When you joined the bureau, you knew you were young. You were closer to Spencer's age than anyone else on the BAU. Naturally, you gravitated towards Emily Prentiss, the BAU unit chief you developed a massive crush on. It's not like you wanted to or that you meant for those feelings to develop. The obvious mommy issues didn't help because you just wanted someone to act maternal and care for you. Emily just carried herself in a way that you craved in a feral way. It showed when you caught yourself staring at places a subordinate shouldn't be at her boss. She never said anything, just letting it happen. Did she like the attention? Was that it?

The clock on the wall ticked softly, its rhythmic sound echoing in the stillness of the nearly empty office. Paperwork surrounded Emily like an island, a sea of documents waiting for her attention. Outside the doors, the team discussed how they were headed out for drinks. You had intended to make your way home but felt a tug of guilt for leaving Emily alone. With a deep breath, you turned back and stepped inside her office, the door creaking slightly behind you.

You only wanted to make conversation with her, but you never intended for the exhaustion to be so evident on your face.

“Why don’t you let me drive you home? You look like you need some rest,” she offered, her voice gentle.

Emily drove you home; the ride was mostly quiet save for the occasional joke. You invited her in for dinner, which she cooked for you happily. As she chopped vegetables and stirred a pot, you watched her with an admiration you hadn’t meant to reveal. She caught your gaze through the steam, and a playful smirk formed on her lips. “You keep staring at me. What’s up with that?”

After dinner, she helped you clean up, and then you went to your bedroom. She helped you into bed, tucked you in, and was about to leave when you suddenly grabbed her arm and asked her to stay. "Are you sure?”