Chapter 17 –

17:37pm Friday 18th November 2011

Hotch stood about a metre away from the door, unsure about what he was going to say when he entered the room and how the atmosphere would be between the two Prentiss women.

"Can I help you Sir?"

Hotch quickly turned around and saw a young female burse smiling at him, instinctively he reached and showed his credentials.

"Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, how is Amelia Prentiss doing?"

"Not too bad considering, she needs to rest and not be disturbed too much."

"How soon until she can be released?"

Hotch saw the confused look on the nurse's face so he quickly expanded.

"The woman in there with her is my colleague as well as being the victim's sister, we would like to take Amelia back home with us."

"Oh well you'd have to talk to her doctor, normally patients with her injuries stay in for about a week but it depends on the individual."

"Thank you very much."

"I'll get a message to the doctor that you wish to speak to her."

Hotch nodded his head as he finally moved the few steps towards the door and quietly opened it, smiling warmly as he entered. The sight of Emily, sleeping, her head resting on the edge of Milly's bed as her arm sprawled out over Milly's stomach, Hotch quickly turned around and stealthily left the two Prentiss women to get some rest.

06:18AM Saturday 19th November 2011

"You found her then?"

The booming voice vibrated around the small room, causing Emily and Milly to open their eyes and stare hard at the imposing figure standing at the foot of the bed.

"Dad?"

Milly's voice was a whisper as she clung tightly to Emily's hand.

"My god Amelia, look at the state of you, how much trouble did you manage to get yourself into this time?"

Colonel Prentiss placed his hands firmly on the end of the bed, the look of disdain clearly evident on his face as Emily quickly prised Milly's fingers off from hers and forcefully stood up.

"Take it easy Colonel."

Emily walked towards her father as the two of them stared hard as each other, the Colonel shaking his head as he waved his hand towards the bed.

"Look at her, got herself beaten up and now she's drugged up to the eyeballs."

"Stop it now!"

Emily's voice was low but forceful as her father turned and looked at her.

"You don't talk to me like that Emily Elizabeth Prentiss!"

Emily smiled as Colonel Prentiss shouted at her, she could see nursing staff approaching the room but she wanted to make sure Milly knew that she was serious yesterday, there was no going back to the Colonel for her.

"I don't know why YOU are here at all Colonel Prentiss, YOUR presence is unwanted and unnecessary, I suggest that you leave before I have you arrested!"

Emily got right into her father's face as she spoke, her voice was raised but she was not shouting and remained calm throughout the exchange. Colonel Prentiss took a breath as he looked at Milly who was wiping the tears from her face before he turned to look at Emily who had a steely determination in her eyes, he recognised the look as one she had gained from her mother as he took another deep breath.

"Fine, just don't expect any help."

Colonel Prentiss opened the door just as a security guard was walking towards him.

"Don't worry I'm leaving."

Emily closed her eyes, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the emotion of what had just happened finally dawning on her. Slowly Emily opened her eyes and puffed out her cheeks before she turned around and looked at Milly, a tired smile on her face.

"You ok?"

Milly nodded her head while Emily moved back over to the bed, sitting back down on the chair before she reached over and wiped the tears from Milly's face.

"He's really gone?"

"Looks that way, are you ok with that?"

Emily looked at her sister as she moved her hand to take a hold of Milly's, squeezing it tightly.

"Yeah, thank you Emily."

"Not a problem, wow that felt good, finally standing up to him after all these years."

Emily laughed softly as Milly smiled and nodded her head.

"Get some rest Milly, the doctor will be round soon to check on how you are doing."

"Maybe I can leave here?"

"Think it's a little early to be thinking like that but we can always ask."

Milly smiled before she laid her head back down on the pillow and closed her eyes once again.

06:42AM Saturday 19th November 2011

"Uurrrgghhh."

Hotch groaned as his cell rang and vibrated along the wooden bedside unit, he was expecting a nice lie in this morning, rather than being woken yet again by his phone.

"Hotchner."

Hotch made no attempt to hide the grogginess in his voice, the case was over, there was no need for anybody to be calling at this hour.

"Sorry to disturb you so early Agent Hotchner."

"Ambassador Prentiss?"

"Yes Agent Hotchner, sorry for the intrusion but my assistant has just informed me that Colonel Prentiss is back in the country, in Dallas to be precise."

"Oh."

"Yes, I know my ex-husband Agent Hotchner and how he treats his daughters."

Elizabeth's voice trailed off and Hotch caught the tinge of emotion that it contained.

"I'll go right to the hospital."

"Thank you Agent Hotchner, can you ask Emily to phone me when she has a moment."

"Of course ma'am and don't worry I am now leaving."

Hotch quickly ended the call, already he had pulled on a pair of jeans and slipped into some shoes while he had been on the phone to the Ambassador and it only took him fifteen seconds to pull on a sweater and grab his credentials and service weapon. Hotch picked up his keys before he left the room, deciding that he didn't have the time to rouse anyone else, he wanted to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, to protect Emily from any further pain and suffering.