This is the prologue-thing for a story I might write that based off a promise my best friend Crawford made me when we were eight. :] It's really short, but it's just to see the reaction. Read away!

14-year-old Derek walked out of the back door of his house, plopping down on the wet grass next to long-time friend, Emily Prentiss.

"So," He began, nudging her lightly. "Did you have fun?"

Emily laughed, her almost-black hair falling in front of her eyes. "Yes, of course. I always have fun here. I just wish I could come more often."

Derek sighed. He knew Emily hated traveling around with her mother and also wished she could come visit more often. But he knew, under the circumstances, that the chances of that happening were very low. Emily's mom was an ambassador, causing her to move around the world frequently. But, she was Derek's mom's best friend in high school, which meant that the Prentiss's came and visited the Morgan's whenever they were in town. Derek and Emily had grew fond of each other, exchanging letters and emails while they were separated and having little traditions for when they got to spend time together, like the intense rounds of Guess Who and an old movie marathon. The favorite tradition, however, was their late-night-star-gazing-chats, where they would go sit in the back yard staring at stars and chatting until the late hours of the night, like they were now.

"I know, Em. But come on, we both know that's not going to happen." Derek stated reasonably.

Emily plucked a piece of grass from the ground and twirled it between her fingers. "I know. Just…wishful thinking, I guess."

Derek didn't reply. He just stared at her sadly. Something was wrong. Emily seemed…down. Less the bright, smiley Emily he was used to and more a sorrow-eyed, negative Emily that was unfamiliar to him. Even her clothes seemed darkened. Emily now opted for all-black jeans and shirts as opposed to her typical sunny attire. It worried Derek. He hoped she was okay. He laid back onto the grass, admiring the little bulbs of light that dotted the sky and thinking.

"Wow. The stars are great tonight. They must've sensed you coming." He joked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Emily just lay next to him on the grass, staying silent.

"Emily?" Derek asked, worry overcoming him.

"Derek, am I destined to become a lonely old woman with no friends and like, 24 cats?" Emily blurted.

Derek busted out laughing and looked at her, smiling. "What?"

Emily sat up, her face etched with bona fide concern. "No, really. Because this kid I met in Germany last week asked me about my friends and I told him about you, Des and Sarah and a couple of other kids I met that I've kept in touch with. He laughed, Derek Like full on laughed. Apparently, 6 friends aren't enough! This kid has like 200! And it got me thinking. What if, because my mom's job, I don't get to meet friends and never find my special someone and then in twenty five years, when everyone normal is married and happy, I'm bitter and alone?"

Derek opened his mouth, preparing to release another wave of laughter, but seeing his friend's worried eyes, he bit his lip. "Emily, come on. That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

"No, it's not! Sure, it's possible I may meet my soul mate after high school, when I'm settled down on my own. But what if due to my lack of people skills, I scare them off! I mean I have no experience with actual people, other than you guys. I'm home-schooled. No siblings. No friends for longer than 4 to 18 months. I'm destined to be a hermit! I'll never make college friends. I'll never go parties or be social. And finally, I'll never meet my special person and get married, forcing me to buy cats for company. And then, BAM, I'm cat-lady. It's fate."

Derek sat up. He had little blades of grass nestled in his inch of hair. He stared at her for a second, then reached out and grabbed a long piece of monkey grass and tied it into a small knot, breaking off the extra sides. "Emily! If you are really that concerned, I'll marry you."

Emily stared at him dumbfounded. "Huh?"

"I'll marry you." Derek repeated, grabbing her left hand and slipping the make shift ring around her finger. "I mean, in twenty-five years. If both you and I aren't married in twenty-five years, we can just marry each other.

"Derek Morgan. You have officially lost your mind." She stated.

"I'm serious, Em! I mean, our parents would definitely approve. Heck, they'd love it! And it wouldn't have to be a sexual thing anyways. It could just be to defeat loneliness. We could live together and hang out all the time. And if we met someone better, then so be it. It wouldn't be committal."

"Marriage wouldn't be committal?" Emily countered, fiddling with her grass-ring.

"Emily! Quit shooting down my ideas. This is what you wanted, right? A guarantee that you wouldn't be lonely. Just agree!" Derek persuaded.

"How do I even know you're serious? I mean, what's in it for you?" Emily asked, skeptical.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "A beautiful honey who will be all mine."

"Wow, you're a tease. You know, I'll make your little deal, because there is no way that the charming Derek Morgan won't be married by the time he's…39. So, sure I'll marry you."

Derek nodded. "Good. Now, let's talk about something more important."

Emily started cracking up. "You just agreed to marry me! That's not important?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong. It is. Just not when we're 14. Twenty-five years, and then we'll talk." He said, winking.

Emily laughed, but felt genuinely better.

That's it, for now. In the next chapter, it skips to TWENTY-FIVE years in the future. Thoughts? Keep going? Or no? Let me know. :]