A/N - Hi back after mini-break! Thanks to everyone who is still reading & reviewing.
Chapter 25 –
Alex and Garcia walked quietly up the stairs, Garcia had a look of relief on her face whereas Alex's expression was a lot more pensive. Garcia knocked softly on the door but didn't wait for an answer as she entered, smiling as she saw Kate turn and look in anticipation.
"What's happened?"
Kate quickly moved towards Garcia as she spoke, Mary was awake and laying silently on the sofa watching the others. Garcia embraced Kate, holding her tightly as she whispered into her ear.
"Everyone is fine, he's dead, it's over."
"Finally."
A gasp of relief left Kate's body, involuntarily sobbing into Garcia's shoulder as Garcia watched Alex move over to the sofa and perched down next to Mary.
"Hello Mary, I'm Alex."
Alex smiled kindly as Mary tried to move her body but a wince of pain quickly escaped her mouth.
"Careful Mary!"
The look of concern on Alex's face made Mary nod her head before Alex placed an arm around Mary's back and helped her to sit up.
"So you and I are going to take a trip to the hospital, make sure that you get the treatment you need."
Mary just nodded her head as she glanced over at Kate but she was still concentrating on Garcia, Mary felt a little anxious that she wasn't going to get the chance to say goodbye to Kate and Agent Prentiss but then the wave of pain rushed over her body once again and Mary knew that she would do whatever anyone told her to. Alex stood up first before she used her strength to help Mary stand, the two of them quietly leaving the office before Alex headed down the stairs, walking carefully with Mary as she approached a male agent.
"Anderson, I need you to take us to the hospital please."
"Of course Agent Blake, do you need me to stay with you?"
"No that's no longer necessary Anderson, thank you."
Mary kept her head bowed low as the exchange took place, just allowing Alex's firm yet soft touch to lead her out of the bullpen and into yet another unknown location.
Emily looked at Dave as he passed her his cell before she continued to drive the two of them away from the apartment building.
"Garcia said that she'll drop Kate off at home."
"Good."
"Are you sure that you're ok Emily?"
Emily closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the moment when the bullets were flying through the air.
"I'm good, I just want to get back home."
"Amen to that."
"Did Garcia say what was happening with Mary?"
"Alex is taking her to the hospital."
Emily nodded her head as watched Dave close his eyes, the movement of the vehicle enough to send his exhausted body into a deep sleep.
Alex stood by the door as she watched the female doctor quietly examine Mary, they had already been there for twenty minutes and Mary had yet to utter a word. Alex stretched out her injured shoulder, wincing slightly as she tried to extend the movement, turning away as she saw the doctor moving towards her.
"I've sedated her, she has broken ribs, severe bruising all over, there were some cuts that I've stitched up. She'll need to stay in for at least two days as I need to ensure that there are no infections."
Alex nodded her head as she glanced over at Mary who was attached to several monitors and had an oxygen mask on.
"I need to stay with her."
"Of course, do you need any medication for your shoulder?"
"No I'm ok thanks."
Alex smiled as she moved over and sat down next to the bed, retrieving her cell as she sent a message to Hotch, Garcia and Emily.
Emily followed Dave through the front door, a rush of relief pouring through her body as the sound of onrushing footsteps caught their attention.
"Mom! Dad!"
Kate had a wide smile on her face as she embraced both her parents, the three of them holding each other tightly.
"Hello sweetie, is Garcia here?"
"No she went home, I told her that I was fine. Are you both ok?"
Emily nodded her head and smiled as she let her daughter go but Dave kept a hold of Kate as he spoke.
"We're better now we're home munchkin."
"Well I don't know about you sweetie but I am shattered and can't wait to sleep in my own bed!"
Emily winked at Kate as she yawned and the three of them made their way to the stairs.
"What happened to Mary, Alex took her out of the office before I had a chance to speak to her."
"Alex has taken her to the hospital."
"Oh ok."
Kate stifled a yawn as they reached the top of the stairs, Emily wandered over and kissed Kate softly on her forehead.
"Sleep well darling."
"You too mom, dad."
"Night munchkin."
Kate waved her hand before she walked into her bedroom, collapsing on her familiar bed, not even bothering to change before she drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
Mary opened her eyes and immediately knew that she was somewhere else, the bright light shining down, instinctively she reached up and tried to move the object but then she felt another hand touch hers and Mary turned her head.
"Let me."
Mary looked over and saw the female agent who had brought her to the hospital sitting next to the bed before she carefully removed the mask that was adorning her face.
"Thanks."
"Are you ok? Can I get you anything?"
Mary shook her head as she gathered her thoughts, she could remember the doctor examining her but the pain for the first time had eased slightly.
"You're still here?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
"I didn't want you to wake up and be on your own."
"Am I still in trouble? Is that why you're really here?"
Alex took a breath and shook her head.
"No don't worry Mary, just try and relax, you've been through a horrendous ordeal, your body needs to heal."
Mary closed her eyes for a moment, she could feel her emotions building up but she didn't want to show anything.
"Ok, thanks."
"Try and get some rest."
Alex smiled as she patted Mary's hand, watching carefully as Mary closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep once again.
Emily sat in the bed, her breathing rapid as she felt her heart pacing before she glanced over at the alarm clock, 4:23am, not bad she thought to herself. Looking over at Dave she saw that he was still sleeping soundly, unperturbed by her nightmare, a smile crept across her face but Emily knew that she would be unable to fall back to sleep. Stealthily Emily moved out of the bed and padded softly down the stairs, moving instinctively into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on.
"Hello mom."
Emily's eyes opened wide as she turned around and saw Kate curled up on the sofa in the kitchen.
"You made me jump Kate!"
"Sorry mom."
"You couldn't sleep?"
"For a little bit, did you have a nightmare too?"
Emily nodded her head as she reached and brought another mug down and made two cups of tea before she walked over and sat down next to Kate.
"I dreamt that he shot you mom."
"But he didn't sweetie, it was all just a bad dream."
"What was yours about?"
Kate rested her head on Emily's shoulder and felt her mom take in a deep breath before she spoke.
"That I couldn't save Mary."
Emily bowed her head as her mind filled with memories of the dream.
"Will she be ok mom?"
"I don't know Kate."
"Can we go and see her today?"
"I think that would be a good idea."
Emily smiled as she looked at Kate, her mind at the same time thinking about Mary and how much she reminded her of Kate when she had taken her in all those years ago.