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.
DISCLAIMER: This story was conjured up for reading entertainment only. No money has exchanged hands or bank accounts. There is no profit gained, just fancy flights of imagination. There is no intention to infringe on the copyright of CBS Television Studios or creator Jeff Davis. This writing does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will; hence you have no one to whine to except yourself or a parent if you are caught, so bugger off!
A/N: Please find them time to review and feed the Muse. Another long chapter, and only a three day wait, enjoy!
Chapter 9
Monday 21st February, 2011
After a long shower, Emily dressed for work in a black pants suit with a dark blue business shirt. Slipping on a pair of black socks and black boots, she ate a light breakfast then headed for the downstairs carpark. As she approached her sedan, she noticed the driver's door was unlocked. Dropping to the ground, she inspected the undercarriage of the vehicle to check for explosive devices. Finding none, she stood then moved away from the grey Cruze. Deploying the remote engine start, she held her breath until there was no boom. Getting into the car, she drove to the mall and parked her car.
Walking towards the outside fountain, Emily covertly watched Clyde Easter stand up from the bench seat he had been occupying and leave behind a folded up newspaper prior to moving off. Approaching the location, Emily sat down and reached inside the paper and retrieved a cell phone.
It rang instantly and Emily placed it against the shell of her right ear. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show. After what happened to Jeremy, I was scared," declared Tsia.
"I'm so sorry you can't attend his funeral. It's being held today, isn't it?"
"Yes, but that's what happens when you marry a fellow team member," reasoned Tsia matter of factly while sitting at a table no more than six yards away from where Emily was sitting.. "We knew the consequences from the onset. If one of us became a target, the other one did too."
Emily understood that concept all too well and that was the reason behind her decision to exclude Jillian and her Team members from the situation she now found herself in. Her inner thoughts were interrupted when a voice she recognised as Clyde Easter's spoke, "Hello there darling."
Without moving her head to see where he was, Emily snapped and failed to acknowledge him, "Okay, let's get on with it and make this meeting quick. I organised a late lunch to be here and don't have time to waste or raise suspicion from my colleagues by my absence."
"Seriously Emily, do I have to remind you I am never one to be quick about anything," Easter smoothly stated in his British accent.
Not being in the mood for his crappy, double entendre words, Emily rolled her eyes, "Really, what about that time in Prague when I blew my cover? You had no hesitation in taking out the sentry before I even had the chance to draw my gun. You saved me that day."
"I'm impressed you remember me from your INTERPOL days considering you are a highly respected FBI profiler now."
Emily wasn't drawn into her former leader's sarcasm and asked the question she needed an answer to, "What is being done about finding Doyle?"
"Every agency in the Northern hemisphere is trying to locate him," replied Easter.
Emily's next words were stern, "And what are we doing to find the prick?"
Tsia took the inquiry, "A contact of mine at DCRI managed to track down an alias used by Doyle leaving France the day after Jeremy's death. He took a flight on a commercial airline to Beijing than travelled back via a train bound for Berlin."
Easter continued, "When GSG 9 intercepted the train, there was no trace of Doyle."
Sitting down, Emily lamented, "He sent me flowers, so it's reasonable to assume he is on his way here and I am his next target."
"Why is he coming after us?" inquired Tsia.
"You know why," returned Easter without the smarmy lint. "We put the man behind bars."
Emily's cell phone beeped with a message alert and she retrieved it from her jacket pocket and read the missive from Penelope: 911 BAU in 30 minutes
"Duty calls?" asked Easter. "I know what you are thinking and under no circumstances are you to read in your Team. They don't have the clearance nor are they under oath, get the thought out of your head."
"They could help," pointed out Emily while pocketing her phone.
"And how would that be?" questioned Tsia. "We don't even know where Doyle is. Involving them at this stage would be impulsive. "
"And somewhat irresponsible," added Easter. "Leave it to Tsia and myself. Return to your Team and get back to work."
"Doyle won't be able to resist luxury, even when hiding from authorities; track the money," suggested Emily as she stood.
Easter wasn't finished with trying to placate Emily, "Trust me darling, I will find him."
"I don't trust anyone anymore," returned Emily harshly prior to ending the conversation and tossing the burner phone into a nearby rubbish bin. She hastily headed back to her car without looking back.
-o-
Racing into the Briefing Room, Emily looked at Aaron and apologised, "Sorry I'm late; traffic was bad."
"Not a problem, let's get started," replied Hotch.
Standing in front of the display monitor, Garcia, who had returned her hair to blonde, began, "Ten year old Sammy Sparks from Lafayette Parish, Louisiana turned up at his elementary school this morning soaked in blood. When local Police were called in, they went to Sammy's house and discovered his parents Charlie and Alison were missing."
Reading from his tablet, Morgan noted, "The forensics team found enough evidence to suggest at least one of the parents was badly injured."
"Have there been any ransom demands made?' asked Emily while perusing her tablet.
"At this time," answered Penelope. "There has been no communication from anyone."
"So why have we been called in on this case?" inquired Rossi.
Hotch responded, "The New Orleans Police Department is hoping we can interview Sammy."
"No one has spoken to the only witness yet?" queried Spencer.
Ashley raised her tablet off the table, "I don't understand why they haven't interviewed him. If the boy is covered in blood, it's obvious he was present during the attack. There is a strong chance he could identify the UNSUB."
"Sammy is autistic," explained Aaron. "Getting him to tell us anything is not going to be easy. Wheels up in ten people."
Placing her tablet into her bag, Emily got to her feet and exited the room before Derek had the opportunity to grill her about her lateness. Going to her desk, she collected her go to bag and extra ammo clips. She was standing by the elevator before the others had left the Briefing Room. She turned her thoughts to the case and dismissed the conversation she had with Tsia and Clyde only forty minutes ago. Now was not the time to dwell on Doyle; she needed to do her job and do what she was trained for.
-o-
Three hours into the seven hour flight, Emily's phone sounded with a text message. Looking at the screen, she smiled when she saw it was from Jillian. Morgan detected her pleasure and asked, "From your lovely wife?"
"Yes. She's just arrived home with the twins."
"You must be happy about that?"
"I am."
"If you hadn't been late, you would have been present when Hotch informed us Jillian is starting back at work next Monday and witnessed Garcia going crazy with her happy dance."
"Oh crap, I had no idea."
"Are you serious Prentiss? I assumed Jillian told you she had been cleared to resume desk duty during your weekend visit."
"I didn't go to Titusville."
"What?"
"I had things to do at home."
"Like what? You haven't been there for weeks because of the fumigation."
"I had to clean the place up," lied Emily, she had been nowhere near the house since returning to her old apartment a week ago. There had been no more contact from Doyle for over two weeks, so she had moved back in without Sergio. Penelope was still caring for him and Emily didn't want to uproot him again if she needed to leave again quickly.
"Why didn't you ask me to help you?"
"Drop it Morgan, it's no big deal."
"I really wish you'd learn to trust me and talk to me. There is definitely something going on with you and I am here for you."
"It's nothing that concerns you, so please don't ask questions."
"Okay, but you better not be up to something that is going to hurt Jillian and the kids."
"It's none of your business Morgan," snapped Emily, afraid of breaking down and confessing all.
Raising his hands in surrender, Derek conceded defeat, "Okay Prentiss, have it your way." He got up and moved to a vacant seat beside Rossi.
Emily closed her eyes and took a deep breath before calling her wife. Towards the front of the plane, Reid and Seaver were engaged in a conversation about Doctor Who. Emily smiled at them as she waited.
"Hello honey," answered Jillian moments later. "I've just put the children down for a nap after feeding them."
"It's good to hear your voice," admitted Emily as she held back tears.
"Same here and I am so looking forward to seeing you tonight."
"Uhm, the Team is on the way to New Orleans at present and I don't know how long we will be there."
Emily heard the disappointment in her wife's voice, "That's okay honey. I understand work comes first for us."
"I'm sorry baby and I wish things were different."
"I know and I have good news. I attended my medical assessment before coming home and I've been cleared for desk duty."
"That's great Jill and the Team will be happy to have you back."
"What about you?"
"Of course I will be pleased; I have missed you."
"Okay, cut the bullshit Em."
Emily immediately went on the defensive, "What do you mean?"
"I called you three times this afternoon to give you the good news and ended up contacting Aaron instead. I'm pretty sure he would have told you, so why didn't you phone me back?"
"I had a late lunch with an old friend and was late for the initial review of this case. I only found out about your return to work minutes ago when Derek told me."
"That doesn't explain why you didn't return my calls."
"I got caught up."
"Then explain why you didn't visit me and the kids the past three weekends and why I have come home to a house that hasn't been lived in for some time?"
"I told you the Team has been busy with back to back cases and you know all about the pest control."
There was an audible sob on the other end and Emily's heart ached when Jill whispered, "Are you having an affair?"
"What … no!"
"Then why all the clandestineness Emily? It's obvious you are still staying at your apartment."
"I would never cheat on you Jill. I love you with all my heart."
"So why aren't you at home?"
"It's complicated."
"Say what?"
"I'm helping an old friend."
"Is that all I get?"
"I can't talk about it at the moment."
"Fine and I can't talk to you right now. Bye Emily and thanks for the fucking fantastic homecoming."
The line went dead and Emily swore, "Shit." She was about to call Jillian back when Penelope appeared on the laptop screen situated on the table where Derek and Rossi were sitting. She had new information on the case. As had become her habit lately, Emily pulled herself together and approached the others.
-o-
As it was late in the evening when the Team arrived at Lafayette, Hotch made the decision to travel directly to the Holiday Inn and get some sleep before meeting up with Sheriff Oliver first thing in the morning.
Emily declined the offer to have dinner with the others and chose to retired to her room instead. Knowing it would be at least two hours before Ashley joined her in their shared accommodation; she showered and prepared for bed. Slipping under the covers of one of the two double beds, she called Jillian. Her heart raced when her wife accepted the call.
"Yes," answered Jillian.
"I love you and need you to trust me."
"I love you too, but damn, you are making me all kinds of crazy."
"I'm sorry for that and it is not my intention to hurt you or our children."
"Then tell me what is going on."
"I can't baby."
"Derek told me you have not been yourself, so out with it."
"Crap, I wish he hadn't done that."
"Well he did, so talk to me."
"I can't Jillian. I need you to give me some space while I work it out."
"Work it out, just what the fuck is it? Is it work related?"
"No."
"But it is top secret, right?"
"Yes."
"So that makes it work related Emily."
"Not directly."
"Oh for fuck's sake, I am not into playing guessing games with you or anyone else for that matter, so take all the time you need Agent Prentiss and get back to me when you can give me the truth."
"Baby, please don't be mad at me."
"What other choice do I have Emily?"
"You can choose to trust me and allow me the opportunity to help some friends."
"Hang on; you said earlier it was one friend. Just how many people are we talking about here?"
"Several and I am so sorry I can't discuss it with you."
"I'm real sorry too Emily, but I'll be the patient wife and wait for you to sort it out. Doesn't mean I like it, but I do trust you. I love you so much and am willing to abide by your request."
"Thank you and I promise, I am not having an affair. You are the only woman I am in love with and that will never change. I love our life together and our beautiful son and daughter. I apologise for putting all this on you, but it is something I can't avoid."
"Okay, just don't fuck it up."
"I won't and I really do love you Jill."
"I know that and you better tell me all about the case you are working."
"I'd be glad to, although we don't know too much at this stage. Hopefully we will find more evidence in the morning."
"Let's hope and just one last thing; do you realise we haven't made love in weeks?"
"I am well aware of that baby."
"Good, just checking."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Emily laughed, "Good god, I love you."
"I love you too and you better get on with the case or I will be forced to engage in phone sex with you."
"Crap, don't tempt me."
"I won't, because I prefer to have in my arms."
"Soon baby, I promise."
"I'll hold you to it and you better join bedtime story with the kids tomorrow night or they will forget what you sound like."
"I will and thank you."
"Don't thank me just yet honey."
Emily went over the facts of the case for the next few minutes before asking about the twins. She chuckled at their antics and relished the hour of normalcy she spend on the phone with Jillian. With her wife's suspicion sated for the time being, Emily relaxed and vanquished all thoughts of Doyle from her mind.
-o-
The following day brought new data from the crime scene and a difficult time for Reid and Rossi as they attempted to communicate with Sammy Sparks. Progress was slow as the young boy drew on an art book with crayons while Spencer and Dave attempted to speak with him. Reid noted Sammy was writing the letter "L" over and over on the white page and when Rossi saw it too, he left the room and contacted Penelope. He asked her to search for a list of all known associates of the Sparks family whose Christian or surnames began with the letter "L". She was also searching for relatives of the family to care for Sammy.
Robbery as a motive for the kidnappings of Charlie and Alison Sparks was excluded while Derek and Aaron inspected the family two storey home. There was no sign of the UNSUB taking any expensive items from the house or conducting a search. Garcia had already supplied the information on the Sparks' music business not doing so well and being propped up by a home mortgage loan.
Blood pools, handprints and blood splatter indicated the UNSUB had pressed the front door bell and Alison had answered it. She had been preparing Sammy's lunch for school before approaching the entrance and being faced with a gun. She screamed and her husband came down the stairs only to be shot by the UNSUB as he stood by the piano in the living room. Sammy had been sitting at the piano playing at the time, which explained the blood splatter he received to the side of his face and upper torso. Due to the fact the UNSUB had taken the time to drag a badly injured Charlie out of the house and leave a witness behind, indicated the UNSUB was known to the family and fully aware Sammy would not be able to identify them.
As Emily and Ashley searched the music store, they realised the owners ran on a barter system rather than cash after the oil spill last summer ruined many businesses. Luckily, the Sparks had a surveillance system installed, so the two Agents left with the tapes they found in the recording device under the sales counter. Like Derek and Aaron at the crime scene, they also found drawings from Sammy and expensive inactive toys at their location. It was apparent the Sparks took out the loan to provide the best learning material for their son.
Dave and Spencer spoke with Sammy's teacher Missus Rogers at Glenridge Elementary and learnt he was not in a special class due to a lack of resources. They discovered Sammy responded well to repetition and routine. Missus Rogers told the two men Sammy's parents had a strict routine with him which explained why he turned up at the school the day before with an empty lunch box. Reid spoke about patterns being important to Sammy while over at the house, Hotch took possession of a wooden train. He explained to Morgan it was the boy's favourite as it was sitting on his bed and close at hand.
Armed with new information, the Agents returned to the Sheriff's Office to regroup and share ideas. Garcia was bought into the conversation via conference phone and they got down to work.
Penelope had no luck in finding a person connected to the Sparks with the letter "L", but she did freeze their joint bank account in case the UNSUB was looking to extort money by having Alison take it directly out of the bank. The theory proved correct when Alison attempted to close out her bank account later that day. When informed she would not be able to withdraw the full amount, she was given the sum of ten thousand dollars. She mentioned that was not enough on several occasions before leaving the premises.
Just before midnight, Alison received twenty five thousand dollars from a check cashing store and Seaver, Morgan and Emily visited the business early the next morning when made aware of the transaction. Alison had wanted thirty thousand, but had settled for the lesser amount. Penelope altered her search for people needing forty thousand dollars due to house foreclosures, failing businesses in regards to tourism and the fishing industry. She also found Sammy's aunt whose last known address was in Mont Belvieu, Tejas. Penelope was desperately attempting to make contact.
As the trio made their way out of the Pawn Shop, Emily's phone rang with Easter's number. She moved away and answered, "What do you have?"
"We found Doyle," replied Clyde.
"Where is he?"
"At a private airfield and he is definitely heading for D.C. Tsia and I will meet you there."
"Are you positive it's him?"
"I'm sure. I am watching him on security camera as we speak. He has chartered a private plane."
"Crap, how did he get past all the security checkpoints?"
Tsia answered, "He used the alias Chuck Murray."
Emily recalled the name, "Wasn't that the name."
Easter interjected, "Of his Irish Wolfhound."
"He's baiting us," stated Emily. "He wants us to know he is coming for us."
"Message well and truly received," remarked Tsia deadpan.
"Let the prick come," challenged Clyde. "We'll be ready."
Emily's hands were shaking by the time she put her phone in the right hand side pocket of her black overcoat. She exhaled deeply before rejoining Ashley and Derek. She found them beside a dumpster. Morgan was holding a crowbar and he motioned to Emily as she approached.
"There's blood on the ground and on this bar, it tells me the UNSUB used it last night as a weapon and the rust indicates he is a fisherman."
"How do you know that?" inquired Emily unaware that Seaver had asked to the same question moments earlier.
"A fisherman's old trick is to use a crowbar to hook crab traps and shrimp pots out of the sea."
"That would be fairly common around her," noted Ashley.
"Yes, but I don't think it's a coincidence to be found outside the exact same store where Alison received money," put forth Morgan. "Our UNSUB is definitely a fisherman."
"I'll have Garcia add that to her search parameters," offered Emily.
-o-
By six o'clock the BAU Team was on their jet and returning to Quantico. The case had been wrapped up a little after four and Sammy had been reunited with his mother and aunt. Unfortunately, Charlie Sparks had died as a result of a gunshot wound as had the UNSUB.
An hour later, Emily phoned Jillian and told her she would fill in the details of the case once she was home. When Jillian asked when that would be, Emily replied it would be well after midnight.
"I can hardly wait," cooed Jillian into the phone.
The words caused goosebumps to form on Emily's skin, "Me either. I've missed you so much."
"Back at you and the twins would like to speak with you."
Emily didn't bother to hold back the tears when her children made non-sensible noises on the phone. She cried for the falsehoods she had told her wife and friends, and for the life she was in jeopardy of losing. Her past had truly reappeared to kick her in the arse and she was determined to fight to the last breath to protect those she loved. She bawled while taking off her wedding ring and discarding it into her trouser pocket.
-o-
Carrying two coffee containers, Emily approached a table and chairs in the same courtyard of the mall she had visited three days earlier. Unlike then, she didn't expect this meeting to go well. Taking a seat, she waited for two hours before she felt a long forgotten touch press again her right scapula and linger. Her skin crawled as she gripped her coffee with her left hand, "I know you've been watching me."
"What's that old saying, ah yes, keep your friends closer and your enemies under surveillance," returned Ian Doyle in his Irish brogue as his hand glided across Emily shoulder.
"You shouldn't keep people waiting," protested Emily in an even tone.
Moving to the opposite chair, Doyle raised a left eyebrow, "That's hypocritical coming from you. You made me wait seven long years for this gathering." He sat and stared at Emily.
Attempting to ignore the heat of the glare directed at her, Emily said, "Hello Ian."
"Hello Lauren, oh wait, that should be Emily. Lauren Reynolds perished in a car accident."
"What do you want from me?"
"For a start I would like back the seven years you and your colleagues stole from me, but I know that can't happen, so I'll settle for you. Don't panic just yet, I don't mean right this very minute, not today. It will happen soon Emily Prentiss, but I want to take my time and make you suffer as I have."
Disgust and fear twirled around inside Emily as she replied calmly, "I have my gun under the table aimed at your crotch. What's stopping me from taking out you and the little boys?"
Smirking, Doyle answered, "Nothing, but you'd never make it back to your car. I have eyes and guns pointed at you as we speak."
"I really don't care." That statement was a fib, Emily cared a great deal.
"Fair enough, but does the lovely Penelope Garcia know the truth about you? Oh wait, she is too busy engaging in movie night with your partner Derek to care."
Bile started to rise in Emily's throat as the loathsome man continued, "Here we are having a nice chat while Aaron plays with his son at home and Dave plays video games with Ashley. Have you ever wondered why you are never invited to join them? Maybe they didn't bother tonight because they thought you'd be travelling home on the Metro with your dear friend Spencer."
Emily had heard enough of the threats, "If you come near my team, I will kill you."
"I actually don't have any issue with them, but for how long that lasts, is entirely up to you."
"They have nothing to do with what happened," snarled Emily, tightening the hold on her Glock.
"Well, yes they are innocent; whereas the same cannot be said of you now, can it?"
"I was only doing my job."
"Oh, I think you did a lot more than that. You managed to take the only thing that mattered to me and in return, I shall take what matters most to you away. I will take your life Emily and there is nothing you can do about it." Leaning across the table, Doyle placed a gold coloured matchbook with a green shamrock onto the surface and continued, "Honoré de Balzac once said, "Most people of action are inclined to fatalism and most people of thought believe in providence." Tell me, Agent Emily Prentis, which do you think you are going to be?" With those words uttered, he stood and walked off.
Although the temptation to fire a shot into his retreating back was consuming her, Emily nonetheless slumped in her seat and cried. The threat she knew was coming had now arrived and it scared the living daylights out of her. She sat there for several minutes before collecting herself and driving home. She was careful to lose anyone that may have been following her by changing direction multiple times and parking her car ten blocks from the home she shared with Jillian and the twins.
Jumping over neighbourhood fences and sneaking stealthily through backyards; Emily finally reached her destination and used her key to enter the house via the back door. To her great relief, the house was in darkness when she reset the alarm. Going into the study, she offloaded her shoulder bag. Making her way upstairs to the main bedroom, Emily hesitated before opening the door. Turning heel, she went to the nursery instead and tucked in the two seven month old babies. Tears filled her eyes as she leaned in and kissed their foreheads. She stayed there for some time before wandering down the hallway and entering the bedroom.
The chamber was dark with the only illumination being provided by the bedside clock on Jillian's bedside table. Slowly, Emily made her way to the ensuite where she shed her dark pants suits, white low necked sweater and underwear. Immersing herself under warm water moments later, she was startled when the screen door slid back. Turning her head, she grinned madly at her wife, "I'm sorry I woke you."
"Don't be. Is there room in there for me?"
Opening her arms, Emily's long suppressed libido sprang into life, "Always baby."
Stripping off her dark blue tee shirt and black boxers, Jillian eased into the cubicle and was immediately drawn into Emily's embrace, "Shit, you feel great."
"So do you," replied Emily before pressing her lips to Jillian's in a heated kiss. It lasted for several minutes before she leaned back and stared into deep pools of blue. "I love you so much baby."
"I love you too and want you."
"Oh god, I need you so badly."
"How about you finish up in here and met me in bed?"
"Is your leg okay?"
"It more than fine and I want a lot of room to make love to you."
"Then get out and stop distracting me."
"Oh fuck it," whimpered Jillian as she fondled Emily's left breast. "I can't wait that long."
Giggling, Emily lowered her lips to Jillian's once more and the fireworks began.
-o-
Emily was bathed in a sheer film of perspiration and lying on her back in bed. Jillian was pressed again her side and placing wet, gentle pecks along the length of her left clavicle. For a brief moment in time, the world was a beautiful place and Emily felt such tenderness and love from the woman she knew she had to abandon if she had any chance of keeping her and their children safe. An overwhelming sadness gripped her heart and tears began to fall down the curve of her cheeks. This house and the people contained within were her safe harbour, and she was being forced away from them and it tore at her very soul.
Looking up, Jillian's temple furrowed, "What's wrong honey?"
Regaining some semblance of composure, Emily replied, "Nothing, I just love these moments we share after making love."
"So do I and I'm glad to be home."
A frown formed on Emily's face and Jillian was quick to ask, "You aren't staying, are you?"
"I'm sorry baby."
"When do you have to leave?"
"I have to be back in the office by five."
Jillian had so many questions, but she knew her wife wouldn't answer them, so instead she urged, "You better tell me how your last case ended then."
Grateful for her wife's understanding, Emily commenced, "Turns out Sammy was trying to tell Dave and Spencer the UNSUB was the delivery guy at the music store."
"Wow, so how did they figure it out? Did Penny find the person with the "L"?"
"No. Sammy's drawings all pertained to the UNSUB. He wasn't drawing an "L"; it was the hands of a clock."
"Because his life was so regimented, Sammy knew the delivery guy turned up at the same time," guessed Jillian excitedly.
"You got it and it was three o'clock. When we ran through the security footage for that time, there he was. The UNSUB turned out to be a Bill Thomas and he had lost his two sons to family services due to his fishing business going into debt and him being declared an unfit father. His house was in foreclosure and he wanted the money to prove he could look after his boys. It was kind of sad really. We found him holding Alison and Charlie captive on his boat. Charlie had already died from his wounds and somehow, Alison got hold of the gun and killed Bill."
"Crap, that's too bad. How was Sammy afterwards?"
"For the first time in his life, he touched his mother and hugged her. He also reconciled with his Aunt Elizabeth, so I think they will be okay."
Nuzzling into Emily's chest, Jillian covered the pebbled areola with her mouth and mumbled, "Let's hope so, but for now, I want to love you again."
"I won't argue with that," returned a grinning Emily while running her hands over her wife's muscled back. "Welcome home baby."
-o-
Emily was a whirlpool of emotion when she eased off the mattress and left a sleeping Jillian behind. She swiftly dressed in clean clothes, kissed the twins goodbye and exited the house before four o'clock. Retracing her steps through the neighbourhood, she slipped into her car and returned to her apartment.
After checking for signs of a break in and a tail, she was heartened to find none. Taking a shower, she then ate a breakfast consisting of buttermilk pancakes and orange juice before donning a dark blue pants suit teamed with a maroon low cut sweater and a white/blue/yellow scarf.
She hadn't lied to Jillian about being at the office so early. Emily wanted to use all available resources to track down the whereabouts of Doyle and get to him before he got to her. When she was finished for the day, she left her Cruze sedan at Quantico and caught the red Metro line that would take her to her apartment in Green Grove.
-o-
Cautiously, she observed anyone approaching her on the train, but as it travelled along the track, the swaying motion caused her to grow tired. Before she knew it, Easter plopped on the seat next to her and woke her.
Grinning, he quipped in French, "Lucky for you I'm not one of Doyle's men."
"Crap, you scared me and I haven't been sleeping well," responded a wide eyed Emily, also in French.
"Haven't we all darling and we got on three stops ago sleepy head."
Emily's eyebrows arched, "We?"
Tsia appeared in the aisle and sat opposite the duo and asked in English, "How are you doing?"
"I feel like shit and Doyle is in D.C." replied Emily with a roll of her eyes.
Easter shook his head, "How can you be so sure?"
"I met up with him last night at the mall."
"What?" exclaimed a stunned Tsia.
Devoid of emotion, Emily answered, "He none too subtly warned me that if I involved my Team or told anyone what was going on, he would kill them."
Tsia leaned in, "Why didn't he kill you?"
Easter interrupted, "More importantly, why the bloody hell didn't you take the bastard out?"
"He had his goons watching me and threatened I wouldn't have made it back to my car if I shot him. I actually had my Glock pointed at him under the table."
"He's just playing with you Emily," suggested Tsia.
Shaking his head, Easter didn't agree, "No, he's a power assertive psychopath and isn't into playing games."
Gesturing with her left hand, Emily stated, "Doyle is meticulous. He plans everything down to the last detail."
"And that last detail is you," pointed out Easter glumly.
Tsia sombrely remarked, "Maybe you should inform your Team."
Emily protested instantly, "No way, this isn't their fight. I am not willing to take that risk." She refrained from mentioning her family's existence to her former colleagues.
"If we stick together, we can beat him," commented Tsia with conviction.
With a straight face, Emily replied, "We already did that once and look how well that has turned out."
Leaning in closer to Emily, Easter said, "Wait, when you went undercover I swore no one would hurt you and that still applies."
"But I am no longer undercover Clyde, circumstances have changed and so have I," returned Emily sadly. "D.C. is not Doyle's comfort zone; it is mine and this nightmare ends here."
The train come to a halt and Emily got to her feet. She left the carriage without saying another word to her friends.
-o-
Not wishing to put her family in peril with Doyle so close, Emily didn't call Jillian once she arrived at the apartment, nor did she make contact the next morning. Her sleep was intermittent at best and she prepared for work on autopilot. True to her word, Jillian had not attempted to reach her and that afforded Emily some relief in not having to lie to her any further.
-o-
Up next: How much longer will Jillian's patience last? What will be Emily's next move?
