Chapter LIII

"Hello?" a woman responded as she frowned at the caller ID. Who could be calling her at midnight?

"Hello Agent, this is Judge Edward Kenway." Where had she heard that name before? Oh, right!

"How can I help you Judge?" Sitting upright in bed, she was careful not to disturb the sleeping man beside her.

"I'm very sorry for the lateness but I was hoping to discuss a very important and time sensitive matter with you." The judge's voice was serious and the woman rubbed her eyes trying to get the sleep out of them.

"It's alright, I understand." She yawned slightly.

"I was hoping we could discuss the terms of Ana Valerious' release." As he finished, the woman in pink shot out of bed and held the phone closer to her ear. It had been over a month since the girl had been admitted to the hospital and still, no decision had been made.

"Of course we can." She all but cried. "What would you like to discuss?"

"I'd like to start by asking you just how you find life at the FBI after your recruitment."

"Sir?" she frowned in confusion.

"Has your job impacted your life positively?"

"Of course!" she smiled. "Working for the FBI was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"And your team? How do they affect you?"

"The team is my family, sir. I wouldn't be here without them." She answered honestly.

"You trust them?"

"With my life, sir."

"What did they do to warrant that respect, Agent?" he heard the woman take a deep breath.

"Sir, the BAU is the best asset the FBI could ever dream of. Not only do they love their jobs, they're great at it too! Helping them do what they do is the cherry on top of a very scrumptious cake."

"Outside of the office, how do you find them?"

"Like I said, they're my family. My only family. I'm the godmother of one of my teammate's children, we've gone to family weddings, funerals, Christmas parties, everything! I couldn't ask for a better team or better friendships."

"Alright." The judge sighed deeply. "Thank you."

"Judge." She caught his attention before he could hang up. "I know that you doubt us but I guarantee that there is no reason for your skepticism. Ana's situation is…unique but that doesn't change the fact that the BAU- and myself- is willing to do everything in our power to help her. And I know we can if you just give us the chance."

"Thank you." Kenway responded after a moment. "Goodnight Agent Garcia."

"Goodnight Judge." Garcia smiled into the phone as she tiptoed back into bed where a now-awake Kevin was waiting.

"Everything ok?" the sleepy man asked as she crawled underneath the covers. Giving him a peck on the cheek, Garcia nodded.

"More than ok, my little love muffin." She assured him before slowly drifting back to sleep.

"For the last time Em," Ana sighed as the women rounded the corner of the nurse's desk. "Stop saying I'm royalty."

"Let me just get this straight." Emily crossed her arms. "You lived in a palace-"

"It wasn't a-"

"No, no let me finish." The older woman waved her hand. "You lived in a palace with guards and servants. You had a court, held balls, and people bowed when you walked past them. Oh, and 'Valerious' just happens to the name of the last king of Romania, Michael the first?"

"It was more of an incline of the head than a bow." Ana cringed as she informed her. Emily laughed.

"So, you're royalty."

"Technically, Romania no longer has a monarchy. Three weeks into World War II when the new prime minister was assassinated, Germany and the Soviet Union declared that-"

"Ok, Reid. A history lesson is definitely not what I asked for." Emily nudged the girl's shoulder with a smile.

"Either way, it doesn't matter now." Ana scoffed and Emily frowned. "We were kicked out, Em."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, so now you want a history lesson?" Ana smiled knowingly. "There was a coop and our…friends helped us leave the country."

"Over what?"

"I don't know, I was like 10." She shrugged.

"Well there must have been a reason." Emily frowned, thinking to ask Reid about it later.

"Yea, my parents are assholes." Ana muttered just as the two passed an elderly couple who gasped at the girl's language. She smiled awkwardly and waved before walking away as fast as she could. They finished their round in silence and Emily took in how much better Ana looked. Although this was only their third walk, the progress the girl made could easily be seen by anyone. She no longer slouched or limped as much when she walked and the color was returning to her face more and more by the day. Although her arm was still in a sling and hard cast, the rest of her was beginning to go back to normal. The cuts and bruises on her face had faded into a much lighter color but the stitches on her eyebrow seemed unwilling to pale.

"I can feel you staring." Ana grumbled as they entered the room.

"I'm just happy you're feeling better." Emily smiled as she helped her get back into bed. The guard at the door came in and unlocked the handcuffs that had kept her tethered to her IV before locking it against her bed. He ignored the dirty looks from Emily and left the room as quickly as he came in.

"Play nice." Ana joked as she saw the woman's expression darken. Unfortunately, Ana had grown accustomed to being treated like a prisoner and the handcuffs didn't even bother her anymore. The thought unnerved both women. A knock on the door startled them and before they could speak, a woman in pink and blue entered.

"Garcia!" Emily cried as she stood to hug the woman. She wore a bright pink blazer with a matching skirt and baby blue pumps. Her hair was a vast array of colors that seemed to blind the teenager. "What are you doing here?"

"Well my peach, I had to come meet the famous Ana!" the woman moved Emily to the side and outstretched her hand towards the girl. Ana shook it wordlessly.

"Hi." She said meekly, wondering why the woman wanted to meet her.

"My name is Penelope Garcia, also known as the All-Knowing-Goddess-of-Quantico but you can just call me Garcia." Penelope smiled as Ana broke into a grin.

"It's nice to finally meet you." Ana chuckled. "You're good."

"As are you, mon amie." Garcia moved her giant, purple bag to the side before sitting in the seat Emily had occupied or the past month.

"Not as good as you." Ana shook her head with a raised eyebrow. Garcia simply laughed in return.

"Well, what can I say?" she jokingly tossed a strand of pink hair back.

"You caused Garcia a bit of a panic attack back there." Emily chuckled as she placed her hands on her friend's shoulders. Garcia frowned and Ana laughed.

"Well, what can I say?" the girl copied the older woman's actions causing the three to laugh wholeheartedly.

"I must admit, there is another reason I came to visit." Garcia said. "I got a phone call last night from none other than Judge Kenway." At the mention of his name, both brunettes stiffened.

"What'd he say?" Emily asked, malice evident in her tone.

"It was weird." Garcia frowned. "He asked me how I liked working at the FBI and how I felt about the team."

"That...is weird." Emily admitted as she thought it through. "I'll talk to Hotch and-"

"Agent Prentiss?" the guard at the door peeked his head inside.

"Yes?" Emily rolled her eyes as she turned to face him.

"There's a man here to see Ms. Valerious. He says his name is Kenway."

"Let him in." Emily stood immediately, the blood rushing to her head. She saw Ana pale and offered her a comforting smile which wasn't returned. Even Garcia seemed agitated.

"Agent Prentiss, Agent Garcia. Miss. Valerious." The man greeted as he stood at the foot of the door, waiting to be invited in.

"Please, come in." Ana straightened in her bed as the man approached. He was dressed casually but carried a leather briefcase which he placed on the floor.

"I'm here to inform you of my decision before it reaches the media." At the mention of the press, Ana's anger flared. She would never forgive them for painting her in such a negative light. "As I'm sure you already know, I spoke with Agent Garcia last night in regards to her current standing with the Bureau." Ana frowned but knew better than to ask. "She had some…interesting things to say."

"Only the truth, Your Honor." Garcia smiled at the man who returned it warmly.

"After speaking with her and several other people in the Bureau, I've come to the conclusion that regardless of your past, you are not a threat to others. Adrian Hail was obviously a…convincing man to say the least but with him gone I see no reason for you to commit any crimes in the future."

"Thank you, Your Honor." Ana sighed, her eyes already filling with tears of relief. Emily was by her side immediately, holding her hand with a teary smile of her own.

"However," the word made Ana's heart stop. "There is a certain matter of the money you stole from the complaining parties that have been located."

"She doesn't have-"

"I know, Agent Prentiss." Kenway raised a hand. "It all went to Hail but something must still be done to compensate the victims."

"I-I don't have any money." Ana lowered her head, her thoughts already on how long she would spend in prison.

"I know." Kenway stated with finality. "But that doesn't mean you can't repay them."

"What do you mean?" Ana frowned.

"The Bureau and I have decided that, instead of paying back the original sum of $6,500,000,000 to each individual, you will forfeit your monthly income to a charity of their choice for a period of 5 years."

"Monthly income?" Ana repeated. "The last job I had was selling Girl Scout cookies, Your Honor."

"Which is why the Bureau has deemed it appropriate to offer you a job." Various noises of shock left the women's lips as the phrase sunk in.

"Me?" Ana pointed to herself. "Work for the FBI?"

"Of course you will have to complete your schooling at a university of your choice and pass the field requirements along with the training at the Academy but yes, a job Miss. Valerious." Kenway sensed her hesitation. "That is, if you accept."

"Accept?" she asked. Emily's hold on her hand tightened as if to tell her that it was the best offer she would be given. "Hell yes." Kenway smiled as Emily and Garcia released the breath they were holding and chuckled.

"Well in that case, I have something for you." From his briefcase, Kenway pulled out a giant stack of papers that stood a foot tall. "Your application."

"Holy crap." Ana's eyes widened as the agents in the room laughed at her expense.

"Until the time where your employment can be activated, you are free to come and go as you please…or stay with whoever you decide." Kenway's gaze wandered to the brunette agent whose hardened eyes seemed to have softened over the course of the conversation.

"T-thank you, Your Honor." Ana shook her head as if she couldn't believe what he had told her.

"Oh and before I forget. Officer?" Kenway called and the guard opened the door again. "If you'll please remove these." He gestured to the handcuffs that seemed to have gnawed Ana's wrist to the bone. The cop nodded and proceeded to collect the cuffs before smiling at the women and taking his leave.

"My pleasure, Miss. Valerious." He placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder and smiled. "I hope I don't see you in here again."

"That makes two of us, Judge." Ana smiled and watched as he left the room. Emily hugged her immediately and Garcia couldn't help but smile at the scene. Ana was finally free!

"Where's that damned doctor?" Emily raced outside in search of Neopolis and Ana's release papers. She was back in minutes and Ana signed swiftly before making her way into the bathroom to change into the clothes Emily had brought her weeks ago. She emerged in a pair of red sweats, black converse, a black tank top and a zip-up sweater with a picture of angel wings.

"Ready." She announced happily and although she had to be rolled out in a wheelchair, Ana couldn't remember the last time she had smiled for this long.

"So where are we headed?" Emily joked as the three got into the Lexus. They all knew that Ana wanted nothing more than to stay with Emily while she applied to schools in the area.

"Hmm, I don't know." The girl rubbed her chin in thought. "Does JJ have a guest room?"

"Ouch." Emily placed a hand over her heart and winced. "That hurt. A lot. I thought we're supposed to stick together against the blonde menace."

"Hey, don't let the stereotypes fool you Buttercup." Garcia said as she buckled in. "I'm just as capable as the next dark haired vixen."

"Vixen?" Ana chuckled at the woman's choice of words.

"You'll get used to it." Emily promised as they- finally- drove away from the hospital and towards her new home. The girl in the back couldn't help the torrent of emotions that washed through her as she thought of the prospect of living with Emily for good. She knew that the woman cared for her and would help her in anything she needed. Ana smiled as she stared out the window. Finally, a home she could be happy in.


Phew, that took forever! Hope you liked it and as you can tell, we're reaching the end of our tale! They'll be a few more chapters after this one but don't expect too many as I don't like dragging endings out too long. Review and let me know what you'd like to see in the end!