AN: There will be two similar stories, this is the first and it diverges from canon. The second will be about Emily and her daughter Maura because Criminal Minds has written Hotch and Jack out.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. Catherine Jareau is mine, along with any others you do not recognize. I do not own Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Hallowe'en

"Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness—for then

The spirits of the dead, who stood

In life before thee, are again

In death around thee, and their will

Shall overshadow thee; be still."

- Spirits of the Dead, Edgar Allan Poe

October 31, 2016

12:30 pm

I place my money on the counter and answer my phone without looking at my caller ID. "This is Dr. Jareau speaking."

"Do you still enjoying answering your phone like that?" Asks the amused voice on the other end of the line.

I smile. "Yes I do, Aaron. Is everything all right with the case?"

"Yes, we've just finished packing and are heading back to the jet, but..." He exhales noisily, "Jack got into another fight at school. Mrs. Cunningham called me even though we informed the school last week that they were supposed to call you in the event of an emergency."

I sigh. "Was it the same kid who said something about Haley last week and called me names two weeks ago?"

Aaron sighs. "I believe so."

I pick up my travel mug from the counter. "Okay, I'll head over to the school now."

Aaron sighs again. "I'm terribly sorry, Catherine. Are you finished with your appointment? I don't want you to miss it."

I turn around and head for the door. "It's okay, my appointment ended just after noon. I was just buying some tea before heading home."

"Reid is going to want me to ask…" He mumbles awkwardly.

I roll my eyes. "It's peppermint tea Aaron. I haven't had caffeine in months. Tell Spencer that if he makes you or anyone else ask again I'll have Penelope throw out the coffee he hid in his desk at work and I'll figure out how to reach the tin on the top shelf in our kitchen."

Aaron laughs. "I will, and thank you Catherine."

"You're welcome Aaron. I'll call you when I know more."

1:15 pm

"Hello again Mrs. Cunningham," I greet the main secretary with a weak smile.

Her smile is brighter. "Hello dearie, I'm sorry we're not meeting under more pleasant circumstances."

I grimace.

"It's a real shame," she continues; "Jack is usually such a well behaved young man."

I sigh. "Are we meeting in Vice Principal Elliott's office today or in one of the resource rooms?"

She shakes her head. "No. I'm afraid you, the children, and the other parents will be meeting with Principal Powell today."

Frowning, I ask: "Have they started without me?"

She nods and comes around from behind the counter. "You're the last one to arrive and Principal Powell is in rather a bad mood today dearie. It's best not to keep him waiting any longer than you already have."

I scowl. "Does Jack have another adult in there to represent him?"

She shakes her head, knocks twice on a door, and ushers me into the well-lit office. "I'll come back with a pillow for you," she whispers to me and disappears.

I quickly take in the room: one middle-aged man of medium build with grey flecked hair behind the desk: Principal Powell, check. One slender dark haired woman standing behind a seated and equally dark haired boy - Mrs. Dempster and the little terror - check and check. Then there is Jack sitting in the other wooden chair, check, and another middle-aged man whom I cannot see properly as his back is to me, and a small dark haired child peeking out at me from under his arm; two unknowns. Check and check. Oddly enough there is also the remains of what appears to be a blonde wig next to the unknown man's foot.

Principal Powell looks me up and down, frowning, "Mrs. Hotchner I presume."

Jack flinches.

The little terror smirks.

"Actually it's Dr. Jareau," I answer, and take a slow, deliberate step further into the office.

Jack gets up from his chair.

"Sit down, Mr. Hotchner!" The Principal thunders.

Jack ignores him and crosses the room in four quick steps. He helps me out of my coat and leads me calmly to the chair he had previously occupied.

I squeeze Jack's hand both reassurance and in thanks.

"Mr. Hotchner!" Powell's face is red with barely controlled fury.

Jack straightens up and faces him before responding coolly, "Dr. Jareau is pregnant, sir. She needs to sit down."

I try not to laugh, as I don't truly require assistance. I know that Aaron spoke with Jack again before he left on this last case because Jack has been mothering me even more over the last week than in the past month.

Principal Powell glowers at me. "Where is Mrs. Hotchner? I think she should be here since Mr. Hotchner refused." He reaches for the phone on his desk. "I should have Mrs. Cunningham call him again."

I scowl back at him. "Mrs. Hotchner died several years ago and Mr. Hotcher is currently on a plane and can not be reached." I continue in a more pleasant tone: "I think if you were to check Jack's file you would see that I am listed as the third emergency contact, after his father and his aunt."

Mrs. Cunningham opens the door again, without knocking, and motions Jack over.

He walks to her with a quizzical look on his face and a quick glance over his shoulder at Principal Powell, who is still grumbling at me, and doesn't acknowledge her or Jack. Mrs. Cunningham hands Jack a pillow for me. He grins at her and returns swiftly to my side.

Mr. Powell frowns. "Where is young Mr. Hotchner's aunt?"

I use the chair arms to lever myself up before answering: "She's in Chicago on business."

Jack places the small cushion on the seat of the chair.

"And you are?" Principal Powell crosses his arms.

"As I said before, I am Dr. Jareau," I sit back down. Sitting on a cushion is so much more comfortable than a wooden chair without padding. I wonder if that's why he makes the students sit and the parents stand?

His fingers tap out a pattern on his arm. "What is your relationship to the Hotchner family?"

I smile benignly at him. "Our families are friends. I have known Jack all his life."

"Whore," coughs the little terror seated a scant two feet to the right of me.

I ignore him, as does his mother.

Mr. Powell frowns censoriously.

Jack's hand is wrapped around the arm of my chair, his knuckles going paler by the second.

I place my hand on top of Jack's and he relaxes his grip.

I continue speaking when Principal Powell doesn't say anything. "Mr. Hotchner and my sister both work for the FBI. I, on the other hand, am a Professor at Georgetown University."

"Principal Powell," The unknown man on my left says; "Are you finished with your interrogation of Dr. Jareau's standing? The boy standing with her obviously knows her, as do the other boy and his mother. Who else but a family friend would turn up to a school disciplinary meeting?"

I smile slightly at him before turning back to face the principal. "I have a letter from Jack's father detailing my ability to travel across state lines with him. Would that be enough proof? Or perhaps you would like to speak with Mrs. Cunningham, or Vice Principal Elliott? They both know who I am."

Principal Powell takes a deep breath and exhales before saying: "That will not be necessary."

The dark haired man next to me grins and holds out his hand. "Detective Alex Hernandez, of the 16th precinct."

I start to lever myself up to a standing position, but he stops me with a shake of his head.

"I don't want to make you stand on my account. I can just as easily shake your hand while you're sitting."

"Thank you," I sit back down and with a slight smile, swallow my fear and shake his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

His little girl peeks out at me from behind her father's legs.

Hernandez places a hand on the little girl's shoulder, "This is my daughter Serena."

Principal Powell clears his throat loudly.

Detective Hernandez smiles sheepishly, "Oh, yes. This is not the best time for introductions; my apologies Principal Powell."

Powell nods and turns to the mother and son seated on my right. "Mr. Dempster, what happened?"

Christopher crosses his arms and scowls. "The little bitch kicked my shin and swore at me! I didn't do anything to her! And I didn't do anything to Hotchner either; he punched me for no reason!"

His mother sighs.

Jack snorts contemptuously.

"Cállate!" Shouts Serena.

The boy points his finger at Serena. "See! She's swearing at me again! That's just what she said before when she kicked me." He grumbles: "I think my nose is broken."

I notice from the corner of my eye the icepack in his hand and that his nose is definitely swollen.

"Detective Hernandez?" Principal Powell prompts.

He closes his eyes for a moment before answering: "My daughter is not swearing, though what she said is not entirely polite," He looks down censoriously at Serena.

She crosses her arms and glares at Christopher Dempster. "I should have cursed at you! Papá, he cut off my hair!"

"I did not!" The terror shrieks back.

She stamps her foot, "You are a liar!

"No, you are!" He snarls and starts to rise from his chair.

Christopher's mother places a hand on her son's shoulder and he sits back down.

"Jack," I whisper, "What happened?"

He goes pale and shakes his head.

"Mr. Hotchner," Principal Powell interrupts, "Please share what you were about to say to Miss. Jareau."

Jack opens his mouth.

Detective Hernandez speaks before Jack has a chance to, "Principal Powell, her title is Dr. Jareau as she's said previously. Will you not do her the courtesy of addressing her by her proper title?"

"She hardly looks old enough to be a doctor," Powell mumbles under his breath.

"Catherine is brilliant!" Jack growls. "She's has had her PhD since she was 23! She-"

I squeeze his hand and to quiet him. "Now is not the right time Jack. Please tell us what happened."

Jack glares at his principal before turning to face me directly. "I saw Chris corner Serena just outside the boy's bathrooms. He ripped off her wig and cut off her braid before I had a chance to intervene."

"You're a liar!" Screeches the terror.

"Mr. Dempster, you will be quiet!" Roars Principal Powell.

The boy glowers but subsides.

Powell scowls. "Detective Hernandez, was your daughter's hair longer this morning when you or your wife dropped her off at school?"

"Yes," He nods. "It was halfway down her back. As you can see now, it is not. Also the wig-" He gestures to the blonde thing at his feet. "It is ruined."

Powell turns back to Jack. "Continue Mr. Hotchner."

Jack frowns. "I heard Chris say that she would look just like the picture in his hand if she would just hold still."

The principal sighs. "Where is this supposed photograph Mr. Hotchner?"

Jack answers solemnly: "He hid it in one of his pockets, Mr. Powell."

The terror shakes off his mother's hand and jumps up. "I did not!" He shouts: "There was no picture! He's lying! He cut the girl's hair off!"

"Be quiet Mr. Dempster!" Principal Powell turns back to Jack and asks more or less politely: "What was the photograph of, Mr. Hotchner?"

Jack shakes his head.

Powell crosses his arms. "Mr. Hotchner, I am waiting."

"I can't say sir." Jack mirrors his posture.

"Can't or won't?" He replies tersely before glaring at me. "Dr. Jareau, control your charge!"

I raise an eyebrow at him but nonetheless turn to Jack. "Jack?"

He flinches and refuses to look at me.

I take both his hands in mine. "Please tell me what happened, leibling."

"Sissy!" Hisses Dempster.

His mother pinches his ear and he yelps.

Jack bites his lip. "It was a picture of a little blonde girl dressed in an Alice in Wonderland costume."

I swallow hard.

"Just like Serena was dressed today, when she had the wig on." Jack refuses to make eye contact with me.

I nod and avoid looking at the little girl or her father. "Jack-"

Mr. Powell interrupts: "Why did this result in you punching Mr. Dempster, Mr. Hotchner?"

Jack straightens up and turns around, "I would have punched him for cutting off Serena's hair and threatening both of us with the scissors, Mr. Powell."

"But that wasn't the only reason was it?" Mr. Powell asks leadingly.

Jack clenches his hands into fists, "No sir. The little girl in the photograph had blood on her clothes."

"Continue Mr. Hotchner." Mr. Powell frowns at Dempster.

Jack holds his arms firmly by his sides. "That is all sir."

"It is not," Powell replies; "Or you would be looking at my face and not my shoulder."

Jack exhales slowly. "Respectfully sir, I cannot answer you without causing significant pain to others."

I blink in surprise, he sounds like Aaron.

"Not even if I were to suspend you for the rest of the term?" Mr. Powell inquires with a glare.

Detective Hernandez rolls his eyes, pulls out pair of latex gloves from his coat pocket, crosses the room and stands between the dark haired terror and myself. He holds out his hand and says, "Hand me the photograph boy."

Principal Powell starts speaking: "Detective Hernandez, I -"

"No," Hernandez looks at Powell. "This photograph is evidence in the assault on my daughter. This is no longer a school matter."

Christopher crosses his arms; "You can't have it, it's mine!"

Mrs. Dempster groans: "Give him the photograph Christopher!"

"If the photograph proves to be immaterial then I will return it to you, but -" He holds up a finger, "If it is truly evidence then it will need to be bagged and processed." He gestures at me. "Judging by Dr. Jareau's reaction, it could be important."

The terror sighs and takes a slightly worn Polaroid picture out of his back pocket.

Detective Hernandez puts the gloves on before taking the photo from Christopher's hand. He looks at both the front and the back of the photograph and pales. "Mierda! Where did you get this photograph from boy?"

"Mom!" The boy whines.

His mother, her eyes on Detective Hernandez's face, shakes her head. "Answer the question Christopher."

He rolls his eyes. "What's the big deal? We were just play-acting. She wanted to until Hotchner showed up and then she started fussing."

"I did not!" Shrieks Serena.

"Christopher!" His mother hisses, enraged.

He sighs. "My nan gave me a box of my great uncle's pictures when we cleaned out her basement."

Detective Hernandez glances at the picture and frowns, "Do you know who is in this photograph?"

Christopher gestures at me, "Her."

I swallow the lump in my throat and clench my hands into fists.

Detective Hernandez raises an eyebrow. "And how do you know that?"

He shrugs. "Her name is on the back. Well, it says Alice Jareau, but she looks the same. Just older. And Hotchner recognized her."

Detective Hernandez looks at the back of the picture and nods. "Dr. Jareau, I am sorry but I need you to look at the photograph for confirmation."

I nod jerkily.

He holds out the picture towards me.

I take one second to look at it and gag.

Jack grabs the spare plastic bag from my coat pocket and holds it steady as my stomach heaves.

Detective Hernandez sighs. "Mr. Dempster, you will need to come with me. Mrs. Dempster if you would please accompany us."

"Mom, do something!" Christopher's eyes are huge.

"No," She shakes her head. "This is it Christopher. Two weeks ago, what you did was rude and uncalled for but Jack Hotchner didn't behave much better than you. This week you attacked a second grader with a pair of scissors! I am disgusted with your behavior. I don't know what you know about that disgusting photograph but I'm sure that the police will have questions for the rest of our family because of it. Why didn't you come to us when you found it?" She sighs. "Your father and I will be having a discussion tonight, and you will be attending another school as soon as possible. I know your father was hoping a military academy would straighten you out. I can only pray that he is right." She looks at Detective Hernandez and says miserably: "Please excuse me for a moment sir, I will need to call my attorney. I am sorry for the delay, but I need to protect my family."

Hernandez nods, crosses the room, and kisses the top of his daughter's head. "Serena, mija, go and fetch Carter. She's waiting in the hall."

"Yes Papá," Serena nods and runs from the room.

Powell slams his fist down on his desk and bellows: "Wait just a minute! I'm not finished here. There is paperwork to be filled out; both boys will need to be suspended. This school has a zero tolerance policy for violence."

Detective Hernandez interrupts and contradicts him: "No! We are finished for the day. Dr. Jareau is obviously feeling unwell and should not stay here. Were you not listening? This is no longer a simple school discipline matter; there will be a formal investigation. I will be escorting Mr. Dempster and his mother to my precinct." He stalks across the room, shepherding the terror and his mother.

Serena appears in the doorway with a red haired woman who must be Carter.

"Detective Hernandez," I call after him, slightly embarrassed when my voice cracks.

He turns to face me, his face not entirely clear of pity.

I swallow, "You'll want to call Supervisory Special Agent Katherine Cole, she's in charge of the Crimes Against Children Unit of the FBI. If you cannot reach her try Penelope Garcia at the BAU and use my name, she can put you in touch with whomever or whatever is required."

Hernandez nods and walks back towards us, "Thank you for the information, Dr. Jareau." He looks at Jack and holds out his hand, "You are a good boy, thank you for defending my daughter. Please make sure Dr. Jareau calls someone to take you home after Detective Carter is finished speaking with her."

Jack shakes his hand, "You're welcome sir. My uncle Will is a detective too, so we'll call him later, but I can make sure we get home safely."

Hernandez looks closely at my face. "Perhaps we should call you a taxi."

I shake my head. "No thank you," I murmur through the fog clouding my brain.

"Yes sir," Jack nods and helps me to my feet. "Come on Catherine, let's go talk to the nice Detective." He looks up at Hernandez, "She is nice, isn't she?"

He smiles down at Jack, "Yes."

Jack nods, "Good. So we'll talk to her, and then we can find your car, and call uncle Will."

I nod absentmindedly and allow Jack to lead me from the office.

AN: Thank you for reading. Please review if you have something to say.