CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

13x14 Miasma

"What do you mean, Agent Prentiss has been placed on administrative leave?" JJ asked as soon as she sat down. She felt like she was walking on thin ice. Like she had to carefully pick out all of her words.

"I've been looking over your work, and I think you're doing an excellent job. Why do you think the brass didn't give you a shot at Unit Chief when Agent Hotchner elected to leave?" JJ paused at the question. She couldn't help but think of her wife's disdain for politics. I think politics makes people hate themselves… it damages people.

"Prentiss was the natural choice. She had seniority." JJ narrowed her eyes. She was sure that most of her superiors knew that they were married. And if Barnes was aware, what was she trying to get at by asking her these questions? Did she really think that JJ would discredit her own wife?

"You're aware this month marks the one year anniversary of Agent Reid's arrest in Mexico?"

"I was aware that was coming up, yes."

"When something like this happens, it's standard operating procedure for the Director to initiate an internal audit."

"We work by the book. Always."

"Then this should be a fairly painless process."

"Of course."

"As team leader, Agent Prentiss will need to give a full account of the BAU's actions. That's why effective immediately, you will be the acting head of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Pending further review, you and your team will remain on active duty." JJ stayed quiet. Barnes narrowed her eyes and leaned forward as if suspecting JJ's distrust in her. "Agent Jareau, as a courtesy, I chose to inform you first. I'll be speaking with Agent Prentiss in the morning, so I'd appreciate it if you'd keep this between us until you hear from me."

JJ could see right through her motives. It wasn't out of the kindness of her heart that she told JJ. It was the exact opposite. She smiled sharply. "You're asking me to lie to my wife?"

"No. I'm asking you not to mention it for the next 12 hours."

JJ stared back at Barnes, incredulously. They both knew that Emily would have questions about the nature of the meeting. Barnes was obviously playing a game - trying to drive a wedge between them.

"Agent - do we have an understanding?"

JJ hadn't even made it to her car before her phone started ringing. She glanced down at the caller ID. Of course…

"Emily?"

"Hey, I was hoping we were gonna get the night off, but we've just pulled another case. I already called Morgan, the twins are going to have a sleepover at his place tonight. Are you still -"

"Emily -" JJ interrupted her. "Something's going on..."

JJ sat awkwardly in the conference room. Emily was outlining the details of the case to the rest of the team but she barely heard it. She was lost in thought. Still trying to process what was happening. This was such a bad situation. She knew it wasn't a good look that she got the Unit Chief position. It would look like nepotism. And while she knew none of her friends would see it that way, she couldn't help but think that Barnes had done it on purpose. To test just how strong the loyalty was among the group.

"New Orleans PD wants us there ASAP. There is one more thing," Emily said, standing and collecting a few files, "I won't be coming along. JJ will be acting as Unit Chief in my absence. I have a meeting with Assistant Director Barnes tomorrow morning. It's short notice, but as far as I understand, it's just a standard administrative review. So, I'm sure everything will be fine."

Emily exited the conference room quickly - she didn't wait for questions. Emily was acting especially authoritative. JJ could tell she was upset. This wasn't going to be as simple as a 'administrative review' and she was frustrated to say the least. All eyes looked over at JJ. This was awkward. But JJ was determined to be as professional and forthcoming about things as she could. She wasn't going to let Barnes turn her team against her.

"Okay. Um, wheels up in thirty."

Nobody settled much on the jet. JJ glanced around at her team and saw them all in deep thought.

"Something must have triggered an internal review."

"It's me," Spencer said like it was the most obvious thing. "It's been almost a year since my arrest in Mexico."

"It's just an annual review," JJ stated calmly. "It's standard operating procedure." But Spencer looked unconvinced. He could always read JJ better than most. And he knew when she was lying - even to herself. "We haven't done anything wrong," JJ said. "We can't worry about this right now, because we have a case. People need our help."

JJ sighed. The best thing she could do right now was take her own advice.

"Agent Prentiss, do you know why you're here today?"

"I do not."

Barnes looked skeptical. "Agent Jareau didn't…" she paused before saying, "call you?" Emily did her best not to roll her eyes.

"No."

Barnes stopped the recording. "We're not off to a very good start, are we? I've asked you one question, and you've lied to me. Shall we try that again? Did Agent Jareau call you?"

"No, Agent Jareau did not call me. I called her to let her know we had another case. She informed me that she had spoken with you, but she did not disclose what was said."

"Agent Jareau isn't in any trouble. I expected she'd call you."

It took a great deal of self control to hold her face neutral. She didn't like this game Barnes was playing. It was as if she was daring her to bring up their marriage - trying to catch her in a lie. As if Emily would ever deny or feel ashamed to be married to JJ.

"As I'm sure you're aware, it is the one year anniversary of Agent Reid's arrest in Mexico. I went through your findings and subsequent months-long investigation… The thing is, once I started to dig, I couldn't stop. What I found, Agent Prentiss, was that with you at the helm, team loyalty is more important than bureau policy."

"That's not a fair assessment."

"Mistakes have been made. So that's what we're here to discuss - the state of the Behavioral Analysis Unit under the leadership of Emily Prentiss."

Barnes stood from her desk and walked to the other side of the office. Emily didn't turn around. She heard water pouring into a glass.

"The death of SSA Stephen Walker… Your team member. You knew Agent Walker personally - recruited him to join the BAU."

Emily waited for a question. Barnes was staring her down. She felt a lump forming in her throat but she refused to cry in front of Lisa Barnes. "He was an exemplary agent." Was all she could manage to say.

"And the first agent to die in the field in the BAU's storied history."

Emily clenched her jaw. As if she hadn't already been blaming herself for Stephen's death… the team had insisted that it wasn't her fault. Stephen's wife had insisted that it wasn't her fault. But Barnes was right - she was the leader. And ultimately, she was responsible for her team and what happened to them. She missed Hotch more than ever at that moment. She never truly understood how much weight he carried for the BAU. He carried it so his team didn't have to. She wished she could thank him.

"You're not out in the field. It's not black and white."

"I spoke with an officer Cabrera in Matamoros, Mexico. Do you remember him?"

Emily felt a chill run up her spine. She was hyper aware of every movement she made - so as not to give anything away.

"I do."

"He says you deleted a voice memo in which Agent Reid allegedly confessed to the murder of Nadie Ramos. That's not just tampering with evidence. That's obstruction of justice, charges that could end your career." There was a slight glint in Barnes' eyes. She knew she'd hit a nerve. Emily swallowed carefully.

"I'd like to take a break."

The ringing of her phone made her jump a little. She quickly checked the caller ID. David. She was almost relieved it wasn't JJ. Almost.

"She's been through every command decision I've made since taking over as Unit Chief and thrown them back at me," Emily told Dave. She paused and bit her lip. "Including Stephen's death…"

"You know we've got your back, right?"

"I do."

"Emily - don't let her push you around. You've earned that seat."

She hung up the phone and closed her eyes. She could really use a hug from JJ right about now. Emily smiled to herself - despite everything going on, she couldn't help but be unbelievably proud of her. Watching her lead the team… it filled her heart with pride. She would tell her when she got back. But right now, JJ didn't need any extra distractions.

Emily arrived home early. She didn't have much else to work on. She put down her purse by the door. An involuntary smile spread across her face at the sound of little footsteps running towards her. It was Michael that got to her first. She bent down and he gave her a hug. Henry collided with her next, almost knocking her off balance. Emily laughed. It felt good to laugh. They were like instant therapy. Emily kissed both boys quickly. Sandy Jareau stood at a distance taking in the sight. Despite Emily's happiness at seeing her boys, Sandy could still see the stress in her eyes.

"Long day?"

"You have no idea…" Emily sighed.

"Jenny?" Sandy asked, looking past her towards the door expectantly. Emily smiled tightly.

"She's in New Orleans…" Emily said. "I had to stay behind for an annual review," She added. She really didn't feel like explaining any further. Emily saw Sandy narrow her eyes, but she seemed content enough with the explanation.

"Well these two are certainly happy you're home," she said. Henry had an arm wrapped around his mother's neck. She stood, taking Henry with her. Michael ran back the way he came. Emily shook her head watching him. "I'm gonna get going," Sandy said softly. Emily turned with raised eyebrows.

"You should stay for dinner," Emily offered.

"I think Michael and Henry would love some one and one time with their mommy." She glanced down at Henry. He was resting his head on Emily's shoulder, sucking on his pacifier. Emily tightened her hold on her son slightly. "Another time," Sandy said in a whisper, rubbing Henry's back gently.

"I'd like to pick up where we left off yesterday."

"No. Let's not. This isn't about the BAU. This is about you. You want to make a name for yourself. Everything about your demeanor says 'I want to be in charge.' You want to be the director someday. That's why we're here."

"Have you always had issues with authority?"

Emily chuckled bitterly. "Better agents than you have tried to split the BAU and failed. Each time, the BAU has done its job, and done it well, and so have I. And you know what that's gotten me? Respect. Support. And capital. So whatever game it is you're trying to play here, I want no part of it."

"I may be ambitious, but I've read your file, Agent Prentiss, and there's more of me in you than you'd like to admit. But the BAU is not infallible and I'd like to talk about your team and their role in all of this."

"I'm the Unit Chief. The buck stops with me."

"Sure," she said with slight condescension. "But Agent Rossi has just published another book - spending a lot of time with his family. Agent Reid's been busy with his teaching assignment. And I'd think even you'd have to admit that it is a blatant conflict of interest for you to be Agent Jareau's supervisor."

"So this is a fishing expedition? You want me to give you a fall guy?"

"Rossi and Reid - neither are good at following rules!"

"They're indispensable!"

"They are loose cannons! I am asking you to sacrifice a couple pieces to save the whole board."

"I stand by my team and the actions we've taken."

Emily stared her down. This was turning into a battle of wills. She wasn't going to betray her team. She'd rather be the scapegoat than sell-out anyone else. It was the only move she had left - calling Barnes' bluff.

"Not bad for the first time steering the ship," David muttered, as he approached JJ. She had just finished brewing tea in the jet's tiny kitchen. "She would be proud," Dave added. JJ smiled softly at the thought of her wife. At the thought of Emily being proud of her. "Have you heard from Emily?"

"No," JJ answered softly. She had done her best to keep her mind off of Emily while she was working the case. But now, with no distractions, it was all JJ could think about. "I, uh, I texted her to let her know we were on our way back, but…" She looked down at the mug of tea in her hands. She didn't know what to make of Emily's radio silence. All she hoped was that she wasn't beating herself up.

JJ made a beeline for Emily's office as soon as they walked through the doors. Her face was inscrutable, but JJ still felt herself relax upon seeing her. That was until she looked deep enough into her eyes that she could see it - the forlornness.

There was a fire burning in JJ as she sat in the conference room forced to listen to Emily explain her suspension to the entire team. This was tearing Emily apart - that was clear for JJ to see. She was blaming herself for not being able to protect them.

They left the office early. Emily didn't speak at all on the drive home. JJ glanced in her direction a couple times only to find her staring out the window. As much as she wanted to reach out to her, JJ didn't. They would talk later - when they could give each other their undivided attention.

Emily could feel JJ's concern for her all evening. But it wasn't until after JJ had read a bedtime story to the boys that she actually verbalized it. Emily was standing in front of the bathroom sink when JJ walked in. She walked right up to her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. Emily stared at JJ through the mirror.

"I'm sorry about what's happening," JJ whispered. Emily felt the warmth of her breath on her shoulder. Emily turned and wrapped her arms around JJ's waist.

"It's not your fault…"

"It's not your fault either," JJ replied fiercely. Emily looked unconvinced. There were still things JJ didn't know about Spencer's case. "I just wish you would believe that…"

"I'm proud of you," Emily said, changing the subject.

JJ could see she wasn't going to get much out of Emily tonight. She brought a gentle hand to stroke her cheek before grabbing Emily's hand and pulling her towards their bed. As soon as they got under the covers Emily pulled herself into JJ's arms, resting her head on her shoulder, and entwining their legs. JJ ran a hand through her wife's hair in a soothing motion. After a while, Emily was able to fall asleep. JJ continued to run her fingers through her hair.

"I love you, Emily."