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. Apologies for the delay, but real life does take priority.


Chapter 34

Monday 25th June, 2012

After settling in behind the oak desk in her office, Emily placed her mug of tea on top of a coaster then booted up her computer. While she waited, she smirked at the memory of leaving her wife a gasping, trembling mess in the shower cubicle prior to getting ready to attend to two giggling children positioned outside the bedroom door.

The night had been occupied with tender lovemaking and an abundance of conversation as the couple celebrated their reunion in private.

Once Emily had left the flat, she was buoyed by the knowledge her family would be meeting her at lunch time for some touring around the city.

When the computer pinged with an e-mail notification, Emily took a sip of her hot beverage as her eyes were drawn to the monitor. Her smile spread across her face as she read Penelope's name. Opening the file, she chortled loudly. There was a picture of the Team all wearing the tee shirts that she'd sent them via Garcia's visit. They proudly displayed the Union Jack and Derek was holding a sign which read: Hope you are enjoying your surprise visitors!

Resting a hand against the screen, Emily whispered, "I sure am, love you guys." Replying, Emily attached a few photos of her reunified family and added several items of news. Ending her missive by sending her love, she turned to the paperwork on her desk then prepared for the morning brief.

-o-

The subsequent fortnight found Emily happily sharing her days at the office and her nights and weekends with Jillian and the twins. All too soon Jillian returned home alone. When not out in the field with the Team or uncontactable, she joined bedtime stories via her laptop and her relationship with Emily strengthened. It wasn't long before they fell back into their old routines, and Emily couldn't be happier.

Workwise, the BAU was busy with an influx of cases that required their expertise while Emily was involved in several investigations that took her out of the country. Jarrod and Samantha adjusted swiftly to their changed environment and on their second birthday in July, they received a surprise visit from their grandparents, Jillian, Rossi, Erin and Reid.

Jillian dropped in again in September and Emily managed to organise a week off work. For three days the Rolston-Prentiss family spent time in Italy with Elizabeth while Grace took a break with her loved ones.

With October fast approaching, Emily was making preparations for her return to Virginia after her final week with INTERPOL. Her packing was interrupted when there was a hurried rap upon the front door. Not expecting anyone, she was taken aback to find her mother on the other side of the spyhole.

Opening the entry, Emily noted her parent had been crying. Alarmed by her appearance, she inquired, "Mother, is something wrong?"

Fresh teardrops fell as Elizabeth moved inside, "I called your office and was informed you had already left, so I came straight here from the Embassy."

Frustrated with not receiving a proper explanation, Emily probed deeper, "Mom, you are not making much sense. Why are you here?"

Exhaling loudly, Elizabeth answered, "I'm here with my plane to take you home."

Still none the wiser, Emily huffed, "We are booked to fly out Monday. You know that and why the hell are you upset?"

"Please Emily, just do as I ask. Pack what you need for the flight and I'll arrange to have the rest of your belongings taken care of later."

Recognising the urgency in her mother's words, Emily pressed for more information, "By your behaviour there is something obviously wrong, so just spit it out."

"There is no time to waste. I'll explain on the jet; get a move on."

Crossing her arms against her chest, Emily stood her ground, "I'm not leaving until you answer me."

"For goodness sake, this is not the time to be stubborn."

The penny finally dropped as Emily took in the worry etched on her mother's face, "Oh my god, has something happened to Jill?"

"Yes, now get packing. I've a limo waiting downstairs."

Stunned, Emily went into rapid response mode and went to wake Grace. There was a flurry of activity as the two women tossed clothing, books and toys into several suitcases and bags. Carrying the sleeping toddlers to the vehicle, the driver raced to the flat to collect the luggage while Elizabeth covered the children with blankets after they were settled on the rear seat.

Looking to her daughter once the car pulled into the traffic, Elizabeth began, "Erin called and asked for my assistance in getting you and the children stateside as soon as possible. You are to phone her the instant we are in the air."

"Is that all the information you have?"

"She also told me Dave and Jillian had been assaulted during an investigation."

Gulping down her fear, Emily ignored the tightness in her chest and simply muttered, "No."

A tearful Elizabeth continued, "Dave has been shot and Jillian has been abducted."

Remaining stoic, Emily responded, "Holy crap! When and where did this happen?"

"I don't know sweetheart. I received Erin's call thirty minutes ago while dinning at the Italian Embassy. She was short on details as Dave was about to go into surgery."

"Shit, I need to know the circumstances."

Reaching for Emily's hand, Elizabeth shook her head, "I'm sorry I don't have more to tell you."

Squeezing her mother's appendage, Emily fought back tears, "It's not your fault."

Silence surrounded the travellers as the vehicle sped towards the private hangar and Emily found strength in the warmth of Elizabeth's grip.

Within an hour, the group was airborne and once the Gulfstream had levelled off to cruising altitude, Emily excused herself and walked to the rear section. Retrieving her phone from her belt, the black pants suit attired Emily pressed the icon for the Bureau Chief's number.

Her call was answered after four ringtones, "Oh Emily, I apologise for not calling you earlier, but it's been an absolute nightmare here."

"I fully understand ma'am. How is Rossi doing? Can you give me any details?"

There was a brief silence as Erin composed her emotions, "Dave is still in surgery. He received a gunshot wound to his left hip and upper right arm. Jillian managed to use his belt to fashion a tourniquet around his arm. The bullet nicked his brachial artery. If she hadn't acted so fast, he would have bled out."

"Oh Jesus, I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you and Dave."

"Thank you Emily. Let me start from the beginning."

"I'd appreciate that ma'am."

"As you know, Shane McCall was imprisoned at the State Penitentiary in Lee, Virginia after his trial."

"Crap, don't tell me the prick escaped custody?" pleaded Emily, realising where the story was headed.

With a frown, Erin resumed, "The bastard faked a heart attack and was being transported to John Randolph Hospital when the ambulance and escort vehicles were ambushed. Luckily there were no casualties."

Fighting through the haze of anger mudding her thoughts, Emily merely asked, "McCall has my wife?"

"Yes. Intel on the break out led the investigation to McCall's two sons and four loyalists. The seven men went on the run back to Boston until the Team found evidence of their location."

"So Rossi and Jillian were part of McCall's apprehension?"

"Yes, but unfortunately he evaded capture. When he was next sighted, Dave and Jill were the first to enter an abandoned building he was hiding in. McCall had planned well ahead and booby trapped the place to explode if anyone penetrated the entrances."

"Holy crap!" exclaimed Emily.

"There was an explosion and the Team along with U.S. Marshalls and local PD Officers were forced to find an alternative entry point."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"No thank goodness. Jillian had heard the bomb ticking and managed to get everyone clear in time."

Smiling at her wife's brilliance, Emily stated proudly, "She has exceptional hearing."

Erin's lips formed into a grin, "Yes she does. When the structure had been explored, McCall was nowhere to be found. The search perimeters were widened and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the BAU continued the pursuit."

"I gather they found him."

"Yes, at his eldest son's home. When the place was breached by SWAT, McCall was seen running into a wooded area at the rear of the property. Dave and Jill gave chase and Dave was shot moments later. By the time the rest of the Team caught up to him, McCall and Jillian were gone."

Emily struggled to get the words out, "Oh dear god, just how long has she been missing?"

"It's been a little over two hours Emily. Every available Agent, Police Officer, Marshall and other Law Enforcement Officer is looking for them. The fucker had a truck waiting at the end of the forest as part of his plan to evade arrest. Reid detected the tyre tracks and shoe prints and all avenues of travel in and out of Boston have been blocked and are subjected to checkpoint stops by armed Officers. The other six men were arrested inside the house and refuse to speak."

"That is the first time I have ever heard you swear like that," pointed out Emily before suggesting, "He will go underground, especially now that he is on his own."

"It's expected he will gather more supplies and make another run for it. When you arrive home, you'll find Jillian's parents there."

"Oh shit, I should have called them."

"It's been taken care of Emily. You will need to pick up your FBI credentials and weapon from the office before making your way to Boston."

"Understood ma'am and thank you for having me reinstated so quickly. Please give my love to Dave."

"I will and see you soon. Oh before I go, the Command Post has been set up at BPD. We will find her Emily."

"We will, take care Erin."

"You too, bye."

Taking a moment to collect the panic that was threatening to overpower her and bring her to her knees, Emily's hands eventually stopped shaking and she regained control. Reattaching her phone to her belt, she took a seat beside Elizabeth. Updating her mother and Grace, Emily promptly fell apart as her resolve waned. Exhaustion took over and she fell asleep propped up against Elizabeth's shoulder. She remained in that position until the jet landed.

-o-

Emily was showered and dressed in black trousers, boots and a dark blue long sleeved button down shirt before the children woke. There was a double knock on the main bedroom's door as she was packing her "go to" bag with clean clothes. Smiling, Emily neared the door and opened it to a pair of naked toddlers.

Both looked up and cheered, "Home mama! Bath pwease."

"Yes my little rascals just give me a second."

Samantha peeked around her mother's legs, "Mommy?"

The simple question crushed Emily's chest, "She's at work Little Miss."

"Otay, bubbles pwease mama."

"Off you go then," directed Emily and the twins gripped hands before taking off down the hallway.

Elizabeth was climbing over the stair guard and bath time was abandoned for several minutes as she received hugs and kisses from her grandchildren. Emily looked on while trying to not succumb to the ache ripping into her heart.

-o-