Chapter LII
By the time the conversation had made its way to current events, two hours had passed. JJ's eyes anxiously darted towards the door, waiting for the fuming to brunette to burst in and reprimand them for starting without her but Emily never came. Glancing at the younger woman, JJ watched as she recounted private details of her life like a robot; eyes unwavering and posture as stiff as a rock. The blonde felt a whole new level of sympathy for the girl after hearing why she left home and everything that had happened before she met Hail. Afterwards, she remained on autopilot, hearing but not really listening, since she already knew all the things Hail had made her do.
"I thought I was in love him with." Ana's eyes showed the first spark of emotion since they had begun.
"Were you?" Kenway inquired and Ana shrugged nonchalantly.
"I didn't know what love was."
"And now?" the girl's lips twitched upwards slightly as her gaze flickered to JJ and back.
"Now I do." Kenway glanced in the blonde's direction and didn't miss the smile she offered the younger woman.
"Ana, what happened at the prison?" Kenway crossed his arms as he leaned back in the chair, trying to make himself more comfortable. JJ also shifted, sitting in the same position for hours getting more than uncomfortable.
"I don't really remember." Ana frowned and JJ could tell she was telling the truth. "I tried really hard not to fall asleep. I knew something would happen."
"You were there for a week." Kenway's eyebrow shot up. Had she refrained from resting for seven days out of fear?
"I was too…I was afraid." Ana admitted. "When they came, I was only half awake."
"What happened?" Kenway pushed, clearly trying to understand who would do this to 17 year old girl. Ana shook her head. Just as she was about to reply with 'I don't know', JJ spoke for the first time.
"Ana, close your eyes." The girl raised an eyebrow in her direction. "Trust me." She did, her grip on JJ's now sweaty hand already tightening. "Remember what the mattress felt like. Were you comfortable?"
"No." Ana answered.
"What about the temperature? Was it hot or cold?"
"I was cold. I had the blanket wrapped around myself."
"Good." JJ praised. "Now you were really tired."
"Mhm."
"Did you think about falling asleep?"
"Yea. I almost did."
"Right as you were about to fall asleep, what did you hear?"
"There was a…a click and then the door opened."
"What did the door sound like?"
"Like it always did; like something scraping against the floor." JJ frowned.
"What's the next thing you heard?"
"Footsteps."
"More than one person?"
"Yea."
"Can you tell how many?" JJ asked quickly, wanting to make sure Ana stayed focused.
"At least three."
"What else?"
"Something's jingling. Like…keys clanging together." Keys? JJ's scowl deepened.
"You knew why they were there?"
"Mhm." Ana's voice hitched and JJ could see the beginning of tears forming on the corner of her wet eyes.
"It's alright, Ana. It's over. You're safe now." She promised the girl but it did little to stop her increasing heart rate. "Did they say anything?"
"I…I don't remember." Ana shook her head.
"I know it's hard but try to remember." JJ insisted. "Did they threaten you, try to scare you, talk to each other?"
"One…one of them asked if it was the right cell."
"Was the voice male or female?"
"Male." JJ and Kenway exchanged concerned looks. What was a man doing in an all-women's detention center?
"Was there a response?"
"Yea. A woman told him that there was no mistake and to…to suck it up."
"And then what happened?"
"Someone grabbed me. They dragged me off the bed and…and-"
"It's alright, Ana. Open your eyes." JJ could gather the rest for herself. When the jade eyes opened again, streams of tears made their way down her face and JJ's heart broke at the sight. It was her fault that Ana remembered the details of her attack. Lifting herself from the chair, the blonde sat on the side of Ana's bed and pulled her into a hug as the teenager's shoulders shook with the force of her tears.
"I'm sorry." The two heard Kenway utter, genuine regret in his voice. JJ turned her gaze to him as she continued to comfort the girl.
"This interview's over." She said with finality. "You have everything you need." Kenway nodded solemnly and stood. Once he closed the door behind him, he could hear Ana release a cry she had been holding back. The sound was like daggers to his chest. Raising his gaze, he saw the men of the BAU staring at him from across the room. Not one of them looked happy to see him. Clearing his throat, Judge Kenway ignored their icy glares as he speedily made his way down the hallway and to the hospital's parking garage. There was a lot to take into account before a decision was made and there was someone he urgently needed to speak to.
The door creaked and JJ opened her eyes to see who had entered the room. Emily stood at the foot of the door, watching as the blonde gently moved Ana's head off of her shoulder and covered the now sleeping teenager before standing. The exited the room and as the door closed behind them, both women stared at the ground in silence.
"Are you ok?" Emily's soft voice asked and JJ offered the woman a tight smile.
"I'm fine."
"I'm really sorry." JJ was shaking her hand at the woman before she had finished.
"It's fine, Em. Really." Emily nodded awkwardly.
"Is she…ok?" the brunette asked.
"She will be." JJ nodded. "I, uh…asked her about the attack at the prison."
"Did she remember anything?"
"Not at first. I…I helped her to."
"And?"
"And I think we have serious problem."
"Besides the traumatized 17 year old?" Emily crossed her arms as she followed JJ towards the rest of their team.
"Yea." The blonde said weakly. "Besides that."
"What does that mean?" Reid asked after JJ had finished recounting what Ana remembered. The click Ana had heard, the sound of keys jingling and the male voice could only mean one thing.
"It means that someone in the prison is taking bribes." Rossi shook his head.
"Like a prison guard?" Reid's eyebrows went up at the thought.
"Exactly like a prison guard." Hotch agreed. Although the detention center held solely female prisoners, there was no rule at that only females could guard them. He guessed that there were a fair amount of men that wouldn't mind being posted there. Besides the fact that women are typically less likely to resort to violence than men, Hotch was sure that a handful of male guards would be more than happy to accept nonconventional methods of payment from the women they 'guarded'. Emily was already on the phone with Garcia telling her to compile a list of men working at the prison with financial problems or ties to people in Hail's crew. As she hung up, the team took in her clenched fists and red cheeks. They couldn't remember a time when they had seen their friend this angry. Glancing at his team one by one, Hotch took in their defeated expressions and slumped shoulders. They worked tirelessly to defeat people like Hail only to be betrayed by one of their own. If they couldn't trust the people that shared their oath, who could they trust?
"We should head home." Hotch instructed. "We can help Garcia track the people responsible down in the morning when we've rested." Reluctantly, everyone began collecting their things and heading towards the exit. JJ risked a glance over her shoulder and saw Aaron hesitantly sit next to an enraged Emily. Sighing, she entered the elevator with the others and rode it down in silence before entering her car and making her way home, angry tears stinging her eyes the entire time.
As soon as he sat, Emily stood and began pacing around the waiting room. Sighing, Hotch blocked her path and took her hands.
"Emily, you need to relax." Those were obviously not the words the woman wanted to hear and she yanked her hands out of his grip before resuming her pacing.
"I will not relax." She spat. "Why do we do this?"
"Do what?" Hotch frowned, his eyes following her as she walked.
"This job. Why do we do it?"
"You know why. To catch the people responsible for things like this." He waved a hand around the room.
"Yea, we catch them alright." Emily scoffed. "Only to wake up the next day and find three more in their place."
"Emily-"
"It's pointless!" She cried as she outstretched her arms for emphasis. "We dedicate our lives to getting people like Hail off the streets and where they belong but what's the point if there's a new one born every day?!"
"We make a difference."
"Are you kidding?" her once warm, chestnut gaze now dark and angry. "We're fighting a war that's already lost!"
"You know that's not true." Hotch frowned. "Every person we save makes a difference."
"And what about the ones we don't save? What about the ones we're too late for?"
"Emily, it's impossible to save everyone." She surprised him with a laugh.
"Exactly!"
"Just because we can't help everyone doesn't mean we shouldn't help anyone." As Hotch finished, Emily stopped directly in front of him.
"That's where you're wrong, Aaron." Her eyes, now wet with tears, latched onto his as if they were drowning. "What would you do with a horse whose leg was broken? You'd put it out of its misery."
"Emily-"
"This world is like a lame horse. Helping people only prolongs their suffering." Her words cut him deeply. Did she truly believe that there was no goodness left in their world? If so, then how was he supposed to believe the feelings she claims to have for him? How is she supposed to continue doing this job if she doesn't see a point in it? The thought of a BAU without Emily made his heart skip a beat.
"No." he said forcefully, taking her by the shoulders and giving them a slight shake. "You're wrong."
"Everything we've seen says otherwise." Hotch shook her again.
"Emily, listen to me. I know that things seems bad now but you have to see the good in it. Ana's alive. She'll be free in a few days. JJ was shot but managed to get up and walk away. You almost died but pulled through it. These are just the things that have happened this month. Don't you see?" he brought his face a little closer to hers, wiping away her tears. "We have so much to be thankful for."
"Thankful?" she scoffed. "Were you thankful when Foyet killed your wife? Was Morgan thankful when Buford molested him? Was Penelope when Battle shot her?" Emily shook her head. "You want me to be thankful for the terrible things that happen to the best people?!"
"Am I denying that bad things happen? No." Hotch explained. "But if we focus on the bad then what room is there for the good, Emily? Think. Is there nothing in your life that you could classify as decent?" She lowered her gaze. "Emily, I love you." Her eyes widened at the words. "And if you truly believe what you're saying then I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"Aaron." Her voice shook as she absorbed what he said. She closed her eyes, hating herself for everything she had said. "I…I didn't mean that."
"Didn't you?" his gaze was questioning, as if he knew what she truly believed.
"I mean…I did but not like that." She shook her head.
"How else is there, Emily?" it was his turn to raise his voice. She flinched at the sound. "It's either you don't believe it or you do. You can't have it both ways."
"I'm just so tired of seeing things like this." She murmured.
"You think the rest of us are ok with the way things are?" Hotch asked. "By rights, our job shouldn't even be in existence but what should be and what is are two very different things. It's either we fight for those who can't do it for themselves or we leave them to suffer. Will there be times that we lose? Yes. Will there be moments where we hate our jobs and wish we had a different calling? Of course, but none of that matters when you look at the difference we can make. If we save even one person, we've helped and I know that there will always be a part of you that believes that." The couple stared at each other, both pairs of eyes wet with unshed tears, as a small noise left Emily's lips and the woman brought herself to her toes to plant a kiss on the man's lips. Surprised, Hotch merely stood there for a moment before placing his hand on the back of her neck and reciprocating, her scent overpowering his senses and making him powerless against her. As the two broke apart, a small smile tugged at Emily's lips and Hotch could tell that she understood.
"I love you too." The words left her lips before she knew it and Aaron's lips were planted firmly against hers once more. The two would have been content to remain in each other's arms for the rest of their lives but were drawn apart by the sound of Dr. Neopolis' voice.
"Agents." She called from the foot of Ana's door. "She's asking for you." Emily, Hotch's hand held firmly in her own, rushed to the girl's side. Still shaking away the sleep from her eyes, Ana adjusted herself as soon as she caught sight of the couple.
"Before you ask, I'm fine." She directed to Emily. "And it wouldn't have made a difference if you were there." The older woman sighed. She knew Ana was right but it didn't help knowing that she could've comforted her when needed.
"Actually, you're more than fine." Neopolis said cheerfully from behind the couple. The two parted to make room for her. "In fact, by this time tomorrow you could be home."
"Home?" Ana asked, slightly confused. She didn't have a home and unless Judge Kenway made his decision by then, she would be sent back to the detention center as soon as she was released. Neopolis nodded and left the three, sensing the change in atmosphere.
"Don't worry." Aaron's voice was softer than usual when he addressed the girl.
"We'll figure it out." Emily smiled as she took the girl's hand in hers. She saw Hotch glance at his watch and frown. "Aaron, go home."
"No, I-"
"Go. I'm sure Jack wants to see you before bed." Emily playfully pushed him towards the door with a smile. He smiled back, kissed her goodnight and waved to Ana as he left.
"Jack?" Ana frowned, remembering the name from her previous conversation with Henry. Emily nodded solemnly.
"Hotch's son."
"Jack's mother-"
"Hotch's ex-wife." Emily explained briefly and Ana nodded. "Jack was four."
"Did you get him?" Ana asked, her eyes downcast. Emily nodded. "Good."
"Are you ready to get out of here?" Emily changed the subject to a little note.
"Hell yes." Ana nodded but her mood darkened almost immediately.
"Ana," Emily saw the teen's face and figured now would be the best time to ask. "Depending on what Kenway decides, I was wondering if you would like to come stay with me. Permanently."
"You seem certain that he'll release me." She frowned.
"He will if he knows what's good for him." A thought crossed Emily's mind- a thought that if anyone knew about would land her in prison.
"What?" Ana leaned forward as much as she dared. "What'd you think of?"
"You're not going back there." Emily shook her head, an urgent sense of finality in her statement. Ana's frown deepened.
"Emily, if Kenway-"
"No." the older brunette shook her head. "If Kenway decides to send you back…I'll get you out of here."
"Wait, what?!" Ana cried, the words unable to form completely.
"You heard me." Emily looked up at her and Ana saw the raw determination in the woman's eyes. It scared her. "Thurman was right when she said we could make you disappear. In fact, I could do it by myself."
"Emily, do you hear yourself?!" Ana forced herself to lower her voice lest someone overhear the two. "You're talking about aiding a federal fugitive."
"It's not like I'm helping a serial killer escape, Ana." Emily cried softly. "You don't deserve it."
"That's beside the point. And debatable." Emily scoffed as Ana finished.
"I'm not going to convince you again." She said. "If, and I do say if, Kenway decides to put you back in prison, I'll have you out of the country before anyone's the wiser."
"And what's going to happen when they catch you?!" Ana practically yelled, unable to contain her anger. "Emily, they'll put you in prison with the same people you've arrested!"
"They'll never catch me." The confidence the brunette showed at getting away with the crime frightened Ana. What had the woman been involved in that made her so certain of her skills and contacts?
"And what about Aaron and JJ and the rest of the team?" Ana asked.
"What they don't know won't hurt them."
"Like they wouldn't suspect you the moment I disappear!" Ana threw her arms up in exasperation and winced. Emily's hardened gaze softened as she reach forward and helped the girl lay flat on her back.
"Don't worry about anything." She insisted as Ana saw her press the button attached to her IV. In a few moments, she would be asleep again courtesy of the drugs Emily had released.
"You can't," Ana inhaled deeply as she felt the drugs start to take effect. "be serious." She saw Emily smile before placing a kiss on her forehead before her eyelids grew too heavy to hold open.
