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BITTERSWEET
:: xl. | knife under my pillow

One year and Emily's been undercover for the past five months. It wasn't easy getting in, but she managed. However, today was when she was going to ask the billion dollar question. Now this question was definitely going to stir the pot, but that's what the BAU wanted. If these people start talking about Vanessa, then they'll say a thing or two about Miguel.

After Hotch informed Emily that it was time to ignite the flame, she hung up the call and then got out the car. She walked up to the building and rang the doorbell. A bulky guy soon answered the door and let her in. Over the course of five months, Emily's gain their trust, especially the big boss'.

She headed towards the living room where a group of men were talking. She glanced around before sitting on the couch next to one of the guys. As the room slowly quieted down, she took this as her chance to bring it up.

"Does anyone find it weird that Vanessa's been MIA?"

The boss glanced towards her, "What do you mean?"

Emily simply shrugged, "I haven't seen or heard from her in the past few months. It makes you think, what does she know? Because Miguel ———"

"Miguel wouldn't protect her." He quickly spoke, "But you're right."

"Want me to call him, boss?"

He thought fir a second before saying anything else, "Yeah. Get his busted ass over here."

Emily realized if Miguel saw her then it would comprise the whole operation so she made an excuse of having to leave. But of course before she did, she planted two bugs so they could tap in and listen from the BAU. One in the kitchen and the other in the living room.

Once arriving back to the BAU, she met everyone in the conference room. She filled them in and told them about the bugs she planted. Garcia then hacked into the system, so they could hear every word. Just as they got through, Miguel had just arrived to the house.

"Where you been?" The boss started as Miguel came through the door.

"Around." Miguel shrugged, "What's up?"

"Where's your ex wife?"

"I-I don't know. Why?"

The boss sucked his teeth, "You have twenty four hours to find her. Don't want her going around blabbing about that night."

"What about the shipment tonight? You're going to need all hands on deck."

"Fine, but tomorrow. You remember where it's coming in?"

"Yeah. Ox road, riverbank by ten tonight."

"Don't be late."

Garcia cut out the connection before glancing up at everyone, "You know what this means, right guys?"

Rossi nodded, "We wrap this case up tonight."

Everyone had smiles on their faces. They were finally happy that all this can be over now. As of right now though, it was time to prepare a game plan but first Hotch needed to fill Strauss in.

• • •

However, back in Arizona, Cole was in the living room doing homework while she waited for her mom to come home from work. The last five months, Vanessa started working again and Cole returned back to school. But it was a bit tricky since she's missed so much of sophomore year. But with extra classes she taking and catching up with her junior year, she's pretty confident that she's going to graduate with the rest of her friends.

Everything was kind of back to normal other than them having to use fake names, different state, and making new friends. It obviously took time for them to adjust to all of that. Cole didn't talk to anyone when she started school again, took about a month and Vanessa, it was different. She was quiet, but she talked a little here and there.

Just as late afternoon peaked, Vanessa came through the front door with groceries in hand.

"A little help!" She called out.

Cole came from the living room, approaching her mom with a slight grin, "Mom, what'd you do? Rob the nearest shoppers?"

"That would've been a lot harder actually." Vanessa carried some of the bags into the kitchen while Cole got the rest.

The two set them on the counters and began to take everything out the bags. Vanessa had got somethings that were needed and also some that she knew Cole would be over the moon about.

The two had gotten so much closer throughout this whole ordeal. It might be a weird thing to say because they're mother and daughter but that's what it felt like to them. Sure they were already so close to begin with, but these two were thick as thieves now and nothing was going to come in between that.

"Mom?" Cole turned towards her, "I've been thinking a lot. I don't know when we go back, but I think I'm going to take more risks."

"Meaning what?" Vanessa was putting milk in the fridge.

"I'm still figuring out who I am and I know it could ruin our friendship but I have to see where it goes with Mia." She admitted.

Vanessa nodded, "Wow."

"So, what about you?" She passed her mom some fruits and vegetables.

"Oh, you mean jj." Cole nodded eagerly and a light chuckle escaped Vanessa's lips as she continued, "I don't know. I'm happy with Savannah, I am. But she's not jj and I don't want to miss an opportunity."

Cole nodded understandingly, "Sounds like you do know."

The two then finished putting everything away. Cole went back to her homework and Vanessa began to decide on what to make for dinner. As she thought about dinner, she realized Cole was right. It was time for risks, time to go after what she really wanted.

• • •

Everyone was just now putting their gear on, getting ready to head to ox road. They were all gathered in the conference room before heading out.

Hotch looked amongst his team, "Wheels up?"

Jj nodded, "Let's bring them home."

They all began to head towards the elevator when Hotch mentioned real quick, "Remember, Emily will signal us when it's go time."

As soon as everyone was on, the doors closed and they were taken down to the garage level of the building. They split into two riding in two separate suvs. Emily was going to have a signal that she will say after there's been confirmation of the exchange.

Their adrenaline was in rush because they all knew this was the moment and it couldn't be blown. Everyone has been waiting for this for a little over a year now and something like this really only comes once.

After maybe a twenty minute drive, they all finally got there. They split into two groups and went off around the compound as they got in touch with Emily. It was go time now, they were just waiting on Emily's call.

It had been at least ten minutes since the waiting began and this seller finally showed and from the camera, Miguel had just arrived too.

Emily was asked to wait in one of the trucks as the boss got out from the backseat. Though she was in the back, she could clearly see through one of the side mirrors, but had to make sure Miguel didn't see her or their whole plan would be blown.

She waited a couple of minutes and as soon as she saw that handshake, that's when she gave the signal but she had to make sure she was at least subtle about it.

A grin appeared across her lips as she began, "Y'know, I like butterflies."'

"What?" The driver spoke.

"Butterflies. They're so pretty." Emily then repeated their signal word.

Hotch definitely heard and so did Morgan, meaning it was time to move in. Everyone came in from one side and then the other with their weapons up. Emily got out the truck with her gun as well. All guns were pointed at the unsubs, especially Miguel.

One by one, all of them were arrested and put in the back of suvs. This case was almost closed and said almost because next answers were needed, interrogations needed to be held.

to be continued . . .

a/n:
y'all, be happy campers now 🙃