Heyy thanks to all my readers/reviews/ppl who alerted this story... this one's for you guys!

Disclaimer: I own nothing as usual...

And the title is just a play on the phrase "those meddling kids" from my favorite childhood tv show scooby-doo ;)

That Meddling Emily

The daylight wears thin as Emily follows Keira through the glass doors into the bullpen. She is flustered and upset and Emily can tell. She quickens her pace, and Emily follows suit.

When she finally reaches her desk, she collapses into her chair with a quiet groan. Her body is thankful it is seated at last, her muscles having protested everything thus far today. Her chair is just the reprieve she needs, but a bed… that would be even better right about now.

Emily watches as Keira's face changes. Her brow furrows as she recalls events from earlier today. With today being a Saturday, and for the moment free of any cases, Morgan decided it was a good day for her to learn some field etiquette.

---

They started off on a high note, Keira intently listening and absorbing Morgan's instructions.

But the conversation soon took a turn for the worst.

And it was Emily who put the proverbial nail in the coffin.

"And lastly, never, under any circumstances should you misrepresent yourself to any witnesses, family members, etcetera… even if it is to get us information we need. Understood?" Morgan said firmly.

Keira wanted to just say 'yes' but another part of her begged her to question the rationale of Agent Morgan's last statement.

"Yes, but what if…" she trailed off, trying to find a polite way to phrase her rebuttal.

Emily, who had been silent during their conversation, patiently pacing back and forth for the better part of an hour, spoke up to warn her.

"Ohh no, no," Emily chuckled as Keira remained quiet, still contemplating her next move. "You definitely do not want to 'what if' him. He doesn't like his authority being questioned. It's his machismo. His 'I am Morgan, hear me roar' complex…"

But then Emily stopped for a second, and a mischievous smile spread across her face.

"Nevermind… go ahead, ask. In fact, be assertive, frazzle him a bit. Don't let him scare you, he's a big teddy bear deep down inside."

She laughed out loud to herself. It was always fun to watch Morgan squirm.

"Sir, but I don't see how that could be harmful," Keira questioned, her confidence spiking out of nowhere. "I mean we need to get invited into a victim's house, but their husband, wife, sister, whatever isn't having any of it… we just walk away? If I tell a little white lie to get us in those doors, that should not be reprehendable…"

Her pace quickened as her thoughts flew through her mind a mile a minute. She still felt the need to prove to this department and to Agent Morgan that she was worthy of being here. Maybe standing up for herself would gain her some respect.

"Agent Byr-" Morgan tried to interrupt.

"Screw protocol, another victim's life may depend on us. We need to get in, get out, and get on with the case… maybe you don't see-"

"Agent Byrne!" he raised his voice, his face slightly heated.

In the corner, Emily jumped.

"I do not appreciate being questioned. You know protocol and you will follow protocol. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"And don't you think I know how hard it is to talk to a victim's family? All you want to do is tell them exactly what they want to hear so they don't shut you out. But you can't go around misrepresenting this team. If you get caught in a lie, our trust and our credibility go out the window. Take tomorrow to rethink your views on protocol, because you two will be best friends by the next time I see you. Isn't that right?"

"Yes. Sir I didn't mea-" she was cut off by a still rigid Morgan.

"I will see you Monday."

As Keira stood, Emily was still in shock. Sure she liked to push Morgan's buttons, but she was not expecting that.

Time sure changed people.

"Come on Derek," Emily practically pleaded. "Don't be so hard on her. It was my fault."

Behind her the door shut with a click. Realizing Keira had left, Emily turned to follow her.

For the better part of the rest of the day, Keira exhausted her energy at the gym. She felt like she had made an idiot of herself, and exercising was the only way she could expel her frustrations.

What was she thinking, questioning her boss like that? Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought to herself.

---

And now, here they are, back in the bullpen. Keira sits silently, mulling over things she can't change. What's said has been said, and can't be taken back. She sighs and leans her head back.

"Ehh, don't worry about him. He'll cool off eventually," Emily encourages.

Keira gathers some things and organizes a few folders on her desk as the rest of the team start filing in.

Rossi and Garcia disappear inside their respective offices, and Reid directs a "hello" in Keira's direction as he heads for his desk.

JJ approaches her and she quickly puts on a smile. She'd rather not have the entire team know how much of a fuck up she is.

"Hi, Agent Byrne," JJ smiles at her.

"Please, Keira is fine," she replies warmly.

"Some of us are headed out for a drink. Would you care to join us?"

"Yes, yes… say yes Keira!" Emily prompts, standing next to JJ.

"Oh, I don't want to impose…" Keira starts.

"Don't be ridiculous. You should really get to know us outside of work, because we sure do know how to have a good time, when given the chance of course."

JJ lets out a small laugh and she can see the change in Keira's eyes. They brighten slightly as she smiles.

"Good. It's settled then," JJ says. "Just give us like five minutes."

"Sounds good."

---

A few minutes later JJ reappears from her office.

"You coming Reid?" she calls as she nears Garcia's bat cave.

"Sure, I'll get Rossi and Morgan," he replies.

Keira suddenly feels terrible again. The thought of Agent Morgan sitting down to drinks with her makes the night seem slightly less appealing.

"Do you think Agent Morgan will join us? He didn't seem particularly happy earlier," Keira doesn't care to elaborate on why she noticed the unit chief's bad mood.

"No, I doubt it," Reid looks over at her.

He gives her a sad smile.

"He hasn't in… uh, in a long time."

The pair goes silent.

"Whoo!! Girl's night!!" Garcia's voice cuts through the void.

The two agents turn their heads in her direction.

"Sorry Spencer dear… unless you got a wig and a set of heals in that drawer there, you are not on the list," Garcia jokes as her and JJ near the two of them.

"And please say you do! I'd pay to see that!" she adds with a wink.

There you go... not much action in this one but, it was necessary... some team bonding if you will.

I borrowed the "you misrepresent yourself and this team when you get caught in a lie" scenario from when Hotch and Todd had their little discussion in the show.

Let me know if you guys are still reading this... I know I'm few and far between with updates, so just making sure you're still with me here! Reviews are love! Thankss =)