Chapter 10 –
Morgan reached into his pocket, the vibration of his cell unmistakable as he read the message and sighed heavily.
"Derek?"
JJ spoke quietly, she could see that Kate had drifted off to sleep and didn't want to wake her if it wasn't necessary.
"There's been a change of plans."
Morgan passed his cell over to JJ before he checked the vehicles around him and was happy that they weren't being followed.
"Strauss?"
"Yeah who'd thought that she'd rear her ugly head again, I thought that she was too high up to worry about any of us anymore."
"Seems a wise move to me."
"I guess so, I'm just glad that I'm not the one who told Emily."
Morgan looked at JJ who nodded her head, they both knew how hard it had hit Emily and Kate when they had had to go into hiding when Doyle was after Emily but this time the whole team was behind them and determined to find and catch whoever was helping Davis as swiftly as possible.
"This is crazy!"
Emily slammed her hands on the dining table as she looked at Strauss who had finally turned back around to face her.
"Agent Prentiss this is a clear threat to not only your life but more specifically your daughter's, moving you is the safest and best option for all of you."
Strauss took a breath as she walked around the table, quickly looking at Blake and Garcia as she gestured for them to leave before Strauss stood next to Emily, the tone of her voice soft and quiet as she spoke.
"Emily, I know that this is difficult for you and I'm sorry for having barged in but as soon as I heard about your situation I wanted to help, I don't want to see either you or Kate hurt."
Emily sighed as she picked her hands up from the table and stood upright turning to face Strauss.
"If anything happens to Kate I don't think that I could live with myself."
Emily's voice was barely a whisper as she spoke, the tears threatened to spill over but Emily swallowed hard and managed to keep them at bay as Strauss reached up and placed a gentle hand on Emily's shoulder.
"Kate will be fine Emily."
"I need to pack some stuff."
"Ok how about you meet us downstairs in ten minutes?"
"Thanks."
Emily nodded her head as she walked off and Strauss knew that once alone Emily would finally let her barriers down.
"Ma'am?"
Strauss turned around and nodded as Garcia walked towards her.
"I'd like to go into the office, my computers are more powerful there and it would be less obvious if someone is watching."
"Ok but I'd like to give you the address of the safe house I want you to monitor the traffic around the area."
"Of course."
Garcia nodded as she started to pack up her belongings while Strauss walked back through to Dave's office where she found Blake sitting behind the desk.
"I'm going to head back to the office, are you ok to accompany Emily to safe house with your injury?"
"I'm sure that I can cope."
"I'm serious Alex, if you need me to stay then I will, let's not let our personal issues get in the way of protecting Emily and Kate."
"Sorry, no I'm fine Erin."
Blake waved her hand as Erin walked out and waited patiently for Emily to come back down so they could travel to the safe house.
Kate opened her eyes and yawned widely before she reached up and rubbed her eyes, feeling slightly disorientated it took roughly 30 seconds to realise where she was and what was going on. Pulling herself upright Kate peered out of the widow and immediately frowned as she looked at the scenery passing them by.
"Where are we?"
"There's been a change of plans kid, don't worry I'll have you with your mom in a couple of minutes."
Morgan smiled as he spoke but Kate leant forward and ran her fingers through her hair.
"I thought that you said that mom had been called into work, what's going on Aunt Jen?"
Kate immediately directed her question at JJ as the blonde turned around and gave Kate a faint smile.
"I promise you that everyone is safe Kate and your mom will explain everything to you. You trust me don't you Kate?"
"Always Aunt Jen."
Kate's voice was a whisper as she felt the vehicle slow to a halt before Morgan turned around.
"Stay here for a minute while I check that it's safe, when you get out you stay behind me and JJ will be right behind you, ok?"
Kate nodded her head as she sucked in her bottom lip, the nerves were trying to take over her body as she eyed the apartment block they had stopped outside and as she walked behind Morgan she could feel her heart racing uncontrollably.
Emily stared at Blake as the knock on the door reverberated around the apartment, both sets of eyes flew to the computer screen and the video surveillance from outside and Emily could feel her heart pounding as she laid eyes on Kate.
"Stay here Emily I'll make sure we stay secure."
Blake didn't wait for a reply as she walked to the door, unbolting and unlocking it before she smiled and ushered Kate inside.
"Your mom's just through there waiting for you Kate."
"We're going back to Quantico are you ok to stay here?"
Morgan spoke quickly as Blake nodded her head before she waved to Morgan and JJ and closed and secured the door once again, deciding to give Emily and Kate some privacy she walked through to the bedroom and laid out on the bed.
"Mom!"
Kate's voice squealed with relief as she ran over quickly embracing her mom as Emily too held Kate tightly, stroking her daughter's hair as she whispered into her ear.
"I'm so sorry sweetie."
Kate pulled away from her mom but only slightly as she intertwined their fingers together and started to look around the sparsely furnished room her eyes quickly focusing on the long coffee table and the FBI file that was laid out on it. Releasing one of her hands Kate reached down and opened the file, instantly a gasp of horror left her mouth as she saw the photo of herself in her dorm room with a red laser pointing straight at her chest.
"Kate, it's going to be ok I'm so sorry that this is happening to you, us all over again."
Kate put her hand to her mouth as she saw the other photos of her and her parents but she could see how upset her mom was and knew that she was racked with guilt.
"It's not your fault mom, nobody blames you, I love you."