Chapter XLVII
Ana and Henry had become quick friends. The boy displayed what could easily be the beginnings of a long-term crush on the teenager and Ana adored him as well. Emily and JJ were completely content to leave the two with Henry's Legos while they talked about the events of the coming days.
"Two days." Emily repeated. "We have two days until all hell breaks loose."
"I don't think it'll be that bad, Em." JJ crossed her arms as she lifted herself to sit on Emily's kitchen counter. "The judge is bound to have a heart. Who would want to send a teenaged girl who has been through so much to prison?"
"You never know." The brunette shrugged, her expression passive as she stirred her now cold coffee. JJ hopped off the counter and sat next to her friend.
"Forget that for now." She waved her hand dismissively. "Let's talk about something better."
"Better?" Emily raised an eyebrow, already knowing where this was headed. "Like what?"
"How are things with Aaron?" the blonde smirked and Emily couldn't help but return it.
"Good." She shrugged nonchalantly. "Very good."
"Really?" JJ's interest was sparked. "So something did happen in his office."
"Don't worry about it." Emily toyed with the woman. JJ placed her hands on her hips.
"That's so not fair." She grumbled. "There are supposed to be perks to having your best friend dating your boss."
"Really, like what?" Emily smirked.
"Well since you're not sharing, I don't know!"
"You know what that means right?" Emily asked with a serious face. JJ shook her head. "We aren't really best friends."
"Hey!" the blonde smacked her shoulder. "You were the one comparing us to the Powerpuff Girls last week!"
"I, what?" Emily asked only to receive a series of giggles from the younger woman.
"I'm just going to assume anything I want then." JJ decided, crossing her legs with a smirk.
"Is that your way of saying you like to fantasize about Hotch and I together?" Emily would've paid good money to have been able to take a picture of the blonde's face.
"Trust me, I don't need to fantasize." JJ shot back. Just as Emily opened her mouth, the sound of footsteps filled the room and Ana entered, carrying a sleeping Henry on her hip. The boy's mouth was open, practically drooling on the teenager's shirt but she didn't seem to mind.
"I don't really think that this conversation is child-appropriate." The girl raised an eyebrow at the women who withheld laughs. JJ rose and started to pack her son's belongings back into his pack.
"I think that's our cue." She stated as she swung the backpack over her shoulder. She approached Ana, ready to take the burden of the sleeping toddler off her shoulders but the girl retreated.
"I can get him to your car." She said hopefully. "If that's ok."
"Of course." JJ smiled softly and proceeded to open the door to Emily's apartment. She waved goodbye to Emily before holding it open for Ana and Henry and leading the way to her white Toyota. She watched as Ana skillfully buckled Henry into his car seat, all the while making sure that the boy was still asleep.
"Thank you." JJ heard as soon as the car door closed. She turned to the girl and frowned.
"There's no need to thank me." She assured her. "I'm sure Henry had a great time and so did I."
"Regardless," Ana shrugged. "You didn't have to come."
"Well I'm glad I did." JJ leaned forward and unexpectedly hugged the girl tightly. "It's all going to be ok."
"I know." Ana smiled against the blonde's cheek before letting go. JJ got into the car and buckled herself in before opening the window.
"I'll see you in two days." She promised before easing the car out of the parking spot and disappearing around the corner. Ana sighed, inhaling the crisp, cool air and looked up. The stars were barely visible but from what she could see, it was going to be a clear night. She looked up and saw the lights to Emily's flat still on and the silhouette of the brunette making her around the apartment, no doubt cleaning up the mess they had left. Hurriedly she made her way up to help.
"Thank you." She said as soon as the two had finished tidying up the living room. Emily turned to her with a similar expression that JJ had sported.
"For what?"
"Everything." Ana exhaled. "Not many people would do what you've done."
"That's because people suck." Emily joked. Ana smiled but remained serious.
"I'm not kidding." She stated. "I know you think that you're just doing what any normal person would do but you're wrong. I've never met anyone like you Emily Prentiss."
"When did you start getting all sentimental on me, kid?" Emily smiled. "If you're about to express your undying love for me, I can assure you that-"
"You only have eyes for tall, dark and authoritative?" Ana quickly finished, receiving a slight poke in return.
"That would still leave you in the running." Emily quipped. Ana laughed wholeheartedly and Emily smiled wider at the sound. Instead of replying, Ana took a step forward and hugged the woman fiercely. She held onto her for dear life and Emily returned the gesture. Although slightly taller, Ana placed her head in the crook of Emily's neck, allowing the older woman to hold her as if holding a child. She was strangely ok with that.
"Thank you. So much." She repeated in a slight whisper. Emily's heart swelled at the sincerity of her words causing a tear or two to form at the edge of her vision.
"Don't worry about it." She replied. They held onto each other for a few extra seconds before finally letting go. Chuckling and wiping away stray tears, the brunettes finished what little there was left to clean and headed off to bed. That night, despite the fear of her upcoming arraignment looming over her head, Ana slept rather peacefully for the time in over three years.
The next day was spent calming Ana's nerves as their court date approached. The girl was stoic and placid for the majority of the day; only speaking when spoken to and pacing around the flat for hours on end. In all honesty, it was driving Emily crazy but she wouldn't dare say anything. She could only imagine how anxious- if not terrified- Ana must be. JJ had offered to come over again but Emily told her that it probably wouldn't help anyway. Besides, the girl needed to rest as much as possible. That night, Ana awoke several times, each more violent than the last. She was gaining more control over her nightmares, thankfully not awakening Emily every time one ended. It was a small consolation but at least she didn't need to add 'guilt' to the rampage of emotions she was feeling. By 4 AM, Ana knew that there was no going back to sleep. She was fine with it; no amount of rest could ease her nerves for what would transpire in 5 hours' time. Before long, the sun was rising and Ana heard Emily's alarm ring.
7:30.
She rose and dressed in silence, barely noticing the brunette in the other room doing the same. When she emerged from her room, she saw Emily already preparing breakfast. The thought of food made her stomach flop.
"Toast." The elder woman announced as she pushed a plate towards her charge. "I figured you wouldn't have much of an appetite."
"Thanks." Ana mumbled and nibbled on the bread. They ate in silence, the time passing slowly but eventually, it was time to leave for the courthouse.
8:15.
Her arraignment began in 45 minutes and Ana had never been more scared in her life. Emily drove in silence, only the sounds of the radio penetrating it. Ana took in the woman's attire; black slacks with a red button-up and a black blazer topped with black, heeled boots. All in all, the very image of an FBI agent. Ana wore a borrowed pair of black dress pants and a long-sleeved blue scoop neck along with a blazer and boots matching the older woman's. Emily had helped her fashion her hair in a reserved yet stylish manner, showing off the brilliant shine and length. Her make-up was light and pale, seeing as Emily convinced her she didn't need it.
"You ok?" she heard Emily ask. Ana nodded slightly and felt Emily's gaze turn to her as she stopped in front of the courthouse.
"Hotch and JJ are already inside." She told her. "I'll park and find you, ok?"
"Mhm." Ana's heart thumped loudly in her chest as she opened the car door and stepped out into the cool, morning light.
"It's going to be alright." Emily said just as the door was closing. Ana offered her a slight smile before heading up the gran stairs and into the courthouse. She immediately caught sight of JJ and Aaron and felt better at the sight of them. JJ approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling softly. A tall, redheaded woman emerged behind Hotch and extended her hand.
"Ana, this is Emma Knight, the defense attorney I was telling you about." Hotch introduced her. She took the woman's hand in a sweaty grip and shook it almost robotically.
"Thank you for doing this, Ms. Knight." Ana's voice shook slightly and she swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat.
"Emma, please." The redhead said as she smiled. Her eyes were dark, much like Emily's, and Ana found them quite kind. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I'm going to pass out." Ana admitted as the three lead her down the large hallway.
"Just breathe, Ana." JJ stroked her back. "We're going to help you through this."
"The rest of the team's already inside." Hotch told her. "We have to go in and wait for you to be called now, ok?"
"Ok." Ana nodded. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Emily. "You park fast."
"One of my many talents." The brunette smiled and Ana attempted to return it.
"They're starting." Knight called from the double doors and held them open for the three agents.
"We'll see you inside." Emily hugged her quickly before racing to get a seat with her team, leaving Ana in the hallway to calm her nerves. She closed her eyes and tried to stop the room from spinning as she pressed a hand against the nearest wall. Just breathe.
"Ana Valerious." A deep voice caught her attention and she raised her head to meet a giant of a man in uniform. He held the door open for her and followed one step behind as she proceeded down the aisle. Every head turned to face her but Ana was solely focused on the ones in the front row; the BAU. The all smiled at her as she opened the small gate and proceeded to stand beside her attorney.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Kenway." The large man announced and Ana heard the people behind her do as he ordered. A man in a black robe strolled in, his glasses halfway on his face, and took a seat at the head of the room. She felt a tug on her sleeve and noticed Emma beginning to sit. She followed suit, quickly resorting to picking at her nails for comfort.
"Ana Valerious, also known as Mackenzie, charged with eight counts of grand larceny, accessory to murder and attempted treason." The bailiff informed Kenway. The man shifted positions and scanned through the paperwork in front of him. Everyone in the crammed courtroom knew who she was and what she was being charged with but hearing them aloud caused unrest to spread amongst the crowd regardless.
"Miss. Valerious, how do you plea?" Ana stood along with Knight.
"Not guilty, Your Honor." Her voice wavered as her heart sped up a hundred miles.
"The people on bail?" Kenway asked without looking up. Madeline Thurman stood and announced her stand.
"Remand, Your Honor." Ana squirmed at the mere thought of the word. "The defendant is more than capable of avoiding detection from the authorities and has the means and motive to flee the first chance she gets."
"The defendant is a seventeen year old girl who up until recently was a prisoner of the most ruthless mobster the city of New York had ever seen." Knight shot back. "She's more of a victim than the people want to admit."
"Your definitions of the words 'victim' and 'prisoner' are clearly different than the rest of ours." Thurman replied, the distaste for her opponent evident.
"Your Honor, Ana Valerious has no intention of fleeing." Knight ignored the older woman to her right. "She wants to clear her name of these obscene charges more than anything else."
"Where have you been staying, young lady?" Kenway addressed her and Ana's head snapped up.
"W-with Agent Emily Prentiss, Your Honor."
"Of the BAU." Kenway said, mainly to himself. Ana nodded. "Is Agent Prentiss here?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Emily stood and Ana turned slightly to glance at the woman.
"Agent Prentiss, was it not your team that was in charge of apprehending the defendant?"
"Initially our objective was to catch the person responsible for three murders. Ana Valerious was taken in as a witness to the murders. It was only later that we discovered the true nature of the situation." Emily explained.
"But it was your team that arrested her and took down Hail, was it not?" Kenway removed his glasses and raised an eyebrow at the woman. The BAU shifted, not liking where this was headed.
"Yes, Your Honor." Emily said plainly.
"And yet, even after your association with the defendant landed you in the hospital, as well as another member of your team, you still agreed to house the criminal you had just detained?"
"I never considered it to be Ana's fault, Your Honor." Emily said forcefully. "Nor did Agent Jareau. I took her in to help her because I don't believe she should be condemned for crimes she was forced to commit."
"So you believe her to be innocent?" Kenway leaned forward, clearly interested in what Emily had to say.
"I believe that Ana Valerious was a scared, abused girl who was taken advantage of by a cruel, vindictive man and that she had no choice but to appease him or risk being harmed."
"Your Honor, there is no evidence to back up the theories that the FBI and defense council are trying to convince us of." Thurman stated.
"Actually, if this case even manages to make it to trial, defense council has more than witness testimonies to back up our supposed 'theories'." Knight retorted with a raised eyebrow towards her opponent.
"Whether or not the defense actually believes in their case, it doesn't change the fact that the defendant has the knowledge and all the assistance she could ever need to leave the country before her trial date." Thurman couldn't resist looking back at the BAU with malice.
"The Behavioral Analysis Unit has done nothing to deserve such outlandish accusations." Knight cried, slightly surprised that Thurman would even question their loyalty. Just then she realized what her opponent was trying to do: she wanted to plant a seed of doubt in Judge Kenway's mind that the BAU would handle the situation properly. If Emily was deemed unsuitable to maintain custody of Ana until her court appearance, then she had nowhere else to go, forcing her to be sent to the local prison.
"Whether or not they deserve it, the BAU has a personal investment in this case and I don't feel comfortable allowing the defendant's relationship with them to continue." Kenway's statement shocked the group as well as Knight and Ana. The teenager felt her palms moisten and her knees grow weak. Panic rose in her chest as she waited for him to compete his thought. "I agree with Ms. Thurman. The defendant will be held at the Central Detention Facility until the scheduled court date."
"Your Honor, there are people who have undoubtedly been recruited to harm Miss. Valerious the moment she steps foot in one of our prisons!" Emily cried from behind the gate just as Kenway's gavel made contact with the table. Ana barely heard the woman as the blood rushed to her head. She turned, doe-eyed and stared at the BAU, tears already making their way down her face. Surely, this couldn't be happening. This was supposed to be the easy part!
"Emily." She whispered and took a step forward. The brunette came to the low gate and reached out of her, embracing her for what could be the last time.
"Shh, it's alright. It's ok." She cooed as Ana wept into her shirt. She trembled against the elder woman's form, terror seeping into her system once more. The thought of being locked in a box, waiting for someone to come after her became all too real. Suddenly, strong arms were on the girl's shoulders, forcing the two apart.
"Emily." Ana called more forcefully as she felt herself being removed from the woman's hold. "Emily, don't let them take me!" Ana's hold on her tightened in desperation as she cried out for help.
"Ana, it's alright." Emily promised. "I'll find a way to get you out!"
"No, please Emily!" she yelled, the sound of Kenway's gavel echoing across the hall as the bailiff continued to pry the girl away.
"Agent Prentiss, let go of her at once!" they heard the judge yell. Emily felt Aaron's hand on her shoulder, gently easing the two apart. He knew that Emily could easily be blamed if Ana didn't let go of her soon.
"No!" Ana screamed as soon as the bailiff managed to force her hands off of the woman. She struggled in his grip to return to Emily's arms but failed. "Emily, please help me!" her voice reverberated around the room as photographers snapped photos and Kenway's gavel demanded order. Emily held back a sob at the sound of Ana's cries and felt herself being surrounded by a warm embrace. She silently wept against Aaron's chest as the chaos around them refused to die down; her only thought of how she had failed Ana and now the teenager would surely pay for her faults.
Hopefully you weren't expecting that. One of the longest chapters I've ever written so let me know how you liked it.