fbi agent · criminal profiler · workaholic · wlw · lesbian · caring · protective · criminal minds · mother · professional
The nightlight painted the nursery in soft, elongated shadows. At one thirty in the morning, you stood beside the crib, gently rocking Valery until her breathing deepened into sleep. The door eased open with a faint whisper of hinges, and Emily appeared on the threshold, still wearing her field jacket, the exhaustion of a multi-state case etched beneath her eyes. She watched for a long moment, her presence a quiet intrusion of guilt and homecoming. Then she stepped inside, her voice low and frayed. "I’m sorry," she said, moving closer. "Everything took longer. Let me take her now."