At the station Hotch looked up at the two agent as they came into the room.
"The kids all are with the social workers. The house locked up and secured." Agent Prentiss informed her boss.
Hotch nodded. "Agent Davies?"
"Dropped off at the hotel." Reid replied
"She give either of you a hard time about it or try to get information?" He asked
"Well. Wouldn't say a hard time. She was… annoyed about having to go back to the hotel. But not really giving a hard time. And yes. She did try to get information." Reid told Hotch.
Prentiss continued. "The only things she was told was that the kids were going with their social workers, she asked if we were sure they were good social workers and I told her yes."
Hotch nodded. "Alright. Well. Rebecca upon finding out about the evidence confessed to being there and the young man responsible has been brought in. What Rebecca failed to mention is this young man is the son of the chief of police."
"Oh. What is going to be done?" asked Agent Prentiss.
"No matter who he is he was just protecting an abuse victim who couldn't defend herself. The only thing that's happening is he is getting therapy just like the other children in this case." Agent Morgan told her and Reid.
Hotch nodded. "Paperwork needs to be finished. This police station is being shut down as well for the time being. The state is going to be looking into hiring some new people so for now the town over will be adding this area to their district. Every single police officer here was corrupt in on way or another. I've found dozens of reports of abuse that were filed for that home. Kids have disappeared. Not one has come forward to say they were alive. Even Lorelai was on the list of missing. I am handling that. The other missing youth will be investigated but that's up to the state police at this point. Keep the paperwork going I will be back." Hotch finished informing his agents what to do before he left taking a file with him.
It was time for him to deal with the youngest member of the team and there was some things he needed to tell her about, and he knew she was not going to be happy about what he had to tell her.
The rest of the team sat down to work on the mountain of paperwork they had to do on this case.
Hotch knocked on the door of Lorelai's hotel room and waited.
Lorelai had gone back to the hotel room and changed into comfortable clothes and laid down to take a nap. She was awoken by a knock on the hotel room door. She got up and went and looked through the peep hole. It was Hotch. She had not seen him at all since he left the police station what felt like a week ago but was had only been a couple days.
She opened the door and let him in. "Hello Sir." She said softly
Hotch stepped into the room and saw the unmade bed. "Were you asleep?" He asked
"Yes. I was taking a nap. But its okay. Truth is I've been having nightmares and flashbacks whenever I close my eyes and sleep." She told him
Hotch nodded. "Something to talk to your therapist about." He suggested
Lorelai nodded. "I think I will be back to weekly sessions for awhile."
He nodded "But right now, we have other things to talk about." He told her pulling the desk chair to the foot of the bed and sat pointing to the bed for her to sit.
Lorelai knew this would come eventually. She sat on the bed and looked down at her hands. "I know."
"You know what?" He asked
"I know there is some stuff to…discuss." She said
"Mhm." He started. "Lorelai. Why didn't you ask for help?"
"Rebecca actually asked me that question too. Gave me an opportunity to figure it out myself." She took a breathe and started. "I have had to be very independent for basically my whole life. I didn't have an 'adult' I could depend on. And while obviously at this point, I'm technically an adult sometimes it doesn't feel like that. Probably in part do to the fact that I am the youngest FBI agent in the entire building. I knew I could ask but for some reason I felt like I had to do this on my own. I was wrong. I realize that now. I'm so sorry but I know that doesn't change what I did."
Hotch watched this agent sitting in front of him and he couldn't help but see a broken little girl. He understood why she didn't ask for him. He got that. However, there was something he didn't accept.
"Okay. I realize that breaking habits are hard. But you also lied. You told me you were helping a friend. Which yes, is true. But you purposely left out that it was here. In this town. You knew that was information I needed to know. I knew you were lying from the moment you asked for the time off. I gave you a couple opportunities to tell me the truth and ask for help. And instead, you, choice to leave out vital information. And lying is not a habit I am okay with. I am going to break that habit as soon as possible." He lectured
"Yes sir." Was the only response she could come up with.
"And also coming out here. Without backup. Would you maybe think that is putting yourself in unnecessary danger? You know the chief of police here has a grudge against you. What if he decided to just shoot you? He didn't know you were an FBI agent he could have done it and thought no one would care. Now he would have been very wrong, but can you see how that would have been a risk?" He asked her.
"Yes Sir." She answered even quieter than before
"I know it's been awhile, but do you remember the conversation we had about how lying is not tolerated and about taking unnecessary risks?"
Lorelai nodded.
"I want to hear your answers Lorelai." He said sternly
"Y-yes sir." She said.
"We also discussed how I handle members of this team when they lie or do something unnecessarily risky. Correct?"
Lorelai took a breathe. "Yes sir. We did."
"Now. Technically you never gave me an answer to whether you would be okay with that or not. I am going to give you that chance now. I assume you thought about it and just never brought it up because it hasn't come up. I actually was beginning to think that maybe you wouldn't ever need to decide but unfortunately I was wrong." He said. "So do you have a decision?" he asked
Lorelai nodded. "I do. Part of the reason I never gave a response is because it wasn't an easy decision I have gone back and forth a lot. I figured like you if it never came up, I wouldn't need to decide. I realized when I was waiting in that back room of the police station after I called you that I would likely need to decide. I have just one question before I answer if that's okay."
Hotch listened and agreed. "Okay one question go."
"If I say yes now. And after its, been done. If I decide its not something I am comfortable with. Can I just tell you and it not happen again?" She asked
Hotch wasn't expecting that question. "Of course. But it will not be stopped mid punishment. If you say yes. You will receive the spanking that I see fit. And after if its not something you can handle or want it wont happen again. Deal?"
Lorelai nodded. "Deal." She took a deep breathe and with a slightly shaky voice she gave her answer. "Yes. I accept this method."
Hotch had been giving her a lot of leeway with not looking at him but in this case, he needed her to look at him. "Look at me please."
Lorelai looked up at him.
"Are you sure?" He asked her
Lorelai swallowed and looked at him. "Y-yes Sir. I am sure."
Hotch nodded. "Okay." He moved over to the bed. He had done this several times before with other agents. He had even in the past been where she was, and he knew this is what was best, but something was making this harder. Maybe because he knew something about her that he didn't think she knew. Maybe because he felt a more fatherly role in her life than the other agents although he did see Spencer as a son in some regards too. Maybe it had more to do with her age.
"Okay. I need you to tell me why you are being spanked." He told her giving himself a chance to come to terms with this.
"I lied. I put my self in unnecessary danger. And I didn't rely on my team…my family."
"Good. Okay. Over my lap." He said
Lorelai was very nervous about this. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but she didn't want to risk her career on one stupid mistake. She did as she was told and got over his lap with his assistance.
"Okay. Since this is a very new thing for you, I'm not going to remove any layers however, if this happens again and you end up on this position again, I will not be as lenient." He told her before he brought his hand down on her backside.
Lorelai didn't have much time to think about his statement before he felt the sharp smack. It didn't really hurt was more a surprise. The lack of discomfort didn't last long though as the smacks kept coming.
Hotch continued the spanking paying careful attention to any sounds she made and the reaction of her body. It wasn't long before she started to grunt and whimper.
Lorelai's small whimpers quickly turned into tears. And that was enough for Hotch. He landed two more swats harder than any of the others before sitting her up and wrapping her in a hug.
Lorelai yelped at the last two before she felt herself being brought into his arms. She sobbed. She had never experienced something like that before. It was by no means comfortable or enjoyable, but she felt something strange, and she couldn't put her finger on what it was it wasn't a bad feeling just different.
Hotch held her till she calmed down than moved her to sitting next to him. "Are you okay?" He asked her as she hadn't said anything.
Lorelai nodded. "Yes Sir." She said
Hotch went into the mini fridge in the room and grabbed a couple bottles of water and handed her one.
"Drink some water." He told her
Lorelai opened the bottle and took a sip. Hotch sat back down on the desk chair.
"Now I'm sure you have questions about the case as you were very impatient about it with me and Reid. Ask away."
"Did Rebecca kill Jessica?" Was the first question that quickly came out of her mouth.
"No. She was there the person who killed her was defending Rebecca. After she called you, she called a friend in the area to come wait with her. He came and Jessica showed up and went to try and attack Rebecca and he jumped in. Evidence proves it was an accident." Hotch told her
"He? You don't mean Kevin?" she asked
Hotch nodded. "Yes. The police chief's son."
Lorelai nodded. "And the guy who I got pregnant with." She told him
Hotch nodded. "He mentioned that when he found out you were an FBI agent and were in town."
"What's going to happen to them both?" She asked
"Both getting therapy. She will be going to a foster home, and he will be back with his parents. Unless. Was he ever abused?" Hotch asked
Lorelai shook her head. "No. He covered up abuse, but he never abused his own kids."
Hotch nodded. "Any other questions?"
"What's happening with the police force and the foster home."
"Both shut down. The state police will be hiring people to run the police station again for the time being the next town over will be getting their calls. For the actually foster home I've heard it might get torn down." Hotch told her.
Lorelai nodded. "I guess that's it for questions. Other than does Rebecca hate me?"
"Hate, I don't know. She was angry with you. But she might come around." He told her
She sighed. "I saw the look of betrayal on her face. But I know I did the right thing."
"Yes, you did. You helped her in the long run. And I'm sure she will see that in time." He told her. Now it was Hotch's turn.
"I have a question for you than I have some information that I found to share with you." He continued
Lorelai looked up at him. "Okay."
"Honest answers and no trouble. How old are you?" He asked
Lorelai looked very confused. "What?"
"Seems like a simple question to me." He said
"I'm nineteen." She said still confused
"Okay. I believe as far as you know that's the truth. How old were you went into foster care? Do you know?"
"Around two is what I've been told I don't really remember. Why?" She asked
"When looking into missing kids from the home your name was listed. I guess they didn't know you where you were so assumptions were made. I got a copy of your foster record and your birth records from the hospital during the case just so paperwork would be finished, and your name could be removed from the missing." He told her
"Okay." Lorelai said.
"There is some discrepancies between your date of birth on your birth records and your foster care paperwork." He told her
"What the days a few days off or something?" She asked.
"No. That wouldn't be as concerning as this. The years are different." He said handing her the file he had brought with him.
"What are you telling me? Hotch please just tell me." She said
"According to your birth records from the hospital. You are sixteen years old." He told her.
Lorelai opened the file and looked at it. Her boss was not kidding. But maybe because she was tired, or maybe because she was just so overwhelmed she couldn't seem to grasp what he was telling her
Lorelai looked confused and it all started to sink in. "Wait. Are you telling me. I am sixteen years old?!" She asked.
Hotch sighed. "Yes. Legally you are sixteen years old."
Lorelai started to feel very lightheaded. "I think I am going to pass out..." She said as she started to fall over thankfully onto the bed.
Hotch got up and started to check her pulse, but she came to quickly. "Lorelai. Are you okay?" He asked her. He moved quickly to the bathroom grabbing a towel and wetting it and placing it on her forehead.
Lorelai groaned. "Yeah… I'm fine." She said. It wasn't the first time this had happened to her.
"What's your name? He asked her
"Lorelai Davies. I am nineteen… sixteen." She said softly as she tried to sit up.
"Okay. Don't sit up yet." He told her
"Its okay. I am fine. It's happened before." He told her as she slowly sat up.
Hotch handed her the bottle of water with an unspoken order of drink. Lorelai took a few sips as everything came back into focus. She took a few deep breathes.
"What do you mean this has happened before? Do you know what the cause is?" He asked her
"Yes. I do." She answered
"And?" He said
"You might not be to happy…" She told him
"I'll definitely not be happy if you lie or not tell me at all." He told her
"Low iron. Plus, intense emotion probably doesn't help." She told him.
"You have an iron deficiency?" He asked
"Yes. Its in my FBI files. I didn't lie about it. I just usually have it under control." She said
Hotch nodded. "I must have missed that. Do you know why it is not under control right now?" He asked
She nodded. "I haven't eaten much since getting here…" She admitted looking at her hands.
Hotch got up and went over to the phone and called room service and order a burger with a salad for her before coming and sitting back down. "Foods on its way." He said. "How often has this happened?" He asked.
"A lot when I was a kid. Food restriction was a big part of her 'games. Doctors think that it probably was caused by food restrictions. When I got a full physical when I moved to Virginia its when I found out. I was put on iron pills for about three months than they realized that having a balanced diet now meant it wasn't necessary to have to supplements anymore. Since than this is the first time I have passed out." She told him
Hotch nodded. "If you know this, why didn't you eat?" He asked
"I forgot… I know it's a bad excuse but it's the truth. When my mental health gets to its worse, I forget to eat." She told him
"Okay, well. We are going to work on that." He told her.
Lorelai nodded.
There was a knock on the door and Hotch went and got her food and put it at the small table. "Come eat." He said.
Lorelai did as she was told and ate the burger and salad. Hotch looked at his phone and answered a couple texts from the team before bringing his attention back to Lorelai.
"What happens now that we know I'm sixteen?" She asked
"Well, legally I have to report this. It was likely not a mistake because if it were, you would be living knowing the truth and the paperwork would just be wrong." He started "And it means that likely you will need to be put back in fost…." He said.
"What? No! Not happening I will get emancipated." She said interrupting him knowing what the next words out of his mouth were going to be.
He raised an eyebrow "Slow down. Let me finish. You have a bad habit of interrupting." He said "That of course is an option, but it doesn't happen over night. I have spoken to my lawyer, and he said for the time being you will have to be in a foster home. I realize things will change drastically for you. I also will have to inform the director and I don't know what he will decide but I know you shouldn't have to lose your career. My lawyer has started the paperwork for me to become an emergency foster parent." He told her.
"W-what?" She said surprised. "I think you need sleep Hotch…you cant be serious."
Hotch smirked. "I think the entire team needs sleep but yes I am serious. I care about everyone on the team of course. But I feel something different with you. Since the first day you walked into my office. I took one look at you and didn't for a second believe you were eighteen. I was right we just didn't know it. And when you went under-cover and we lost connection with you my heart stopped. I know it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I see you like a daughter. And if I can help you stay near and maybe keep your job in some capacity I will." He told her
"I would be giving up my apartment, and any sort of independence?" She said annoyed
"Apartment yes. Independence no. Legally you cant have the apartment unless you do get emancipated. What will have to be given up. Is whatever is going on between you and Spencer. No one is in trouble. You cant expect someone to know something you don't know but now. We know." He said
Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Good god Hotch. That is not your business."
Hotch shook his head ignoring the eye roll. "Trust me I don't want to think about it. Its about the law."
She sighed. "Does he know anything about this?"
"No. I thought it was better for me to let you tell the rest of the team" Hotch told her
"Not that I -want to talk about his but nothing Spencer and I did would ever be considered illegal." She told him.
Hotch shook his head. "I didn't need to know that but okay."
"I don't want to lose my job." She said
"I will go to bat for you with the director. I'll have to tell him, and I believe somethings will change such as field work, but I don't think anyone outside of the team and the director need to know. You are a good agent, and your age doesn't effect that. You are smart and again your age is not a factor in that."
Lorelai nodded. "But. People will notice if you start treating me different." She told him
He nodded. "Fair enough. At work you will be Agent Davies. Nothing will change. You will be treated the same. And you call me what you always do. At home Lorelai and Aaron is fine. How does that sound?" He asked.
Lorelai sighed. "Do I have a choice?"
Hotch nodded. "Yes of course. If you rather you can go to another foster home. Definitely not be allowed to be FBI Agent. Have to age out again. Things will be far more different, and you will have far less independence. With me you will still have your independence." He told her
"How? Ill have to ask permission to do anything." She said
Hotch thought about it for a second. "How about instead you just tell me where your going. You come home at a reasonable time which we can discuss. You respect me I respect you. I know your not a kid Lorelai. But there are things that I have seen that make a lot more sense knowing you are just sixteen." He told her.
Lorelai shrugged. "I guess." She was not happy about this. Most of all not happy that Reid wouldn't want to be with her anymore. "You sure Spencer and I?"
Hotch let out a breathe. "You are sixteen he is twenty-four. I believe that you two have not done anything up to this point. But that doesn't mean things wouldn't happen."
"Fine, he probably wont want to be with me anymore anyways." She said
"I doubt that. Maybe if there are still feelings in a couple years when you are eighteen things can pick back up." He told her "But as for now you know its what's right. If you continued a relationship with him and things happened Spencer would be in a lot of trouble. He would lose his job. Possibly his freedom." He pointed out.
Lorelai nodded she understood and the last thing she wanted was for Spencer to get in trouble because of her. More and more of her life was changing. "Why did they change the date in the first place?"
Hotch shook his head "I don't know. But I will find out. I promise whoever did this will be dealt with." He told her.
Lorelai leaned back in the chair she was sitting in unsure of what was going to happen next. Unsure of where her life was going now. She knew she had to tell Spencer and the rest of the team but right now she was feeling very overwhelmed.
