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. Bonus, two chapters in one day ... a review would be nice for the Muse. Without further ado, more fluff and family time.


Chapter 33

Emily woke to a tiny hand tapping her head. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by Samantha's radiant blue eyes and grin.

"Mama, potty," announced the child with no fuss.

Jillian stirred behind Emily and volunteered, "I'll take care of it baby. The twins have advanced to the toilet. I brought a training seat with us."

Looking up, Samantha lost all patience, along with her smile, "Potty mommy!"

Dashing out of the bed, Jillian tossed a robe over her naked body then picked up her daughter. Running out of the room she grabbed the plastic contoured mould from the suitcase in the hallway then placed it over the toilet bowl once she reached the bathroom.

"Tank you," sighed Samantha as her mother slipped off her pyjama bottoms.

Lifting her onto the seat, Jillian pecked her on the head, "Good job sweetie. Is Jarrod still asleep?"

Nodding, Samantha answered, "Yes mommy, him tired. Me awake for food."

Emily stood in the doorway and proudly asked, "How long have they been using the toilet?"

"It's been two weeks. I meant to use the trainer out last night, but they were too exhausted and it was more convenient to use the potties you'd bought."

"Done mommy," declared Samantha.

Jillian pulled off a length of toilet paper and handed it to the child, "Remember like mommy showed you."

"Yes mommy," returned Samantha confidently.

Emily's jaw dropped as her daughter wiped herself dry, "I forgot how amazing our kids are."

A slight scowl formed on Samantha's lips as Jillian picked her up, "Sama good mommy."

"Yes you are and I'm sure mama would like to help you dress." Jillian flushed the toilet and smiled at Emily.

Looking up, the youngster advised, "Love mama, ready mommy."

Taking the bundle of blonde waves over to the sink, Jillian kept watch as she turned on the cold water and picked up the bar of soap.

When she was finished, Emily passed her a hand towel.

"Tank you."

Placing her precious cargo onto the floor, Jillian remarked, "Go with mama and pick out an outfit Little Miss."

Reaching for her hand, Emily ushered Samantha out the room, "Do you know what you want to wear?"

"Purple dress pwease mama, dat my bestest."

Emily heard her wife chuckle as she travelled down the corridor and thanked her lucky stars.

-o-

Jillian was in the kitchen fixing three bowls of yoghurt with fresh strawberries when Emily joined her and said, "You better make that four; Little Man is just behind us."

Jarrod turned the corner holding Samantha's hand. He glanced up to Jillian and announced, "Done a pooh mommy."

"Well done," praised Jillian. "Did your mama help?"

"Yes mommy. Mama good."

"She sure is and it's time for breakfast."

"Yay happy; me berry hangry."

Emily giggled before kissing her wife, "I love you for being here."

"I love you too Queen of the Toilet."

-o-

Jet lag caught the twins by surprise around ten o'clock and Emily suggested they stay on the play rug. Jillian agreed then crawled over to her wife and immediately hugged her. Bringing their lips together in a fiery kiss, it led to some frantic love making behind the lounge out of the children's view.

As she redressed, Emily shook her head, "That was different."

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," replied Jillian as she pulled Emily down onto the couch. "Just don't tell our parents."

Once she had stopped laughing, Emily suggested, "While we have a quiet moment, you can explain about Grace."

"As our visit is for two weeks, I gave her time off to see her family and once I leave, she will be staying here with the kids."

Emily was lost for words, "Say what now?"

"I thought we could make a compromise and have the twins stay with you and for me to visit when able to."

"Oh god, I love you so much Jill."

"It's because I love that I thought of the plan. At first I thought we could share them for one month on and off, but I don't want to subject them to all that travel."

"Makes sense, but are you sure?"

"Yes Em, I am and Grace is thrilled to be able to spend time with family and friends."

"What about her boyfriend?"

"He's been out of the picture for some time."

"What happened?"

"Grace admitted her was unromantic and boring."

"Good grief, by the way, who is Lex?"

"The kids were referring to your replacement Alex Blake. She's attended several barbeques at home and was won over by them."

Black eyebrows arched, "As in Doctor Blake?"

"That's the one. Alex is a linguistics expert."

"I've attended a few of her lectures and should I be concerned?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's only a temporary assignment, right?"

"Yes, for six months then a review will follow as to whether she will remain with the Team."

"Shit, that sounds terrible."

"Baby, your position with the BAU is not under threat. It's expected you will return and until then, Alex is there."

"Is she single?"

"No, her husband is with Doctors Without Borders."

"So he travels a lot?"

"Em, the woman is straight and happily married and a mother."

"Okay, but you have turned straight women before, just saying."

Jillian realised Emily was joking, "Just so you know; I was not Erin's only female relationship. Damn, that jealous streak of yours is hot. "

"How hot?"

"Uhm, I think enough for us to put our children in their room and for us to do the wild thing over and over."

Chuckling, Emily untangled herself from Jillian and stood, "I'll take Sam while you grab Jarrod."

-o-

Later that evening, Emily was curled up against Jillian's right side and twirling the wedding band on her wife's finger.

Placing a gentle kiss on Emily's temple, Jillian asked, "What are you thinking about baby?"

"The children had such a great time at the zoo this afternoon, and you were so loving with me."

"Mmm, you make it easy. I thought Jarrod was a natural at the monkey exhibit and you were so relaxed. It was heart-warming to watch Samantha snuggling up to you."

"I'm so happy she's forgiven me for leaving."

"I'm pretty glad too."

A sigh escaped between Emily's lips, "I'll miss you all when I go to work tomorrow."

"You'll be missed, but there is so much to take the twins to see."

"I'll try to leave the office early and join you for the afternoon sightseeing."

"That would be nice sweetheart."

After several moments of silence, Jillian tenderly caressed Emily's right shoulder, "There is something I need to tell you."

Locking onto pools of blue, Emily prompted her wife, "Go ahead honey."

"I lost control after Doyle went on about how good you were in bed and how much he liked your mouth on his penis. I informed him you had survived and he hadn't beaten you in the end. You in fact had won. He became enraged and took the opportunity to stab me when it was presented to him. I forced Doyle to reach for the knife after he'd stuck it in my leg. I pulled it out and tossed it onto the ground then told him to finish the job while the two rookie Agents went to collect the body belt from their vehicle. I told him your greatest loves were your children and wife. He was shocked by the news and when I said I was your wife, I added he was going to be unable to hurt anyone else again. He went for the weapon and I shot him."

Tears trickled down Emily's cheeks, "Oh Jill, thank you so much for protecting me, our children, family and friends. I have no doubt the bastard would have attempted to kill you if he went to prison, even without the knowledge of our marriage."

"I only told him everything because I knew I was going to end his reign of terror."

"You did the right thing honey."

"I have not felt one ounce of regret over my decision Em. I am just sorry I kept the whole story from you."

"I'm relieved you have told me now and I understand your hesitancy. I couldn't love you any more than I do right now. You being here with the twins has been my salvation. I'm so content having our family together again."

"I was a fool to speak to you so unkind Em. I was hurting and lashed out without thinking of the damage it was doing to our relationship. All I kept thinking about was Doyle. He had managed to take you away from me, Jarrod and Samantha. It felt like you had given up on us and it shattered me. You'd put up that famous Prentiss wall and I was at a loss as to how to pull it down."

Pecking Jillian's shoulder, more tears streamed from Emily's eyes, "I can only apologise once more."

"I couldn't believe you'd left without saying goodbye."

"It was cowardly of me I admit, but I really couldn't bear to see your face express any more hurt. I knew you were lying about being fine with me coming here and I took the easy way out. I ran away from everyone and everything."

"I used up a whole carton of Chelsea's tissues the first week after you flew out. I was angry at you, Easter and Doyle then I realised I wasn't helping you by my silence."

"I'm so sorry. I've been working really hard with Merrill. I needed to repair the damage done to me by Doyle, just not physically, but mentally. I had to heal to be able to come to you with all of me available."

"I couldn't stay away Emily. You are my wife and I will be waiting at home for you when you return."

"Thank you darling. I cried every night for the first two weeks because I missed you and our kids so much."

"Penelope told me you were sad."

"I was and poured my heart out with Doctor Merrill before I discovered it was all up to me to fix myself, so I could be fully happy again."

"How's that working out for you?"

Drawing fingertips along the length of Jillian's forearm, Emily confessed, "I've stopped having nightmares."

Jillian was stung by the words, "Crap, you should have told me."

"I didn't want to burst your bubble and worry you."

"Fair enough."

Finding the conversation tremendously cathartic, Emily continued, "I've been out in the field several times and not faltered once."

"Is that due to the fact you and your team aren't dealing with similar cases that the BAU investigate?"

"No babe. I've regained my perspective and enthusiasm for profiling. I'm not frightened anymore, especially of Doyle reappearing. It's taken me some time, but I've finally put my fear in a tiny box and stored it away."

"I'm so pleased for you sweetheart."

"I shouldn't have run away from you."

"No, but you had to focus on yourself."

"It was pretty selfish of me."

"I won't argue, but you sound extremely positive."

"I am and if you hadn't shown up here; I would have phoned you. A little birdie kept me informed of your waning resentment for me."

Blonde eyebrows popped, "Penelope?"

"No, it was Hotch."

"Oh I'm glad he spoke to you. We have good friends Em."

"We do and I'm so glad you chose to fight for me."

"I always will my love."

"And I'm most grateful. Needless to say, I will not be taking up Easter's offer of a permanent position here. My contract with INTERPOL was only for six months and I have already advised the hierarchy of my intention."

"Phew, thank crap for that."

"Coming here has healed my wounds Jill and I'm eager to return home."

Jillian raised her left hand and gave a fist punch, "Yay and I am thrilled beyond belief."

Pressing lips to warm skin, Emily groaned, "I am too. God, I missed the taste of you."

"I missed everything about you."

"Mmm," Emily mumbled while gently sucking on the tight muscle of Jillian's scapula. "So yummy and you mean the world to me."

"You are insatiable Prentiss."

"I have to make up for lost time."

"Sweetheart, you have already achieved that."

"I'm not too sure babe."

Rolling onto her back, Jillian cupped her hands around Emily's face, "Don't ever erect a wall around yourself and leave me again please. I doubt I could tolerate it again."

"I promise and thank you for finding your way back to me."

"My love for you will always guide me to you. Even after I stick my head up my ass or you run away, I will never lose sight of that fact."

A smile developed on Emily's mouth, "That was sweet."

"Your boobs are sweet and holy crap, I sure did miss them."

Giggling at the playful banter, Emily stretched up and dangled her left breast over her wife's lips, "All yours my darling."

Jillian's eyes grew larger as she glided palms over the firm mounds, "Uhm, I can't help but notice the last of the scar tissue has gone."

"Yes, I think that was the final bastion for me to conquer. The constant reminder of what Doyle did to me has vanished and I no longer cringe at the sight of myself."

"I'm so proud of you."

"Show me please."

There was no need for further enticement; Jillian took up the offer willingly and Emily whimpered in response.

-o-