Lead the Way - Chapter 109 - Looking Forward
Lead the Way - 109 - Looking Forward
“I’m okay. It’s just a flesh wound.” Emily tugged at the bandage before hopping off the bed. Anderson had shot Cooper through the throat and the bullet had gone on to graze Emily’s arm before hitting the wall.
He said he couldn’t know if Cooper was wearing a vest. It was probably the first time he had to fire his weapon, so no one dwelled on the subject. Besides, he had completed his task. Cooper had focused on the members of the BAU and the SWAT team and never saw another agent coming.
The house he chose because of its isolated location and lack of owners had been built during the cold war, when people were afraid of a nuclear war. Like so many others it had an underground tunnel leading to a bunker. It was through that bunker and the tunnel that Anderson could enter the house without detection.
All in all, Morgan’s plan had worked out perfectly. Now she just needed to see that JJ was alright and that she didn’t take anything she had said in the house seriously.
“I’m still coming with you.”
“Thanks, Morgan. Thank you for everything.”
He smiled and took her to JJ’s room.
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Outside Emily stopped. She could see JJ talking to her parents. She told Morgan she didn’t want to intrude, when in reality she was afraid to face her. Derek saw right through that, but didn’t call her on it. He entered the room alone.
He had left the door open and she could hear him say:
“I talked to Garcia earlier and she has a room ready for you, just two blocks from here. She could book airplane tickets for you or rent you a car, if you don’t feel like flying.”
“Thank you, Derek. We’ll call her in the morning.”
Andrea hugged the tall man and together with her husband she walked out of the room. She looked back to her daughter and smiled sadly. Emily stepped away from the door to give them space.
Frank’s eyes were red from crying and it looked like he wasn’t done just yet. Instead of saying anything he pulled Emily into a hug. Andrea translated: “Thank you for bringing Jenny home safely.”
Emily smiled uncomfortably. “She told us that you risked your life to save hers.”
Now her ears were turning red. She hated when that happened.
“She would have done the same for me.”
Andrea nodded knowingly.
“When you get a chance, you should come over for dinner, the two of you.” Emily’s eyes watered. Mrs. Jareau being nice to her almost sent her over the edge.
Seeing her daughter’s girlfriend struggling to stay in control of her feelings, Andrea started crying as well. She gave Emily another hug.
“You take good care of her now.” She whispered into her ear. Prentiss backed away and nodded. She watched as the Jareaus left the hospital holding hands.
Hotch and Rossi walked up to her. She could feel their presence even before she heard Hotch say: “I’m afraid you have to come in tomorrow. Fill out some paperwork, I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.”
“Thank you.”
“You did a hell of a job, kiddo.”
Emily smiled and said good night to her friends. Then she walked into the room.
“Emily.” JJ’s throat was still hoarse from all the screaming. She held out her hand on the bed. Emily took it and finally lost it. She cried and sobbed.
“It’s okay, Emily. I’m fine and Henry is fine, it’s all okay.”
“The things I’ve said…”
“Weren’t true.”
“I had to make him believe me, so he would turn his back to the door.”
“I’ve been with this team for a while now, Emily. I’ve seen you guys play roles to get the Unsubs.” Emily tried to object, but JJ went on: “Besides, you’re not that good an actress.” They smiled through the tears.
“I was so scared.” Prentiss whispered. “I was afraid I would never see you again, that he hurt you, that he would hurt Henry. I don’t want to lose you again.”
“See, I was afraid of carrots.” She laughed and rolled her eyes. “He gave me some kind of drug, making me see things.” She frowned. “Weird stuff. They say it’s already out of my system, but they want to keep me for observation.”
“You are so strong.”
“Look who’s talking.”
“I have to go back in tomorrow. I expect Strauss will want to have a talk.”
“Whatever she throws at us, we can take it, right?”
Emily smiled again. The tears on her cheeks were already dry.“I should go.”
“Please stay. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
Emily looked at her to make sure she had meant it. She then looked outside to the nurses and found that she really didn’t care about what they thought or what they might gossip about.
Quickly Emily took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed. She held her Jennifer until the sun came up.