TITLE: Criminal Minds – "Darkest Days" (A sequel to Behind the Mask)
AUTHOR: D M Harper
SUMMARY: Agent Prentiss is forced to face her secretive past when it threatens the safety of her BAU colleagues and her beloved family.
RATING: For Mature Readers.
Chapter 63
Wednesday 26th June, 2013
Emily reached for her ringing phone lying on the bedside table as Jillian stringently cursed beside her, "Crap and shit, it's two in the freaking morning." Ignoring her wife's profanities, Emily viewed the screen, "Shush honey, it is Will."
Jillian's bad mood evaporated instantly and she sat up, "Ooh, baby boy number two must have arrived."
Suppressing a giggle, Emily answered, "Hey Will, good news I hope?"
"It sure is Emily. J.J. is doing well and we have another beautiful child named Michael Spencer LaMontagne. He weighed in at seven point eight pounds and is twenty one inches long. Henry is overjoyed he has a baby brother and J.J. is currently asleep with both boys on either side of the bed."
A sob caught in Emily's throat, "Oh Will I am so happy for you, Jen and Henry. Spencer will be so pleased with your choice of name."
"Well, he is a terrific godfather to Henry and we are sure he will be just as good with Michael. Got to go Em, Sandy has just arrived."
"Our love to you, Jen, Henry and Michael; we will drop in and visit before work, bye."
"We love you too, see you guys later."
As Emily returned her phone to its previous position, Jillian embraced her side on and kissed the stuffing out of her. The antics led to more kissing and a little more than Emily bargained for at that time of the morning. She had the good sense not to complain about the romantic offer.
-o-
A content Emily woke four hours later to find Jillian's side of the bed occupied by the twins. Both grinned at her while Samantha explained, "Mommy is making pancakes mama. She sent us to get you up."
"Get up sleepyhead," urged Jarrod prior to reaching out for her.
"Good morning my wonderful babies," she praised before hugging each child in turn and pecking their cheeks. "Is mommy putting in choc chips?"
There was a pout from Samantha, "No, mommy said no chocolate. We have banana."
"Not my favourite," complained Jarrod with arms crossed against his chest.
Avoiding tittering, Emily diplomatically responded, "Let's go downstairs and ask nicely for chocolate chips."
"Love you mama," squealed the children in unison before jumping off the mattress then waiting at the door.
Stretching for the robe draped over a nearby armchair, Emily quickly covered her nakedness and laughed when Jarrod ran out of the room yelling "boobies". Shaking her head, Samantha took hold of her mother's hand when she neared then skipped down the hallway.
-o-
Jillian was found pouring a generous amount of choc chips into the pancake batter when Emily and Samantha joined her in the kitchen. She smirked at her wife, "Your message was delivered by our son. As I am vastly outnumbered, you can save your breath."
"Fair enough honey," returned Emily as Samantha let go of her hand and ran into the living room to play with her brother. Sidling up to Jillian, Emily purred into the shell of her wife's right ear, "Thank you and I'll reward you tonight. By the way, you were brilliant earlier. My toes have only just uncurled."
Turning her head, Jillian pecked the tip of Emily's nose, "I love you and I've explicated about baby Michael's birth to the kids. They were excited and look forward to meeting him after breakfast. Grace is happy to go with us and bring them back while we go into the office."
Extending her right arm, Emily glided a hand over the still taunt stomach muscles of Jillian and beamed, "How did you sleep?"
"Uhm babe," began Jillian. "Your hand is wandering."
Glancing downwards, Emily smirked when she saw she was cupping her spouse's left breast, "So it is, sorry."
"The fuller boob is the attraction, right?" quizzed a smiling blonde.
"Yes, they are awesome honey."
"And you are horny."
"Guilty as charged. Now to completely change the topic, why did you torture our offspring with the no chocolate instruction?"
Putting down the whisk on the kitchen bench, Jillian rotated a fraction and seized Emily's lips in a torrid kiss. Four minutes passed before Jillian manoeuvred them into the pantry and closed the door.
It was much later in the day when Emily finally received an answer to her question; Jillian was just opting for a healthier alternative for the morning meal. In truth, she had a craving for banana. She had one for lunch instead then the Team flew out for Alpharetta, Georgia on the trail of their next serial rapist.
-o-
During the first week of July, Alex's husband James accepted a position as a Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, and happy to have the chance to be a "normal couple"; Alex took a job as a Linguistics Professor the following week. The Team wished her well, and amid the tears, Garcia managed to present her with a cake prior to the Unit being summoned to California by a request from the Sacramento Police Department. An Unsub was slaying young men and leaving behind no physical evidence. The MO and COD linked to two unsolved murders in Portland over a period of six months.
A three day investigation led to the Unsub being identified and subsequently being shot by a Patrol Officer after stopping his car during a roadblock. It was a justified shoot and shortened the paperwork required from Emily and the Team.
Currently, Jennifer was still on maternity leave and Michael thrived in the days that followed. Henry proved to be a fantastic older brother and the twins were in a hurry for the baby to grow big enough to join them for play dates.
Ashley announced her engagement to Teresa on Friday the fifth of July while Grace and Charlie married the following day. Unfortunately the day took a turn for the worse when Jarrod and Samantha realised Grace was no longer living in the pool house when they arrived home. They cried for the majority of the evening as their parents and grandparents tried every trick in the book to settle them. Exhaustion finally won out, and the twins were tucked into their beds at ten minutes past eleven.
To their parents' horror, there was an ear piecing scream from the children's bedroom a quarter of an hour later. Jarrod was bellowing for help and Samantha was shrieking out the word "no".
Together, Jillian and Emily flew down the hallway and found Samantha on top of her brother and pummelling her tiny fists into his stomach. Emily grabbed her and received several wayward blows before being able to restrain her.
A sobbing Jarrod was lifted up by Jillian and she instantly saw his left arm was hanging at a peculiar angle. "Sama pushed me off bed mommy," he gasped out. "I sleeping."
Enraged by the level of violence perpetrated by her daughter, Emily demanded, "What did you do to Jarrod?"
"I no want Grace to go."
"That does not give you to right to hurt your brother."
"I no care, want down."
"I really don't care what you want Samantha. You know better than to act this way."
As her bottom lip dropped, Jillian raced to the door with Jarrod, "I think his arm is broken Em. You take him to hospital while I deal with Samantha. I don't think I am in any condition to drive right now."
Detecting the anger in her wife's words, Emily placed Samantha's feet on the floor and took hold of Jarrod, "Come on Little Man, let's get you to the Doctor."
His crying was breaking her heart as she rushed down the corridor to gather shoes for herself. Luckily, she was already attired in lounge pants and a baggy tee shirt after showering. On the other hand, Jillian was dressed in a pair of boxers and an old singlet sans underwear. It made more sense for Emily to take Jarrod to Sentara Hospital for treatment and save time.
The scowl on Jillian's face deepened when she shouted to Emily, "I'll call my parents and ask them sit with Samantha. I'll join you as soon as I can, drive safe Em."
Emily had reached the stairs and had no time to look back, "Okay, call mom too please."
"Will do," responded Jillian as she turned her attention to a now whimpering Samantha. "You and I have to have a serious talk young lady."
"I sorry mommy, I bad."
"Yes you are. Now get into bed and wait for Pop and Nana."
"Okay mommy, I behave."
"You have promised that before Samantha and look what just happened."
Scrunching up her face, Samantha shrugged her shoulders and Jillian exited the room to call her parents.
-o-
When Maureen and Malcolm arrived ten minutes later, Samantha decided it was the right time to lay on the waterworks. Not fooled by her performance, Maureen entered the bedroom and asked what caused her to hurt Jarrod. There was no forthcoming explanation and Jillian was at her wit's end by the time her daughter fell asleep in her grandmother's arms.
"I don't know what to do mom," she admitted while trying to keep tears at bay.
"Obviously her behaviour is in protest of Grace's departure," noted Maureen while settling Samantha under the covers.
"Maybe she had a bad dream and reacted with anger when she woke," suggested Malcolm.
"Seriously dad, she had to physically get out of bed, climb onto Jarrod's then push him over the edge. She knows better than to use violence; how many times has she used it against Jarrod or all of us for that matter when she doesn't get her own way?"
"Well Sweetie, it can't be a matter of attention because she gets plenty of that," added Maureen.
Jillian shook her head as the cell phone in the back pocket of her jeans rang, "She told us she didn't want Grace to leave, but nothing more than that." Looking at the screen, she said, "It's Erin, excuse me while I take this."
"Go ahead dear," assented Malcolm.
Moving into the hallway, Jillian answered, "Hey Erin is everything okay?"
"Sorry to call so late Jill, but I tried Emily's phone and it went to voice mail."
Jillian would have had to be deaf not to hear the emotional lint in her friend's voice, "Jarrod has been injured and Emily is at the hospital with him. Her phone will be turned off, but I'm detecting there is a problem."
There was a sob on the other end, "Oh my god, I am so sorry to interrupt. Is he okay Jill?"
"I suspect his forearm is broken, but what is going on with you? I can hear how upset you are."
"I'm dreadfully sorry to hear that Jill, but I need to speak with Emily. Can you have her call me at a more convenient time please?"
"Thank you for your concern Erin, but it may be hours before Emily can call you, so please let me help if I can?"
Exhaling deeply, the Section Chief's voice quavered, "I just received a phone call from a Doctor at Mount Sinai, New York and was informed Steven has been in a car accident and not expected to survive."
Shocked by the news of her friend's ex-husband, Jillian enquired, "What can I do to assist?"
There were tears on the other end, "Steve received horrific head injuries and has been declared brain dead."
"Oh Erin, I am sorry."
Regaining some semblance of control, Erin fought past the sadness, "I am still listed as his emergency contact and Dave and I are on our way to the airport now. The children will be meeting us at the hospital as soon as they can organise travel plans. I am taking two weeks leave as is Dave, so I need Emily to fill in for me."
"Consider it done Erin. I am about to leave for the hospital and will inform her of the situation. Who is taking over Emily's position?"
"You are."
"What now?"
"With Penelope only a month from delivering her baby, I know Derek will be reluctant to be distracted with leadership and more paperwork. As you are aware, Jennifer is on maternity leave and of course, Dave is with me."
"What about Spence?"
"He has already expressed his unwillingness to lead at this stage, so that leaves you by default."
"Gee thanks. Now give my love and Emily's to your children and Dave. Please keep us apprised when you can and we love you Erin. Our thoughts will be with you and yours. If you need anything else, call."
Holding back a sob, Erin replied, "Thank you Jill and I love you and Emily."
Ending the call, Jillian informed her parents of Erin's news and they told her they would call to offer their support.
-o-
"You are such a brave boy," soothed Emily while carrying Jarrod into the lobby of the Emergency Department. Her son had screamed for the entire trip but stopped the instant Emily pulled into a vacant parking space. Before leaving home, she had fashioned a splint around the disfigured forearm by using two rulers and bandages. She had carefully placed an ice pack between the layers of gauze binding and was thankful the cold had finally numbed the pain prior to attending the reception desk.
-o-
Glancing at the wall clock in the waiting room, Emily sighed impatiently for the tenth or twentieth time … she had lost count. It was now midnight and she had been hoping for a Doctor to see them sometime during the past twenty five minutes. Emily knew the ice would soon be of no use to Jarrod's arm and she feared he would begin to cry again. He didn't need the added stress and to be honest, neither did she.
Apart from an elderly man with a persistent rattling cough sitting in the opposite corner of the room, Emily and Jarrod were the only other occupants. The toddler was whimpering in her arms as he looked up to her and asked, "We see Faith mama?"
"No sweetie, not tonight. She isn't working right now."
"Who then?"
Running fingertips, gently through his hair, Emily smiled, "I don't know Little Man. It will be one of the ED Doctors."
"Okay, we wait. It hurt mama."
"I know my darling."
Sniffling, Jarrod posed another question, "Why Sama hurt me?"
There was a heart wrenching sob from his mother as she had no clue. Wiping away an errant teardrop, she responded, "I don't know Jar."
Letting out a moan, Jarrod probed, "She no love me?"
"She does Little Man. I think she was just upset about Grace not living with us anymore and being your nanny."
"Me too, but no hurt her." The comment brought a fresh round of tears for both mother and son and the arrival of Jillian.
The blonde's chest tightened at the sight of Jarrod in obvious pain, but trying to not let it show too much. Her wife's distress didn't help matters either. Dropping to her left knee and in front of Emily, Jillian pecked Jarrod's temple then locked onto Emily's gloomy eyes, "How long have you been waiting?"
Checking the time, Emily confirmed, "Forty minutes and as you can see, there is no freaking line out the door."
Straightening up, Jillian ran a hand over her son's pale face, "He's burning up Em. This is not good enough. Our boy is suffering needlessly."
"I've already been told by the Desk Nurse that all staff members are busy," clarified Emily irritably.
Jillian let off a little steam and protested harshly, "Busy be fucked! The public car park is near empty as is the waiting room.
"Bad word mommy," pointed out Jarrod in between sobs.
"Sorry Little Man, but mommy is not happy."
Behind a tiny smile, the toddler returned, "Okay this time."
Kissing Emily's forehead, Jillian took off for the near deserted Nurse's station. Displaying her FBI identification wallet, she began, "Excuse me."
The dark green scrubs attired middle aged brunette was all smiles, "Can I help you Agent?"
"Yes you may." Pointing to her family, Jillian continued, "My son is in severe pain with a possible broken ulna or radius or both, while your colleagues ignore him."
"Now see here."
Putting up her left hand in a stop gesture, Jillian interrupted, "I am not an idiot ma'am. There is a birthday party happening right this very moment on the third floor and I suggest you contact someone up there to take care of my child. The other patient could do with some assistance too before he coughs up a lung. Don't bother to make an excuse; the staff invite poster is plastered on the wall by the entrance."
Frowning, the health care worker apologised, "I'm really sorry, but Doctors Jones and Willoby gave strict orders not to be disturbed. They made threats against me if I contacted them."
"In that case, I'll call my mother in-law. Ambassador Prentiss is a close associate to three of your four Board Directors and I am sure she will be more than happy to clean up this mess."
A smirk formed on the Nurse's lips, "Please do."
Looking to the woman's name tag, Jillian enquired, "Has this sort of dereliction of duty and care occurred before Janice?"
"Twice that I'm aware of. Doctor Jones' father is on the Board and he claims he is untouchable. The last Nurse who complained about the under par performance was suddenly accused of stealing drugs and let go. No one is game enough to go up against him or his pal Willoby."
"How long has Doctor Jones worked here?"
"Six months."
"What about Willoby?"
"The same time; they went to Medical School together."
"Thank you for the information." Taking a step back, Jillian made the call to Elizabeth, and once her mother in-law had exhausted her tirade of blue language, she agreed to handle the matter ASAP. Returning to Emily and Jarrod, Jillian relayed the conservation with Nurse Janice.
Seven minutes passed before Doctor Grayson raced through the double doors leading into the examination cubicles. "Agents Rolston and Prentiss, I am terribly sorry about this appalling treatment of your son. I've come straight from theatre and was not aware of what was going on down here until I received a phone call from Director Dane."
Jillian rose and extended her right hand as Janice approached, "It's good to see at least one competent Physician is on duty."
"Thank you. Janice, Nurse April is on her way to relieve you. Would you be so kind as to take the Agents and Jarrod through to room 1 please?"
"Yes, right away Doctor and thank you."
Janice ushered the trio to the chamber while apologising once more, "I really am sorry about the delay and totally embarrassed. Let's get your boy seen to."
-o-
As Doctor Grayson ordered a series of x-rays for Jarrod's left forearm, Emily nudged Jillian's side, "I'm glad mother came through for us."
"We can talk about details once our Little Man is okay."
"That is fine by me."
Looking up at his parents, a yawning Jarrod queried, "I go to sleep now? Needle no hurt."
Caressing his fevered brow, Jillian smiled, "Yes baby boy."
"Okay, Doc fix arm?"
"Yes Jar and you'll be as good as new."
A giggle escaped between grinning lips, "You funny mommy, night." With that said, Jarrod was out for the count and Janice unlocked the wheels on his bed.
As he was rolled out into the corridor, Doctor Grayson faced his parents, "We'll know more soon. It felt like a clean break of the radius and shouldn't require surgery."
"Thank goodness," cheered Emily. "That is excellent news."
"I'll return once I've viewed the images."
"Thank you Doctor," chorused the two Agents.
Left alone with Jillian, Emily scowled, "What the fuck is wrong with the world when two Junior Doctors can behave so horrendously?"
"It is very wrong when ED Doctors think it is acceptable to party on with Nurses upstairs and ignore their duties."
Seething, Emily commented, "It's criminal, is what it is."
"Yes it is babe and your mother is currently making a formal complaint to police. Three of the four Board Directors are on their way and Doctors Jones and Willoby are none the wiser."
Affording herself a grin, Emily reasoned, "I gather mother will be here shortly."
"That is a given my darling. She was ropable on the phone and phew, that woman can cuss."
"I know honey. I can't believe how negligible those two have been and to bully the Nurses is unforgivable."
"Not to mention allowing our child to suffer as well as an elderly man," added Jillian.
Emily wrapped her arms around her wife's shoulders and pulled her closer, "Jarrod was very brave."
Tears filled Jillian's eyes, "He's our Little Soldier, but what are we going to do about Little Miss Tantrum? Where does she get the idea that violence is all right?"
"I have no idea honey. I really thought we were past bad behaviour from Sam."
Placing a tender kiss upon Emily's brow, Jillian wept, "It has to stop Em. She physically hurt her brother and was rather nonchalant about the whole thing."
Wiping away her spouse's tears, Emily suggested, "I'll call Grace in the morning before her and Charlie fly out and ask if Sam has been acting out again during the day. Maybe something besides Grace's departure is in play."
Nodding, Jillian approved, "I'll leave it in your capable hands." Sighing, she admitted, "I am exhausted."
Running fingers up and down Jillian's spine, Emily concurred, "I know the feeling; it's been a long, long day."
Rolling her eyes, Jillian glided a hand over her twenty two week baby bump, "I was fine until Sam's floor show. I think it woke baby boy or girl up. They've been kicking my ribs ever since."
Draping a hand on Jillian's, Emily locked onto eyes of blue, "Do you regret our decision not to have Faith reveal the baby's gender?"
Jillian's lips formed into a lopsided grin, "Not at all. I want to experience the surprise at birth."
"Remember how shocked we were to find out I was carrying twins?"
"I do Em. The expression on your face was priceless and I fell in love with you all over again."
Tears brimmed Emily's lower eyelids, "You are so romantic and always make my heart race. By the way, nice segue into taking my mind off Jarrod honey."
"It's a gift my love."
The couple remained embraced until Jarrod returned sporting a goofy grin and chatting away at a mile a minute.
"I see my bones mama and mommy. Got to have a cast. Arm broken."
Janice repositioned the bed and pressed down the brakes with the toe of her shoe, "He's really happy about that for some reason."
Emily ruffled his hair, "I may have promised him a new book if he needed a cast."
"Thank you mama, love you," cheered the patient.
"Hopeless," chided Jillian with a smile.
Doctor Grayson joined the foursome, "As I expected, Jarrod's radius is a clean break and pins are not necessary."
Emily laughed, "Yes he told us."
"What is your favourite colour Jarrod?" enquired Grayson.
"Blue thanks, what's yours?"
"It's mine too, so blue it is."
"Yay for me. Tired mommy and mama. I sleep now."
"Once Doctor is finished we will get you home Little Man," promised Emily.
"Okay mama, love you."
-o-
After Jarrod was safely tucked into his own bed, Emily noticed Samantha was wide eyed and watching her. A fatigued Jillian had already gone to bed while Emily carried their son upstairs. Devoid of emotion, she neared her daughter's bed and positioned herself on the side of the mattress.
With puppy dog eyes filled with crocodile tears, Samantha snivelled, "I naughty."
"Yes you are and I'm not happy."
"Sorry mama. Pop and Nana mad at me too. Is mommy too?"
"Yes she is."
Sitting up, Samantha parroted, "No pushing allowed in the house."
"It's always been the rule, so why did you hurt Jarrod?"
"I sad cos Grace go and leave me. No see her again. She no love me."
"Oh Little Miss, Grace will still visit us from time to time. Grace and Charlie adore you and Jarrod and will see you soon."
"They go on plane?"
"Yes, they are flying to London and staying for two weeks."
Blonde eyebrows knotted together, "We went there, right?"
"That's right. You went on Grandma's jet when I worked there."
A scowl passed over Samantha's lips, "You were naughty."
"Yes I was and I hurt mommy, you and Jarrod."
"You sorry and happy now?"
"Yes my precious girl, but you know it is wrong to hit or push others. It upsets everyone when you do."
"I angry."
"That may be true, but you don't have the right to lash out. In this family we use our words to explain how we feel."
"Okay mama. I won't do it again. Is Jar sad?"
"Yes."
"I love him."
"I know you do."
As her lips pursed, Samantha recited, "Mommy grounded me for long time, no allowed to play outside or go to park."
Emily wasn't sure her daughter understood she was getting off rather lightly, "It is only for a week and I think it is a fair punishment."
"Yeah, I bad and no play for this many days." Holding up her hands, she displayed the correct finger count. "Bad to hurt Jar."
"Yes."
"Arm broken mama?"
"Yes sweetie."
"I help him."
"That is a good idea."
A pout followed Samantha's next words, "I no get bedtime story from Nana."
"Do you think that was fair?"
"Yes, but not sleepy."
"We can talk until you are Sam."
"Okay, thank you."
Mother and child conversed for fifteen minutes before the latter tumbled into slumber. Emily kissed her on the forehead then headed for the main bedroom. She smiled while passing the sleeping form of her wife before entering the bathroom.
-o-
Up next: Will Emily and Jillian find a solution to Samantha's behaviour?
