Disclaimer: I own none of Criminal Minds or these amazing characters. Kudos to those who do, though!
After the Lock Clicks
Chapter 1: Emily Prentiss
After she slides the bolt in the door, hearing the lock click firmly in to place, Emily Prentiss pauses for a moment, hand still on the knob, staring into the darkness of her empty apartment. Another hard case, another horrific act, one that dwells in her mind.
Orange light floods the room as she flips just one switch, providing just enough light to see by, and then she wanders slowly to the kitchen. A gleaming bottle in the muted light, kept within reach on her counter top. Rich amber scotch, poured into a perfect, smudge-less glass. It is not, she knows, to help her forget, but to help her to place. She never does drink more than a swallow two, anyway. She would not compromise herself by getting drunk. She does not want to. She does not need to. Nevertheless, before the last swallow she will take, she will have filed away the case, the victims, the people into one compartment of the many that occupy her mind. Not to forget, though, no. Not to forget. She compartmentalizes to remember, and to concentrate on the next case. And the one after that. And the one after that. For that is what she does. Focuses. Conquers.
Emily rises, pouring the majority of the liquid down the drain and washing the glass. Back into the cabinet it goes, spotless, streak-less, prepared for its next duty. She feeds her cat, scratching him softly behind the ears, and settles onto the couch, fully clothed. Her clothes are still starched, her hair lays flat, her make-up is not smudged as she draws her knees to her chest, settling herself firmly into the crook of the couch. Her jacket clad arms wrap solidly around her knees, and her chin drops onto her shoulder.
There she sleeps, curled in upon herself, facing the window, protecting her heart beneath a gleaming glass façade of perfection, of control. In the morning, Emily Prentiss will arise and fall into the lifelong habit of unwavering strength. She will be the rock. She will be invincible. She will hold the team together. That is her job, and she loves it. Treasures it. Is comfortable in it. Belongs in it. But now, she will sleep-guarding herself from the dark-so that tomorrow, she can hold the dark away from the world.
Hey guys! :) This is my first ever posted fanfic; I would love reviews: both good and bad! I love Emily Prentiss from Criminal Minds; I love the entire team, really. This is just chapter 1, I plan on adding a chapter for each of the team members. Each will, like this one, be about what each team member does after a case, after the "lock clicks" on their door at home and they are left alone.
What do you all think? I do not want to portray Emily as weak, because she isn't! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it; please review! I would really appreciate it!
God Bless you and have a great day!
