Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 6: On The Field

Echo didn't waste a second. She sprang from her hiding spot, gun drawn and heart pounding. The cult members, caught off guard by the sudden noise and movement, hesitated just long enough for her to close the distance. Her focus was solely on Emily, lying vulnerable and unconscious on the ground.

"FBI! Drop your weapon!" Echo shouted, her voice cutting through the night like a blade.

The cult member with the knife turned to face her, eyes wide with shock. For a moment, Echo thought they might comply, but then something dark flickered in their eyes, and they lunged forward, the knife gleaming in the dim light.

Echo fired without hesitation, the shot echoing through the night. The cult member crumpled to the ground, the knife slipping from their grasp. The other members began to scatter, panic seizing them as they realized their ritual had been disrupted.

But Echo didn't care about them. She rushed to Emily's side, dropping to her knees and quickly checking for a pulse. Relief flooded through her when she found it-strong and steady, though Emily remained unconscious.

"Emily," Echo whispered urgently, her hands working quickly to untie the ropes binding her wrists and ankles. "Come on, wake up. We have to get out of here."

Emily stirred slightly, a groan escaping her lips as her eyes fluttered open. "Echo?" she mumbled, her voice weak and disoriented.

"I'm here," Echo reassured her, gently lifting her to her feet. "We need to move. The others are coming, and the team's almost here."

Emily nodded, though her movements were sluggish and her legs wobbled beneath her. Echo supported her, practically carrying her away from the church as the sound of sirens grew louder, signaling the arrival of the rest of the team.

They didn't make it far before Hotch, Morgan, and the others appeared, guns drawn and ready for action. The team fanned out, securing the area and rounding up the remaining cult members, who had no chance against the combined force of the BAU.

"Prentiss! Echo!" Hotch called, his eyes sweeping over them with a mixture of relief and concern as he approached. "Are you both alright?"

"Emily's hurt, but she'll be okay," Echo said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "We need to get her to a hospital, though."

"I'm fine," Emily protested weakly, though she didn't resist when Hotch signaled for an EMT to come over. "Just a little banged up."

"You did good," Hotch said, his voice softer now as he placed a hand on Emily's shoulder. "But let the medics take a look at you. Echo, you did well too."

Echo nodded, though her eyes never left Emily. The EMTs quickly assessed Emily's condition, confirming that she had a concussion and several bruises but nothing life-threatening. Even so, Echo stayed close, her protective instincts kicking in now that the immediate danger had passed.

As the scene was secured and the cult members were loaded into waiting police vans, Echo finally allowed herself to breathe. The night's events had been intense, and the fear she'd felt for Emily still lingered, gnawing at the edges of her composure.

"Hey," Emily's voice broke through her thoughts. She looked up to see Emily watching her, a small, tired smile on her lips. "Thanks for coming back for me."

Echo swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. "You'd do the same for me," she replied, her voice softer than before.

Emily reached out, her fingers brushing against Echo's. "Yeah, I would. But it means a lot, knowing you've got my back."

Echo felt a warmth spread through her chest at Emily's words. Despite the chaos of the night, despite the fear and danger, there was something reassuring in the way they'd come together, worked as a team, and emerged on the other side stronger.