Chapter One

In this House

Daniel Jareau sat silently in the backseat of a black Denali. He rested his head on his hand and stared aimlessly out the window. He couldn't believe he was actually being taken away from his father. He knew it would happen eventually. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed what was really going on in the Jareau household, but Daniel didn't image it would be so soon. Truth be told, Daniel was angry. He had lived in that hellhole for thirteen long years, and no one had said anything, but when his sister was born four years ago, people took notice to what was happening almost immediately. Daniel knew it wasn't really the four years old fault, but he just felt angry, and JJ was the perfect person to blame.

The car slowed to a stop in front of a large house and Madison Parker, who had been driving the Denali, put the large car in park and turned to face the thirteen and four year old in the back. "Daniel, are you sure this is what you want?" She asked, her eyes searching his for any signs of hesitation.

But he showed none.

"I'm sure." The thirteen year old answered, staring his social worker directly in the eyes. Madison sighed, shutting her eyes and taking a quick breath to calm herself.

"I don't think you understand. Once this is done, it's done. You could never see your sister again." She informed him and at the mention of his sister he turned to face the four year old. But seeing her did nothing but confirm his feelings about the subject. He saw the blue bruise that was still present on the young girls face from almost two weeks ago. He saw how hallow her cheeks were and how sunken in her eyes appeared. He stared into her wide unblinking blue eyes for just a moment before turning back to Madison.

"I know." And he did know. That's what he wanted. He wanted to forget his old life, and if he had JJ with him, he knew that would never happen. He knew his little sister, who he desperately wanted to adore, would be a constant reminder of his father.

Madison nodded and unbuckled herself, climbing out of the car and walking around to the back seat. She opened the door closest to JJ and unbuckled the four year old. "Okay Jennifer! Let's go meet your new family!" She cooed and the girl clung to her brother in hopes he wouldn't let her be taken away.

"Wait." Daniel commanded and Madison stopped trying to pry JJ from him. "I- Make sure you tell them that she likes to be called JJ and that she doesn't talk." Daniel told her after hesitating for a moment. Madison nodded and finally pried JJ off of Daniel. She sent Daniel one final look before shutting the car door behind her.

"Good bye JJ."

Madison's heart broke as she walked up the step to the front door of the Rossi house. JJ hung so desperately to her that Madison almost didn't want to put her down. Madison had grown particularly fond of the Jareau kids during the time of being their social worker. She didn't know why, but something about them just called to her. She knew from the first time she saw JJ's haunted eyes and Daniel's bruised body that these children needed a good home. That's why she had jumped the minute she heard that David Rossi, a well-known adoptive father, said he could take one or two more children. That's also why she was heart-broken when Daniel informed her he didn't want anything to do with his sister. It was a rare case, but not something that Madison hadn't seen before. She understood somewhat. The poor boy just wanted to forget, and JJ was just too big of a reminder.

Madison shifted JJ to one side of her body, trying to balance her so she could ring the doorbell. But she didn't have to. The minute she stepped up onto the porch, the door swung open and a blonde haired girl walked out.

"You must be Madison." She said, sticking out her hand. Madison took hold of it and shook. "I'm Penelope. Dave's not here right now, he's at work. He told me to make sure that I look out for you."

"He's not home? Do you know when he will be? I really have to go over some details about Jennifer with him." Madison informed the eighteen year old and Penelope's smile faltered.

"To be honest, he's probably not going to be home for another three hours. But you can tell me everything and I can relay the information to him. I'm pretty good at that." Penelope told her and Madison thought for a moment. As much as she wanted to stay and waited for David Rossi, she also had to get Daniel to his foster family and begin filling out some paperwork.

"Well, alright." Madison agreed and Penelope stepped aside to welcome her into the house. Madison stepped into the house and immediately knew that JJ was going to a good home. The house itself was huge. Madison observed the multiply different rooms as she followed Penelope into the kitchen.

"Excuse the mess." Penelope laughed as they stepped over a couple of toys that were left in the middle of the floor. "Spencer was supposed to pick all this up but I guess he never got to it." Madison laughed along with her and took a seat at the kitchen table when Penelope did. She immediately took notice of the six year old boy sitting across from her.

"Is that my new sister?" He asked curiously, looking up from whatever he was doing.

"Mmhm. Why don't you go get Em, Derek, and Aaron, Spencer? I'm sure they'd all like to meet her too." Penelope asked the young boy and he nodded, jumping off the chair he was sitting on and running out of the room. Once he was gone, Penelope focused her attention Madison. "Okay, what should I know?"

Madison sighed, looking at the small child who sat in her lap sadly. "She likes to be called JJ." She started off and Penelope nodded. "She's mute. Her brother said she stopped talking a little while after," she had to suppress a shudder at this point, "after her father started visiting her at night." She told Penelope, who had nodded once more, looking grim. "She is afraid of men. So far the only boy she's been okay around is her brother. That's especially important for David to know. He really should keep his distance until she figures out that he won't hurt her."

Penelope nodded softly. "Can I hold her?" She asked and Madison nodded, taking the child and passing her to Penelope. JJ immediately wrapped her arms around Penelope's neck and Penelope swallowed the four year old in a hug.

The sweet moment was interrupted when the sound of three pounding feet brought the two women's attentions to the doorway of the kitchen. "Spencer, Emily, Derek, come meet JJ." Penelope told them and the three children walked over to Penelope.

"I thought you said that her name was Jennifer." Spencer, the youngest, commented.

"I did." Penelope confirmed, prying JJ off her and turning her around. "But she likes to be called JJ."

"Hi JJ!" He greeted her and walked closer to her, causing JJ's lip to tremble. Seeing this, Spencer's smile dropped off his face. He turned to the twelve year old boy behind. "What did I do wrong Derek?" He asked and Derek knelt down so he was eyelevel with the six year old.

"Nothing buddy. JJ just a little afraid of seeing so many new faces at once." He comforted the young boy and Spencer nodded. Derek stood up and held out his hand. "Come on," He told Spencer, taking his hand, "Let's go watch TV or something." Derek shot Penelope a look before leading Spencer out of the kitchen.

Penelope took a moment to refocus her thoughts before turning to the thirteen year old in the room. "Emily, why don't you show JJ the rest of the house and her room?" She suggested and Emily nodded. Penelope set JJ down and Emily took JJ hand and led her out of the room.

Madison stood up once JJ left. "I should probably go while she can't see me." She told Penelope and Penelope nodded. She followed the blonde to the front door, stepping outside and thanking her.

As Madison walked away and over to her car, she felt an amazing amount of pride in herself. She knew that she had made the right choice with sending JJ to the Rossi household, and she knew that JJ was going to have a real family now.

AN: This is probably very confusing. Especially the ages, so in order to help you, I have posted the ages on my profile. So if you're confused, check that out (: You met pretty much the entire family except for Rossi and Aaron. Who you'll meet next chapter! Review!