An "AU" story of "E. Prentisses," featuring their background, the BAU, international intrigue, and serial killers.

A special thank you rmpcmfan. I always intended to finish this story but life happened. Your message gave my muse a kick in the butt to complete this story.

I apologize for any grammatical errors.

CHAPTER 4 – ALPHA MOM

Connor gives up trying to reach his daughter knowing in his heart that she chooses to ignore his attempts at communication. Ignoring an emergency is unacceptable and he intends to have a serious talk with her.

Connor, Claudette, and the twins arrive at Liz's home to find her eating dinner. Connor is livid. The twins toddle over to their mother to give her hugs and kisses. The girls tell Liz all about the things they have been doing with their grandparents and their exciting trip to Italy.

"Claudette, please take the twins to their room and play with them until I finish having a heart to heart with our daughter."

Liz thought, Damn, I forgot to contact papa and mama after my successful talks. I was busy celebrating with Sergio. I guess I need to prepare myself for a confrontation.

After confirming that his wife and grandchildren were out of hearing range Connor lit into Liz. "What the hell is so important that you couldn't respond to my urgent messages?"

"I'm sorry papa I was in a sensitive government meeting and they blocked all outside communication while in session. I've only been home for 30 minutes and was so drained I wanted to get a bite to eat. I've been checking messages and was about to contact you."

Connor stared at his daughter and knew she was lying. She was aware of his attempts but chose to ignore them. "Liz, I know you were aware of our attempts so don't even deny it. You could never get away with lying to me so don't waste my time. Someone called the house impersonating Sally wishing to speak to you and the girls. That is our reason for visiting. I'm aware of your hyper-focused ambition but I never thought it was a priority over your family."

"Papa, I am not sorry for ignoring your calls, however I was able to successfully reach an agreement with contentious countries and now my career has been launched into the stratosphere. I can get any appointment I desire and an Italian Ambassadorship is my preference."

"You are your mother's daughter. However, ignoring an emergency that could endanger the girls is unacceptable. Why did you have the babies if you were going to ignore them?"

"I love my girls and I loved their father. I have been put in a situation in which the death of my husband along with the girls afford me some advantages and I intend to make the most of the opportunity. I have plans for my girls to follow in my footsteps. I've got their future planned out."

"Sweetheart, what you want and what they want may not be the same. If they inherit your stubbornness you will have interesting times ahead."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Claudette settled the twins in their playpen. She grabbed the monitor as she left the girls to join the conversation between Connor and Liz. The twins did not realize she left as they were busy entertaining themselves with toys and each other.

A few minutes after Claudette left the room a figure entered the room, disconnected the monitor and headed towards the girls. Upon seeing the mysterious person the twins quietly said, "papa!"

Sally's heart turned over upon seeing his beautiful girls. It was scary how smart they were. He has been secretly visiting them without Liz being aware. He taught them to quietly say his name and he spoke to them in Italian. Liz, her parents, and the girls all speak French. Sally was so proud that his girls appear to have their gift for languages. He was also aware that Connor received a call fishing for information. That particular threat has been eliminated but he had to check on his girls to make sure no threat remains.

Sally was livid that Liz ignored all communication regarding the welfare of their family. He would have to put checks in place to care for the girls since Liz's priority is her career and what's between her legs. I am aware of her favorite boy toy Sergio.

Sally placed listening devices throughout the home and adjusted his earwig to listen to the conversation between Liz and her parents.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Claudette returned to the dining room and heard her daughter admit to ignoring their calls. Outraged she calmly walked up to her daughter and slapped her so hard her ears rang and vision blurred.

"Connor, please leave so that I may clarify how outraged I am with our daughter."

"I will be outside cooling down Claudette. I'll return in an hour or two." Connor gives his wife a kiss. He knows to get the hell out when he sees his wife's continence. God help Liz.

Liz knew she fucked up. Outside of the slap, her mother was quiet and livid which is a reflection that she is enraged. Liz prays she can survive her mom's furious anger.

"Merde, I see a young me in you. I wanted to satisfy my ambition by any means and I didn't care who I hurt to get what I wanted. Nobody called me out on my behavior. But times have changed. I take responsibility for nurturing your ambition. When we adopted you Connor wanted someone he could love and give a child a safe, loving and supportive environment. I had no desire to become pregnant and would rather have a child rather than an infant. Adopting was also great for my career."

Liz has heard this story a million times, "must we rehash this?"

"Yes we must. You forget how ruthless I can be. My reasons may have started out as selfish when we first adopted you but your father and I love you as much or more as any biological parents ever could. We are proud of you. However, it took a while to harness my ambition and prioritize my family. I didn't get myself together until you were in your early twenties. You idolized me and I will forever be penitent for my influence on you. You are a carbon copy of a younger me."

"Mother please get to the point. I'm tired and have an important meeting in the morning. In addition, regarding the girls. I need to leave in a day or two to set up my next ambassadorial post. I will be gone for two months and have given the nannies instructions for their care."

Claudette was pacing in front of Liz furious at the callous treatment of her grandchildren by their mother. Liz barely interacted with the girls assuming everyone else was taking care of them. She would need to change tactics regarding the twins' care in terms that Liz would understand. As she looked at her daughter who sat at the dining room table she saw a respectful, confident, powerful woman bored by their conversation. It was time to be ruthless.

Liz was wary, her mother's demeanor changed to one she hasn't seen in years. Claudette moved to the dining chair opposite of her daughter. She symbolically placed the baby monitor in front of her. The wind picked up outside, the fireplace kept the room nice and toasty but there was a cold front between the two women.

"Liz, let me explain to you how you will conduct yourself in the future, no interruptions please."

Liz slightly uneasy nodded her head in acknowledgement for her mother to continue.

"The girls will live with us six months out of the year and with you the remaining months. You will devote no less than 40 hours of your personal time a week to the girls, reading, playing, attending events, maybe teaching them languages…loving them."

Liz smirks, "and if I don't agree with your terms mother?"

Her mother replies cooly, "I will destroy you. Your adoption will be made public. I'll expose your sister's background and her incestuous relationship with your first cousin for starters. Then bring to light their murderous rampage across the US. If that doesn't do the trick I'll go into how you framed certain challengers to positions on your rise to the top. I have plenty of proof." Liz expression didn't change despite it all Claudette was impressed. "DON'T YOU DARE FUCK WITH ME ELIZABETH!"

Elizabeth was frozen. She wasn't aware her mother had any inkling regarding her biological family much less her machinations to rise to the top of the political arena. I can't believe I assumed my parents were retired and reclusive, not in touch with the world. I have no doubt that my mother has the evidence to back up her claims…I'M FUCKED!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sally is upstairs with the girls in awe of Claudette. He was worried about Liz's cavalier behavior towards the girls but now he can rest easy with Connor and Claudette on Liz's case.

Connor walks in the nursery to check on his granddaughters. "Hey Sally, did you neutralize the threat to Liz and the girls?"

Sally is sitting on the floor letting Raven and Emily crawl over him, sticking their tiny fingers up his nose, playing with his hand, and more. The girls are laughing and having a good time.

"Yes, they are no longer in danger. I have assets posted around my family indefinitely for additional protection."

"Thank you for trusting me with your secret so that I can be prepared if something happens. Catching Sally studying his daughters with a furrowed brow, have you been able to tell them apart?"

"No sir, they are identical. However, Raven is more outgoing and daring than Emily. Emily tends to be more of a thinker or maybe a better word is strategist. I can't thank you and Claudette enough for taking care of all my girls." Sally kissed the girls and told them that daddy has to leave. This is my vulnerability, my girls. I never knew that one could love so purely. They are so beautiful and smart and I will protect them with my last breath. The twins kissed their father goodbye and continued to play among themselves.

He hugged Connor and slipped out of the room. Connor sat in the chair near the window and told the girls they have a brave daddy, who loves them and his country.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Claudette sat quietly, her gaze piercing her daughter's waiting for Liz's response.

Liz hated that she was outmaneuvered. I am no fool. Who I am today is because I was an apprentice of the master. I was privy to the machinations of Claudette unfortunately none of that knowledge can be used against her. A thought occurred to her. I wonder if she adopted me because of my biological family's background. It would be the perfect out, if I was a less than stellar daughter.

Claudette's gaze has yet to waver.

Liz stands with a slight nod to her mother. "I'm going to spend some time with my girls. Afterwards I will rearrange my schedule so that we can discuss your preferred months with the twins." Liz left the room sedately with her head held high.

"Brava my daughter. Even though I love you with all my heart, as always, distressing me would strip you of who you are, all you have accomplished, and most importantly your daughters."