Chapter 130
AN: 130 Chapters, that is incredible thank you so much.
Not long after JJ left Penelope and Emily in their office the entire team have returned to the BAU. As everyone is in the roundtable tell they can tell there is something going on with Penelope, but before anyone can ask Emily starts speaking.
"Thank you all for getting back here so quickly," Emily says to the team. "I got a call from Chief Wheeler at the New Orleans Police department. They've requested our help," Emily explains. "Pen, go ahead," Emily says, before taking her voice.
"The big easy has its own big bad operating in its midst," Penelope says, and as she does her voice shakes, and the team are pretty sure that it is not because of the case. "Earlier today, police uncovered a mass grave inside a vandalized crypt," Penelope explains.
"Treme cemetery," Emily reveals. "Ten bodies in total were discovered by the groundskeeper this afternoon," Emily explains.
"Yeah, the bodies were buried and burned inside the secluded tomb that had been prided open. They are believed to have been placed there in eth last few weeks," Penelope explains. "The tomb was off limits due to some maintenance being done," Penelope explains.
"Looks like local PD is still working on IDing the victims," Rossi realizes.
"Has a cause of death been determined?" Tara asks curious.
"No," Penelope answers. "But the coroner did reveal this one super icky detail. All of the bodies have been drained of their blood," Penelope explains.
"Let's make sure to check on that first thing," Emily says, looking at JJ.
"Treme cemetery's an active site. It's famous. It's the oldest cemetery in the city," JJ explains.
"Home to Marie Laveau, the Voodoo queen of New Orleans, known for her powers of clairvoyance, healing and intimidation," Reid explains. "Legend has it she once helped free a man accused of murders by praying for seventy-two hours straight with three hot peppers in her mouth," Reid says.
"Voodoo queen. I mean, is that what this is? some kind of ritualistic killing?" Luke asks.
"I see these Xs here. They're used to denote the grave of a powerful voodoo practitioner," Matt explains.
"Markings like this aren't uncommon in these parts," JJ reveals. "These look like they've been here for a while," JJ explains.
"Could be the reason our unsub chose this particular crypt to do his bidding," Rossi says.
"New Orleans PD wants us there ASAP," Emily says, standing up, and Penelope slowly starts to walk towards her wife. "There is one more thing. I won't be coming along," Emily explains, and as she does everyone who don't know what is going on are sure that this will explain what is going on with Penelope. "JJ will be acting as unit chief in my absence," Emily explains. "I have a meeting with Assistant Director Barnes tomorrow morning," Emily explains, and Matt who has too much experience with Barnes, heart sinks. "It's short notice, but as far as I understand it's just a standard administrative review, so I'm sure everything will be fine," Emily explains, and once she does she and Penelope head out of the roundtable room.
"Okay, um, wheels up in thirty," JJ says, and everyone comprehends what Emily just said.
After leaving the roundtable room Penelope and Emily head straight to Emily's office and close the door behind them.
"You're not sure everything will be fine," Penelope says to her wife as they both sit down on the couch; right next to each other.
"Sure, I am," Emily responds, though it is clear she doesn't really believe it.
"Come on Em, you can lie better than that," Penelope says, as she reaches out and takes Emily's hand. "We both know what Barnes did to the IRT," Penelope reminds her wife.
"That's not going to happen to the BAU; I won't let it," Emily admits.
"What if you can't stop it?" Penelope asks her wife, as she lays her head on Emily's shoulder.
"I don't know, Babe, I don't know," Emily says as kisses the top of Penelope's head, and leans hers head on Penelope's, and the two of them drift into silence.
Unlike with the rest of the team Emily knows she can't hide how worried she is from her wife, and the truth is that there is a part of her that is glad about that, because she is afraid, and Penelope gives her strength.
About forty minutes after Emily dropped the bomb that she will not be joining the team on the case the rest of the team, except for Penelope, are on the plane on their way to New Orleans.
"First Barnes pulls you in for a late-night meeting, then Prentiss," Luke comments. "It feels like something's going on," Luke comments.
"Yeah, and why all the urgency?" Tara asks confused. "I mean, it couldn't have waiting till we got back?" Tara asks, having a really bad feeling.
"Something must have triggered an internal review," Rossi realizes, feeling a little concerned about his daughter-in-law.
"It's me," Reid realizes. "It's been almost a year since my arrest in Mexico," Reid realizes.
"It's just an annual review, standard operating procedure," JJ says, trying to calm everyone down.
"Matt, you worked with Barnes on your last assignment," Luke says. "How much trouble are we in?" Luke asks.
"I mean, I hate to say it, but this is the exact same thing she did with the IRT. Before disbanding the unit," Matt explains, as that's why he has a feeling of a pit in the bottom of his stomach. "She started with the head of the team, then she worked her way down. she tried to pit us against each other," Matt explains.
"Barnes' reputation precedes her. She climbed the ranks well," Rossi admits.
"Well, clearly she's good at her job," Tara says, knowing that could be really bad for them.
"We're better," Reid says, believing that.
"And we haven't done anything wrong," JJ says. "We can't worry about this right now because we have a case. People need our help," JJ says, looking between everyone. "So, let's get started with victimology," JJ says and that's just what they do.
The next morning Penelope and Emily, neither of whom managed to get much sleep due to concern over what was going to happen, are in their bathroom getting ready. As her wife is just staring at herself in the mirror Penelope, who was putting on her makeup at her own basin, walks over to Emily and puts her arms around Emily's waste.
"You got this," Penelope says, kissing Emily's neck and Emily just leans back against Penelope as they stand together.
A little while later Penelope and Emily are arriving at the BAU, hand in hand.
"I love you," Penelope says, before kissing her wife.
"I love you too," Emily says, once they break apart.
"Good luck," Penelope says to her wife, before heading to her office while Emily heads to hers so that she can drop off her stuff before heading to see Barnes.
While Penelope and Emily are arriving at the BAU the rest of the team are in the conference room of the police station in New Orleans getting briefed on the case.
"Five of the ten victims have been identified," the local Police Officer explains. "These three, Jason Chamers, Lindsey Montoya, and Gary Keulchy… were homeless," The police officer says, pointing to the pictures as he explains. "And these two.. Sonequa Fox and Daniel Rikers… were working professionals," The local police officer explains.
"And Mr. Rikers and Ms. Fox were both reported missing a week and a half ago," JJ says.
"That's correct. They both left their homes in mid-city and never returned," the local Police officer explains.
"And the three homeless victims were last seen in a shelter near the French Quarter?" Matt asks.
"Yes. We periodically check the nightly roll call when we find a body. They were most likely panhandling in the area," The Local Police Officer explains.
"Our unsub crossed racial and gender lines," Rossi says.
"And he's mobile," Luke realizes.
"You know, realistically, it's likely each victim was abducted, killed, and disposed of individually," Reid explains.
"We need to see what the ME can tell us about the timeline of these murders," JJ says.
"We'd expect an unsub like this to start with high risk victims like the homeless and then move onto low-risk victims like Sonequa and Daniel, but until we ID the remaining victims, it's really hard to draw any conclusions," Tara explains.
"So, he'd need somewhere to hold them and do his bloodletting business before bringing them back to the crypt," Luke explains.
"I've already started a geo-profile, but the more we can learn about the victims' last moments, the more accurate it'll be," Reid says.
"Good, Garcia can help with that too," JJ says.
"Excuse me, Sir," Another police officer says, walking into the room. "Found another burned body. This time in a crypt in Treme cemetery number two," the officer explains.
"Just one?" JJ asks.
"Yeah. And the crypt wasn't nearly as secluded," the police officer explains.
"We've disrupted his routine, another tomb, but now he's improvising," Rossi explains, and once he does everyone looks to JJ for instructions.
"Dave, head to the ME," JJ instructs after a couple of moments of hesitation. "Spence, Tara, why don't you guys stick around here, help with the identification efforts," JJ suggests. "Matt, Luke, you're with me. Let's head to this latest crime scene," JJ instructs.
Back at Quantico Emily is sitting across from Linda Barnes in the Assistant Director's office.
"I want to reiterate that this conversation is on the record," Barnes says as she presses record. "Today is February 1st, 2018. This is Assistant Director Linda Barnes sitting with Unit Chief Emily Prentiss," Barnes explains. "Now, Agent Prentiss do you know why you're here today?" Barnes asks.
"I do not," Emily says.
"Agent Jereau didn't call you?" Linda asks.
"No," Emily answers, and once she does Barnes pauses the recording. "We're not off to a very good start, are we? I've asked you one question, and you've lied to me. Shall we try that again?" Barnes says as she once more presses record. "Did Agent Jareau call you?" Barnes asks.
"No, Agent Jareau did not call me," Emily explains. "I called her to let her know we had another case she informed me that she had spoken with you, but she did not disclose what was said," Emily says, wanting to protect JJ.
"Agent Jareau isn't in any trouble. I expected she'd call you," Barnes admits. "As I'm sure you're aware it is the one-year anniversary of Agent Reid's arrest in Mexico following a high-speed chase with the local authorities," Barnes says. "Your team travelled down to conduct your own investigation into the incident and, per your case report, transfer him to a federal facility in the US," Barnes says. "I went through your findings and subsequent months long investigation," Barnes says, and Emily knows that has the potential to not be good for her. "The thing is, once I started to dig. I couldn't stop," Barnes admits. "What I found, Agent Prentiss was that with you at the helm, team loyalty is more important than Bureau policy, something which is not surprising when your wife is the team's technical analysis and her father is the other senior member of the team," Barnes says and it takes almost all of Emily's strength not to react to that, as she does not like Barnes mentioning her wife in that way.
"That is not a fair assessment," Emily says, through clenched teeth.
"As our team has expanded, so have the cases you've agreed to investigate," Barnes explains. "Mistakes have been made. So that's what we're here to discuss. The state of the Behavioral Analysis United under the leadership of Emily Prentiss," Barnes explains. "So, despite having one of the highest solve rates in the Bureau your leadership record complicated. The business with Roswell just being the most recent example," Barnes explains, and Emily doesn't like the sound of that.
"Most recent example of what?" Emily asks.
"A team gone rouge," Barnes explains.
"We've been accused of that before, and we've even testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee," Emily reveals. "It wasn't true then, and it isn't true now," Emily says in a stern tone of voice.
"But you'd agree that transparency and accountability are of the utmost importance?" Barnes asks.
"Of course," Emily confirms.
"So, the shooting death of a man in custody in a police station in Roswell…" Barnes starts to say.
"Hold on. Let's just get our facts straight first," Emily insists. "it was a suicide, not a shooting. The man in question wasn't in custody, and he was not in a police station," Emily explains. "Mr Downey voluntarily agreed to speak with the police about an unusual death in the Roswell truther community," Emily explains.
"And he had a concealed weapon?" Barnes asks.
"The weapon wasn't detected due to a mechanical error with the metal detector that the Roswell PD had installed," Emily explains. "There was no indication that he or anyone else would be armed," Emily explains.
"However, if you had questioned this group formally in a police station, the outcome might very well have been different," Barnes says, it being more than clear that she does not approve of the way Emily dealt with the situation.
"The truthers distrust law enforcement," Emily explains. "The would have never cooperated if we'd brought them into a police station," Emily explains.
"Perhaps not," Barnes admits.
"And ultimately, that decision allowed us to find the person responsible for the murder of a local man," Emily explains.
"At the cost of another," Barnes says, disapprovingly. "And then there's the death of SSA Stephen Walker, your team member," Barnes says, and Emily feels guilt rise up inside of her. "You knew Agent Walker. You worked with him on assignment in France. You recruited him to join the BAU," Barnes says.
"He was an exemplary agent," Emily says, as she still misses her friend.
"SSA Walker was the first agent to die in the field in the BAU's storied history," Barnes says.
While Emily is up in Barnes's office Penelope is in hers, and even though she is helping the team Penelope can't help but worry about her wife. As she glances at the picture of her and Emily on her desk Penelope can't help but wonder how Emily is doing, nor can she ignore the horrible feeling that is rising up inside of her.
"We gave a full report on the year long investigation to apprehend Mr Scratch," Emily says, honestly wanting to get off the topic of what happened to Stephen as it is painful for her. "Stephen Walker's work was essential to our case," Emily explains.
"Your team drove into an ambush," Barnes says.
"No. we spent months on the offensive luring Scratch out of hiding, and it worked," Emily says. "Agent Walker's death was a tragedy, but it wasn't…" Emily starts to say, but Barnes cuts her off.
"Anyone's fault? Preventable?" Barnes asks. "I spoke to Agent Walker's widow and you're lucky she's not suing the Bureau for negligence," Barnes says. "What we have here, Agent Prentiss, is a series of questionable decisions," Barnes admits.
"You're not out in the field. It's not black and white," Emily says, an edge to her voice. "These are snap decisions," Emily explains.
"Okay, let's go back to the case that triggered tis review," Barnes says. "I spoke with an officer Cabrera in Matamoros, Mexico," Barnes explains. "Do you remember him?" Barnes asks.
"Yes," Emily confirms, and realizes that there is a strong possibility that Barnes knows about the cognitive recording that she deleted.
"He says you deleted a voice memo in which Agent Reid allegedly confessed to the murder of Nadie Ramos," Barnes says. "That's not just tampering with evidence. That's obstruction of justice, charges that could end your career," Barnes informs Emily.
"I'd like to take a break," Emily requests.
After her request for a break has been granted Emily heads straight to Penelope's office, as after having ever decisions she made torn apart, and her own career threatened, what Emily needs right now is her wife.
"Pen," Emily says, as soon as she walks into her wife's office and Penelope quickly turns around, the second she sees her wife Penelope feels her heart sink.
"Oh Amore," Penelope says as she gets up and hurries over to her wife. Once they are close enough Penelope pulls Emily into a hug and Emily snuggles into Penelope. "It's bad, isn't it? Like really, really bad," Penelope says as she and Emily hug.
"Yeah, I think it might be," Emily admits, as she feels Penelope kiss her cheek.
"What can I do?" Penelope asks her wife, wanting to do something, anything, to help her.
"I don't know," Emily admits, as they break apart. "Barnes is questioning everything, every decision I've made as Unit Chief," Emily admits.
"Oh, I really don't like her," Penelope says annoyed. "Em, you an incredible Unit Chief, everything you have done has been good for this team; don't let Barnes let you think otherwise," Penelope says, and in response Emily just hugs her wife.
A little while later Emily has gone up to her office to get some paperwork done and as Penelope has just found something that the team needs, she is placing a call into Tara, who is with Matt.
"Go ahead, Penelope," Tara says.
"I tracked the van via vin number… say that three times fast," Penelope says. "The vehicle was stolen from Houston, Texas, eight years ago. After that, I got nada," Penelope admits.
"Well, there's no telling if or how many times it's changed hands since," Matt realizes.
"Can you get the police report and track down the original owner?" Tara asks.
"Well do," Penelope confirms.
"Hey, Penelope, anything from Emily?" Matt asks.
"She's done with Barnes for today, but she's got to go back tomorrow; it's not good," Penelope admits, and as she does Tara and Matt exchange looks. "I'll hit you back when I have more," Penelope explains.
"Thanks Penelope," Tara says, trying to hide her concern, and Penelope hangs up.
A little while after she hang up with Tara and Matt, Penelope, who is holding her laptop and a bag of take out, is walking into Emily's office.
"Did you get Riggio's?" Emily asks surprised, looking up as Penelope walks in.
"Yeah, Dad taught me how to get them to deliver this late," Penelope admits, as she sits down on the couch.
"Oh, I'm so going to need to know how you two do that," Emily admits.
"Maybe one day, Amore," Penelope responds. "For the next half an hour we're not going to talk, or think, about Barnes and the horrible things she is saying or doing," Penelope informs her wife, as Emily gets up and walks over. "We're just going to sit together in your office, and enjoy our dinner, because it is your office," Penelope says, stressing the last two years. "You need to remember that. You're the Unit Chief, no matte what Barnes may think," Penelope tells her wife, and even though she is scared of her family being torn apart her desire to support her wife is stronger than her fear.
"You, Penelope Alessa Prentiss are pretty damn incredible," Emily says her wife as she sits down next to Penelope.
"I know," Penelope responds as Emily leans over and kisses her cheek.
A little while later Penelope and Emily have finished their dinner and moved from the couch in Emily's office to the desk. While Emily is going though files on one side Penelope is sitting on the other side on her laptop doing research for the team.
"Pen, this whole thing with Barnes could get really, really bad," Emily says, wanting to prepare her wife for that.
"We if it does the entire team will have your back," Penelope assures her wife. "If Barnes messes with you she messes with all of us," Penelope says, and then before Emily has a chance to respond her phone rings and so she answers it.
"Hey Dave, you've got me and Pen," Emily says as she answers and puts her phone on speaker.
"Well hello to you both," Rossi says. "Just, uh, checking to see how you're doing," Rossi admits, knowing he can't take anything from the fact that Penelope and Emily are together, as it's pretty standard.
"It's tough to remain calm when someone's trying to get under your skin," Emily admits.
"This isn't an annual review?" Rossi asks, and both Emily and Penelope can hear the concern in his voice.
"Ostensibly, yes, but Barnes has been through every command decision I've made since taking over as Unit Chief and thrown them back at me, including Stephen's death," Emily reveals, and as she does Penelope reaches over and takes her wife's hand.
"She's trying to rattle you," Rossi realizes.
"Yeah, she's after something," Emily says. "I just don't know what," Emily admits.
"You know we've got your back, right?" Rossi asks.
"I do," Emily confirms.
"I've made that clear," Penelope reveals.
"Good," Rossi says relieved. "So how can we help?"
"Solve this case," Emily requests. "Show Barnes we can color within the lines," Emily requests.
"Okay. Well, hang in there, both of you," Rossi says. "When I get back, drinks are on me," Rossi says.
"Deal," Rossi says. "And Emily, don't let her push you around. You've earned that seat," Rossi says, before hanging up.
"Dad's right," Penelope tells her wife. "Em, there's nothing else we can do tonight, how about we go home," Penelope suggests.
"No, I should stay," Emily argues.
"Em, if you're going to take on Barnes tomorrow you need sleep, you know that Amore," Penelope says. "Em, you know I'm right," Penelope says.
"You usually are," Emily admits. "Okay," She admits with a sigh, even though she isn't sure it is a good idea.
After another night where Emily and Penelope didn't much sleep the two of them are stepping back onto the BAU floor.
"How long until you have to meet with Barnes?" Penelope asks her wife.
"Ten minutes," Emily admits.
"Okay," Penelope says, before reaching out and taking both of Emily's hand. "I want you to remember something for me, can you do that?" Penelope asks.
"Yeah," Emily says, wondering what her wife is going to say.
"You Are Emily Prentiss, my beautiful, badass wonder women wife, Unit Chief of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, no one pushes you around," Penelope reminds her wife.
"You are so incredible Pen, how did I get so lucky?" Emily asks her wife.
"I ask myself that every day," Penelope admits, and once she does Emily leans forward and kisses her wife.
"I love you," Emily says.
"I love you," Penelope responds, and once she does Emily heads up to her office, while Penelope heads to hers.
Ten minutes after her wife gave her the courage not to let Barnes push her around anymore Emily is walking into Barnes's office.
"I'd like to pick up where we left off yesterday," Barnes says.
"No, let's not," Emily says. "This is not about our case in Mexico last year, or any other case. This is about you," Emily says. "You want something," Emily says, knowing that.
"I want the BAU to be held accountable for its actions," Barnes admits.
"If you truly believe that we acted inappropriately or had evidence of a crime that was committed you would have had me arrested," Emily reveals. "The fact that you haven't tells me that's not what you're after," Emily explains.
"No?" Barnes asks.
"Your specialty is remaking units and divisions in your image…. Slimming them down, dividing their resources so you can maximize their efficiency," Emily says. "You want to make a name for yourself," Emily realizes. "Everything about your demeanor says, 'I want to be in charge,' and you protect power not because you fear you don't have it, but because you can't get enough," Emily profiles. "You want to be the director someday," Emily realizes, knowing that. "That's why we're here, to appease your ego, your ambition," Emily says.
"Have you always had issues with authority?" Barnes asks.
"Better agents than you have tried to split the BAU and failed," Emily says. "Each time, the BAU has done it's job, and done it well, and so I have I," Emily says. "You know what that's gotten me? Respect, support capital," Emily says, as while she absolutely hates politics she also knows she has earned political capital to use if needed, and she knows just how to do that. "So whatever game it is you're trying to play here, I want no part of it," Emily says.
"Why don't we take a break before you say something you will regret?" Barnes asks, and Emily is pretty sure that there is nothing she has said that she regrets, nor is there anything she could say.
After Barnes insisted on a break Emily headed straight to her wife's office. Walking into Penelope's bat cave Emily finds her wife working on her computer.
"Pen,"
"How'd it go?" Penelope asks, turning to look at her wife.
"I stood it up to Barnes, told her that I want no part of Barnes's game," Emily tells her wife.
"Oh, I'm so proud of you Amore," Penelope says, as she gets up, walks over to her wife and hugs her.
"Don't get too excited, I can't see Barnes reacting too well to what I just did," Emily admits. "But it did feel pretty damn good," Emily admits, smiling slightly.
"Of course, it did," Penelope says, kissing her wife's cheek, but before the two of them can't talk more Penelope's phone rings with Reid calling in for information.
Not long after she told her wife what happened with Barnes during their last conversation Emily is once again in Barnes's office sitting across from her.
"Now that you've had a chance to gather yourself…. I would like to get back to the task at hand, because I may be ambitious, but I've read your file, Agent Prentiss, and there's more of me in you than you'd like to admit," Barnes admits. "But the BAU is not infallible and I'd like to talk about your team and their role in all of this," Barnes explains.
"I'm the Unit Chief. The buck stops with me," Emily says.
"Sure, but Agent Rossi has just published another book. He's been spending a lot of time with his family, your family," Barnes says, and because she wants to see just where Barnes is going with this Penelope doesn't raise to her bait. "Perhaps he hasn't always been as focused on the job as he could be," Barnes says. "And Agent Reid's been busy with his teaching assignment. Academia is more natural fit for an intellect like his. I think even he would agree about that," Barnes says, and as she does everything falls into place for Emily.
"Wait. That's what this is, a… a fishing expedition?" Emily asks surprised.
"My investigation has revealed a pattern of negligence within the BAU," Barnes reveals.
"You want me to give you a fall guy? So the bureau can avoid some bad PR and you can get a win," Emily realizes, knowing that that is something she would never do. "You thought if you threatened my career that I'd play ball," Emily realizes.
"Rossi put himself in charge following your abduction. Reid spent months in a federal prison. Neither are good at following the rules," Barnes tells Emily.
"They're indispensable," Emily says, believing that with everything she is.
"They are loose cannons!" Barnes exclaims. "I am asking you to sacrifice a couple of pieces to save the whole board," Barnes says.
"I stand by my team and the actions we've taken," Emily reveals, as she realizes just what she may have to do.
In New Orleans, having no idea what Emily is doing to protect them, JJ, Reid, Matt and Luke are in the conference room discussing their theory of the Unsub, and his mission.
"We thought our unsub was on a mission to cleanse the streets, but it's way more complicated than that," JJ explains. "This whole ritual of this is an act of mercy in his mind. It didn't just come out of thin air," JJ explains.
"I think he's been thinking about it, preparing for it in some way," Matt says.
"Exactly, but we haven't found anything connecting our unsub to the first body. Hunter Dillon," JJ says, and as she does she gets an idea. "What if Hunter wasn't his first victim?" JJ asks.
"That would mean there's another victim out there we haven't identified," Luke realizes.
"Okay, so our unsub started by putting people out of their misery, saving them from their sickness. What if the women he lost, who was sick, didn't just die, but she was his first kill," JJ suggests.
"Then everything he's done since would be about reliving that moment, justifying the action," Reid explains.
"These murders would be about easing his own guilt," Luke realizes.
"There's plenty of evidence of this women in the van. Just no DNA and no prints," Matt explains.
"Okay, what about her belongings?" JJ asks.
"We have clothes and blankets," Reid explains.
"A small jewllery box," Luke says.
"Some toiletries," Matt adds.
"And this bouquet. Why would someone keep dead, rotting flowers?" JJ asks.
"It could be of personal significance, an emotional attachment that overrides his compulsion for cleanliness," Reid suggests.
"Okay, did the CSUs find any prints or DNA on the plastic wrapping?" JJ asks.
"No. but the wrapping did have a label that led to a flower shop. The CSUs followed up but came up empty handed," Luke explains.
"That's because they're not Penelope," Matt says, as he places the call. "Penelope, we need your help," Matt says.
"Bring it," Penelope informs her old friend and Luke explains just what they need.
A little while later, as the team are finishing up the case in New Orleans, Penelope is still in her office working when Emily walks in.
"Pen, you busy?" Emily asks, as she walks towards her wife, trying to keep her voice even, so she doesn't give away what's happened until she has a chance to explain to Penelope.
"In a sec I won't be," Penelope tells her wife, and so Emily just sits down on the table next to her wife and waits while Penelope finishes up her work. "Okay, what do you need?" Penelope asks, turning to look at her wife and as she does, she sees the look on Emily's face. "Oh god, what's happened?" Penelope asks, knowing it is something bad.
"Barnes wanted me to sacrifice members of our team, to turn on them and keep my job," Emily explains.
"You'd never do that," Penelope says, knowing that without a doubt.
"Which is why I've been suspended," Emily explains. "I've turned in my gun and badge," Emily explains, and once she does Penelope stands up and hugs her wife, holding her.
"I'm so sorry Em," Penelope says, as she hugs her wife, and kisses her head. "We'll fight this, the entire team, Barnes will not get away with this," Penelope promises her wife.
"We can't," Emily says, as Penelope breaks apart from her.
"You don't want to fight?" Penelope asks her wife surprised.
"Right now, it's just me, but if we keep fighting Barnes will find a way to take down the entire team, I can't let that happen," Emily tells her wife, as she wants to do everything she can to protect them.
"We can't just let you be sacrificed for the rest of us," Penelope tells her wife.
"Pen, last year I deleted a recording of Reid confessing to the murder of Nadie Ramos," Emily tells her wife. "It was when he was drugged and I don't think he even remembers saying it, but he did say it, and I choose to delete the recording," Emily explains. "I deserve this, the rest of you don't," Emily says, as she wants Penelope to understand.
"You did the right thing; Reid was innocent, you were protecting him, just like the rest of us want to protect you," Penelope tells her wife, knowing that.
"I would never forgive myself if you, or another member of their team, lose your jobs because of me," Emily says, and as she does Penelope recognizes her wife's stubbornness.
"If you're not going to fight what are you going to do?" Penelope asks her wife.
"I don't know," Emily admits. "Clyde always said I will be welcome back at Interpol, which could be good, but I also know I don't want to live away from you again," Emily admits, and as she does Penelope knows what she has to do, what she wants.
"Almost six years ago when you left you said you couldn't ask me to go with you, now I'm telling you to asks, if it gets to that, if you're really going to go, I'm going with you," Penelope says to her wife.
"Really? The BAU is your home, your family," Emily says, sounding shocked.
"Barnes is destroying my home, taring apart my family, I can't stay if she is going to do that," Penelope admits, and in response Emily just kisses her wife.
While Penelope and Emily are at the BAU in Penelope's office the rest of the team are on the jet on their way back to Quantico. Away from the rest of the team JJ is getting a drink and so Rossi walks over to her.
"Not bad for the first time steering the ship," Rossi says. "Prentiss would be proud," Rossi says, believing that. "Have you heard from Emily? Or Penelope?" Rossi asks, as while he hasn't JJ might have.
"No, I, uh, texted Emily to let her know we were on our way back, but…" JJ says, before trailing off.
"I'll be glad when this is all over," Rossi admits.
"Yeah," JJ confirms.
A little while after JJ and Rossi's conversation the entire team have arrived back at the BAU and Emily has called them all into the roundtable room.
"I have an announcement to make," Emily says, looking at Penelope as this is incredibly difficult for her to do, and Penelope always gives her strength. "I have been suspended from active duty. I have turned in my badge and my gun," Emily explains.
"What?" Tara asks shocked, as everyone, except for Penelope and Rossi, look at Emily in shock. Penelope isn't surprised because she knows while Rossi is looking between his daughter and daughter in law.
"For how long?" Reid asks, sounding disbelieving.
"Indefinitely," Emily answers. "JJ will continue being acting unit chief, but as of today, Assistant Director Linda Barnes will be personally overseeing this unit," Emily explains, as she attempts to keep the disgust out of her voice as she says Barnes's name.
"Are we under investigation?" Rossi asks.
"Yes, we are under investigation," Emily confirms. "And I tried, but with this suspension, I can't protect you. I'm sorry," Emily says, before heading out of the room, leaving the team in shock. As Emily leaves the room Penelope gets up and leaves too, and together Penelope and Emily leave the BAU holding hands.
A little while after Emily's shocking revelation JJ is sitting in Emily's office, which she guesses is now technically hers, when there is a knock on the door.
"Come in," JJ says, and Rossi walks in. "I don't want to be unit chief, not like this," JJ tells Rossi.
"I've been in your shoes, and for lack of a better word, it sucks," Rossi says. "But you're gonna do just fine," Rossi explains.
"Linda Barnes will try to pick ups apart one by one," JJ says, knowing that.
"There have been people trying to pick us apart since the doors open. It hasn't worked yet," Rossi explains.
"But Barnes has support all the way to the top," JJ points out. "Look Dave, I'm still trying to figure out a way to go after her," JJ admits, as she is not going to let Barnes get away with this.
"And you're going to do it by being the best solider you can be," Rossi advises. "Don't rock the boat. Don't make waves. My guess is that's how she forced out Emily," Rossi says, as while he hasn't talked to his daughter, or daughter in law, that's what he suspects. "And you won't be alone on this. We're gonna continue to do what we do best… work this case, save lives. No one can argue with our results, not even Barnes," Rossi explains to JJ.
"That's one hell of a rally speech," JJ says, sounding impressed.
"They are my specialty," Rossi reveals. "Look, why don't you go home, get some rest? It's been a rough night for all of us," Rossi says.
"Can't get any worse," JJ says, and they both head out of the BAU.
A while after they left the BAU, for Emily potentially for the last time, Penelope and Emily are sitting on the floor of their living room, with Penelope leaning against Emily, and with the take out they brought, though neither are really eating.
"I guess we should figure out a plan," Emily admits, breaking the comfortable silence they have been sitting in.
"I meant what I said," Penelope admits. "I want you, I want us, to fight, but if that is something you're not willing to do, then I'll hand in my resignation tomorrow," Penelope says, as as much as she doesn't want to leave the BAU her desire not to be away from her wife is even stronger.
"No, don't do that yet," Emily says. "I'll talk to Clyde, but for now don't resign," Emily tells her wife, as she kisses the top of Penelope's head.
"Do you really think Barnes is going to stop going after the rest of the team?" Penelope asks her wife.
"I hope so," Emily admits, as they once more drift into silence.