This case was taking them to the New Jersey shore. Twelve bodies had washed ashore they were the bodies of people who had been missing for at least a year and one that had been missing for seven years. They hadn't connected the missing persons cases because the victims didn't seem to be connected in anyway. They ranged in age from nineteen and forty-five. Both men and woman. Lived from all over New Jersey. They had the collage student, a single mother. The successful lawyer, the man who was just getting out of prison. None of them seemed to connect to each other so when they went missing no one put them together.

On the Jet there when they were done discussing the case. Lorelai was sitting looking through her phone. JJ could tell she seemed to be off that day. Actually, everyone could tell something was off. She denied it of course when she was asked but no one believed her. JJ sat down across from her. "

You can deny that someone is wrong, but no one here believes that. I cant make you talk about it, but you know what happens when you pretend something isn't wrong when it is so maybe talking about it is a good idea." JJ said

"Glad to know my team doesn't trust me." Lorelai said not looking up from her phone.

"You know that's not what I meant." JJ said

"Well, that's what it sounds like. I said I'm fine. I'm fine. Cant make you believe me but cant talk about something that isn't there." Lorelai said

JJ shook her head. "You sure you want to sit and stew with whatever is going on?"

Lorelai looked up from her phone at that point. "I said I'm fine Agent Jareau."

JJ took a breathe and nodded. She got up and went and sat back with Prentiss and Morgan.

Lorelai just kept looking through the reviews of this therapist whose name she had been given. She seemed to be very good at her job. Had a lot of positive reviews. She took a breathe and clicked to book an appointment and booked it for two weeks from that day. She knew she needed to do it now or it would never happen.

When they landed to got to work. They spent three days working the case and finally were starting to figure out who they were looking for. They had found a connection. It turned out that everyone of the victims had a drinking problem and went to the same AA meetings but because of the anonymity of those meetings a connection hadn't been made sooner.

Morgan and Hotch Jr. Were talking to the sponsor of a few of the victims and were asking her questions. As they were finishing up the women looked at Lorelai. "You look really familiar." The woman said.

Lorelai made a face and took a breathe. "My face has been on the news before."

"No. Its not that." She said

"I don't know than. Maybe I just have one of those faces." Lorelai said

The woman nodded. "You ever live in Idaho?" The woman asked

Lorelai took a breathe and shook her head. "No."

Morgan made a face. Why was she lying? He wondered. But he wasn't going to call her out right now. They finished up talking to the woman and they left and headed to the car. The car ride back to the police station started out quiet. Morgan decided to break the ice.

"Do you recognize her?" He asked

"No. I promise I have no idea who she is." Lorelai said

Derek nodded. "Why did you lie about being from Idaho?" He asked

"Because I don't want to have to deal with the face or the sympathy from another person who likely should have done something to protect me." Lorelai said looking out the window.

"Look. I know you said you're okay. But I know that's a lie. Your work hasn't suffered no. But you aren't okay. I get maybe you don't want to talk about it. But if you talk to me I don't need to tell anyone." He said

Lorelai wiped at her eyes. "Its stupid."

"If its hurting you this much its not stupid." He said

"My therapist is moving. Out of state." Lorelai said

Derek nodded. "Oof. That's not something stupid. You have likely told her everything about your past and current life. You've been seeing her for what five years?" Derek asked

Lorelai nodded. "Yeah."

"So not having her anymore is a big change. Its okay to be struggling with that." Derek said

Lorelai nodded again.

"Has she referred you to someone new?" He asked

"Yes. I have an appointment with the new therapist in two weeks." Lorelai said

"Good." Derek said

"Please don't tell anyone." Lorelai said

"I don't need to. I wont. But I would tell Spencer and your dad." He said.

Lorelai nodded. "Maybe."

Derek nodded they pulled into the police station. Lorelai wiped at her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror and made sure it didn't look like she had been crying.

The two went inside and shared what they had found out. It took another two days, but they finally had their man in custody. Hotch and Prentiss were interrogating him. Everyone was watching. An officer came into the viewing room.

"Agent Hotchner Jr. There is someone here to talk to you." He said

Lorelai made a face and went out. It was the woman they had spoken to.

"Hello Ma'am, what can I do for you?" Lorelai asked

"You changed your last name didn't you?" She asked

Lorelai took a breathe. "Ma'am, I'm not talking about that with you."

"I get it. You think I should have protected you." She said

"I don't. I don't even know who you are. If you remember me okay. But I don't." Lorelai said

"Lorelai Davies right?" The woman asked

"That's not my name anymore and I'm not that person anymore." Lorelai said trying everything to be as respectful as possible.

"I'm sorry. You're right. Agent Hotchner. Right?" She asked

Lorelai nodded. "Look. My past. Is just that. My past."

"I get that, and I don't want to bring back any bad memories. I did try to help you. I tried to help all of you kids. But there wasn't anything I could do. You probably know. The police in that town. Did everything to keep what was happening secret." She said

"Oh. I'm well aware of that." Lorelai said. "And we were just kids we couldn't go any further and get help. But you were obviously an adult. You could have gone to the state law enforcement. You could have contacted the FBI." She said

"I did. Its why I ended up in New Jersey." The woman said

"What do you mean? It was never reported to the FBI till I did." Lorelai said

"Yes it was. The FBI. I spoke to an Agent Devlin." She said

Lorelai's heart sank. "Steven Devlin?" Lorelai asked

"Yes. He told me there wasn't anything he could do and decided to make it, so I had to move. I believe he might have been part of the cover up." The woman said.

Lorelai nodded. Her brain spinning. Agent Devlin. Now… Director Devlin. Had known. He probably knew who she was when he brought her in to the FBI. The truth.

"You know him?" the woman asked.

Lorelai nodded. "Yes."

"You really don't remember who I am do you?" She asked

"No. I really don't. I'm sorry." Lorelai said "Should I?"

"I look really different." She said

Lorelai tried to dig into her memory trying to figure it out. "I'm sorry. No. I don't know who you are, Did you change your name?"

"Yes I did. My name was Delilah Poppers." She said

"Poppers. That does some familiar." Lorelai said

"I was your mothers best friend." She said

"Auntie D…" Lorelai said without even realizing it.

The woman nodded with tears in her eyes.

"I thought. I was told…" She said tears welling in her own eyes she pulled them into an empty conference room. She didn't need anyone else seeing her in tears.

"That I died… I know." Delilah said "After you got put in that home. I tried to fight for you. I pissed off to many people they told me that I needed to move or go to jail for some things I did." She said. "I just couldn't help you. But I tried so hard." She said

Lorelai took a breathe. "I believe you. I don't have many memories from before that home. But I remember. We used to play with dolls… You got me my first sketch book. I remember you yelling at my mother to get help for me…" Memories washed over her. Memories she had repressed to protect her inner child. "I didn't remember where the love of drawing came from. I do now… I had… I had to forget you. To protect myself…" She said

Delilah nodded. "I understand. You thought I had passed away."

Morgan came out of the viewing room and saw Lorelai talking to the woman in the other room and saw they both were in tears. "Everything okay here?" Derek asked as he went into the room

Lorelai nodded. "Um. Yeah." She said wiping at her eyes.

"You sure?" he asked looking at the older woman. "Do you have anything to add for the case?" He asked

"No." Lorelai said. "It's a personal thing. I'll be back in the room in a couple minutes. Sorry." She said to Derek.

"No. Its okay. Take your time." He said leaving them alone again

"I'm sorry. I have to get back to work." Lorelai said

"I understand." Delilah said, "Your mother would be so proud of you." She said

Lorelai shook her head. "She didn't want me. She wanted a son."

Delilah made a face. "Who the hell told you that?"

"My birth father…" Lorelai said

"Your mother. Loved you. She was so happy when she had a daughter. The drugs and alcohol just… they took over for her. She wanted to get you out of that town. Your father… wasn't a good man. He was a narcissist and violent with your mother." She said. "But he's dead now. You don't ever have to worry about him." She said

Lorelai snort laughed. "I know he's dead. I know she died too."

"Of course. Someone would have told you they both died." She said

"Well yeah someone told me she had passed from a drug overdose. No one had to tell me he was killed though. I was there." Lorelai said

Delilah made a face. "I though I heard he was killed in a stand of with on FBI agent…." She realized as she said it. "You… You had to…"

Lorelai nodded. "He and Dillion. They both had guns. I was alone."

Delilah nodded and wrapped her in a hug.

Lorelai hugged her tight. And took a breathe. Her auntie had used a very specific perfume when she was young, and she smelt like it now. She chuckled.

"What?" Delilah asked

"You changed your name. Your looks. But you use the same perfume." Lorelai said

Delilah laughed softly. "A creature of habit."

Lorelai nodded and smiled. She took a breathe. "Are you being kept quiet because of threats?"

Delilah nodded. "But I don't care anymore…" She said

Lorelai took a breathe. "Cancer?" she asked. She could see in her eyes that she didn't care because she didn't have much time left.

Delilah took a breathe and nodded. "Lung. Stage 3."

Lorelai nodded. "How long do you have?"

"A few months. I have been offered treatment but I'm not going to take it." She said

Lorelai nodded a bit. She wanted to scream, yell, punch something. This was just not fair. She took a breathe. "You don't want to try and fight it?"

Delilah shook her head. "I never married. Never had kids. Your mother was the closest thing I had to a sister. I don't have anyone to fight for."

"What if you had me?" Lorelai asked

"Your so sweet. But you have a new family. Clearly with the name change. Married?" she asked

Lorelai shook her head. "Adopted. By a single father. Long story. One I would love to be able to tell you about. And it doesn't matter. I found out I have a paternal biological family. An uncle, and aunt and cousins. I love my dad. The brother and sister I got from him but that doesn't mean there isn't room in my heart for others. If I had known you were alive. I would have tracked you down."

"I don't want to complicate your life. And I see the look in your eyes. You are going to take down the person in the FBI who knew about it and did nothing. That will be it for me." She said

Lorelai shook her head. "Yes. I will be doing what I can to get him what he deserves. But I cant protect you in the process." Lorelai said

"You're so young. You don't need this baggage." Delilah said

"Auntie D. No. I cant make you fight. That's your choice. But I will protect you till the end. No matter what. I already have baggage. I can add a little more. Trust me it wont make a difference." Lorelai told her.

"You have grown into a wonderful young woman." She said. "I am so proud of you."

Lorelai hugged her again tight. "Thank you."

Hotch came into the conference room and made a face at his youngest agent.

"Everything okay?" He asked

Lorelai cleared her throat. "Yes sir." She said pulling away from the hug

Delilah handed her a piece of paper with her phone number before saying goodbye and leaving the room and leaving the station.

"Who was that?" Aaron asked

Lorelai took a breathe. "I will tell you later. Promise." She said

Aaron nodded. Slowly everyone came into the room and started in on the paperwork. They finished a couple hours later, and they headed to the Jet and started for home.

Morgan sat with Lorelai. "So, you remember her?" he asked

"I do now." Lorelai said. "She looks different. Changed her name. Was forced to change her name actually." Lorelai said

"Forced to?" Derek asked

"By the FBI actually." Lorelai said

Aaron was hearing this and got up and went and joined them. "Okay. What's going on?" He asked sitting down

Lorelai sighed. "My biological mother. Had a best friend. Delilah Poppers. I called her Auntie D. I had been told she had passed away when I was young. I put the memories of her in the vault in my brain. I forgot about her. I needed to. Well apparently she didn't pass away. She reported the abuse in that home to the local police, state police and when both those failed she went to the FBI. She was silenced. She was forced to move far away, change her name or face charges for things she did. I didn't ask what those things were. She apparently pissed off to many people."

Aaron clenched his fist. "Did you get the name of the agent she spoke to?"

"Steven Devlin." Lorelai said

"Wait what?" Aaron said

"I have zero doubts that he didn't know who I was when he pulled me into the FBI. I'm surprised he didn't infer and stop the investigation." Lorelai said

Aaron took a breathe. "He tried to…"

"Of course." Lorelai said

"I was told to go to Idaho and get you but that was it. I ignored him." Aaron said

"Wait. You ignored a direct order from the director?" Lorelai asked

"Yes. He seemed to come around though and okay the investigation after I started it." Aaron said

"Probably covering his ass." Lorelai said

"Okay. Yes maybe. But give him a chance to explain himself." Aaron said

Lorelai nodded. "I will. You're actually going to let me talk to him?"

"Not alone but yes. I will be in the room as well." Aaron said

Lorelai nodded. "Understood. She will need to be protected. She was threatened…"

"I'll handle that." Morgan said.

Lorelai nodded.

"I will have to figure out what she did though." Morgan said

"Understood. I don't know what is it." Lorelai said. "And if I don't need to know you don't need to tell me."

"I will keep that in mind." Morgan said

When they landed Hotch, Hotch Jr. and Morgan went to the office. Lorelai and Aaron went to the directors office and was let in. Aaron had called the attorney general who was already in the directors office waiting

"Agents Hotchners what can we do for you?" The Attorney general asked

The four of them sat at the table in the office.

Aaron looked at Lorelai.

"Did you lie about knowing who I was when you came to my graduation?" Lorelai asked

"Excuse me?" The director asked

Lorelai took a breathe. "I'm trying to remain respectful so don't make it harder. Please. Just answer the question." She said

"I don't understand." The director asked.

"I ran into someone from my past. Someone I was led to believe had passed away when I was young. She told me that she had reported the abuse to the FBI. Specifically, to you." Lorelai said.

The directors face went white.

The Attorney general looked at the director. "Explain please."

"I was not the director at the time. I did take her statement. My team lead told me to burry it." He said

"That doesn't exactly answer my question." Lorelai said.

"And doesn't explain how when she ended up there you told me to go get her but to not investigate." Aaron said

The director nodded. "Yes. I knew who you were. I didn't know you would be part of the class. And when I saw you in the crowd I had no idea who you were. When a background check was done on you to allow you into the FBI that's when I found out. Nothing I told you about being impressed by what I saw in your university records was a lie. When I found out who you were I admit I realized. And yes. I was trying to cover my ass when the case was rightfully opened."

"Who was your superior agent at the time?" The attorney general asked

The director gave a name of someone who had since passed.

"But you knew. And when you became director you could have done something." Lorelai said clear anger in her voice.

"Agent Hotchner." Aaron said in a warning tone.

"No. She had the right to be angry. She's right. I should have done something. When I became director." He said

"Agents Hotchner. I will handle it from him." The attorney general said.

Lorelai nodded and both of them got up and left the room and down to the squad room where Morgan as looking into the woman.

"Do I want to know what she did? Lorelai asked

Derek looked up. "Nope."

Lorelai nodded. "Is it something that can be excused?"

Derek took a breathe. "Not sure. Its not murder but its not stealing a chocolate bar either."

Lorelai nodded. She sat at her desk

Derek looked up. "Everyone makes bad choices sometimes. Doesn't make them bad people."

Lorelai smiled a bit. "I know. I just. The more I think about her the more I remember."

"Good memories?" Derek asked

"Yes." Lorelai nodded and looked up at him. "I know I said if I didn't need to know…"

"Lorelai. You don't need to know." Aaron said looking over Derek's shoulder at the screen.

Lorelai took a breathe. "If you don't tell me I'm going to look it up myself."

"No, you will not Agent Hotchner." Both Morgan and Hotch said in unison

Lorelai took a breathe and started to type on her computer.

"Agent Hotchner you better not be looking her up." Aaron said walking over to her desk and looking over her shoulder. He reached over and pushed the button on the screen turning it off.

"You have two options. You can go home. Or you can continue to do this search and it will end in my office." Aaron told is youngest agent

Lorelai took a breathe. "Please just tell me."

"She will likely find out at some point Aaron." Derek said

"Not if I can help it." Aaron said. "What's it going to be?" Aaron asked his daughter

"Tax fraud." Derek said across the room

Aaron look up. "Agent Morgan!" Clearly he was annoyed with the other man.

Lorelai took a breathe. "Thank you. I'll go home now." She said getting up and going before she left she turned to her dad. "He was just being a good partner. And he's right I would have found out eventually." She said before going

"My office. Now. Agent Morgan." Hotch said.

The two of them went up to the office. Aaron shut the door behind him.

"I told you not to tell her. She didn't need to know." Hotch said

"Sir. With all due respect yes, she did. You didn't see the look on her face I did. She was so happy to see that woman. That woman is part of her family. She has the right to know." Morgan said. "You need to stop seeing her as that little girl who came into this office on her first day. Stop seeing her as your daughter at work. And see her as the capable agent she is."

"I keep work and home life separate." He said

"Really? If it was something to do with Reid's mother? One of my sisters? Would you be keeping us in the dark?" Morgan asked

Hotch took a breathe. He knew Morgan was right. He hated that it was true, but it was.

"I cant imagine its easy to keep the two separate. But you know she is a good agent. An amazing agent in fact. You know she isn't that same person who came in here years ago." Derek said

"I know. I'm not doubting that." Aaron said.

"Than what is it Aaron?" Derek asked

Aaron sat in his chair. "She's grown up. She doesn't need me to protect her anymore."

"Aaron she still needs her dad. But at work she needs you to be her boss and treat her the same way you treat every other agent." Derek said

"I know. I used to think it would be easy." Aaron said with a small chuckle

Derek shrugged. "Don't think you have ever walked away from anything hard, so I think you can handle it."

"Yes Agent Morgan I've got it." Hotch said

"Okay. I'm sorry. Dropping it." Morgan said

"And for future reference if I tell you to do or not to do something work related I don't care your opinion you do it." Hotch said

"Got it." Morgan said he knew arguing would be pointless, so he just agreed.

The two finished their conversation before Morgan went back to his desk and got to work to ensure the woman would be safe after revealing the truth. He made a few calls after a few hours he went home as well.