Saturday morning Emily is in the living room making notes on some of the intercepted messages her new task force has come to possess. Somewhere in these rambling messages is the plan that is to be carried out against the Houses of Congress. More than once Emily has wished Reid was there to help her decipher these letters.

"I never quite realized just how well we work together," she mumbles to herself.

She stretches her neck, taking the brief break to glance over at Rocky, who had fallen asleep while playing with her barnyard activity center. Emily smiles as she remembers JJ lying on the floor of the playroom, acting out the sounds as the little girl had giggled. When she had spoken to her wife the night before she could hear how tired JJ was. And Emily knew it was from more than the case. She sighs, hating what she's putting her wife and loved ones through but knowing she has a ways to go before she can make her amends with them.

She has just turned her attention back to the papers in front of her when the doorbell rings, immediately followed up by an intense pounding. She shoves the classified papers in her briefcase and tucks it between the couch and the end table. She hurries to the door as the pounding starts again, hoping it doesn't wake Rocky. She rips the door open.

"WHAT?" She yells then stands mouth agape when she realizes who is visiting her.

"Close your mouth, Emily," Elizabeth Prentiss says as she brushes past her daughter into the house.

It still takes a moment for Emily to recover. She finally closes the door and follows her mother to the living room. Elizabeth is squatting down, running her hand over her sleeping granddaughter. She smiles as Rocky coos in her sleep.

"Does she always do that?" the elder Prentiss asks.

"Yes," Emily says with a proud smile. "Since she was a baby. She's our little love bug."

Elizabeth slowly stands and turns to her daughter. "Ours?" she questions.

Emily sits on the arm of the couch, her arms crossed in front of her. "Yes, ours. Mine and Jen's."

"Have you two made up?"

Emily looks away. "I…we have…we're…I'm working on it."

"How can you be working on it when you're only here since she's away? I know you haven't released the suite," she responds accusingly.

Emily nearly yells but manages to catch herself when her eyes catch a glimpse of Rocky on the floor. She takes a steadying breath.

"Mother. Kitchen. Now."

She storms out, the rage that had been stilling within her starting to boil once more. Why the hell doesn't her mother just butt the fuck out? In the kitchen, Emily turns to her mother.

"Mother, I know you get reports from somebody at the FBI. But I swear you have no fucking clue what really went down this last case or in Long Island. So just back off with the disapproval. I don't need the snide comments. I don't need the condescension. And I sure as fuck don't need your fucking disapproval. You don't know what the hell is going on so just fucking drop it," she says bitterly.

Elizabeth is beyond shocked. Often she and Emily had butted heads. But never before had her daughter spoken to her with such fury in her voice and such hatred in her eyes. Elizabeth takes an uneasy step back, wondering for a moment if Emily might hit her.

"Honey…talk to me. What is going on? What has you so…so hurt inside?" she says with uncharacteristic motherly concern.

Tears of anger, shame and fear well in Emily's eyes. "Back. Off. Mother. Just drop it."

"No! There was a time I might have dropped it. There was a time I might have just walked away and pretended not to care. I like to think I have changed since then." She steps towards her daughter. "And there was a time you'd run from me; hide when you could have used my help. I'd like to think you have changed, too. Please, Emily, let me in. Maybe I can help you if you let me."

Emily is shaking, the walls she is trying to construct starting to fracture. "What if…if you can't?" she whispers weakly. "What if…if you try and you can't? Then what the fuck do I have left, Mother? I can't lose you, too."

"Too? Honey, you have not lost Jennifer."

"You don't know that."

"I do know that," Elizabeth insists. "You have not lost her. You've just…just lost your way. I'm throwing you a lifeline, Emily. Take it. Please."

Emily is confused and scared. Elizabeth wants to pull her into a hug but knows it would most likely drive her daughter away. Just when it looks like Emily might open up the confrontation is interrupted.

"Mama!"

Emily pushes past her mother. "Coming, Rocky."

She hurries into the living room, thankful for her daughter waking up at that moment. She forces a smile to her face as the little girl meets her in the foyer.

"Hey, Sweet Girl. You're as impatient as me, aren't you," she says as she squats down and lifts her up.

She pulls her close, nuzzling Rocky's neck and making the girl giggle. Emily smiles, this time it is not forced. Regardless of what's going on in her head, the love she has for her children has not wavered.

"I love you, Rocky."

"Love Mama!"

Elizabeth watches from the kitchen doorway. She sees Emily's body calm just from this quick interaction with the little one. She steps closer.

"Hello, Roxanne."

Rocky gets excited and reaches for her grandmother. Emily smiles and passes her daughter to her mother. As Elizabeth smiles and talks to the little babbling girl Emily just studies them. She is again reminded of how much her mother gave up for her job. Could Emily inadvertently be walking that same path? How many times can you have close calls before one finally ends you, either mentally or physically? What happens if she builds up the walls so tall, so thick not even her children can get through?

Elizabeth is watching Rocky when from the corner of her eye she sees Emily turn away quickly. She glances over and sees Emily is shaking again.

"Emily?" No answer. "Emily, are you okay?"

Emily runs down the hall to the bathroom and loses her breakfast. Elizabeth follows slowly, not wanting Rocky to see her mother in that state.

"Emily, can I get you anything?"

"No," Emily answers, her voice quavering. "Just…take care of Rocky."

"I will. I promise. I'll take her into the playroom."

Once Emily hears them in there she stands and splashes some water on her face and rinses out her mouth. She looks at herself in the mirror, seeing the dark circles under her eyes and her drawn cheeks.

"No wonder Mother stopped the lecture. You look like death warmed over, Prentiss," she scolds herself softly.

She walks out of the bathroom and goes to the playroom. She watches the two brunettes playing for a moment. The ambassador finally looks up. Emily swallows and takes a chance.

"Maybe…when she naps…we can talk?" she asks nervously.

Elizabeth smiles and nods. "Perfect. Why don't you go lay down for a little while? You look like you need some sleep."

"I'll…I'll try. Thank you, Mother."

Emily goes up the bedroom and crawls into bed. She starts to scratch Sergio. The cat immediately starts to purr and twist around, making sure Emily hits all the right spots. Emily smiles at him.

"You sure have it easy, Serg. Just lie around all day, eat, find another spot to sleep in, eat some more. Not a worry in the world."

As if in response to that assessment, Alaska hops up on the bed. Sergio give a warning hiss, making sure the dog stays towards the foot of the bed. Emily chuckles.

"Okay, maybe one worry." She gives Sergio a kiss on the head. "Love you, Serg." She reaches down and pats Ska's head. "Love you, too, Ska. Your buddy will be home tomorrow. Something tells me you two will be a little on the wild side for a couple hours. Don't worry, I understand. But you better believe you'll first meet up with Henry outside so when you start to pee everywhere I won't have to clean it up."

Alaska rolls over on his back, his mouth open as if he is smiling in agreement. Emily chuckles and closes her eyes, hoping to get a few minutes of sleep not interrupted by nightmares.

Emily feels a gentle kiss on her cheek. She opens her eyes and sees ice blue eyes and a big smile. She grins.

"Hi, Rocky."

"Mama! Love!"

Now that her mother is awake, Rocky pounces. Emily laughs and rolls over with her, cuddling her close as Rocky gives her as big a hug as an almost 1-year old can. Emily happily returns it. After a moment she looks to the end of the bed to see Elizabeth standing there, smiling.

"Hi. Nap time?" Emily asks.

Elizabeth nods. "Well, it was at least. She was acting tired. Thought we'd come in to wake you for a lullaby but it looks like she has her second wind."

Emily grins. "Never underestimate the power of song, Mother."

Emily pulls her daughter close and starts to sing. Rocky tucks her head down into the crook of her mother's neck. She tucks her hands between them and sighs contentedly. Elizabeth smiles as the little one drifts off in Emily's arms. Emily kisses her daughter's head.

"I love you, Rocky," she whispers.

Elizabeth walks over and reaches for her. "I'll go put her in the crib. How about you clean up a bit and we'll talk."

Emily sighs in resignation. "I guess…there's no getting out of this talk?"

"Emily…please…let me be your mom for once. Please?" Elizabeth requests sincerely.

Emily, a bit choked up, just nods. A few minutes later the Prentiss women meet up in the bedroom once more. Emily sits on the bench at the end of the bed as Elizabeth takes the recliner. Emily isn't sure how to start so she…just starts with a question.

"Did your source tell you about the…the sexual attacks on me?" she asks quietly.

Elizabeth starts. Emily isn't sure what her mother had been expecting but this was definitely not it.

"Sex…sexual…you were raped?" she responds nervously.

"Almost. Twice recently. Other times, too, but these last two were the worst."

"Other times?" Elizabeth nearly shrieks. "How many other times, Emily?" Emily doesn't answer. "For Heaven's sakes, Emily, please tell me," she begs.

Emily takes a deep breath. She stands and starts to pace. "Twice in my Interpol days. Killed one bastard before he could do it. The other guy…well…he lived but he'll never use is dick to rape another woman," she says bitterly, remembering that event.

"Oh my God," Elizabeth mutters.

"And then…when the team went to Denver. Well, not the whole team. Jen and Morgan were in Afghanistan. The unsub got a hold of me. Threatened to kill Rocky if I didn't go with him. Said he couldn't wait to fuck a pregnant chick. But the team found me before he could. Those times…all three of those times, I could just accept it was the job. I don't know why but I could." She stops and stares out the window into the backyard. It was finally time to show her mother the brand. "When Doyle captured me to…to replace Declan he came to realize he could only have me…have Lauren if he raped Emily. He couldn't do it. For whatever reason he couldn't rape women. Maybe it was his one redeeming quality." She takes a deep breath. "But he could let his men rape women. And when that happened he needed to make sure they remembered who owned the woman and who owned the men."

Elizabeth swallows. "What did he do to you, Emily?"

Emily slowly turns to her mother and unbuttons the shirt she wears. It was the weekend so she hadn't bothered with a bra. She eases the panels apart and Elizabeth gasps as she sees the shamrock branded on her daughter's chest.

"Oh, Emily…oh, darling…"

"It's nothing to me anymore, Mother. But it was his way of preparing me to be a…a toy for his men until he felt they could be a danger to my…his child."

"Jennifer showed him too much mercy killing him so quickly," Elizabeth says bitterly.

Emily manages a small smile. "I agree." Emily slowly buttons her blouse. "All those times I was okay with it for…for whatever reason. But the last two times haunt me because…because the team let me down both times. More Hotch, really, but they were all there. Even…even Jen."

"What did they do?"

Emily turns back to the window. "Hotch didn't bother to get me a guard in Long Island. I was in the hospital and Ridgeley got to me. He…he…" Emily takes an uneasy breath as she shudders. "He told me he had a little boy captive, Mother. I had to go with him. He cuffed me, gagged me and…and started to…he ran his hands up…" she shivers. "He fucking molested me, the whole time telling me what he planned to do to me. I tried to get away but he knocked me out. When I woke up I was chained to the floor of his van in such a way he could have…he would have…and I couldn't have stopped him."

"That son of a bitch."

"Yeah. And when we got to the crime house he…he kept touching me and kissing me and whispering the things he was going to do to me before…before killing me. The team fucking gave up their guns and had nothing to fucking bargain with. If Rossi hadn't pulled the shit he did I'd have been…I'd have been raped and murdered by that bastard. They fucking let me DOWN!" Emily punches the wall.

Elizabeth leaps up and grabs her daughter's hand. "No! Baby, please don't do that."

Emily pulls away, her hands up to ward her mother off. "Please…don't touch me," she whispers.

Elizabeth slowly nods. "Right. Of course."

"Then we went to Winslow. Morgan was hurt, Mom. He shouldn't have been in the park with me but he was. When his horse spooked he got hurt even more. He had to leave the park, Mom. He left me and Anna there. And then the fucking rain just wouldn't stop! It was slowing us down and Pilsy came up lame. So I pushed on alone. The fucking m.o. said the unsub would stalk his victim and take her the following Friday. There was NO reason to think he was out there with us! But he was and…and he got me." Emily wipes at the tears on her cheeks. "He took me off trail into the deep woods. He was…he was cutting my clothes off my body when a Vietnam Vet saved me. Not my team. Not my wife. A Vet. I don't even know what he may have done to me while I was unconscious. I feel dirty and disgusting and just…just fucking hate the whole team right now."

"Even Jennifer?"

Emily winces and leans back against the wall, slowly sliding down to the floor. "No," she whispers. "But I am still mad at her. She camped as a kid. She'd have been in the park, not me. She wouldn't have drawn his eye."

"Are you sure?"

"He had a type based on his ex-girlfriend who is his current step-mother."

"Oh. That's a bit twisted."

Emily gives a slight grin. "Understatement." She sighs. "I was even pissed that Garcia didn't locate Blair sooner. She already set me straight about that. But she's still pretty pissed at me."

"I believe it."

"She won't forgive me until I forgive the team and I just…I can't right now."

"Then run it down for me, Emily. Tell me why you are mad at each one," Elizabeth insists.

"Hotch sent Morgan into the park with me. Morgan went. He was injured so both are fucks for that reason. Hotch ordered the team to surrender their firearms in Long Island and had no way to get my ass out of that mess. Hell, I was in it because he didn't bother to put a guard on my door. What the hell was he thinking? He fucking set me up both God damned times!"

Elizabeth just nods. "And what else about Morgan?"

Emily shrugs. "I told him to stay behind. He was too fucking proud to step back and let Hotch or Rossi go instead. Hell, Reid didn't even bother to volunteer. They all gave me up to Ridgeley and then left me out there for Blair to attack. Now, do you understand why I just…can't be around them right now? Do you? Are you happy now, Mother? Happy to hear how I let myself get molested and attacked and that my team didn't do a damn thing to help me either time?"

Emily stands and storms out of the room. She ignores Elizabeth calling after her. She doesn't stop until she reaches the activity room. She grabs the key to the liquor cabinet and has it open by the time her mother catches up to her. Emily is shaking with rage as she stares at the bottles in front of her. Elizabeth is shocked to see her daughter turning to the bottle.

"Emily…"

"What? It's okay to let your husband drink himself into oblivion but not your daughter?" Emily says spitefully.

Elizabeth stiffens. "I'll ignore that for the moment. I guess this means the hotel bill wasn't incorrect about the bottles of whiskey."

Emily shrugs. "Helped me sleep."

"Helped you pass out, you mean. And I bet you woke up feeling worse and just had to drink more the next night to get the same so-called sleep."

"So what if I did?"

"You're staying here alone with Rocky. Do you drink yourself into a stupor here, too?"

Emily slowly shakes her head. "No. Not since I came home. Garcia stayed with me one night. After that I just…I'm fine for right now."

"For right now? Does that mean when Jennifer gets home you're leaving again?"

Emily just shrugs. "I…I think so."

Elizabeth shakes her head disapprovingly. "Then you really are your father's daughter. He always ran rather than try to fix things, too. Ran away into a bottle and ran away into other women's arms. Do you plan to cheat on your wife, too?"

"NO!" Emily spins around. "Stop using guilt on me! I don't fucking need it. Why, for once, can't you just side with me? I don't need a fucking diplomat! I don't need a peacemaker! I just need…need…need a mom."

Emily bursts into tears and drops to her knees. Elizabeth's heart breaks. She walks over and kneels down, pulling her daughter close.

"You're right, Emily. I'm sorry. And I'm right here. Mommy's right here, Emmy. Everything is going to be okay. We're going to work together to help you heal. And then we'll deal with your wife. And then your team. And, honey, we can take as long as you need to do this, okay?"

Emily just nods, glad to turn over the running of her personal life to someone else if only for a little while. When Emily calms, Elizabeth kisses her forehead. She has to ask one more question if only to make her daughter face the answer.

"Emily, upstairs…you never elaborated about why you are so mad at Jennifer?"

Emily sniffs. "Because…because I'm a fucking asshole."

"Meaning?"

"She gave up her gun, too. She saw what Ridgeley was doing to me and she gave up her gun. She has the best fucking shot in the whole BAU and is one of the top shots at the FBI and she didn't take the fucking shot." Emily takes a shuddering breath and finally voices the other reason…the reason she hates herself more than anyone. "And I told you she camped as a kid. I can't help it, Mother. I'm mad as hell she was here instead of out there. She was here because she is trying to have our next child and I am so pissed at her for not being in those woods. How the fuck can I sit here and basically accuse her of having the insemination just to stick me out in that park where that bastard could get me? What kind of fucking ass am I that I feel that way?"

Elizabeth sighs. "I think you're hurting, Emily. And anytime we hurt so much and so deeply we strike out at everything without rhyme or reason. I think you need time to heal and then you will see things correctly."

"What if…if I don't?"

Elizabeth kisses her daughter's temple. "I know you will. Jennifer Prentiss has taught you how to love, Emily. And loving is the key to healing. Then you will forgive the sins you are seeing right now and they will forgive you for the things you said and did in the aftermath. But, Emily, I swear: turning to the bottle will not help. If you bury yourself in drink you will never heal. Don't throw away everything you have that's important to the bottle. Ask your father if you don't believe me but drinking will not help you."

Emily slowly nods. "I…I believe you."

After a few minutes the women stand. Emily turns and locks the liquor cabinet back up. She stares at the key a moment then turns and gives it to her mother.

"I believe you but I'm not sure I'm strong enough yet to listen to you."

Elizabeth smiles. "Handing me this key says you are but I'll hold on to it anyway. Come on, let's get you a good lunch. You don't look like you've been eating much."

Emily thinks a moment. "No, I don't think I have. I think I kind of forget most times unless Francesca puts something in front of me."

"As I thought. Come on."

Elizabeth takes her daughter's hand and leads her to the kitchen. Once more she feels regret at the years lost taking care of and teaching this remarkable, if hurting, woman beside her.