Heal Me
Sometimes, to fix the broken, you have to break the rules.
Author Note: The showdown is here! Also I hereby dedicate this chapter to Rosajean and hxchick for their continuing lovely reviews! Sorry it took so long I wanted this chapter to be perfect! Also my hard-drive crashed so I had to wait for my mate to restore it :( But it's all fixed now :)
. . .
Chapter 10
"Red Alert, I repeat Red Alert!"
"FBI agent in the building?"
"Emily Prentiss"
"Let's keep this clean gentlemen"
Colours blurred together in Dave's vision, sound reduced itself to a low hum. Slowly, a broken man in an empty shell, he fiddled with the straps of his safety vest for lack of something to do. He was slightly away from the group, lost in deep thought. He took a moment to observe the actions of his friends, what was left of them. Hotch was ordering S.W.A.T around, a grim look on his face. Morgan and Reid stood off to one side, not speaking but both tight lipped. JJ was muttering on the phone, probably trying to calm Garcia down. Seaver, pale faced and seemingly numb, moved to join him.
"Dave?"
"Yes?" he croaked, battling the shakiness in his voice.
Seaver's eyes were swimming with tears and Dave was hit by a sudden impulse to reach out for her. His fingers brushed against her porcelain skin, but there was no electricity like there was whenever he touched Emily. He sighed.
"What are we going to do if she's . . ." she trailed off.
"It will not come to that" Rossi muttered darkly. He looked sharply at Seaver. "When Emily left my condo that night I promised myself that if anyone were to die it was Doyle. He's hurt too many people for my liking"
"But . . ."
"But nothing" Rossi heaved. "I won't lose her a second time"
With that said he stalked away from a shaking Seaver, biting his own lip to keep from crying. They were standing in the industrial area surrounded by heavy machinery, a mere half an hour drive from the Williamsburg city. There, inside one of those large warehouses, was his Emily. Dave groaned deeply, it simply was torture to obey Hotch's orders and not go hunting Doyle on his own. He knew that Morgan was having trouble following very similar instructions.
"I don't care if I have to hand-cuff you Dave. You need to stay with us. If you in there alone Doyle can and will kill you, then Emily"
Rossi let out a snort. How could Hotch expect him to sit around here waiting for Doyle to kill Emily? He knew that was what would happen if he left them alone any longer. Gods, why Emily? Why did it have to be his tesora? Why oh bloody why?Wasn't it enough that he had to deal with Erin Strauss, evil bloodsucking demon, every day that he had to also come so close to losing Emily for the second time in six months?
"Fuck you God" he muttered under his breath.
He turned his head to glance at his team, milling in front of the warehouse. Garcia had worked her usual magic, enhancing the feed so they could discern the exact location that Doyle was hiding out in. Further digging had revealed Doyle was hiding in a factory that made machinery. Garcia had also revealed that, with the exception of two other men, Doyle appeared to be working alone. All his former goons were dead or in jail. Better for them really, Rossi reflected, they wouldn't be burdened with Doyle after his attack on a federal agent.
"Rossi"
"What Morgan?" Rossi snapped, turning to face Morgan.
The darker man narrowed his eyes but appeared to wave off Rossi's affronted tone. "Something's off man" he said waspishly. "Why would it be so easy to find Doyle? He'd want as much time as possible to have his – his way with Em"
"Point?" Rossi snapped waspishly. Hearing Morgan theorise his worst fears allowed made him a little tense.
"It's almost too easy" Morgan frowned.
Rossi's head snapped up so quickly he felt his neck grind in protest. Morgan had a point. "I see" he murmured. "But having said that I believe he is here. He would want us to find. . ." he trailed off.
Morgan nodded, understanding in a heartbeat before heaving a resigned sigh. The dark agent cast a surreptitious glance over his shoulder, searching for something. He turned back to Rossi, raised an eyebrow and jerked his head. Rossi gaped at Morgan – was he actually suggesting that . . .? Morgan's steely gaze made his mouth drop open, he was certain it nearly hit the floor. He was serious.
With that last jaw dropping thought Rossi turned and snuck away from his team, betraying Hotch's orders for the first time in his life – all for Emily.
. . .
Her hands were starting to numb now. Doyle had moved her to a more open area of wherever he was holding her. She was bound tightly to a steel chair, placed square in the middle of the room. Emily's hold body ached; the cuts still bled, her joints ached and her head was thumping, as though someone was jackhammering her skull. She moaned loudly, hoping Doyle would hear and come back, just so she could rile him some more. Despite the fact she was hoping that the others would find her soon, she wanted to antagonise Doyle as much as possible – annoy him, get under his skin. Serves him right.
She wondered where his henchmen were. Most of the Irish mobs, including Valhalla, had been hunted down rigorously by Interpol after her death she knew. Many of Doyle's friends, a term used lightly, were either dead or imprisoned. Given his notoriety for killing an FBI agent mobs would not be jumping for him to join them. She supposed he was working alone, with maybe one or two idiots he'd paid off to help secure the place. Emily frowned; Doyle was hopefully feeling the pressure and would make a mistake. So far, no luck for her bonds were tight and unbreakable.
She sighed. She hoped Dave was obeying her pleads to stay away. If Doyle even suspected that they – well he would kill Dave on the spot. Emily knew herself well enough to know that seeing Dave die was something she would not be able to handle.
Stay away, she plead silently. David if you have any sense just stay away, leave Doyle to kill me. To stay alive you need to stay away.
Her eyes were heavy, she was tired – oh Gods she was so tired. All of this was getting to be too much to bear. Tears stung at her eyes and she forced them open, blinking back the salty buds. No crying! Rule number one when you were an Interpol agent; however past that was, it was to never cry – even in the face of a situation such as this. A silent curse brought her crashing back from her thoughts and her eyes widened as she made out a solid shadow, sliding gracefully along the large packing crates. That hairline looked so familiar that her heart nearly wrenched itself through her rib cage, pounding so hard that she felt sure the whole world could hear it.
When she caught her first glimpse of Dave she felt her resolve shatter. Once she was free she was going to string him up and beat the crap out of him, and then kiss him senseless. The stupid idiot was going to get himself killed! But at the same time, Dave's solid shoulders and wide, shining eyes drew her in. His expression was a twisted mess of happiness, pain and pure love.
"Emily?" he whispered hoarsely.
"Dave?" her voice shook terribly, she had missed him so much and here he was.
"Oh cara" he whispered and started towards her.
"Make one more move and I kill her" Doyle's high voice rang out.
Emily's head whipped around so fast she heard her neck crick. Doyle stood threateningly to her left, a rifle aimed squarely at Dave's chest. Out the corner of her eye she saw Dave draw his Glock and aim for Doyle's head. No!
"I must say" Doyle went on smoothly. "I was surprised to see you here – of all people. I thought that the charming Agent Morgan would deign to rescue Lauren"
"Her name is Emily" Dave said calmly.
"Really? How many lies did she feed you?" Doyle asked. "How much bullshit did you believe?"
"I never told him any lies" Emily snapped. "You knew it would happen Ian. The only way to bring you down was to hurt your feelings. I tried to give you a chance to make it right! I gave you the chance to save yourself, and Declan! But you had to be a sociopath about it and try to model your son to be just as sick and twisted as you are"
"Don't!" Doyle shouted, pulling off the safety with an echoing click. "Do not remind me of the way I lost my dignity Lauren. Or so help me I will take yours"
"You have no dignity" Emily spat, in a blind rage.
"Shut up!"
"Eyes on me Doyle" Dave cut in. "Ignore her" he seemed to praying for sanity. "Listen to me. If you come with me now your sentence won't be as bad. I'll tell the court you cooperated. Put the rifle down and we can talk about this"
"I'm past talking Agent . . .?"
"Rossi"
"I'm done talking with anyone. You, Agent Rossi, are going to watch Lauren die right here. Then I'm going to let you live with the guilt of knowing you could have saved her but didn't. You will be the one to tell your team what you did and how you could have saved her" Doyle said hotly, a manic gleam settling in his eyes.
"How did you find Emily?" Dave asked, Emily knew he was stalling. The idiot had clearly come alone and was stalling Doyle until the others arrived. Brilliant.
"Simple enough task really" Doyle snapped, a grin pulling across his face.
"What are you on about?" Emily asked.
Doyle smiled and whistled. "Love I'd like to introduce you to the person that helped me get you" he sneered.
A petite woman appeared from around the corner and it was with cold, dead eyes that she observed Emily. The brunette felt her heart unclench and swan dive into the soles of her feet, bile speeding up through her throat. This was – impossible! She'd taken so much care!
"Alice?" she croaked, shock reverberating through her voice.
The blonde tossed her pretty head, an arrogant smile affixed to her face. Her eyes, which were once sparkling with a bright humour that had attracted Emily before, were now filled with a cold hard steel that only intensified the sick feeling that was encircling her stomach, a threatening hand squeezing her insides for all it was worth.
"Hello Lauren" Alice replied coolly.
"Alice" Emily breathed painfully. "How could you?"
"Ian rescued me from a life of horror" Alice spat venomously. She ran her fingers through her hair, the digits catching on the knots and tangles. "I was a druggie – living on the streets. Ian took me in and showed that my life could be so worse. He told me all about you Lauren! How could you do that to someone who showed me that life was worth fighting for?"
"Alice you don't get –"
"Shut up!" she shrieked. "You stole from Ian – you took his son"
Emily fought anger. It wasn't going to help any situation. "And did he tell you then – what he wanted his son for?" she hissed.
"There is nothing wrong with wanting to raise your son in such a way that makes you happy" Alice snapped stubbornly, turning away from Emily. The blonde's eyes caught on Dave and flared ever so slightly before flying back to Emily, asking a silent question. Emily inclined her head only slightly before glaring at the blonde.
. . .
Rossi saw the pain cross over Emily's face and he knew almost instantly, as always whenever he looked at her he could see everything by just looking into her eyes, that this woman (Alice, Emily called her) had betrayed Emily. He frowned but instantly covered it over, he needed to maintain focus. So far it appeared Doyle didn't know about him and Emily – it was safer for Emily that it stayed that way. His grip tightened on his Glock, making sure he had a clear view on Doyle's head. He needed to put the bullet straight between Doyle's eyes, end him for good. But Doyle's rifle was better, therefore he'd be dead before he'd hit the ground. Rossi didn't plan on dying just yet.
"It's all over for you Doyle" Rossi spoke up. "My team is on their way. It's five of us plus S.W.A.T against the two of you. Think this through"
"I think you should shut your mouth before I get Alice to put a bullet through Lauren's head" Doyle spat.
Rossi shut his mouth but pulled the safety off. "Don't be stupid" Alice hissed.
"Alice please" Emily begged. "Don't do this. Doyle isn't who he tells you is – he's caused the deaths of innocent people"
Alice pulled her own gun, a small semi-automatic. "Don't" she hissed. "Or I swear to God I'll kill you myself"
"Now love" Doyle chastised. "Play nice"
"Doyle" Rossi snapped. "Eyes on me. I understand believe me. I've had to live the last six months telling my team that Emily was dead. It's because of her that I've been hurting. It's all her fault! I've had to watch the people I care about most in the world suffer in the most terrible way. I've watched Hotch struggle with guilt and Morgan struggle even more having been the one to watch her 'die'
"I've had to lie to an apprentice who has a very dear meaning to me – I pretty much raised her after her father was arrested. Watching the smartest man I know crumble under the pressure that Emily being gone has placed on him has been torture. The brightest, happiest woman I know is constantly teary eyed and struggling. So believe me when I tell you – I know what Emily can do"
Forgive me bella, Rossi thought as he put out all the poisonous thoughts. For none of this is intentional. You are everything bella and I'm only saying this to gain Doyle's trust. Forgive me cara mia.
He saw the arrow of pain ricochet through Emily's eyes. He braced himself and stared into her eyes, trying to put his apology into his eyes. She stared balefully back at him, tears dancing behind the irises. She blinked once, twice and then a third time, nodding a fraction. Rossi felt the guilt lift, but only slightly. Having to hurt her, even to save her, cut him deeply.
"She has that effect on people" Doyle said softly.
"She rarely notices how much she hurts people. I doubt she even knows how much we've suffered in the past six months" Rossi spat, keeping the venom from his voice.
"Indeed" Doyle spat. "She thinks only of herself. She took my son from me! All I want is my son back and her dead – that is all I require"
"Do you think killing her is going to fix this?" Rossi queried. "Believe me we've all thought about it. Killing Emily didn't take away the hurt she brought about. Her being dead didn't take away the pain"
Emily whimpered. "Dave" she pleaded.
"Hush now Lauren" Alice cooed.
"Agent Rossi and I are having a nice chat" Doyle purred.
Emily began to struggle against her bonds again, a tear sliding down her cheek. "Leave him Doyle! You have me! Kill me!" she screamed. "Let him go Doyle"
"Do you think I'm going to walk away now Emily?" Rossi asked, turning his eyes on her again. "The only way I'm leaving is with you"
Alice's gun hand wavered. "Come on Alice" Rossi said, staring at the shaking blonde. "Don't ally yourself with Doyle. I'm sure the D.A is willing to cut you a deal. Both of you" he finished turning to Doyle.
"I told you before Agent Rossi. Lauren is going to be leaving here in the coroner's van. And I will be walking out of here to find my son" Doyle said.
"I won't let you" Rossi snapped, losing his patience.
"Why does it matter to you?" Doyle hissed. "I thought you were mad at her – why would you want to save her?"
"Because" Rossi sighed. "Despite the past six months and her actions I've come to care for Emily in such a way that requires me to be less than platonic"
"Dave" Emily began.
"And I believe – no I know – that she feels the same" Rossi finished, steeling his gaze against Doyle's growing rage which passed like a thunder cloud over his sharp blue eyes.
"You filthy, dirty bitseach!" he growled and fired.
. . .
He watched in slow motion as the bullet ripped through the layer of skin, tearing cartilage and splitting muscle. Blood flew into the air, dancing with the atmosphere like a crimson silk scarf. Panic gripped around his heart, a cold dead hand squeezing at the large muscle. He could hear himself calling her name, screaming for absolution. The bullet tore through Emily's stomach, and she folded – a house of cards falling in slow motion, and the chair fell over, sending her crashing to the floor. Alice screamed.
"Julie! No!"
"Emily!" Rossi heard himself bellow, just as another shot echoed through the room.
He turned, in time to see Doyle shudder. A bright, crimson hole dotted the centre of his forehead and his eyes widened. He turned to face Emily's crumpled form as he fell to his knees, rasping for air.
"Lauren – tell Declan I love him" he whispered.
Ian Doyle moved no more. Rossi spared no other glance at the man who had ripped Emily from his life, instead choosing to rush to the side of the writhing woman on the floor. His fingers, clumsy with sweat and panic, slipped slightly as he untied the electrical cable and freed her hands. She was crying with pain and he pulled her limp form against his body, shielding her view of Doyle's corpse.
"Emily – cara mia" he whispered. "Stay awake love – just stay awake"
"David Rossi" Emily hissed, staring at him through dull eyes. "I am going to roundhouse kick your ass – you walked in here without backup"
He chuckled sadly, blinking back tears. "Well at least your awake" he whispered, dropping a kiss on her forehead. "Just hold on bella medics are on their way"
"I missed you so much Dave" she sighed, eyes fluttering.
"I know I missed you" he whispered frantically. "Keep your eyes open, eyes on me!"
"Dave?"
Hotch's voice barely registered on his radar. He threw a quick glance over his shoulder to observe the scene. Morgan was standing over Doyle's body, a quiet rage settling in his eyes. Seaver leant against Reid, shaking with unshed tears. Hotch himself appeared to grappling for words. He could not tell who had fired the killing shot.
"Ambulance is waiting" Hotch whispered finally, before turning away.
Rossi nodded and slid a free hand into his pocket to grasp Emily's key. He dug it out and slid the chain over her head. She gasped as the cool metal brushed her skin but her eyes flared in morning glory as she took in the key.
"You kept it" she hissed, weary from pain.
"How could I not?" Rossi asked, tightening his grip.
"Dave I need to tell you –" she whispered, voice fading.
"No" he said, panic setting in. "No, no, no Emily don't you do this to me! Not now! Not after six freaking months! Stay with me cara, stay with me. Please – just stay with me!"
"I hear you" she whispered. "I hear you"
Rossi barely let his breath out as the medics rushed in, a blur of pale white and fluorescent green. He could hear them telling him to let her go and all he managed was to release her body. His hand remained wrapped tightly around hers.
"You're coming home now Emily" he said quietly. "You're coming home"
. . .
Author Note:
Well – that took a while. I apologise for the length! Hands up who was expecting Alice to have a hand in it? Well her role isn't quite finished yet – you'll learn more next update! I promise :)
Also I'd like to ask a favour. Send me a private message with your bet on who shot Doyle in the end! The winner will get the next chapter dedicated to them! Good luck all!
Much love
Rusty
xx