The Fugitive

- Chapter Five -

"Insanity is everyone expecting you not to fall apart when you find out everything you believed in was a lie."― Shannon L. Alder

Emily was at home attempting to get her four-year-old daughter to finish dinner so she could go take a shower. It had been a very long week, and she didn't think she had gotten any sleep since Aaron was arrested. She just kept praying this was a bad nightmare that she would soon wake up from; she even caught herself pinching her skin in a desperate attempt to believe this was all a bad dream. She had not spoken to her husband since his arraignment. He had refused to talk to her, or anyone on the team and she was more confused than ever. Dave had reached out to another friend of his, a prosecutor who had connections with several judges in D.C, but unless Aaron was willing to cooperate with them, there wasn't much anyone could do for him. Now, Emily was attempting to keep what little sanity she had left and focus on her children.

Of course, their kids had witnessed their father being arrested and that wasn't something they could ever forget. Emily tried to dedicate time to each one of them, but the truth was her children were reacting as badly as she imagined, if not worse. Jack had refused to talk to her, or anyone on the team, and he had locked himself in his room playing videogames, even when Emily would come to say good night every evening…he just sat there in front of the television without saying a single word to her. Emily was worried, but she also knew everyone dealt with things differently and perhaps she just needed to give Jack some time.

Zoe, although she was only ten years old, knew something was obviously wrong for the police to take her father away, and although Emily had done her best to convince Zoe her father was just away for work business, she had definitely lost her usual sparkle and she was investing her time in every book she could get her hands on. Ellie was the one who had probably taken everything the hardest, she had been very clingy and was arguing with Emily every time her mother asked her to do something.

"Ellie, please just finish dinner, it's getting late," Emily urged.

"Come on, sweet pea, just a couple more bites." Said Garcia who had come over to help Emily for the day. The team had alternated each night to come over and help Emily with whatever she needed even it was just to talk, something Emily was very grateful for.

"I just want to talk to daddy." Ellie said in a whiney voice moving away from the spoonful of food Penelope was trying to get her to eat.

"I've already told you that you cannot talk to him right now, he is out of town for work." Emily said tiredly, this had been going on for about an hour.

"I don't want this; I don't like chicken!"

"You've had chicken plenty of times before."

"But I don't like it anymore, can I have something different?"

"Ellie, I've already made you two different things, I need you to finish dinner please." Emily said trying to remain calm.

"I'm not hungry, mommy."

"Fine then, lets get you showered and then I can give you cereal before bedtime if you are still hungry."

"But mommy...I don't want to go to sleep." The child said, hopping off the stool and dropping herself onto the kitchen floor whining.

Emily sighed, running a hand though her hair frustrated.

"Is almost nine, Ellie, is time for you to sleep."

"But you said we could watch a movie."

"Yes, that was two hours ago when I asked you to eat your dinner; we've been doing this for two hours, right now there is no more movie time, you are going to shower and go straight to bed,"

"But, that's not fair."

"Okay, my sweetness." Penelope interjected again watching Emily grow more frustrated with her daughter "How about I help you shower and we let your mommy finish down here and I will read you a story while you are in the shower."

"No I don't want to, just leave me alone!" The four-year-old said a little too loudly for Emily's liking.

"That's enough, Ellie." Her mother's voice and tone clearly indicated her mother was pissed. "I understand you're having a hard day, we all are, but this behavior is unacceptable."

"Mommy please!"

"No! I am tired of this, you ARE going to go upstairs and you ARE going to get ready for bed, and there will be no movies, or stories, do I make myself clear!?"

Ellie took too long to respond,

"Do we need to go upstairs to my room?" Emily asked in that tone that said, you are about to get your butt spanked. While Ellie was just a kid, she knew perfectly well what that meant.

Emily and Hotch had always been in charge of disciplining their children, and while neither of them would hurt their children, they knew smacks on the bottom did wonders. Thankfully, those situations had been very rare and Ellie had not always been on the receiving end.

"No, mommy I am sorry." The child said, looking down.

"You're going to apologize to your Aunt Penelope right now"

"I'm sorry, Aunt Penelope."

"It's okay, my sweet pea." Penelope responded while pouting.

"Upstairs now!" Emily commanded as she ushered her kid upstairs, much too tired to deal with this situation.

About half hour later, after Ellie had finally gone to bed, she returned downstairs where Garcia was patiently waiting for her.

"I'm so sorry about that, Pen."

"Oh honey, don't be, she's just going through a hard time, I understand."

"She still knows better than that...trust me!" Emily said tiredly accepting the cup of tea Penelope was offering her

"She knows this is unacceptable." Penelope noticed the dark circles under Emily's eyes, and they were so evident, she looked like someone had punched her in the face.

"You're exhausted." Garcia said instead.

"I'm okay."

"You're not okay, I know I wouldn't be. Honey, if you need to talk I'm here, I can only imagine what you're going through.

Penelope knew that Emily was great at compartmentalizing and hiding her emotions, but she had not seen her shed a single tear or even make a sound during this ordeal. She had been so focused on keeping the children distracted that she had forgotten this was very painful for her as well.

"I know that and thank you…I'm just..."

"You don't always have to be strong Emily; you know? It's okay to cry and feel all the things that you're feeling at the moment."

Emily just looked down at her chewed finger nails; for the past week, the knot in her throat hadn't gone away, she was so exhausted she was surprised she hadn't actually fallen asleep while she was walking.

"You know, when my parents passed away, I thought that I needed to be strong because I kind of felt responsible for what happened, and I refused to cry or even speak about it...I thought I was doing fine, but I wasn't…I was dying inside and I just think..." Tears were already filling Emily's eyes but she refused to let them spill.

"Oh honey, you need to rest and cry. Trust me, you'll feel so much better. If you need me to take the kids tomorrow so you can have some time for yourself..."

Before Emily could answer, Jack walked into the kitchen. He barely glanced at Emily and Penelope, instead, he headed to the pantry to get a bottle of water.

"Hey, are you going to eat anything today?" She asked, looking at her oldest son.

"Not hungry."

"Jack, you've barely eaten anything the past few days, I don't want you to get sick" The teenager, however, ignored his mother's words and proceeded to fill a glass with ice.

"Have you even said hi to Penelope?"

"Hi," He responded, without even moving his eyes from the refrigerator.

"How about we try that again?" Emily said, rolling her eyes, but Jack just walked out of the kitchen without saying anything else to them.

"I'm really sorry, I don't know what's the matter with them today."

"Emily, are you serious right now? You guys just went trough something horrible, you know it's normal for kids to behave like that."

"I don't know what to do anymore. Ellie is throwing tantrums almost every day, Jack won't talk to me and Zoe barely leaves her room unless it's to use the bathroom."

"Honey, they're hurting as well, whether they show it or not, this was something horrible they had to watch."

"No, I know that, but I just don't know how to make things better, I can't even help Aaron, I feel like everything is falling apart and I'm losing control of everything." Her eyes began tearing against her will.

"Mom?" Zoe asked, concerned.

"Hey baby." Emily said wiping her eyes quickly and opening her arms for her ten-year-old.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah baby I am okay, is getting late why are you still up?" Emily asked running a hand trough her daughters dark raven hair.

"I couldn't sleep..."

"Do you want to sleep in my room again?" Zoe had never been a clingy child, however, the past few nights she had been having nightmares and sleeping with Emily.

"Yeah, can I have some tea?" She asked, looking at her mother's cup.

"Of course, baby."

"Here, I'll make you a cup, do you want honey on it?" Penelope asked, hopping off the stool and rushing to turn on the tea kettle again.

"Yes please" Zoe cuddle against her mother's chest as Penelope made her a cup of tea.

The following morning Emily walked into work with trepidation. She hadn't been to work since Aaron was arrested. She had requested a week off to deal with all the court matters regarding her husband and just to spend time with her children and get her head together. She arrived on the third floor of the academy building since staff members were supposed to be having a meeting with the director. The last thing she wanted to do was to walk into a room full of people who would probably be talking behind her back.

She grabbed a cup of nasty coffee and sat at the front of the room, not really because she was so interested in the meeting, but because it was the best spot for her to ignore everyone. As the director began talking, Emily started to drift away, thinking about the events of the past week. Her husband had been arrested, literally arrested and accused of murdering his assistant, the same woman he had been cheating on her with. It was so hard for her to assimilate this, still she couldn't believe that after ten years of marriage Aaron had decided to be unfaithful to her. She never would have imagined her husband would betray her, but he had and now here she was heartbroken and devastated trying to be strong enough for their children and her sanity.

The meeting went on for about an hour, and Emily's mind continued thinking about the best way to help Aaron and deal with their children's attitude after what happened with her husband. As the director dismissed the meeting, the room began to empty. Emily took her time gathering her things not wanting to run into any of the other teachers and having to answer questions to them. She was about to stand up from the chair when she overheard two women talking about her, they were whispering supposedly, but their remark was heard all over the room.

"I can't believe she has the nerve to show her face, she should have been fired from the FBI as well, it's such an embarrassment!"

"And, to think her husband was the deputy director; I wonder what else he's done behind her back." The other woman said.

Emily's mouth dropped open, and she turned around in time to see the two women who worked in the payroll department. The same two women who had hated her guts since she started working for the academy. Not because Emily had done anything to them, they just hated the fact that Emily was one of the best teachers there, even after years of not working in the field, she could still kick ass. It was one of the reasons the director always asked Emily for her input on many things about his decisions; that, and the fact that she was the only woman in the academy that taught self defense and firearms training. She was about to say something to them when the director spoke first.

"Miss Richards, Miss Brown, is there anything you would like to share with us?" Steven Graves asked. He was an African American man and had worked for the FBI for two decades now, and he was currently the director of the academy.

"No, Mr. Graves, we're just about to leave." The youngest woman said as she glanced at Emily with disgust.

"I would like to remind you that you both not only represent the FBI but the government of the United States. If you can't do that with integrity and respect, maybe I should reconsider your position in this organization."

"I'm sorry, sir." The older woman apologized.

"You should be apologizing to Agent Prentiss not me" he said severely

"I am sorry" The same woman repeated with not a single sign of regret in her voice.

Emily didn't even acknowledge her apology, she just looked away unable to keep eye contact with them.

"I hope something like this doesn't ever happen again, otherwise, I would be forced to take immediate action."

"Again, I apologize, sir"

"Have a good day, ladies." Both women left the room sending Emily a death glare.

"I'm so sorry about that, Emily; some people just have no manners." Steve said.

"It's okay, this entire thing is very conflicting for everyone." She responded, grabbing her purse ready to leave.

"That doesn't give them the right to act like that, no matter what the circumstances are." Emily wasn't even upset; she couldn't care less what those women said.

She knew it was all a political agenda, and the only reason why they were part of the FBI Academy was because their husbands worked for the FBI, as well. They had absolutely zero experience in the field or even had a college degree.

"Yeah, well, you can't change how people behave."

"Actually, I can." He said firmly. "This isn't a high school; we are a federal agency. They should abide by the integrity rules of the FBI…if you want me to make a formal report I will."

"No, Steve, thanks, but it's not worth it. People are always going to talk and the last thing I need is to give them any reasons to make my life a living nightmare."

"They won't, I won't allow it, none of this is your fault." He stated, referring to the current situation with her husband. "You're one of the best instructors the academy has, and I will not tolerate anyone making you feel uncomfortable."

"Thank you" Emily said wanting to leave the room and got to her office

"Now, how are you really doing?" Scott asked, touching her arm briefly.

Of course, Emily wasn't naïve, she had known for a while now that the director had a crush on her. But, she had never acknowledged any of this because she was a happily-married woman, at least, she had been until a week ago. Steve was a very handsome and educated man, in another life and situation maybe Emily would have felt attracted to him, but honestly, she hadn't even thought about him other than the fact that he was her boss.

"I'm okay." She said, breathing out.

"I know this is very difficult, and if you need more time off or anything..."

"Thank you, Steve, that means a lot."

"I'm also willing to take some of your classes if you need to be with your family, or whatever."

"I really appreciate that but I think—" Just then, her phone began ringing.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I have to take this."

"Of course go ahead"

"Hello?"

"Yes hi, may I please talk to Mrs. Hotchner."

"This is she."

"Mrs. Hotchner, good morning, this is Betsy Walsh, the principal at Norfolk Academy."

"Oh God, is everything okay?" She asked, hoping nothing had happened with one of her children.

"Yes, everything is okay, we just need you to come pick up Jack Hotchner…he got into a fight with another student."

"I'm sorry, he what!?"

"He's going to be suspended for a week."

"Oh my God, umm, okay I'll be on my way as soon as I can."

"Is everything okay?" Steve asked her with concern.

"No, I'm um…that was my kid's school, he got into a fight with another student."

"Go! it's okay...I understand."

"Mhm, oh crap I have class in an hour." She said looking worried

"I'll take care of it, just go."

"Are you sure? I just took a whole week off."

"Emily, just go, I'll take your classes for the rest of the day."

"Thanks, Steve,, I'll call you later, okay?"

"Of course, you have my phone number if you need anything."

It turned out Jack had gotten into a fight with another student during soccer practice, and a teacher had to physically separate them. While Jack hadn't been the one who started the fight, he threw the first punch, and both students were suspended, as the coach had heard them arguing before practice.

Emily was angry at Jack, of course, but he had refused to talk to her or the principal, he just sat there with a scowl on his face sporting a purple cheek. Emily didn't know what to do, she had never disciplined Jack before, at least not on her own. The truth was, she didn't even remember when the last time Jack even acted out. She didn't even think there was a time. In the twelve years she had been in his life, she couldn't remember a single time he misbehaved. Now, here she was unsure of how to even deal with this situation.

Jack refused to even talk to her the entire drive home, no matter how many times Emily had attempted to address him. She was beginning to get frustrated, but knew screaming at him, or losing her temper wasn't going to resolve anything. She logically knew Jack's behavior was only a reaction to what happened with his father. Still, fighting at school wasn't something she or Aaron would tolerate.

"Can you please talk to me and tell me what's going on?"

"Aren't you supposed to be going back to work?"

"No I'm not, I had to take the day off to resolve this situation and pick you up from school."

Jack just looked out the window stubbornly as she pulled into the driveway at their home.

"Jack, I'm not sure what to do here, this is so unlike you…why are you acting like this, why don't you talk to me, please."

"Can you just tell me I can't use the Xbox, or whatever, and leave me alone!?"

"Jack!"

"I'm going inside!" Jack stated angrily, getting out of the car leaving a very confused and angry Emily behind.

For the rest of the afternoon Emily tried to focus on making dinner. Morgan and JJ were supposed to come and spend the afternoon with them. She was so glad she had the rest of the team helping her around the house and spending time with the kids to keep them distracted while she drove herself crazy trying to get her husband out of prison.

She was sitting at the kitchen island in the middle of grading essays for her students when Zoe walked in.

"Hey baby, are you done with homework?"

"Yeah, I just need to finish reading some stuff."

"I thought you were finished with that already?"

Zoe just bit her lip looking down.

"Hey, come here." Emily ordered gently.

"What's going on…you love reading, why don't you want to finish this assignment." Zoe just shrugged.

"Do you want me to help you with it?" Emily asked thinking maybe it was just a difficult assignment

"No, I just think it's boring."

"Zoe..."

"When is dad coming home?"

"I don't know, sweetheart."

"Mom, is daddy a bad guy?"

"Why are you asking me that?" Emily asked her heart aching.

"Because the police took him."

"Baby, we've already talked about that, your dad isn't a bad guy, it was just all a big misunderstanding." She said caressing her daughter's cheek.

"So, daddy is going to come home?"

"Yes baby, he is, I don't know when, but he is."

"Is he still away for work?"

"Yeah, sweetie, he is, but he is gonna be here before you know it. All right? "

"Okay."

"Are you hungry? JJ and Derek are on their way with Henry and Lucas."

"Can we play in the pool when they get here?"

"Yes, you can, but I want you to finish your homework first, okay?."

"K, mom." Zoe said, heading back upstairs a little bit more excited because her cousins were coming over to play.

"Why do you keep lying to them? You should just tell them the truth."

Emily looked up to see Jack staring at her with a sour face from the door frame.

"Do you want to sit and talk to me for a little bit?" She asked instead.

"No! I just want to know why you keep telling them that everything is alright when you know it's not."

"Honey, I'm just trying to protect your sisters."

"Protect them from what!?" Jack asked angrily

"All you're doing is making false promises to them, when you know he's not coming home."

"Honey."

"Sooner or later they're going to find out he's not this perfect hero everyone thinks he is."

"It really hurts me to hear you talk like that about your father." Emily said sadly.

"But it's true!" Jack argued. "He's not a hero, he's just some psycho criminal like the ones he used to put away.

"Jack!" Emily said, her eyes widening at his tone and words.

"How can you even believe all his lies. You're stupid if you think we'll ever be a normal family again."

"That's enough, Jack!" Emily said sternly. "I get that you're angry, but I'm still your mother and you owe me some respect."

"No, you're not." Jack said. "You know what! At least my real mom had the courage to stand up for herself and divorce him. I just hope it's not you who ends up in a grave soon."

Emily's mouth dropped open and so did her heart; all she could hear was a piercing silence, she looked at Jack with her heart shattering into pieces, unable to even blink or articulate any words. She tried to take a deep breath, but it came out as as strangled moan, her eyes quickly began filling with tears and spilling down her cheeks against her will. She stood there for a few seconds unable to react, and as soon as she felt the wetness of her tears, she stood up from the stool, refusing to let Jack see her cry. She found herself leaving the kitchen and going onto the patio running away from her son. Because her first instinct was to slap the kid across the face, and she knew she would never forgive herself if she did that, so she fled onto the patio, taking a deep shaky breath, tears freely running from her eyes.

She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, but she knew she couldn't, so she did the first thing her instinct told her to do…leave the house. She went back into the kitchen to retrieve her purse and keys and headed to the garage, hopping into her car, her eyes swimming in tears. She quickly withdrew her phone from her purse calling JJ.

"Hey, everything okay?"

"Yeah, hmm are you guys close?"

"We're just pulling onto your street now, what's going on?" JJ asked, noticing her husky voice.

"Nothing, I need to take care of something. Can you please stay with the kids?" JJ saw her drive in front of them without even acknowledging them.

"Of course, Emily, what's the matter?"

"I'll see you later, okay" she said with a sob.

"Emily!" JJ called again, but she had already disconnected the call.

"Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you…unless you believe them. Then, they can destroy you."― Charles F. Glassman