CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

7x23 Hit

Emily hung up her phone and turned away from her bedroom window. She had been staring out into the dark while talking. The glow of the bathroom light was casting long shadows across the room. Emily could hear JJ moving around getting ready for work. Emily slowly made her way to the bathroom. The air was thick with humidity from the shower.

"Hey," JJ said casually. "Were you talking to someone?"

"Yeah…" Emily said apprehensively. "It was an old contact from Interpol…" JJ gave Emily her full attention. The way Emily was acting was starting to worry her. "They offered me a job."

JJ paused, unsure of how to react to this news. She was barely awake - it was a lot to process so early in the morning. "Okay… What kind of job?"

"It's a Unit Chief position."

"Whoa," JJ said, shocked.

"...in London." Emily added warily. JJ went quiet for a moment.

"Do you want to take it?" JJ asked in a small voice.

"I -" Emily paused. She sighed heavily. "I don't know," she finally admitted. "I mean - it's not that simple."

"It's something to think about, Em."

"Yeah but, I'm not going anywhere without you," Emily stated defiantly. She was working herself up. JJ smiled gracefully, reaching out to rub her girlfriend's arm.

"Hey, no one is making any big decisions right now. Just do me one favor? Think about it? Think about what this could mean." Emily nodded her head quietly. "I love you," JJ added, leaning in to kiss Emily's cheek.

Then JJ turned and continued getting ready. Emily didn't move. She smiled politely at JJ as she passed her and caught a glimpse of herself in the bathroom mirror.

They stepped off the elevator, and Emily huffed loudly as her eyes fell upon Erin Strauss in deep conversation with Hotch.

"I'm getting deja vu," JJ said cynically. They joined the rest of the team.

"Hey, do you guys know why Strauss is here?" Penelope inquired nervously. JJ turned to Emily. She was unsure whether Emily wanted everyone to know about the job offer yet.

"No idea," Emily said quickly. It wasn't technically a lie. But she had a pretty good hunch of what Strauss might be up to. The last time Strauss came in demanding a transfer - her relationship with JJ had changed forever. It took them a long time to get back to solid ground. And just as they were - Emily feared it was about to be pulled out from under them yet again.

"Well whatever it is, it can't be good. I think we all remember what happened last time and I don't think I can handle another gut punch like that," Garcia said quickly.

"I'm sure it's nothing," JJ said, sitting down at her desk. Emily thanked her silently.

They didn't have a case and Hotch told the team that if they finished their paperwork early, they could take an extra day off. Nobody wasted any time getting back to their desks and beginning their paperwork. JJ and Emily were the last to leave the conference room, but they were stopped in the doorway by Strauss. She gave them both a look that could have been interpreted as disapproval. Emily and JJ had gone out of their way to appear professional around Strauss, but JJ had the feeling she had figured out about their relationship. Before, that would've scared her. Before, she would've cared what Strauss thought about her, but now - quite frankly, she couldn't care less.

"Agent Prentiss, I need a word." She said curtly. Strauss eyed JJ. JJ shot a cold look at her boss before walking out the door. Strauss closed the door.

"I heard from Interpol this morning," Strauss started.

"If you're trying to force me out -"

"Relax, agent, I'm not forcing anything." Emily relaxed a little but kept her guard up. "I know you may not believe it, but I'm here as a friend. Look - you are one of the best profilers I've ever worked with. And I think we both know that you are destined for bigger things. It's no small thing - having a woman selected for a supervisory position… I urge you to consider."

Strauss turned and opened the door for Emily. She reluctantly walked past her and into the hall where she found JJ waiting for her. Strauss began to walk away but paused. She eyed JJ briefly before turning her full attention back to Emily, "Just - think about your future, Prentiss…"

Four hours later Emily sat back in her chair with a heavy sigh. She threw her pen down and closed her eyes. JJ glanced over in her direction. When they made eye contact, Emily stood and made her way over to her desk.

"I need a break. I was gonna go buy some lunch. Do you want anything?" JJ smiled and shook her head. "Okay," Emily whispered. "Tell Strauss I'll miss her," she added with a smirk and JJ gave her a devilish look, shaking her head with a smile.

Maybe she could blame it on the interpol phone call. Maybe she could blame it on her brain being fried after four straight hours of paperwork. Maybe it was the small velvet ring box in the bottom of her purse that was taking all of her attention. Maybe it had nothing to do with any of those things. It didn't really matter. Either way, she hadn't spotted the danger in time. By the time she noticed what was happening all she could do was react. She had just enough time to fire two rounds before diving behind the side of her car. There was a woman bleeding on the sidewalk. Emily felt for a pulse. Nothing. Gunshot wound to the head. She was dead before she even knew what hit her. A small blessing. Emily was breathing hard, hands shaking. She had hit one of the three, but the other two went back into the building they came from.

A bank.

10 minutes later and the bank was completely surrounded. The entire team was on their way - so much for having a day off. Annoyingly, the first responders had insisted Emily get checked out by a paramedic. He was shining a light in her eye to check for a concussion.

"Emily!"

She turned her head at the sound of her name. It was JJ. She watched as she slammed the door of a SUV and made her way over to her. Emily almost stood up but when JJ got to her she didn't hug her. Instead she rested a comforting hand on her shoulder rubbing it tenderly. Emily looked past JJ to find Strauss staring at them. JJ's hesitance then made sense. JJ's eyes were apologetic.

Hotch and Strauss joined them. "Agent Prentiss, glad to see you're okay," Strauss said. JJ dropped her hand and shoved it in her pocket.

"Emily, when you're ready, Garcia has tapped into the cameras - she needs your help with IDs."

Emily stood immediately and gave JJ a small nod. She wanted to reach out to her. Emily could see JJ was still on edge. She wanted to comfort her. But she couldn't. It was frustrating. That was one pro to getting a different job. She would no longer have to hide her relationship with JJ. They could be together - openly. Think about your future, Prentiss.

"I want to talk to the bitch who shot my brother." Rossi dropped the phone receiver from his ear and glanced over at Emily. Her back was to him. She was standing in front of JJ. Even at that distance he could tell their voices were low, in heated whispers. He sighed. He could see JJ's eyes burning with protective intensity. This wasn't going to be easy...

"No," JJ said once David had laid out the entire situation. They had left Struass out of the meeting - something that JJ was thankful for. But as she looked around the room, most of her team was avoiding her eyes. How could any of them go along with this? "No, forget it," JJ said again, more forcefully. What were they thinking? Sacrificing Emily? Had they lost their minds?

"JJ, if it means we can end this…" Emily started, staring at her feet. Anywhere but at JJ's fiery eyes.

"What makes you think he won't shoot you the minute you walk inside?" JJ argued back immediately.

"Look, he wants out of there just as much as we want him out."

"It's not happening. Forget it."

JJ was shaking her head. She felt like she was the only one thinking clearly. There was no way she was letting Emily walk into that bank. Their job was inherently dangerous. JJ had to make peace with that. But she didn't have to let her walk into a death trap. That was where she drew the line.

"There's no guarantee he won't retaliate for the death of his brother," Hotch agreed.

"Emily, I get what you're feeling," Morgan added, "But you are too close to this case to make that call."

"You're damn right I'm close. Four people are dead because I shot his brother! And no one else needs to die because of what I did."

"This isn't about you," Derek replied.

"Risking your life won't bring them back," JJ insisted softly. She sighed as Emily finally met her eyes. JJ felt like she might finally be getting through to her. She relaxed a little.

Emily knew JJ would probably never forgive her for this. She would see it as a betrayal - but that's not what it was. It was Emily being Emily. Perhaps it was a symptom of her upbringing - it made her want to be the hero. It made her selfless. Maybe it wasn't that at all. Maybe it was just the way she was. JJ had once told her it was what she loved about her. Emily wondered if it was also what she hated.

She glanced at JJ, holding back tears. She couldn't say goodbye to her - it would be too suspicious. JJ would figure out what was going on. She was talking to Derek, her brow furrowed with determination. Emily smiled softly, lingering a moment to take her in. But she had to look away before she changed her mind. Emily stared at the front on the bank and willed herself to walk towards the door.

It didn't take long for JJ to notice. She heard her screaming - screaming desperately. But Emily didn't stop.

"Wait - what is she doing? No." Derek's arms wrapped around JJ tightly. "No, no, no." JJ fought but she couldn't break free. "Morgan, let me go. Let me go, please!"

"I can't do that."

"Emily! Emily!" The bank door closed and she turned angrily to Derek. "You planned this, didn't you? She asked you to hold me back?" Derek didn't answer, but his inability to hold eye contact said it all. JJ shook her head in disbelief. "Screw you, Derek," she whispered, turning her back on him. She didn't want to look at him.

It wasn't long before she heard the shots. JJ lunged forward instinctively to get to Emily. Derek held her back. If those were the shots that killed Emily, she didn't know if she'd ever forgive Derek. It briefly occurred to her that Garcia was somewhere behind a computer screen watching it all happen. It made her sick. Had she just watched Emily die? She didn't want to know. But she needed to know. She felt Derek's arm around her again, but this time he wasn't holding her back. He was holding her on her feet. She welcomed the support.

The entire team was meeting, but no one said anything. The silence was painful. But more than that - it was insulting. How could they just stand around and say nothing after what just happened?

"Did you see where she was shot?" JJ finally asked, putting an end to the silence. Penelope didn't answer her. "Is she alive or dead, Garcia?" She asked harshly. She didn't mean to snap - but there was a very good chance the love of her life was just murdered. How was she supposed to act?

"I don't know."

"She was wearing a vest. She might be okay." It was Strauss who said it. JJ's eyes flashed violently over to her boss. If looks could kill, that one might have been fatal.

"Might be," JJ repeated coldly. "We need to get inside."

"JJ, it's too risky. We don't have eyes in there anymore."

JJ dismissed Derek's rebuttal. She was done being diplomatic. She turned to Hotch, ignoring everyone else.

"Aaron…"

"Let's go in," he muttered. Strauss turned to him in surprise but JJ didn't care. She immediately left the room before they could change their minds.

It never got any less painful - getting shot. Her vest might have saved her life but she was sure she'd broken at least one rib again. And the bullet that ripped through her shoulder was oozing a stream of warm blood, ruining the shirt she was wearing. But more than anything - it hurt like hell. Emily groaned as a woman put pressure on her shoulder. She was thankful for the help, despite the pain.

"You gotta listen to me," Emily moaned through gritted teeth. "I need you to get a message to my girlfriend."

"No, no, you can tell her yourself when we get you out of here."

"Only I'm not getting out. You need someone to cause a distraction." Emily forced herself to her feet. As soon as the pressure was off her shoulder she felt a small gush of blood run down her arm. "Her name is Jennifer, and she's a federal agent. You tell her I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Don't you want to tell her you love her or something?"

"She already knows that."

Emily was getting dizzy. She knew this feeling. She was going to pass out soon from loss of blood. She closed her eyes to try to gain some control over the pain. She saw JJ. She was going to be pissed. Emily tried to imagine JJ's face as she got the message from Emily. What would her eyes look like? Would her hands shake? Would her lips tremble? Or would she be angry? Would she even accept Emily's apology?

Emily figured it was probably futile to wonder. She would never witness it anyway. Instead she conjured up images of her face. If she focused, it was almost like she could see her. The shimmer in her eyes. The smile on her face. Emily opened her eyes again when she felt a hand on her shoulder. The woman was leading her to the stairs. They went down for a long time. They must've been in some sort of sub-basement.

Emily pieced together what was about to happen only moments before the explosion. No time to warn anyone. No time to save any lives. She was knocked off her feet, landing painfully on her stomach where the bullet had hit her vest. It knocked the wind out of her chest just like the bullet had. She almost wished she had passed out - it would've been less painful. She was too woozy and disoriented to fight against the pair of robbers as they pulled her out of the bank. Her team probably thought she was dead. JJ probably thought she was dead. It was the one silver-lining when she had faked her death - at least JJ knew she was still alive.