Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 33: Into The Woods

Back at the BAU, the tension was palpable as Emily and Hotch coordinated the team's next moves. Emily's mind was racing, juggling the complexity of the case with her personal thoughts. The revelation to JJ about her relationship with Echo was still fresh, and she couldn't help but wonder what the next steps in her personal life would be.

"Rossi and Echo have a lead on a cabin," Hotch said, breaking Emily out of her thoughts. "We need to move quickly. If Kane is heading there, he might be planning something even more dangerous."

"Let's gear up," Emily replied, her voice steady. "We can't afford to waste any time."

As the team gathered their equipment and prepared to head out, Emily found herself gravitating toward Echo. The unspoken connection between them was strong, even amidst the chaos of the case.

"We've got this," Echo said quietly, her eyes meeting Emily's. "We'll find him."

Emily nodded, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline mixed with something warmer, something more personal. "I know we will."

The team piled into their SUVs, with Hotch, Morgan, and Reid in one vehicle and Emily, Echo, and Rossi in the other. The drive to the cabin was tense, the forest around them growing denser as they left the city behind. The silence in the car was punctuated only by the occasional update from Garcia, who was monitoring any potential activity related to Kane.

As they neared the location, Rossi broke the silence. "We need to approach carefully. If Kane's there, he could be armed and dangerous."

Echo glanced at Emily, her expression serious. "I'll take point with Rossi. We'll cover the perimeter while you and Hotch go in from the front."

Emily appreciated Echo's confidence, but the protective instinct she felt for her was hard to ignore. "Just be careful," she said, her voice softer than usual.

"You too," Echo replied, giving her a reassuring nod before turning her focus back to the task at hand.

When they arrived, the cabin was as secluded as they had anticipated-a small, weathered structure nestled deep in the woods, with no other buildings in sight. The team split up, moving with practiced precision through the underbrush, their senses heightened for any sign of movement.

Echo and Rossi circled around the back of the cabin, their guns drawn as they scanned the area. The trees cast long shadows across the ground, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind. They moved silently, communicating with hand signals as they approached the rear entrance.

Meanwhile, Emily and Hotch moved toward the front of the cabin, their approach careful and deliberate. The door was slightly ajar, a sign that someone might be inside.

"Ready?" Hotch whispered, his eyes on Emily.

She nodded, gripping her weapon tightly. "Let's do this."

With a swift motion, Hotch pushed the door open, and they entered the cabin in a well-practiced formation. The interior was dimly lit, with the smell of wood and dust heavy in the air. It was eerily quiet, and Emily's pulse quickened as she scanned the room for any sign of Kane.

In the back, Echo and Rossi reached the rear door and paused, listening intently for any sounds inside. Rossi gestured for Echo to take the lead, and she nodded, moving forward with caution.

As she pushed the door open, the sound of footsteps inside the cabin caught her attention. She held up a hand, signaling for Rossi to wait as she moved into the narrow hallway that led to the main room.

In the front, Emily and Hotch moved through the cabin, clearing each room as they went. The tension was thick in the air, each creak of the floorboards setting them on edge.