A/N: The conclusion to our story! One more agent needs to put everything behind her and begin the healing process…
Thanks to the people who reviewed, I tried to follow a suggestion from Ecda (I added a couple of lines…) for this last chapter (the toughest to write, actually. I'm not sure I'm happy with it, but I don't want to delay posting the ending, so, here goes nothing!).
Quote: "Some tension is necessary for the soul to grow, and we can put that tension to good use. We can look for every opportunity to give and receive love, to appreciate nature, to heal our wounds and the wounds of others, to forgive, and to serve." – Joan Borysenko
CHAPTER 9
Startled by the ring coming from JJ's cell, all eyes turn to her and her mobile. JJ quickly picks up her phone and answers.
"Jennifer Jareau… Yes! Wait, wait! The whole gang is here, let me put you on speaker…" and JJ puts down her phone after turning on the speaker feature.
"Can you hear me, Emily?"
"I can! It's so GOOD to hear your voice! You have no idea what it means to finally be able to speak with you!" answers the familiar voice through the phone.
"I can only imagine, I'm sure!" replies JJ with a joyous, but shaky voice.
"Emily, sweetheart, tell us how you are!" intervenes Penelope.
"PG! My friend! The last time I heard your voice was when you left a message in my voice mail… If you knew how your words touched me…" Emily chokes, fighting the emotional onslaught that threatens to make her cry. "I'm sorry, I promised myself I wouldn't… I'm okay, don't worry. I'm a bit tired, it's quite late, here, and the last few hours have especially been challenging, but I've basically been resting and recovering for the past six months, so… I feel like a lazy bum when I hear what has happened to you today."
"They told you we found Doyle, of course," Dave says.
"Dave! Sweet Dave, yes, they told me a little what happened, that you rescued Clyde Easter and Doyle was killed. Do you know how Clyde is?" Emily asks.
David looks to JJ who answers for him: "I've checked with the hospital earlier. He's still in ICU, but he has regained consciousness and is doing better than expected, the doctor said." She makes a funny face, knowing the information is not very explicit.
"I'm not surprised, Clyde is a fighter. I'm so grateful to all of you for what you did."
"Doyle only got what he deserved," Derek throws in, with a trembling voice.
"Derek, is that you? I've missed you so much… I miss all of you! I am so sorry for the way it all happened. And Derek, you…" She cannot continue, but after a few seconds, she manages to speak again, "I made so many mistakes…" Emily declares apologetically. "When did you all learn the truth… about me…?" she adds.
"We got the good news about an hour ago, Emily," volunteers Penelope.
"What? Guys, you must be feeling so… shocked, hurt… Please don't be angry with JJ and Hotch! They only did what they did to help me. It was all my fault, really. I did not want to involve you in that mess, but I should have realized, you already were… I messed up so badly…"
"You only did the best you could, dealing with a sadistic-psychopath-intent-on-personal-revenge," Derek replies. "I'm sorry, I wish things could have happened differently, too," he adds, sorrowfully.
Emily is silent for a moment, but they can hear her sniffle.
"But we are all relieved that you're okay, and that you're coming back, soon, aren't you?" Spencer jumps in.
"Dr. Reid!" cries Emily. "Yes, Spencer, I'm hoping to catch the first plane out of here, back to Washington. I don't even want to spend another day in London! Oh, Spencer, I cannot find the words to apologize…" Emily begins with contrition in her voice.
"Water under the bridge, Emily!" Spencer interrupts her, slowly, deliberately articulating each word, with hints to the woman that apologies are not necessary, which surprises her.
"I, hah... I wasn't expecting… I was not ready for… I had actually prepared myself…" interrupted again by sniffles and sobs, she stops for a moment. They wait, most of them also fighting tears or struggling with lumps in their throats.
"Be prepared to receive one gigantic hug when I see you, Spencer" she suddenly returns, "I must warn you, all!" she adds with a laugh.
Spencer nods with a grin, "I'll be happy to return one right back at you!"
"Thank you! Is Hotch there?" she asks. Hearing his name, Hotch turns to the phone and swallows hard.
"Hotch? Say something!" begs Emily.
"Something!" replies Hotch with a hoarse voice. They hear a chuckle on the phone, then she adds more seriously:
"I heard about what happened, how Doyle sent his men to Jack's school… Is he okay?" she asks with anxious trepidation.
"He's fine, don't worry!" reassures Hotch. "He spent the day here, at the BAU; he had a ball!"
"I'm so sorry, Hotch, I had been trying to avoid something like that from happening. I knew Doyle would come after us… Everybody associated with me… Do you think he found out that I was hiding from him? Maybe Clyde told him I was alive…"
"I don't think so. Doyle was looking for his son; he probably questioned Easter about that and nothing else…" Hotch answers.
"Well, poor Clyde knew nothing about Declan's whereabouts. I made sure no one at Interpol knew where he is."
"Will Declan be told about his father's death?" asks Penelope.
"Yes, he will, but I'll do that myself. I don't know who his actual mother is, so, he's basically an orphan now, but I'll take care of him and make sure he's well looked after. He's living a normal life with his guardian, and he's happy; there's no need to change anything. It will be nice for them to know, though, that they don't have to fear his father finding them anymore.
"Speaking of family, have you talked to your parents, yet?" Dave enquires.
"My mother is actually in London right now. She's meeting me at the airport before I leave... I was worried about you, guys; I just needed to know... how you were all doing with the news and everything that happened…" They can hear her chuckle, once more: "I'm still wearing the sundress I put on this morning, in Madrid! It's all I've got left; that, and my raincoat!"
JJ comes to her rescue: "We have all your clothes and things in boxes, at your mother's, don't worry. We will have to find you a new apartment, though…"
"Thank you, Jayje. And there's Sergio!"
"Who is Sergio?" asks Dave, intrigued.
"My cat! I had gotten myself a cat, when I thought I was finally having a more stable life…" she chokes. "How ironic is that?" she adds, before crying again, then laughing at herself after a few minutes.
"You're getting your life back, Em, all of it, don't worry," Penelope consoles her, while smiling through her own downpour of tears.
Dave, with red eyes, looks to Hotch: "You had nothing to worry about, the grieving session is proceeding very well," he whispers to him. They both smile and join the sniffling party happening all around them.
Spencer, having finished his coffee mug, reaches for more coffee as he asks: "Where and when are you lending tomorrow? We'd love to be at the airport to pick you up!"
Emily gives them the details, as they cringe while Spencer is pouring excessive amounts of sugar in his full mug. They whisper to him: "You won't be able to sleep!"
Spencer jerks in surprise: "Sleep? Do you think YOU'll be able to sleep, tonight? I won't! My mind is going to go over every detail of the past eight months, there's no chance I'll sleep a wink!" and he drinks a sip, before adding more sugar to the cup.
"I heard also that Ashley Seaver has left the BAU?" Emily begins again.
"Yes, that's correct, she left a few weeks ago" answers Hotch.
Dave cuts in: "There's room on the team for one more agent; I bet you'll be looking for work once you get back and have rested for a while…" entices David, while quietly reassuring Hotch, who is frowning with concern.
"I've been resting for months; I'm bored out of my mind! Except for the constant threat of being discovered, I haven't had much to keep me busy out here. I had to lay low, avoid the touristy places, and go home every night. I've been training, regaining my strength, my weight… Well, I'm still a bit thin, so don't be surprised when you see me, but my appetite was not great for a while…"
Everyone can't resist turning their gaze to Hotch, who is suddenly feeling very self-conscious in his loose clothes. Damn! Of course, they noticed. What did I expect?
"… but I'm back in shape. I'm ready to go after the next sleazy scumbag… I just didn't know if I should dare apply for a job at the BAU! And Strauss will probably not trust me with a job, ever again…"
"Strauss will not be doing the hiring, this time," Hotch suggests pointedly, referring to the way Emily had been hired by Strauss when she had first joined the unit.
"Oh, man, could it be possible? Oh, guys…" Emily sighs. "Well, whether or not I do get to work with you soon, the first night I'm back, I want you all on the town with me. I'm buying!"
"We definitely have to party!" Penelope shouts in reply. "Our girl is back!"
The End
