WITHOUT RESERVATION
PROMPT: What Happens in Vegas, Dies in Boston (Crossing Jordan)
Chapter 2
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She hadn't had a hangover in a long time and though she'd made a mental note to grab a bottle of water on the plane, she hadn't. And the two hour flight hadn't been anywhere close to enough sleep to begin reviving her. She'd been through too much emotional upheaval for it to work like magic. She knew she looked like hell when she stepped off the plane, weaving through people to get to baggage claim.
"Emily?"
Emily looked up at the man that had called her name with a gentle smile. At sixty-seven, Nicholas Prentiss was the father Emily hadn't had. Her mother's only sibling had led a much quieter life than his sister had and, with a few deft and smart investments, had managed to make a name for himself anyway. Now, he owned a country retreat in upper New York State. She'd known she had a standing invitation whenever she needed it and though she'd never taken advantage of it until now, it seemed like the perfect place to get away.
She dropped her bags to wrap her arms around him tightly. "Hi Uncle Nick."
"Hey there, Em-bear." He just held her tightly, squeezing her to him. She was his favourite and only niece. He didn't have any kids and had lost his wife Judith early, before they'd had kids. But that was fine. He had enough nephews to keep him busy for a while. And he had Emily. When she'd called him to ask shyly if she could come visit, he'd known immediately something was wrong with her. He'd known her too long not to be able to tell that everything wasn't right in Washington. He hadn't thought twice about enthusiastically telling her of course. He'd clear his schedule and come pick her up from the airport.
She looked broken and vulnerable, eyes haunted and his heart broke from the unbelievable woman shaking in his arms. Emily had never done anything but impress him through all of her years and he'd always thought he had a kindred spirit in his niece.
"Come on," he said gently. "Let's get you home. I have a real bed with your name on it, acres of land, and a barn of horses at your disposal."
She smiled weakly and squeezed him. "Thanks Uncle Nick. You have no idea how much I appreciate it."
He kissed her forehead. "No reason to thank me, Em-bear. You're family."
It wasn't until she was buckled in the car that she turned on her Blackberry. The only message was a text from JJ telling her to call when she'd landed wherever she was going. She felt tears blur her vision again. It was more painful to know that he wasn't going to fight her. He wasn't going to fight for her. She bit her lip as she found JJ`s contact information.
"Jareau."
"Hey JJ."
The crisp business tone of her blond friend changed immediately. "Hey. How are you?"
"I'm all safe and landed," Emily replied, avoiding the real reason JJ was asking the question. If the team knew she and Hotch had been more than friends and colleagues, they hadn't let on and now that she'd ended it, Emily wasn't about to tell them. As far as they know, the cases had grated on her so much that she needed the break.
"I'm glad," JJ said diplomatically. "Hang on, Derek wants to talk to you."
Emily opened her mouth to protest, but by that point, JJ had already passed on the phone.
"How are you, Girl?"
"Landed," Emily replied.
"Em…"
"Don't, Derek. I'm safe."
There was silence for a moment. "Okay," he said finally, sounding almost defeated. "Call us later, okay?" he asked quietly.
She smiled. Who cared that she'd had no real family growing up? She had most of her team now. That thought made her heart clench again. All but the one she really wanted. "I will," she managed to choke out. Then she hung up, unable to bear being put back on the phone with JJ. She just sat, looking at her Blackberry.
"Em?"
She looked up at her uncle's quiet voice. She knew everything showed in her eyes, everything she was feeling, the chaos and overwhelming pain. He pulled his SUV over to the side of the road and climbed out of the car to come around to her side. Without questions, without a word, he wrapped his arms around her and held on.
The floodgates came again, painfully and without the end in sight. She had no idea how long they stayed there, on the side of the road, the engine idling, her uncle's arms wrapped around her, stroking her hair. He didn't ask anything when her sobs subsided, just closed her door and went back to the driver's side, pulling onto the road. Emily leaned back in her seat.
"We've got at least an hour before we're home. Sleep, princess. I'll wake you when we get there."
Emily leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. A fitful sleep was still a sleep and her body was going to completely rebel on her if she didn't do something about the bone-deep exhaustion.