The team followed JJ into the precinct on the top floor of the police building. She was always led on the first introductions. It was the way things were. Tradition.

Everyone was greeted by a man whose expression Emily could only describe as 'a touch harried.' A badge clipped to his belt also said he was the man in charge. This was one good start.

He said, "I'm Captain McHolland. Would you all be the folks from the BAU?"

"That's right." the press liaison stepped forward with a hand extended. "I'm Jennifer Jareau. You and I spoke on the phone."

Both people shook hands.

"Thank you for coming. We don't get a lot of big cases out here."

"And we're glad we could make it. Gaithersburg is only an hour north of Quantico."

JJ moved on to indicate each member of her traveling party in turn.

"With me are Special Agents Hotchner, Rossi, Morgan, Prentiss, as well as Doctor Reid, and our technical analyst, Penelope Garcia. You've got our entire brigade today."

"We appreciate your speedy response." McHolland beckoned for them to follow him. "An area has already been set up for you all to use."

McHolland led the team down a side hallway and into a new room. It was filled with everything they would need. A large conference table with enough chairs for them all, brand new yellow legal pads and pens to write with, and even glass boards and markers for them. Emily also noticed one desk phone on a table against a far wall, extra workspace cubicles against another, and plenty of electrical outlets throughout.

"It isn't much." McHolland stuck his hands in his pockets. "We only really use this room for city council meetings."

"This will do just fine. We've worked with a lot less." quipped Rossi. "Is there any coffee about?"

"Yes. I'll go work on that now. Please excuse me..."

Capitan McHolland made his exit. The team got settled.

Penelope laid aside her tech gear before strolling over to Emily.

"It's you and me, Gumdrop." she told her.

Emily arched an eyebrow. "You're going to bring me to Valerie?"

Penelope nodded. "Mhm. Hotch already okayed it!"

From nearby, the man said, "We can hold down the fort. Go."

"Alright." Emily looked back to Penelope. "Time to get back on the road."

One Doctor Overbee met them in the hospital's main lobby. But she had no trouble in picking her visitors out. They were the only ones with FBI badges.

"Special Agent Emily Prentiss and tech analyst Penelope Garcia?" she queried as she drew level to them.

"That is us." Emily said as she and Penelope hands with Overbee. "I spoke with you on the phone earlier."

"Very pleased to meet you both."

While Overbee noticed Emily's wheelchair and her baby bump, she remarked on neither, but instead something else. A fun-looking gift bag.

"May I ask what the story is with your bag there, agent?" she said.

Emily touched the bag hanging on the back of her mobility device. "I picked Valerie up a stuffed toy and a stuffed blanket."

"Understood. This is about that key she's been holding on to. Is it important?"

Penelope said, "We believe so."

"My main goal for this visit is to talk Valerie into a trade." Emily told the physician. "Do you have any idea of the last time Valerie had a meal?"

"No. The poor dear is really freaked out and will only shriek." replied Overbee. "The social worker was having a go at getting Valerie to use her words when I came down here just now. But we aren't putting all of our eggs in one basket."

"Let's hope that progress has been made. Where do we go from here?"

"Not far. Please follow me."

Indeed, Valerie's room was only a floor up. Right in front of the main desk for the nurses. A close eye needed to be kept on this particular patient. But at least her injured ankle would keep her from bolting. Small favors.

Overbee approached a well-dressed woman emerging from her patient's room. "Any luck, Dara?"

"Not yet." the younger woman admitted. "Valerie chucked a pillow at me. For one so small and compromised, her aim is wicked..."

"Then allow me to introduce you to our calvary."

Once a second round of introductions were had, the social worker shook their hands. "I'm Dara Channing. Valerie Braverman's case was assigned to me."

"Does she know what's happening?" Penelope wanted to know.

"Unclear. Valerie won't talk. It has also come to my attention that she actually shut down at one point."

Emily said to Overbee, "I'll bet it was because you offered her food. How did your patient react?"

The memory came to Overbee with ease. "She actually stared me down until I left the room. And... Valerie didn't relinquish her hold on the storage key once. I would not put it past her to sit on it if she chose to. What can I get for you before you go in?"

"Just a first-aid kit for now." Emily decided.

Overbee gave one to her from a nearby supply closet. "Here you are. Are you planning to win her trust by cleaning a wound if she's cut herself on that key?"

"That's exactly it. Valerie might even drop her guard. Or speak."

"Alright." Overbee motioned for Emily to go in. "We're standing by now. You're on deck, agent."

Emily steered herself into Valerie's room. The place was decorated and stocked the way a child's hospital room would be. The patient was even on the bed, hooked up to machines monitoring her health, but the little girl was checked out. Not that Emily blamed her. Valerie was deeply traumatized.

Her whole world was no doubt upside down.

Valerie watched this new person speak to her with kindness and calm. "Hi, there. My name is Emily."

"Who is that?" Valerie's voice was hoarse, but Emily realized who she was talking about.

"That is my friend Penelope." she indicated to where her colleague was leaning against the doorframe. "I like her. She drove me here today."

"Because your leg doesn't work. Like mine." Valerie's eyes flickered from Emily's wheelchair and back again. "What happened?"

"I had a wipeout."

Valerie sighed. "Me, too."

"Want to talk about it?" Emily offered.

"No thank you." Valerie made a small scooting motion. "C-could I hug you?"

Emily's heart leapt; she had not expected Valerie to take a liking to her this fast. But she would take it.

"Yes. I would like a hug from you very much." Emily said. "Would it be alright if I sat with you to do that?"

Valerie decided that it was. And she had sympathy for Emily's own plight. Maybe she would be different.

After Emily had been helped on to the bed, Valerie threw her arms around her. The hug deepened when her hug was returned.

Emily continued to pinch herself. What luck she was having. Last thing she wanted was to jinx it.

It would be a long time before she forgot about how the events of her kidnapping from their recent New York case had led to a dislike of being touched. Even the dreams were nightmares.

But... First, Zooey Pearl Weisenberg had left an imprint on her heart, while she had looked after her during the mall crisis.

Now here was Valerie Braverman. Also seeking comfort in the midst of her own personal day from hell. Memories of this little one would stay with her until the end of time.

Emily handed her her credentials to hold after a few moments had passed. She examined every inch of them. But it was plain that Valerie was actively choosing to say nothing about her trauma.

Still... Valerie trusted Emily enough to relax with her.

The agent raised her eyebrows at those watching from the hall. What was she to do next? Penelope shrugged her shoulders. Behind her, Dara gave a thumbs up of encouragement. Overbee just encouraged Emily to take her time. A mixed bag.

Emily spoke again after some quiet. "Do you know what the FBI is?"

Valerie looked at her. "Uh-uh."

"The FBI is a special kind of police. It's their job to help everybody that needs it. What do you think?"

"It's way good." Valerie stuck Emily's credentials back in her pocket for her and then sighed with contentment. "You're so quiet."

Emily asked her, "And you like that?"

"Yeah-huh." Valerie said with deep earnest.

But then she rubbed her head with her fist that was yet closed over the key.

"My head hurts…"

Emily stroked Valerie's hair. "Are you ready to try food again?"

Valerie decided that she was.

It took no effort for Doctor Overbee to have kid-friendly food brought in. This was good. But… It took a lot of effort to get Valerie to consider cooperation when the idea of releasing the storage key was pitched to her. One giant step back.

Yet Emily continued be patient. She humored Valerie's attempts to feed herself one-handedly, even assisting when she asked her to. Practicing her mothering skills on Valerie actually was helping in gaining her trust. Everyone would thank her later.

"Feeling better?" Emily asked when Valerie has settled again.

"Yes, but…" Valerie's words faltered.

"It's alright." Emily consoled her. "You can tell me anything."

Valerie held out her closed hand. "It hurts."

Now we're getting somewhere, thought Emily.

"Would you like it if I patched you up?" she asked her.

For a second time, Valerie said, "Yeah-huh."

Emily tapped Valerie's fist. "I know what you're holding. How would it be if you put the key under your pillow?"

"No one will take it?"

"I know Doctor Overbee or Miss Dara won't. You and I can talk about your treasure in a few minutes. Okay?"

Valerie's response was to shove the key under her pillow for safekeeping. "Okay!"

"That's a good girl. May I see your hand now?"

Valerie had indeed cut her hand. Such was her strength from keeping her hand closed that her nails had dug into her palm. There was blood. But Emily cleaned it all up. She even talked Valerie through the whole process.

It surprised no one that the child burst into tears when Emily was done. A delayed PTSD reaction.

Emily didn't miss a beat at all. She held Valerie, rocked her, dried her tears. The feelings and actions came naturally. It also felt like they were only people in the world.

Out in the hallway, Penelope received a text from JJ. How goes it? A wants to know.

Penelope's reply was on the double. Quite well. E is on the verge of a break.

Indeed, Valerie's tears fizzled out after a few minutes. Now she was beginning to feel worn down. But Emily seized her chance.

"Do you know what 'trade' means?" she asked.

Valerie gave a yawn. "It's when friends give each other things they like. You are my friend."

"And you are my friend. I have two treasures. All for you."

"Really?" Valerie sat up straight. "Where?"

Emily retrieved the gift bag from her chair and handed it to her. "They're in here. Want to take a look?"

Valerie nodded. "Yes and please and thank you."

Emily handed Valerie the bag. "Would you like help?"

"Nope!"

Favoring her good hand, Valerie extracted a stuffed sun toy, and a fuzzy blanket bedecked in the same decoration. No child would have turned them down. And indeed… Valerie did not. She was aglow.

"Thank you, Emmy!" she said with what the rest of the adults were sure was a dash of her usual cheer.

"You are very welcome." Emily told her. "I'm glad you like everything."

Valerie then had a pause. She was ruminating. And on rather a deep thought.

But…

"Here, Emmy. For you." Valerie had retrieved the key for her and was now holding it out. "Your treasure."

"Oh, thank you, Valerie. Will you put it in here?" Emily was holding out an evidence bag to her.

Valerie followed through. "Did it!"

Emily thanked Valerie once more. She was then quick to seal the bag, label it, and put it away. Her mission had been accomplished.

Now to ease herself away…

Emily helped Valerie lay back down. She also tucked Valerie in. The little one gave her biggest yawn yet as she felt the weight of her blankets. Everything was warm. And her eyelids were growing leaden.

"I'm tired…" she sighed to Emily.

"Just close your eyes." Emily told Valerie. "I'll come back later."

Valerie closed her eyes right away. "Night night..."

Emily hugged Valerie one more time and tucked her stuffed sun in with her. "Good night. See you later."

And Valerie Braverman was out like a light.

Out in the hallway again, Emily let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Wow."

Penelope nodded in agreement. "I'll say."

Overbee queried of Emily, "Do you have any children Valerie's age?"

"I do not." Emily replied. "My partner and I are parents, but none of our kids have been born yet. I'm sure you'll meet Jennifer later."

"So noted."

Chiming in, Dara said pointedly, "Speaking of later…"

Overbee picked up the torch. "I imagine you'll want to know when Valerie's relatives arrive?"

"Yes. I can fill them in on what's happening." Emily offered her her card. "Please drop me a line."

Overbee pocketed the card. "Alright. I can make that happen. Thank you very much for everything you did here."

Emily and Penelope also handed their contact cards to Dara as they made their good-byes. For good measure.

Neither spoke on anything too in-depth until Penelope was driving their car from within the hospital parking garage to the main road. Both women were trying to digest everything they had just seen.

Penelope still spoke first. "Did all of that really just happen?"

"Yes." Emily made herself as comfortable as she could in the front passenger seat. "I somehow got Valerie to come out of her shell. Giving me the storage key? All her."

They finally emerged from the garage, so Penelope drove in the direction of the precinct. "I guess what surprises me is that Valerie held on to it for as long as she did. Her hand must be super sore. Did she draw a lot of blood?"

Penelope shuddered. "At least mine didn't manifest until after I beat up my bully."

"What the hell?!"

"Second grade drama. Annabelle Tyler sent me to my limit when she told me to my face that zebras were stupid. She knew that I loved them." recalled Penelope. "So there was a physical fight. And so much blood."

Emily felt incredulous. "One slight from Annabelle caused a scuffle?"

"Well… The week before that, I saw her push a smaller kid into a mud puddle on picture day and laugh about it."

Emily finally laughed. "You gave her a taste of her own medicine, but still developed a blood phobia? Just what kind of belief system governed your life in primary school?"

"One that constantly had my family scratching their heads." Penelope continued to be casual.

"You're amazing. I'm learning new things about you all the time."

Emily was quiet for a few more beats as they rode along.

Her tone grew serious when next she spoke. "Is it just me, or have a lot of our cases lately involved kids?"

"Definitely not just you." Penelope confirmed. "I've also noticed it."

Emily let out a relieved sigh. "Okay, good."

"This case will be something to put in our memoirs one day." Penelope said with confidence. "I know it'll probably be a footnote in mine."

Her words threw Emily. "Pardon? You're planning a memoir?"

"Yep. I've been planning Confessions Of A Tech Guru since the day I met Aaron, Derek, and Spencer. What a trip. And that was back when I was best known as The Black Queen."

"I—what? Come again?!"

"I was a hacker by that name in the Silicon Valley. It feels like another lifetime ago now." Penelope shivered. "Will you promise to keep the story to yourself if I share it?"

Emily nodded quickly; she was extremely curious. "I promise you I will. And I'll take it to the grave if I have to."

Her total sincerity impressed Penelope.

So she happily regaled Emily in her first (mis)adventure with the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Turned out to be quite amusing.

And it was a good distraction.

Emily's feeling of dread from earlier was only intensifying. Though she had been able to get the storage key from Valerie, the child hadn't said a word about how it had come in to her possession. Or the chaos at home.

Did Valerie even have an inkling that her parents were dead? Probably not.

All Emily could do was compartmentalize her feelings on the matter. And listen to Penelope's memories.

Naught but a long day was ahead.

Again.