AN: So it's been over a year. Perfect time to update, right? I mean, if I don't finish soon, this thing will have lasted my entire college career... How time flies... However, disclaimers will always stay the same. Enjoy!

The Trackers file in behind us as we grab our trays. I'm not the least bit surprised to see Kit at the tail-end of the line, a few feet separating her from the boy ahead.

Jess approaches us with hands spread and smile beaming.

"How did the rock get along with tall, dark and handsome here?" she asks.

"He showed it who's boss," I respond as we all take seats. Kit is making her way from the line and, as expected, sits alone. The other kids glance her way before continuing with the usual teenage gossip. They are still kids, after all.

"Excuse me, you two," I say. "I'll be back in a bit."

"Don't mind us, Shel," Jess jabs. "We'll be fine on our own, right Hotch?"

Hotch chuckles as I turn to stick my tongue out at my sister. She smirks and waves me off.

Kit seems intent on studying her mashed potatoes as I sit across from her.

"It could be worse," I say. "Once the Cliffhangers put soy sauce on my ice cream and led me to believe it was chocolate syrup."

"I don't want to talk," she says, face still down.

"Good thing I didn't come here to pry, then. You asked me earlier what Peter saved me from."

"I don't really care."

"You wouldn't have asked if that were true."

"Fine. If it makes you feel better, tell your story."

"The short version is I was abused, too. By my stepfather... long after everyone should have been asleep."

She looks up for the first time, but remains silent.

"It's a poison, Kit," I whisper. "The longer you hold it in, the more it gnaws at you. It doesn't go away. But you don't have to take it on alone. They can show you how to move forward."

"And they helped you move forward?" she asks skeptically. I nod.

"Then why are you back here?"

"Good question," I admit. "I guess sometimes you forget the lessons you learn, and you have to discover the answers again. I don't know why I ended up here, but I know I found my answers here once, and I believe I can do it again. I think you can find your answers here, too. Once you decide it's safe to start searching."

"What makes you so sure?"

"People keep telling me you remind them of how I was ten years ago. I don't see why the results can't be similar."

She shrugs before refocusing on her mashed potatoes.

"Just think about it, okay?"

"Whatever."

Sweet progress, one baby step at a time. My mouth twitches into a smile as I pick up my tray and return to the gossipers chatting away. They must be learning from the kids. They pipe down as I get near, so I raise an eyebrow.

"Just discussing your new friend over there," Hotch claims.

"Uh-huh," I reply as I sit. "I can't help but feel by helping her, I'm also helping myself."

They both nod. The table falls into a short silence until Hotch stands.

"Excuse me, ladies," he says. "Restroom?"

"Down that hall and to the right," Jess directs.

"Thanks."

She waits until he turns the corner before speaking.

"How'd everything go?"

"About as well as it could have, but time will tell."

"If the team cares for you half as much as that man does, everything will be fine."

"I knew you weren't talking about Kit!" I exclaim.

Laughing, she shrugs. I roll my eyes.

"I have a few other things to talk to you about tonight," I say.

She tilts her head to the right. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I assure. "There's just so much catching up to do. I mean, just look at my little sis!"

"Tell me about it!"

"Tell you about what?" Hotch asks as he rounds the corner. We both just smile at him.

"What? Is my fly open?" he asks, looking down. We explode into laughter.

"Just forget it, Hotch," I wheeze. He stares at us, confused, before finally sitting down.

Jess stands about five minutes later as lunch ends.

"Alright, Trackers," she shouts over the cafeteria ruckus. "Pots and pans! Suds and duds! You know the drill."

My old favorite pastime. The moaning and groaning from the kids was entirely reasonable. Jess smirks at me and I snicker. I reach out to her for a hug.

"I'm going out with Hotch," I say. "See you tonight?"

"You know where I'll be."

"Yup. Don't make their hands too pruney," I say, gesturing toward the unfortunate dishwashers. Jess shoos me away.

"Come on, boss-man," I prompt as I walk outside.

"Another hike?"

"Nah," I contemplate. "More like a short walk. It's just a certain spot I like."

AN: Believe it or not, I'm actually happy with it for once. A good sign.