AN: This probably wouldn't have took so long if this wasn't like the third rewrite. In advance I apologize for how unrealistic this chapter is.

Who's excited for Season 13?

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Disclaimer: Don't own it, and quotes can be found on my Pinterest account.

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"A friend is not a coincidence in our life. They were a stranger meant to come into our life to bring us priceless lessons and funny memories."

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"I need your help," Mattea informed Caitlin the next day at school as soon as she sat down.

"Do I need to hide a body?" Caitlin joked unwrapping a sucker and popping it into her mouth.

Mattea pulled out another sucker from Caitlin's backpack. Over the course of their friendship she had actually started to like the sugar and artificial flavoring on a stick. "I feel like that would be something I ask you."

Caitlin tilts her head to both sides evaluating Mattea's statement. "True, so what do you need my help with?"

"Nonno and Nana are having a Halloween party, and Elise wants to invite Ethan, one of the kids that reads to the primary students," Mattea explained.

"Am I invited?" Caitlin questioned with puppy eyes.

Mattea gave Caitlin's shoulder a gentle push. "Of course you and your brothers are invited."

"Good," Caitlin attempts to say without smiling, but her grin wins over, "and of course I'll help you find this Ethan kid. Do you know his last name?"

"No, but I know what he looks like," Mattea offered. "I just don't know how we are to find him in a population of almost 900 kids."

"Well for starters what does he look like?" Caitlin asked scanning the crowds of people waiting for first bell.

"He's about 5'5 with brown hair and brown eyes. His hair is kind of long, but it's not super long," Mattea told Caitlin as she joined in on the scan. "And he wears glasses."

"Well you only described a fourth of the male population at this school," Caitlin said with an edge of sarcasm. "While we're on the hunt for a needle in a haystack let's talk about you maybe coming over this afternoon."

Mattea bit her lip. "Sorry, I can't. Mom and Nana are going to like this fundraiser thing and I have to watch the girls."

"What about your grandpa?" Caitlin asked.

"He's supposed to go too, though he did offer to pay me if I said practice ran over," Mattea replied.

"You could always bring the girls with you. Parker and Ace would love to have more people to play with," Caitlin told her.

"We'll see," Mattea said just as the bell rang for first period.

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Caitlin walked Mattea to her car after choir rehearsal. "Still haven't given me an answer?" She pointed out.

"Maybe another time. I don't think I'm gonna let Nonno of the hook this time," Mattea replied glancing at the few random students still left at the high school.

Caitlin was also watching and saw three 'tough' guys standing around a much smaller one. "Who are they messing with now?"

Mattea followed Caitlin's gaze and did a double take. "That's Ethan," Mattea threw her stuff in Caitlin's arms, "hold this."

"Wait!" Caitlin called out, "what are you doing?"

Mattea ignored her and stormed over to the crowd. "Leave him alone."

Ethan glanced up but quickly looked back down as one of the guys put his arm out against the wall. "Or what?" The biggest of the guys asked.

"You know it's pretty low to pick on someone who isn't even fighting back. You think you're tough, but you only bully people you know won't fight back," Mattea told him without a hint of fear. The guys were slowly turning their attention away from Ethan and to Mattea. She just needed to keep them distracted long enough for Caitlin to grab a scared Ethan. "News flash you're not tough. A tough person doesn't need to prey on those weaker than them."

Mattea saw Ethan flinch as Caitlin grabbed his arm and lead him a safe distance away. With Ethan gone the three guys had turned their attention fully to Mattea. "So what your saying is instead of fighting the shrimp we should fight you instead?" The leader of the trio asked.

"No, what I was saying-" Mattea was cut off as a fist met the side of her face.

The shock made her stumble back and trip over the walkway. She could here Caitlin yelling. Mattea didn't have time to dwell on it before another blow was made; to her ribs this time. "I thought you were tough?" One of the boys snickered.

"Get up and fight back!" The other shouted.

Mattea pulled her way up to her feet as her adrenaline kicked in. Instead of fighting, though, she gave a glare that would send Hotch's a run for its money. "Sei cazzo debole," She spat.

The boys were caught off guard. "You are weak," Ethan mumbled a loose translation for Caitlin.

"Thanks," Caitlin replied back with a soft smile.

The leader of the pack sent another swing towards Mattea's face. She ducked but it was in vain as one of his buddies shoved her into the wall. Thankfully her shoulder took the majority of the impact and not her head. "You know this is only fun if you fight back," He laughs.

"She's a loser and doesn't know how," The other buddy said with a smirk.

The leader gave her a look over before smiling. "I think we'll let you go, but first..." Mattea closed her eyes as a fist once again met her face. She waited a few moments after they released her before crumbling to the ground.

Caitlin was at her side immediately. "Are you okay?"

Mattea gave a slow nod as she took in a deep breath. "Ethan?"

Caitlin glanced at the quite boy. "He's okay."

"Good," She replied.

Caitlin turned to Ethan. "Why are you at school so late?"

"Chess, dad is late," Ethan said tightening the grip on his messenger bag.

Mattea glanced up. "I can take you home," She mumbled as her adrenaline started to wear off.

Caitlin turned to Mattea in shock. "You can't even drive yourself home."

"Yes I can. I don't live far," Mattea replied. "Ethan can come to my house, and mom can drive him home."

Ethan's eyes grew wide. "That is not necessary. Dad picks me up every Monday at 4:35."

"But it's 5:00 already," Caitlin stated.

"Phone," Mattea requested.

Caitlin rummaged through Mattea's bag until she produced the phone. "Here."

She watched curiously as Mattea pulled up her speed dial and called her mom.

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Emily watched the people around her. She knew her mom had good intentions in inviting her, but this reminded her too much of growing up with the Ambassador. "Here you go."

Emily smiled as she took the offered glass. "Thanks Alex."

Alex took a seat at the table. "You're welcome."

Emily had been surprised to run into her daughter's teacher at a fundraiser, but was glad for someone to talk to. She was fixing to reply when her phone rang. "Agent Prentiss."

"I see you're not checking your caller ID," Mattea joked the best she could.

"What do you need?" Emily asked.

"Why do I have to need something to call my mom?" Mattea questioned with a playful, annoyance tone in her voice.

Emily shook her head at her daughter's words. "Because I'm going to see you in like a hour."

She could here Mattea sighing in defeat. "You caught me. I was wondering if a friend could come over until you get home, and if you could give them a ride."

"Is it a friend I've met?" This peaked Alex's interest who up until then had been nursing her drink and watching everyone.

"No, ma'am but his dad was supposed to pick him up like half an hour ago from chess. I can't just leave him here by himself."

Emily could here the desperation in her daughter's voice. "Did he call his parents?"

"His dad's cell went straight to voicemail and he refuses to call his mom; won't say why. Please mom Ethan's a good kid," Mattea pleaded.

"One sec." Emily turned to Alex. "What do you know about an Ethan that plays chess?"

Alex's eyes grew big as she instantly reached for her phone. "Why?"

"Mattea wants to know if he can go to the house, so I can give him a ride home. Apparently his dad didn't pick him up from chess," Emily explained.

Alex looked at her phone and saw a few missed calls and texts from James. "I'm going to kill him," she mumbled and then looked up at Emily, "I think it's okay if you don't mind. I'll come get him, so you don't have to take him home."

"Are you sure," Emily asked.

"Of course I am, he's my son."

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"Okay," Mattea said as she ended the call. She handed her phone back to Caitlin and pulled herself to her feet. "Come on my mom said it was okay."

Ethan gave a slight nod of acknowledgement as he looked down at his feet. Caitlin looked at Mattea with concern. "Are you sure you're okay to drive home?"

"I don't live that far," Mattea stated again to reassure her.

"Still, be careful."

Mattea gave her the best smile she could muster. It wasn't much, but it made Caitlin feel a little better. "We'll be fine."

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"She's badass with a big heart"

- r.h. Sin