A quick summary (I am so sorry, but some things can't be controlled) : Life happened, School and Crap. - I am back!

I smile as the immaculate Emily Prentiss walks up to me outside of a shared favorite eatery – a small establishment, off the beaten path, that serves great homemade Italian delicacies. She invited me to breakfast before work, and who would I be fooling if I would have said no. She is a great conversationalist and pleasant company. I gently loop my arm around hers and lead her inside the small bistro.

"Alright, Emily. You're treating an old man to breakfast; do I get to know why?"

She grins, "Hold your horses, Dave, we haven't even seen the menus yet."

She laughs and I can't help but be drawn in, it is an infectious laugh. It is so good to see her so happy. Love really does suit her. Derek is great for her and her for him. I always knew this; I could see it from the second I joined the team. It was only a matter of time before they found out. Personally, I was surprised it took as long as it did. Though, their inherent stubbornness should have been a clue.

She orders her food and I order mine. After the waitress walks away, I smile – leaning my elbows on the table, "Your accent is great, as always. Though I'm positive you didn't bring me here to show off."

Emily rolls her eyes, scoffing lightly, "Rossi. You are impatient."

"I know you have an ulterior motive for feeding me, I just want to get to the point."

"Cheeky bastard."

"That's my name, don't wear it out."

She chews on her lip for a moment, gathering her thoughts, "Fine. But first I need to tell you something. Then I'll get to why I asked you here."

I nod once, urging her to go on.

She lifts her left hand and places it on the table between us. It is only now that I realize that she has been expertly hiding it and avoiding using her left hand at all costs. And I can see exactly why. I grasp her hand gently in my own, admiring the pristine engagement ring that now graces her ring finger.

"Emily-" before I have a chance to say anything she's already rambling.

"You think we're moving too fast? I mean 2 months of officially dating before getting engaged is really fast, right?" She looks at me –maybe trying to convince me that she isn't insane for leaping so quickly. She doesn't need too.

I stop her before she has a chance to go any further, raising a hand to silence her, "You think dancing around one another for over five years is fast?"

Her eyes meet mine for a split second before they turn down towards the table, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. She doesn't argue. She knows it's true. They must have discussed it at length once the pair realized the truth about their feelings.

I take a closer look at the ring, elegant and gorgeous – just like the woman wearing it. Derek picks a good ring. I wonder if he had help. I look up at her after letting go of her hand, she's smiling widely.

"How'd he ask?" I inquire, knowing she's probably been dying to tell somebody. Maybe I wasn't her first choice, but I do have some previous knowledge in the engagement department.

She doesn't seem to mind in the least, her eyes are full of joy, "He took me out to a late dinner and then drove us out to this field."

Her mind drifts and she toys with the ring on her finger lovingly as she continues, "I know that in it of itself doesn't sound incredibly romantic. A field. But it was. He had brought a picnic basket with desserts and a blanket. And we laid out on the top of this hill to watch the stars."

She's blushing, "I told him once, years ago on a case, that I loved the stars when I was growing up. We'd move around all the time and the one constant thing I had was the stars. Yes, the constellations would change location from place to place, but the stars would always be there. And he remembered that."

I chuckle softly; he probably remembers everything she has ever told him, "Of course he did."

Emily gives me a mock pointed look and I hold my hands up in defense, letting her continue.

"So, we're watching the stars – having light conversation when I see a shooting star. Then another and another and I remember Reid mentioning something about a meteor shower. And I turn to Derek to tell him just that and he's holding out the ring."

She looks down at the ring on her hand, smiling –if possible- wider than before, "He then tells me that he wants to be my constant. As constant as the stars, forever and always. And asks me to marry him, and I said 'yes' immediately."

Emily looks at me right in the eyes, "I didn't hesitate, Dave. I love him so much."

The love is clear in her tone; I never would have doubted it – not for one second. I smile, taking her hand in mine again, "And you would say yes, over and over if he were to ask you every day for the rest of your life. I know you would."

"I would."

Our food arrives and we eat with friendly conversation, putting off her second point for a little longer. I think the break is allowing her to gather her words, though I don't know what they would be. As we're nursing our remaining coffee she finally pulls the topic back to her engagement.

"You're the first person I told, you know?"

My eyebrows rise in surprise, "You know Penelope might kill you for that."

She laughs, "It's a risk I had to take, and I wanted to do this now. She'll find out later with the rest of the team."

"Alright, I'm intrigued. What exactly is this?"

"We don't want to wait long to get married. We think that we've waited long enough, our jobs don't necessarily allow for a slow burn in these situations. And you said it before; we've known each other for years. We just fit."

I nod, not completely following yet.

"Of course," she laughs, almost nervously, "We don't intend to get married tomorrow. But maybe in the next couple of months."

"Sure, sure," I agree.

"And this is where you come in. I-" she takes a breath, taking my hand in hers this time, "I grew up without a father. My mother and I, sure we get along – but we've never been the closest. I never really had that strong figure in my life. Not until the last couple of years. With you. You've taken me under your wing. You've steered me off the ledge. You-you've done more for me than I think I can ever think to thank you enough for. And I would love it, if you –David Rossi- would do me the honor of giving me away on my wedding day?"

I am floored. I don't even take a second to think about it before I nod and grin. I stand from my seat and walk over to her. I take her face in both hands and kiss both cheeks, the deep-seated Italian roots showing through, "I would walk to the end of the earth on your wedding day, if it would please you."

"I think that's a little dramatic," she grins, hugging me close.

"Alright, I'll just give you away then."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, my sweet."

I sit back down across from her, a couple of the other patrons of the small bistro are mildly curious but we carry on.

She wipes happy tears from her eyes.

"So, when do I get to meet the boy? Now that I'm taking the roll of the father, I need to make sure he can take care of you properly," I grin and am rewarded with a chuckle and a smack on my arm.

There are two more chapters of this story. I will get them out to you in a timely manner, I know you've been left waiting for so long and I feel so bad. I promise that won't happen again.

Albatross has one chapter left, but I keep fighting with the ending - I want it to be great for you guys.