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. Apologies for the delay, hope you enjoy!
Chapter 50
Jillian quietly stuck her head around the corner of the open door and smiled at the sight of Jarrod curled up on the couch sleeping peacefully. The same could not be said of his sister. Her disgruntled babbling could be heard wafting down the corridor as Jillian made her way towards the children's bedroom moments later.
Shaking her head, she entered the chamber and found her daughter sitting amongst the toys scattered on the floor talking to the teddy bear Spencer had bought her for her second birthday. The bundle of shoulder length blonde curls turned to look at the doorway as Jillian leaned against the jamb. Her eyes grew wider and her lips formed into a perfect "oh".
There was an awkward silence between the two blondes until Samantha muttered, "Shit." Getting up, she casually walked over to her bed with Toby in hand and lay down. Cuddling into the plush toy, she closed her eyes.
"Nice try," remarked Jillian while approaching the child.
Eyelids lifted and Samantha brought out the big guns; she started to cry.
Jillian was having not of it and gathered up the bear, "Crocodile tears don't work in this house Little Miss. What are the rules for a time out?"
Sitting up with tears miraculously gone, Samantha went another route and pouted, "No TV, no toys, no books."
Taking a seat alongside Samantha, Jillian asked, "So what were you doing off your bed and holding Toby?"
"Me talk to him."
Jillian's interest was piqued, "What about?"
"Me bad to Jar … me kick him."
Reaching out, Jillian placed her left hand under the child's chin and raised it slightly, making eye contact, "Why did you hurt your brother?"
"He hug you b'fore me."
Glad to be getting to the bottom of the rebellious behaviour, Jillian probed further, "But you hugged Mama before him and he didn't kick you, did he?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Samantha gave in, "Otay."
"You still hugged me, right?"
"Yes."
"Is it nice to throw your food around the house?"
"No, me bad."
"Yes you were. Your Grandmothers made a really yummy lunch and you threw it away."
"Me sorry."
"I'm not the one you should apologise to Samantha."
Blonde eyebrows curved, "Nana and Grandma?"
"Correct. After your time out and nap, you can speak to them."
"Otay mommy; Jar too?"
"Yes, he didn't do anything wrong to you and deserves an apology. If you continue to behave badly, I will remove all your toys and books until you learn that pinching, slapping and kicking is not allowed. Do you understand me?"
A small smile preceded a nod, "Yes mommy … me be good."
Jillian wasn't convinced, "I've heard that before Samantha and you've been bad time and time again."
"Me sorry."
Giving her daughter a smile, Jillian apologised, "I'm sorry too."
Samantha's face lit up, "Why mommy?"
"I haven't been home to play with you or read this week and you weren't allowed to visit the hospital."
Stretching out her left hand, Samantha tenderly caressed her mother's arm, "No you bad, bad man hurted you."
Holding back tears, Jillian hugged her child as best she could, "Yes he did, but I'm here now and no more tantrums Little Miss. You use your words and talk to people, okay?"
"Otay, love you."
"I love you too." Releasing her hold, Jillian stood then looked down, "Time for your nap; I'll see you later."
"Otay." With that said, Samantha snuggled into her pillow and shut her eyelids.
Jillian went to the doorway and watched over the child until she was certain she was asleep and not foxing.
-o-
Emily was sitting up in bed when Jillian walked into the room clutching Toby. Shaking her head, she asked, "Was Sam playing with her bear?"
Placing the toy at the foot of the bed, Jillian replied, "Yes, and we had a chat about her behaviour."
"How did that go?"
"We have an understanding that if she acts out again, she loses her books and toys."
Giggling, Emily was impressed, "Wow, way to go strict mom."
Easing onto the mattress, Jillian carefully nestled into Emily's side, "I felt terrible saying the words, but she confessed she hurt Jarrod because he hugged me first when we came home."
"Holy crap, our two year old was jealous?"
"Apparently so and she swore again."
Running fingers over Jillian's spikey scalp, Emily enquired, "Did she say shit?"
"Yes, it seems to be her favourite."
"How long of a time out are you giving her?"
"She stays in the room until three."
"Fair enough and what about Jarrod?"
"He's good to go once he wakes. Both will need to apologise to their Grandmother also and Samantha owes her brother one."
Glancing at the clock on the side table, Emily suggested, "That gives us about an hour for more adult time."
A grin broke out on Jillian's face, "Indeed it does babe." Lifting her head, her mouth was seized upon by hungry lips and the difficulties of parenthood were forgotten about temporarily.
-o-
Friday 30th November
For the first time in weeks, Emily savoured the normalcy of a breakfast surrounded by her family and not four hospital walls. She had to fight back tears on several occasions when the twins displayed impeccable manners at the table and appeared to have heeded Jillian's words of wisdom from the previous day.
Once the meal was complete, Emily went upstairs to collect her equipment while Jillian got comfortable on their bed with their children and the custom made stable table Derek had dropped off the night before.
Samantha and Jarrod were busy setting up building blocks when Emily emerged from the walk-in closet. Pulling on a black suit jacket over a maroon button up shirt, she ambled over to Jillian and leaned in, "I'll call you when I can honey."
"I look forward to it Chief, be safe."
"I will and be good for mommy my darlings."
"Yes mama," they chorused as they stood to receive a hug and kiss.
"I love you babies," Emily announced before turning back to Jillian.
"Love you mama," came the simultaneous reply and wave.
Giving her wife a lingering kiss, Emily joyfully left for work.
-o-
As it was still early, Emily walked through a deserted bullpen on her way to her office on the upper landing. A dossier on Harris was sitting on her desk, so she offloaded her "go to" bag along with her portfolio before going to the breakroom to make a mug of tea.
Relishing the first sip of hot beverage four minutes later, Emily reached for the file. Her perusal was short. Colin Harris, forty two, did not have much of a rap sheet nor had he spent any time in prison. Apart from a citation two decades ago for public disorderly; things were about to change drastically for the man in a big way.
Discarding the folder to the side, Emily booted up her computer to check her e-mails. Replying to those that needed her attention, she waited for the others to arrive.
-o-
Once all Agents were present, Emily organised for Morgan and Blake to interview Harris in Interrogation Room 2. AUSA Palmer, Hotch, Jennifer and Reid looked on from inside the Observation Room and were delightfully taken aback when Harris coughed up his brief involvement with McCall via a third party before the first question was posed. He confessed to supplying the bomb materials to Byrne after an unknown male had initially made contact over the phone. Harris was extremely forthcoming with information and quickly advised Derek and Alex the conversation was polite which could not be said of the second call when an Irishman introduced himself as Shane then proceeded to tell Harris that he and his family faced serious consequences if he failed to deliver the requested purchase.
A surprised Morgan glanced at Alex with a quirked right eyebrow before asking Harris, "So you are telling us you have never heard of man by the name of Shane McCall or ever dealt with him?"
There was a shake of the head from the subject, "Is that the name of the Irish guy that called me?"
"It is."
"Then no, I've never met him in person."
Alex lifted a page of the file in front of her, "How did he and the other man know to contact you for the bomb parts? Where did they get your phone number from?"
"I have no idea, honestly. Look, the first and last device I ever made was twenty years ago when I ran with a bunch of College idiots who thought they could change the world. We planned to blow up the science labs at the University of Kentucky, but got cold feet two days before the planned event." Harris reached for the plastic bottle of water on the table with a trembling right hand and drank heavily, "The whole thing scared the crap out of me and I ended up detonating the bomb in the local quarry. After that I decided to make new friends. I know the Police and FBI would have told you they found nothing when they searched my property in South Wallins. My only brush with the law was at Uni when I was arrested during a protest march."
Leafing through the folder he was holding, Derek agreed, "I see that. Who else was involved in your failed bombing attempt?"
"There was Pete Bowman, Terry Wright and Lance Bickmore. I haven't talked to any of them in over twenty years."
Figuring they finally had a connection, Morgan enquired, "Does Bickmore have a brother?"
"Yeah, he has two. One is Paul and the other is Frank."
"Bingo!" exclaimed Emily in the Obs Room. "There is our link and another person coerced into assisting McCall."
Both Blake and Morgan stood with Derek saying, "That's all we need for now. I'll have someone bring you a fresh drink and something to eat."
"Thank you and I really am sorry for all this crap. I just couldn't see a way out without my family being hurt. Will they be okay?"
Empathising, Alex answered, "They are under Police guard and safe from harm."
"Thank you."
Derek and Alex exited the room and joined the others. Aaron addressed them instantly after bringing Penelope into the conversation via his phone, "Okay, let's review; Frank Bickmore obviously supplied his brother's name to McCall who in turn gave them Harris' name. Garcia, check Harris' phone logs and verify that he did indeed receive two phone calls around the time in question. I assume Bickmore used a burner phone, but at least we will have a record of calls being made from Lee."
"On it Chief."
Hotch continued, "J.J., you and Reid go to Kentucky PD and pick up Harris' wife and children." Turning to Palmer, he added, "I want you to offer him and his family Witness Protection. Morgan and Blake, see what else you can get from Harris."
"You got it Boss," acknowledged Derek.
"What do you want from me Hotch?" asked Emily, feeling somewhat left out.
"I think it's time you and I paid McCall a visit. We leave in thirty; I have phone call to make."
Nodding, Emily had one of her own to make.
-o-
Jillian answered Emily's call after three rings, "Hey babe, how's it going?"
"Hi honey. It turns out Harris is just another victim of McCall's threats and manipulation."
"Really, why am I not surprised?"
Emily went on to explain Bickmore's nexus to Harris and his youthful folly.
Jillian took a deep breath before cursing, "Holy shit, what a total bastard; where does it all end Em?"
"I am hoping this is everything. Palmer is setting up Witness Protection for the Harris family. Colin is more than willing to testify at trial."
"Crap, McCall has managed to ruin yet more lives."
"Yes, but surely he is out of contacts by now as well as funds."
"Who knows babe and I kind of remember thinking that once before. When are you leaving for Lee Penitentiary?"
Tittering, Emily retorted, "You are one smart woman."
"Of course I am; I married you, didn't I?"
Laughing louder, Emily cooed, "And I'm lucky you did."
Emily heard her wife gulp on the other end before she spoke, "That is enough of that Sexy Chief Prentiss."
"I truly love you and am departing in ten."
"I love you more and would you like to speak with our immaculately behaved children?"
"Seriously, they've been good?"
"They have, but let's not get too carried away Em; they've only been awake for four hours."
Letting out a soft guffaw, Emily remarked, "You are in a good mood."
Jillian groaned briefly, "I am thanks to your morning grope fest."
A shiver of arousal travelled straight to Emily's nether region, "Shush now and put the kids on."
"Grace has them at the zoo with mom and dad. You'll have to call one of them babe."
"You nitwit, you could have led with that information."
"I could have, but this way was more fun. Anyhoo, go be fierce and slay the monster my saviour and be safe."
"Are you watching Once Upon A Time by chance?"
"I am so hurry home. Your Evil Queen needs to conquer you in the privacy of our bedroom."
Chuckling richly, Emily promised, "I will and totally love you."
"Back at you, bye Em."
-o-
A/N: A tense time ahead for Emily.
