Chapter 4

Emily Prentiss walked into her mother's Senatorial office as requested. She was interested in why she had been called so urgently this morning.

"Hello, Mother, how are you?" she asked politely, kissing her mother on her cheek.

"Darling, good to see you; you look well, Emily", warmly welcomed her mother.

The senator's demeanour instantly alerted Emily; her mother's greetings, while always cordial, were never like this unless she was up to something underhand, which never bode well for her. To her surprise, she was rendered speechless by Erin Strauss walking into the office holding a teenager's hand before she could ask her mother to get to the point.

Emily could not conceal her surprise at the arrival of her section chief, holding the hand of a pretty girl tightly. The girl looked like she was from Afghanistan; Emily tried greeting her in her basic Pashtu.

Yasmin smiled as Emily greeted her, telling her she was beautiful in her native Pashtu. " Thank you, Emily. My name is Yasmin. You are as pretty as Mama said. Your Pashtu needs a bit of practice, though," smirked the girl

Emily smiled as Yasmin talked. It took a moment for Mama to register for the brunette profiler; her mind exploded into confusion. 'Mama.' was repeated in a loop in her mind; Emily was speechless. This information perplexed Emily. Little did she know things were about to get much worse.

"Perhaps I should introduce myself, Emily?" Erin Strauss started before being interrupted by the profiler

"I know who you are, Erin Strauss!" a confused brunette profiler answered abruptly.

"Emily Elizabeth Prentiss, mind your manners," scolded her mother like Emily was a young kid.

Holding her hand up in apology, she remained speechless, trying to compose her thoughts.

"Darling, I would like to introduce my best friend, Erin Strauss-Jareau and her daughter, Yasmin Strauss-Jareau." Announced Elizabeth to her struggling daughter.

Yasmin guided the speechless profiler to the sofa and safely sat her down. Sitting beside her, Mama's best friend, Yasmin, hugged her. "Mama has told me all about you, Emily." smiled Yasmin, happy to finally meet her in person.

Still confused, Emily smiled at Yasmin as she gratefully squeezed her hand. "Is Erin your Mama?" asked the confused profiler, trying to make sense of her current predicament.

Yasmin smiled at her Mama's confused friend. "That's my Mom, silly; Mama's name is Jennifer Strauss-Jareau. They're married, and Mama calls Mom Rin. They kiss a lot," announced a very excited girl. "Will you help Mama stop being so sad?" Yasmin asked.

Emily felt like she had just been hit in her head by a two-by-four; Jennifer Jareau was married to Erin Strauss, usually un-shakeable due to her work with the BAU. Emily was stunned by the announcement.

"You tied the knot with...with...Jennifer Jareau- you're married?" announced the shocked profiler

Speechless, Emily Prentiss was at a loss for words. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out; she just glanced between her mother and Strauss,

"Emily, Darling, please say something," asked a concerned mother

'Strauss married JJ, ' repeated in Emily's head, her mind unable to move past this enormous revelation. Lost in her head, Emily could see her mother's and Strauss's mouths moving but couldn't hear anything else but her internal voice.

"Will you help Mama stop being so sad?" the voice of Yasmin invaded her thoughts of Strauss and JJ together naked.

Shivering at the thought of them bumping their pelvis together, she turned to look at Yasmin, who held her hand tightly. "What do you mean by helping your Mama, sweetheart?" Asked Emily, bewildered, her mind still trying to figure out what she thought about this new revelation.

"Let me Explain, Emily..." Erin was interrupted by Emily's raised hand

"No, Erin, I want to hear it from Yasmin," She told her section chief, not realising she had used her first name. Smiling at Yasmin, she gently squeezed her hand, suggesting she told her everything.

Her green eyes locked on Emily; Yasmin smiled. Tears started forming in her eyes, and she blinked rapidly, fighting to stop them from falling, not wanting to cry in front of her Mama's best friend. "Mama is very sad at the moment. She protects Mom and Me by doing things she doesn't want. Some lady is mad at them for something they did in Afghanistan when they helped me get out. Mama loves me and is very protective but needs your help," sniffed Yasmin, getting emotional as she talked. Emily pulled the upset girl to her side and hugged her gently, rubbing her back as she cried. Her well-trained mind finally broke through the haze as realisation dawned on Emily. Continuing to embrace her friend's daughter, she looked at Erin Strauss. "Tell me everything, Erin," Emily demanded as she glared at her superior.

Erin Strauss smiled and nodded her consent to Emily. She started to pace as she spoke, " I can only tell you so much, Emily. Most of Jenny's time at the Pentagon was spent as a member of a special unit searching for terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. I was her FBI liaison, and we fell in love and started a relationship, but that is another story. We met Yasmin through her family; her father was a local opium producer whom Jenny had singled out as a potential asset with a good relationship with the provincial drug lord who had direct links with a terrorist group we were interested in infiltrating. The bureau sent out a special team to expedite things, and I found out the leader had arranged for Yasmin to be sold to the drug lord for him to use as he wished; her father would rise in status. She planned to turn the drug lord into her super spy. With Elizabeth's help, we got Yasmin out of Afghanistan and brought her back to the States. Neither of us was prepared to allow our sweet Persian princess to be abused by anyone. We staged things that made Yasmin's father look like he was working for coalition forces. The drug lord executed him." Erin paused to see if Emily wanted to ask any questions.

"Who was this FBI hotshot?" Emily asked

Erin sighed, "Linda Barnes. She still works for the FBI. She was a rising star destined for the very top. She was destined to be the first female FBI director. Until we discovered what she intended to do, using Yasmin as a pawn in her plan. We acted quickly and got her out of Afghanistan. Barnes's plan failed miserably. Barnes had promised much to the higher-ups in the FBI and State Department. Her failure to produce the promised results sank her career. She knows we interfered with her plan but didn't know we brought Yasmin to the States and adopted her. She discovered our marriage when she saw us on holiday in Cancun. She is manipulating things, holding my promotion and reputation over our heads," explained Erin

Emily pondered what Erin had just revealed; she unconsciously tightened her hold as she felt Yasmin's tears on her neck.

"Why didn't Jennifer come to the team for help? We are family, granted; they probably would react badly knowing you're married, but we would have helped?" Emily asked, a little hurt

"Jenny is so protective of Yasmin and me that she refused to allow me to resign. Knowing we had to keep Yasmin away from Linda Barnes at all costs. She accepted that she had to do what Barnes wanted to protect us all. Jenny knew Barnes wanted us both to pay for what she believed to be malicious actions directed at her. She doesn't know everything we did but has made some well-educated guesses. Neither Jenny nor I broke any laws bringing Yasmin here and adopting her. We bent many rules to almost breaking point. If Barnes whispered about me to the higher-ups, my career would be over, and I would be forced to leave in disgrace, my career and reputation in ruins. I have just been promoted to Executive assistant director of the training division." An emotional woman paused to wipe the falling tears from her cheeks,

Emily could easily see how much devotion this woman had for Jennifer, her face full of mixed emotions of love and hate. The woman standing before her crying was not the wicked enchantress of the BAU; what Emily could see now that her shields were down was a devoted wife and mother.

"Jenny was so happy when the director confirmed my promotion that she refused to allow me to throw it away. She believes she can find a way out of this, protecting Yasmin. Jennifer is hurting; she needs her best friend to help her. Will you help?" Strauss asked emotionally

Remaining silent, Emily sat thinking about everything she had just been told.

EJ

She glanced at her watch to check the time as JJ waited for the elevator to reach her destination. Emily met with Erin as she was en route to find out what Barnes had summoned her for. The once influential woman didn't have the power to hurt directly But still had sufficient pull within the bureau to get what she needed. JJ knew she could terminate this charade at any time but was unwilling to risk the possible collateral damage to her daughter. She knew Rin was a big girl and could look after herself, but she would not allow a bitter woman to ruin her career. She had worked hard to get to where she was within the FBI, and her promotion was well deserved. Hotch was already collateral damage as her statement to OPR would end his future with the FBI.

Switching into media liaison mode, JJ walked into Assistant Director Barnes's outer office.

"Good afternoon, Chief Jareau," smiled Barnes as she indicated for her to enter her office

Sitting on the indicated chair, knowing it was childish behaviour, JJ picked a spot on Barnes's forehead and stared, not blinking, pleased when the assistant director fidgeted in her executive chair, uncomfortable with the silence.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Chief Jareau," smirked Barnes, pleased when she noticed the flash of anger in her eyes before controlling her emotions.

'Stay calm, stay calm,' She repeatedly told herself to stop showing any more emotion on her face. She didn't want to permit her any moral victories. "Thank you," JJ responded calmly.

"Dr Reid is such an asset to your unit chief, Jareau. I think you need to revoke his field status. That brain of his is too important to risk. Order him to undergo a surprise firearm proficiency test, which he will flunk, leaving you no choice but to revoke his permit to carry. You can keep him on the team and permit him to travel, but he doesn't leave the police station. Good work with the analyst. She looked professional this morning, but you gave her a unicorn pendant to add colour, Chief Jareau," Barnes told her newest unit chief, enjoying herself, knowing she could push as hard as she wanted. Jennifer Strauss-Jareau would protect her wife at any cost. Knowing the blonde's kryptonite, she knew she could break her.

"Yes, Ma'am, I will arrange for Dr Reid to take a check test at the range next week; analyst Garcia is permitted to wear pendants on her clothing as long as it's appropriate. I did what you requested in the letter," JJ replied, biting down her tongue to stop herself from verbally abusing Barnes.

Barnes scowled at JJ after her answer, "Tomorrow, Chief Jareau," she warned the unit chief ", That's not open for debate. I want Dr Reid on restricted field duty by the close of business tomorrow. I wonder what Erin would do after her forced retirement. Just imagine if a particular faction in Afghanistan received anonymous images and, oh, let's say their bio about their medaling in their business?" Barnes taunted JJ, smiling as she watched the blonde fighting to control her anger at her threat to Erin.

"Dismissed. Do say hello to your wife for me, Jennifer," smirked Barnes as she dismissed JJ.

EJ

Rossi leaned against the catwalk rail, talking with Morgan and Ashley. The trio stopped talking as the glass entrance doors of the BAU flew open, allowing a furious Jennifer Jareau to storm through.

"Oh, look, Freya seems a little annoyed. I wonder what has got her panties in a twist? I think I would like to buy them a beer," smiled Morgan as he watched JJ disappear into her office

"Things must be starting to get to our units, ice queen," announced a grinning agent, Rossi.

"That's karma for her; teach her to sell out a good man for a promotion," announced a pleased Ashley, not even attempting to hide the pleasure from her voice at her unit chief suffering.

EJ

"Thank you. Doctor Reid will be with you for his weapon proficiency check tomorrow at 09:30. I have removed his waver. He must achieve the desired passing mark. His score will not be revised as you usually do to allow him to scrape through. Dr Reid is a field agent and, therefore, must reach the required standards expected of all field agents. Thank you for squeezing him in for me," JJ thanked the range master on the phone.

Closing her eyes, Jennifer was still furious. Barnes had threatened to endanger Erin. Things had gotten a lot more severe. Barnes had shown her some of her hand. She truly wanted retribution for Afghanistan on them both.

Not feeling like she could handle watching the shock on Spencer's face when she informed him about his surprise weapon proficiency spot check, she chickened out and sent him a text.

'Dr Reid, you will report to the range master tomorrow at 09:30 for a weapons proficiency spot check. I have removed your waiver. Your scores will not be adjusted as in previous years. You must achieve the minimum standards to retain your firearms certification.

SSA Jareau

BAU unit chief.'

Pressing send, she checked her watch, "Time for Home," she told herself. She packed away her things and locked her office, ready for the walk of evil death stares.

EJ

The drive home hadn't calmed Jennifer. She was still angry at Barnes for threatening Erin. She didn't even want to think about what her family would do to her if they discovered her whereabouts. Knowing how far Barnes was willing to go just solidified her knowing now that she must protect Yasmin from Barnes.

"Arghh!" screamed JJ as she slammed her right fist into the LCD screen of her Range Rover on the console. Her painful outburst had broken the liquid crystal display, spilling over her bruised knuckles.

"Calm down, Jennifer, calm down," she scolded herself, angry at the outburst.

She finished the drive home without further outbursts; her hand began to throb terribly. Annoyed by her lack of self-control, JJ excited the Range Rover and entered the house. She pulled into the garage, turned off the engine and surveyed the damage she had caused to her pride and joy.

"Rin. Yasmin, I'm home," she declared, walking into the lounge.

Feeling weary, she sat on the sofa and leaned back, closing her eyes. Hotch had negotiated Reid's range waiver, allowing the genius a more significant margin of error and allowing him to pass the re-qualification shoot. She sighed, thinking how she had to break Reid's heart tomorrow when she took his gun away; she recalled his disappointment the last time he failed at the range.

"Arghh!, damn that hurt," Ignoring her bruised hand, she slams her right hand into the arm of the sofa.

"Jenny, your hand! Oh, sweetheart, what have you done? Please tell me you didn't deck Linda Barnes." asked a worried wife. "Yasmin, get an ice pack for your Mama's hand, please, sweetie,"

Taking hold of her wife's hand, she scrutinised it, pressing her knuckles to see if any were broken. Annoyed, Jennifer was ignoring her. She pushed a little harder on a bruised area.

"Ow! Damn it, Rin, not so hard," JJ warned her wife,

"Jenny!" cautioned Erin.

"Sorry, Rin, I didn't mean to lash out at you. You know what they are capable of doing to us. If they ever discovered we had Yasmin," JJ just shuddered at the thought of her daughter being hurt. She threatened to inform them anonymously about what happened in Afghanistan, who we were, and where we could be found.

"She wants me to take Spencer's gun from him. I booked him for a weapons proficiency spot check tomorrow at 09:30. I cancelled the waiver that Hotch had organised, so Reid will flunk his shoot, barring divine intervention. He will be placed on modified field duties limited to the police station," she reluctantly told Erin, closing her eyes and trying to hide the tears from her wife. She lowered her head.

Feeling the cold sensation on her hand from the bag of ice, she sighed with pleasure at the incredible sensation easing her throbbing hand. "Thank you, Yasmin. Mama loves you,"

"I love you too, Jennifer Strauss-Jareau," answered Emily Prentiss, smirking at the shocked look in her friend's blue eyes

Her eyes shot open in surprise on hearing Emily's voice. "Emily?" Asked a cautious woman

"I'm pissed at you, Jennifer Strauss-Jareau. I thought we were best friends who could tell each other anything. Erin Strauss is your wife, and you have a daughter, and you are both besties with my mother. You could have told me, Jennifer. I'm hurt you thought you couldn't come to me for assistance," Emily told her friend sternly before she started laughing.

"Mama kisses Rin a lot," Emily smirked, repeating Yasmin's comments from earlier. Laughing at her friend, Emily watched the blonde's face redden. Her mind wondered, seeing the naked body of her friend interlaced with Erin Strauss.

"Prentiss, mind out of the gutter," JJ warned her friend.

"Yes, Ma'am," she mocks, saluting her friend.

JJ glared at her friend, not amused by her actions. Emily cringed when she noticed how irritated her best friend looked. Her attempt to lighten the moment failed severely.

"Erin and Mother have told me what Barnes has you doing. Are you serious about saying Barnes threatened to drop a dime on you in Afghanistan?" Emily asked for clarification from her friend

"Jennifer, we have told her everything. She has the correct clearances needed to be read about your time in Afghanistan. Erin and I have told her everything is done to get Yasmin safe." Elizabeth advised

"Everything?" asked a stunned JJ.

Emily pulled her friend up so that she could look directly at her. She was waiting to see her blue eyes before she started talking. Happy to see her friend was now watching Her, "I am so damn proud of what you achieved over there. You did what was needed to save your beautiful daughter, Jennifer. They deserved what happened to them. Erin told me what was in store for Yasmin. Barnes, I have a few ideas. Do you have any idea who our mole is?" Emily honestly told her friend.

JJ shook her head. " No, I trust you all with my life, but no one suspected I would do what I did to the team to protect my wife and daughter. I'm too close to this, Em; everything is hazy. I am so worried about Yasmin and Rin that I'm just capitulating to her demands, digging myself deeper and deeper with no way out I can glimpse. I have already destroyed Hotch's career and accused Elle Greenaway of murder. Even Spencer will hate me after I take his gun from him and limit his access to the field. I hate myself, Emily. I need your assistance; it destroyed me when you called me Ma'am and made me call you Agent Prentiss. I can only imagine Rin's feelings when she gets the full-on Emily Prentiss attitude." laughed JJ, trying to lighten the moment with a joke.

Emily was embarrassed, realising she had been a total bitch to her best friend's wife for a long time.

"Auntie Em, will you help Mama?" Yasmin inquired about her very new Auntie

JJ smirked as she looked at her best friend. "Auntie Em?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Pulling Yasmin into her chest, Emily hugged her new niece tightly, kissing her on the head. "Yes, my sweet Yasmin, I will help your mother. You two are in big trouble when this beauty starts courting, and they will be lining up politicians and FBI agents." Emily laughs as she sees the look of shock on Erin and JJ's faces

"Time to take the fight to Barnes. We need to identify her source on the team. Can you take a punch, Jen?" smiles Emily.

"Yeah, what have you got floating around that mind?" asked a curious JJ

Pulling Yasmin against her, Emily smiled. " I want you to get into Spencer's face and get all... What did you call it when your Mom used that voice?" Emily asked Yasmin

Yasmin whispered her answer, not wanting to be told off by her mothers for cussing.

" Boss bitch voice on him, big it up, make him look as small as possible. I know you won't enjoy it and will hate yourself; you need to do so I can call you out on your attitude. I punch you, and you have me removed to the holding cells in handcuffs." We exchanged a few heated words. Emily pauses, looks down at Yasmin, and wipes away the tears she has started to fall...

"I'm ok, Auntie Em. Please go on," she sadly smiled and kissed Emily on her cheek.

"I am, of course, furious and phone you, Mother, who in-tern comes to you, Erin, about your new unit chief's abuse of power. Sorry about this, Jen, but my plan requires you to have your ass chewed out publicly in your office with the whole team listening in the bullpen. Your office door won't be completely shut." Emily paused briefly, "For me to continue the ruse, Jennifer, my gloves will come off. I will say and do a lot of hurtful things. Hopefully, if I do this properly, our mole might contact me to help them with Barnes's bidding." Emily explained her plan.

Senator Prentiss smiled. "I will give Erin's assistant a good show of me using my senatorial power in her office so it gets back to Barnes via the gossip tree. That makes it more believable when Erin admonishes Jennifer publicly in her office. We will only do this, Jennifer, if you approve. It will be hard for you at Quantico."

"It's for Yasmin and Rin. They are my everything. I will do anything for them to take my wife's place as the wicked witch of Quantico, so be it. Don't enjoy yourself too much, Emily, when you punch me. I know I deserve it for what I've done. Just don't enjoy yourself too much." JJ answered honestly

Emily smirked at her friend's answer, "Erin's throne as Quantico's wicked witch is safe. We have named you Quantico's ice queen. So we can discuss you in the bullpen; we refer to you as Freya," laughed Emily

Emily and JJ hugged each other. JJ whispered into her friend's ear, "Thank you, Emily. You don't know what it means to me; you are helping my family. It's good to have my best friend back," she emotionally told Emily.

"You are welcome, Ma'am. I promise not to enjoy punching you too much tomorrow; stay strong, Jennifer. Know it will kill me, knowing I am causing you to hurt. Let Yasmin and Erin help you." an emotional Emily told her friend before she walked off.