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. Thoughts and comments are always welcome.


Chapter 30

Friday 25th May, 2012

To the Team's delight, Ashley dropped into the bullpen on her way to her Unit. Amid hugs and questions of how life was with the Task Force: she invited Jillian to dinner. With Grace staying home for the evening, Jillian readily accepted and met up with the affable blonde outside the Carrabba's Italian Grill after reading the twins to sleep.

Dressed casually in blue jeans, boots and a dark purple shirt, Jillian roamed an eye over the attractive younger blonde and whistled at her outfit of a dark blue, off the shoulder dress and three inch heels. "You are looking exceptionally beautiful tonight Agent Seaver."

"Why thank you Agent Rolston and you cleaned up okay."

Giggling, Jillian opened the door, "All compliments gratefully accepted." She led Ashley to the maître de and asked for their table.

Following the suit attired man, the two women took a seat in the secluded area and Ashley ordered a bottle of red wine while Jillian settled for a beer. Looking around, Jillian noted, "This is pretty private back here Seaver; do you plan on making a move on me?"

A rich chuckle escaped Ashley along with a blush, "No you nitwit. I thought you and I could discuss a couple of issues without being overheard."

Jillian settled back into her chair, "I'm listening Probie."

Ashley face reddened again, "How old were you when you knew you were a lesbian?"

Drinks arrived, so Jillian waited before answering, "I was five and in love with an older friend. Has something happened for you to question your sexuality?"

"Yes. I mean I have always dated guys and let's be honest, been pretty crappy at it. I seem to end up with idiots, borderline criminals, the mentally challenged or losers."

Suppressing a giggle, Jillian urged her friend to continue, "Are you telling me you are having second thoughts?"

"And third and fourth," returned Ashley behind a titter.

"You better explain yourself then."

Taking a deep breath, Ashley began, "Teresa Small is an Agent on the seventh floor with Anti-terrorism. We worked together on a case some five weeks ago and she has me confused."

"How so?" Jillian enquired as a waiter arrived to take their food order.

Once their meals selections were taken, Ashley replied, "Teresa shared a hotel room with me, and she gave me certain vibes."

"Like?"

"I caught her ogling me several times and my stomach did all sorts of cartwheels."

"So you were aroused by her interest?"

"Good god yes and I spent the next three days imagining what it would be like to kiss her?"

Things were starting to get interesting and Jillian hoped she wasn't about to overstep the boundaries of friendship, "Have you kissed a woman before?"

Ashley nodded and smiled, "Once at College and twice at the Academy."

"Wow Seaver, I am seeing a totally different side of you and I like."

A full on flushed Ashley tittered, "I really like her Jill and want to ask her out."

"Then go for it. Have you seen her since?"

"We've run into each other a few times and she kind of brushed her fingertips across my forearm as she departed."

"Oh girl, she was giving you a signal. She is into you and is waiting for you to make the first move."

"Are you sure?"

The impending good fortune of her friend caused Jillian to forget all about the bat shit crazy of her own life and she relished the distraction, "Indeed I am. Tell me about her?"

"She is as tall as me and has the softest black hair and deepest blue eyes. She's really beautiful and I sound totally stupid."

Jillian kept the urge to chuckle at bay, "No you don't. I would say you need to ask her out and see where things lead."

"Thanks for the advice and have you heard from Emily?"

"Nope and I don't expect to."

Blonde eyebrows practically jumped off Ashley's forehead, "What now? You haven't contacted her?"

"No, I am giving her space. She skypes with the kids nearly every day, so they have adjusted to her not being at home."

"Well, that's good and I would hate to see you two split. You are my "got it altogether" couple."

Ignoring the pain piercing her chest, Jillian remained calm and smiled, "Thanks and time will tell. If things work out with Agent Small, maybe you could bring her by the house some time?"

"I'd like that Jill and thanks again for coming out with me."

"You are welcome and thanks for coming out to me," joked Jillian with a theatrical wave of her left hand.

Once she stopped laughing, Ashley's face turned to stone, "For god's sake, don't tell Garcia. She will probe me for information and be relentless."

"Yes she will, but she is way too busy with Derek."

"So the rumours are true?"

"They are and he is actually building her a house."

"Oh, that is so sweet and I'm happy for them."

"So am I and Penelope is over the moon to have finally hooked her favourite piece of chocolate."

Ashley chuckled before telling Jillian all about the latest cases investigated by the Task Force. The evening ended a little before ten and the women made their goodbyes before heading for home.

-o-

Thursday 31st May

Jillian picked up her ringing desk phone and answered, "BAU, SSA Rolston speaking."

"Hi Jill, it's Ashley."

Placing the consult folder down, Jillian grinned, "Well hello, how are you?"

"I am freaking fantastic."

"Good to hear and what has you so happy?"

"I took your advice and am going out to dinner with Teresa tomorrow."

"Well done my little lesbian protégé."

"I was so nervous and she took pity on me and said yes before I got all the words out."

"You are so adorable Seaver and I want details, so drop in for lunch Sunday. The Team is coming over for a barbeque and you are more than welcome. If all goes well; bring Teresa too. Strauss has taken us off rotation after such a harrowing couple of days."

"I will and I heard about your serial killer down in Memphis."

"I abhor cases involving children."

"I hear you and better go; Andi is about to start a briefing."

"Not a problem and good luck with your date."

"Thanks and take care."

-o-

Teresa more than held her own when shamelessly interrogated by the BAU Team during the get together at Jillian's. Henry was over excited to play with the twins for the majority of the day in the sandpit and cubby house while Grace took the day off to go to the movies with a friend.

The normalcy of the day filled Jillian with the hope her son and daughter would continue to adjust to only having one of their mothers around the house. A few times, she had to wipe away errant teardrops when she caught sight of Jennifer and Will playing with the kids. Jillian was smart enough to realise she was basically surviving on auto-pilot and relied heavily on her friends to surround her with support and love.

For the subsequent four weeks, she made it through each day and on Friday the twenty second of June, the cocoon of denial she'd carefully constructed around her emotions came crashing down around her when she received an early morning phone call from an irate Maureen.

"When did you plan on telling me about Emily?" demanded her mother.

Setting aside a file, Jillian took a moment to answer, "I don't really know mom; I'm still trying to come to terms with what has happened."

"That's not good enough Jill. Image my horror when your father and I returned from vacation and called the house an hour ago to speak with the twins only to have my grandson inconsolable while telling me his mama had gone and didn't love him or his sister anymore."

Tears stung the back of Jillian's eyes, "Shit, I'm really sorry mom. I just haven't had my head together and simply didn't want to intrude on your trip to Italy." Exhaling slowly, she went on and gave her mother full disclosure.

The anger in Maureen's tone did not ebb, "So, does that mean you no longer love your wife?"

The weight of sadness was crushing Jillian's heart, "No mom. I'll always love Emily, but I am not what she needs."

"What if she suddenly wakes up and returns?"

"I really don't think that will happen."

"For fuck's sake Jill, you and Emily have survived everything that life has thrown your way, and now you choose to not fight for the woman you love?"

"That sounds about right."

"I have a mind to fly over there and smack some sense into you. Emily is your one true love and yes, she needs to find her way back to you so you better not fuck it up by taking away her only avenue of hope by mailing her divorce papers."

The remonstration caused Jillian to burst into tears and she admitted, "She hurt me mom."

Maureen's voice softened, "I know honey, but you forget she is in pain too. Have you spoken to her?"

"No. Penny visited London a couple of weeks ago and returned with presents for the kids. Emily has been calling the house while I'm at work and chatting to the twins on Skype."

"Did Penelope have any more information?"

"She told me Emily has sad eyes, but otherwise, she is excelling at her new position and doing a tremendous job."

"That first bit is promising and you need to go see Emily with the children as soon as possible. They need to have real face to face contact with their mother."

"How do I do that then drag them away again? After six weeks they still cry at least once a day over her absence."

Annoyed Maureen was back again, "Jesus, you're a fucking genius Jill, figure it out already."

"Why are you swearing so much?"

"Because you dear child have managed to piss me off. Your father is hiding out in the garage and avoiding my wrath."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Jillian giggled as did Maureen, "Good grief, I needed that mom."

"I believe I did too, but seriously, you need to make this right and bring Emily home where she belongs."

"I can't put myself in the position where she might reject me again. I don't know what else I can do to prove to her that I'd protect her for all time. Shit, I even killed a man for her and thought things would return to normal."

There was an audible gasp on the other line, "I beg your pardon? What do you mean you killed a man?"

"I didn't shoot Doyle in self-defence mom; I forced him to try to stab me for a second time because he would never have stopped trying to find his innocent son and Emily would never have been able to return home."

"Oh my god, is Emily aware of that?"

"No only my therapist and now you know."

"You should have informed Emily and one could accuse you of lying to your wife."

"Crap, I didn't lie to her; I just didn't tell her everything."

"You are splitting hairs Jill."

Culpability gripped Jillian's heart and she ceded to the truth, "You are right mom."

"Of course I am, and now that you are on the right track; fix the mess you've helped create."

-o-