Never Together Nor Apart

[Chapter 13]

Emily's POV:

It's been a week since I 'died'. I had been transported to Paris the second my surgery was over. I was informed Doyle had gotten away, it was a safety measure. I've only been able to think about my team—my family I left behind. I loved them more than I had let on, but it was too late now. I may never see them again. Not to mention, they didn't even know I was here. That I was sitting in a small apartment right next to the Eiffel Tower. It was a beautiful sight, but I couldn't enjoy it. Not under these circumstances.They thought I was dead, I would only be a memory in their eyes. I shut my own eyes, trying to block out the sound of Derek's screams.

*Flashback*

I hear my shallow breaths echoing between the walls. Footsteps approach me, then a voice.

"I got her," I hear from Morgan, "I got her in the basement on the south side. I need a medic. Prentiss?"

"What?" I try to face him, but it's too painful to move.

"Hey, it's me, I'm right here. You're gonna be alright. Stay with me baby. Come on, stay with me," he pleads.

"Let me go," I groan.

"No. No, I am not letting you go," he says to me, "HELP ME?!" He screams into the distance, "listen to me, I know why you did all of this. I know what you did for Declan. I'm so proud of you. Do you under stand that? I am proud of you because you are my friend, and you are my partner".

I feel myself slipping from it all, ready to be released from the tragic and painful world to which I'm being kept prisoner.

"No, Emily! Come on, stay with me. If you can hear me, please just squeeze my hand," he directs.

I do as he says, I hold his hands as tight as I can. I realize I'm not ready to be let go. I couldn't do that to them—my team... my family.

"Yes, there you go. There yo go baby. Just keep squeezing," those chilling words were the last thing I heard.

I realize I had been screaming. I wipe the tears from my eyes. I needed to pull myself together. I needed to make a new life. I had no ties, nothing we holding me back. I had money, passports, all given to me by Elle. I had no husband, no children, no family—biological family. Declan! I had forgotten, Doyle knows he's alive! I needed a way to surveil him. I needed to know he was ok. If there was one thing I could still do it would be that, to make sure Declan was never found.

[2 months later; Emily has been 'dead' for two months and one week]

"Thanks Garcia," I say over the phone.

She hangs up. She had just given me the address of the unsub. Morgan, Hotch and I take one car together. Reid and Gideon in another. Morgan takes the drivers side as I slip in the backseat, Hotch in the passenger side. We race through traffic, cars yielding as we pass. Within 10 minutes we reach our destination. Gideon and Reid not far behind.

"Emily, Morgan, take the front. Gideon and Reid take the shed. I'll go around back," Hotch orders.

We go the ways we are directed. It was dark, rain drops start to pour down. I sneak up to the door alongside Morgan. He tried the doorknob, causing the door to creak open. I pull out my flashlight, placing it over my gun as I advance inside. I turn to see the living room.

"Clear," I announce.

Morgan reciprocates from the kitchen.

I enter the dining room.

"Clear," I say once again.

"Clear," I hear Morgan from the bedroom.

We had checked the entire house, no sign of the unsub... or Hotch.

We walk back out the front door, looking for Reid and Gideon. I figured Hotch had caught up with them.

"The shed's clear. There's sign of struggle, there's also blood casing the floor," Reid explains.

"Where's Hotch?" I ask.

"Wasn't he with you?" Gideon asks.

"We cleared the house. When he wasn't inside I figured he went to meet y'all?" Morgan confesses.

"So, nobody knows where he is?" I conclude, "fuck," I breath under my breath.

"We know he was headed towards the back. knowing Aaron, he would have left a trail, or a message. Anything to let us know he's alright or where he went," Gideon states.

We head to the back. I see his ankle holster on the ground. There's blood surrounding it. I shine my flashlight in all directions, looking for more. I spot his shoe.

"Guys, over here," I yell as I walk towards it.

"His shoe? Is it a message? Or did it fall off?" Morgan asks.

"I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. We should follow it," I say annoyed.

"She's right, we should follow it," Gideon agrees.

We walk down the path, leading into some trees. Luckily for us, there's a clearing.

"It stops. It just stops," I say exasperated.

"No, look over here," Reid points out.

I see Hotch's FBI vest lying on the ground. There's no way in hell he would take that off. I begin to worry.

"This way," Morgan leads.

We continue walking, trees engulfing our bodies.

"I'm beginning to think this is a bad idea," Reid starts.

"Shush, listen," Gideon says.

I hear muffled screams. I take off in a rush towards them, Morgan, Gideon, and Reid calling out for me. I couldn't lose him. I had lost everything, but I wouldn't loose him. Their voices fade, leaving me to chase after his yelps. I finally come across his sprawled out body. He lies there, a knife sticking from his abdomen. I let tears fall as I approach him carefully.

"Hotch, I'm right here," I cry, "it's gonna be ok," I feel my hand brush against his.

I reach for it and squeeze.

"Stay with me Aaron," I plead.

I feel his grip loosen.

"Aaron, please! I need you! I love you!" I weep while I express my emotions, "I said I love you dammit, breath!"

I watch as his expression twists into a cold, icey stare. His face shifts, I'm no longer looking at the once beautiful man before me I now face Ian. He laughs, fighting against my sobs.

"You honestly thought I'd let you have him? You'll never be safe, and neither will your team. You should have never ran 'Lauren'" he uses my undercover name, causing a pit in my stomach.

I look down to see the plank of wood shoved in my gut. The once forest scenery changes into the dark room where I had once been, I scream.

I shoot up from my bed. My body was achy, my hair a sweaty mess. It was just a dream. A horrific, and nasty dream. But Hotch? What had that been about. I rub my face, trying to compose myself. I get up, I needed some air. I walk out onto my balcony. I'd come here during nights like this. When I felt alone, terrified, and scared. It helped ease the pain. My thoughts return to Hotch. I couldn't keep him out of my mind. I had said I loved him, in a dream, but I had said it nonetheless. Had I really fallen for my boss?

I will admit, this chapter was a bit hard to write when I started. After I got over that initial bump, I didn't know where to stop. I figured this would be a good place so here we are! I hope you enjoyed!

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