October 5, 2010
Aaron held Emily close to him, arm around her mid-back, and kissed her head. As they approached the door to the FBI building, she animatedly shared the details of her plans for Jack's fifth birthday. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her voice was warm as she described the festivities she envisioned—balloons, cake, and all of Jack's favourite friends gathered to celebrate this special milestone.
"Alright, " Sean said, finalizing the cake design that Jack had requested for the celebration. In addition, Dave informed us that he and Sean had prepared the entire menu, ensuring that it features all of Jack's favourite dishes. Meanwhile, Mom took the responsibility of picking up the candy from the store in Times Square, which should add a nice touch to the festivities. Is there anything else we might have overlooked or forgotten to plan for?"
"No, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Did you put me down to do 10 hours of takedown and arrest procedure training to recertify?"
Aaron was surprised to hear this, as Rossi said nothing about Em doing that.
"Good morning!" Derek greeted them with a cheerful smile, his voice cutting through the crisp morning air.
He paused for a moment, taking in the striking couple before him. Emily stood confidently, her ensemble radiating elegance and sophistication. She wore a sumptuous L'AGENCE Bianca Dark Red Satin Blouse that shimmered softly in the light, paired with High-Waisted Pants in Grain De Poudre Black that accentuated her figure perfectly. A Givenchy Velvet Trimmed Wool Coat complemented her outfit in classic black, draped elegantly over her shoulders, and a pair of Genevieve Provence Basket Stud Earrings in silver that sparkled subtly against her neck. Derek's gaze wandered down to her feet, where the sleek Jimmy Choo Romy Patent Black Pumps lifted her stature and added an air of authority, bringing her a few inches closer to Hotch.
Standing beside her, Hotch exuded a commanding presence in his fitted Calvin Klein Black Slim-Fit Suit. The fabric hugged his frame impeccably, and a Silk-Blend Solid Tie in rich Red Velvet added a splash of colour against the suit's stark tones. His choice of Black Cole Haan Grand Cap Toe Oxfords polished off the look with a classic touch, while an Alexander McQueen Long Coat cascaded down his back, lending him an air of mystery and refinement.
At that moment, Derek couldn't help but recognize it again: Hotch and Emily were undeniably a powerful couple. Their styles harmonized effortlessly, and their confidence magnified their effect on those around them.
"What are we talking about?" Derek asked.
Derek glanced at Aaron and Emily, noticing an unspoken exchange flowing between them. Their eyes darted, and their expressions shifted into a silent conversation. It was like an invisible thread connected them, conveying thoughts and feelings without words. As she observed them, a realization dawned on her: it became clear that Derek had likely requested her to undergo recertification. She shared a knowing look with Aaron, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion, and they both understood the weight of Derek's unvoiced suggestion.
"About me going to my godmother to get out of recertification as I did that last week with Cooper and his team," Emily tells Derek.
"What? Why wouldn't you ask us?" Derek asked.
Emily turns to face Derek, leaving Aaron's side, "I don't trust you or Garica. Therefore, I don't trust Reid. JJ isn't qualified, and Rossi hates doing it. And Aaron isn't allowed to do anything for me. So, I went to the person Aaron trusted to do my recertification."
"Have I mentioned how thrilled I am that you're managing both roles so effectively?" Emily said with a warm smile as she leaned back in her chair and looked at JJ in her office.
"Yes, you have," JJ replied, her voice filled with appreciation. "And I appreciate how supportive you've been throughout this process. It makes a big difference having you help us."
"I wanted to do it when you left, but Garica got the idea, and you know Aaron is too soft and easy on her," Emily tells her.
Emily notices JJ keep checking under her desk.
"Have you seen Dr. Lee since I got back?" Emily asked.
"I had that case."
"When's your next?"
"Today at 3."
"I will cover for you. JJ, you and Aunt Erin went through hell. You need to talk about it. If it wasn't for Clyde giving me a therapist when I was gone... I don't know where I would be."
Penelope cautiously poked her head around the doorframe to glimpse JJ's office, her curiosity piqued by the muffled laughter. To her surprise, she found JJ and Emily wrapped in a warm embrace on the couch, their faces illuminated by the soft afternoon sunlight streaming through the window. The sight of their genuine affection brought a small smile to Penelope's lips, but she quickly reminded herself of the importance of checking in.
"Oh, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern and curiosity as she stepped further into the room, her brow slightly furrowed.
"Fine, we were talking about the kids. Hey, I will get Aaron and the rest for the case. Since it's local, we can get the boys and have them in daycare. You said Will is in court, right?" Emily said as she got up to leave the two.
"Yeah, see you in a bit," JJ tells her.
Pen stood by the doorway, watching Emily's figure retreat down the dimly lit hallway. A storm of emotions swirled within her—doubt, confusion, and a hint of anger. She couldn't shake the nagging question: "Is she going to forgive me?" It felt unfair that they had been in the wrong.
Emily had deceived them and then walked away without warning. Pen's heart ached as she tried to make sense of the situation. Why was Emily directing her fury at her and Derek? It was perplexing. Pen, Reid, and Derek had always been supportive, invested friends who stood by her side through thick and thin.
"I don't understand why she is so angry at Derek and me," Pen muttered to herself, frustration creeping into her tone. The truth is, they were the ones who felt wounded by Emily's betrayal, and yet it seemed she was channelling all her hurt and anger toward them. It didn't feel right. "We didn't deserve her anger when she was the one who hurt us," Pen thought, her mind racing with her emotions, feeling lost in a friendship that had once felt so strong.
"She was diligently performing her duties, fiercely focused on the task. None of you, particularly you, were given the security clearance necessary to access this information. The decision on who to trust with sensitive details rested solely in the hands of the directors of the CIA, FBI, and Interpol," JJ stated firmly as she collected the scattered cases, her expression a mix of determination and urgency.
Emily ate her sushi and put a piece in Aaron's mouth as they reviewed the case. Then, Emily looked out the window facing the bullpen to see her father enter.
"My dad is here," Emily tells him as she exits his office.
"Daddy?" Causing the bullpen to go quiet.
Reid and Morgan stand in stunned silence, their mouths agape as the shocking revelation sinks in. They exchange incredulous glances, both struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. Emily's father, a figure they had only heard stories about, turns out to be none other than the Army's Chief of Staff, a position that commands immense respect and authority.
"Emmy, honey. We need to talk." Robert tells Emily as he hugs her.
"Is this about the case?"
"Yes,"
"Daddy, why aren't you answering the phone?" Emily asked as she walked through her father's house.
Emily was hit over the head and tied up; when she came to, Emily realized the unsub had her father. Anderson helps her up and drives her back to BAU.
"Where's my father?" Emily asked as she entered the BAU.
"They got there too late..." Rossi started as Strauss went to hug Emily.
Strauss watches as Emily cries over her father's body as she sees Elizabeth enter the hall with Alex with her.
"Where?" Elizabeth asked.
Erin points to the room.
"Lizzie is going to need both of us again," Erin tells Alex Blake.
"I called James, Fiona, Clyde, Jill and Gideon," Alex tells her.
"Strauss?" They heard Aaron's voice.
Aaron walks up to them.
"Case wrap up?"
"Yes, and JJ is on her way to help Will with the boys."
"Emily made it clear before going in that we will celebrate Jack's birthday, as Robert would have wanted," Erin tells him.
"When do we have the funeral then?"
"October 22," Alex said.
"What about time off?" Aaron asked.
"I think the team can handle a few cases without Emily and a case or two without you," Erin tells him.