A/N –
This is a sequel to 'Who's Rescuing Who'. Major spoilers for Season 6 episodes 13 – 18. Most of the dialogue has been changed to accommodate Kate but some is the same or similar. When Emily's past catches up with her how will it affect her adopted daughter Kate, explores the team dynamic and features JJ. Seven Chapters Long. Criminal Minds and the main characters all belong to CBS.
Chapter 1 – The Thirteenth Step
"So are you ready for the assessment tomorrow?"
"Yes. Thanks for all your help Emily."
"It's not a problem Ashley, I'm your mentor and I want you to succeed."
Ashley smiled softly as Emily stood up from the dining table.
"Thanks Emily."
"You're going to be a great agent Ashley, you just need to believe in yourself and trust your instincts."
Emily smiled as she heard footsteps approaching.
"Mom is Ashley staying for dinner?"
Kate stuck her head around the door as the twelve year old grinned at the young blonde agent who smiled back at her.
"Thanks for the offer but I'd better go and do a bit more studying before the test."
Ashley stood up and walked around the table, smiling as she saw Kate standing in front of Emily who had wrapped her arms protectively around her daughter.
"Ok that's fine Ashley. Kate, why don't you dish up dinner while I see Ashley out?"
"No worries mom, see you soon Ashley!"
Kate waved at Ashley before she jogged out of the room.
"She's a good kid."
"Yeah, she's had a tough life but things in the last couple of years have finally settled down."
Ashley nodded, Emily had told her about a week ago how Kate had come into her life and knowing the ordeal that Emily and Kate had been subjected to three years ago made her admire the older agent even more.
"Well I'll let you know how the test goes!"
"It will be fine Ashley, just relax!"
Emily laughed as she waved at the younger woman as she walked out of the apartment. Quickly she shut and locked the door before she wandered into the dining room where Ashley was waiting for her.
Emily yawned as she walked into the bullpen, her hectic life was catching up with her as she turned and smiled at Garcia as her friend approached her.
"Morning PG."
"Hey sweetie. Ok I've got a message for you, somehow it got routed through to me. A Sean McAllister, sexy Scottish voice but a Paris number, share Emily!"
"Oh thanks Garcia."
"And?"
Emily raised an eyebrow before she shook her head and entered the conference room.
"Where's Seaver?"
Reid looked immediately at Emily as he spoke.
"She's taking a test at the academy."
Emily sat down at the table, the piece of paper Garcia had given her was now tightly balled up in the palm of her left hand. Emily tried to concentrate on the briefing but quickly found that her mind wandered onto the message and why, after all this time, Sean had gotten in contact with her. Shaking the thoughts from her mind Emily did what she did best, putting the thoughts into a box in her memory, to be retrieved after the case had been completed. As she walked out she instantly reached for her cell and sent a text message to Sarah, the teenager who looked after Kate after school.
Been called away on case, Kate staying with family will still pay u!
A second later Emily's phone chimed loudly and she quickly opened the message.
No probs thanks!
Emily smiled before she quickly sent a message to the person that Kate loved to stay with when Emily had to go away.
Got called away to Montana R U ok to have Kate?
Emily pocketed her phone and walked back to her desk, she needed to organise everything before they went. Just as she had finished tidying up the mess of files on her desk Emily's cell chimed once again as she retrieved her phone and read the message.
No probs Will can pick her up after school
Relieved that JJ was able to look after Kate, Emily finally found herself able to concentrate on the case and the seemingly murderous scene that they were heading out to in Montana.
It had been a long day and after she had finished her call in the dark outside of the burnt out gas station Emily said goodbye to Garcia and looked at Hotch who nodded at her to take five minutes. Emily walked a few paces away and reached for her phone once again.
"Mom?"
"Evening munchkin, how are you?"
"Ok thanks, you?"
"Busy. How was school?"
"Yeah you know. But I am doing my homework, Uncle Will is helping me."
"That's good."
Emily smiled as she took a breath, glad that she had the time to speak to Kate but at the same time her thoughts ran to McAllister and what he wanted.
"Mom?"
"I'm here."
"Is everything ok?"
Kate had quickly sensed the slight uneasiness in her mother's voice and immediately wanted to know what the matter was.
"I'm fine munchkin, this is just a tough case."
"Well ok, take care mom, I love you."
"I love you too sweetie."
Emily smiled as she finished the call, pocketing her cell before she moved back towards the team, shaking her head at how quickly Kate had picked up on her worries.
It had been three days and two long nights but finally Emily started to walk towards the jet, she had her phone held to her ear as she waited for a response.
"Jareau."
"JJ it's Emily, we're now heading back but I was wondering if it was ok for Kate to stay another night with you? I've got someone I need to see tonight."
"Of course Em, she's just finishing up her homework now so there's no need to disturb her."
"Thanks JJ."
"Is everything ok?"
"Yes JJ, I just need to catch up with an old friend, I'll pick Kate up in the morning and take her to school."
"Ok Emily I'll see you then."
Emily sucked in her bottom lip as she climbed the stairs to the jet, pondering what her meeting with Sean would bring.
Emily smiled as she saw her friend stand up and she warmly greeted him before she sat down and looked seriously at Sean McAllister.
"Doyle has escaped from prison."
"Do you know where he is?"
"He's off the grid."
Emily took a breath as she processed the information.
"Is he headed here? Am I in danger?"
"We all are."
Emily's face immediately dropped as she tried to compose herself, without saying another word she stood up and walked out of the bar, not stopping until she sat numbly in her car, panicking and worrying not only about her own safety but that of Kate's as well.
