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. Gratitude to those who have favoured, commented or are following.


Chapter 16

Monday 28th March, 2011.

Sir Peter Ustinov said, "Unfortunately, a super abundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares."

Jillian entered the BA subdivision in a daze. She glanced over to Emily's desk and when she spotted the framed picture of her and the twins, she burst into tears and raced to the locker room.

Grief-stricken sobs echoed off the walls as Derek stepped into the room and found Jillian buckled on the floor clutching bent knees. He sat down beside her and pulled her to his chest. He held her tight as tremors wracked through her body and his own sadness caused his tears to spill onto her hair.

The two friends stayed there for over fifteen minutes before Jillian confessed, "Erin ordered me to stay out of the investigation Morgan. I don't know if I can do that."

"I'll keep you informed, but by all reports the bastard has disappeared and no one has any information on his whereabouts. Western Agencies and Interpol have come up empty and we don't have any leads, so basically there is no investigation at this point."

Burying her face into Derek's shoulder, Jillian wept, "The babies have been really quiet. I think they know something is wrong and are constantly looking around for Emily."

"You're probably right and if you need me, I'm right here for you Jill."

"Thank you and how are you feeling about all this?"

"Much the same as you I guess. I'm mad at Prentiss for not trusting me enough with the truth, but I'm devastated she's gone."

"You've been to Boston looking for clues, haven't you?"

"You know I have, but there was nothing."

"I understand and we better get up before the others arrive."

Standing, the two Agents dried their eyes and Derek said, "Ashley's graduation ceremony is at ten and Strauss wants us all to attend."

"Is she already in her office?"

"Yeah, she walked in with me and I have to say, she is just as shattered as the rest of us."

Adjusting the collar on her black jacket, Jillian nodded then hugged Derek, "Thank you. I think I have that out of my system for a while."

"I'm here for you any time."

-o-

Jillian imposed on Derek for the next two weeks and their morning locker room conversations became the norm, but on Tuesday the twelfth of April, Jillian's life spiralled out of control.

She was at her desk sorting through her latest ream of correspondence when she observed Erin and Jennifer enter Hotch's office and close the door. When she read Hotch's lips, he asked Jennifer, "How is she doing?"

Jillian's heart stopped beating when Jennifer replied, "Emotionally she is a train wreck, but physically she is healing well from her injuries and was transported from Bethesda Hospital to Paris this morning. I'll be flying out in four hours to meet with her and hand over new passports and bank account details."

Hotch walked over to the blinds and Jillian turned her attention back to her After Action Report. Her hands started to shake violently with rage as she realised Jennifer was giving the other two an update on an obviously still alive Emily. She bided her time and once Jennifer left the office, Jillian raced to the fire escape stairwell and ascended the steps two at a time.

Reaching the basement level, she exited the doorway just as Jennifer was approaching her government issued vehicle. "HEY JENNIFER, WAIT UP," she shouted.

The younger blonde halted and turned around, "Oh hi Jill, sorry I didn't have time to chat with you."

"I understand you are busy and that's fine, but I need five minutes of your time."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Just a moment," said Jillian while retrieving the phone from her belt. She pressed several icons then put the cell to her left ear.

"Good afternoon Jill," answered Erin.

"Hello ma'am. Sorry to interrupt you, but I'd like you to meet me in the parking garage."

"Is this a work related issue or personal?"

"Both."

"Okay, I'm on the way."

Reattaching her phone, Jillian stared at a stone faced Jennifer, "Emily's alive, isn't she?"

"I can't comment on that."

"I respect your professional position Jennifer, but I lip read enough of your conversation with Hotch and Erin to figure it out."

Tears filled Jennifer's eyes, "It was the only way to protect her and everyone else."

Steeling herself against a tidal wave of conflicting emotions, Jillian hugged the other woman and asked, "Was it your idea?"

"Yes, then I discussed it with Aaron and I am so sorry for causing so much suffering."

"Thank you for keeping her safe Jennifer," replied Jillian while stepping back. "I suppose it's been no easier on you."

"I detest having to lie to everyone as does Aaron. I only briefed Strauss on the matter fifteen minutes ago.

"I won't be informing anyone of the news."

"I appreciate that Jill."

The Section Chief stepped out of the lift and shook her head, "I thought I'd better bring backup."

Jillian allowed herself a small smirk when Hotch joined them, "I want to thank you all for ensuring Emily is out of harm's way."

Aaron's brows knotted, "You're not upset with us?"

"No, just relieved to know Emily is alive. I do however require a huge favour from you Erin."

"You want to take a leave of absence and go see her?"

"No, I have no intention of making contact with Emily. For personal reasons that I won't discuss, our marriage is over."

"Jill, you can't mean that?" questioned Jennifer with a gasp.

"I do and Erin you were half correct with your assumption. I have a lot of vacation time owed to me and I'd like to take some effective immediately."

Aaron placed a hand on Jillian's left shoulder in an attempt to dissuade her from the course of action he was certain she was about to take, "You can't pursue Doyle on your own."

"I can and I'll either do it with assistance from the Agency or I'll resign."

Erin frowned at her friend, "I'll speak with Director Fickler."

"Thank you and Aaron, I'm sorry to leave you shorthanded, but finding Doyle is something I need to do."

"I fully understand and I'll help in any way I can. You have my full support."

"What do you need from me?" offered Jennifer.

"Promise me you won't tell Emily I am aware of the truth or that I am going after Doyle. We can't risk her exposing herself in trying to stop me."

"You have my word."

"Thanks and I'll also require a new identity and background."

"Doyle will recognise you." pointed out Erin.

"I am well versed in many languages and can speak with an accent. I will dye my hair or wear a wig and use coloured contact lenses to transform myself into his type of woman and become whoever I need to be to get close enough to him."

"That could work, but the FBI won't sanction any kind of infiltration operation," voiced Aaron with a scowl.

"I won't be an FBI Agent Sir; I'll be officially on leave and working on my own. I have a better chance of locating Doyle if I don't have someone else tagging alone. Doyle has drained his bank accounts while exacting his revenge and he'll be looking at replenishing his cash flow as quickly as possible so he can put all his effort into finding his son."

Erin agreed with the synopsis, "The bastard will stay off the grid for some time then resurface once he's organised a way to obtain money."

Jillian smirked at the thought, "Yes he will and I'll be waiting."

Looking at her wristwatch, Jennifer enounced, "I have a flight to catch and Jill, I'll speak to my Director as soon as I get back and discuss you being seconded to the State Department."

"Thank you Jennifer."

"If he authorises the operation, it will take me at least a week to set everything up."

"Understood and am prepared to wait."

Once Jennifer drove off, Erin spoke, "If this plan of yours is given the green light, I want your assurance you won't assassinate Doyle in cold blood."

"I fully intend in bringing him in alive ma'am. I want the prick to suffer for what he has done and the best way to achieve that is to take away his freedom and any opportunity to reclaim his son."

"I couldn't agree more," commented Aaron. "And I think it would be best if you wait to hear from J.J. before taking leave."

"Yes Sir."

-o-

Thursday 14th April, 2011

The BA team spent two days in Hawaii on the trail of a violent rapist who was kidnapping his victims from the beaches, torturing them then killing them forty eight hours later.

Jillian remained in full Agent mode the entire time and worked tirelessly to locate and apprehend the Subject before arriving back at Quantico and receiving a phone call from Jennifer.

"Hey Ms Jareau," she answered while booting up her computer.

"Hello Jill, I have news."

"Okay, go ahead."

"As of Monday you are officially on secondment to the State Department for a covert operation. You are required to report for duty at 0800 hours and attend a briefing with Director Nathan Shawl and myself. You'll be advised of your new identity at that time then given ample opportunity to settle into your new persona. I know that won't be a problem for you as I have always suspected you have an eidetic memory like Spence."

"I do and I just assumed Emily told you."

"No, I was amazed by your ability to retain information after reading a file only one time and put two and two together. Oh, Strauss and Hotch will also be at the meeting. The operation is being handled as a joint investigation between the two Agencies."

"I really appreciate all you've done Jennifer."

"I'd do almost anything to bring Doyle to justice Jill and I have faith in your ability to locate him. One last thing, I will be your handler for the duration of the assignment."

"I'll be in good hands then and will see you soon."

"Okay and Will and I are looking forward to lunch with you on Saturday."

"I am too and the twins will be delighted to play with Henry again."

"We'll talk then, bye."

"Bye."