Disclaimer: We don't own any of the Criminal Minds characters.
A/N: Hello there readers! misaerie13 and I, leahloahla, have created this joint account to publish our new story. This is something we have been working on for a few months now and we thought it was time to post the first chapter. We'd like to thank mitchymonster134 because it was originally their idea but let us give it a shot.
Now this story is set in an AU season 9, and Emily's past isn't exactly the same as it is in the show. For our story we felt it was better that Emily never worked the Doyle case while she was with Interpol, and therefore never left the BAU at the end of season 7. Also JJ never worked that case with Cruz, so she didn't get abducted in season 9. We've also decided that Strauss didn't die at the end of season 8.
We hope you enjoy and don't forget to let us know what you think!
Learn to Live Without
It had been a slow week; no cases and not much action for anyone. With their regular share of gossip slowly coming to a halt, life at the BAU was dull to say the least.
The bullpen was filled with the sound of agents busily typing reports and finishing paper work. The sound was almost soothing but Emily was quick to put in headphones and listen to music today because she couldn't be distracted. She was tired and with it being Friday afternoon, she felt she owed it to herself to get home early this evening. Once her lunch was over Emily blocked everything out and worked straight on like a machine.
Every once and a while she would take a moment and glance over at her colleagues. Morgan was bothering Reid per usual, and trying to slip extra files into the genius' already towering pile. Rossi was in his office. Sporadically, he would take breaks and visits Hotch who never seemed to leave his confined space.
Three thirty came around and Emily was pleased by her progress. She figured she only had an hour's work left so she decided to take a much needed snack break. Slowly, she pushed her chair out from under her desk and got up, then walked into the break room with Morgan right behind her.
"So Princess, any big plans for the weekend?" Derek asked pleasantly as he poured himself another glass of water. He leaned up against the edge of the counter and took a sip.
Emily smiled a bit and thought about her plans. Honestly she had no plans at all. She thought that relaxing would be nice for a change. "I don't know. I think I'm just going to have a do nothing weekend." She laughed. God, was it ever nice to know that she would get a quiet couple of days to herself.
He laughed a bit then turned around and watched his partner scavenge through a box of granola bars.
"Did you eat all the peanut butter ones?" she muttered irritably as she emptied the box out on the counter. Emily only ate the peanut butter ones and everyone knew it.
Shyly he replied, "I might have seen Reid munching away on one this morning." He laughed and gave her a playful nudge.
She narrowed her eyes at the young agent at his desk. He had made a big mistake. "Oh he better watch his back."
"For a genius he sure does some stupid things" he said. Truthfully, Derek was scared for the young profile's sake. Emily wasn't herself lately and considering the problems she had been having with her kids, she had a good enough excuse. But it sure was hard to tell when she was joking anymore.
Emily settled for a banana from the bowl of fruit on the counter and began eating it.
Just as she finished her last bite, Anderson came running into the break room. "Agent Prentiss, Clyde Easters is calling from Interpol."
Emily sighed and ran her hand through her hair. Knowing this conversation would not be short nor enjoyable, she took a seat then picked up the phone. "God, what now?" she muttered under her breath before lifting the phone to her ear and mouth.
"Clyde?" she greeted coldly and distant.
"Hello darling, how is your day going? You sound pleasant." Clyde's sarcastic voice greeted her. She rolled her eyes. It was as if she could see the cocky grin plastered to his face. Some things never changed when it came to him. He has and will always be a self-centered son of a bitch. His narcissistic voice made Emily want to rip her ears out. Today was no exception.
Emily frowned and leaned back in her chair. She let out a loud groan before she answered. "You can't possibly think that I would believe for even a second that you're calling just to talk about my day. Seriously Clyde, just cut the crap. What did Ethan do now?" Clyde called on three occasions. The first was when he needed advice on parenting. The second was when their daughter was having girl problems. And last and most commonly, when Ethan had gotten himself into trouble.
Lately he had been out of control.
"Well hello to you too Em." He began trying to lighten the mood before discussing the matter at hand. If his ex girlfriend and colleague wasn't already furious she would be soon. "Your son will be calling tonight so he can explain what he did at school today. I must warn you this one is really his best work thus far."
Her son? Why was he suddenly not their son? Because Clyde did not think that he influenced any bad behaviour. He knew about Emily's past and all the wild and irresponsible things she enjoyed as a teenager. As far and he was concerned it, ran in their blood. Her genes influenced unacceptable conduct. Emily gritted her teeth as she listened to her ex. "Why is it when he does something wrong he's automatically my son? God Clyde!"
She leaned down trying to muffle some of her voice. This was a personal conversation and she didn't want everyone in the bullpen to hear it. "I thought you said you had this under control," she whispered harshly.
"I do. He's been expelled for the rest of year. I think it is a very fair punishment considering he could have easily been arrested." Clyde tried to explain but Emily was not considering expulsion as a bonus no matter the situation.
"Arrested? What did he do?" she shrieked. At that both Morgan and Reid turned to look at her, staring curiously. When she noticed their eyes on her she turn to the left to face the wall.
Emily has always been one of those people who liked to keep her personal life far away from her professional one. It had worked for many years but now, with her son acting out she was getting constant calls day in and day out explaining his wrong doings.
Her nights were spent worrying. What next? What might happen to him? She prayed he would soon realize the harm he was doing to himself.
"He will tell you tonight."
Emily heard a shift in the Brit's voice. As if someone were standing beside him, the comment directed at them. "No Clyde. You tell me what our son did."
"Well you already know that he's been getting himself wrapped up in the drug world for the past couple months."
"You say that like it's normal for your 15 year old to be a drug addict."
"He not an addict. I'm helping him."
"Sure you are, because you have that kind of time on your hands." Her sarcastic remark was cut off by his flaring temper.
"For bloody sakes!" Clyde growled. "You can't judge me on how much I am here for them. Tell me Emily, when was the last time you had a face to face conversation with one of your children? At least I live on the same continent as they do. Just listen to what I have to tell you without judging my parenting skills. You have no right to tell me what I'm doing wrong. It's hard taking care of them by myself."
"If they lived with me, it wouldn't be hard for you to take care of them," she said in a dismissive tone.
"That is not my fault. If you truly wanted to be a part of their lives you could have stayed in London." He stopped, knowing that he had overstepped a boundary. Emily didn't leave because she wanted to. It was forced upon her. Clyde gave her no choice. She had to get away from him.
She went completely silent after that comment.
Emily was furious now. Of all the card to play, he chose that one. She wanted to scream. To throw the phone at the wall. Clyde frustrated her to a point that she wanted to burst into tears.
Clyde cleared his voice. "Dear, Ethan thinks that it's okay to brings drugs to school. He also thinks it is okay to leave campus so he can 'blaze'. Today he spent his morning dealing to other students in the locker rooms."
"And they expelled him?! I want to speak with him right now! Where is he?" She knew that she had spoken far too loud this time. Both Hotch and Rossi had stepped out of their offices to see why the brunette agent was upset.
Her eyes found Hotch's but she quickly looked away.
Clyde breathed deeply. "He is on the couch in my office. If you want to yell at him, know that I already have done so. We will call you tonight."
The line went silent but neither one ended the call.
Before he could hang up Emily asked softly, "How's Kate?"
"Very embarrassed that she is related to Ethan but other than that, she good per usual."
Emily felt relieved. At least one of her children was acting responsibly. "I'm happy that she's doing well. Get her to call me later. I want to know how things are really going for her. I'm sure there are things she isn't telling you."
"And how do you know that?" He chuckled.
"Call it mother's intuition, and I saw something on Facebook a few days ago. I want to speak with both of them tonight." It made her sad to think that the best way to understand her daughter's life was through social networks. "Tell them that I love them. I should probably go now..."
"Em wait..." He paused. "There's something else that we need to discuss."
"Okay?" she replied with apprehension evident in her voice.
He cleared his throat, about to speak. He seemed nervous, which was odd, because Clyde was always over confident.
"It's about the twins..." he began before he changed his mind. "Actually nevermind, we can talk about it later. I'll let you go."
"Okay I'll... Ummm... We'll finish this when you call." Emily hung up the phone and stared aimlessly at the ceiling, completely unaware of the spectacle she had made.