This fic has spoilers for Lauren, don't read if you haven't seen it!

A big thank you goes out to Kate, she's the best beta I've ever had (no joke) and she ALWAYS does a fantastic job with what I give her.

Prologue:

March 8th 2011- Washington DC Hospital

Emily Prentiss slowly sat up in the hospital bed; it had been easier then she had expected for the doctors to remove the wood from her stomach. However, she'd been asleep for most of the last day, and now it was nearly 24 hours since she'd been brought in.

"Hey," JJ's voice made Emily turn and look toward the doorway.

"Hey," Emily said quietly. Everything still hurt despite the pain medication they had her on.

"How are you feeling?" JJ asked.

"Like I had to have a piece of wood removed from my body," Emily replied wryly with a thin smile. "Other than that, I'll be fine. Believe it or not, I've actually been beaten worse."

"Doyle disappeared," JJ said quietly.

"He's good at that." Emily paused. "I'm going to go into protective custody, aren't I?"

JJ nodded softly. "Yeah. We think it would be best for everyone involved," she confirmed.

Emily took in a breath. "Where will I be going?"

"Wherever you want," JJ answered. She smiled at Emily's surprised look and quickly explained, "The Department of Defense is letting you choose where you go. We will provide you with a new alias and money to keep you comfortable."

"Anywhere in the US?"

"The world," JJ corrected.

"How is my disappearance being explained?"

"Your funeral is on Friday," JJ said shortly.

Emily sighed and leaned back. "Wow. That was quick. Did I get an autopsy?" she quipped.

"We would have talked to you about it, but you were asleep and we needed to get things rolling."

Emily smiled thinly and nodded in agreement. "I understand. Does anyone else know I'm actually alive?"

"Only myself, Hotch and my superiors."

"Hotch will die before he gives out my secret," Emily whispered.

JJ nodded. "You have two weeks to decide where you want to live; otherwise we'll come up with a few aliases and let you decide from there."

"Okay." Emily blinked and yawned, still tired from running, hiding, and surgery.

"We need to talk to you about what Ian did to you, what he said," JJ began. "If we're going to find him we need to have as much information as possible."

Emily looked down and away from her best friend. "I'll be glad to talk to you," she agreed, "I just have one request about being in protective custody."

JJ paused. Requests had to be filtered, but this was Emily. "We can try."

"I had a phone with me…" Emily began.

JJ got up and went to the bedside cupboard. "We put your personal things in here." She took out the slim device and held it out to Emily.

"I just want to keep the message Garcia left me." Emily replied, taking the phone and cradling it as if it were the Crown Jewels. "Even if it's just a taping and you need to keep the phone."

"Of course," JJ said, gently. "I'll see if I can let you keep the phone, we'll need a phone and number to keep in contact with you anyway."

Emily nodded. "Thank you." Her eyes were so heavy and she needed to sleep. At least the meds were keeping the nightmares away.

"I'll let you sleep." JJ pulled up a chair. "I'll be right here." She took hold of Emily's thin hand.

"I wish I could see Henry." Emily was unsure why she suddenly wanted to see JJ's boy.

"He'd talk about you still being alive." JJ reminded, the sorrow in her eyes was visible though. "I wish he could see you though. He loves his Aunt Emily."

Emily's eyes pricked with tears and she turned from JJ, hoping the blonde wouldn't comment on the glistening. Everything was going to be hard enough without having to explain.

"You need to rest," JJ said again and pulled the blanket up to Emily's shoulders and then smoothed out the wrinkles.

"It feels like there's sleep medication in the IV drip." Emily mumbled, yawning sleepily.

"I'll have them take you off of it if you want; you still might sleep, because you need to heal."

"I know. No sleep meds and I want the lowest dose of everything else please."

"I'll talk to your doctor," JJ said quietly as Emily drifted off to sleep.

The possibility me being pregnant is low Emily thought as she drifted off to sleep, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

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