Chapter 9
" All Stand." announced the court usher
" Stay seated, Ms Prentiss." the judge said to Emily
" Ms Prentiss, It is now apparent that you are the victim of a malicious attempt to frame you for crimes you didn't commit for revenge and extortion. This court would like to apologise unreservedly for any harm this might have done. I would personally like to apologise for your apparent injuries received. The federal prosecutors have dropped all charges; you are free to go after a bit of paperwork has been completed. Once again, Ms Prentiss, you have the most profound regret of this court for this blatant miscarriage of justice. I do hope this doesn't prevent you from returning to the FBI." Announced the judge.
Wheeling Emily downstairs, Yasmin handed her some clothes to change into
" Erm, would you give me a hand, please, Yasmin," asked Emily holding up her left wrist
She was passing Emily an envelope and bus ticket. " All done as you requested, Emily. I will tell everyone as asked." Yasmin bit her bottom lip. Leaning forward, she gently pressed her lips against Emily's in such a gentle kiss. Emily winced but immediately deepened the kiss, only pulling apart when the pain in her ribs worsened,
" Councillor, I hope you don't celebrate with all your clients like that?" smiled Emily as she leaned in for another kiss. Feeling something slipped into her pocket, Yasmin smirked.
"I like you, Emily. If you feel the same, ring me. I promise not to give the number out." smirked the beautiful woman
Emily's only answer was deepening the kiss, sliding her tongue into Yasmin's receptive mouth, greeted by a satisfying groan.
Pulling apart, the two women peered into the eyes of each other.
" Most definitely, Ms Khan. I want lots more of you if you'll wait?" asked Emily cautiously
" I'll wait as long as you need, sweet lady." smiled Yaz
EJ
The team assembled at the round table, waiting for Emily, so the team could apologise for their actions and thank her for safeguarding their loved ones. One particular blonde profiler was particularly looking forward to seeing Emily again so she could apologise profusely for her actions over the last six-and-a-half months and hopefully rekindle their relationship. While JJ waited, she consciously held her engagement ring.
Strauss walked into the room accompanied by Yasmin Khan, Emily's attorney. The team waited for Emily to walk in next.
"Emily asked me to talk to you. She isn't coming. She needs time to get her head together, and it has been a challenging and strenuous six months. She feels responsible for the death of her friend. She requested that you all honour her wishes and leave her alone." Yasmin told the group
Garcia just nodded " We will wait for her to heal physically and mentally. I promise not to track her down using my babies." She smiled, having had a good idea Emily wouldn't jump straight back in.
"What! No, she can't do this." an emotional JJ shouted at Yasmin
"Ms Jareau?" she inquired, looking at JJ
The visibly upset blonde agent nodded in confirmation. "Emily told me to tell you that she needs time to think and heal by herself before she is strong enough emotionally to see you. I don't know where she is, so don't ask." Yasmin snickered at the distraught blonde, thinking. 'You didn't want her; back off she's mine now, mini barbie doll.'
Yasmin walked out with great satisfaction, knowing Jennifer had lost Emily.
The group of profilers, except JJ, understood her reasons for her disappearance and would honour her wishes.
EJ
Wanting some solace, JJ had driven over to see David. She found him grinning when she walked into his room.
"Mama, talk me." he laughed. "See soon, she needs to do something." he yawned
"Emily told me she wouldn't let him see her so hurt. Once she looks human again. She will come home. David is excited; she told him she will talk to him on the phone every day." Abby told JJ
"Would it be ok if I snuggled with you, David?" asked JJ
"Loves snuggle," He smiled
Sliding onto the bed and into his side, JJ nuzzled with David enjoying the calm that spread through her body.
"You see mama shortly, Jenny. She loves you." David told his blonde friend.
"I hope so, David. I do hope so." Sighed JJ
EJ
Emily was sitting on the back seats of the bus for the twenty-two-hour journey to Mexia, Texas, to see Iris, Izzy's mother. Yasmin had seen her off from the bus station. Emily smiled at her sendoff, remembering the feel of her lips all over her neck and her teeth grazing her ear lobe. The memories sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. Her lips could still feel Yasmin's lips pressing against them.
Emily, although free and proven innocent, still remaind broke. The FBI promised to expedite the return of her seized property; her finances remained another matter. Yasmin had vowed to keep the pressure on to return what they had recovered so far.
After she had slept the majority of the journey, she watched the bus pull away from the side of the road. The nervous ex-FBI agent asked for directions to the mystic diner Isobel's mother owned from the coffee cart owner. Appreciative that Yasmin had packed her clothes in a backpack, making it easier for her to carry while using her crutches.
Emily smiled as the old bell rang as she opened the diner door with a crutch; an older woman rushed across and held the door as Emily walked in
" Welcome to the Mystic; where would you like to sit down?" smiled the pleasant woman
"Anywhere will be fine; I'd like to speak to Iris Isles if she is around, please," Emily asked politely
"That's me." answered the woman with a curious look at Emily.
Smiling at the woman, Emily asked her for a few moments after introducing herself. Iris indicated a window booth and took Emily's bag from her.
"Thank you for taking the time." smiled Emily. "I know your daughter. She was my cellmate for a while. She told me all about you and her grandmother. I don't know if the prison has told you? Isobel was seriously injured when she stepped in to help me. They repeatedly banged her head against the wall. She is now unlikely to wake from her coma. I am so ashamed your daughter tried to help me..." Emily couldn't proceed; her emotions got the better of her.
"Thank you, Emily. The prison did inform us of her current condition. I recognised you from the news. One of the killers released used to live in Houston. Where are you staying?" asked the kind woman
She shrugged her shoulders. " I haven't thought that far ahead. Can you suggest somewhere cheap?" smiled Emily
" You will stay with me upstairs; you look terrible, Emily. I can't in good conscious let you hobble any further." she chuckled
"Thank you. I will compensate you for your kindness Iris."
EJ
"Bye, sweet boy, mama loves you and will speak with you again tomorrow." smiled Emily
The phone line went quiet. "Hi Emily, when are you coming home? He misses his mama Emily." Abby told her, "Oh my God, Emily, your face." gasped Abby looking at a newly arrived picture of Emily's battered and bruised face.
" I can not let him see me like this, Abby; it will freak him out. I need to take some time to get my head back on correctly. Are you ok watching him? Money will be tight for a while; Yasmin Khan, my attorney, will provide you with enough money for both your day to day needs. I am so sorry to drop this on you." apologised, Emily repeatedly
"Emily, Emily, it's OK. Were staying with David Rossi under guard until they have caught the Doherty's. David loves him, especially when he reads to him. Jennifer visits him most days; he asks if she would be his mom. They snuggle on the bed; Emily, he is confused." Abby told her without sugar-coating her answer.
" I know I am sorry to leave you in the lurch Abby. I'm confused about everything apart from my love for David. I need time," conceded Emily
" Take all the time you need, Emily. I adore David. We will both be fine; you help yourself." answered her long term friend and nanny
"Thank you. I will speak to you tomorrow, bye." signed off Emily.
Holding the phone under her chin, she smiled, thinking about David Rossi reading to her David, and JJ snuggled up to David.
The joy was replaced with resentment remembering how they treated her like a criminal, not one of them giving her the benefit of the doubt after knowing her for so many years. Emily tried to rid her head of these negative feelings, understanding her actions had alienated her friends/former colleagues she didn't know anymore. Her mother's words suddenly swirled around in her head. She was washing her hands of her daughter to save her political aspirations for a seat on the hill.
" Your so not right in the head, Emily, your so screwed, woman," she told herself out loud
EJ
Watching from her booth in the diner, Emily could see how hard Iris worked to keep the lights on. The woman should be enjoying herself, not trudging around the restaurant.
"Emily?" asked Iris
"Emily?" she repeated
Hearing her name the second time, Emily looked up and smiled.
" Ready to earn your room and board?" asked Iris
"Yes, I will do what I can." she smiled.
EJ
Watching David Prentiss sleeping peacefully, JJ was sobbing, feeling awful. Emily had lost nearly everything protecting her mother, freedom, money and David. This was all very Emily Prentiss putting others first before any thought of herself.
"Jennifer, Emily worshipped you. You were her world. Breaking up with you would have nearly destroyed her. But she did it to protect your mother, Jennifer. Now's not the time to feel sorry for yourself. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you? I have known Emily Prentiss for the whole of my adult life. Staying away from David isn't just about her injuries; that woman is hurting; she is confused about everything." Abby told her, "Go to her; she needs you, Jennifer. Here is her cell phone number. I'm sure you can find her using that. Oh, by the way, you copied the number without my knowledge." she winked, handing over a slip of paper. "Do not mess this chance up, Jennifer. You will not get a second chance." Abby warned.
Twirling the piece of paper between her fingers, JJ pondered what to do; she picked up her cell called Kevin Lynch, knowing Garcia wouldn't help.
Thirty minutes later, armed with Emily's location and a week's vacation, JJ walked to her car to go home and pack for her flight to Houston.
EJ
Emily helped Iris pack food parcels for needy families to help support them. All had been affected by her daughter's actions and lost everything. The food helped ensure the whole family had one nutritious meal a day. Iris surprised Emily by telling her she used her meagre earnings to buy the food. The local supermarket helped to provide food very close to its expiration date.
"Emily, you look tired; take a break for ten minutes," Iris told the younger woman.
About to protest, her cell phone rings, deciding for her. Holding up her phone, indicating she was going outside to answer.
" Hi you, are you missing me?" Emily singsonged to her caller
"I need to see you, Emily," Yasmin told a delighted brunette,
"I would love that Yaz, when do you arrive?" asked a delighted Emily
With a cheeky giggle. " about an hour and nineteen minutes if I abide by the speed limits, you have that effect on me, Emily Prentiss." answered the giggling lawyer
" where are you, Yasmin Khan? Have you been a naughty little lawyer?" Emily asked her curiously
Yaz smiled to herself, sitting behind the wheel of her rental pick up. " Sitting behind the wheel of my pick up outside Houston airport. I've been a very naughty lawyer." chuckled Yaz
" I am glad you came Yaz, I have been thinking about you a lot since your farewell kiss at the bus station. I want to give us a go if that is still what you want?" asked Emily nervously
Iris had listened to Emily's side of the phone call with a smile. " Emily, if your girlfriend doesn't mind, she can stay here and share your couch. It's no hotel, but it's clean, as you can attest to." Iris told Emily with a smile.
She was nodding her thanks to Iris. "Well, babe, what do you think?" asked Emily, knowing Yaz heard the conversation
Yaz was quiet for a few minutes making Emily check the call was still connected.
" Call me that again," Yaz asked her
Concerned, Emily quickly reviewed everything she had just said; with a smile, she realised what she had said
"Babe, is that alright?" asked a nervous Emily
Not worrying about sounding like a lovesick schoolgirl, " Very alright, but does that now make you my girlfriend?" asked the uncertain lawyer
Sporting an ear to ear smile, Emily replied, " Yes, Yasmin Khan, I am your girlfriend."
" See you soon, Girlfriend." Smiled Yaz slipping her pick up into drive.
"Get that cute little butt here in one piece, Yasmin. I need to kiss those lips of yours repeatedly," Emily told her girlfriend. Not physically able to do anything more than kiss her.
Emily walked back into the diner to find Iris laughing at her. "Oh, young love."
With a massive shit-eating grin plastered on her face, she continued helping with one eye on the clock wishing it would move quicker.
EJ
Having broken several speed limits, Yasmin arrived in fifty-five minutes. Having parked quickly, she walked into the diner to find Emily, her very new girlfriend. Not caring who was watching her in the diner, she rushed over to her brunette girlfriend as she struggled to get up. Pulling the struggling woman up, she gave her a deep and passionate kiss. Only breaking apart when oxygen became a necessity.
"Hi, sweet girl, I've missed you." Emily winced, having to sit back down
"Oh, Emily, I am so sorry..." Emily raised a finger to silence her and pointed to the seat next to her
" I am still sore from my prison beatings; to kiss those luscious lips, councillor, I would cuddle a cactus." smiled Emily leaning in for a short kiss.
" Coffee? Yasmin. Emily hasn't stopped talking about you since you phoned." Smirked Iris as she watched Emily's cheeks colour. " I am Iris Isles as it seems Emily has lost the ability to speak." she smiled
"Coffee would be tremendous nice to meet you, Iris; thank you very much for letting me stay." smiled the lawyer
EJ
After a nice meal with Iris at the diner, Emily and Yaz took a short stroll to the park. Emily was feeling all the moving about on her crutches; only being out of her cell for around three hours a day while in prison was most certainly not good for her stamina.
" Work for five minutes only, I promise. They have found twenty-five and a half million located in offshore banks. Legal proceedings have been started to reclaim your money. Penelope and Maddy broke into the Hackers laptop. With their help, we have found all but three and a half million. Penelope feels horrible about her actions. Emily, with everything she has accomplished helping us find your money, deserves a lovely present. All your properties will be returned to you by the end of next week. Your girlfriend would love a little trip on the Macaw when she can get the time off work." Smiled Yasmin
Emily pondered for a while. " What money do I have access to at the moment?" asked Emily whilst deep in thought
" From your stolen funds, none at the moment. DOC has agreed to pay damages for your two assaults. If you decide on an early settlement of One Million, they will pay out the same day, as long as you agree on a non-disclosure agreement." She answered from memory.
Looking directly at her Girlfriend, she nodded " Two things, yes to the settlement. I need some money. Do you want to be my full-time attorney? My so-called family attorneys washed their hands of me just like my mother when I needed them most. I can guarantee I pay more than the public defender's office. Oh, I bet I look far nicer than your old boss." smirked Emily resting her head on Yasmin's shoulder
Smirking, " I don't know he had a tremendous bald patch that just made me weak at the knees." grinned the brunette
Without a word lifting her head, she kissed Yaz passionately. " did he kiss better than me?" asked a grinning Emily
She grabbed her chin, rubbing it with her fingers. "I'm not sure, so kiss me again so I can make an educated guess." grinned the dark-haired woman
Without hesitation, Emily closed the gap and touched their lips together for a long and slow kiss. With a goofy look on her face, Yaz smiled " Oliver is far superior, Emily. It would help if you had more practice." smirked the spellbound woman
" Oh. Well, let's try again." Smirked the brunette closing the gap between their lips kissing her again
"Emily!" Yelled JJ glaring at the kissing couple on the bench. "What do you think you're doing?"
Emily looked up, annoyed at JJ. "Kissing my girlfriend, Jennifer, what does it look like?" she answered abruptly,
The blonde looked on open-mouthed. "Girlfriend? I'm your girlfriend. You were even going to propose to me." replied the angry blonde pulling out her engagement ring on her necklace.
"Girlfriend? You destroyed me, Jennifer, shattered my heart into a million pieces. I can forgive you a little for your initial reactions to my sudden breakup. You crushed me in that interview room in prison. I asked you if you believed I was innocent. How did you answer me?" inquired Emily
She didn't give the blonde chance to answer. She was too angry. "Yes! The evidence is too damning against you. Emily Prentiss, you've changed. I no longer know who you are. I agree with your mother's statement. Now let's get this over with as soon as possible. Your answer is burnt into my memory. Your look conveyed you thought me a prisoner, not even a friend. I will take my ring back, please, Jennifer. Iris can pawn it and use the money to buy food to help her feed more needy people." answered a furious woman.
JJ took her time looking at the lawyer, Emily's girlfriend. The dark-haired woman of apparent Indian heritage just looked at JJ with a smile on her face. This brought out her green-eyed monster to play. " Yasmin is it?" asked Jennifer, the lawyer, who nodded her confirmation.
"Has she told you about her son? I don't..." JJ was interrupted by Emily. She instantly knew she had gone too far.
"J-A-R-E-A-U!" yelled Emily pronouncing each letter of her surname menacingly. "Were done here. Leave before you say something you will regret." warned a furious Brunette. No one bad-mouthed her son.
Emily glared at the blonde, who seemed like she wanted to say something.
Yasmin took the initiative and approached the blonde woman, and held her hand out for the ring. With a go away and die look on her face, JJ placed the engagement ring in her hand and walked away briskly. Hurrying away, JJ didn't want to cry in front of Emily.
EJ
JJ found the nearest bar and sat down at the bar ordering a tequila, telling the bartender to leave the bottle.
"Hun, are you ok? If you need anything, give me a holler, my name is Candy." smiled the brunette
Downing her shot, JJ raised her glass. 'She had to be a brunette, damn you Emily.' she thought to herself, the universe even hates me.
EJ
Jaz helped the angry brunette back to the diner; they sat in a booth holding hands.
"I was going to tell you about David, my son, honest Yasmin." Emily quietly told her
Gently kissing her temple, Yasmin ran her fingers through Emily's hair. "Tell me about your son, please, Emily. I would like to know," smiled Yaz, cupping her cheeks,
With a sad smile, she started to tell her girlfriend. " His Name is David Prentiss; I was a young 16 year old in Italy trying to fit in. I stupidly slept with a boy of a British diplomat and became pregnant. Of course, my mother wanted me to have an abortion. I was laid on the table about to undergo the procedure when I realised I couldn't go through with it. I was hidden away in Italy while I had David.
We returned to the states, and I was homeschooled. One night David wouldn't settle. I just thought he was getting a cold. By the time the rash occurred, it was too late. I took him to the hospital, where they diagnosed Bacterial Meningitis. He was seriously ill until the antibiotics worked. He suffered brain damage as a result of the infection damaging his brain.
David requires round the clock assistance. He had two live-in carers, mother and daughter." she paused to control her Emotions, taking a few deep breaths
"Gwen, Abby's mother, was murdered. Abby loves David like he is her own son. I kept David separate to protect him. He lives in a purpose-built bungalow. I would like you to meet him when we go back to Washington, D.C. If you would like?" smiled Emily
Yaz answered by kissing Emily.
"I'm sorry, Emily, I told that blonde where you were. She said she was a friend." Iris apologised.
"don't worry, we were friends until just now. Iris, this is to help you with feeding your families. Take Yasmin in the morning and pawn this ring. It's worth two hundred thousand dollars." Emily smiled at the stunned woman.
" Oh, Emily," Iris is speechless as she holds the engagement ring.