CHAPTER 6

"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." John Wooden

"Hey Derek." Emily smiled at the dark man as she strode into the bullpen.

"Morning Princess!" He grinned, looking up from his neat desk, white teeth shining. "Sleep well last night?"

"Oh you wish!" She laughed. She set her coffee down on her desk, smirking as she remembered what else she laid on that same desk the night before. The tall agent sat down to start flicking through case files. Someone walked quickly past her.

"Hey Garcia." She greeted the computer tech.

"Oh, Em. Hi!" Turning, Garcia squirmed underneath an arm-full of files. She smiled broadly but nervously. She knew it looked fake… and creepy. Most definitely creepy.

"Do you want help with those?" Emily began to get up. She was eyeing the blonde curiously.

"NO! No, its ok! Thanks!" She spotted Ashley coming through the doors of the bullpen. "Young Seaver will help me!"

Ashley heard her name mentioned and walked briskly towards the two. Before she could speak, Garcia dumped the files onto her chest. "Lets go, Cadet!" Her words were firm, commanding.

"Uh…Ok then." Ashley glanced at Emily. The brunette smirked and waved at her, deliberately displaying her long fingers. The young blonde wasn't sure how she stayed standing. She turned on her heels and trotted after the techie.

Letting Ashley into the computer room, Garcia closed the door behind them.

"Just leave them on the floor by my chair, thanks." She muttered. The youngster did as instructed.

"Anything else?" She smiled.

"Stand there for a minute." The blonde pointed towards the middle of the room. When Ashley stood still, Garcia began to circle her. She walked behind her.

Suddenly she grabbed the end of Ashley's shirt and pulled it upwards to reveal the long scrawls down her back. The tech gasped and her hands covered her mouth.

"Hey!" The cadet shouted in surprise. She leaped away, pulling her shirt to cover herself.

"Oh my Xenaverse….what has Emily done to you?" She wasn't expecting to see such deep cuts.

"Nothing…she loves me." Ashley defended her mentor.

"Look sweetie. I was here last night. I heard everything. I chose not to watch because that would be way too weird but you have to listen to me. Emily Prentiss does not love you. Her heart is breaking because of somebody else's wrong-doings. If this continues, both of you will end up hurt. You both could be in a lot of trouble. I normally don't resort to blackmail but Emily is my friend. I can help her. I just need you to stop providing yourself to her. If she tries anything on with you again, you call me straight away. Promise me?" Garcia was pleading with her. She desperately wanted to get her runaway-train of a friend back onto the right tracks.

"Ok, I promise." The young agent felt her heart sink, but knew she couldn't win this. Keeping her head down, she turned to leave. "Please don't tell Agent Hotchner."

"I wont unless this happens again." Garcia sat down on her swivel chair. "And put some manuka honey on those cuts. Believe me, I know from experience!" She smiled warmly at Ashley. She didn't want to be cold or harsh with the youngster. She really did like her.

Ashley nodded her thanks and shut the wooden door after her. Garcia sighed. "Now its war-time." She said aloud. She picked up her Blackberry and began writing a text message.

"My office. U only. V important. NOW." She clicked send and waited in dread for what would come next.

A/N: Im debating whether to include a mention of self-harm RE: Emily. Let me know what you think. Thanks!