A/n, Warning! This chapter contains sensitive material. If you are easily offended I recommend you don't read the last part of this chapter.
"This brings us to the end of the assembly. We will dismiss by grade. I want the pre-kindergarten and the kindergarten classes to dismiss first. Then the first and second grades. Then the third through fifth grades. Then the six through 12th graders. Thank you all for being such good listeners," the principal said as she walked away from the mic. Eight year old Christi sat patiently waiting for her turn to go back to her class. She was in the third grade and loving school. She saw her teacher point at Mandy the line leader to stand so she did the same. She was about halfway out of the gym when she started not feeling well. She could feel her lips going numb and she was getting dizzy. She thought back to this morning and remembered that she hadn't taken her insulin. All of a sudden she realized what was wrong. A gasp escaped her lips.
"What's wrong, Christi?" Jack, who was in the fifth grade asked as he walked by her.
"I forgot my insulin, and I don't feel so good," she said just as her eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted. XXXX
"Mrs. Gosslin! Ms. Jones!" Jack shouted grabbing both women's attention.
"Inside voice, Jack," his teacher scolded.
"No, its Christi, she's fainted. She's having a diabetic episode. She forgot her insulin this morning," the 11 year old explained breathlessly.
"Go run and get Mrs. Williams, hurry!" Ms. Jones instructed her student. Giving Christi one last look he took off and ran for the nurse's office. XXXX
"Mrs. Williams, you have to come quick, please!" he cried as he rushed into the nurse's office.
"What can I do for you, Jack?"
"It's my friend, Christi, she's a diabetic and she's having a diabetic episode. She forgot her insulin this morning. Do you have any in here for her?"
"Let me look," the nurse replied. She frowned when she looked through the medicines she had and didn't find Christi's insulin. That was when she remembered that she'd sent a note home with Christi the night before telling her parents to make sure to send more because she'd given Christi her last dose yesterday.
"Do you?" Jack asked.
"No, I don't, but go check her backpack. She was supposed to bring it to me today," the nurse answered. Nodding Jack ran for Christi's classroom the nurse right behind him. Reaching the room he ran straight for Christi's Hello Kitty backpack and opened it. He was never so glad to find the insulin intended for the nurse in the front compartment. Taking it from the fifth grader the nurse hurried off down the hall preparing the injection as she went. XXXX
Arriving at the small group near the door to the gym, both the nurse and Jack were glad to find Christi sitting against the wall eating some grapes and drinking some juice her teacher kept in her classroom and asked one of the kids to get.
"Hi there, Christi, I have your insulin. Jack got it out of your backpack, was this meant for me?" the nurse questioned gently as she handed the young girl the shot.
"Yeah, sorry I forgot to give it to you. We were running late this morning which is why I forgot it in the first place," she explained as she gave herself the needed injection. She winced slightly as the needle pierced the skin on her arm, but she was used to it by now. XXXX
"I think it's best if she goes back to the nurse's office with me and lies down for a bit. I'm going to call her fathers and let them know what happened. I'll send her back to class in probably half an hour or so," the nurse informed Christi's teacher.
"That's fine with me," Mrs. Gosslin answered.
"Are you able to stand?" Mrs. Williams asked Christi. The young girl nodded as she got to her feet. She was still a bit dizzy, but the nurse reached out and took her hand giving her the extra balance she needed to walk back to the nurse's office. XXXX
Once Christi is settled on one of the cots, the nurse calls Derek.
"Morgan," came his gruff voice.
"Hi, Agent Morgan, this is Cindy Williams, the school nurse at Baker Academy. I'm calling because Christi just had a diabetic episode. She said she forgot her insulin." Derek gasps as he realizes she's right.
"Oh, my gosh, I can't believe she forgot and we didn't remember it either. Is she okay now?"
"Thankfully Jack came and got me, and once we realized I didn't have any in my office for her he ran and got it from her backpack. Do you want to talk to her?" she asked.
"Yes, please," he says motioning Spencer over.
"Okay, hold on a minute," the nurse told him. As she's getting Christi, Derek tells Spencer what's going on.
"Hi, Daddy," Christi answered tiredly.
"Hey there, pumpkin, how are you feeling?"
"Still yucky, can I come stay with you, please?"
"Sure you can, Papa and I will be there soon," Derek said as he got up and headed for Hotch's office to explain the situation to him.
§Half an hour later§
As Spencer was signing Christi out of school at front office Derek heads back to the nurses office to get Christi. When he gets there she's sound asleep on the cot curled up in a ball like she always did when she had an episode.
"Hi, Mrs. Williams, how is she?" Derek asks.
"She's good. She's sleeping soundly. She fell asleep shortly after she got off of the phone with you."
Derek nods as Jack comes in to check on Christi since he had lunch at the moment.
"Hi Uncle Derek how's Christi?" Jack asks.
"She's good thanks to you Jack," Derek said.
"No problem Uncle Derek, I'm glad I could help." Jack said as Derek gently scoops Christi up into his arms. When he does she instinctively wraps her arms around his neck and lays her head in his shoulder.
"Your dad will be a little Jack picking you up okay? He's in a meeting with Section Chief Strauss at the moment."
"Okay Uncle Derek." Jack said handing him Christi's backpack.
"Thanks buddy. See you later."
"Yup." He said going back to lunch.
A little while later they get back to the BAU with a still sound sleep Christi and this time Spencer is carrying her.
"We have to wake her up and give her, her lunch and her next insulin injection." Derek said quietly brushing some lose strands of hair out of Christi's face.
"I know. I just don't want to wake her up." Spencer said rubbing her back.
"I know but we have to." He said as he gently shook Christi.
"Hey Christi, pumpkin wake up." Derek said,
Christi wakes up and lifts her head up and looks over at Derek.
"Hi daddy."
"Hey pumpkin it's time for lunch then either me or Papa will give you your lunch insulin."
She nods and lays her head back down on Spencer's shoulder.
"After you eat you can go right back to sleep on the couch in Uncle Dave's office." Spencer said.
"Okay." She said with a yawn.
Derek smiles as they get inside and get Christi a visitors pass. They head up to the BAU. When they get there they head into the small kitchen and Spencer sets Christi down at the table as Derek puts her McDonald's happy meal on the table in front of her along with the sweet tea they had gotten her to drink.
"McNuggets daddy?" she asks.
"Yup we got you McNuggets." Derek smiles taking on of her fries.
"Daddy!" she giggles as JJ comes in.
"Hey there kiddo, how are you feeling?" she asks.
"Still a little yucky."
"I'm sorry kiddo; maybe after you eat and get some sleep you'll feel better."
"Thanks Aunt JJ. You want a French fry?" she asks.
"Sure kiddo, thanks."
"You're welcome."
"Oh sure! Aunt Jayje can have a fry but I can't?" Derek asks faked insulted.
"Nope." She giggles.
Spencer and JJ laugh as well as Strauss comes in and sees Christi sitting there.
"What the hell is that little brat doing here! Why isn't she in school!" Strauss growls.
Derek snorts and frowns.
"She had a diabetic episode and she wanted to be picked up! She didn't want to stay in school! So we picked her up! And she's not in anybody's way! She's sitting at the table eating her lunch quietly. And don't you dare call my daughter a brat! She is NOT a brat!" Derek growls.
"Don't take that tone with me Agent Morgan." Strauss hisses.
While this was happening JJ had picked Christi up and Spencer had gotten her lunch and they headed into JJ's office where Christi could sit and continue to eat her lunch.
Once she finished Spencer checked her blood sugar and saw that it was fine then he checked her insulin levels and saw that they were fine as well.
"Okay kiddo, you all good to go. You can go back to sleep if you want." Spencer said.
She nods and Spencer could tell she was fighting back tears.
"What's the matter Chrissie Lynn?" he asks going and sitting next to her.
"Why did that mean lady yelling at daddy call me a brat? I'm not a brat!" she says as her tears fall.
"I know you're not princess. And I don't know why she called you a brat. But don't let her upset you sweetie." Spencer said pulling her into his lap.
She nods and lays her head on his shoulder. Spencer sits there and rocks her and rubs her back until she's asleep.
"Jayje would you mind if she sleeps here on the couch?"
"No not all." JJ said.
"Thanks, I owe you big time."
"No you don't. I don't mind doing things for you boys." She said as Derek comes in looking furious.
"What's the matter?" Spencer asks.
"She suspended me for three weeks without pay."
"Oh Der!" JJ said.
"Strauss is the world biggest fucking bitch! I can't stand that women!" he growls.
"Derek calm down before you wake her up. She just fell asleep. Why don't you take her home and relax and these next three weeks will fly by and who knows maybe Hotch will get you off."
"Maybe and alright."
Derek goes over and picks Christi up and heads back home.
He goes and lays her in her bed and then he goes and lies on the couch and sighs.
He couldn't believe that Erin had suspended him for three weeks for defending his daughter. Strauss was a bitch and that was the end of it.
Derek had just started falling asleep on the couch when Christi let out a scream from a nightmare.
Derek jumps up and runs into her room and goes right over to her and scoops her up.
"It's okay princess. It's fine." He said rubbing her back.
"Daddy don't want to go to mommy!" she whines.
When she was a year old Christi's biological mom, Lia Bauers, came back into the picture and had taken Derek and Spencer to family court demanding she have sole custody all because she didn't want Derek raising her all because he was gay and in a gay relationship. But in the end they had gotten shared custody. Lia had a boyfriend who everyone at the BAU got a bad vibe off of and they didn't trust him but they had to do as the courts said and let Lia have her time with her.
"Why baby girl?"
"I don't like Mr. Stillers."
"You're math teacher? What does he have to do with this?"
"He's mommy's new boyfriend."
"And?"
She shakes her head scared. He had told her if she told anyone that he would kill her mommy and daddies and that scared her.
"Come on baby girl you can tell me."
"NO!' she cries clinging to him.
"You can tell Papa or I anything, no matter what," he reminded her gently. She only shook her head and cried harder.
"You're not in trouble, anything you tell Papa and I is okay," Derek tried. That didn't seem to help. Sighing in defeat, Derek placed her back on her bed and walked out of the room unsure what was wrong with his baby girl. XXXX
It's now Friday and the guys are just dropping Christi off at school.
"Bye, sweetheart, we'll see you tomorrow," Spencer said as he kissed her. It was Lia's Friday to have her. Christi nodded as she climbed out of the car. She didn't really want to go to her mom's especially because Mr. Stillers, or Pa Todd as he made her call him would be over. He always seemed to be over there on the days Christi was. XXXX
Finally the end of the school day came and she reluctantly walked to Mr. Stiller's room.
"Good afternoon, are you ready to go, Christina? I know your mom will be happy to see you," he asked with a fake smile plastered on his face. They were still at school and he didn't want anyone to be suspicious.
"Yes, Mr. Stillers," she answered. She hated it when he called her Christina, she was only called that when she was in trouble.
"Okay, then, let's go then," he said grabbing her hand. XXXX
Arriving at the house where he and Lia lived Todd smiled when he saw that Lia wasn't home yet. She'd left a message saying that she'd be home late and for him to start dinner.
"What do you want to do?" he asked addressing Christi.
"I don't know, Mr. Stillers," she answered shyly.
"What's with this 'Mr. Stillers stuff? It's Pa Todd, remember?"
"Yeah, sorry, I don't know, Pa Todd."
"How about we go swimming?" he suggested with a sweet smile. The eight-year-old nodded hesitantly.
"I'll go put my swim suit on," she said walking towards the hall.
"I'll come help you," he said following her. She hated that he touched her as he helped her on with her swim suit. Fifteen minutes later found them both in the pool with her on his lap as they floated. Finally he let her out of the pool once she started to shiver. Quickly she ran into the house and changed into dry clothes before starting on her homework. XXXX
Later that night, her mother was tucking her into bed.
"Goodnight, Christi," she said.
"Goodnight, Mommy." Closing her eyes tight, Christi tried not to cry.
"Is everything okay; is there something you need to tell me?" Lia asked gently. Taking a deep breath, Christi decided to tell her mom, maybe she'd believe her.
"Yes, Pa Todd touched me in the pool today and when I was putting on my swim suit."
"You're lying; he'd never do those things. How dare you say that," she said getting angry.
"But it's true," Christi protested.
"No, it's not, and I don't ever want to hear such filth come out of your mouth ever again," Lia growled as she left the room leaving her daughter to cry herself to sleep. XXXX
Over the next two weeks, both Spencer and Derek became more worried about Christi. She was having nightmares two or three times a week and she'd wet the bed a couple of times. Whenever either of them asked her what was wrong she'd say nothing. They reminded her she could tell them anything, but she refused. They both knew something was wrong, but they realized that pushing her wouldn't do any good. Derek frowned as he read through an email he'd received from Christi's principal.
Dear Agent Morgan. I'm writing because I'm concerned about Christi's grades. I know she's normally an A or B student, but lately I've noticed that her grades have been dropping. She still has an A in English, but all the rest of her other grades are C's accept for math which is a D. I want to meet with you and Agent Reid as well as all of Christi's teachers. I hope tomorrow at 12:00 will work for you? Christi will be at lunch, and at this point, I don't want her involved in the meeting. I hope to hear from you soon. Dr. Nichols, Principal." After talking it over with Reid and getting the time off from Hotch, Derek replied that the time the principal had given would work. XXXX
It was now the next day and the two parents were sitting in a conference room in the office. All of Christi's teachers were there including Todd Stillers. Just then the principal, Michelle Nichols walked in.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," she greeted as she took her seat.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Nichols," everyone replied.
"We're here today to talk about Christi, so let's start."
"I've noticed that Christi's grades have been slipping," Mrs. Gosslin, her homeroom teacher pointed out. "Are things okay at home?"
"Yes, she's been having nightmares two or three times a week for the last few weeks, but other than that, things are fine," Spencer answered.
"Has she talked about the nightmares?" asked another teacher.
"No, every time we ask her if she wants to, she clams up and refuses to talk," Derek explained.
"She's also wet the bed a couple of times," Spencer added.
"I've noticed that she's been more withdrawn at recess," commented her science teacher.
"Yes, and I noticed that she jerks back when you touch her," Todd added.
"And she hasn't told any of you what might be wrong?" Dr. Nichols checked. Everyone shook their heads. The meeting went on for a little while longer then Todd stood up.
"If you'll excuse me, I have recess duty," he said exiting the room. XXXX
The atmosphere relaxed noticeably when he left the room.
"Now that he's gone, may I be frank with all of you?" Mrs. Gosslin requested.
"By all means, Shelia," the principal encouraged.
"I suspect that someone's hurting Christi," she said sadly. The other teachers nodded in agreement.
"Hurting how?" Derek asked, he could feel his anger rising.
"Like touching her inappropriately," her homeroom teacher answered.
"Do any of you think you know who is doing it?" the principal asked. All the teacher's gazes turned towards the door that the math teacher had just walked out of.
"That's what she meant when she said she didn't like Mr. Stillers," Reid commented.
"Yeah, probably," Derek agreed. The others gave them confused looks.
"Christi's biological mom has shared custody and the other day when Christi was home sick due to her diabetic episode she woke up from a nightmare and told Derek that she didn't like Mr. Stillers," Reid explained.
"Then I asked her why that had anything to do with her mom who the nightmare was about and she said it's because he's her mom's new boyfriend," Derek finished.
"This is a very serious situation and must be handled as such. I'm scheduling an appointment for Christi to talk to our school psychologist today and I will be having Mr. Stillers records checked," the principal said standing up. "Thank you all for your help, Agent Morgan, Agent Reid, if you could see if you can get the rest of the afternoon off that would be best. I know the psychologist will want you at her meeting with Christi. I'll be back in a moment to tell you the time. She should be able to see her right after lunch," the principal finished.
"That's when she has math, which come to think of it is her worst grade," Reid pointed out.
"Maybe that's the reason why," Derek murmured.
"Hmm, maybe, well, considering the circumstances, I'm sure it's better if she misses math today for this appointment," the principal said. Both men nodded in agreement. They were both angry beyond words and wanted to kill Todd Stillers for molesting their little girl. XXXX
"Hotchner," answered the unit chief.
"Hotch, it's Morgan. I hate to do this, but this situation with Christi is more serious than we first thought. They want her and us to meet with the school psychologist so we're going to need the rest of the afternoon off."
"Of course, consider it done. Is there anything we can do?" Hotch asked.
"No, not at this point. We'll keep you informed of what's going on. Well I have to go, the principal is coming back," Morgan said.
"Okay, bye," Hotch replied.
"She can meet with her right after lunch. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to her office," Dr. Nichols said. Nodding the two FBI agents stood up and followed their daughter's principal down the hall.
"How did you manage to get Christi out of math class without making him suspicious?" Reid wondered.
"I told him that I wanted to meet with her about her grades and discuss what we can do about them. He seemed to think it was a good idea. He said he'd send her homework up to the office," she answered.
"Sounds like a reasonable request," Morgan replied. By this point, they'd reached the psychologists office.
"Rebecca Owens, our school psychologist. Rebecca, these are Agents Derek Morgan and Spencer Reid, Christi's parents," Dr. Nichols introduced.
"It's very nice to meet both of you," Dr. Owens said shaking their hands.
"I've called Lia, and she's coming over as soon as she can get someone to cover her shift at the salon she works at," Spencer informed the group. As if by magic, Lia arrived, greeting the guys politely, but only just. XXXX
Five minutes later, Christi knocked on the door and the principal opened it.
"Mr. Stiller's said you want to talk to me, and Ms. Barnes said you were in here," Christi said softly.
"That's just fine, sweetie, how about you come in. There are some people here who want to talk to you," Dr. Nichols explained. Slowly Christi entered the room and her eyes widened when she saw her dads and her mom as well as Dr. Owens.
"Hi, Daddy, Papa, Mommy. Hi, Dr. Owens," she greeted.
"Hi there, kiddo. Dr. Nichols has asked me to spend sometime talking to you. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah, I guess," Christi whispered.
"Very good then, well why don't you sit down at this table, and I tell you what, why don't you start by coloring me a picture? How does that sound?" Christi nodded as she took the paper and crayons the psychologist was handing her. Everyone sat in silence as Christi drew. About five minutes later she put the crayons down and sat back.
"That's a very pretty picture, can you tell me about it?" the psychologist encouraged.
"That's me, and that's Mommy, and that's Mr. Stillers," she explained pointing to the three figures.
"Why is your teacher in a picture with you and you're mommy?" Dr. Owens questioned.
"Cus he's Mommy's new boyfriend, but I don't like him," she mumbled. Derek tensed and Spencer had to place a calming hand on his arm.
"Why don't you like him, Christi?" the psychologist continued.
"He makes me call him Pa Todd when we're not at school, and he," she broke off closing her mouth tightly.
"He what?" Dr. Owens gently pushed. Christi shook her head keeping her mouth tightly closed.
"Christi, if someone is hurting you, we need to know that," the principal gently reminded her.
"No!" she yelled bursting into tears.
"Did who ever hurt you tell you they'd hurt your family?" Rebecca guessed. Slowly Christi nodded. "What did they say and what happened?"
"He told me that if I told anyone that he touched me he'd kill my Mommy and my daddies."
"Can you tell me what he did to you?" Rebecca requested.
"He touched me right here and between my legs," she explained pointing to her chest then between her legs. He offered to help me with my swim suit when we went swimming that Friday. I didn't want him to, but he didn't listen. Then he held me on his lap and touched me as we sat in the pool."
"Did you try and tell anyone what he was doing to you?" asked the principal.
"Yes, I tried to tell Mommy, but she said I was lying. She told me to stop telling lies and go to sleep. I wasn't lying, Mommy. He touches me and it hurts and I don't like it." By this point she was crying so hard her words were hardly understandable. Derek and Spencer turned identical glares on Lia.
"What the hell does she mean she told you and you called her a liar?" Derek snarled.
"I t-t-thought she was just making it up, I swear," Lia argued.
"Why would she make up something like that?" Spencer growled.
"I don't know. I'm so sorry," Lia said starting to cry as well.
"This is very important and I need you to answer this next question honestly, do you understand, Christi?" Dr. Owens called.
"Yes, ma'am," she answered softly.
"Did Mr. Stillers ever take his clothes off and lay on top of you?"
"No, he always keep his clothes on. Even when we were in the pool he wore his swim trunks," she answered. All the adults breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully he hadn't raped her.
"Do you have any questions?" the psychologists asked the small girl.
"Will I have to see him again? He scares me and I don't like him."
"No, you won't, baby girl. Your Uncle Aaron and Uncle Dave and the rest of the team as well as Daddy and I will arrest him and make sure he's put away for long time. You're safe now, Christi," Derek whispered holding out his arms. At those words, Christi threw herself into her father's arms and began crying harder than she'd ever cried before, thankful this awful part of her life was now over.
TBC?
A/n, very heavy chapter. Sorry for that. Please read and review!