CM FIC :: "Alternatives - Chapter 3" [Emily/JJ, Dace/Catherine, Monica/Dana, PG-13]
PLEASE SEE INDEX PAGE [DW || LJ] FOR DISCLAIMERS & OTHER CHAPTERSS
Chapter 3 - No Way Out
++ Emily Prentiss++
(01-13-07)
I knock on Hotch's door curiously, wondering what he wants to talk to me about. He waves me in as he finishes a phone call.
"Have a seat." He pauses as I settle in the chair across from him, and I can see the hardness filling his eyes. "I don't appreciate being questioned in front of the other agents."
"It was not my intention," I reply. "I'm sorry."
He stares at me for a moment. "What were you talking to Congresswoman Steyer about the other day?"
Okay, really not sure where this is going now. What the hell were we talking about? "She stopped by to say hello. She worked with my mother, so I've known her since I was a kid."
That stare doesn't waver. "Did you tip her off about this case?"
Wait, what? Keep your game face on, Emily. Never let them see you blink. "No."
"This team can't function if I don't trust the people on it," he says, continuing as if I haven't even answered him. Internally, I bristle, but the surface is calm and glassy.
"Sir, if I touched a nerve out there today, I'm sorry, but I don't deserve this."
"You mysteriously showed up at the BAU after one of my team members was involved in a questionable shooting."
"Right." I chew my lower lip for a moment, considering my next move. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"I expect it at all times, Agent Prentiss."
"Okay, good." I pause long enough to take a deep breath. "Are you kidding me with this line of questioning? I'm being branded as what? A snitch? A mole? What was all that stuff about me being a possibility for this Sentinel Project? Or was that just some kind of test to see if I really wanted to be a part of this team? I mean, it's not like anything has really happened since we had that teleconference with Agents Reyes and Bogart almost a month ago."
He blinks, clearly surprised by what I'm saying. Good to know that he doesn't like being broadsided any more than I do.
"You've done good work. I'm not questioning that. As for the Sentinel Project, that's strictly up to Agents Reyes and Bogart. But let me be clear that I will not put up with a political agenda."
I can't help but stare at him for a moment. Political agenda? Really?
"My mother's a career politician. You worked with her. Did you like her?"
"She's an impressive woman." Nice, safe answer.
I don't even both to cover the harsh snort of laughter. Screw the calm exterior. "Well, I think politics makes people distrustful. I think it makes them hate themselves. I think it tears families apart and damages people. So, if there's nothing else to discuss here, I would like to get back out on the street and find out who's killing these women."
I don't even wait for his reply, storming out of his office. How dare he accuse me of something that is so clearly not the case? What kind of profiler is he if that's what he thinks of me?
++ Candace "Dace" Bogart ++
Five years.
Damn hard to believe that it's been so long. The nightmares are rare now, no longer am I regularly plagued by the memory of the rogue Sentinel that tried to kill me. A man that the BAU would classify as a serial killer.
It barely registers that I'm stroking the scar on my forehead, as the motion has become reflex over time. The piercing bisecting scar and eyebrow alike is a constant adornment to not just my physical looks, but my memories as well. If it hadn't been for Catherine's quick reflexes in killing that bastard, Snake-Eyes, and the phenomenal work of the doctors and surgeons at Cook County Hospital, I wouldn't be having this little celebration today.
The morbidity comes less and less with time, but this yearly marker of time always brings it close to home.
"Hey." Her voice is a soothing balm to my raw nerves, and I drop my hand to give her my attention. How beautiful she is, how strong. "What's got you so quiet today?" The gentle tone is more about me hearing her voice, not the actual words. We both are fully aware what is bothering us both.
"Just a skull full of what-ifs," I finally say.
Catherine moves closer and stretches up to press a kiss along that scar, before stroking it soothingly with gentle fingertips. "Be happy that you can have a skull full of what-ifs." Sweet kisses on my closed eyelids warm my heart and pull at the corners of my mouth. "And when you're done with that, remember that I'm still here with you." Now she kisses the tip of my nose. "And when you've contemplated that, you can remember everything we've accomplished in the last five years together, including our gorgeous kids." Shifting again, she nips at my lower lip. "And finally, I want you to remember just how much I've come to adore you and need you in my life over the last five years. Not gonna let you go, Candace Bogart, not without one hell of a fight."
That warmth and sass has done its job, warming me completely and chasing away the ghosts of our past together. So I loose my loving grin on my Catherine and pull her close for tender kisses, basking in her presence. The specter of Snake-Eyes and his reign of terror over my life once more fades away, once more residing in its dark little box.
"What would I do without you, Cath?"
"Flounder in anger and denial, lost and adrift from the family that loves you." There's a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips, belying the dark emotions swirling in her pale eyes. She blinks once, twice, eyes bright with unshed tears, and then whispers, "Don't you dare ever scare me like that again, Dace. My heart couldn't take it."
Now it's my turn to comfort her, and I squeeze her smaller body until she squeaks breathlessly for mercy. Sniffing at her hair, her ears, nuzzling the fair skin, I once more, as I have done a million times, reinforce my bond to her, my heart, my sanity, my dearest love.
"Not while I can prevent it, sweetheart. I have way too much to live for."
With the high emotion of the day, we settle into a long, quiet cuddle, looking out over the desert that is our home. We've taken the day off from everything, work, kids, extended family. This is our day, a time to regroup and be grateful for one another and our life together.
But, eventually peace turns to activity and I stir and yawn around our near-doze. With a few words, we break for the mundanities of lunch, taking our sandwiches and salads to the porch to enjoy the cool day.
"Have you heard from the BAU?"
It skirts the line of a 'no work' day, but I give Cath a dry look and answer. "No. but I have a feeling that I will soon."
No one that spends any time around me argues with the weird 'sixth sense' I share with the other females of my kind. The strange, near precognitive flashes we get are rarely wrong and the odd coincidences that often shape my life a part of that.
And things will definitely be changing again soon.
++ Monica Reyes ++
(01-17-07)
"That call better be an emergency," Dana mutters, pulling the covers up over her head.
Groaning in agreement, I awkwardly roll over and grab for my cell to squint at the caller ID. Registering what it says takes longer than it probably should. "Reyes."
"Agent Reyes, this is Aaron Hotchner. I apologize for what is probably an early call for you."
"S'okay," I reply and scrub at my face with my free hand. "What can I do for you, Agent Hotchner?"
"I need your help. More specifically, I need Agent Bogart's help."
Okay, that's got me awake and sitting up quickly, jostling a grumbling Dana in the process. "You have my undivided attention."
As he explains the situation with their case up in Golconda, I head out toward the living room and the computer. I don't even know where the hell Golconda, Nevada, is, let alone how long it would take us to get there. I can hear Dana shuffling into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee; even she can tell that our day of sleeping in has been utterly kiboshed at this point.
Opening my email, I see the file that he's sent and begin to skim over its contents. Before I can do more than acknowledge that I'm doing so, there's a knock at the door, then it opens a few seconds later to let early morning sunlight stream in past the silhouette of Dace's form. Shaking my head, I just motion her in with a hand.
"Hold on a minute, Agent Hotchner," I say and she comes closer. "Let me put this on speaker. Dace just showed up at my door."
As I click the key, Hotchner's words continue. "--morning, Agent Bogart."
Dace tries to smother a chuckle -- and mostly succeeds -- and says, "And to you. How can I help you today?"
He launches into a rehash of the conversation he and I have already had, then asks, "How soon can you and your partner get up to Golconda?"
Dace fingers her piercing, smiling as Dana brings over two cups of coffee for us. "I can use one of the Hearts' private jets and get there whenever you need me to get there. Probably be just a couple hour flight, tops. It's more a matter of making sure Cath can get away to join me." And then she goes silent for a moment, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. "So just how bad is this situation?"
"We're not sure yet. As far as I can tell, it's just the single incident, but I thought this might be a good way for you to finally interact with Agent Prentiss in person."
Dace nods, then shakes her head briefly. "That makes sense. I think I’ll bring Emily and Fawn with me."
Dana sucks in a startled breath at that, and I can't help but stare at Dace myself. The blue eyes are calm and calculating, instantly calming me. Dace would not put those girls in danger and they do need some exposure to the grittier side of their destiny.
"I'm not sure--"
"Agent Hotchner, you have to remember that I'm not the only Sentinel here that you can work with. Emily is nearly ten years old and needs to start interacting with your department more, particularly since she hasn't so far had any of the hang-ups I have about working with men. I'll have her parents' permission to bring her with me, and I think she'll surprise you. LVPD's used her on a couple of minor cases already, just to give her some experience."
There's a long pause on the other end of the line, punctuated only by the scratching of pen against paper. A slight smirk softens Dace's expression; clearly, she feels she's won this particular battle. And, despite obvious misgivings from all parties, she's absolutely right.
"Agent Hotchner," Dana asks, startling me, "would it be more acceptable to you if Monica came along with Dace, Catherine, and the girls? In an official Handler capacity only, particularly for the girls, but otherwise not related to the case?"
"Given the still tenuous nature of our two teams' alliance, I think that would be beneficial," he replies. The sound of Agent Gideon's voice comes in the background, muffled by distance. "I'm going to have to go now so I can brief the team. We leave in about ninety minutes and should be touching down in Yerington around five p.m. local time, and then it should be roughly a twenty minute drive from there."
"Consider it done," I say, wincing at the tight smile on Dana's face. "We'll contact you as soon as we have the plane secured to head up there."
"Please do. I'll arrange for one of the SUVs to be waiting for you when you do. Goodbye, ladies."
++ Fawn Fraiser ++
I feel so very grown up right now. We're riding in an actual FBI vehicle! And we got to ride in Gramma Stasia's super special private jet. The one that normally only she and Tessa use. I kind of wanted to sleep in their bedroom on the plane, but this is an important case and I don't want anyone thinking I'm a baby that needs a nap. Won't Cubby be jealous when he finds out what Emily and I get to do?
"Okay, girls," Monica says, "we're almost in Golconda. We're all going to head over to the sheriff's office first to coordinate with Agent Hotchner and his team. Do either of you need anything before we do that?"
"I'm kinda hungry," I reply, torn between being honest and being grown-up.
"I'm sure there's a grocery store we can stop at for some snacks. Do you need anything, Emily?"
When she doesn't answer right away, I glance over at Emily, who is staring out the window. Without thinking, I poke her in the ribs to see if she's zoning out or just enjoying this yucky desert scenery. She bats at my hand, but doesn't look away.
"Elder Monkey!"
Uncle Dace leans close over the back of the seat and flicks Emily's ear. That gets her to move, whipping around as fast as a snake to glare at Uncle Dace. Emily never wins their staring contests. I don't know why she even tries.
"What?" she snaps, then clears her throat at the soft warning growl, cheeks turning pink. "Sorry, Uncle Dace. I was just listening to the voices out there."
Dace frowns at that. The grownups all worry about Emily and the voices, even if they don't say anything about it. Even the Monkey Twins don't have that ability to talk to the ghosts yet. Dace reaches out and touches a fingertip between Emily's eyes for a few seconds. She only removes it when Emily sighs and relaxes again.
"They saying anything of importance?" she asks softly.
Emily shakes her head. "No, just looking for someone to listen to them mostly. They don't get a lot of people out here that can hear them."
"Okay. So Monica wanted to know if you needed anything, Em. We're almost there and will need to get started as soon as we catch up with Agent Hotchner and his team."
"Just a bathroom break and some water, I think," she replies, then turns back toward the window.
"Em?"
"Yes, Uncle Dace?"
"Don't get too caught up in their stories, okay?"
Emily nods. "Maybe some carrot sticks?"
Monica smiles and pats Emily's hand. "We'll see what we can find for you, Emily."
"Thank you."
++ Dace Bogart ++
This place really is in the middle of nowhere, isn't it? No matter. We're here to do a job, not go sight-seeing. And as long as Fawn and I can keep Emily from getting too distracted by the voices of the ghosts that talk to her so effortlessly, I think we'll be okay.
Mon's call to Hotchner has us now pulling up in front of the sheriff's office. Mon and the girls will stay here, since this is where Prentiss is. Once they're settled, Cath and I will probably head out to where Hotchner and Morgan are, to see if we can figure out anything more at the scene.
The Mohave Desert smells similar no matter where I tread her sands and stone. There's an artificial water source nearby, servicing the small community I assume. The stink of sweat and smoke and fear hangs about the air here at the sheriff's station, nothing unusual there. Taking note of the stimuli, I file it away in case it might be useful to catch whatever monster we're all after this time. Wisps of scent, familiar amidst what I don't know here, leads me into the dimly lit building. Doctor Reid I know, as well as the smells of his team, but not the deputy struggling with a woman prisoner. Mixed in with that broken woman's smell is the slender, competent Agent Prentiss, looking snappy in her business casual.
Something has fallen from the prisoner's hand, clattering to the dingy floor with an odd ring to the sound. Emily darts forward to grab the object before I can get a good look at it, holding it out to the struggling woman. Only when Agent Prentiss says, "It's a whistle. It's not dangerous," does the guard allow the prisoner to take the item from Emily's outstretched hand.
"Thank you," the woman says with real feeling, quickly hugging the tall child before she's taken back toward what I assume is their holding area.
My cop's instincts wanted to rush over and protect this child of my tribe, but the cat knows the stranger is harmless. Despite the fact that her unusual little treasure is a human rib bone. I'd bet my tats on it. I'm guessing this has something to do with the woman being in custody.
My rolling my eyes at the Captain Obvious moment makes Cath quirk an eyebrow at me and grin when I shrug and look sheepish. Bet she recognized it, too.
"A psycho with a whistle," Doctor Reid says. "That's not too weird."
"I'm surprised at you, Doctor Reid," I rebuke mildly, making our presence known at last. "Using such disparaging words when you don't even know the woman's situation."
The young man turns, his expression curious and faintly taken aback, mouth open to retort my unexpected statement. As is most people's custom, he pauses as instinct and intellect war over how to react to me. The usual then. It's a shame really, that he has decided to dislike me, though I can't blame him. Between intimidating him, ruffling instincts I don't think he's fully aware of, and Gideon's dislike, it's understandable.
Gratefully, Reid's gaze jerks away from me to latch onto Monica, where she's gotten our visitor's badges. "Ah, Agent Reyes. You and your team made it."
Before any of us can say anything else, Emily boldly walks over to the pair of them and sticks out her hand at Prentiss. "Hi, my name is Emily Farazell-Taylor. You must be one of the FBI agents we're here to help."
Prentiss stares first at Reid, then at me, before she turns a brilliant smile on my niece and accepts the handshake. "Well, hello there, Emily. My name is Emily, too, Emily Prentiss. And this is Doctor Spencer Reid, one of my colleagues. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you, too. Monica and Uncle Dace have told me about your team and how we'll try to help all of you."
Prentiss looks up at me, curiosity and confusion warring for dominance in her expression. Intelligence and competence radiates from the dark, earthy brown eyes as we take each other in for a moment. Not so much as a flinch from this first meeting of eyes, excellent. If a stranger can't pass this first test, any others are meaningless. Even better, she has the nerve to smirk at me, the faintest quirk of her mouth and eyes that most would never catch. "Uncle Dace?"
Sassy. I like that. Shrugging, I smile at my niece, including her new pal in the expression. "Hey, a kid can only have so many aunties," I explain and stride forward to offer a hand. Warm and dry and with even pressure, her handshake matches the personality I see discrete in her frank gaze. "Pleasure to finally meet you in person, Agent Prentiss. Good to see you again, Doctor Reid."
The boy mumbles something polite, but clearly would rather be anywhere else. Oh, the drama.
Monica hands out visitor's passes we need to wear. I can understand it for the girls, but all of us Feds? That seems a little strange, but whatever, I'll follow local protocol. As soon as we've all clipped on our badges, I herd my little group toward my niece and the two agents to continue introductions. Catherine and Monica go through the motions we all know so well while I watch how Fawn is reacting to all of this. At the moment she seems more engrossed with being faintly grossed out by the dingy surroundings than being introduced last.
"Nice to meet you both," Prentiss finishes up with us grown ups before turning that sharp regard to young Fawn. Sensing the regard, the youngest focuses, taking the offered hand. "And I'm guessing that you would be Fawn Fraiser, Emily's Guide, right?"
Nodding, Fawn scrutinizes her, every bit as critical as me. Perhaps more so. "You did your homework."
The near-challenging deadpan clearly takes Prentiss aback, but it's only the faintest flicker of reaction. "Well, most of this job is homework. Chasing down the bad guys is usually only the excitement at the end. I've been doing a lot of reading up on you and the others."
For a moment, the challenge goes on and I love seeing the girl's instincts in action. Whether Prentiss passes muster is far more important to the children... and Alexis.
With some internal question answered, Fawn is all smiles and shakes the larger hand caught in hers vigorously. Excellent. Fawn is not nearly as open and trusting as Emily is, so this reaction means Agent Prentiss has definitely passed test two.
"Nice to meet you," Fawn flirts, and she's just a little girl fighting a giggle at being recognized by a stranger.
++ Monica Reyes ++
Well, the initial introductions went relatively smoothly. I can tell that Agents Hotchner and Gideon aren't too thrilled to have a nine- and seven-year-old involved in this case, but Dace is right. They have a perfect opportunity to help groom a valuable resource by working with Emily now. Eventually they'll figure it out.
Fawn is working on some math homework that her parents demanded be finished before she gets home. I'm impressed that she's not carrying on about doing it like she sometimes does at home. Then again, she's also doing her very best job to act more mature, so she can continue to do these important trips with Emily.
Emily, on the other hand, has been working on something on the laptop we brought along. The clicking of the keys gets faster, and I can't help but glance over to see what she's working on. There's an expression of profound concentration on her face, the tip of her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. It would be comical if she was staring at the screen. Instead, her gaze is out toward the front door and the main areas of the sheriff's office.
"Emily?" I ask softly, garnering Fawn's attention, too. When the younger girl goes to poke at Emily, I shake my head. Shifting closer, I look over Emily's shoulder to what she's typing so frenetically.
J: Then I felt a presence, and everything went white. I was in a spaceship, and I could see myself. It was like time was suspended. I could feel everything and there were strange maps on the walls, diagrams of all the stars. It was cold, very, very cold. And the alien, he did things to me. He touched me very softly and he stroked my hair. He drew lines all over my body. And the whole time he was standing there, smiling down at me. And then I looked in his eyes. I wasn't afraid anymore. I don't know why.
G: Then what did he do?
J: And then I was back in my own bed. It was the next morning.
P: How long ago did this happen?
J: I was nineteen. It was thirty years ago.
P: And did you ever see him again?
Her fingers pause on the keys for a few seconds before she starts up again.
J: Oh, I see him. I see him every time I shut my eyes.
At this point, she stops again, slumping back against the chair as her eyes close.
"Emily, were you eavesdropping again?" I ask, finally realizing what she's just done.
She blinks once, twice, and guiltily smiles at me. "Sorry, Monica," she finally says, "but I thought it would be important to know what she said, so I could help find the suspect, or whatever the BAU calls them."
I can't really fault her logic, but her methods leave something to be desired. Before I can tell her as much, Agents Gideon and Prentiss, Doctor Reid, and Sheriff Davis come out of the holding area where they've been talking to Jane.
"The strange maps on the walls could have been anatomical drawings," Reid says as they come closer to the table we're sitting at.
Sheriff Davis appears to consider this. "What about the fact that she could see herself?"
Gideon opens his mouth to answer, but the words are not in his voice.
"Mirrored ceiling."
Blinking, I stare at Emily, who has turned around to face the quartet of adults, all of whom are staring back at her. Prentiss is the first to react.
"That makes sense," she says, offering the fleetest of smiles at my young charge, "so his victims could see themselves being dismembered."
"Eww," Fawn mutters and returns to her math.
"Every time I think it can't get any worse, it does."
Gideon studies Emily for another moment as he says, "Her subconscious mind has created a delusion that she was abducted by an alien." He's certainly not giving her the same look that he gives Dace. This can only be a good thing.
"It's possible she's the only one who survived," Prentiss says.
"But why'd he let her go?"
Prentiss starts to answer, then stops and quirks a brow at Emily, who smiles and says, "She said when she looked into his eyes, she felt relaxed."
"In that moment," Gideon says with a nod, "the one thing that he wanted, she didn't give him."
"Fear."
Someone calls out the sheriff's name, and she heads off to take care of the situation as the BAU agents come over to the table we're sitting at.
++ Jason Gideon ++
If the rest of these Sentinels are like this child rather than Agent Bogart, I'll gladly work with any of them. She's precocious, of course, but so is Reid. She just needs some firm guidance to work out her childish rough spots. Time and age will help with that.
The smell of hot coffee hits my nostrils seconds before the cup appears in my vision. Wrapping a hand around its warmth, I nod my acknowledgment and thanks to Hotch, but continue to watch Agent Prentiss interacting with the two girls while their adults and Morgan are out getting dinner for everyone. Their laughter and carefree happiness is so incongruous to the situation at hand, and yet no one is doing anything to stop them.
"Okay, so what else can we work on?" Prentiss' voice carries over to us as she feigns cracking her knuckles.
"Miss Emily, can you help me with my math? Unca Dace is simply awful with math."
Agent Reyes nearly chokes on the coffee she's drinking. "Fawn!"
The younger girl gives her an exasperated look. "Am I wrong, Monica?"
"That's beside the point."
Before Reyes can say anything, Prentiss pulls the girl's chair closer and looks at the math book. Reid could probably help her more, but I can see by the expression on his face that even he knows better than to interrupt this fascinating bonding scene. They put their heads close together and start working on the problems together, Prentiss gesturing animatedly as she explains things.
"She's good with them."
I nod slowly, still watching them. "She is. And I think you were absolutely right about her, Hotch. She's obviously got a bond with these girls already, and from the little I've seen her interacting with Reyes and Bogart, I think she'll be an asset to their project."
"And it means you won't have to directly interact with Agent Bogart as much," Hotch replies, a knowing chuckle warming his tone.
"Well, except for the fact that these are little kids. Hotch, they're younger than Reid when we brought him in. Hell, they're younger than Reid when I first met him."
Hotch nods. "True, but I think they'll be able to handle it, Gideon."
Before I can say anything else, young Emily turns her head to study the two of us for a long moment. There's a flash of gold in her pale blue eyes that I've only seen once before in Bogart's eyes the first time I got in her face. It's a terrifying thing to witness when it's aimed right at you, and this child is one of the sane ones. I can only imagine what it would be like from one of the rogue Sentinels that Bogart and Reyes have mentioned.
"I wish I knew how they did that," I mutter.
"No, you don't because it would mean that they're no longer a puzzle for you to solve."
I scowl, unwilling to admit that he's is right. "Irrelevant, Hotch."
He just chuckles again and motions the girl over. She saves her file on the laptop before coming to join us.
"Yes, Agent Hotchner?" So well-mannered. Her parents should be proud.
"I wanted to ask your opinion on something. Do you mind?"
"No, sir, I don't mind."
Hotch pulls a chair over for her to join us at the desk we've commandeered. She glances back once at her young Guide with a mischievous smile, but says nothing, and the smile is replaced by a more professional mien when she turns back to face us.
"I wanted to thank you for coming along on this case," Hotch says. "Some of your insights so far have been fascinating, especially about Jane's flute. None of us had caught that information."
She allows herself a brief, broad smile at the deserved praise. Hotch is right that none of us caught onto it, especially given that this guy collects rib bones from his victims. She tilts her head and studies us for a moment.
"No one should be separated from their families, Agent Hotchner," she finally says. "If my abilities can help you find his victims before he kills them, that means they can return to their families. That's all that matters to me. Well, and stopping him, of course."
She even knows how to phrase things like someone much older than she is. I'm impressed.
"Agent Gideon, I heard Monica and Agent Prentiss saying that you're going to be trying again tomorrow to find to the man you think did this. Will you be bringing Uncle Dace along to help out?"
That makes me blink. "Well, Emily, we haven't really decided exactly how that's going to happen yet, but I probably will. Agent Bogart has some well-honed tracking skills that may come in handy." I pause and study her a moment. "Or were you thinking of volunteering yourself?"
She shakes her head, red curls dancing around her head. "Oh no, sir. I don't know that I should be anywhere near that man. Emily, I mean Agent Prentiss, says that he's dangerous. I should probably stay here and keep Fawn safe."
I don't bother to hide my smile at that. The girl's loyalty to her Guide is obvious, and now so is her newfound loyalty to Prentiss. "I think that's an admirable reason to stay behind, especially when Agent Bogart can help us out in the field."
"Fawn is my Guide, I have to protect her." So matter-of-fact.
Hotch clears his throat. "One more question for you, Emily, then you can return to Fawn again." When she nods, he says, "I'm not sure if you know that we've been working to find a way for the BAU to work with Agent Reyes and the Sentinel--"
"Is Emily going to help with that?" she asks, excitedly cutting him off, then blushes as she realizes what she's done. "I'm sorry, Agent Hotchner. I just really like Emily and would like to work with her if I could."
"It's all right," he says with a smile. "You've just answered my question. Thank you for coming to speak with us."
"Thank you for including me," she says, then heads back to the table.
"Well, that was rather informative, wasn't it?"
"She's going to be hell on wheels when she gets older," Hotch muses. "But I think it's time we discuss this with her grownups and Agent Prentiss."
As if on cue, Prentiss glances up at us, the question clear in her eyes. When Hotch nods, she smiles and nods in reply before turning back to the girls and whatever it is they're working on together.
Unless Agent Bogart objects, I think we've found our liaison.
++ Emily Prentiss ++
"Are the kids okay, EP?"
Less than twenty-four hours later, and the girl that shares my name has already given me a nickname. I guess I've made a better impression than I thought.
"Yeah, they are," I say with a smile. "A little scared, cold, and hungry, but I think being reunited with their families will take care of any of that."
She nods and stares out the window as the children are each claimed by their families. And then I feel her smaller hand grip mine, and I squeeze back without saying a word.
"Do you think Agent Gideon will find him?" she finally asks, still staring out the window.
"Eventually. Hopefully before he kills again." It's what we all want.
"Thank you for letting me help out where I could, and not treating me like a baby. I appreciate it."
I turn to study her for a moment before she meets my gaze. There's so much seriousness in those pale eyes, more than anyone should have at her young age. And yet, I can see the playful child lurking in the background, the one that teased and coddled Fawn earlier when the younger girl was feeling homesick for her twin brother.
"You're welcome. And you're no baby, Emily. Don't let anyone tell you that you are."
She smiles broadly, then turns her head sharply to stare out the window again before whispering something that I can't quite make out. A quick shake of her head dispels the almost haunted look on her face before she faces me again, eyes briefly flashing golden.
"I'm sorry," she says a bit sheepishly. "The ghosts were thanking me for listening to their stories again. My mom taught me to be polite, so I had to answer them."
When we went out to rescue the kids, Dace mentioned something about Emily and ghosts, but I'd pushed it aside until after we could get the kids back to town safely. Before I realize I'm doing it, the words are out of my mouth.
"Emily, would you be willing to let me come visit you for a week or so? See what it's like for you to be a Sentinel when you're not in a situation like this?"
She cocks her head to the side, just like I've seen Dace do a couple of times now. "And see if Alexis likes you, too?" When I nod, holding my breath, her smile lights up her face. "I would like that very much. You'll love everyone at the Ranch, and I know they'll all like you, too."
I find myself matching her smile and squeeze her hand again. "Then how about we go find Hotch and your grownups and finalize some details? Sound good, Mini-Me?"
"Mini-Me?" she asks with a girlish giggle. "I like it! Let's go!"
"Lead the way," I say, letting her drag me off in search of Dace and Hotch.
Is it wrong that I'm letting that little flare of hope burn brightly that all of this works out? I'm terrified as hell to meet this Alexis Barnes in person, but the thought of being able to profile her and others like her is too strong a temptation for me to resist.
I only hope JJ and the rest of the team will understand why I'm considering what I am right now.
Only time will tell.
Original post @ Dreamwidth with
comments. Commenting is welcome on either post.
Chapter 3 - No Way Out
++ Emily Prentiss++
(01-13-07)
I knock on Hotch's door curiously, wondering what he wants to talk to me about. He waves me in as he finishes a phone call.
"Have a seat." He pauses as I settle in the chair across from him, and I can see the hardness filling his eyes. "I don't appreciate being questioned in front of the other agents."
"It was not my intention," I reply. "I'm sorry."
He stares at me for a moment. "What were you talking to Congresswoman Steyer about the other day?"
Okay, really not sure where this is going now. What the hell were we talking about? "She stopped by to say hello. She worked with my mother, so I've known her since I was a kid."
That stare doesn't waver. "Did you tip her off about this case?"
Wait, what? Keep your game face on, Emily. Never let them see you blink. "No."
"This team can't function if I don't trust the people on it," he says, continuing as if I haven't even answered him. Internally, I bristle, but the surface is calm and glassy.
"Sir, if I touched a nerve out there today, I'm sorry, but I don't deserve this."
"You mysteriously showed up at the BAU after one of my team members was involved in a questionable shooting."
"Right." I chew my lower lip for a moment, considering my next move. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"I expect it at all times, Agent Prentiss."
"Okay, good." I pause long enough to take a deep breath. "Are you kidding me with this line of questioning? I'm being branded as what? A snitch? A mole? What was all that stuff about me being a possibility for this Sentinel Project? Or was that just some kind of test to see if I really wanted to be a part of this team? I mean, it's not like anything has really happened since we had that teleconference with Agents Reyes and Bogart almost a month ago."
He blinks, clearly surprised by what I'm saying. Good to know that he doesn't like being broadsided any more than I do.
"You've done good work. I'm not questioning that. As for the Sentinel Project, that's strictly up to Agents Reyes and Bogart. But let me be clear that I will not put up with a political agenda."
I can't help but stare at him for a moment. Political agenda? Really?
"My mother's a career politician. You worked with her. Did you like her?"
"She's an impressive woman." Nice, safe answer.
I don't even both to cover the harsh snort of laughter. Screw the calm exterior. "Well, I think politics makes people distrustful. I think it makes them hate themselves. I think it tears families apart and damages people. So, if there's nothing else to discuss here, I would like to get back out on the street and find out who's killing these women."
I don't even wait for his reply, storming out of his office. How dare he accuse me of something that is so clearly not the case? What kind of profiler is he if that's what he thinks of me?
++ Candace "Dace" Bogart ++
Five years.
Damn hard to believe that it's been so long. The nightmares are rare now, no longer am I regularly plagued by the memory of the rogue Sentinel that tried to kill me. A man that the BAU would classify as a serial killer.
It barely registers that I'm stroking the scar on my forehead, as the motion has become reflex over time. The piercing bisecting scar and eyebrow alike is a constant adornment to not just my physical looks, but my memories as well. If it hadn't been for Catherine's quick reflexes in killing that bastard, Snake-Eyes, and the phenomenal work of the doctors and surgeons at Cook County Hospital, I wouldn't be having this little celebration today.
The morbidity comes less and less with time, but this yearly marker of time always brings it close to home.
"Hey." Her voice is a soothing balm to my raw nerves, and I drop my hand to give her my attention. How beautiful she is, how strong. "What's got you so quiet today?" The gentle tone is more about me hearing her voice, not the actual words. We both are fully aware what is bothering us both.
"Just a skull full of what-ifs," I finally say.
Catherine moves closer and stretches up to press a kiss along that scar, before stroking it soothingly with gentle fingertips. "Be happy that you can have a skull full of what-ifs." Sweet kisses on my closed eyelids warm my heart and pull at the corners of my mouth. "And when you're done with that, remember that I'm still here with you." Now she kisses the tip of my nose. "And when you've contemplated that, you can remember everything we've accomplished in the last five years together, including our gorgeous kids." Shifting again, she nips at my lower lip. "And finally, I want you to remember just how much I've come to adore you and need you in my life over the last five years. Not gonna let you go, Candace Bogart, not without one hell of a fight."
That warmth and sass has done its job, warming me completely and chasing away the ghosts of our past together. So I loose my loving grin on my Catherine and pull her close for tender kisses, basking in her presence. The specter of Snake-Eyes and his reign of terror over my life once more fades away, once more residing in its dark little box.
"What would I do without you, Cath?"
"Flounder in anger and denial, lost and adrift from the family that loves you." There's a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips, belying the dark emotions swirling in her pale eyes. She blinks once, twice, eyes bright with unshed tears, and then whispers, "Don't you dare ever scare me like that again, Dace. My heart couldn't take it."
Now it's my turn to comfort her, and I squeeze her smaller body until she squeaks breathlessly for mercy. Sniffing at her hair, her ears, nuzzling the fair skin, I once more, as I have done a million times, reinforce my bond to her, my heart, my sanity, my dearest love.
"Not while I can prevent it, sweetheart. I have way too much to live for."
With the high emotion of the day, we settle into a long, quiet cuddle, looking out over the desert that is our home. We've taken the day off from everything, work, kids, extended family. This is our day, a time to regroup and be grateful for one another and our life together.
But, eventually peace turns to activity and I stir and yawn around our near-doze. With a few words, we break for the mundanities of lunch, taking our sandwiches and salads to the porch to enjoy the cool day.
"Have you heard from the BAU?"
It skirts the line of a 'no work' day, but I give Cath a dry look and answer. "No. but I have a feeling that I will soon."
No one that spends any time around me argues with the weird 'sixth sense' I share with the other females of my kind. The strange, near precognitive flashes we get are rarely wrong and the odd coincidences that often shape my life a part of that.
And things will definitely be changing again soon.
++ Monica Reyes ++
(01-17-07)
"That call better be an emergency," Dana mutters, pulling the covers up over her head.
Groaning in agreement, I awkwardly roll over and grab for my cell to squint at the caller ID. Registering what it says takes longer than it probably should. "Reyes."
"Agent Reyes, this is Aaron Hotchner. I apologize for what is probably an early call for you."
"S'okay," I reply and scrub at my face with my free hand. "What can I do for you, Agent Hotchner?"
"I need your help. More specifically, I need Agent Bogart's help."
Okay, that's got me awake and sitting up quickly, jostling a grumbling Dana in the process. "You have my undivided attention."
As he explains the situation with their case up in Golconda, I head out toward the living room and the computer. I don't even know where the hell Golconda, Nevada, is, let alone how long it would take us to get there. I can hear Dana shuffling into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee; even she can tell that our day of sleeping in has been utterly kiboshed at this point.
Opening my email, I see the file that he's sent and begin to skim over its contents. Before I can do more than acknowledge that I'm doing so, there's a knock at the door, then it opens a few seconds later to let early morning sunlight stream in past the silhouette of Dace's form. Shaking my head, I just motion her in with a hand.
"Hold on a minute, Agent Hotchner," I say and she comes closer. "Let me put this on speaker. Dace just showed up at my door."
As I click the key, Hotchner's words continue. "--morning, Agent Bogart."
Dace tries to smother a chuckle -- and mostly succeeds -- and says, "And to you. How can I help you today?"
He launches into a rehash of the conversation he and I have already had, then asks, "How soon can you and your partner get up to Golconda?"
Dace fingers her piercing, smiling as Dana brings over two cups of coffee for us. "I can use one of the Hearts' private jets and get there whenever you need me to get there. Probably be just a couple hour flight, tops. It's more a matter of making sure Cath can get away to join me." And then she goes silent for a moment, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. "So just how bad is this situation?"
"We're not sure yet. As far as I can tell, it's just the single incident, but I thought this might be a good way for you to finally interact with Agent Prentiss in person."
Dace nods, then shakes her head briefly. "That makes sense. I think I’ll bring Emily and Fawn with me."
Dana sucks in a startled breath at that, and I can't help but stare at Dace myself. The blue eyes are calm and calculating, instantly calming me. Dace would not put those girls in danger and they do need some exposure to the grittier side of their destiny.
"I'm not sure--"
"Agent Hotchner, you have to remember that I'm not the only Sentinel here that you can work with. Emily is nearly ten years old and needs to start interacting with your department more, particularly since she hasn't so far had any of the hang-ups I have about working with men. I'll have her parents' permission to bring her with me, and I think she'll surprise you. LVPD's used her on a couple of minor cases already, just to give her some experience."
There's a long pause on the other end of the line, punctuated only by the scratching of pen against paper. A slight smirk softens Dace's expression; clearly, she feels she's won this particular battle. And, despite obvious misgivings from all parties, she's absolutely right.
"Agent Hotchner," Dana asks, startling me, "would it be more acceptable to you if Monica came along with Dace, Catherine, and the girls? In an official Handler capacity only, particularly for the girls, but otherwise not related to the case?"
"Given the still tenuous nature of our two teams' alliance, I think that would be beneficial," he replies. The sound of Agent Gideon's voice comes in the background, muffled by distance. "I'm going to have to go now so I can brief the team. We leave in about ninety minutes and should be touching down in Yerington around five p.m. local time, and then it should be roughly a twenty minute drive from there."
"Consider it done," I say, wincing at the tight smile on Dana's face. "We'll contact you as soon as we have the plane secured to head up there."
"Please do. I'll arrange for one of the SUVs to be waiting for you when you do. Goodbye, ladies."
++ Fawn Fraiser ++
I feel so very grown up right now. We're riding in an actual FBI vehicle! And we got to ride in Gramma Stasia's super special private jet. The one that normally only she and Tessa use. I kind of wanted to sleep in their bedroom on the plane, but this is an important case and I don't want anyone thinking I'm a baby that needs a nap. Won't Cubby be jealous when he finds out what Emily and I get to do?
"Okay, girls," Monica says, "we're almost in Golconda. We're all going to head over to the sheriff's office first to coordinate with Agent Hotchner and his team. Do either of you need anything before we do that?"
"I'm kinda hungry," I reply, torn between being honest and being grown-up.
"I'm sure there's a grocery store we can stop at for some snacks. Do you need anything, Emily?"
When she doesn't answer right away, I glance over at Emily, who is staring out the window. Without thinking, I poke her in the ribs to see if she's zoning out or just enjoying this yucky desert scenery. She bats at my hand, but doesn't look away.
"Elder Monkey!"
Uncle Dace leans close over the back of the seat and flicks Emily's ear. That gets her to move, whipping around as fast as a snake to glare at Uncle Dace. Emily never wins their staring contests. I don't know why she even tries.
"What?" she snaps, then clears her throat at the soft warning growl, cheeks turning pink. "Sorry, Uncle Dace. I was just listening to the voices out there."
Dace frowns at that. The grownups all worry about Emily and the voices, even if they don't say anything about it. Even the Monkey Twins don't have that ability to talk to the ghosts yet. Dace reaches out and touches a fingertip between Emily's eyes for a few seconds. She only removes it when Emily sighs and relaxes again.
"They saying anything of importance?" she asks softly.
Emily shakes her head. "No, just looking for someone to listen to them mostly. They don't get a lot of people out here that can hear them."
"Okay. So Monica wanted to know if you needed anything, Em. We're almost there and will need to get started as soon as we catch up with Agent Hotchner and his team."
"Just a bathroom break and some water, I think," she replies, then turns back toward the window.
"Em?"
"Yes, Uncle Dace?"
"Don't get too caught up in their stories, okay?"
Emily nods. "Maybe some carrot sticks?"
Monica smiles and pats Emily's hand. "We'll see what we can find for you, Emily."
"Thank you."
++ Dace Bogart ++
This place really is in the middle of nowhere, isn't it? No matter. We're here to do a job, not go sight-seeing. And as long as Fawn and I can keep Emily from getting too distracted by the voices of the ghosts that talk to her so effortlessly, I think we'll be okay.
Mon's call to Hotchner has us now pulling up in front of the sheriff's office. Mon and the girls will stay here, since this is where Prentiss is. Once they're settled, Cath and I will probably head out to where Hotchner and Morgan are, to see if we can figure out anything more at the scene.
The Mohave Desert smells similar no matter where I tread her sands and stone. There's an artificial water source nearby, servicing the small community I assume. The stink of sweat and smoke and fear hangs about the air here at the sheriff's station, nothing unusual there. Taking note of the stimuli, I file it away in case it might be useful to catch whatever monster we're all after this time. Wisps of scent, familiar amidst what I don't know here, leads me into the dimly lit building. Doctor Reid I know, as well as the smells of his team, but not the deputy struggling with a woman prisoner. Mixed in with that broken woman's smell is the slender, competent Agent Prentiss, looking snappy in her business casual.
Something has fallen from the prisoner's hand, clattering to the dingy floor with an odd ring to the sound. Emily darts forward to grab the object before I can get a good look at it, holding it out to the struggling woman. Only when Agent Prentiss says, "It's a whistle. It's not dangerous," does the guard allow the prisoner to take the item from Emily's outstretched hand.
"Thank you," the woman says with real feeling, quickly hugging the tall child before she's taken back toward what I assume is their holding area.
My cop's instincts wanted to rush over and protect this child of my tribe, but the cat knows the stranger is harmless. Despite the fact that her unusual little treasure is a human rib bone. I'd bet my tats on it. I'm guessing this has something to do with the woman being in custody.
My rolling my eyes at the Captain Obvious moment makes Cath quirk an eyebrow at me and grin when I shrug and look sheepish. Bet she recognized it, too.
"A psycho with a whistle," Doctor Reid says. "That's not too weird."
"I'm surprised at you, Doctor Reid," I rebuke mildly, making our presence known at last. "Using such disparaging words when you don't even know the woman's situation."
The young man turns, his expression curious and faintly taken aback, mouth open to retort my unexpected statement. As is most people's custom, he pauses as instinct and intellect war over how to react to me. The usual then. It's a shame really, that he has decided to dislike me, though I can't blame him. Between intimidating him, ruffling instincts I don't think he's fully aware of, and Gideon's dislike, it's understandable.
Gratefully, Reid's gaze jerks away from me to latch onto Monica, where she's gotten our visitor's badges. "Ah, Agent Reyes. You and your team made it."
Before any of us can say anything else, Emily boldly walks over to the pair of them and sticks out her hand at Prentiss. "Hi, my name is Emily Farazell-Taylor. You must be one of the FBI agents we're here to help."
Prentiss stares first at Reid, then at me, before she turns a brilliant smile on my niece and accepts the handshake. "Well, hello there, Emily. My name is Emily, too, Emily Prentiss. And this is Doctor Spencer Reid, one of my colleagues. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you, too. Monica and Uncle Dace have told me about your team and how we'll try to help all of you."
Prentiss looks up at me, curiosity and confusion warring for dominance in her expression. Intelligence and competence radiates from the dark, earthy brown eyes as we take each other in for a moment. Not so much as a flinch from this first meeting of eyes, excellent. If a stranger can't pass this first test, any others are meaningless. Even better, she has the nerve to smirk at me, the faintest quirk of her mouth and eyes that most would never catch. "Uncle Dace?"
Sassy. I like that. Shrugging, I smile at my niece, including her new pal in the expression. "Hey, a kid can only have so many aunties," I explain and stride forward to offer a hand. Warm and dry and with even pressure, her handshake matches the personality I see discrete in her frank gaze. "Pleasure to finally meet you in person, Agent Prentiss. Good to see you again, Doctor Reid."
The boy mumbles something polite, but clearly would rather be anywhere else. Oh, the drama.
Monica hands out visitor's passes we need to wear. I can understand it for the girls, but all of us Feds? That seems a little strange, but whatever, I'll follow local protocol. As soon as we've all clipped on our badges, I herd my little group toward my niece and the two agents to continue introductions. Catherine and Monica go through the motions we all know so well while I watch how Fawn is reacting to all of this. At the moment she seems more engrossed with being faintly grossed out by the dingy surroundings than being introduced last.
"Nice to meet you both," Prentiss finishes up with us grown ups before turning that sharp regard to young Fawn. Sensing the regard, the youngest focuses, taking the offered hand. "And I'm guessing that you would be Fawn Fraiser, Emily's Guide, right?"
Nodding, Fawn scrutinizes her, every bit as critical as me. Perhaps more so. "You did your homework."
The near-challenging deadpan clearly takes Prentiss aback, but it's only the faintest flicker of reaction. "Well, most of this job is homework. Chasing down the bad guys is usually only the excitement at the end. I've been doing a lot of reading up on you and the others."
For a moment, the challenge goes on and I love seeing the girl's instincts in action. Whether Prentiss passes muster is far more important to the children... and Alexis.
With some internal question answered, Fawn is all smiles and shakes the larger hand caught in hers vigorously. Excellent. Fawn is not nearly as open and trusting as Emily is, so this reaction means Agent Prentiss has definitely passed test two.
"Nice to meet you," Fawn flirts, and she's just a little girl fighting a giggle at being recognized by a stranger.
++ Monica Reyes ++
Well, the initial introductions went relatively smoothly. I can tell that Agents Hotchner and Gideon aren't too thrilled to have a nine- and seven-year-old involved in this case, but Dace is right. They have a perfect opportunity to help groom a valuable resource by working with Emily now. Eventually they'll figure it out.
Fawn is working on some math homework that her parents demanded be finished before she gets home. I'm impressed that she's not carrying on about doing it like she sometimes does at home. Then again, she's also doing her very best job to act more mature, so she can continue to do these important trips with Emily.
Emily, on the other hand, has been working on something on the laptop we brought along. The clicking of the keys gets faster, and I can't help but glance over to see what she's working on. There's an expression of profound concentration on her face, the tip of her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. It would be comical if she was staring at the screen. Instead, her gaze is out toward the front door and the main areas of the sheriff's office.
"Emily?" I ask softly, garnering Fawn's attention, too. When the younger girl goes to poke at Emily, I shake my head. Shifting closer, I look over Emily's shoulder to what she's typing so frenetically.
J: Then I felt a presence, and everything went white. I was in a spaceship, and I could see myself. It was like time was suspended. I could feel everything and there were strange maps on the walls, diagrams of all the stars. It was cold, very, very cold. And the alien, he did things to me. He touched me very softly and he stroked my hair. He drew lines all over my body. And the whole time he was standing there, smiling down at me. And then I looked in his eyes. I wasn't afraid anymore. I don't know why.
G: Then what did he do?
J: And then I was back in my own bed. It was the next morning.
P: How long ago did this happen?
J: I was nineteen. It was thirty years ago.
P: And did you ever see him again?
Her fingers pause on the keys for a few seconds before she starts up again.
J: Oh, I see him. I see him every time I shut my eyes.
At this point, she stops again, slumping back against the chair as her eyes close.
"Emily, were you eavesdropping again?" I ask, finally realizing what she's just done.
She blinks once, twice, and guiltily smiles at me. "Sorry, Monica," she finally says, "but I thought it would be important to know what she said, so I could help find the suspect, or whatever the BAU calls them."
I can't really fault her logic, but her methods leave something to be desired. Before I can tell her as much, Agents Gideon and Prentiss, Doctor Reid, and Sheriff Davis come out of the holding area where they've been talking to Jane.
"The strange maps on the walls could have been anatomical drawings," Reid says as they come closer to the table we're sitting at.
Sheriff Davis appears to consider this. "What about the fact that she could see herself?"
Gideon opens his mouth to answer, but the words are not in his voice.
"Mirrored ceiling."
Blinking, I stare at Emily, who has turned around to face the quartet of adults, all of whom are staring back at her. Prentiss is the first to react.
"That makes sense," she says, offering the fleetest of smiles at my young charge, "so his victims could see themselves being dismembered."
"Eww," Fawn mutters and returns to her math.
"Every time I think it can't get any worse, it does."
Gideon studies Emily for another moment as he says, "Her subconscious mind has created a delusion that she was abducted by an alien." He's certainly not giving her the same look that he gives Dace. This can only be a good thing.
"It's possible she's the only one who survived," Prentiss says.
"But why'd he let her go?"
Prentiss starts to answer, then stops and quirks a brow at Emily, who smiles and says, "She said when she looked into his eyes, she felt relaxed."
"In that moment," Gideon says with a nod, "the one thing that he wanted, she didn't give him."
"Fear."
Someone calls out the sheriff's name, and she heads off to take care of the situation as the BAU agents come over to the table we're sitting at.
++ Jason Gideon ++
If the rest of these Sentinels are like this child rather than Agent Bogart, I'll gladly work with any of them. She's precocious, of course, but so is Reid. She just needs some firm guidance to work out her childish rough spots. Time and age will help with that.
The smell of hot coffee hits my nostrils seconds before the cup appears in my vision. Wrapping a hand around its warmth, I nod my acknowledgment and thanks to Hotch, but continue to watch Agent Prentiss interacting with the two girls while their adults and Morgan are out getting dinner for everyone. Their laughter and carefree happiness is so incongruous to the situation at hand, and yet no one is doing anything to stop them.
"Okay, so what else can we work on?" Prentiss' voice carries over to us as she feigns cracking her knuckles.
"Miss Emily, can you help me with my math? Unca Dace is simply awful with math."
Agent Reyes nearly chokes on the coffee she's drinking. "Fawn!"
The younger girl gives her an exasperated look. "Am I wrong, Monica?"
"That's beside the point."
Before Reyes can say anything, Prentiss pulls the girl's chair closer and looks at the math book. Reid could probably help her more, but I can see by the expression on his face that even he knows better than to interrupt this fascinating bonding scene. They put their heads close together and start working on the problems together, Prentiss gesturing animatedly as she explains things.
"She's good with them."
I nod slowly, still watching them. "She is. And I think you were absolutely right about her, Hotch. She's obviously got a bond with these girls already, and from the little I've seen her interacting with Reyes and Bogart, I think she'll be an asset to their project."
"And it means you won't have to directly interact with Agent Bogart as much," Hotch replies, a knowing chuckle warming his tone.
"Well, except for the fact that these are little kids. Hotch, they're younger than Reid when we brought him in. Hell, they're younger than Reid when I first met him."
Hotch nods. "True, but I think they'll be able to handle it, Gideon."
Before I can say anything else, young Emily turns her head to study the two of us for a long moment. There's a flash of gold in her pale blue eyes that I've only seen once before in Bogart's eyes the first time I got in her face. It's a terrifying thing to witness when it's aimed right at you, and this child is one of the sane ones. I can only imagine what it would be like from one of the rogue Sentinels that Bogart and Reyes have mentioned.
"I wish I knew how they did that," I mutter.
"No, you don't because it would mean that they're no longer a puzzle for you to solve."
I scowl, unwilling to admit that he's is right. "Irrelevant, Hotch."
He just chuckles again and motions the girl over. She saves her file on the laptop before coming to join us.
"Yes, Agent Hotchner?" So well-mannered. Her parents should be proud.
"I wanted to ask your opinion on something. Do you mind?"
"No, sir, I don't mind."
Hotch pulls a chair over for her to join us at the desk we've commandeered. She glances back once at her young Guide with a mischievous smile, but says nothing, and the smile is replaced by a more professional mien when she turns back to face us.
"I wanted to thank you for coming along on this case," Hotch says. "Some of your insights so far have been fascinating, especially about Jane's flute. None of us had caught that information."
She allows herself a brief, broad smile at the deserved praise. Hotch is right that none of us caught onto it, especially given that this guy collects rib bones from his victims. She tilts her head and studies us for a moment.
"No one should be separated from their families, Agent Hotchner," she finally says. "If my abilities can help you find his victims before he kills them, that means they can return to their families. That's all that matters to me. Well, and stopping him, of course."
She even knows how to phrase things like someone much older than she is. I'm impressed.
"Agent Gideon, I heard Monica and Agent Prentiss saying that you're going to be trying again tomorrow to find to the man you think did this. Will you be bringing Uncle Dace along to help out?"
That makes me blink. "Well, Emily, we haven't really decided exactly how that's going to happen yet, but I probably will. Agent Bogart has some well-honed tracking skills that may come in handy." I pause and study her a moment. "Or were you thinking of volunteering yourself?"
She shakes her head, red curls dancing around her head. "Oh no, sir. I don't know that I should be anywhere near that man. Emily, I mean Agent Prentiss, says that he's dangerous. I should probably stay here and keep Fawn safe."
I don't bother to hide my smile at that. The girl's loyalty to her Guide is obvious, and now so is her newfound loyalty to Prentiss. "I think that's an admirable reason to stay behind, especially when Agent Bogart can help us out in the field."
"Fawn is my Guide, I have to protect her." So matter-of-fact.
Hotch clears his throat. "One more question for you, Emily, then you can return to Fawn again." When she nods, he says, "I'm not sure if you know that we've been working to find a way for the BAU to work with Agent Reyes and the Sentinel--"
"Is Emily going to help with that?" she asks, excitedly cutting him off, then blushes as she realizes what she's done. "I'm sorry, Agent Hotchner. I just really like Emily and would like to work with her if I could."
"It's all right," he says with a smile. "You've just answered my question. Thank you for coming to speak with us."
"Thank you for including me," she says, then heads back to the table.
"Well, that was rather informative, wasn't it?"
"She's going to be hell on wheels when she gets older," Hotch muses. "But I think it's time we discuss this with her grownups and Agent Prentiss."
As if on cue, Prentiss glances up at us, the question clear in her eyes. When Hotch nods, she smiles and nods in reply before turning back to the girls and whatever it is they're working on together.
Unless Agent Bogart objects, I think we've found our liaison.
++ Emily Prentiss ++
"Are the kids okay, EP?"
Less than twenty-four hours later, and the girl that shares my name has already given me a nickname. I guess I've made a better impression than I thought.
"Yeah, they are," I say with a smile. "A little scared, cold, and hungry, but I think being reunited with their families will take care of any of that."
She nods and stares out the window as the children are each claimed by their families. And then I feel her smaller hand grip mine, and I squeeze back without saying a word.
"Do you think Agent Gideon will find him?" she finally asks, still staring out the window.
"Eventually. Hopefully before he kills again." It's what we all want.
"Thank you for letting me help out where I could, and not treating me like a baby. I appreciate it."
I turn to study her for a moment before she meets my gaze. There's so much seriousness in those pale eyes, more than anyone should have at her young age. And yet, I can see the playful child lurking in the background, the one that teased and coddled Fawn earlier when the younger girl was feeling homesick for her twin brother.
"You're welcome. And you're no baby, Emily. Don't let anyone tell you that you are."
She smiles broadly, then turns her head sharply to stare out the window again before whispering something that I can't quite make out. A quick shake of her head dispels the almost haunted look on her face before she faces me again, eyes briefly flashing golden.
"I'm sorry," she says a bit sheepishly. "The ghosts were thanking me for listening to their stories again. My mom taught me to be polite, so I had to answer them."
When we went out to rescue the kids, Dace mentioned something about Emily and ghosts, but I'd pushed it aside until after we could get the kids back to town safely. Before I realize I'm doing it, the words are out of my mouth.
"Emily, would you be willing to let me come visit you for a week or so? See what it's like for you to be a Sentinel when you're not in a situation like this?"
She cocks her head to the side, just like I've seen Dace do a couple of times now. "And see if Alexis likes you, too?" When I nod, holding my breath, her smile lights up her face. "I would like that very much. You'll love everyone at the Ranch, and I know they'll all like you, too."
I find myself matching her smile and squeeze her hand again. "Then how about we go find Hotch and your grownups and finalize some details? Sound good, Mini-Me?"
"Mini-Me?" she asks with a girlish giggle. "I like it! Let's go!"
"Lead the way," I say, letting her drag me off in search of Dace and Hotch.
Is it wrong that I'm letting that little flare of hope burn brightly that all of this works out? I'm terrified as hell to meet this Alexis Barnes in person, but the thought of being able to profile her and others like her is too strong a temptation for me to resist.
I only hope JJ and the rest of the team will understand why I'm considering what I am right now.
Only time will tell.
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