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 the time to review and feed the Muse.


Chapter 36

Ten minutes of embracing was interrupted when a Nurse entered the waiting area and informed Emily Jillian had been taken to theatre. As the update sunk into her brain, she barely understood the remainder of the words advising them to go to the sixth floor to wait.

Malcolm was the first to respond with gratitude before ushering the others to the elevator. As the group made their way upstairs, Emily stumbled several times as her legs gave out underneath her. Luckily, her tumble was halted by Erin and Maureen as they fastened their grips around her shoulders. Tears continued to fall from her brown globes and her heart ached with an intensity she had previously experienced when her wife was injured and not expected to live.

The vigil resumed once all had taken a seat in the room, and Emily focused on pulling herself out of the darkness that had engulfed her the second her mother had arrived at her London flat.

Taking a deep breath, Emily stopped weeping long enough to call her mother with news then spoke to the children on speaker. When she was done, she asked Elizabeth and Grace to pack clothes for her and Jillian and to make their way to Boston.

Elizabeth assented and offered to organise hotel suites for them all. With one less concern, Emily ended the conversation and resumed holding onto Maureen and Erin's hands. The comfort fortified her somewhat and she was finally able to inhale without the overwhelming pressure to her chest.

Two hours slowly passed before the Team arrived.

After welcomed hugs, Emily looked to her Unit Chief and sternly enquired, "Did you get the prick?"

Nodding, Aaron remained stoic, "The Coast Guard detained McCall an hour ago and he is now sitting in a holding cell at BPD. A Detective Rizzoli and Lieutenant Korsak are keeping a watchful eye on him for us so we can be here."

"I appreciate their professional courtesy and I'm glad that bastard will pay for what he has done. He deserves to suffer." Totally drained, Emily retook her seat.

Derek knelt in front of Emily and she reached for his right hand, "How is she doing?"

"There has been no word since we came up here two hours ago," replied Emily prior to her resolve vanishing. In a flood of tears, she flung her arms around him and cried, "My god Derek, I barely recognised her."

With teardrops falling from his own eyes, Morgan soothed her, "I'm sorry she has been hurt, but Jill is strong and has so much to live for. She will fight all the way Emily."

Comforted by the words, Emily pulled out of the clinch and smiled, "Yes she will and damn it, she owes me a welcome home dinner."

Finding the humour in her words, the room filled with laughter as Derek stood. He took a chair beside Penelope and intertwined their hands.

A weepy Erin squeezed Emily's hand a short time later. "I'm just going to check on Dave and apprise him of the situation."

"Spend time with him and thank you for being here."

Getting to her feet, Erin leaned over and pecked the crown of Emily's head, "She is family Emily, as all of you are."

A stunned Jennifer watched her leave before speaking, "Wow, Strauss has come such a long way. I never thought I'd hear her speak so openly."

"She loves Jillian," murmured Emily; suddenly overcome with tiredness once again.

Reid, wide-eyed and pondering a theory, had his thought disrupted when Emily glared at him, "Don't bother hurting your brain Spencer; Erin and Jillian were a couple in New York many years ago."

Jennifer's eyes popped, "I did not see that coming."

"Oh my pink sandals," began Penelope. "That explains so much."

With drooping eyelids, Emily gave her friends a slight smirk, "It does."

Maureen patted her hand, "Close your eyes dear. I'll wake you when there is news."

Emily's exhausted body relaxed and she rested her head on her mother in-law's shoulder, "Sorry guys, I'm so tired."

-o-

Emily woke with a start when she felt a hand on her forearm. It took her a moment to realise it was Maureen and another to remember where she was.

"The Nurse is here Emily."

Straightening up, Emily focused on the purple scrubs attired woman with dark hair standing in front of her. "How is Jill?" she asked in a crackly tone.

"She's a fighter and will need all the strength she has," replied the Nurse. "Agent Rolston is still being operated on, but Doctor Patton thought you would all like to know how she is doing."

"We're very grateful. Please go ahead Nurse," prompted Emily while gripping Maureen's hand tighter.

"Agent Rolston received two lacerations to the left side which didn't cause too much trauma. Unfortunately, the two stab wounds to her right flank damaged her lung and it collapsed."

"An open pneumothorax," mumbled Spencer to no one in particular. "Caused by blood collecting between the chest wall and lung. A thoracentesis would have been performed by inserting a tube into the chest cavity, muscle and tissue."

There were several long gasps before the Nurse resumed while nodding at Reid's knowledge, "Her lung has been reinflated, but there was significant trauma to her liver. Doctor Patton is currently making repairs as Neurosurgeon Doctor Burton attends to relieving the pressure that has built up in Agent Rolston's brain. Blunt force trauma to her skull caused extensive intracerebral bleeding and a craniotomy was necessary."

"Holy crap," whispered Emily. "Are there any further injuries?"

"Yes."

It was Maureen's turn to mumble, "Oh dear god."

"Agent Rolston suffered severe damage to her spinal column. The third, fourth and fifth lower lumbar were heavily ruptured. The Doctors estimate another four to five hours before surgery is finished. She has also required two transfusions due to blood loss and in total, has seven broken ribs. Are there any questions?"

Emily was speechless and dazed by the information.

Malcolm cleared his throat of the firmly wedged lump, "Are there any fractures or breaks to Jillian's spine?"

"No."

"That is a relief," voiced Jennifer tearfully as Hotch moved in and hugged her.

"When will we be able to see her?" enquired Maureen.

"It will be some time. Agent Rolston will be transferred to the ICU and kept in a medically induced coma to give her body time to heal. It is imperative she remain immobile."

"For how long?" asked Malcolm after swiping his eyes with a handkerchief.

"It could be anywhere between twelve to twenty four hours depending on the outcome of the surgery. She will be in a sterile room, but will be able to receive visitors. You will be asked to follow hospital protocol before entering the suite."

Standing, Emily squared her shoulders, "That won't be a problem. We have been through this before and are aware of the routine."

Reid slowly raised his right hand, "Is there some way to donate blood?"

Hotch slapped him on the back, "Excellent idea."

"I'll have the desk Nurse organise it," answered the Surgical Nurse. "I'll advise you when Agent Rolston is out of theatre."

"Much appreciated," acknowledged Malcolm as Emily withdrew into her own thoughts.

His words were swiftly followed by Aaron's and the remaining BAU members.

-o-

Once all those in the waiting room had given blood; Jennifer, Penelope and Erin organised refreshments for the group. Emily savoured a cup of Earl Grey while eating a sandwich, but she remained silent. Apart from an occasional answer to a question directed at her, she concentrated on reeling in her racing emotions as she waited for her mother, Grace and the children to arrive.

The wait wasn't long and she pulled every trick in the book to keep from breaking down when her son and daughter ran up to her and hugged her legs.

"Mommy sick," announced Samantha with a scowl. "We see her?"

With a hand resting on the toddler's head and a kiss to her mother's cheek, Emily answered, "No Little Miss, not until later."

"When mama?" demanded a sour faced Jarrod. The look was accompanied by arms folded against his chest.

"Probably in the morning," explained Emily as Grace embraced her side on.

"Shit!" swore the twins in unison.

"Bad word," remonstrated Emily instantly.

Jarrod looked up to Elizabeth and pursed his lips, "Grandma naughty."

There was a quick move into damage control from the Ambassador, "Sorry Emily, the word may have slipped out once or twice during the flight."

Releasing her hold on Emily's leg, Samantha took off and proceeded to run around the room hugging the others in greeting. As she moved from one person to the next, she blathered, "Shit, shit, bad word. Grandma naughty, get a time out."

As expected, Jarrod followed his sister's lead.

Emily gave her mother a force ten death glare, "Is there a reason for them being so hyped up?"

"None that I can think of at the moment. How about I make a call and organise a hotel suite for us all."

"That's a brilliant idea Elizabeth, I'll give you a hand," offered Erin.

By the time the two women left, Emily was already attempting to wind in her offspring, "My mother is good at avoiding confrontation. She booked hotel rooms before she left Woodbridge."

Grace grabbed Samantha as she raced past and came clean, "When I exited the bathroom, the children were watching the Wiggles and eating red icy poles and drinking soda."

"Holy crap on a cracker, mom knows better than that."

"I don't think she was thinking too straight at the time Emily. Like all of us, she is concerned about Jillian. I took the junk food of the kids and replaced it with something more suitable."

"It's not your fault," noted Emily as Maureen caught Jarrod in an arm tackle.

"They will crash soon," she advised. "Once your mother gets back; Malcom and I will help Grace take them to the hotel then return."

Jarrod and Samantha continued to chant so Emily warned them harshly, "Enough you two. That is a bad word for children and your mommy will be disappointed with your behaviour."

"No mama no," wailed Jarrod. "Me be good boy."

His sister stopped mid-word and dropped her bottom lip in an award winning pout. Emily was having none of it and took a moment to gather herself. For the first time since becoming a mother, she was at a loss as to how to handle her offspring.

Jennifer noted her friend's frustration and turned to Derek, "Emily, why don't we take the kids to the playroom and tire them out?"

Emily's shoulders slumber with relief, "Thank you for the suggestion guys. I guess this is the beginnings of the "Terrible Twos"?"

"I'd say so," sympathised Jennifer while taking hold of Jarrod's hand.

Morgan scooped up Samantha, "Come on, let's go see the toys."

"Yay Unc Der, fun," cheered both toddlers.

Once the twins were out of earshot, Emily complained, "Shit that is all I need … children running around the hospital swearing because their grandmother gave them crap food."

Maureen rested a hand on her shoulder, "It may not be long term dear. Once all that sugar leaves their system they may be okay."

"God I hope so. I feel so bad because I can't be with them twenty four seven."

Adrian, Josie, Geoffrey and Madeline ambled into the room and Malcolm brought them up to speed amid hugs and kisses to cheeks.

-o-

Derek and Jennifer returned with sleeping twins two hours later and helped Grace and Jillian's parents take them to the Global Luxury Suites along with Geoffrey and Madeline. After a short silence, Elizabeth was most apologetic to Emily in regards to the inappropriate snacks and actually laughed when her daughter suggested she babysit for an entire week with a sugar overdose prescribed each day.

Once the laughter ebbed, Elizabeth engaged in small talk to keep Emily's mind occupied. It worked until two middle aged men dressed in dark blue surgical scrubs entered the room.

Emily's full attention was on them and she stood. Adrian did too and reached for her free hand; the other was being held firmly by her mother.

Malcolm, Maureen, Derek and Jennifer re-entered the room and listened in.

The older surgeon spoke first, "Hello everyone, I am Doctor Patton and this is my colleague Doctor Burton."

Those assembled introduced themselves then Patton continued, "Jillian is currently being taken up to the ICU. Her surgeries went well, but she isn't out of danger yet."

Doctor Burton took over, "As you are aware, Jillian lost a significant volume of blood and required several transfusions during surgery. She will be closely monitored for the next twenty four hours. Her brain swelling has reduced and eight shards of skull bone were removed. Her spinal cord and column have been stabilised and as Nurse Reilly explained earlier; Jillian will be in a medical coma for the next twelve hours before being reassessed. I won't sugar coat the severity of Jillian's injuries; she is in for the fight of her life. Trauma to her spine has left damage to the nerves, but I am hopeful that is only temporary and she will regain full use of her legs once the distension subsides. Doctor Patton and I are available to answer any questions you may have."

"Holy crap," sobbed Emily in response.

Adrian was more upbeat, "That's promising news about the head injury."

"We will know more in the morning," revealed Patton. "Our main concerns are infection and the ruptures to her spine at this stage."

"When will we be able to see her?" enquired Emily; desperately holding onto the hope her wife would survive.

"We will take you upstairs now and have a Ward Nurse organise gowns et cetera for all of you. Jillian is in a single sterilised suite and will be for at least seven days."

Malcolm took the lead while holding his wife's hand and Emily hung back as thoughts of Jillian's last struggle for life flooded her memories. She was close to losing her beloved back then and now she was filled with regret for having spent so much time away from her spouse. For a brief moment guilt floored Emily and she needed to take a second to gather her emotions.

Penelope moved to her side, "Come along Princess, your Lady Love awaits and if you think you are to blame for any of this; I will kick your ass."

Smiling as her friend, Emily confessed, "This is exactly what I was thinking, but only for a moment."

"Good, because your wife will have none of that when she wakes."

"You always have the right words to say Penny, thank you."

"That's because I am an awesome bestie of super human portions."

Wrapping an arm around the Analyst's shoulder, Emily agreed with a sniffle, "Indeed you are."

As the duo stepped into the lift, Derek gave Emily's forearm a squeeze, "Jill will fight to make it back to you and the kids."

With a sad dip of her head, Emily confided, "I discovered she and the twins are all I need to be content. It took living in London and a lot of therapy to finally understand that."

"She knew you needed to go and regain your inner peace and I'm glad to have you back Partner."

With tears cascading down her face, Emily cried, "Jill has forgiven me three times and asked for nothing in return. I have some serious ass kissing to do."

Maureen cleared her throat as the elevator came to a halt, "Jillian won't want you to Emily. She loves you deeply and has only ever wanted you to be happy."

"She told me that during her first visit to London."

"She's freaking fantastic," blurted out Penelope before wiping her eyes with a tissue.

"You're a wordsmith honey," pointed out Derek with a kiss to the top of her head.

"Hush now sweetness."

"Good Lord," began Emily. "You two are as sweet as a jar of molasses."

"We are beyond adorable," retorted Garcia as the group moved into the ICU waiting room.

-o-