. Two consecutive shots were fired from her partner's gun before she could make the kill shot, a bullet right through Matlin's head. Jumping down the hill, she ran to her partner. "Morgan? Morgan, are you ok?" She asked, kicking the gun away from Matlin before searching Morgan for any wounds. There wasn't any blood. That was a good sign. "Are you hit? Talk to me."

"Vest." He coughed.

"I'm going to help you take it off." Emily pulled at the Velcro as the rest of the team surrounded them, Hotch making the call for the paramedics to come on up anyway. "Deep breath." Emily instructed. "You're alright. The paramedics are going to come and check you over."

"I'm good. Help me up."

"No, stay down. Let them check you over."

He shook his head and she pushed him back down. "Matlin?"

"Dead, took one to the head."

"Nice shot."

"Don't say that. I'm sorry… I… It wasn't…"

"You did nothing wrong. You got him. It was a good shot. And you made it, no visibility and all."

"Not soon enough. He still managed to get you."

"With my own gun." A double sting.

"We're just lucky he had bad aim. I don't even think he got your ribs."

"Lucky me. Still hurts like a bitch."

"Well, these nice people here are going to look at you and if you're really nice, maybe they'll give you the good drugs." JJ added.

The paramedics were directed to them by JJ. They determined he was bruised and they would take him to the hospital just to rule out internal bleeding, but he looked good. After a few hours of observation, he was even free to go. Nothing was wrong. It was a successful trip after all. They got their guy, but it definitely ended their injury free run.

The storm was a sign… the quick and dramatic turn in the weather and events were signs. They had nothing but signs. Their streak was over. But no one wanted to read more into it, not when things were good. Morgan was ok, just a little bruised. All was ok…

Since the end of summer, they were all given several family and friends filled, perfect days without being called away on a case and they were lucky after that, most of their cases only taking a few days at most. But that was all over sooner than they wished. Just as Emily's birthday came and went, with it went their lives as they knew them. Their worlds were all altered. Each day was a blessing and they were about to understand that on a whole new level.

Things would change drastically for all of them and they wouldn't see it coming. They wouldn't anticipate anything. But sometimes, the harder you try to keep things safe, the easier they are to lose. And this would be one battle that would have no happy ending. The evils they thought couldn't touch them, thought to live at arms' length, would prove just how close they could get.

One minute they were celebrating, and then it was over. In the blink of an eye, the time it takes for a bullet to hit its mark, someone who was standing right there, breathing, talking, tangible, dies, gone forever. Dead… nothing but a memory…

That was how they found themselves there, standing over a six foot hole in the ground, holding a white rose in their hands, a sea of marble stone all around, and one member of the team short. An eerie silence filled the cold open air as the people stood in uniform black colors.

The priest gave his sermon over consecrated ground. "Today we celebrate the life of the lord's child as she returns to be with the almighty father…" All in attendance listened solemnly to the words, hanging on to each one.

How would they all pull through it?

How could it all start with four simple words? "We've got a case."

So, there we go. The first chapter of the sequel. We know someone dies =o and I know it's a bit scattered. It's supposed to be. It's a set up for the rest of the story. It was to bring everyone up to speed on the lapsed time and next chapter jumps to the moment the drama begins.

Dunn, dun, dun… lol

Sorry for any grammatical errors. Thank you everyone who has added this story to alerts or favorites and to those of you who have given feedback. Opinions are much appreciated; feedback, input, whatever. Constructive criticism also welcomed. I hope you enjoy. Until next time…