Chapter 13

A/N: I want to thank everyone for reading this fanfic. I've been having some trouble with the story lately. The problem; I didnt plan. We were always taught to plan our stories before we write them, and I made the fatal mistake. Hence, the delayed uploads, characters being out of character etc etc. This story is nearly complete. One more chapter, I would think. I'll be writing one-shots for a while then, to give my head a break! I hope you've enjoyed this so far! x

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Havelock Ellis

1 month later….

Emily tried in vain to slow her pulse. Gnawing at her fingernails, she stood in front of the mahogany door that led to the condo.

"Breathe, Emily, breathe." She muttered to herself. "Why am I waiting?" She'd forgotten how long she had been standing there for. Not doing anything, just, waiting. She reached outwards and knocked slowly. There came no response. She tried again, this time a little harder. Once more, there was no reply.

She hesitantly turned and walked dejectedly down the narrow hallway.

"Emily?" The agent's heart skipped a beat.

"Yeah, it's me." She turned to face Ashley. "I would like to talk to you, if you'd let me?"

"Sure thing. Come in, please." Emily, ever the profiler, didn't fail to notice the cadet hesitate slightly. It pained her to think she had caused this mistrust.

It was a beautiful apartment. Spacious. The kitchen and living area only separated by an elegant grey marble island.

"You can sit down." Ashley indicated towards a tall white stool next to the island. Emily did as instructed, unwilling to agitate her cadet. She inhaled deep before speaking.

"Ashley, I…I wanted to apologise. I should never have treated you the way I did. It was selfish. Although I can explain, nothing will ever excuse what I did to you." Her hands shook as she spoke.

"Shhsh. It's okay. I know you're sorry. But I have to say, it takes two to tango. I'm just as guilty in all of this. I'm sorry that I didn't help you sooner." She smiled at her mentor, reaching out to stroke one of her scarred forearms. "How have you been recently? I haven't seen you in a month."

"I have been getting help - seeing a counsellor. But it's not just about the cutting; it's about a girl too." Emily couldn't look Seaver in the eye. She really did not want to hurt this girl anymore than she already had.

"I know, Em. It's Jj. It's always been Jj. Do you still love her?" The cadet smiled warmly.

"How did you know? And yeah, I still love her. I never stopped."

"I knew from the first time I mentioned her name to you. You flew off the handle, I figured she must be significant. I never met her until I came in to see you at the hospital. She's very beautiful, and she cares for you too. Are you two together now?

"She gave me some space to sort things out, but she's been around because she's coming back to the BAU. We actually have a date tonight. Call it a reconciliation, or an apology." More shaking, more nerves.

"Wow, this is some night for you. All that seeking forgiveness?"

"I am really sorry, Ashley." Emily fiddled with her hands.

"I know, Em. It's okay. Just look after yourself. You're strong enough to move on, and Jj loves you enough to forgive you."

The blonde wrapped Emily in a warm embrace. She really had forgiven her mentor. She understood everything. That didn't mean it hadn't hurt at the time, but now she could move on.

As Emily closed the condo's door behind her, she realised how close Jj's forgiveness and her life moving on were.

She had better now screw it up again.