Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 47: Promises To Keep

The weeks that followed were a blur of doctor's appointments, therapy sessions, and moments of quiet strength shared between the two of them. Echo focused on her sister's recovery, drawing comfort from the slow but steady progress she made. The bond between them grew even stronger as they faced the aftermath of the horror together.

One evening, as they sat in the living room of Echo's apartment, the tension between them grew palpable. The TV played in the background, a mindless distraction to fill the silence. Sophia was upstairs, finally getting the rest she desperately needed.

"You know, I've been thinking," Echo began, her eyes on the flickering screen. "About what you said. About coming back to the team."

Emily looked at her, curiosity in her gaze. "And?"

"I think I might be ready," Echo said, her voice a mix of hope and hesitation. "But I need to talk to the team first. Make sure they're okay with it."

Emily nodded, understanding the gravity of the decision. "They'll understand. We all just want what's best for you and Sophia."

The following day, Echo called a meeting with the BAU team. They gathered in the briefing room, their expressions a mix of concern and anticipation. She took a deep breath and addressed them, her voice firm but her eyes betraying the fear she felt.

"I know it's been a tough few weeks, and I've asked a lot of you," she began. "But I've made a decision. I want to come back."

The room was silent, each member of the team looking at her with a mix of relief and caution. Hotch was the first to speak.

"Echo, we're all here for you, but are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, his voice steady and calm.

Echo nodded, her gaze meeting each of their eyes in turn. "I am. I need to do this. For me, for Sophia."

Morgan spoke up next, his voice filled with empathy. "We're a family, Echo. We've got your back, no matter what."

The room nodded in agreement, and Echo felt a warmth spread through her. She knew they were right; she needed to be with her BAU family to heal and move forward.

Over the next few weeks, as Echo eased back into her role at work, she noticed a shift in her relationship with Emily. They had always been close, but now there was something more, something unspoken that crackled in the air between them. It was a subtle change, like the first signs of spring appearing after a harsh winter, but it was undeniable.

The way Emily's eyes lingered on her when she talked, the gentle touches that lingered a moment longer than they used to, the way their laughter melded together as if they shared a secret-Echo felt it all. She wasn't sure if it was just the trauma they had shared bringing them closer or if it was something deeper, but she couldn't ignore the flutter in her stomach every time Emily was near.

One evening, as they worked late into the night on a particularly difficult case, the tension grew thick enough to cut with a knife. They were both tired, their nerves frayed, but the silence in the room was filled with something else, something electric.

Echo looked up from her notes, her eyes meeting Emily's across the table. The air between them crackled with unspoken feelings, and for a moment, the case was forgotten. Emily took a step closer, her hand reaching out to touch Echo's.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

Echo nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah, just tired."

Emily's thumb traced gentle circles on the back of Echo's hand, the comforting touch sending a jolt through her. "We're all here for you, you know," she said, her voice a low murmur. "We're a team."

Echo nodded, her eyes never leaving Emily's. "I know," she whispered. "But it's different with you."

Emily's hand stilled, her gaze searching Echo's. "What do you mean?"

Echo took a deep breath, the words spilling out before she could stop them. "I mean, I think I'm falling for you."

The room seemed to hold its breath as Emily processed what she had just heard. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in closer.

"Echo," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to tell you something."

Echo's heart hammered in her chest as she waited for Emily's response. The room seemed to shrink around them, the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Emily took a moment, her eyes searching Echo's, before she spoke. "Echo, I care about you more than words can express. These past weeks, being there for you and Sophia, it's made me realize how much you mean to me."

Echo's pulse quickened, hope and fear intertwining. "But?" she prompted, her voice a mere breath.

Emily took a moment, her thumb still caressing Echo's hand. "But, I've never been in a relationship with a colleague before," she confessed. "And we're in a high-stress, high-stakes job. I don't want to mess things up."

Echo felt a pang of disappointment, but she understood. They had always been professional, putting the job first. But she couldn't deny the feelings that had grown stronger each day as they had supported each other through this ordeal. "I get it," she said, her voice tight. "We can keep it just between us."

Emily's eyes searched hers, and she could see the internal struggle playing out. Finally, she leaned in even closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't want to hide it, Echo. I want you to know that I feel the same way."

Echo's breath hitched in her throat, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. "Really?"

Emily nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Really. But we need to be careful. We can't let this affect our work."

Echo's eyes searched hers, looking for any hint of doubt. "I promise, Emily. Nothing will come between us and the job."

Emily nodded, a mix of relief and excitement. "Okay," she whispered. "But we have to keep it professional at work."

Echo's heart raced as she felt the weight of their unspoken agreement settle over them. "I promise," she echoed, her voice barely a whisper.

But the reprieve was short-lived.