Chapter Two

Minutes still ticked by and the BAU still hadn't returned. The stress was catching up to me, I had a splitting headache so I decided to lay my head down on the desk for just a few minutes in hopes of alleviating it.

"Miss Adele?" I felt a hand on my shoulder before I heard the calm voice.

"It's Erin" I mumbled before looking up, it was J.J. the blonde Agent from before. I made a quick glance to my sister before turning my full attention to J.J. "I must have dozed off." I apologized.

"How are you holding up? Can I get you anything?" J.J. asked with an attempt at an encouraging kind smile.

"Don't suppose I could trouble you for some Ibuprofen?" I asked once again pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Of course. Stress headache?" she asked already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" I asked, though it was a stupid question.

"You don't work with five profilers for years without picking up some of their skills." she answered with a genuine smile, "I'll be right back." I nodded as the blonde walked away and turned my attention to my sister.

"How are you hanging in there kiddo? Do you need anything?" I signed as Emily finished drawing a picture of group of people. "Who are you drawing Em?" I asked looking over the color pencil drawing.

She pointed to the slightly larger man first before signing, "That's Agent Gideon..." she pointed to the blonde who she referred to as J.J. "It's the team who are going to bring Daddy back." I smiled at my sister. "Do you have gummies?" Emily signed admitting she was hungry. I nodded and dug into my messenger bag for a pack of fruit snacks I always carried for Emily.

J.J. had returned with the Ibuprofen right as I found the snack and passed it to my sister. Distracted by her snack Emily continued with coloring. I graciously took the Ibuprofen from J.J. as she returned to her seat. "If you don't mind my asking, why the large age difference between you and your sister?" J.J. asked. I could tell that she instantly regretted the question as she witnessed the heartbreaking look spread across my face.

"My mother had a still birth, a baby boy. He would have been 4 years younger than me. It took my parents awhile but they really wanted another child and well Emily was born." I answered.

"I'm so sorry." I knew J.J. was both apologizing for asking and the loss of a sibling.

"Though he was born silent his little life spoke volumes. My mom used that quote often, it help ease the loss." I stated with a small smile. J.J. looked like she was about to say something else when her phone started chiming. She smile briefly before excusing herself to answer the call. I took another sip of water and looked at my sister's drawing.

J.J. returned from her phone call, a genuine smile gracing her features. "Erin we got him, your father is on his way to Lennox Hill Hospital. When you're ready I'll give you girls a ride over there so you can see him." I was so relieved that I couldn't contain the tears. I slowly stood hugging my sister close to me.

"Thank you." I faced my sister who looked confused, I could see she was concerned that I had tears. "Do you want to go see Daddy?" I signed, a glowing smile spreading across my face as I wiped at my eyes. Emily nodded excitedly and hurried to pack up her things.

The drive to the hospital was silent, this time it was a comfortable silence. The BAU had done it, they saved my father.

J.J. escorted us to the room the Doctors were treating my father in. The scrawny Agent and Agent Hotchner were standing by the door. I could tell Emily was anxious to see our dad, I stopped her before she could run in, "Remember you have to be gentle." I signed, Emily nodded before walking quickly to see him.

I hung back momentarily observing, clearly in pain my father requested a nurse to help Emily up on the bed into a crushing embrace. His left ear was covered by a bandage, his left eye was swollen shut and he sported a split lip with three stitches. I noticed an I.V. In his right arm giving him meds and fluids. The last thing to grab my attention were the matching bandages on his wrists, most likely caused from how he was restrained.

I looked to Agent Hotchner, "What did he do to him?" I asked almost afraid to find out.

"It may be better if you didn't know." The young Agent remarked with a look that I couldn't quite place marring his handsome features, I wish I knew what his name was.

"Unfortunately my brain won't let me stay in ignorance." I replied back to the young Agent. "I need the closure." I added.

"Beyond the beating he was attempting to remove your father's ears. He slightly succeeded, nothing a couple of stitches won't help." Agent Hotchner stoically answered.

"Thank you Agent Hotchner." I slowly entered the hospital room making my way to my father's side.

"Hey peanut." my father's voice was drawn and exhausted, he pulled me down so that I was sitting on the side of the bed pulling me into a one armed hug his other arm still holding Emily. He placed a gentle kiss to my forehead tears clearly collecting in his eyes.

"Welcome back Daddy."

"I love you girls so much, I'm so sorry you went through that." Emotions were high and neither of use even attempted to stop or hide our tears.

"It's not your fault, I'm just happy we have you back." I smiled as Emily pulled out her note pad and drawings telling dad about all the nice people we met. I took a seat in the hospital's recliner and just watched.

Hours later with Emily still snuggled up to our father's side both sound asleep, I pulled out my journal.

Trials are given to test ones strengths. Today I faced many and realized I stood tall with bravery I didn't know I possessed. I dare say today made a huge impact on me, I

was now intrigued by the work the BAU does. I always wanted to help people...

"What are you writing peanut?" I looked up at the sound of my father's exhausted voice.

"The usual, my thoughts... the BAU." I answered.

"Speak your mind kiddo." my dad urged me to go on.

"Would you be upset id I changed my focus in college? I think I may want to change my future career path." I blurted out, I hadn't even thought this through completely.

"Of course not, it's why you started with core credits. Most kids your age change their minds several times before figuring out what they want. Whats this really about?" dad asked reading me like an open book.

"I don't know, I guess today just got me thinking." I answered leading to a prominent silence, a silence that gave my father the opportunity to do what father's do best... encourage.

"I heard from Agent Morgan that you helped piece the victims together, led them to finding me. I couldn't be more proud." dad said with a true proud smile. It didn't take long though for his exhaustion to show again as he fought off a yawn.

"You should get some more rest Dad. We can talk more when you're feeling better." I urged with a compassionate smile. Soon his eyes drifted shut and I returned my thoughts to my journal.

… I always wanted to help people, I just thought it would have been a medical or scientific path. Maybe I needed to try the FBI path, maybe some day that path would lead to the path of a profiler.

Forever Always,

E.A.