Chapter 21 –

10:10am Monday 21st November 2011

"So are you ready?"

Emily smiled as she spoke, looking at Milly as she gingerly got off from the bed, dressed in some jeans and a jumper that Emily had brought in for her, as she nodded in response to her older sister.

"Yes it will be nice to get out of this room."

Milly smiled as she looked around the cramped hospital room before Emily took a hold of her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"I've got a cab waiting outside, I've got to pack my stuff up at the hotel and then check with Hotch to see what the arrangements are for travelling home."

Milly took a deep breath as they walked out of the hospital, she knew that this was what she wanted but it was still going to take some time to get used to, she hoped that the day would pass quickly so that she could get settled in at her new home with Emily.

11:34am Monday 21st November 2011

Milly lay on the bed, the remote control in her right hand as she kept scrolling through the channels, not settling on a programme for longer than two minutes before she changed it again. Emily was collecting her belongings from the bathroom as she sighed and listened to the volume on the television increase a little, she knew that Milly was nervous so she just closed her eyes for a moment before she continued to pack her things. Emily was still in the bathroom when she heard a knock on the door, she took a deep breath and quickly went to answer it.

"JJ."

"Hi Em, Milly."

JJ smiled as Emily stood aside and let her friend enter.

"So all packed?"

"Yeah think so."

Emily stood in the middle in the room and looked around once again as JJ sat down on the bed watching as Milly rolled her eyes and the blonde failed to suppress her laughter.

"Oh she's always like this Milly, scared that she might leave her toothbrush behind or something just as important!"

"You laugh now Jen but who got round to mine and realised she'd left her pyjamas in a hotel in Alabama!"

Emily grinned as JJ shook her head and looked at Milly, gently placing her hand on top of hers and making her drop the remote control onto the bed.

"Well the guts are all at a coffee shop nearby and we were wondering if you wanted to come over, grab a decent coffee before the flight home."

Milly looked across at Emily who finished closing her bag up and looked at JJ before speaking.

"So we're flying back with you guys?"

"Yeah Hotch has arranged for the jet to leave at 2pm, we thought that it would give you a change to get sorted before leaving."

"Thanks, Milly?"

"I don't mind, I guess so, can I sleep on the plane?"

"Of course you can, Jen normally does!"

Emily grinned as JJ stuck her tongue out at her friend but Emily walked around the bed as she saw Milly slowly stand up, gently she placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Don't worry they're nice people Milly, you've already met Hotch and JJ."

"I guess so and you've told me plenty about the others, Morgan, Reid and Dave?"

"That's right and I promise they won't ask you any awkward questions."

Milly nodded her head as JJ reached across and turned the television off, Milly felt her body tense slightly but she knew that she had to be strong, this was a new start and one that she couldn't mess up.

15:08pm Monday 21st November 2011

Emily sat staring out of the window as the jet made its way back home, opposite her Milly was curled up, taking two seats up and she had JJ's blanket wrapped around her as she slept. Emily was pleased that her sister was sleeping, the morning had been exhausting for her and they both needed to remember that her body was still recuperating from her attack.

"Hello."

Emily jumped slightly as she turned around and saw Hotch sitting next to her, smiling softly, she returned the smile as she looked around the jet and saw that everyone else was preoccupied.

"Hi."

"Is Milly ok?"

Hotch nodded towards the sleeping teenager before he looked deeply into Emily's eyes.

"Yeah I think we exhausted her over coffee but at least we're going home now."

"It went ok then, we didn't overwhelm her? I did have words with Reid beforehand."

Hotch smiled as Emily laughed quietly and shook her head.

"No I was impressed everyone was on their best behaviour! I suppose it helped that she knew about everyone but Milly also knows that the team knows her deepest darkest secrets and that scares her."

"That's understandable of course but then we also know each other's lives inside out now, maybe you could explain that to Milly, it might help."

Emily nodded her head as she reached across and picked up her bottle of water, taking a long sip as she watched Milly shift in her sleep.

"Do you need a hand when you get home, to help Milly get settled in?"

"No we're ok, thank you though. My mother is sorting everything out for me, I expect it will look perfect when we get back."

"The Ambassador is helping?"

Hotch raised an eyebrow as Emily laughed.

"Well I doubt that she is doing the work herself but I asked her to decorate and furnish Milly's room for her."

Emily saw the confused look on Hotch's face and explained.

"My mother may have certain views of the Colonel but she knows that none of it is Milly's fault, she knows that Milly needs a stable home and she is willing to help me with that."

"That's good."

"Yeah we've got a good relationship now, after I came back from Paris, I want to keep that and include Milly in it."

"Well you know where I am if you need anything, though I don't expect to see you in the office until next Monday at the earliest."

Emily raised her eyebrows and looked startled at Hotch as he reached across and placed his hands on top of Emily's.

"This case has been tough on the whole team but you especially Emily, Milly needs you around to help her adjust, I'm sure that the both of you still have a lot to talk about."

"Thanks Hotch, I know that it's going to be hard and take time but think that I can help Milly."

"Of course you can Emily and remember that we are all around if you need us."

Emily nodded her head as Hotch let go of her hands and stood up, making his way down the jet to where more files were awaiting his attention.

17:38pm Sunday 27th November 2011

Milly was sat on the kitchen counter, watching Emily stirring the pot of sauce that had been bubbling away for the last thirty minutes, in the week that she had travelled back with Emily things had not always been easy but Milly knew that her sister was trying hard and that meant that she had to give a bit back too.

"What time is she coming?"

"Well the food will be served at 7pm so probably about 6:30pm."

Milly nodded her head as Emily turned and walked over to where she was sitting, the extra height from the counter meant that they were now the same height.

"You're going back to work tomorrow?"

"Yes and you've got a meeting with the doctor and then Elizabeth will pick you up and then in the afternoon we've got an appointment at the school."

Milly scrunched up her face but it was going to be a different school and she wouldn't be boarding, it was a private school but at the end of the day she would be at home with Emily or Elizabeth.

"Ok I think that I can handle that."

"Good, I don't expect you to start back at school for a week or two but we may as well get the paperwork sorted."

Milly nodded her head as she held out her hands and Emily helped her get down off the counter.

"So I'll lay the table then?"

"That would be great Milly thanks."

Emily smiled as Milly wandered off, she knew that they had a long road ahead of them but the first steps had been positive and she and Milly were both determined to keep it like that.

Fin.