A/N: So life can be a a pain in the ass. I am so so so sorry for not updating in such a long time. I just couldn't bring myself to write. So many things happened. But I made a promise to myself I will never abandon my stories. And since I picked up Criminal Minds again, I was inspired to write again, so here it is! Also a note before you read! I know Evelyn is heavily featured in this chapter but I have my reason for it. I have to set up her back story and this particular case will have an effect on Evelyn's thinking process in the future. It doesn't feature much of her interaction with the rest of the Team but I promise the next chapter will! So I hope you enjoy! And sorry for any mistakes!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC

Takes place during Episode 14, Season 1

The day had started off in the most unexpected of ways.

Evelyn had just buckled herself into her car when her phone had started to ring. The screen showed that it was Gideon. Frowning at the urgency in his tone, the red head made her way to the BAU Building as quickly as she could. Rushing through security she did not even pause to greet the members of her Team as she made her way towards Gideon's office. She knocked, before walking in.

"You called, Agent Gideon?" She inquired, stepping into the room once he nodded to confirm her statement.

Three hours later Evelyn Richardson was sitting in the driver seat of an FBI issued SUV, driving along the highway of Central Florida. The weather was hotter then she had thought it would be, but since this was related to work which required her to be interactive, she had opted for a more professional look, with a blue blouse, black pants and coat, with shoes she had borrowed from JJ. And for once, her hair was loose as it hung around her shoulders. The curls were as tame as she could get them on such short notice, but they would suffice.

But what she was going to be dealing with was certainly not her cup of tea. And she didn't even like tea! She turned her head as her destination came into view, her tongue passing over her lips, her features morphed to one of anxiousness and nervousness.

Florida State Penitentiary.

God! Why did Gideon have to send her ahead?

Because you need to set up before the whole Team arrived, a voice reasoned in her head.

Shaking her head lightly, Evelyn turned the car, driving into the parking lot of the area.

"This is the space we cleared out. You can set everything up here."

Evelyn followed after the Warden, who had introduced himself as Charles Diehl. Looking around the space, the red head was satisfied, knowing how Penelope preferred a space where everything could be set up neatly. She had been afraid they would be getting a much smaller area.

"Is that everything?" The Warden asked, turning to look at her. Evelyn nodded.

"Yes, thank you sir." She said, motioning for the men behind her to bring in the equipment she had brought with her. The Warden nodded.

"Right. I will be in my office if you need anything." He said, before exiting the room, just as the last man placed the last box of equipment and walked out. Evelyn heaved a sigh as she shrugged off her blazer.

"Right." She muttered, pushing her glasses further up her nose, before rolling her sleeves up to her elbows.

"Lets get to it!"

Almost an hour later, Evelyn was pushing in the last of the wires in place when her phone rang.

"Hey Penelope." She greeted after checking the ID.

"Hey Sweetums! Is everything set?" The voice on the other end asked cheerfully. Evelyn nodded, even though no one could see her, as she flipped on the main switch, smiling in satisfaction as the machines were brought to life.

"And fully operational."

"Good! We'll be there in half an hour. Garcia out!"

Snapping the phone shut Evelyn looked down at her hands, frowning at the sight of them covered in dust and dirt. Grabbing her jacket she quickly made her way to the bathroom to clean up.

Looking over at the red head sitting next to him, eyes narrowed in concentration as she scanned the screen Gideon cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Reid? Evelyn? The three of us will be taking over to talk with Sarah Jean." He called, making the red head look up, her mouth open in surprise as she stared at her Superior.

"Sir?" She asked, the disbelief evident in her voice and expression. Gideon gave her a look.

"You did not attain a minor in non-verbal communication for nothing Agent Richardson." He stated, his voice stern as he looked at her from the top of his glasses. Evelyn bit down on her lip, before giving a small nod. It was all the reassurance he needed as he turned and walked out. Evelyn raised her eyes to glance at Reid who was frowning at Gideon's retreating back. He caught her look of bewilderment, lifting his shoulder in a shrug before walking after him.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder Evelyn looked up to see Hotch give her a reassuring nod. Heaving a sigh Evelyn followed after the two men.

Reid glanced back. Finding that Evelyn was still a few paces behind them he leaned forward to speak to Gideon, a whisper.

"Why did you ask Evelyn, to come? She's a technician, not an Analyst like us." Gideon did not break stride or turned to look at the younger agent as he answered.

"No. But there is something she will benefit from, from this particular case." He answered. Reid looked as if he were about to ask another question but kept quite as Evelyn caught up with them. She was clenching her hands, he noticed. A sure sign that she was nervous, since she could not tug at her hair she clenched her fists so that she might have something to do. Evelyn glanced up at Reid, a small smile on her lips. Reid only nodded, understanding the message she was trying to convey.

Evelyn stood in front of the cell just behind Gideon and in front of Reid. Her eyes roamed over the walls, looking at the paintings that adorned them. They were quite beautiful, she admitted to herself. Though how a killer, someone who destroyed, was capable of creating something so beautiful was beyond her.

"Accomplished work." Gideon complimented. The blonde woman stood quite, her back to them, before she spoke.

"I've had plenty of time." She stood there for a few seconds, before she turned around. As Sarah Jean turned to look at her visitors, Evelyn schooled her features into an emotionless mask. If she had to do what her superior asked her to then she would do it to the best of her ability. Her lips seemed to be pulled into a permanent smile. To Evelyn the smile looked as if it held secrets. Secrets so deep and mysterious that no one would be able to figure them out.

"What is it you want to know?" She asked. Gideon stood there quietly, pursing his lips before answering.

"I think its time that the mothers of those girls learned why their children had to die." He stated simply. "Don't you?" Evelyn refrained from biting down on her lip, as she sighed inwardly.

Here goes!

"Sarah Jean?" She called out, her voice soft as she stepped out from behind Gideon. The blonde woman's eyes turned to her.

"My! Aren't you a charming young girl." She said her voice soft and pleasant as she looked at her, the smile ever present. Evelyn took the compliment with a small smile of her own. As she stepped fully in to the small living space something in the back of her mind made her sure of the fact that this case was not like any she had ever come across.

Evelyn was working as fast as she could. Penelope was right at her side and both mentor and protégé had their eyes glued to the screen as they searched for Riley.

"We need to get into her cell." Gideon finally said, already walking away before he stopped and turned to Evelyn.

"Agent Richardson. I want you to take a little walk with Sarah Jean. Talk to her. She seems to like you. Try to get a reading at her body language." Evelyn blinked in surprise before quickly standing up from her place beside Penelope, pulling off her headset as she did.

"Of course sir."

It was cold outside. And since she had taken off her blazer when she had sat down on the computers Evelyn was left wearing a silk blouse. She crossed her arms over her chest as she shivered slightly, prompting Sarah Jean to glance at the red head.

"Are you cold?" Evelyn shook her head.

"No. No. I'm fine. Just a little windy is all." She reassured the older woman. Sarah Jean smiled before turning her gaze to the sky once more. Evelyn turned to look at the Warden and gave him a small nod. He nodded back before moving to stand a little way away from the two women. Evelyn stepped a little closer to Sarah, her hands going into her pockets where she fingered something before pulling it out. The sound of paper unwrapping could be heard in the quite area and Sarah turned to Evelyn in slight confusion as the red head unwrapped a bar of chocolate and after breaking it in two pieces held one out to Sarah.

"I always carry one around in case I don't have time to eat." Evelyn explained with a small smile, waiting for Sarah to accept her offering. Sarah smiled as she took the piece.

"You should take better care of yourself Agent Richardson." She advised the red head before taking a bite of the chocolate and smiling at the taste. The sweet was gone in a matter of seconds and both women turned their attention to the sky.

"I used to tell Riley that the man in the moon would look down on both of us. No matter where we were." Evelyn's gaze shifted from the moon to the blonde. Sarah continued to smile up at the full moon.

"Sarah?" The word was spoken softly, almost pleadingly, which prompted the woman in question to turn to Evelyn with that soft every present smile on her face.

"If there is anything you can tell us that can save you-"

"Thank you for the kindness you have shown me Agent Richardson." Evelyn felt despair settle into her heart as Sarah cut her off.

"I feel as if I have gained a friend in you." Sarah continued with a sad look in her eyes before she walked past the agent and towards the Warden, her time outside up.

Anger, frustration and despair. Three emotions that were brimming up inside her as she quickly walked into the room where the BAU had been working from.

"Please tell me you found something!" She said as soon as she walked in. Catching sight of Gideon's expression she stopped short.

"We found something." Reid informed her, holding a newspaper clipping which he held out to his team member. Taking the clipping Evelyn stared at the smiling face of a teenager, a small shred of hope forming within her as she did.

"We believe this is-"

"Riley…" Her voice was barely above a whisper as she continued to look at the photo.

Sarah Jean placed the painting aside, her heart heavy and fearful at not seeing the newspaper clipping of her son's photograph behind it. The man behind her continued to cut her hair, oblivious to the inner turmoil that the woman felt. Glancing up at one of the guards she shifted slightly as she spoke.

"Could I speak to Agent Richardson please?"

Evelyn walked down the corridor as fast as she could. Sarah had asked for her. That meant that she wanted to tell her something. Maybe something about Riley. Though when she reached the cell where Sarah was staying Evelyn stopped short.

Sarah's blonde hair was gone now. And she sat holding the painting of the boy running across the meadow, smiling down at it as she did. "Sarah?" The red head called out, walking into the small living space.

"Could you stay with me Evelyn? Till its my time?"

Evelyn wanted nothing more then to run back to her computers and try and locate Riley. To save the woman who was innocent. Who didn't deserve to die. But something made her walk further into the cell and sit down next to the older woman. She too looked at the painting.

"You love him very much." It wasn't a question. It was a statement. Sarah nodded, the smile ever present on her face as she caressed the boy in the painting with soft fingers.

"He is the best thing to have ever come out of my meeting Jacob." Silence lapsed between them after that. Evelyn only hoped her presence gave Sarah whatever comfort she may need. Reaching out she slowly took Sarah's hand in one of her own, gripping it tightly. Sarah glanced up at Evelyn in surprise before that look morphed to one of gratitude and happiness. And in that moment Evelyn knew that no matter what any of them did Sarah Jean was going to die. And she had accepted it.

As Sarah Jean walked down the corridor to her death Evelyn Richardson was right at her side. Holding her hand tightly as she did. The Warden had requested that she step aside yet Evelyn had refused. The red head had stood by as she watched Gideon hug Sarah Jean before telling Hotch to call off Morgan and Elle. That the boy they had found wasn't her son.

Defeat was evident in not only Gideon's eyes but Evelyn's as well, as the red head turned to embrace Sarah as well.

"I hope you find peace Sarah." The young woman whispered. Sarah sighed deeply as she closed her eyes and let herself simply feel Evelyn's embrace.

"I am at peace."

Evelyn slowly stepped back, her eyes full of tears, which she was holding back to the best of her ability even as Sarah continued to cry soft, tears of relief.

"Goodbye."

Slowly Sarah turned to walk into the room where her sentence would be carried out but then she stopped and turned to look at Gideon.

"Would it be too much to ask if yours is the last face I see?" Gideon's eyes widened in surprise. Without waiting for a response Sarah walked into the room. A few seconds later Gideon walked into the room as well and only Evelyn and Hotch were left outside. Hotch turned his gaze to the youngest agent on his team to see her staring at the now closed door.

"She didn't want you to see her die." He informed her softly, taking in the red head's posture. Evelyn sighed deeply, her breath shuddering as she nodded.

"Because she considered me a friend. And if Sarah Jean can die for her son, there was no way she would've allowed the only person she called a friend to watch her die." The tears she held back were flowing freely now. Her superior reached out to gently place a hand on her shoulder, giving the grieving girl what little comfort he could give.

She felt numb.

All Evelyn could do was stare at the ceiling as she lay in bed. Her coat was thrown haphazardly over the nearest chair she had seen as she walked in, and badge looked like it had been flung across the room since it was on the floor right near the closed window. The red head's mind was racing. Racing with what had happened in the last few hours. But the one thing that was in the forefront of her mind. More then anything else.

Sarah Jane was innocent.

She had never assisted her husband in ant of the murders. And yet she chose to die. To protect her son.

The knock on the door shook her out of her thoughts and she quickly jumped up from the bed. Pulling the door open she was greeted with the sight of Reid who had his hand raised in a fist to knock on her door once more.

"What?" She asked. Reid didn't even blink at the blunt question. He cleared his throat, shoving his hands in his pockets before he spoke.

"Morgan and I are going down to get something to eat. I volunteered to get you. See if you wanted to come." He rocked back and forth on his feet as he talked. Evelyn gripped the door, her knuckles turning paler then usual, before she spoke.

"I'm not hungry." Her friend nodded in an understanding way.

"And could you tell everyone else that I want to be left alone?" It was a clear cut message. She didn't want to be disturbed. Pursing his lips, the young doctor gave another nod before moving to walk down the hall towards the elevator.

"Reid?" He stopped at the small voice, turning on his heel halfway to look at her. She was staring at the wall, yet he detected the slight quiver in her voice as she spoke.

"How could she give up her life like that?" Silence followed her words. Reid stood where he was, chewing his bottom lip lightly only letting go once Evelyn turned to look at him, the question in her gaze.

"She loved her son that much? That she gave up her life to protect him. From herself?" Disbelief colored her tone. Being in a profession where most emotions she came across led to people doing horrible acts, Evelyn couldn't fully grasp the concept of a person giving up their life for the love of another person. Reid gave a small shrug.

"Emotions can give people the courage they need to do the impossible. Dying is one of them." There was a silence following his words.

"She didn't have to die." She whispered prompting Reid to nod in agreement.

"No she didn't." He looked as if he were struggling with something before a look from Evelyn had him speaking what was on his mind.

"Do you want me to stay with you? In period of grief being surrounded by the person who care for you is shown to help a person get over their grief or trauma." Evelyn pursed her lips before shaking her head.

"I'm used to dealing with my emotions on my own Reid. I'll be fine." There was a hint of force in her tone, as if she were pushing him away almost physically. Reid only stood there and frowned as the door slammed shut. Judging from the light thump that followed he knew Evelyn was just at the other side, leaning against the door. Letting her emotions consume her.

Feeling helpless and slightly frustrated the young genius slowly walked away, his mind racing, looking for a way he could help his friend like she had helped him out with his nightmares.

A/N: I am already working on the next chapter so hopefully I'll get it up by tomorrow or so! I hope you enjoyed! And hopefully it didn't feel rushed. I tried to include as many details and core moments as I could.

Till next time! - Hestia28