Saving Talia

Prologue Part 1

A/N: hello! There are 5 background chapters that I have written and will post throughout the week. It will give you some information as to how Talia happened canonically but with a bit of AU here and there. Happy reading!

    It was a bustling Friday evening at Ophelia's Bar and Kitchen. Seattleites enjoy ending the weekends with a bang, well at least Aaron Horchner's co-workers do.
"Drinks on me, Hotchner. Giddy up!" Special Agent Abe Nasir shouts into the universe, bringing him two glasses of overflowing beer. Aaron laughs, takes one glass cup by the handle and lifts it in the air.

May 7th, 1997 is when Haley packed up her belongings and flew back to Virginia, citing that she could no longer bear the seasonal depression, the gloominess, the deficiency of a community, and the lack of on-ground support as she spent most of her days alone in a four-walled apartment in Seattle, Washington. Every morning began with a disagreement, and every night ended with an argument. Aaron had pleaded with her and begged her for one more year until they would move back to Virginia to start a family. It's not that he didn't want a child with the love of his life, he would have one right this moment if time had allowed, but time hadn't. He was at the peak of his career, and so was Haley, but she was more than ready to give it up for a chance to build a family.

Except time and time again, she was let down. This pished Haley to book a one-way trip back to Virginia and pack up all her belongings. It is now September 7th of 1997, which officially marked 5 months of separation. Aaron had called her and asked her what this meant and she responded with a quick "We're done. I'm done. Do whatever you want" followed by a package of divorce papers sent to him a week later. They both had signed, which he then sent back to Virginia to get it processed.

So now here he is sitting at Ophelia's alone, freshly divorced at 32.

Until his eye catches her, a woman who he thinks radiates beauty and power. It was almost like the universe had shone light specifically on her just for him. Aaron takes a chug of his drink, never taking his eyes off of her. She watches him from afar, eyes trailing up and down appreciating his build. She never takes his eyes off of him, either. A shot of courage creeps up onto him, and then he's making her way towards her. The woman smiles at him, almost playfully "I thought you'd never make your way over here" she teases as Aaron looks away to smile, revealing his dimples.

"I'm Aaron," He begins, stretching a hand to greet her.

"Emily" She accepts his hand.

Aaron furrows his brows, recognizing the name, and up close, the face. "Do I know you from somewhere?" He asks her, curiosity looming over him. Emily nods her head "You might," she responds, letting the curiosity set in longer. When the realization hits him, he finally has some understanding as to why he's almost watering at the mouth at the sight of her.

Emily Prentiss

"I worked for for your mother," he clicks his tongue as she nods along with his statement "You did"

-

He was 26, working on completing his degree of Juris Doctor. Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss had a liking for him, claiming, 'if I had a son I'd want him to turn out like you'. Except, she had birthed a daughter, who every chance she got, defied what her mother wanted. He'd heard stories and complaints from the ambassador about her creation, he remembered trying to hold in a laugh at her daughters' mischievous doings. Aaron had only seen her once, during winter break Elizabeth had asked Emily to come home during the holiday. She was 21, full of zeal, and opposed to her mother's ideas.

One night she couldn't sleep, she tried every position possible to get comfortable in her bed. Then she gave up and decided going out for some fresh air was better. So she walked out to the courtyard of her home, taking in a breath of fresh air. Wanting to sit down to settle her nerves, she chose to sit at her spot, but it was so dim she didn't realize it was already occupied.