DISCLAIMER : I do not own the Criminal Minds franchise, any character seen in the series is the sole property of the creators. No copyright infringement intended. Happy reading!
Guide to the story : anything in unbolded italics is a flashback, and anything in bold, straightfaced font is current.
Non Criminal Minds characters, this chapter (the ones I made up) : Prentiss + Morgan = Agent Diaper Rash ;D...i'm kidding! gosh i bet you thought i was serious...only Garcia would get away with that name...you'll figure out her name as you keep reading. The McAdam's family, and, Brian Cosgar, Paul, Samuel and Dr. Martin.
Extra TidBits That Might Have Some Benefits : In the show Emily Prentiss is like 41 years of age, but I made her a decade younger because...41 does seem kind of old to be popping out a kid...don't-chu-tink? So this would make Derek Morgan a year older than she is. And all the other characters will have three to five years taken off their age to be fair. Also in this chapter, the Salt Lake City junk/shindigs will be based off of the episode Minimal Loss in season 4 episode 3
"Lost In Paradise"
Chapter 2
{"Don't be afraid of the shadows...it only means there's a light nearby", -Amy Lee of Evanescence}
-Five Weeks After the Abduction and Rescue-
Walking through the familiar hallways of the BAU only refueled Emily's desire to catch the bad guys. Ever since her brush with death any capture of an unsub would be gratifying...especially if that unsub was Ian Doyle. He had been on the run since that night, he no longer taunted Emily but any sudden movement or sound made her want to duck or shy away. She, as Hotch put it, was the victim of a horrid abduction who almost lost her life due to sick intentions of a sociopath. But at night, if Derek wasn't by her side any shadow would move its place, she swore, a thousand times, even if it remained still. When she was alone in the bedroom the blinds were closed, she seldom left the warm comfort of familiarity of the bed where her good memories eminated like a solar flare. It didn't hurt anymore when her daughter would kick, so she would sit there for sometimes hours talking to her, and the baby would respond with little kicks as if to add to their what seemed to Emily, their two sided conversasions. Derek and Emily had gone over several name ideas, but none stuck like Trinity Lucille Morgan did. And as such an automatic and natural thing, they would refer to their daughter from now until the day they died as Trin.
As Emily walked up to her desk, she smiled. Her BAU family had organized it. Ultrasound pictures were neatly arranged to make sitting at the desk seem more like home. Pictures of her friends also dotted her desk and directly in the center of it all, a rather large basket of nothing but chocolate sat on a soft baby pink pillow. Emily picked up the card and read "So you're more comfortable sitting at your desk, a pillow just for the office so you don't have to lug that saggy excuse of one from home. With love; Garcia, Reid, Hotch, JJ, Rossi, Kevin, Will, and (most importantly) Morgan." A smile broke onto her face, they had taken time out of their busy schedules to make sure even the smallest detail was just right for Emily. As she took her place in her chair, the voices of her friends began to fill the hallways. Prentiss liked to be atleast 20mins early, even if she was in her second trimester of pregnancy it's a routine she would stick to. The familiarness of it made her relax. The only thing different would be the fact that she wouldn't be in the field helping catch the unsubs, she'd be confined to paperwork, interviewing victims and unsubs and helping organize briefings...she didn't mind, after all it was in the best interest of Trin.
"Well look who's here 20mins early like the overachiever she is! It's your turn to get the 'overachiever of the group' ribbon!" JJ only made Emily's smile even bigger and she thought it'd probably freeze in that position. "Welcome back Em! How're you feeling?" Sweet Garcia, instead of retreating to her computer room she wanted to spend time away from the technology that was her life to spend time with someone she considered a sister. "I feel great. No more pain. Thank you guys by the way. I think I um...I'm set for about 3 years on the chocolate, and that pillow is perfect!" One by one, they all gave her a welcome back hug, even Hotch, but the one that made her melt was Derek. He was wearing her favorite cologne of his, and the hug was firm, reassuring, but gentle at the same time. After their hugs, Reid had to be the one to ask what the baby's name would be. "Well, i've thought about it and I decided on Trinity Lucille...Trin for short." JJ smiled, "beautiful name Em...but...you still haven't answered one question...whose the lucky guy who managed to win you over?" The tone of her question was light, and loving but before she could answer she saw Derek's chest expand and flatten as he answered JJ's question. "I am. Emily and I have been together going on two years now, we just kept it secret..until now. Trinity Lucille Morgan, that'll be her name and damn it feels amazing to say it." The BAU's lead team was floored, their jaws dropped and their eyes as big as saucers...except for that genius everyone loves. "Pft, I knew that!" And in a comedic uproar the entire team rolled their eyes, and in unison "Oh Reid shut up, no you didn't!" Every one of them laughed, and soon work resumed as the first call was made, and to the breifing room they went, Derek for the first time walking by Emily's side, holding her hand. For the first time a huge weight was lifted off her chest, they didn't judge her and she didn't have to hide.
JJ and Prentiss quickly worked together and formulated a draft for the briefing. "You want to do it Em?" JJ looked over and smiled at her friend. "Sure thing JJ."
"Ok everyone, in Salt Lake City a family of 4 were found bound in cable, the parents, 40 year old Alexander McAdams lll and his wife 38 year old Lisa McAdam's throats having been apparently slashed with some sort of jagged knife, or a peice of metal. The children 8 year old Alexander Vl and 10 year old Kaitlyn were both suffocated. The youngest child 2 year old Amanda is missing and is believed to have been taken by a local radical polygamy sec." The briefing wasn't anything too new for Prentiss, she'd done it before but nothing in a while and the fact that two innocent children who had yet to live life had been senselessly murdered and one was still in jeopardy. "Alright crew, we're flying out in 2hrs" Hotch asserted to the agents. After everyone had cleared the room, Hotch was still going over extra details of the murders, and Emily took the oppurtunity to talk to her boss. "Hey, um, Hotch?" He looked up, his expression softening, "Yes Prentiss? Are you ok?" She nodded reassuringly, "Sir is it ok if I tagged along on this one? Just this one time I swear...every since that all happened, I'm uncomfortable without Derek around. I know that other agents are around, but even Garcia is going with you guys." Hotchner smiled and nodded, "As long as Derek doesn't mind you going. He'd probably be relieved more-so if you were in his sight. But Prentiss, are you sure you're up for this? This is your first day back after an extremely herowing ordeal." She nodded her understanding, "I'm ready for this sir, things happen, it's apart of the job of being an SSA, I knew and accepted that when I decided this would be my career." Hotchner smiled yet again and he reached in his pocket in handed Prentiss her FBI badge. "Welcome home Emily. Derek has your gun, when you're ready for it just get it from him." She nodded again "Thank you sir." As Prentiss got up to meet up with Derek, Hotch stopped her for a second. "You know Emily, you're started to waddle a little." They both laughed and Prentiss approvingly shook her head.
Derek and Emily arrived back to the BAU about 10mins before the plane took off from the runway behind the building, from the team's meeting point, it would only be a short walk. "How ya feeling Babygirl? You sure you're ready for this?" They paused walking, and faced each other. "Derek, I'm fine...I promise. I've been cleared by both Dr. Martin and my therapist." He smirked and gingerly placed his right hand above where Trin was making her presence known. "Derek, I promise I'm not going to break. I have the entire team behind my back every step of the way, most importantly you. That's all I need. Let's get on the plane."
-After Landing In Salt Lake City, and They're On the Way to the Compound After Investigating-
The sun hung high in the sky when the BAU team and local authorities made their way to the compund. JJ, Reid, Rossi, Hotch and Garcia riding in the first Chevy Tahoe and Morgan and Prentiss riding in the second. JJ lifted her walky-talky and spoke "Ok everyone, Brian Cosgar the leader of the compound has his followers believe he's a prophet, that any word he says is that from God himself. He has little Amanda and the compound has been led to believe she is the next carrier of the Messiah, they practically worship her. Cosgar had three men break into the McAdam's home and take her, at all costs. Rossi said that this will be handled as delicately as possible. We'll allow two agents in proclaiming they're seeking religious freedom...a couple...Morgan? Prentiss? You two in for this?" Derek looked from the road to Emily. "You up for this?" She nodded, "anything to help." He picked up his walky-talky and responded, "We're game." Morgan took Prentiss' hand and squeezed it gently, "I swear to you, I'll keep you safe."
As they pulled up to a location that would be unseen from the compound, Morgan and Prentiss switched to a beat up 1990's model Toyota and continued on to the gates. "Hotch, are you sure she's ready for this?" The nervousness in Reid's voice was unsettling, "She's ready. They won't harm a pregnant woman, they're considered the carriers of disciples of the next Messiah. If anything, they'll offer food the second she walks in."
Unconciousness slowly dwindled and Emily opened her eyes to a blinding light from a spot-lamp. "Good morning Lauren...or should I say Emily. Sleep well?" She was tied to a chair, hands behind her back, her chest seething with pain from the clover brand Doyle had left the previous day. "Pl...Please Ian, please I'm pregnant." He smirked, "Anything you want, anything! I'll give it to you if you let me go, please." She was begging him now, within a blink of an eye a swift punch was laid on her jaw. "What I want, is you, in a box, 6ft under the ground feeding the worms. I was beat and tortured everyday in North Korea because of you!" In a move that defied everything else he had done, he placed a hand over Prentiss' rounded stomach that she had hidden under a jacket. "Ah, so you are now aren't you? Tell me, when you executed my son was it gratifing?" His stare was cold, and filled with dark intentions. He had untied her, believing she was too weak to fight back. "Just because I held a gun to him, doesn't mean I killed him. I loved Declan, you know that. It had to be done so other people who were out to get him would think he's dead so he'd be safe." Doyle grabbed her hair, yanking her out the chair and offering a kick to her abdomen. "He's alive!" When Prentiss regained her feet, they fought. She hadn't weakened as Doyle speculated. In a final move, Prentiss grabbed a wooden stake and began beating him with it. A blasting from the hallway caught both of their attentions and the familiar voice yelling "FBI!", Doyle took advantage of the distraction and grabbed the stake causing them to roll and Prentiss landed on it, him leaving her for dead.
Emily subconciously moved her free hand over her stomach as memories of that night replayed in her mind. She could've lost the most precious gift in the world, Trin was truly a miracle. After her abortion at age 15, she was told having children would be nearly impossible, having just one child would be a blessing, but two nearly unfathomable. Emily was thankful, for this first time in a while she visited the local Catholic church and sat in the second pue, looking up at the crucifix of Jesus and thanked him for the baby she was carrying. Emily hadn't told her mother for fear of judgement once again. After she confessed of the first pregnancy, their already small relationship thinned and to tell her again that her only child was yet again unmarried and pregnant would send her strict Catholic mother over the edge.
"Em, baby you ready?" She nodded as guards stopped them at the gates, one walking up to the driver's side, the other standing ground at the gate's latch with a semi-automatic uzzi. "What do you want?" His voice was monotone, and he glanced over at Prentiss. "We'd like to seek refuge, and join the congregation." The guard nodded at the one with the gun and he opened the gates allowing them passage. "You'll be looking for Brian...Brian Cosgar, he's the leader of this here place. You folks married?" Simultaneously they raised their left hands showing the fake wedding rings. "Alright now, my name is Paul and you just have to follow Samuel up there to the main building." Derek nodded, "Thank you sir." He followed the Samuel guy as instructed and looked back over at Emily. "Well that was easier then expected." He pressed a button that was almost undistinguishable on his belt buckle that conntected his and Emily's unnoticeable ear pieces. "Hotch, we're in...fairly easily." Hotch picked up his ear piece at the voice of his collegue. "Alright now, just act like a casual couple seeking solice and safety with Cosgar and let him eat up his prophetic image. Emily, if at anytime you feel unsafe, you know what to do. The team will be coming in during the night and placing bugs, but they'll be leaving as quickly as they came. Clear?" "Clear Hotch."