"Carrie," Emily said softly wake the teen from her sleep, "Gotta get up now."
"It's still dark out," Carrie mumbled.
"I know," Emily frowned, "but I have to go in early with the case we have. Here I can pack you a change of clothes and you can just stay in your pjs. I'm sure JJ wouldn't mind you sleeping on her couch for a bit."
"Okay," Carrie yawned. "What time is it?"
"Five am," Emily said softly, "I know its early. I already got dressed and packed us each a lunch and a bagel for breakfast. What do you need today?"
"Just my laptop and whatever is in my backpack already," Carrie mumbled turning over.
"Okay," Emily nodded, "I need you to get up, but you can go back to sleep in the car."
"Okay," Carrie groaned sitting up and sliding on her converse.
"Come on sleepy," Emily throwing Carries bag on and picking up her own bag before leading Carrie downstairs to the car.
Once on the road Carrie fell back asleep curled into a ball. Emily sipped on her morning coffee and smiled at the sight of the teen finally getting the needed sleep as she drove to Quantico. She parked the car and rustled Carrie's shoulder causing the teen to look around confused before rubbing her eyes.
"Are we here?" Carrie asked.
"Yeah," Emily said quietly, "We just gotta get inside and check you in and then you can go back to sleep."
"Okay," Carrie said slurring the word.
Carrie followed Emily inside.
"Hey Martin," Emily said turning to the man at the front desk. "Just need a pass for Carrie again."
"You looked thrilled to be here so early Miss Carrie," Martin chuckled.
"Stoked," Carrie mumbled squinting at the bright lights.
"Well here you go," Martin smiled, "Have a good day."
"Thanks Martin," Emily smiled ushering Carrie down the hall and towards the elevator.
The two road upstairs and exited onto the floor.
"Someone's awake," Rossi laughed looking at the barely awake teenager.
"I'm gonna take her to JJ's office so she can rest," Emily chuckled.
"Lucky her," Rossi called out after Emily.
Emily and Carrie reached JJ's office and Emily knocked on the door before entering.
"Hey," JJ smiled seeing the two.
"Hi," Emily greeted, "I was hoping you would be okay with Carrie crashing on the couch for a bit?"
"Oh, go right ahead," JJ said. "I have some work I'll be doing in here, but it will be quiet."
"I can sleep through it," Carrie mumbled crashing onto the couch and curling up on her side.
"Here," JJ said reaching out to hand Emily a blanket.
"Thanks," Emily smiled taking the blanket over to Carrie.
"Thanyou," Carrie slurred curling tighter as Emily draped the blanket over the teen.
Emily sat down on the edge of the couch and brushed the teens hair out of her eyes before kissing her forehead, "Sleep well, my love. I will be around when you wake up. If you need anything text or come find me, JJ, or Garcia. Your backpack is right here with you breakfast and some lunch."
"I love you," Carrie mumbled drifting back asleep.
"I love you, too," Emily replied rubbing Carrie's back before getting up.
"She's exhausted," JJ remarked.
"Long day yesterday," Emily frowned, "She got out a lot she needed to say so I think it's been easier to sleep."
"Good," JJ replied looking at her friend, "And how are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," Emily shrugged. "It's an adjustment, but I needed it so much. I don't think Carrie realizes how much she has already changed me for good."
JJ smiled, "Well if you ever need anything, I'm here."
"Thanks Jen," Emily said grateful. "I think Hotch wanted to meet so I should get going."
"Okay," JJ replied. "I'll keep an eye on Carrie."
"Thanks," Emily smiled, "And thank you for whatever you said to her the other day. It got through to her."
"Oh," JJ replied, "Yeah, that."
Emily catching the sense of hesitation in JJ's voice she wouldn't pry for any answers now, but maybe bring it up later.
"I'll see you in a bit," Emily nodded heading out.
"Wait," JJ said calling out, "Hotch just messaged me saying he wants me to also be there."
"Okay," Emily smiled being joined by the younger agent.
JJ kept silent for minute as they walked but stopped before entering the pen, "Emily?"
"Yes?" Emily said stopping and turning to JJ.
"What I said to Carrie," JJ paused closer her eyes briefly and drawing in a deep breath, "Was that I understood the shutting people out and the fear of if you say anything that you are feeling from what you are seeing, might scare the ones you need away. I told her I knew that exactly and sometimes it feels like it might just be easier to trap it inside yourself and not let it out, but that only leads to you destroying yourself. The people that love too in those times won't ever run away."
"Oh," Emily started, "Carrie mentioned your sister."
"Um yeah," JJ started subconsciously rubbing the necklace on her neck, "My sister Rosaline committed suicide when I was pretty young. I was the one that found her. Terrified me and through the whole thing people stopped checking in and moved on, and I was just stuck mentally frozen in that moment for years. I just pushed everyone away then."
"I'm sorry," Emily replied, "I didn't know."
"Yeah, I forgot," JJ shrugged looking down, "The team found out mostly just before you got here because we worked a case close to home. It was weird, because that event I think is what made me want to join the BAU. I don't freeze anymore."
Emily just nodded, "Well if you also ever need to talk, JJ, I'm here."
"Thanks," JJ said. "I thought you should probably know. Anyways, we should get going. Hotch is waiting."
JJ started walking again and Emily mentally noted that into her brain realizing how many of JJ's actions especially towards the victims and families made sense.
"Hey," Hotch greeted. "Thank you all for joining. I thought we should brief on the case we picked up. "Four days ago, Veronica Credensa went missing. She was a fifteen-year-old with a history of mental health occurrences and running away. Her parents reported her missing right away, but due to her past violations, they assumed she had run away again and didn't conduct any search. Then yesterday, sixteen-year-old, Sasha Benson went missing. Her last known whereabouts were leaving her friend's house a mile from her own house. Sasha's parents also reported her missing a few hours after once Sasha did not return home which was not like her. JJ?"
"Yes," JJ said stepping up. "Last evening the body of Veronica Credensa was found outside of DC at a park. Autopsy showed she had been deceased for a day and died of complications due to blunt force trauma."
"It looks like she was bound and tortured," Rossi pointed out.
"Yes," Hotch continued, "However, the ME said that the marks all happened right before her death, so it was not done over the period she was held."
"The timeline looks like the perp picked up Sasha right after Veronica body was dumped," Emily said looking at the pictures, "And timeline suggests we don't have much time before someone else is taken or she is murdered."
"Exactly," JJ nodded. "Local PD has asked for our help with this case since they now believe it is a work of the same person."
"Both girls have dark brown hair and eyes," Morgan noted.
Emily closed her eyes and shuttered as those words slipped into her mind reminding her of Carrie. Same age, similar looks. All Emily knew was she was glad Carrie was close by and down the hall.
"Yes," Hotch nodded. "I would like for Emily and Rossi to head to the Credensa house and talk to the parents and see if they know anything. Morgan and Reid, can you head to the scene where they found the body and see if there is anything else and then head to the ME's office. Garcia can you run and see if you can find anything. The Benson's are going to be on their way here, so JJ and I will work from here coordinating with local PD who is going to set up a center here and talk to the family."
Everyone nodded and headed out.
"You okay?" Rossi asked Emily as they got into the car.
"Yeah," Emily sighed, "I'll be fine."
"Emily," Rossi began.
"Don't Emily me," Emily shot back. "Fine, it's just that the victims remind me of Carrie and it just scares me of the slight possibility that something else could ever happen to her. Like she wouldn't be able to handle it. I wouldn't."
"Emily," Rossi smiled, "Its parental instinct and fear."
"I'm not her parent," Emily shrugged, "Not officially."
"Well you are the guardian to her," Rossi began as he drove, "And it's natural to have that attachment to her."
"I know," Emily said thinking back on previous cases, "I just can't imagine what those parents are going through."
"Well we are here to help them," Rossi began, "Provide them with our skills to try to bring justice to their loved ones."
"I know," Emily said growing silent.
Meanwhile back at the office, JJ walked around making sure the officers that were appearing all knew to meet for the center in the conference room down the hall. JJ sighed knowing she needed to work in her office to organize filed and send messages out to the media sources reaching out. Heading back in, JJ smiled at the teen fast asleep and unaware of the commotion going on down the hall. JJ headed over to her desk and opened the computer to start working. Another hour went by before Carrie began to stir on the couch.
Carrie looking around confused of to where she was before remerging earlier, and seeing JJ spoke, "What time is it?"
JJ got up and went and sat down on the edge of the couch next to Carrie, "Around eight."
"Oh," Carrie said resting her head back down as JJ began playing with the teen's hair.
"How'd you sleep?" JJ asked.
"Fine," Carrie yawned, "I actually slept last night without any nightmares."
"That's good," JJ nodded.
"Yeah, well Emily slept with me so that usually calms me down," Carrie shrugged.
"Well, she makes you feel safe," JJ smiled. "How did therapy go yesterday?"
"Good," Carrie replied. "Actually, wasn't bad and I found it helpful."
"That's great," JJ applauded.
"Emily and I also just talked a lot last night," Carrie continued, "Actually, I talked a lot I guess, and she just listened."
"Sometimes that's all you need," JJ smiled.
"Thanks for helping convince me to go," Carrie smiled softly.
"I know it isn't easy," JJ continued, "So I'm really proud."
"Thanks," Carrie smiled. "You guys got a case?"
"Yeah," JJ nodded, "It's local so there will be more police here. I know that it can be overwhelming so maybe try to just stay in here or with Garcia today."
"Okay," Carrie nodded looking a little anxious, "Where's Emily."
"Out with Rossi," JJ continued, "She should be back soon. I am working on a few things for now in here, but I'm going to have to step out in a bit to work on some details that need to get done."
"Okay, "Carrie nodded. "Is it a bad one?"
"It's starting to look worse," JJ frowned, "But don't worry."
"Okay," Carrie nodded understanding the depth of how the cases went.
"What do you have to get done today?" JJ asked hoping it would be enough to keep Carrie busy.
"Lots of math," Carrie nodded, "I have a psych assignment, a Latin assignment that is going to take a long time to figure out, English paper I need to start at least, and a history paper."
"Well that sounds like a good amount," JJ smirked. "You'll stay busy."
"Yeah," Carrie nodded. "I might also just read a book I brought. I started it the other day and got super into it, but then I had school stuff to do."
"I'm glad you got things to do," JJ smiled. "Let me know if you need anything else. I have a few books that are not as nerdy as the rest of what the team may have."
"Okay," Carrie chuckled, "You're the cool one. I don't remember anything that Emily told me this morning."
"You were very asleep," JJ chuckled. "Um…Emily said in your bag she packed a bagel and stuff for breakfast and a lunch for you. All of your work is in there, and she said she grabbed you some clothes for the day."
"I should probably change," Carrie said sitting up.
"Do you want any coffee?" JJ asked the teen.
"Yeah," Carrie yawned. "I keep drinking coffee and now I think I'm addicted."
"Yes, that does happen," JJ chuckled. "I'll close the blinds and you can change. I'll run and grab you a coffee."
"Thanks JJ," Carrie smiled.
Minutes passed as JJ got coffee and Carrie changed into a pair of jeans and a soft shirt.
"Here you go," JJ said handing Carrie a coffee, "I put creamer and sugar in it for you."
"That's great," Carrie smiled, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," JJ smiled. "Let me know if you need anything else."
"Okay," Carrie nodded. "I should eat and start homework I guess."
Across town, Emily and Rossi headed out of the Credensa house that had been flooded with deliveries of flowers and a news crew in the short time that they had been there. Emily got into the passenger side and Rossi turned the car on
"Well that wasn't helpful," Emily sighed getting back into the car with Rossi.
"No, it wasn't," Rossi agreed started driving.
The Credensa family had not had much useful information besides, they saw this happening to their daughter with all her past runaway attempts. Emily knew it was out of grief and to cope but listening to parents who were almost disgusted with their child had made Emily feel sick.
"I understand their daughter was difficult," Emily started, "But she's also their child they just lost."
"The family was Catholic," Rossi frowned, "You and I both understand that. They felt like they lost their child years ago. This was just the final step and, in a way, so she could be saved. That is how they are coping with this. It will hit them someday, but for now they won't offer anything helpful."
"I know," Emily frowned. "Let's just get back and see what else is new."
"How's Carrie doing?" Rossi asked. "I know she's out of school this week, but besides that."
"She's trying," Emily nodded. "She's doing a great job for time that's passed. She's just really scared."
"It was a huge traumatic event," Rossi replied.
"Yes, it was," Emily continued, "Carrie is just also conflicted. She thinks having breakdowns and processing everything is going to push me away and make me not want her. What she is starting to realize, the more she needs help, the closer I pull her in. She went to therapy for the first time yesterday, and after it she just wanted to get everything off her chest. She has a lot of guilt about moving on while her family died. She still blames herself a lot for it."
"She's a smart kid," Rossi replied. "It's not going to be an overnight fix, but she has you. You are one of the few people who I would trust to guide someone after a traumatic event. What happened, no one should ever have to live that, but she did. Guilt is natural, but none of it was her fault."
"She knows that deep down," Emily replied, "We've had many talks about that, but it's still difficult for her to grasp once she is panicking. She is hurting, but she also said she sees me also as a parent, which scares her, but she also loves. There's just a lot of internal conflict."
"And that's where therapy comes in," Rossi nodded, "Work all of those out."
"Yes," Emily replied, "Carrie enjoyed it and thought it would be helpful. She did not want to go originally and was a mess about it. I'm not sure if you saw her swinging in the chair all yesterday."
"So that's what it was about," Rossi laughed, "She was making me nervous just looking at her."
"I know," Emily chuckled. "I don't think she will have that reaction for next time."
"When do you plan on her going back to school?" Rossi asked.
"I think next week," Emily replied. "Teacher conferences are at the start of it, so I figure I'll go in and talk to them also about everything going on and come up with a good plan for all the classes."
"That sounds good," Rossi nodded.
"I'm trying to work out some flexibility," Emily started, "I don't think she should have started school right away. I know Carrie thinks otherwise sometimes, but I know it overwhelms her at times. I want to make sure she knows she can take days off whenever she needs them as long as there is a plan for her homework and materials."
"That's fair," Rossi replied. "She also has Reid, who I'm sure wouldn't mind tutoring her in any subject."
"Yeah," Emily agreed, "He offered a little bit ago, so I might take him up on that. Carrie hasn't spent much time talking to him yet, but I'm sure they get along. He's just awkward."
"That he is," Rossi said pulling into the parking lot.
"Time to head into chaos," Emily groaned.
Emily and Rossi headed up to the floor to find it busier than usual; especially for only being eight-thirty in the morning. Emily hated when cops used it as the center because they also had an enlarged ego.
"I'm going to go check in with Carrie quickly," Emily nodded to Rossi.
Emily walked down the hall and knocked heading into the room. Carrie looked up from her textbook and notes and smiled.
"Hi Emily," Carrie smiled.
"Hey, you," Emily replied taking a seat next to Carrie and giving the girl a hug. "I see you're up and going."
"Yeah," Carrie yawned, "Coffee is still kicking in, but I'm much more awake than I was earlier."
"I don't think you were awake at all," Emily replied. "Where's JJ?"
"She just headed out," Carrie answered, "She said she had to talk to some people. I assume it's with the case."
"Okay," Emily nodded. "Are you fine being in here?"
"Yeah," Carrie nodded. "I have a lot of homework to get done today and I have a book to read when I finish everything."
"Good," Emily smiled.
"I have music and stuff to listen to," Carrie shrugged. "So, I'm set."
"Good," Emily nodded.
"Emily?" Carrie asked hesitantly. "How long is this case going to last?"
"I don't know," Emily replied, "But the urgency is up, so my guess is we might be working around the clock on it to solve it fast."
"Oh okay," Carrie nodded. "Does that mean we are going home tonight?"
"Yes," Emily nodded. "We will need to get some sleep. It just might be a late night and early morning again."
"Okay," Carrie sighed.
"I'm sorry we had to get a case right now," Emily replied seeing the sadness is Carrie's eyes.
"It's okay," Carrie answered, "I know the importance of what you do."
"How about when it's over," Emily replied, "We go and have a fun day."
"Okay," Carrie smiled.
"I should probably head back out now," Emily nodded rubbing Carrie's back.
"Okay," Carrie sighed, "I love you."
"I love you so much," Emily replied kissing Carrie's forehead, "Let me know if you need anything. I'll check back in soon."
"Thanks," Carrie smiled. "Go get the bad guys."
Emily smiled getting up and headed out of the room and back down the hall to where the rest of the team was.
"JJ's talking to the Bensons right now," Hotch nodded as Emily entered. "Rossi said that the Credensa's didn't seem to know anything."
"No," Emily replied shaking her head, "Everything had been in place, so most likely whoever did this had found Veronica outside somewhere trying to run away."
"Hey," JJ said stepping into the room. "I just talked to the Bensons."
"How are they holding up?" Hotch asked.
"About as good as you can expect," JJ sighed. "It's been a long night for them especially knowing about the Credensa outcome."
"Garcia have you found anything?" Hotch asked.
"Yes," Garcia said. "Sasha Benson went to school about three blocks from where Veronica Credensa worked. Her parents had pulled her out of school to homeschool, so she also picked up a job to make some spare change.'
"Could that have been in order to run away?" Morgan asked. "Her wallet was missing."
"I wouldn't put it past her," Rossi began, "Her parents seemed more upset and disgusted by her then anything. They seemed to be done and given up on her."
'Yeah that's the interesting part," Garcia started, "Veronica had a secrete chat page. Her parents had been monitoring her phone and so she made this kinda dark web one to message people. Most everyone seems to have been people from psych wards she was in. However, she seemed to be talking to a guy who she met at the coffee shop."
"Have you found anything on him?" Hotch asked.
"Yes and no," Garcia started, "I haven't been able to actually ID him because it's through a private service that takes longer to crack, but he brought up many things about how they could run away together."
"Would she have gone?" Emily asked, "She ran away before, but that was on her own."
"Well in her messages," Garcia began, "She seemed hesitant about the person. She mentions him being a bit older than her. He also said something about how she looked like his ex who went missing. To that Victoria had said that was creepy and she would rather go on her own."
"If she had gotten caught before because of text," JJ started with a puzzled look on her face, "I don't she would have had any conversations about her plans over the phone with him. She would have done it in person at her work or elsewhere since that's where they met."
"JJ," Hotch asked, "Did Sasha's parents mention anything about her after school activities?"
"They said she was like any other teenager at the school," JJ shrugged, "Head out and get food or coffee and do homework, they have clubs they attend certain days, and they usually hand out at someone's house whose parents are home until other parents get off work."
"Sounds like any normal teenager," Emily added, "Carrie and her friends do the same thing."
"The chances of the unsub," Reid started, "of seeing and overlapping with Sasha; if she went to that coffee shop, are high because Victoria usually worked afternoon shifts. There are seven coffee shops in the area close enough for a quick afterschool walk. If he also knew Sasha's patterns, he easily could have followed her, too."
"Can we have someone try to get in contact with any of Sasha's friends and see what they say?" Hotch requested.
"Yeah," JJ jumped in. "I got a list of names from the Bensons. We all can reach out."
"It's school day," Emily noted, "Best way would be to check and see if they are there and then go talk to them. They won't be on their phones."
"Okay," Hotch replied. "JJ, would you and Emily want to go to the school?"
"Yeah sure," Emily nodded looking at JJ.
"Okay," Hotch nodded. "Garcia continue to see what you can find. The rest of us can start working on building the profile from what we have."
Emily headed out with JJ, making sure to let Carrie know they were leaving and the two drove out to Maybridge Charter School. The two walked up and heading into the office; already calling to confirm who they needed to speak to, and into the office.
"Hello," the secretary greeted.
"Hi," JJ started, "I'm Jennifer Jareau and this is Agent Emily Prentiss from the FBI. We talked on the phone."
"Oh yes," the secretary replied. "The girls have been called down and are over in that room. They aren't in the best of shape."
"I don't blame them," Emily replied.
Emily and JJ walked over and knocked on the door before heading in. Three girls sat on a couch together, with tired expressions washed across their faces.
"Hi," JJ said softly. "I'm Jennifer and this is Emily, and we are with the FBI. Sara, Kylie, and Martha? We were wondering if we could talk to you about Sasha?"
The girls relaxed and nodded looking from one to another. Emily and JJ took a seat in chairs across from them.
"I know this is hard," Emily started, "But anything you guys remember know might help us."
The girls all nodded.
"Did you guys usually go to any coffee house after school?" Emily asked.
"Uh, I guess," Sara replied. "We usually would go and study a few days out of the week. Our parents all prefer us going out to them than being home alone. We would usually get picked up from a parent whenever they were available and hang out a big longer at someone's house. We all live close to one another so we could then just walk home when we wanted to."
"Was there any particular shop you had gone to recently?" JJ asked.
"Yeah," Sara spoke up again. "We had gone to Fresh Cup for the past few weeks. It was close to school and Kylie's house."
"Did anyone every approach you guys or anything seem weird?" Emily asked.
"I mean there was this guy," Martha started, "He talked to us a few times. But he mostly seemed interested in Sasha. We didn't think much of it."
"Why is that?" Emily asked.
"He looked he was in his early twenties," Martha shrugged, "There are lots of college students around the area so sometimes we are mistaken as them and guys will talk to us. He seemed in the age range to us."
"Can you remember what he looked like or any details about him?" JJ asked.
"Not too much," Sara replied. "Just a generic white guy, early twenties, blonde-brown hair. He seemed nice."
"Okay," JJ replied.
"On that night," Emily began, "Were you all hanging out after?"
"Yeah," Kylie started, "At my house. We usually go there. My mom gets home the earliest."
"Okay," Emily replied, "And did you all get picked up?"
"Um," Kylie replied, "Sasha usually would just walk home from my house. It is only a few blocks away. Her parents usually just text her once they are home and she walks home around dinner."
"Is that what happened that day?" JJ asked.
"Yeah," Kylie nodded, "We didn't usually text one another saying that we got home or anything. I had texted her after she left and she never responded, but I just thought she got busy with homework or her parents. Her parents called later asking if I had seen her and what time she had left. That's when I realized something was off."
"Did any of you leave around the same time?" JJ asked.
"Yeah," Sara replied, "I did, but my mom picked me up. We offered Sasha a ride, but she said she didn't mind walking because we live in the opposite direction."
"Did you, or anyone, notice any cars or people that weren't usually around?" Emily asked.
"There was this one truck that seemed to follow us a little," Martha said. "I noticed it parked out front of the neighbor's house then, but I guess I thought nothing of it."
"Yeah," Kylie said, "We had joked about us having a stalker, but I just figured it was someone visiting one of the neighbors."
"It drove off when I was leaving," Sara replied.
"Can you remember anything else about it?" Emily asked the girls.
"Yeah," Kylie nodded, "It was blue. Like a dark blue. It was a truck but was rather small I guess."
"The windows were also tinted," Sara added.
"My brother has one that was similar but green," Martha spoke up. "It's a Ford Ranger. I was thinking it was probably the same. I could be wrong, but it had the blue logo on the front and the only other brand that is similar is Subaru, but they don't really make trucks."
"That's very helpful," JJ replied with a reassuring smile. "Is there anything else?"
"Not that I can think of," Martha shrugged. "Do you think you will find her?"
"We are going to do the best we can," JJ said with a soft smile. "I can promise that."
"You've all been super helpful," Emily told the teens. "Here is my card if you think of anything else or need anything."
Emily and JJ stood up, each handing out their cards, before heading out back to their cars.
"Geez," JJ sighed, "I can't believe they even made it to school today."
"I know," Emily replied, "I mean it's a good distraction and they have all their friends to keep them company."
"I wouldn't be able to be productive there," JJ frowned.
"Me neither," Emily replied. "At least they have one another and it's a safe place."
"I guess," JJ replied.
The two made it back to Quantico and headed back up to their floor.
"Hey," Garcia said greeting the two agents. "I have Carrie in my office hanging out. Don't worry, all the computer screens are locked, and I have her where she can't see everything bad and I don't want to see anything bad either."
"Okay," Emily chuckled, "Two of you can have the happy place."
"Happy besides the sweet thing struggling at math," Garcia replied. "I can't believe you forced her to get that done."
"I don't," Emily nodded, "I even told her she could take a break."
"Poor thing is torturing herself," Garcia said. "And oh right, the Bensons are in your office now, JJ. That's why I have Carrie."
"Well I'm sure she could use some time with people," JJ stated. "I'll go check in on the Bensons."
"I'll go talk to Hotch about what we found," Emily nodded. "And Garcia. The girls remember seeing a blue pick-up truck. A smaller model and most likely a Ford Ranger. They also said a guy approached them who looked like a college student and had brown-blonde har. They didn't have a name."
"That isn't a lot to work with, but I am magic," Garcia said. "I'll see what I can make happen."
Garcia turned and make her way back to her office where Carrie sat turning in the chairs.
"That's your anxious tick," Garcia said as she entered, "So what's stressing you out?"
"Cases always scare me," Carrie nodded, "I guess knowing what happened to me and knowing Emily and the team have to be around people so bad scares me."
"I understand," Garcia said. "I am always scared too. That is why I try to keep my lair all nice and happy. It is a good distraction of why I am here. I don't like guns, or blood, or scary bad guys."
"Then why do you do the job?" Carrie asked.
"Because I know with my skills," Garcia started, "I keep more people away from the bad guys."
"Okay," Carrie started, "I just don't want anyone disappearing from the team. With the people they are searching for, doesn't it scare you that they could."
"I mean," Garcia started, "I track everyone's cellphones. I can know where you all are at any given moment if you want."
"Wait," Carrie frowned, "All, including me?"
"Of course, I track you," Garcia started, "I need to know where you are. I may have started tracking you a little bit ago."
"Does Emily know?" Carrie asked with a smirk, "Did she tell you to?"
"Emily didn't tell me to," Garcia smiled, "And she doesn't know."
"Good," Carrie smirked.
"I know she definitely would take advantage of it if she knew," Garcia replied.
"And deny any involvement or interest later," Carrie added.
"We know her well," Garcia said. "So now you need to get back to solving the puzzle of Algebra and I will be trying to find a blue truck."
"Yours sounds so much more fun," Carrie groaned.
"It's much darker when you know why you are looking for everything," Garcia said, "but I would much rather do this over your math."
"So, you basically have access into searching for anything?" Carrie asked.
"Yes," Garcia said. "I am the mother of all knowledge. Keeper of secrets. You say anything about anything ever, I can find it."
"You scare me," Carrie jokingly replied. "Like all the others are smart, but they all use theories. You find the actual secrets."
"Yeah you want to be on my good side," Garcia smirked. "You are on my best side, my dear."
"You are too," Carrie replied.
Meanwhile, Emily had relayed all the information over to the rest of the team and was in Hotchs' office.
"I assume JJ is back with the Bensons?" Hotch asked.
"Yeah," Emily replied. "They seem to believe Sasha is already dead."
"With Credenza," Hotch started, "It would be easy to think that. It's a parent's biggest nightmare."
"Yes, it is," Emily sighed.
Right then Hotchs' phone began to buzz, "This is Supervisory Special Agent Arron Hotchner…Yes…I understand…I am sending my team right away…Yes, I can alert the parents. They are here…ETA about twenty minutes."
"That was Metro PD," Hotch told Emily. "They found Sasha Benson. She is alive, but barely. EMT's are taking her right now to the hospital. They do not know if she will make it. She's been bleeding heavily."
"I'll let JJ know," Emily nodded.
"Have her accompany the parents to the hospital," Hotch said. "Rossi and Reid are actually close by to where they found her. I am having them head over to the scene. Can you and Morgan go join them?"
"Yes," Emily said heading to the door.
Emily hurried down the hall and knocked on JJ's door, "JJ can I talk to you."
"Yeah," JJ replied quickly heading out as the Benson's looked around frantically.
"They found Sasha," Emily nodded, "They are taking her to the ER. She is alive, but barely. Probably heading into surgery. Hotch is sending you details. Can you accompany the Benson's? I'm heading to where they found her and can keep you updated on anything we find out."
"Oh my god," JJ sighed, "That's a relief.
"And helpful," Emily replied, "She wasn't meant to live."
"Okay," JJ replied. "Stay safe."
"Thanks," Emily said bushing her friends' shoulder before quickly headed out and meeting Morgan at the car.
JJ closed her eyes and took a deep breath before heading back into the room to see the Bensons looking at her with tears in their eyes.
"They found Sasha," JJ began, "She is alive, but we don't know how stable she is. EMT's are transporting her right now. I can drive you guys there and stay with you."
"What happened?" Mrs. Bensons replied, "Where did they find her?"
"I don't know," JJ replied. "I wasn't told more than that. I can let you know everything as it comes it in. Our team is working on it now."
"Okay," Mr. Benson replied. "Can we go soon."
"Yes," JJ nodded, "Let me just gather anything I need. I know we would all like to let people know, but for now we need to keep this quiet. The unsub wanted Sasha to not be alive, so for now we need to let them believe they did so."
Emily stepped out of the car with Morgan and walked over to where Reid and Rossi were standing. Emily looked around. The two made their way down the alley to the back of a restaurant.
"Hey," Rossi said seeing the pair meeting him.
"Hey," Morgan replied.
"That's a lot of blood," Emily said referencing the staired asphalt that stood in front of them.
CSI agents were already on the scene and documenting anything they could find.
"Yeah," Rossi replied, "I can't believe they found her alive. Any updates from JJ."
"Not yet," Emily shook her head, "They were just heading out to the hospital when Morgan and I were leaving. Sasha still was not in great condition. She'll have to make it through surgery."
"Hey, she made it this far," Morgan replied, "I think she'll make it."
"We'll let us keep this low," Rossi replied, "We don't need the unsub knowing that Sasha was found alive."
"Yeah," Morgan replied.
Hours passed as Carrie hung out with Garcia before heading back to JJ's office to lay on the couch. She was getting sleepy and hoping Emily would return soon. Carrie sighed checking in with her friends to see what was going on in school and what drama she had missed.
Emily sighed as she checked her watch one more time seeing it was around ten. Walking back down to JJ's office, Emily knocked and opened the door. Carrie was laying on the couch curled up in a blanket on her phone. Emily smiled as she felt her anxiety lower seeing a teen not lying on the morgue table or in a hospital bed. Carrie looked up at Emily with a yawn.
"Hey, you," Emily said with a small smile leaning against the door frame. "Ready to go home for the night?"
"Yeah," Carrie yawned, "Did you solve the case?"
Emily's eyebrows arched, "No, sweety, not yet."
"Oh," Carrie replied.
"But don't worry," Emily replied quickly knowing Carrie had read hers, "We'll solve it. Sorry we did not get to spend any time today together. Did you eat everything and dinner?"
"Yeah," Carrie replied standing up, "I ate with Garcia. She's fun."
"She always finds the light," Emily said wrapping an arm around the teen to lead her out. "I always enjoy talking to her. She no matter what finds a way to cheer me up."
"That's for sure," Carrie replied getting out of the elevator with Emily. "I like all of her trinkets."
"I know," Emily giggled. "People always pick on her for them, but I like it."
"It's a good way to cope with all the bad," Carrie replied.
"I agree," Emily smiled and unlocked the car, "She always tried to spread that to us in the field. I appreciate it. Whenever I need a break, I check in with her."
"She says I can hang out in there anytime I want," Carrie replied, "And I can stay with her when you go on a case."
"Are you fine with trying that?" Emily asked getting in. "I wasn't sure."
"I think I would be fine," Carrie shrugged, "I mean, I trust you the most and JJ second, but Garcia is always kind and I know I can always call you."
"Okay," Emily nodded. "I know she was excited about having you stay with her, but I wanted to make sure you felt ready to go somewhere overnight without JJ or myself."
"I know," Carrie replied. "I think I should maybe try at some point. Bianca also said I could always stay at her place and that would be fun. A long sleepover, being an actual teenager again I just know you and JJ booth need to be on cases so it's not fair to make one of you stay behind each time."
"Okay," Emily replied. "Hotch is okay with it, but how about before any case we just decided as the time comes?"
"Yeah," Carrie replied, "That sounds fair."
"Okay," Emily smiled, "Hotchs wife Haley also said you are always welcome. They have Jack so she understands the traveling."
Carrie smiled, "I like how they are all so involved and caring."
"They are basically my family," Emily stated, "So of course they would be with you."
"It makes things easier knowing people care," Carrie replied. "I know deep down with whatever happens, they will be there."
"Yeah they will," Emily smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way."
"Yeah," Carrie yawned, "I'm tired. What time do we need to get up tomorrow?"
"Five am," Emily replied, "It could be earlier depending on what happens with the case."
"This is almost worse than school," Carrie groaned. "If we are doing that, can't I just go to school or stay home?"
Emily felt her body rush with anxiety thinking about the man taking girls Carrie's age that looked like her, "Um, I would just really prefer you not to. I know it stresses you out and with the case…I would just prefer to know where you are."
Carrie saw the look that spread across Emily's face and could sense the hesitation, so she stopped pushing and quietly replied, "Okay. I will stay in the office. I still have more work to do and I started a good book."
"Okay," Emily replied. "and you can hang out with Garcia again. I'm sorry again we got a case this week."
"I know," Carrie replied, "But you don't have control over it. I understand."
"Well here we are," Emily said pulling into the parking garage. "Let's get upstairs now."
The two got out and headed up to the apartment. Carrie could tell Emily was watching her closer than normal and she assumed the past few days and case were the cause. She understood the case could get to the agents, but this was the first time she really saw it taking hold of Emily. Carrie parted ways, heading down to her own room where she changed into the pajama pants and T-shirt. Climbing it bed, she plugged her phone in as Emily walked into the room.
"Are you ready for bed?" Emily asked the teen, taking a seat on the side of the bed.
"Yeah," Carrie yawned.
"Do you need anything tonight?" Emily asked.
"No, I'm fine," Carrie replied sensing Emily needed a moment to be close to the teen.
Carrie sat up and lent forward wrapping her arms around Emily and resting her head on Emily's shoulder. Emily held on to the Carrie, understanding now why Hotch was always so insistent on getting home to Jack after cases involving children.
"I don't know much about the case," Carrie replied, "But whatever it is, you know I'm safe."
"I know," Emily replied.
"Are you okay?" Carrie asked quietly.
"Yeah," Emily replied, half lying, "I just am also exhausted and need sleep."
"Okay," Carrie replied. "Well, goodnight and I hope you sleep well."
"Thank you," Emily replied kissing the teens head, "Sleep well and if you need anything come find me."
"Same goes for you," Carrie responded.
Emily pulled back with a soft sad smiled before pulling the blanket over Carrie, "Goodnight."