𝗞𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗲𝘁 ~ 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘀

Apricity

Apricity

(n.) The warmth of the sun in winter.

I walked into the office the next morning eating a bag of M&M's. I needed the energy. It was around 11 but I was still exhausted, Hotch said we could come late and I took full advantage of it. Everyone except Reid and Rossi were already here as far as I could tell.

"Someone finally decided to show up. Are those M&M's Mo?" Morgan asked. He leaned over the side of Emily's desk while she did some work. Emily turned around in her chair so fast she almost fell over at the word M&M's, they were her favorite candy and I knew it.

"Good Morning to you too, and yes, they are." I noticed Emily staring at me and when I looked back at her, her mouth fell open and she made a soft 'ah' sound. I pulled a single M&M out of the bag while walking past and I tossed it, it landed perfectly in her mouth and she turned back to her paperwork while chewing it. A playful smile tugged at my slightly chapped lips.

A look of confusion and shock fell over Morgan's face and as if I was reading his mind I spoke up.

"Years of practice." I wiggled my eyebrows while setting my bag down on my desk with a loud thud.

"There was a bar me and Kira used to go to and on Friday nights there was a competition where you had to shoot peanuts into each other's mouth across the bar. If you could do it you both got free drinks." Emily explained.

"We got pretty good at it after a while." I added. "Where's Rossi?" I pointed out.

"Not sure he just took off earlier." Morgan said. He suddenly shot up and ran out of the bullpen to his office. Me and Emily just shared a look of confusion. Just as fast as he left he came back with a small box in his hands.

"A deck of cards?" Emily asked, closing her file.

"Yeah! None of us have any real work, it's all busy work so lets play a game. Prentiss, clear your desk." Emily quickly cleared the stray papers as Morgan pulled up a chair and I walked over sitting on the arm of Emily's chair. Morgan took out the deck and was about to start to shuffle but I took it from him.

"That's my job." He raised an eyebrow and Emily just smirked. I started extravagantly shuffling the cards. I threw a single card up, threw my head back and caught the card in my teeth. I then winked at Morgan as I continued with my flamboyant shuffling. In the middle Reid walked in. "Come here and cut the deck Boy Wonder." I called out to him. He walked over and cut it. "So what are we playing? Poker? We can use the rest of my M&M's as chips." Right as I delt though Hotch came out of his office.

"Ashley." We all looked at him and over to the doors were a slightly confused blonde woman and Rossi stood. I leaned close to Emily.

"Is this who Garcia was talking about?"

"I think."

We all stood up and met near the door.

"Seaver this is SSA Derek Morgan, Kira Monet, and Emily Printess and this is Doctor Spencer Reid." We all said our hellos and then it was explained to us that her father was a serial killer and why she was here. She was going to be helping us on our case.

---

Me, Emily, and Seaver were standing in the model home after the neighborhood meeting going through the 18 people who didn't show. It was cold outside so it was a relief when we came in and it was warm like someone had lit a fire. The sun was setting as well so that added to the chill factor outside. Emily helped me with my coat and we all met at the table in the middle of the room.

"Let's hope these files show what families have pets." Emily passed me a file as I walked to the other side of the table.

"What are these?" Ashley asked, looking at a separate pile of files.

"Info on the families of the victims." Emily started not really paying attention to her.

"Families..." Ashley's voice was small and distant as she said that.

"Yeah that's the hardest part of the job. That's her computer, our tech, Garcia, already did a sweep." I tried to bring the mood up but we were all on our toes.

"Meeting over?" All three of us jumped at the sound of a voice behind Emily and Ashley. "Relax, it's just me." I rolled my eyes as Security Harvey Brinkman walked in.

"We missed you there." Emily stated cocking her head slightly to the side and narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

"Well I thought it would be a good time for a sweep, while everyone was busy." Me and Emily shared a small look. "What are you girls looking for?"

"Whether any of the no-shows had pets." Ashley answers. Brinkman draws his attention to me giving me the up-and-down look.

"That one not talk?" He asked Emily. I drew in a quick breath.

"Yeah, I do but I choose not to, to you." I flashed an insolent smile and saw a proud smirk form on Emily's face. My attention went back to my file but I didn't tune out the conversation. Clearly embarrassed, Brinkman continued.

"Pets? Those reports aren't going to show that but I can get it for you. I have all the info at the security building near the south gate. I'll show you." Emily followed him out but not before turning back to us.

"I'll be back." Ashley nodded her head and the room fell silent.

"I need to go to the restroom. I'll be right back." I turned and headed down the hall to where it was.

I was out in less than two minutes but when I came back Ashley was gone and so was Aubrie Jacobs' computer. I cursed and sprinted out the door into the frigid night only to see an SUV missing from the group. I rubbed my temples and did the only thing I could do, follow her. I grabbed keys from the table right inside and jumped into the SUV heading for the Jacob's residence leaving my coat behind even though I could see my warm breath as it left my mouth. I didn't have time.

Ashley what the hell are you doing kid.