Author's Note: This is the sequel to Fate Gave Me You. It takes place a year and a half after Fate ended. Unlike Fate this story revolves around Emily and Hotch. It will include Gracie and Jack but not to the point where Fate did. Warning it does get much darker in later chapters. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters.

My Own Fate

Chapter One: Bullet

-"Deep in the man sits fast his fate

To mould his fortunes, mean and great."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

It all happened so fast she barely knew what actually took place in those five minutes.

She was clearing the third room in the Unsub's house, gun drawn and her eyes darting across the room looking for any movement. In her earpiece she could hear Morgan asking for assistance in the basement. She hurriedly backed out of the room. Back in the hall she headed straight for the kitchen where the basement door was. She heard the footsteps behind her but she trusted it was her husband and boss also headed for Morgan.

She was wrong.

She had heard a gunshot many times in her years as an agent. Many times it had come from her own gun. The low click and loud pop and boom of a shot was one she heard and felt many times but this time it was different.

Her name was screamed in a familiar voice. The voice she loved, the voice that comforted her at night and the voice that whispered sweet nothings in the morning.

She felt a heavy weight on her back as she was pushed to the ground, her face hitting the muddy carpet and her arms trying to break her fall as best as possible. The weight never let up as more shots rang out in the house. When the shots stopped and voices shouted orders, she tried to push the weight off but was unsuccessful. A low groan sounded from her back. That's when she knew. That's when her world stopped. That's when her life changed forever.

She turned to see his face. His eyes were closed slightly and his face was contorted in such a way her heart stopped. People were everywhere, in her face asking questions that she couldn't comprehend and moving him off her but her eyes never left his face.

She could smell the smoky residue left from the guns and blood. She smelt his blood. Her hands ran down her sides on their own accord. That's when she felt it. Sticky red liquid painted the back of her jeans. Her own blood pumped in her ears in return.

Sitting up with the help of JJ she reached for his hand next to her. The paramedics already had him on the back board. His arms stretched out on the floor. She squeezed but he didn't squeeze back. Cries came from deep in her chest. JJ tried pulling her away but that was not happening. She would not leave him. Words came from the blond but her heart was racing so fast she couldn't understand then her vision started blackening around the edges. She said the three words he needed to hear than it all went black.

-CM-CM-

Emily groaned softly then opened her eyes. The bright lights made her eyes close again. A warm hand covered hers on the bed. Turning her head she opened her eyes once again.

"Emily, hey you're in the hospital. You fainted from shock." JJ's soft voice soothed.

Emily groaned again "What happened?" her mind was spinning.

"You don't remember?"

She shook her head. "No, I was clearing a room then Morgan called for help so I… oh my god! JJ, where is Aaron?" the machines she was hooked to started going off as panic set in. She push up and started to climb out of the bed.

"Em, no you can't get up. Hotch is in surgery." JJ said quickly gently pushing Emily back into the bed.

"What happened, JJ? Is he okay?" tears streamed from her eyes. Her heart was pounding and her chest was closing up. Her breaths were short and her body was shaking.

"Emily calm down. I know it's hard but you have to. I'll explain everything but you have to calm down. Breathe" JJ said on the verge of tears herself. She could see the panic and confusion in her dark haired colleagues face.

Emily tried to breathe but it wasn't helping. Her hands grasped at the bed sheet and her eyes clamped close. Breathe Prentiss just breathe she told herself. He's okay. He is with great doctors and he is going to be fine. Who was she kidding her husband was lying on an operating table being torn apart. Nothing was fine. She pictured him in her mind happy and smiling with their kids. He was holding Jack in his arms and Gracie was looking up at him. Gracie loved the man like no other even though he wasn't her real father; Aaron was the best the girl could ask for. Emily remembered the four of them at the park just last weekend. Aaron chased the kids around laughing as he caught them.

That happy picture morphed into the last time she saw him. Lying on his back covered in blood. Her eyes shot open again. "Tell me"

JJ looked over her friend "All I know is that the bullet went in his back. I can get Morgan if you want. He has been talking with the doctors."

"No, I want to be out there. I need to be there if the doctors come. Please JJ?" she pleaded.

JJ nodded. She helped Emily pull out her IVs and climb out of bed. "Take it slow." She warned not sure if this was the best option but she knew she wasn't going to stop her.

Emily thanked her with a small smile then headed out of the room. A little ways down the hall Morgan, Rossi and Reid sat in the waiting room. They all stood when the women walked in.

"Emily, are you okay?" Morgan asked pulling her into a fierce hug.

She nodded and pulled away. "How is he? What have the doctors said?"

Their faces fell once again as Rossi spoke up. "They only told us he could be in there for a while. The bullets weren't through and through. They are trying to get them out but he does have major damage to his lower back. The spinal cords in his lower back are damaged. I don't know what that all in tells but when he woke in the ambulance he couldn't feel his legs."

Emily fell into the seat behind her. Bullets? Anger boiled in her veins. "How could he be so stupid? Why does he always have to be the fucking hero?" she knew it was wrong to be angry with him but she still was. "I need to talk to the doctor." She stood again but Rossi did too.

"Emily, I know this is hard but you have to wait. They will be out soon."

"Wait? Wait? You wait! I'm going to find out how my husband is!" she stormed off. Morgan ran to her side but he didn't stop her. He was probably making sure she didn't kill someone on her way to the nurse's desk.

"Aaron Hotchner, how is he?" she asked the first nurse she got to.

"And you are?" the red haired woman asked.

"His wife, now tell me how he is!" she snarled. She felt Morgan's hand on her back but she ignored it.

"Let me get his doctor Mrs. Hotchner."