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 42

Emily noticed Jillian's lack of appetite during dinner and she wasn't the only one. Maureen approached her after the twins were down for the evening and Jillian and Malcolm asleep in bed.

"I think our girl may have over exerted herself," she posed with a frown.

Nodding, Emily handed her in-law a mug of tea before sitting beside her on the couch, "I think it was a combination of the flight home, tackling the stairs and over exuberance from the kids."

"That won't do," protested Maureen. "Jill needs to avoid strain."

"Samantha and Jarrod forgot not to jump on her."

Blue eyes flamed with worry, "What?"

"They got excited to see her here at home. Jarrod was perfectly behaved and even got mad at his sister for swearing after pouncing on me, but then it all went to shit when Samantha cursed again because I told her she couldn't play. I wasn't quick enough to halt her spring off me onto Jill."

"Let me guess, Jarrod mimicked her?"

There was a bob of the head from Emily, "Yes, and he landed on her abdominal surgical site."

"Shit, how did she react?"

"Pretty fantastic considering the pain she must have been experiencing. She didn't want to frighten the twins by crying or cussing. I distracted them while Jill fought through it then she attempted to get them to listen and understand. I know you offered to take the kids back to Titusville to give Jill some space, but can I ask you and Malcolm to stay here instead? I don't think uprooting them is a good idea."

Reaching for Emily's hand, Maureen smiled, "I can be here for as long as you need dear, but Malcolm has to return to work tomorrow. His team is heading up a new project and he has to be there."

"Okay and thank you so much for staying. I appreciate everything the two of you have done for us."

"It is our pleasure Emily and I'm sure your mother would have stayed longer if she hadn't been recalled to Rome for a crisis meeting."

A faint smirk ghosted over Emily's lips, "I've never heard her swear so much in Italian before. She was quite annoyed at the summons and believed it was only a storm in a teacup."

Giving a titter behind her drink, Maureen acknowledged, "I don't speak the language, but I did realise it was on the colourful side."

Emily's eyes lit up like a Ferris wheel, "Since I met Jill, I have witnessed a completely different side to my mother. I think the children have been getting their profanity from her."

"No doubt," commented Maureen as she stood. "Malcolm and I are always minding our cursing around them, and I know you and Jillian do the same. I'll take care of these cups and see you in the morning."

Getting up, Emily embraced the older woman, "Goodnight."

Returning the hug, Maureen whispered, "We need to keep an eye on Jill, goodnight."

Stepping out of the comforting clinch, Emily promised, "I'll talk to her about keeping out of harm's way as soon as I can."

-o-

After Malcolm had boarded his plane for home, Emily drove Maureen back to the house to find her Cruze sedan missing from the garage. Glancing at her mother in-law, she questioned, "Did Grace say anything to you about having to run errands?"

"No. She told me she was actually going to be doing laundry while we were out."

Parking the SUV, Emily turned off the engine and the kids squealed, "Yay, home."

Alighting from the vehicle, Emily opened Jarrod's door and reached inside to unbuckle him, "Come on Little Man, time to check on mommy."

Jarrod's bottom lip dropped drastically and Emily's heart ached, "Me be good, no hurt her."

"Me too mama," promised Samantha while being lifted out of her safety seat by Maureen.

"Apparently Jill's little speech yesterday got through," reasoned Emily as to the children's comments.

"I'd say so," remarked Maureen as she placed her granddaughter's feet on the concrete surface.

The tot took off and chased her brother to the kitchen entrance. The pair gripped hands as they waited for the adults to catch up.

Once access was gained, the twins raced through the doorway and yelled, "MOMMY, WE HOME."

Their announcement was met with silence.

"Maybe the bedroom door is closed," guessed Maureen with knotted eyebrows.

Strolling over to the wall intercom connected to the pool house, Emily pressed the call button; it two went unanswered.

As the toddlers took off for the staircase, Maureen followed while Emily discovered a message on the memo pad situated on the counter:

Hey Em,

Don't panic, but Grace has taken me to

see Chelsea. She had a cancellation when

I called her earlier to make an appointment.

I didn't want to phone you in case you were

driving and put the call on speaker. I would

have cried and scared everyone. I had a

terrible nightmare last night that really

shook me. I would have told you about it,

but you were so tired when you woke.

We will definitely talk when I get home.

Love always,

Jill.

"Damn it," cursed Emily under her breath.

"Jillian is absolutely not here. I set the kids up with a Wiggles DVD in the Entertainment Room. Did Jill leave a note dear?" enquired Maureen as she rounded the corner.

"Yes, she's at work talking with the Psych and it's my fault."

Opening her arms, Maureen beckoned Emily in for a cuddle, "You are not to blame. We all knew Jill would need to seek professional help at some stage."

"Seriously, how can I not be responsible for all this crap? If I hadn't become involved with that bastard Doyle, none of the shit from the past two years would have occurred. I'm culpable for Jillian's despair with my fake death, my running away to London and her current injuries." Throwing her hands up, she continued, "Oh and let's not mention the damage all this has caused our children."

Guiding Emily to a dinning chair, Maureen held her hand, "I can reassure you that my daughter does not think that way. The entire Doyle and ensuing McCall situations are down to those two despicable men. I'm not going to insult your intelligence by saying the business in Tuscany wasn't the catalyst for so much horror and senseless killings, but you were under orders from the other prick in this sordid mess, Easter. My child shed many tears when she stayed with me and her father while under the impression she's lost you. There were more afterwards when she found out you were alive. When the dust settled, she was angry at Doyle for all he'd done. So you my dear girl need to stop feeling guilty over every nefarious act that happened and be mad at the fuckers who began this nightmare or Jillian will never heal or you for that matter."

Taking a deep breath, then another, Emily took a moment longer to absorb the words, "I see your point and you are totally correct about Jill. We've only just reconciled and I'm afraid for us."

"Why, has Jill given you any indication of doubts about your relationship?"

"No, not at all. I've just been plagued by insecurities."

"Then stop Emily. Jill loves you and the life you share. Even with the pressure of your Little Rascals added to the equation, her feelings have not diminished."

A grin formed on Emily's lips and she dried her eyes with the back of her free hand, "Those two are freaking terrors on and off. We never know how they will react."

"Then let me and Grace take the load off you and Jill until she feels stronger."

"You have a deal and I want you to know my love for Jill will never falter. She is my world and I've told her I will never leave her of the children again unless it is FBI related."

A cheeky smile fell upon Maureen, "I am aware of that promise. Jill mentioned it the other day. You know, as a couple, you have faced unsurmountable obstacles and won, so take comfort in that dear and let Jill deal with her problems in her own way. Hasn't she always found her way back to you?"

"Yes, and I love her so much for that fact."

"Excellent, now let's go see what carnage those children formerly known as Jarrod and Samantha have caused in our absence."

"I'm almost too scared to look," taunted Emily while standing.

With a laugh, Maureen let go of Emily's hand, "Not so tough, are you?"

"Hell no and thanks for the uplifting chat."

"It's what I do and you get to make lunch in gratitude for my words of wisdom."

Curtseying, Emily put on her English accent, "I am forever honoured my Sage."

Maureen was too busy laughing to reply.

-o-

It was a tad past two when Grace assisted Jillian through the kitchen then up to the main bedroom. "Do you need help with anything else Jill?" she asked as Jillian lowered herself onto the mattress.

"I think I can manage and thank you for driving."

"You are welcome and I assume Emily is putting the twins down for their afternoon nap."

"Probably," assented Jillian while toeing off her runners and gradually lifting her legs onto the bed.

"Hey guys," Emily said in greeting as she waltzed into the room. "Thanks for helping out Grace."

"Not a problem, I'll see you later."

When she had left, Emily sat beside her wife, "I was down in the laundry room when you came in. You ready to talk about last night?"

Leaning into Emily's shoulder, Jillian returned, "I am."

Taking Jillian's left hand, Emily smiled brightly, "I'm so pleased to hear that honey."

"Where's mom?"

"She went for a walk."

Blonde eyebrows rose, "In this cold?"

"Our demon spores were out of control after lunch."

"Fuck me," swore Jillian angrily. "What did they do this time?"

"Samantha slapped Jarrod on the back then pushed him over onto the play mat."

"And he retaliated?" predicted a none too impressed Jillian.

Nodding twice, Emily went on, "He kicked the crap out of her shin. Your mom was mortified when they started wrestling each other on the floor before we got to them. Both were screaming like banshees and we had to separate them for time outs in different rooms."

"I suppose they protested loudly."

"Naturally and it went on before exhaustion set in. The noise gave Maureen a headache, so she went for some fresh air."

Jillian was close to tears, "I actually spoke to Chelsea about their behaviour and she pointed out the fact they only seemed to act out when I'm not present or after they haven't seen me for a while."

"Shit, she's right honey. So what is the solution?"

"I need to spend more time with them so they realise I'm not going anywhere."

"But what if they climb or leap on you?"

"I thought we could have play dates here on the bed. I called Derek and he is kindly making a piece of cushioned board we can lay on the mattress and give us a flat surface for block building, toy interaction and my favourite, down on the farm. He is bringing it over tonight when he and Penny come for dinner."

"That's a brilliant idea and earns you a kiss," countered Emily prior to laying her lips on the tip of Jillian's nose. "What did Chelsea advise we do about your nightmare?"

"Uhm, on that subject; it was not the first one."

Emily's next words were accompanied with an eye roll, "Duh, I kind of figured that out on my own."

Jillian gave her wife a force ten laser beam stare, "You are so cute when you get cocky. Anyhoo, moving right along, the nightmares have been occurring on and off since I was kidnapped."

Detecting a slight tremor in her spouse's hand, Emily offered, "You don't need to discuss it now honey."

"I want to Em. It will help if you and I are on the same page."

"I'm listening my darling."

Raising her arm, Jillian grinned, "See, I still get goosebumps when you call me that."

Pecking her wife's temple this time, Emily whispered, "You are such a sweet talker."

"Only for you babe and now back to the serious chat. In my dreams McCall and Doyle are take turns raping me."

Emily's heart sunk and guilt ripped through her chest, "Oh Jesus Jill."

"I wake when Doyle ejaculates over my stomach and says "Tell your bitch wife that I won.""

"Fuck, I am so sorry you have to go through that honey."

"Again, it is not your fault. Speaking of which, I don't want to see culpability in your beautiful eyes Em. I see it so often and it breaks my heart. Please, I need you to believe me when I tell you I don't hold you responsible for any of the crap, okay?"

"All right, I will try. Your mother and I had a similar discussion this morning."

"Good and we move forward Emily. No more dark thoughts from the past."

"That is easier said than done honey."

"True, but we can do it together along with taming our feral offspring."

Emily giggled with relief, "Baby steps my darling."

"That's all I can manage at the moment."

"We go at your pace and promise you won't overdo it at Physio tomorrow."

"There will be no concerns in that department babe; I'm exhausted by climbing those rotten stairs."

"Do you want to reorganise the Entertainment Room into our bedroom?"

"No. The exercise is beneficial to improving my mobility and I require all the help I can get. I just have to suck it up is all and push through."

"Okay, I am here for you and we will make it work." Emily placed a lingering kiss on Jillian's left cheek, "I have good news; I'm making meatloaf for dinner."

"Woo hoo," hailed Jillian with a half-hearted fist punch; it was all she could manage. "You know Dereck loves him some meatloaf."

Once the laughter ebbed, the couple chatted more about Jillian's session with Chelsea before Emily left a sleepy wife behind to race to the supermarket.

-o-