A/N: This picks up awhile after "100." I haven't continued in canon, but there will probably be references to post-"100" episodes. Please read and review. Just a warning, this is pretty angsty. Minor character death and lots of crying.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.
It had only been six months since Hayley's death, but Hotch was back, working with the team. Hotch and Emily had been spending a lot of time together, she being his main support through a lot of it. Although she hadn't told him everything, including the existence of her daughter, they had gotten to know each other really well and Jack had come to adore her. Hotch was beginning to see her as a close friend... even something more. But with his history of relationships, he wasn't prepared to explore the something more.
Emily and Morgan were sitting at the table in the BAU room. They were waiting for Reid to return with the coffee and looked up when they heard footsteps approaching. Hotch was walking towards them, followed by a tall blonde man. He looked at Prentiss and nodded towards her. "Prentiss, someone looking for you," he said, frowning. Emily didn't recognize the man, but held out her hand. "Agent Prentiss," he began, "Is there somewhere we can talk privately?" Emily shook her head. "We can talk here. Whatever you tell me, you can tell them," she explained. The man nodded and sat. "It may be a good idea," he said. Emily took a deep, nervous breath and sat. Hotch remained standing as he watched them talk.
"Agent Prentiss, my name is Clark Gambit. I work for the State Department. Early this morning your mother was involved in a car accident. She is in a critical condition at the hospital and I'm supposed to take you there," the man explained. Emily's jaw dropped at the news. She didn't know how to react, but her first thought was Charlie. She knew she would want to be there. "I've also been told to inform you that Charlie has been called," Gambit continued. Emily sighed in relief. "Ok," Emily nodded, still unable to move. Morgan reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. He looked up at Hotch, who nodded. "I'll come with you," Morgan said. They ran down the stairs and towards the elevator. JJ was just walking into the BAU when she passed them. Morgan pulled Emily close and mouthed "Hotch," to JJ. She nodded and waved.
JJ walked into the Hotch's office, quickly followed by Garcia. "Is everything alright? Morgan said I should come to see you and Emily was upset." JJ said. Hotch looked up and nodded. "Emily's mother is in a critical condition in the hospital. Morgan's gone with her," he explained. JJ nodded, "Is she feeling alright?" Garcia asked. Hotch shrugged, "I'm not too sure. That's why I sent Morgan with her," he explained. The women nodded. "Has someone called Charlie?" Garcia asked, forgetting that it was only she and JJ who knew about Emily's daughter. JJ reached over and gently tapped her arm, "I'll call," she said quietly. Garcia blushed and nodded. Hotch frowned at the mention of Charlie again. "We'll call the relevant people and then head to the hospital," he said. The ladies nodded and walked out.
JJ had called Charlie and was relieved to know the people in charge had known to ring her. JJ was surprised at how calm she was and told her to meet them at the hospital when she landed. They joined Hotch, Rossi, and Reid in the carpark and piled into the SUV's. "Did you call Charlie?" Garcia asked. JJ frowned at her and nodded, looking at the guys. "What? They're gonna find out when we get there anyway," Garcia said defensively. JJ nodded and bit her lip. Hotch looked back at the road, frowning.
They walked quickly down the hall. Morgan had called to let them know where they were waiting. He saw them walking towards him and stood. "Emily's in the room, sitting with her mom," he said. "I'll go see how she is," Hotch said, walking into the room. The others nodded and sat down to wait. They could have left, and definitely needed the sleep. But their desire for sleep was out-grown by their desire to let Emily know they were there for her.
Emily looked up from her mom when she heard Hotch clear his throat. She stood and he walked over to her and hugged her tight. "How is she?" he asked, standing back. She nodded and wiped her eyes. "She's… I actually don't know," Emily replied. Hotch led her back to the seat and she sat down. He pulled a chair over next to her and sat down. As he rubbed her back she held her mom's hand.
An hour later JJ heard someone call her name. When they all looked up they saw her. Charlie ran towards them and JJ stood up to meet her. They embraced, then pulled back. Charlie's eyes were red from crying but she had a determined face on. "I caught the first flight I could," Charlie said. JJ nodded and brushed a stray hair behind her ear. "Where's mom?" she asked. JJ pointed to the room and Charlie walked over. The other guys looked around at each other and Garcia and JJ smiled. "Mom?" Morgan asked, looking at the girls. JJ nodded, "Emily," she said. All three guys raised their eyebrows in surprise.
"Mom!" Charlie called out as she walked towards the room. Emily jumped up and saw her daughter. The two women ran to each other and hugged tight. Hotch stood and frowned. "Charlie. Oh god. I'm so glad you're here," Emily whispered in her ear. Charlie shook with tears and Emily held her tight. When they stood back, they both wiped their faces. "How is she?" Charlie asked. Emily shrugged her shoulders and watched as Charlie opened the chart and read it.
When she looked up she saw Hotch. Emily smiled sadly and gestured, "Charlie, this is my boss, friend… uh Hotch," she said, "Hotch, this is Charlotte, my daughter." Hotch tried to hide his surprise with the introduction, but failed miserably. "Yeah, I had a feeling you were Hotch," Charlie said, "Since you've got someone to take care of you, I'm going to find Gannie's doctor and get some answers," Charlie explained. Emily nodded and watched her daughter leave the room.
When they sat down again Hotch turned to Emily. "You don't need to explain right now," he said. Emily looked at him and shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I just… I was a kid. 16. She was a surprise and I guess she always will be. She's 21, studying medicine at Cal Tech. She started college when I started at the BAU so it's been easy to keep her a secret," Emily explained. "She looks just like you Emily," Hotch said, smiling as he sat back in his seat. Emily smiled and nodded, "I guess so," she said. "Although on the right day you can really see her dad." Hotch smiled.
A moment later Charlie walked back into the room, followed by the doctor. "Hi, Agent Prentiss. My name is Dr. Molinson," he said, holding out his hand. Emily nodded and Hotch stood behind her, ready for anything. "Uh, when your mother came in she had a great deal of bleeding in her brain. It resulted in a sub-dural haematoma and…" the doctor paused, "… I'm afraid it's unlikely that she will wake up from her coma." Emily's jaw dropped as Charlie walked over to embrace her mom. Emily couldn't move, and Charlie buried her face in her mom's shoulder. Hotch reached over and put his arms around both women. He pulled them close to him and held them as they cried. The doctor apologized and excused himself from the room.
Emily had to sign the papers for the machines to be turned off. She couldn't steady her hand to sign. Hotch reached over and put his hand on hers and helped her. She reached up and handed the clip-board to the nurse. Emily held her mom's hand again and lay her head on the side of the bed. Charlie sat next to her and hugged her mom. Hotch said he'd wait in the waiting room and Emily nodded. As he walked out he could hear the doctor turn off the life-support machines. As Elizabeth's heart-rate slowed he heard Emily finally let go of her emotions and his heart broke for her.
Hotch walked into the waiting room. The others looked up at him and he shook his head. JJ started to cry and Reid reached over and took her hand. Garcia buried her face in Morgan's shoulder. Although they didn't know Ambassador Prentiss all that well, they knew that this was going to hurt someone they loved. And after an already emotionally charged year, this was the last thing Emily (and the rest of the team) needed.
"Is Emily alright?" Rossi asked. Hotch shook his head and looked towards the closed door. "I don't know. But I'm glad she's got Charlie with her," he said, sitting next to Reid. "You guys should go home. Get some rest. I'll call you when I've talked to Emily," Hotch said. The others nodded and stood. After they said goodbye Hotch sat back down. He kept watch on the door, waiting for them to come out.
Emily opened the door and Charlie walked out behind her. Hotch jumped up from his seat and walked over to them. He hugged Emily tight, her face resting on his chest. "Everything's taken care of, you just need to take care of you and Charlie," he whispered in her ear. Emily stood back and looked into his eyes. She said thanks, quietly. "How about I drive you two home?" he asked. Emily nodded. As they walked down the hall, away from Elizabeth's room, Hotch put his arm around Emily's shoulder. She and Charlie held hands and the three of them left together.
