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. BOOM! Another chapter for the week.
Chapter 40
Early the following morning, Doctor Burton removed the bandages and drain from Jillian's craniotomy site and Emily gasped at the view of the arched incision and numerous staples covering the majority of the right side of the patient's scalp. The black, blue and purple bruising only gave credence to the fact Emily was extremely close to losing the love of her life and the mother of their children. She defiantly held back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes and as usual, Jillian detected her struggle and applied extra pressure to the hand she was holding. Fortified by the gesture, Emily gave Jillian a small smile while observing the lengthy wound to the back of Jillian's skull.
As Fiona disposed of the medical waste, Jillian asked, "How am I looking Doc?"
"The lacerations are healing well Jillian and there is no sign of inflammation or infection. I will take out the staples and sutures tomorrow."
"Excellent news and if it's okay; I'll take a shower."
Moving in, Fiona spoke, "I'll dress the areas with a waterproof strip so you can wash your head."
"Thank you; it's a little itchy and kind of smelly."
Picking up the patient chart from the end of the bed, Burton enquired, "How did therapy go yesterday?"
"It was bloody exhausting and painful."
"Any soreness when you woke?"
"Surprisingly no, but that would be the drugs filling me with a false sense of security."
Smirking at the comment, the Doctor finished up his notations, "Speaking of which, I'll have Nurse Fiona take out your cannulas and switch you to oral medication."
"Well that will make showering and rehabilitation so much easier."
"It will, but promise not to push the limits with therapy. Even though you are ahead of the timetable with your recovery; you still have hard work to do. Annette was thrilled with your mobility yesterday and predicts a speedy return to full movement."
"I understand Doctor Burton and will rein in my urge to run down the hallways with Annette trying to keep up."
Everyone laughed apart from Emily. She was still staring at Jillian's and mentally preparing herself for seeing the rest of the injuries during shower time. Her musings were disturbed when Doctor Moore strolled into the room.
"Good morning everybody," she said cheerfully as Burton handed her the clip board. "Now that you've been poked and prodded by my learned colleague Jillian, it is my turn to examine the remaining surgical locations."
"I can hardly wait."
"Excuse me," whispered Emily while heading for the door. "I'll call everyone with an update."
Jillian didn't have time to question her wife's sudden departure as Doctor Moore began her assessment.
-o-
"Hello Princess," Derek said in answering Emily's final call.
"Hey Morgan, just calling to tell you Jillian had the head bandages and drain removed. She is losing all the IVs too and the staples are coming out tomorrow."
"That's brilliant news Prentiss. You and Jill must be so happy."
"We are. How is the case going?"
"Wrapped up an hour ago and we are just finishing up paperwork with the Denver Police Chief."
"That is good."
"Not really, we are headed straight to Portland after breakfast."
"Jesus, I thought you guys were supposed to be on a break."
"Yeah right, not with Crawford in the big chair. That man is not our best friend."
"Jill told me Strauss spoke to the Director about Crawford disobeying her instructions."
"That may be the case, but Erin isn't back until tomorrow morning, so I guess Crawford is playing hardball with us until then."
"He is an idiot if he thinks he will get away with his crap."
"The man is an imbecile and we are all looking forward to watching him have his ass handed to him on a platter."
Once she stopped laughing, Emily asked, "What is his problem with the team?"
"Ask your charming wife Prentiss, she'll be sure to have the answer."
"If she does, why didn't she tell me sooner?"
"No idea, but don't forget the poor women is in a hospital bed, so you might need to take that into consideration."
"It's all I can think about Derek," lamented Emily with more than a hint of sadness.
"What's really going on with you Prentiss?"
"I freaked when I saw Jillian's head."
"Shit, that is to be expected; McCall wasn't gentle with her."
"Reading about her injuries and listening while a Nurse or Doctor lists them is totally different then actually looking at them. We nearly lost her Derek, and she must have endured so much agony."
"I know and you need to talk to her about your feelings."
"I will. I just needed to take a breath and talk to a close friend first."
"Well I appreciate you seeking my counsel and it's good that you intend on having that conversation with your wife."
Letting out a giggle, Emily admitted, "I did learn a thing or two about my history of putting up a wall while in London."
"It sounds like it and we will catch up soon Princess."
"We will and give my love to the Team."
"I will, we love you and Jillian too, take care."
"You too Derek."
-o-
Emily walked into an empty room and was about to go speak with the Nurse at the counter until Fiona joined her.
"Jillian is doing the rounds with Annette. They have only been gone a few minutes."
Looking to her wristwatch, Emily pointed out, "Breakfast is due soon, so I'll take the opportunity to grab something from the cafeteria."
"I'll let your wife know where you are if she gets back before you."
"Thanks Fiona."
-o-
Jillian was sitting up in bed heartily devouring a bowl of porridge when Emily arrived back carrying a paper bag containing two croissants, strawberry jam sachets in one hand and two drink cups in the other. "How was your walk honey?" she enquired while placing the items onto a free space on the roll-away table.
Smiling behind her spoon, Jillian cheered, "Really good and as you can see, I have better range of movement in my shoulders. Annette will be back at two and taking me to the workout room."
"I am elated for you and wow, you really blow me away."
Putting down her eating utensil slowly, Jillian picked up an apple with equal pace, "Why is that?"
"Your resolve at getting out of here hasn't wavered, and after the ordeal of your first session of therapy; you are sitting here grinning and eager for more."
Swallowing a piece of crisp fruit, Jillian regaled, "That is because I am looking forward to making out while hugging the crap out of you."
Overjoyed by the response, Emily imparted her own good tidings as she sat, "I bought you a croissant and smoothie."
"Thank you babe and you look really good."
"So do you and what do you know about Jason Crawford?"
"Are we talking about the dick muncher standing in for Erin?"
"That would be the one."
Taking a sip of her drink, Jillian didn't hesitate to reply, "He is a dufus and a bit of a cock sucker."
"Tell me how you really feel," joked Emily in between bites of flaky pastry. "Don't hold back."
With a giggle, Jillian pulled her treat from the bag and leisurely spread the jam on once she mastered cutting it in half, "What has the bastard done now?"
"Derek informed me the Team is off to Portland on a new case."
A left eyebrow cocked on Jillian's features, "I rest my case Your Honour; Crawford is a dufus."
"Do you know why he has such a disliking for the Team?"
"It is probably down to the fact he asked Erin out once news of her impending divorce became public knowledge at work."
"Obviously she turned him down," surmised Emily.
Jillian groaned longingly, "Correct and shit, this tastes so good."
Emily couldn't help but laugh, "Can you stop with the moaning? It is going straight to my vagina."
There was a smirk from Jillian, "Good to know, and to finish off the story of why Crawford is giving the Team grief is simple; the prick can't take no for an answer. He made a fool of himself by sending Erin flowers and she tossed them and him out of her office."
"How come I am only hearing about this now?"
Jillian pointed to her prickly scalp, "Duh, suffered traumatic brain injury and didn't make the connection when you told me about the Team being sent to Denver."
"I am aware of that, but why didn't you tell me when it actually happened?"
"Erin asked me not to say anything and I honoured that request at the time. By the time I return to work, it will probably be common gossip, so I am getting ahead of the situation now."
"All right and while we are being upfront; I was shocked to see how much damage had been done to the rear of your head."
"I figured that out babe and I did try to warn you."
"You did, so please don't be upset when I fall apart while helping you in the bathroom."
"I won't as long as you are ready to witness my own breakdown. I haven't seen all of my wounds Em and am not dumb enough to think it won't affect me."
"We will be discovering together honey and what did Doctor Moore have to say?"
"She was happy with the stomach and left side incisions. There was no tenderness or infection, so I am good. I'll be having x-rays on my ribs and an MRI of my cranium Friday."
Several teardrops trickled over the curve of Emily's cheeks, "Thank goodness." Standing, she disposed of the rubbish then ventured back to Jillian and tenderly glided fingers over the blemished skin of the left side of her jawline, "I love you."
"I love you too Em and how about you get me off my ass and into the shower?"
"Do you need the walking frame?"
"Fuck that, I have my gorgeous wife to keep me steady."
"Crap, you are so full of it."
"I am full of Percocet is what I am."
Giggling loudly, Emily pushed the table to the side of the room then stood by as Jillian gingerly manoeuvred herself to the edge of the mattress, "You are awesome honey."
"Yeah, yeah," mocked the patient while Emily offered her shoulder. "If you stay still, I will use you for leverage babe."
"You got it."
After a gradual rise, Jillian was upright and ready to walk forward, "It hurts less every time I get up."
"Great."
It took some three minutes for the pair to make the journey, but neither complained. Once they reached the closed door, Emily reached out and opened it. Jillian leaned in and pecked the side of her neck in gratitude.
The removal of Jillian's tee shirt was slow and Emily didn't even bother trying to halt the stream of tears falling as her wife's battered upper torso was revealed. The entire section of her back on display was a mass of bruises and welts along with two holes from the keyhole surgery. The front was covered in blemishes and the healing knife wounds on her shoulders.
Jillian placed a shaky hand on Emily's hip while she looked in the mirror, "Holy shit, he didn't miss much, did he?"
Emily gasped out one word, "No."
A mournful howl emitted from Jillian and she pressed into Emily's chest, "I … don't know … what to say."
"There is no need my darling," soothed Emily while kissing her wife on the temple. "Remember, we go at your pace."
"I want to hurt him so bad Em. I want to inflict all kinds of injuries on him."
"Let it out honey."
Jillian cried for several minutes before lifting her head and locking onto pools of watery brown, "Okay, I have had my pity party and am ready to get clean."
With another peck to Jillian's forehead, Emily crouched and pulled down the black cotton boxers. As the surgical incision on Jillian's abdomen came into view, both women cried again. The scabby straight line followed the contours of the external oblique muscles and extended towards the iliac furrows.
"Shit," whispered Jillian. "That looks a hell of a lot worse than it did earlier. I didn't see how fucking long it was. She lightly ran an index fingertip along the cut running down her left flank, "I look like a fucking prototype for Doctor Frankenstein's monster."
Standing, Emily shook her head after seeing the smile on Jillian's face, "I am glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humour."
"Honestly, if I didn't, I'd be more of a mess than I already am babe. The incisions are clean, so that is all I care about. I will be giving that jar of Vitamin E at home a workout."
"There is still some scar reduction ointment left over from my branding and Jarrod's circumcision."
"Then we have all bases covered."
The room grew silent as Emily's eyes roamed back to Jillian's genitals and the present bruises and scratches, "You know how you said you wanted to hurt McCall?"
"Yes and please don't go there Em. Can you please turn on the water before I fall over?"
"Got it and the elephant in the room can be discussed later."
"Why yes it can, but for now, undress and let me gaze upon your magnificent boobs. I missed them greatly."
Tittering, Emily stripped off her black sweater, white tee shirt, boots, jeans, socks and underwear in Olympic record time. Jillian was impressed with the effort as was indicated by her nod and gregarious leer.
"And there are the best breasts this side of the Charles River."
Smiling broadly, Emily quipped, "Yours may be discoloured, but they still look good honey."
"Thank you and sorry about them being off the market for a while."
Emily sighed while regulating the temperature of the water, "Not your fault and now I realise how frustrating it must have been after I gave birth."
"It was hard, but we managed and we will again. Optimism all the way baby."
"You got that right my darling; now take a seat while I wash you."
Jillian goosed her wife, "Music to my ears because my legs are kind of tired and I stink a little."
-o-
