TITLE: Criminal Minds – "Darkest Days" (A sequel to Behind the Mask)

AUTHOR: D M Harper

SUMMARY: Agent Prentiss is forced to face her secretive past when it threatens the safety of her BAU colleagues and her beloved family.

PAIRING: Emily Prentiss & Jillian Rolston (OFC)

RATING: For Mature Readers.

DISCLAIMER: This story was conjured up for reading entertainment only. No money has exchanged hands or bank accounts. There is no profit gained, just fancy flights of imagination. There is no intention to infringe on the copyright of CBS Television Studios or creator Jeff Davis. This writing does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will; hence you have no one to whine to except yourself or a parent if you are caught, so bugger off!

A/N: Please find the time to review and keep the Muse working!

Chapter 1

Saturday 31st July 2010

Emily Prentiss cursed like a proverbial seafaring sailor when her Smartphone rang, and she begrudgingly reached for it, "Ahh shit! You have got to be messing with me." She cheered up considerably when her wife's image appeared on screen. "Hello honey," she answered merrily, momentarily dismissing her exhaustion and aching breasts.

"Hi, how's my favourite mother doing?"

"The truth is I am tired and my boobs feel awful," complained Emily woefully.

Jillian stifled a laugh while imaging her wife scrunched up features on the other end of the line, "I'm sorry to hear that baby. Did you and the twins get home all right?"

"Yes we did. Between your parents and my mother, I received all the help I needed. The babies have been fed and they went straight back to sleep after a diaper change."

"I'm sorry I'm not there with you to lend a hand, but the good news is I'm at the office now finishing off my reports."

Emily let out a lengthy sigh, "Oh good I missed you last night."

"I missed you too Em and am looking forward to coming home."

"I'll try to stay awake for you."

"No baby, go to sleep and I'll see you soon."

"I love you Jill."

"I love you too, bye."

Emily put her phone on the side table and snuggled into Jillian's pillow while her spouse added two final sentences to her After Action Report before forwarding it to Section Chief Erin Strauss and Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner. She printed off a hardcopy for the files then tidied her desk.

-o-

Derek and Dave stood up from their respective desks moments later and approached Jillian.

"You guys all done?" she asked as she rose from her chair.

Rossi nodded in reply, "Yep, we'll walk out with you Kiddo."

"Great, I'll just say goodbye to Jennifer and Hotch."

"We'll hold the elevator for you," offered Morgan as he turned and headed for the double glass doors.

Grabbing her go-to bag, Jillian bounded up the stairs leading to Hotch's office. Rapping on the open door, she stuck her head inside, "Me and the guys are finished sir, see you Monday."

Looking up from the paperwork on his desk, Hotch replied, "Okay, and that was excellent work out there today Jill."

"Thanks, but I can't take all the credit; I had brilliant backup."

With a coy grin, Aaron added, "Don't be so modest SSA Rolston; you were the one who eventually located and defused the bomb."

Jillian giggled briefly at her boss's praise, "I'm glad to see that bomb course I did with ATF came in handy, but you and I both know Morgan could have handled the situation if he had taken point. On that note, I really do appreciate you allowing me to take the lead out in the field sir."

"It was time for you to show your leadership qualities, see you Monday."

"Thanks again, bye."

Running along the upper level and over to Jennifer's office, Jillian entered and found the blonde on the phone.

Jennifer gave her a quick wave and explained, "I'm talking to Emily. Can you stop off to a drug store on your way home and pick up a jar of pure lanolin?"

"Sure, see you Monday Jennifer."

Racing to the lift, Jillian smiled back at her two grinning colleagues, "What's so funny?"

Dave took the question as the doors closed, "You've just spent the past twenty four hours traipsing through derelict buildings searching for an UNSUB and his homemade bomb and here you are still bouncing around with all this energy."

Smirking, Jillian stepped out of the elevator, "I'm just excited to be going home to my family."

Derek patted her on the back, "Good luck with getting any rest and give that gorgeous wife of yours a hug from me."

"I will and I hope you two are planning on visiting soon? Emily is really eager to see you."

"I'll drop over some time tomorrow," promised Derek.

"Me too," answered Dave as the trio reached the underground car park.

"Okay, see you then bye."

Climbing into her dark blue Chevrolet Suburban, Jillian made her way to the nearest medicine outlet.

-o-

Jillian entered the house via the garage half an hour later and was instantly greeted by her mother in the kitchen, "Hello Jill, welcome home."

"Hi mom, how is everyone?"

"Emily is in the bedroom resting; the twins are still asleep and your father is out by the pool. What's in the packet?"

"Oh, Emily called Jennifer for advice and I had to pick up some wool fat for her."

With a knowing nod, Maureen explained, "Your son was a little rough during the last feeding and bruised her."

"Owie, I better go check on her then."

"I'll make a start on dinner."

"Thanks mom."

Jillian crept into the bedroom and was surprised to find Emily sitting up in bed reading, "Hey sweetheart, are you okay?"

"I'm a little sore."

"Is that why you phoned Jennifer?"

In reply, Emily bobbed her head and placed the book on the side table.

Jillian put her duffle bag on the end of the bed and removed the dirty clothing, "I picked up the lanolin for you." Going into the ensuite, she disposed of the items into the hamper then said, "I'll just have a quick shower then help you apply it."

"Thanks and how was Maryland?"

"We ended up in Millersville," replied Jillian while undressing. "We chased this lunatic who had threatened to blow up the town building by building. He'd already destroyed the town hall and newspaper office before we arrived on scene."

"Good job and you look tired honey."

Jillian moved to the doorway and smiled, "I'm fine Emily. I won't be long baby." As she removed her briefs, she heard a soft moan escape from her wife. Smirking, she quickly showered and stepped back into the bedroom five minutes later without dressing.

Emily was sitting on the side of the bed chewing on her bottom lip and staring at her wife's perfect physique, "Oh honey, you look so good."

Jillian smiled radiantly with the knowledge her wife's libido was still intact, "You are beautiful as always and tell me where you are hurting?"

"Jarrod was over enthusiastic with my left nipple and areola while trying to get a decent latch. J.J. said the wool fat will soften the skin as well as heal the tiny cracks."

Going to her bag, Jillian picked up a paper bag and pulled out a container. She went to the other side of the bed and crawled along the mattress. Making herself comfortable in behind Emily, she inched in up against her wife's back then draped her legs over the edge, "Are you comfortable?"

Emily's skin warmed in the contact areas with Jillian's body and she huskily answered, "Yes honey."

Unscrewing the jar, Jillian scooped out a small amount with her left index finger, "Tell me if I hurt you."

"I will," agreed Emily as she leaned back slowly.

Jillian lovingly kissed her wife on the shoulder above the fairy tattoo as she brought her hand around to the front. Tenderly, she applied the salve to the swollen red teat and gently rubbed it in, "Does that feel okay?"

Emily turned her head and nuzzled into Jillian's shoulder, "Yes, it's very soothing. J.J. mentioned you need to apply it to the areola too. I'll need to use it before and after feeding."

Jillian did as advised and commented, "Thank you for our babies Em, I'm so proud of you and extremely grateful."

Emily sighed and her breathing evened out. Her body went limp and Jillian carefully laid her back onto the bed. Getting off the mattress, she lifted her wife's legs and turned her around. She then snuggled into Emily's side and closed her eyes.

She woke when she heard two soft bawls on the baby monitor. Quickly dressing in a robe, Jillian raced to the nursery and collected two fidgety newborns.

Emily was propped up against the pillows with a cotton cloth under her breasts when she re-entered the room. She passed Jarrod to his mother and he swiftly latched onto the plump right nipple and surrounding areola, "Are you right to take Sam too?"

"Yes honey."

Lowering the smaller twin into the crook of Emily's left arm, Jillian's eyes misted over as her daughter sought out the rosy pink nubbin.

"Are you crying Jill?" asked Emily with a cursory smile.

"Maybe I am just a little sweetheart. You look so serene and I love you and our children so very much."

"I love you too and thank you for putting me to sleep before."

Simpering, Jillian sat beside Emily and caressed her hair, "I had ulterior motives. How does your nipple feel?"

"It's much better and I was onto your plan."

With a coy grin, Jillian shared her news, "Derek and Dave are going to visit tomorrow."

"Great and Spencer called this morning. He's so excited for us."

"So am I and I'm glad you decided to start our family earlier than planned."

Emily tittered softly, "I wanted to make a move before I turned forty."

"Emily."

"Yes honey?"

"Are you sure you are satisfied with two children?"

"Yes, unless you want more?"

"I'm good with two and it smells like someone needs changing."

"It's your son, he's starting to fuss."

"I'll take him and burp him on the way to the nursery."

"Thank you."

-o-

Monday 1st November, 2010

Jillian moved in behind Emily in the shower and playfully nipped her left shoulder, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing all right, but it feels strange going back to work after three months off."

"I know what you mean. Have we enough expressed milk in the fridge?"

Emily turned around, "Yes honey and if I'm in the office at lunch time, Grace will bring Jarrod and Samantha in for a feed.

Jillian's hands roamed upwards and cradled Emily's fuller breasts, "Okay, oh god you feel wonderful."

In response, Emily swatted the hands away, "They're still off limits until I stop lactating."

Jillian's bottom lip took a serious nose dive, "Shit, you're driving me crazy here Em."

"Too bad, that's the rule."

"Stupid fucking rule," complained Jillian as she reached for the shampoo bottle.

Emily sternly rebuked, "Hey, I'll swap you the heavy and sore boobs and ask how stupid you think it is then."

"I'm sorry, but fuck, it's been three months."

"I'm well aware of the timeframe and what's with all the swearing?"

"I'm just cranky from sexual frustration."

"Like I said, I'll trade places. You can have the out of control hormones, aching boobs, dry vagina and contracting uterus and see how you cope."

Rinsing off her hair, Jillian stepped aside and kissed Emily prior to grabbing the conditioner, "I'm sorry and I don't want to argue with you."

Emily's features softened, "I know it's been tough on you honey."

"I'll be fine Em and you're the one really suffering; I'm just being an insensitive jerk."

Emily rubbed the small of Jillian's back and reasoned, "Hopefully it will settle down soon." She stepped out of the stall and reached for a towel, "I love you."

"I love you too."

-o-

Emily was buttoning up a long sleeve purple shirt when she heard a loud moan emit from the ensuite and finished what she was doing when Jillian called out her name. As she neared the bathroom door, the shower water stopped running and she realised Jillian didn't actually want her attention. Setting aside her feelings of guilt, she went to the wardrobe and selected a suit jacket before heading to the nursery to check on the twins.

After caressing each baby on the forehead, Emily made her way downstairs to the kitchen and was busy preparing poached eggs when Jillian joined her carrying a baby monitor.

"One or two pieces of toast honey?" Emily asked.

"Two thanks babe, I need the extra carbs for the increased gym work I've been putting in lately with Derek."

Emily glanced at her wife with a furrowed brow, "That was subtle."

Jillian passed by the brunette on her way to the refrigerator, "Sorry, I wasn't trying to be a smartass, just stating a fact. I'll grab the juice."

There was a knock on the front door and Jillian went to greet Grace Owens, their forty year old nanny originally from England.

-o-

Walking along the sixth floor hallway, Jillian opened the glass door and allowed Emily to enter the bullpen first.

Garcia rushed over from the filing cabinet and hugged her while Jillian took her ready bag to her desk. Sitting down, she turned on her computer and checked her e-mails.

"It's so good to have you back E," gushed Garcia excitedly.

"It's nice to be back."

"Do you have any new photos of the twins?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. I'll just offload my bag and show you."

On cue, Hotch walked out of his office and joined the picture viewing.

Jillian looked over to the trio and grinned. Her eyes settled on Emily's smile and she stood up. Going over to her wife, she leaned into her left ear and whispered, "Sweetheart, you're left breast is leaking. I have a spare shirt and jacket in my locker if you want to change."

Momentarily, Emily excused herself, grabbed her bag and went to the locker room while Jillian took over the photo display.

Five minutes later, Emily returned and Jennifer walked through the door with Derek and Spencer. The three immediately welcomed Emily back and Jillian covertly goosed her before returning to her desk and making a start on paperwork.

Once Rossi arrived moments later, Jennifer called everyone into the conference room to present a new case from D.C. Metro.

By midday, Emily had called Grace to inform her she was unavailable for the twins' lunch time breastfeeding and Jillian and Reid had a breakthrough mid-afternoon resulting in the team arriving back at Quantico at 1810 hours.

When the paperwork was finished, Hotch announced, "I'll see you in the morning, go home and get some sleep everyone."

-o-

Jillian entered the nursery and picked up a squirming Jarrod then took him over to the change table. When he was dressed in a fresh diaper and sleepwear, she took him downstairs to Emily. "Are you ready for your son?" she asked.

"More than ready, I have enough milk on board for an army. I'll take him through to the living room."

"I'll go grab a quick shower then make us some dinner."

"Sounds good honey, I'm hungry."

Returning ten minutes later, Jillian set about cooking a pasta dish, "How you doing in there babe?" There was no reply, so she went into the living room to find Emily fast asleep in an armchair and Jarrod still nursing. Jillian waited for him to finish then carefully picked him up and burped him while taking him upstairs to his crib.

Luckily Samantha was still sleeping, so Jillian went back downstairs and ate dinner alone.

-o-

Emily was snoring softly when Jillian brought their daughter to her thirty minutes later.

The brunette woke when Jillian placed Samantha in her arms, "Oh honey, I'm sorry I dozed off."

Jillian dotingly ran a hand over Emily's shoulder, "Don't apologise, I'll fetch your dinner and you can eat while you nurse Sam."

Emily opened the front of her bra and repositioned the baby, "Thank you Jill."

"Once you're done, I'll take care of Little Miss and you can get ready for bed."

"I have to go to the supermarket first."

"I'll go, what do you need?"

"A box of nursing pads, I used the last one this afternoon and I expect I'll continue to seep at work."

Jillian leaned over, kissed Emily on the head and cheekily offered, "I could always express some milk for you orally in the locker room."

Emily chuckled at the none too understated implication, "I'm sure you could."

"I'll get your pasta then go to the store. Is there anything else we need?"

"You better check the refrigerator honey, I have no idea what is in there."

"Okay."

Jillian came home to a quiet house and once she took care of the groceries, she prepared for bed. Sidling up to Emily, she gently draped an arm over her wife's hip and went to sleep within seconds.

-o-