AU: This is a rewrite I have to do because well it's a long story but here's the short of it. Through this pandemic and because our parents are essential workers, I'm in charge of my four younger siblings with the youngest being six and the oldest being fifteen. So, I recently discovered my fifteen year old brother deleted the first story I wrote out of spite because I yelled at him for flunking his History class on Google. In my defense, I'm nineteen and totally not used to parenting my siblings so I think we were both overreacting, but I am super annoyed with him right now because I've since deleted and just don't have saved chapters of this story.
Anyway, I'm going to have to rewrite this all from scratch. I'm annoyed, but deciding to make lemonade out of these not so great lemons.
So I've decided to make a lot of changes because when I started this story I was I think like sixteen and I hope to have grown up since then. Okay, so as I said before JJ believed her baby was stillborn and she joined the BAU after graduating from Georgetown so a year after having Charlie. I've decided to start the story at the end of Season 11 so the summer leading into Season 12.
Disclaimer: I know things are going to be different and I'm sorry this happened, but I want to see if I can write this story again despite what my brother did. Anyway, enjoy or try to enjoy because as I said I'm gonna have to make changes because I can't remember every detail. For example, Callie's name is going to be Charlotte Riley. I changed her name because a friend of mine passed away recently and his name was Charlie and this is one of the ways I'm trying to honor him.
Starting anew has at least allowed me to change things I didn't love the first time. Lemonade, I'm going to make lemonade out of this.
Chapter 1- Can't Go Back Now
The walk from the bus station to the address took Charlie much longer than she thought. It didn't seem near as long on Google Map. Then again, two squiggles on an iPhone 4 with enough cracks to impress a spider is maybe not the best indicator of distance. Charlie should have guessed it would take her long. The stuff she wants to get done fast always does. At least, that's how it feels to her. Walking helps her think though. It can help her focus on the job instead of on how the Virginia July humidity has made her shirt sticks to her back.
Her hands are trembling. Charlie has always known her mother's name. Well, she knew she had a name is closer to the truth. She only found out the woman's actual name after the brawl broke out at the McCall's and Charlie snuck a glance at her birth certificate. Charlie scribbled down the name in her fifth grade reading journal which she has kept ever since. The letters have long since faded over the last four years looking near invisible now. But, the real search in finding Jennifer Jareau only took a few clicks on Facebook; it's crazy how fast it is to find someone. It was also made easier by the fact that Charlie plugged in the town she was born in. Luckily enough, Jennifer had that in her bio as being her hometown. She also had her current hometown and with the help of Ben, Charlie was able to narrow down the street where she could possibly live due to the fact that she posted about moving into a new house with her family.
Now Charlie just has to find the right house.
The only part of this messed up journey that has stunned Charlie is the fact that Jennifer lives two bus rides away from her current foster home. All right, I'm okay, Charlie mentally reassures herself as she tries to ignore the hot sweatyness of her t-shirt, all Jennifer has to do is sign this and I'm free.
As Charlie walks down the street, she frowns. The houses are nice with front yards and some even have a porch, it's like the freaking Cleavers live here. Red hot anger courses through Charlie like a fire cracker. A part of her kind of hoped Jennifer lived in a drug den. That way Charlie could childishly reassure herself that Jennifer did indeed give her up to give her, her best chance. But, seeing all of these houses in real time makes the freshly turned fourteen year old feel jealousy she didn't know she had. It would've been easier to believe her mother couldn't take care of her because of some addiction, not because she never wanted her.
Suddenly, the house from Jennifer's post is in front of her. It has a porch. Charlie's always liked porches; they make a house seem sweet like it's welcoming you. At least, that's what Charlie has always believed. Out of the three fosters she's had; only one house had a porch and Alma will always be her favorite. The McCall's were nice, but their time was always divided and they were intended to be a home for troubled teenage foster kids – and at the time Charlie had been just nine.
Taking a deep breath, Charlie tucks a loose strawberry blonde curl behind her ear. She sighs as she walks up the path. You got this. Just get the fucking signature and duck out. It'll take fifteen minutes, maybe even ten. Of course, Charlie has to make it back before Alma gets home from her job at six, but it's only three, Charlie figures she has more than enough time to get back. She could always text Alma she's hanging out at Ben's.
With that in mind, Charlie goes to the front door, her fingers rapping against the wood a few times. The sound of a person unlocking the door and pulling it open causes Charlie to take a step back. The teenager forces out a grin as a man with dark brown hair swings it open.
"Ah," he doesn't recognize the girl as any kid on their street. "How can I help yah?" He asked his southern drawl peeking through. There's a toddler on his hip and a boy with short blonde hair standing behind him wearing a confused squint that matches his father's.
"Uh…you see, ah," Charlie feels herself choking on the words. "I must have the wrong house." She fumbles to take a step back, damn near tripping off the porch but the man manages to take her hand and maneuver the one year old from falling out of his grasp.
After noticing a spark of anxiety flicker through her eyes, Will instantly releases her hand. "Well, who're yah lookin' for then? I'm friends with most of the neighbors. Maybe I can help yah. Bubs, can you get a snack for Michael and set the X-Box up for us? I'll be there in a minute." He carefully puts the toddler and glances at the older blonde who nods as he takes his little brother's hand, steering him deeper into the house.
Charlie plays with her hands, running her fingers along her palms. "S-Sorry…do you uh know Jennifer Jareau?"
His eyebrows shoot to his hairline. "Yeah, I'd like to think I do." Charlie perks up. Okay, she got the wrong house but he's going to point her in the right direction. None of her usual indicators of him being a creep are pinging in her head so Charlie inches a centimeter closer. "I'm Will, JJ's my wife." And just like that, Charlie's mountain of hope comes crashing down around her.
"Fucking seriously?" Charlie laughs, despite knowing just how crazy she must look, she laughs. She can't help it, the walk and beam of sun has clearly caused her to lose her mind. Charlie blinks at the sudden realization that those boys she saw must be Jennifer's sons which mean genetically they're her brothers, half-brothers. The teenager attempts to keep a straight face and not let this news get to her.
"Jennifer's not here." Will's tone sharpens slightly. He may be relaxed, but that doesn't mean he takes too kindly to hearing little kids cuss around him. Deciding to take it down a notch, he scrubs a hand over his face. "Is there something I can help yah with?"
"No…I mean no sir. I just…I need to uh talk to Jennifer. Do you know when she'll be back?" Charlie feels her cheeks burn at the stumbling of practically every word.
Will eyes her warily. "Soon, I think. I'd guess 'bout an hour tops." Charlie rubs her eyes wishing she hadn't walked here; it's three-thirty now. She may still be able to make the two buses and beat Alma home but she still has Ben as her backup plan. Waiting an hour isn't going to kill her either, she's waited fourteen years for this. The least she can do is wait another hour. "Lookit," the father recognizes the flood of weariness and sadness. "I'll call her now and have her come back and she'll be home real soon all right?"
"Thanks," Charlie mumbled still feeling a flood of emotions bounce of one another. None of them seem to be landing anywhere. "I'll just uh wait here for her." She shifts her backpack on her shoulder as she looks down at the front steps.
"You're gonna wait for her in this heat? And with those red curls, are yah crazy?" He asked folding his arms over his chest. There's just something almost amusing about this kid. "I can't letcha sit out here and fry."
Charlie said. "I'm good out here." It isn't that she feels uncomfortable around Jennifer's husband, if anything he seems like a solid guy, but Charlie doesn't want to let herself know them. This would all be much easier if Jennifer was home, at least then, she could've avoided the impromptu meeting of her half-brothers and maybe step-father but Charlie isn't even sure that's his title.
"I ain't gonna hurt yah." Will promised as he tries to think of a way to help the girl feel at ease. "But, it's smart of yah to recognize that going into a stranger's house ain't okay. So how about you type 911 into your call box or whatever it's called then if you feel uncomfortable at any time, you can call em' all right?" Charlie studies him looking as though she's trying to understand a missing puzzle piece. The squint causes Will to do a double-take, now he knows he's seen that frown somewhere. "JJ would kill me if she came home and saw you sitting on the porch in ninety degree weather." He added as he takes a step back, allowing Charlie inside. "Really, I should be thanking you." Charlie looks at him oddly. "You're saving me from a night on the couch."
Charlie awkwardly continues following him inside. She shudders at the cool air they have on. Alma gets cold fast and often has the temperature at seventy-three every night. Here, it doesn't feel too hot or too cold. Much like Charlie assumes this life is, it's perfect. She scowls; even the fucking AC is perfect.
"Have a seat wherever yah like." He leads her into the living room where Henry has set up their game and Mike is banging his toy cars. Will plops down beside his oldest with raised eyebrows at the sight of chocolate around both his boys' mouths. "There somethin' yah feel like sharing, little man?" He asked poking the nearly eight year olds belly in amusement. Henry giggles. Will sees Charlie standing near the couch and gestures for her to sit. "You can sit if yah like. Did yah walk from the stop? I did that once and I couldn't move for a week after." Charlie sits and is surprised to find he's somewhat right, she is tired. Maybe not so much from the walk, from the plethora of facts she unknowingly discovered. Charlie knows she should feel angry, but all she feels is tired and bit hungry.
"Who are you?" Henry questioned. He's never seen her before. "Why are you here?" His tone comes off a bit ruder than the boy intended, but really his curiosity is getting the best of him. His dad also said he couldn't go to the park again because he had an attitude at lunch.
"I don't know if we should play with the tone you're working Henry." Will agreed to an hour of video games after Henry came out of his room after spending some time thinking to apologize and asked if they could do a project together with Michael too. Henry's eyes widen. "Yah ain't being very polite right now. She's our guest and we don't talk to guests like that." To be honest, Will isn't sure what this red headed girl is but he's not going to let his son be sassy.
"No daddy, I want to play. I was just wondering who she was." Henry pouts sadly. He turns his big wide blue eyes onto the girl almost pleading with her to understand.
Out of kindness, Charlie throws him a bone. "I'm Charlie Riley."
Henry cocks his head to the side while Will mentally catalogues the name. "I'm Henry James LaMontange," he grins broadly causing Charlie to half-grin. He really does seem sweet. An idea erupts in Henry's head. "Hey daddy, since she's a lady and stuff, we should have brownies with her." Will raises his eyebrows at the thought while Mike looks over at the mention of brownies. He and Henry had a few while their father was busy. "We should have some with Charlie too cause it wouldn't be nice if we didn't. Mommy wouldn't like it." At the word 'mommy' Charlie visibly flinches and feels her breath catch. These actions don't go unnoticed by Will who frowns thoughtfully.
"What do you say Miss Charlie?" Will turns to the deflated teen. "You want a brownie?"
"Uh sure I guess." Charlie shrugs, if only to make Henry happy, and it works because he practically sprints into the kitchen. The fourteen year old sighs, she doesn't want anything but a signature from these people. She should've said no, but that would mean the kid would pout and for some reason, Charlie doesn't like seeing him look as sad as he did when his dad scolded him. It was pretty mild as far as lectures go, Charlie's heard worse. Linda Dalton lectured her, Bug, Ben, and Tasha every night about being better god-fearing Christians. At the time, Charlie was eight and didn't really understand what any of that junk meant, but now that she's older she knows. Linda was just bat-shit crazy.
Will shakes his head at the sight of his son scampering off as he hoists Michael into his arms. "We'll be right back with your brownie." He promised, hoping Charlie doesn't go anywhere because this at least gives him some time to text JJ and hope she's nearly home from her case.
JJ tries with all of her might not to freak out. Her driving is already erratic enough as it is. They literally just got off the jet nearly an hour ago only for her to receive a text from Will, about there being some strange girl demanding her presence. Will didn't get any details; all he got was her name, one that JJ is having Penelope trace her because she can't remember ever meeting a girl named Charlotte Riley, that name just isn't striking any bells. She kept this private too, only informing Garcia and Morgan because Derek lives relatively close. Luckily, Will also just texted that he doesn't think she seems dangerous, but he's bearing on the side of caution. Morgan hasn't been requested to be back-up just yet so there is hope there.
Her phone buzzes. "Hey, Pen, no I'm not sad to hear your voice. I'm just worried about my boys." JJ can't help but wonder if this is some trick an UNSUB has created in order to frighten her. Taking a deep breath, she listens as Garcia relays everything she found about Charlotte Riley in the last forty-seven minutes.
After another half hour of watching Henry race his Rocket League, Will sends his son off to read a book or play in his room; dealer's choice. He then excuses himself to put Michael down for a quick nap. He didn't sleep so well during his usual nap today and Will figures a late afternoon nap might be just the thing to help snap the sixteen month old out of his funk. He also has to text JJ again and reassure her that everything's fine. As he drapes a blanket over the tiredly frustrated boy, Will pecks his forehead gauging for a temperature.
"Night-night, little guy, I'll getcha in an hour." He smooths back the boy's hair.
While he's gone, Charlie checks her phone for the time and swallows at the sight of it being nearly five. She sends a quick text off to Alma telling her she's going to stay at Ben's for a while longer. If Charlie thought she was going to be here any longer than this, she would've forged the signature.
"So," Will's voice causes her to jump startled. "Sorry to scare yah, I uh I…" he sits down on the opposite couch in an effort to avoid frightening her. "Ah how do yah know my wife, if yah don't mind me asking?"
"I don't." Charlie responded simply. "I don't like know her, know her." The girl rubs her nose looking eerily similar to Henry when he's trying to figure out what he wants to say. "I-I've never even met her. Well, I guess I kinda did like once, but maybe not. You'd hafta ask her that."
The Southerner nods, deciding once again women are a mystery he will never solve. "If you've never met JJ then why are you here?"
"I need her signature."
"Her signature?"
"Yeah, once I get it. I'll be gone. I know you uh probably didn't think I'd be here this long." Charlie murmured more to herself than the cop who's giving her a confused squint. Not too many people can read him quite as easily as Charlie's managed to do. Then again, maybe the kid is just overly perceptive. Will's encountered a few of those in his time, he's found most of those kids are the ones who are too smart for their own good.
Will swallows, doing his best not to go 'cop' on this girl and demand answers. "Hey do you like lemonade? I'll be right back. I'm gonna get yah some lemonade." He announced getting up and leaving without giving Charlie a chance to reply. She shrugs, collapsing into the couch, exhausted and annoyed. Will may not know what the hell is going on, but he does know leaving the girl outside would've been a dick move. It's freaking July and the weather is persistently sticky with a rainstorm in these last few weeks. With a quick glance over his shoulder, Will takes out his phone to call JJ. "Hey Cher, no I still don't know." He sighs. "When're yah due home? Good, okay then. Of course Garcia did. What'd she find? Foster care, really I kinda thought she was twelve or so." Will glances at the wall as though conjuring up a mental image of Charlie. "She's got kinda blonde red hair and blue eyes…she's small too, didn't think she was fourteen. Girl looks like what fourteen year olds eat for breakfast." A brief chuckle can be heard on the other end. "Yeah I don't think she's much of a threat. Cher, I'd never let her into our home if I thought for one second she was – lookit, all I know is she showed up looking for yah. I will. Don't worry; okay I'll see yah in a hot minute then." Will clicks off before wandering back into the living room.
JJ takes a turn onto her street with a relieved grin. She was behind someone from Maryland and for some reason those people are the slowest drivers she's ever been fortunate enough to meet. Just a minute more and she'll finally get some answers about this anomaly that is this girl.
Charlie tries to keep her feet from twitching in anticipation. She can do this. She shouldn't even be feeling all that nervous right now. In fact, she should be feeling good. All it is a stupid signature, nothing more. She isn't going to let herself get stuck on how Jennifer has other kids – ones she kept or how perfect her life seems. The girl smirks noticing that Will forgot her lemonade. Charlie knows he probably left to talk to Jennifer and based on his expression of relief, she's probably close.
"Uh," Charlie puts her hands on her legs to settle down. "Can I use your bathroom?" She asked causing Will to point out the way. "Thanks." The silence and foot tapping was getting to him. He's no kid-whisperer, but he thought he was good enough around them to be able to crack them, but this one is proving him wrong in every way.
The fourteen year old only feels marginally bad about lying. She doesn't have to go, or at least she didn't at first but stepping into the bathroom, Charlie remembered how long it had been since she had gone. She flushes the toilet and leans against the sink getting a good look at herself. Her hair looks damp and wild, like she got out of the shower and didn't bother brushing it. The dampness is from the heat, but the curls is all her. Charlie's hair has always had a kink to it. Her foster, Jenna McCall, used to say she had some Italian in her with all these curls. The girl turns on the faucet to wash her hands and then maybe water down the curls. She jumps at the sound of the front door opening. It's now or wait four more years. No, Charlie has to just rip the band-aid off and hope the scab underneath didn't turn into a scar.
"So where is she?" JJ demanded nervously, her posture tense as though prepping for a fight. The last time she felt like this was with The Queen of Diamonds. "Where's the girl?" She looks around for the kid that has her husband concerned. Hell, she's worried too. Some girl shows up out of the blue demanding to see her and waits for almost two hours, this girl must either be desperate or up to something. Either way, JJ's on high alert. Random people do not just make house calls, not when it comes to her team.
"She's ah in the bathroom."
The profiled asked seriously. "Did she tell you what she wants?"
Charlie guesses now is as good a time as any and walks out of the bathroom. The entrance would've been more dramatic had Charlie not tripped over her own feet, nearly falling into Jennifer in the process. On her part, JJ manages to catch her and prop her up again. "Oh man," the young girl muttered with a sense of embarrassment etching onto her features as JJ offers her a shrug. Charlie quickly steps away from her and a decent three feet away before taking a deep breath. "I uh I mean no, I didn't tell him cause it doesn't hafta do with him." JJ frowns, not sure what this clumsy kid wants. "I'm Charlotte Riley and I need my biologically mother's signature," she takes a crumbled sheet of paper out of her back pocket, flattening it out on the nearest couch. "Since that's you," Charlie is too busy trying to get the paper straight to notice the identical looks of shock on both adults face. "You hafta sign this so I can get emancipated."