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.


Chapter 31

Saturday 23rd June

Jillian was roused from slumber at six thirty by the bedside phone. She answered the call she'd been dreading, "Hello Elizabeth."

The reply didn't disappoint, "Don't you hello me Jillian. What the hell is going on between you and my halfwit daughter?"

Cringing, Jillian powered on, "I gather you've spoken to Emily."

"No, but I did receive an upsetting call from your mother. The woman is beside herself with worry and I certainly don't blame her."

"Shit, I don't know what to say."

"Don't say a word, just listen. Get yourself, the twins and Grace packed for a week in London. I've cleared your leave with Erin and Aaron and my private jet will be at Dulles International at eight o'clock. There will be no arguments. Talk to Emily and tell her you will be waiting for her when her contract is finished."

Jillian's hackles were up due to the last sentence, "What if I don't have any desire to wait? What about what I want?"

"Excuse the French, but you are full of frigging shit Jillian Rolston. Use that eidetic mind of yours and remind yourself of all the agony you suffered when we thought Emily had died under Doyle's hands then tell me you don't want her back."

With tears now flowing freely, Jillian responded in a quiet tone, "I do, but it's not up to me."

"Then go tell Emily that instead of being livid with her."

"I can't guarantee a happy ending."

"I think you may be surprised."

"Does Emily know about the visit?"

"No. I'm too mad at her to carry on a civilised conversation at the moment. After chatting with Maureen I finally understood why Little Man and Little Miss cried every time I called. I just assumed Emily was on a case with the BAU and not on the other side of the world."

"They have been horribly traumatised Elizabeth."

"Then it is time to put a little happy back into their lives, don't you think?"

"I agree and thanks for organising everything."

"You are family Jillian and it's my newly found nature to want to keep it together. Good luck and let me know how it goes?"

"I appreciate all you've done and I will speak with you soon, bye."

-o-

A grinning Jarrod pecked Jillian on the cheek as she fastened his seatbelt then clapped his hands, "Go see Pop and Grandma mommy?"

"No Buddy, not this time, but soon."

With his customary pout firmly in place, Jarrod whined, "Bad mommy."

Checking the buckle one last time, Jillian straightened up and smiled at her son, "You won't think so when I tell you we are going to visit mama."

Two squeals of delight echoed throughout the cabin of the Gulfstream jet and Samantha hollered, "Go see mama, yay mommy!"

"Mama, mama," chanted the twins as both Grace and Jillian looked on and cried.

Two hours passed and Jillian was the only passenger not asleep. She withdrew her mobile phone from the inside pocket of her black leather jacket and punched in the number Penelope had given her two weeks earlier.

After four ringtones, the call was answered, "National Central Bureau, OIC Emily Prentiss-Rolston speaking."

Taken aback by the hyphenated surname, Jillian stuttered, "Uhm, Emily … it's Jillian."

Jillian noted the audible intake of breath on the other end, "Oh my god sweetheart, it's so good to hear your voice. I've wanted to call you a thousand times, but didn't want to upset you like I did the last time we spoke."

A deafening silence followed as Jillian gained control of her crumbling emotions. It wasn't an easy task as her heart ached and her brain filled with images of her wife.

Emily was the first to speak again, "Are you still there Jill?"

"Yes I'm here and I apologise for the deplorable way I talked to you."

"Oh dear god, please don't be sorry. It was entirely all my fault; you did nothing wrong Jill. I am so sorry for hurting you honey."

"We need to discuss a few issues Emily, but not over the phone."

The waterworks started on the other side of the planet as Emily agreed, "Yes please. I want to see you and the children so badly."

Holding fast, Jillian continued, "Grace informed me you have been chatting with the twins via Skype."

"I have and they have both grown this past month."

"Yes, four more inches in height and six more pounds." Jillian stumbled, "It really is wonderful to hear your voice."

"I can't begin to describe how happy I am right now."

"You can tell me in person when we arrive at Heathrow."

It was Emily's turn to be shocked, "Jill, are you telling me you are already in the air?"

"I am; we are two hours into our flight. Touchdown is scheduled for nine o'clock your time."

"That's great and I'll be there with a car."

"There is no need Emily; your obliging mother has already arranged our transport to your apartment in Kensington."

"In that case, I'll eagerly await your arrival."

Clearing her somewhat lumpy throat, Jillian asked, "Why are you working on a Saturday at three?"

"An Op concluded a few hours ago and I am up to my elbows in paperwork."

"Some things never change I see."

With a gentle giggle, Emily replied, "So true and I really do have to wrap up our enthralling conversation; I have a debriefing to give."

"No problem and is sounds like you are enjoying command."

"I am and I look forward to discussing it with you later."

"I do too and will see you soon Boss Lady." Jillian ended the call on a happy note then promptly sobbed until exhaustion overtook her.

-o-

Emily reached for a tissue from the box sitting on her oak timber desk and dabbed the teardrops from her eyes and cheeks. Elated with the contact from her wife, she collected several folders from the pile on the table and made her way to the Conference Room.

After debriefing the ten Operatives on the capture of an arms dealer in Bagdad selling to Irish Militants, she handed over the case to Metro Police for them to initiate the arrest of several local men involved on the lower level of the trading.

Returning to her office, Emily gathered up her briefcase before travelling home to her three bedroom flat on Cromwell Road, South Kensington.

Parking in the small garage, Emily collected her portfolio and went inside to change into a floral summer dress and open toed sandals. Leaving her abode, she walked to the local markets to purchase ingredients needed to prepare a traditional English roast. Happy with her fresh produce, she leisurely strolled back to the flat and began cooking.

Once everything was in the oven, Emily took a long bath with a book in hand, and luxuriated in scented oils and hot water. She was awoken when the water grew cold and she laughed to see the novel floating on the top of the water. Getting out of the tub, Emily pulled the plug then dried herself with a fluffy white towel. Using the hairdryer, she rescued the damp pages from complete annihilation and returned the novel to her bedside bureau.

Pulling on a blue satin robe, she fussed over her longer hair before going into the spacious kitchen and raised the temperature of the oven. Going to the pantry, Emily selected a bottle of Pinot from the rack and poured herself a half glass.

Relaxing on the black leather lounge, the brunette took a sip of the rich bodied liquid and tried to avoid letting her excitement get the better of her.

For the past five weeks she had patiently waited for Jillian to make contact. Having interrogated Penelope shamelessly during the former's weeklong visit; Emily was aware her wife was miserable and too proud to admit she missed her. Emily had enlisted her friend's help in keeping up to date with her family, and she had broken down several times when told the twins thought she no longer loved them. She was instantly buoyed to learn Jillian told them differently each time. Snippets of news from home gave Emily hope and after working in a different environment; she was slowly becoming her old self and longing for her wife and children.

Sitting up, Emily allowed a negative thought to invade her musing, "What if Jillian was only here to serve divorce papers? Shit Prentiss, get a grip. Jill sounded happy on the phone; there was no doom and gloom."

Reclining, Emily smiled, but shot back up within seconds and reached for the phone on the coffee table. Pressing number eight on the speed dial, she waited for an answer.

"Hello, Anthony's Hair & Beauty. Sebastian speaking, how my I help you?"

"Hey Seb; Emily Prentiss-Rolston here."

"Oh hi Emily, what can I do for you today?"

"It's an emergency."

"Hmm, you better tell me more beautiful."

"I know I am not due a wax until next week, but my wife is visiting tonight."

"Honey, say no more. I'll duck over to your place in twenty. Put the kettle on love and break out the biscuits."

"Thank you Seb, see you soon."

-o-

Dressed in black jeans, sandals and a peasant styled blouse in white, Emily nervously paced the kitchen floor. Glancing at the oven timer, she noted it would be another hour before dinner would be ready and only twenty minutes before her family showed. Hearing a rap on the door, she walked over and was disappointed to see Clyde Easter on the other side. Opening the entrance, she asked, "What brings you here?"

"Well hello to you too Emily; not much of a welcome I must say."

Taking in the Chinese takeaway containers and bottle of wine in several plastic shopping bags in her boss's hands, Emily shook her head, "I thought we'd had this conversation the first week I arrived? We are no longer friends who socialise, just work colleagues."

With a smirk, the INTERPOL President forced his way into the foyer and Emily couldn't help but catch the scent of alcohol on his breath. Easter spun around and passed over the food and drink to Emily, "Be a love and dish that lot up."

With her hackles well and truly up, Emily snapped, "I will do not such think and I'd like you to leave right away."

Puppy dog eyes focused on Emily, "Come on, you've had over a month to get over your marriage failure. It's time to live a little and celebrate your latest case closure."

Stunned by the man's gall, Emily seethed, "Clyde, I told you before that I am a lesbian and am very much in love with Jillian. You are also aware of the fact our marriage is not over."

Stumbling closer, Easter wrapped his arms around Emily's waist, "I seem to recall you putting on an excellent performance when Doyle was shagging you, so why should I be any different?"

Fuming, Emily pushed Clyde away, "Get off me and out of here you fucking egotistical pig. Even if I was straight, you would be the last man I'd sleep with."

Inching forward an unperturbed Easter embraced the brunette in a firmer hold and attempted to kiss her on the lips.

With her arms effectively pinned to her sides, and still holding the bags, Emily was restricted in her choices of defensive techniques. As she brought her left leg up in an attempt to knee her unwanted visitor in the testicles, her heart shattered as Jillian spoke from her position in the still open doorway.

"I should have known better than to trust you."

Following through with the strike, Emily stood still as Easter fell to the floor clutching her genitals, "Get up and leave Clyde and don't come back." Turning to Jillian, she noticed a serenity cross her face.

Groaning in pain, Easter got to his knees slowly then become upright before staggering towards Jillian and his escape.

He wasn't so lucky; Jillian burst forth with her resentment, "The comment I made was directed at you Easter not Emily. I always suspected your motives for offering her the INTERPOL job would have conditions. I trust my wife without reservation and in case you misunderstood her instructions, I'll repeat. Get the fuck out and don't come back. Return to Lyon with your tail between your legs and hope my wife doesn't lay an official complaint against you. I would be more than happy to provide an affidavit detailing all I witnessed."

Finally able to respond, Clyde remarked, "My apologies Emily. I've consumed way too much wine this evening and hope you can forgive me for my behaviour."

"Just leave Clyde."

Moving with difficultly, Easter neared the door and to Emily's surprise, Jillian placed a hand around his right wrist and slammed him face first into the wall.

Leaning into his left ear while dragging his arm up to his shoulder blade, the blonde uttered, "If you come near any member of my family ever again without an invitation. I will enlist the assistance of my mother in-law and have you ejected from office. Do I make myself clear Mister Easter?"

"Crystal."

Easing off her hold, Jillian stepped back and pushed him out the door with the sole of her left boot by making contact with his bottom.

She rotated to find a grinning Emily gawking at her with dilated pupils. "Close your mouth Emily; it's not a good look," taunted Jillian while securing the door.

"Oh dear god, you look fantastic and thanks for dealing with Clyde."

"You're more than welcome and I'm not going to mention I told you so."

"That's good to hear and you'll be chuffed to know the bastard hit on me the moment I touched down."

Relieved to be standing in front of Emily, Jillian moved in closer and took the bottle from her hand, "At least the turd has good taste in wine. This here is six hundred dollars' worth of liquid gold."

Giggling, Emily suggested, "Brilliant, we can have it with dinner."

"Why yes we can."

Casting her eyes over Jillian outfit of jeans, boots, light blue shirt and leather jacket, Emily felt the familiar stirring in her lower stomach, "Where are the twins?"

"I promised them an ice cream if they allowed me to see you first."

With raised brows, Emily noted, "You bribed them?"

"In your absence it became a necessary tool to get them to stop bawling every night and day."

Emily's arousal ebbed and was replaced with a tight chest and culpability, "God, I'm so sorry they had to go through that sweetie."

"Before I call Grace and tell her the coast is clear, you and I need to discuss our future."

"Do we have one?" asked Emily, almost too afraid to hear the reply.

Nodding, Jillian put down the wine on the hallway stand and answered, "I've done some ugly soul searching the past month Em and realise I should never have spoken to you in anger. I should have offered to wait for you with my full support."

"Oh homey, I was so crushed by your words and prayed you would call me someday."

Ashamed, Jillian lowered her eyes, "My mother swore at me several times and told me to come here."

"She's a wise woman Jill."

Refocusing on Emily's brown orbs, Jillian glowered, "That is a hell of a lot more than I can say about myself. I was a fool to let you go without a fight, but I just wanted you to be happy and take the doubt from your eyes."

Inching in, Emily put the food beside the wine then embraced her much loved wife, "Since I've been here I've discovered some issues I'd been ignoring. I've been continuing my sessions with Doctor Merrill via face chat every second day and have made several breakthroughs. I learnt I have taken you for granted too many times and did plan on flying back to tell you just that. I didn't want it to be on the phone; it had to be in person. I actually have my ticket already booked for next month."

Jillian couldn't keep the smile from her face, "I'm so proud of you, and Chelsea has been taking a hammering from me."

Running fingers through locks of blonde, Emily's heart soared, "I'm glad you are still working with her. I still have more improvements to make Jill, but I'll get there sweetie."

"And I will be at home waiting for you baby."

"You have no idea how that makes me feel?"

"I think I do Emily and although you need to do this on your own, just know your family is backing you all the way." Tears rolled down Emily's cheeks and Jillian sighed, "You belong in my arms and I know that is where you'll eventually return to."

"Oh dear god Jill, I never once wanted our marriage to be over."

"I understand that. My mom was brutal on the phone yesterday. Dad actually went into hiding to escape her fury."

Chuckling against the side of Jillian's neck, Emily stated tearfully, "I love you with all my heart."

"And I will love you until the last breath leaves my body."

"Oh crap, I have missed you and your sweet words."

"Needless to say the feeling is mutual and I better have the kids brought up before Grace has a rebellion on her hands."

"Yes please," assented Emily while pulling out of the clinch. "We can talk later."

"We will and I'm so glad to be here."

"How long do you have?"

"I am here until the seventh, so two weeks. Originally it was only one, but I wrangled another week out of Erin."

"Shit, you get good mileage out of the favour with her."

Smirking, Jillian retorted with a fair amount of sass, "What can I say? She's forever grateful for the amazing sex we shared."

"Hey now," protested a smiling Emily spiritedly. "Play fair or I will kick her ass and yours."

"Only stating a fact and I'm going downstairs to grab two excited children who are probably covered in ice cream by now."

"I'll check on dinner and thank you for making the trip Jill."

"I did it for us and our family Em."

Emily's breath caught in her constricting throat, "I am grateful for you and love you."

"I love you too."

Emily stood still as Jillian let herself out then closed the door. Nervous beyond words, the normally stoic woman threw herself into a tango and danced her way into the kitchen with the widest of grins.

-o-