Hotch and Lorelai showed up at the police station a couple hours after Hotch had left. They all looked up at them.
"Paperwork done?" Hotch asked
They all nodded and confirmed that it was done. "We were just waiting for you two." Said Morgan
"I have something for you to read and sign" Reid told her motioning for her to come sit. Lorelai went over and sat down and started to read the statement making sure it was correct. Hotch got the other Agents to go with him leaving Spencer and Lorelai alone.
Reid noticed what Hotch was doing. "Why do I get the feeling he did that so we can talk?" He asked
Lorelai shrugged "Because he probably did."
Reid took the pen from her. "Okay. What is going on?"
Lorelai looked over at him. "That's going to make it hard to sign" she said making a joke
"Okay. You don't make jokes like that." He said. "What is going on?" He asked again
"I am still trying to wrap my own head around some information. Give me a chance." She took the pen back and signed the statement before turning her attention back to him.
Spencer gave her space and let her finish.
"Look. I don't know how else to say this than to just say it. I was lied to about my age. I was younger than I was led to believe and somehow never realized." She told him
"How much younger?" He asked
"According to my birth certificate. I'm sixteen." She told him
Spencer was stunned. "Sixteen? Wow. What does that mean?"
"It means Hotch is become an emergency foster parent, I am getting rid of my apartment and moving in with him. It means I will certainly not be working in the field for awhile and I we aren't allowed to date anymore." She said rambling.
Reid ran his hand though his hair. "That's a lot to change. How are you feeling about it?"
"Honestly. Annoyed." She said "Why do I have to change my life so drastically when I didn't do anything wrong. I was the one lied to."
Spencer understood "So Hotch is playing dad saying we have to break up?" He asked
"Kind of." She looked confused "You would still want to be with me?"
He nodded. "Obviously, certain things couldn't happen but yes. The age difference wont change when you're eighteen age usually is just a number. Obviously, there are exceptions to that but its just three years difference so total eight years difference between us. Instead of five."
Lorelai smiled. "I don't see a big issue but yeah Hotch kind of made it clear that it couldn't happen. Till I'm eighteen. Or if I get emancipated." She said
Spencer nodded. "I get his point of view. So, we wait. If we are meant to be it will work out in two years. But your considering emancipation?" He asked
She shrugged "I mean it was my first thought till Hotch brought up the foster parent thing."
"You think differently now?" He asked
"I don't know. Hotch can be very convincing." She said
Spencer chuckled. "Yes, he can. How was the conversation about the other stuff?"
Lorelai looked down. "Uncomfortable."
Spencer hugged her. "I'm sorry. We don't talk about it. I just want to make sure your okay."
"I'm fine. It wasn't as bad as I expected." She told him
Spencer nodded. "We should go. That was the last of the paperwork. I'm sure we all just want to head home." He said standing up.
Lorelai got up as well and they went out to the rest of the team. She looked at Hotch and nodded. She was telling him it was done but she wasn't happy and Hotch could see that.
They all headed back to the hotel to grab their things before heading out to the jet. In the car she looked at Hotch. "I told Reid, but I cant…its to much. You can tell the others."
Hotch nodded. "I can do that. Id thought Id let you know the foster parent licence came in and I have informed the director. He said the three of us can discuss what this means in a couple days."
Lorelai nodded and, on the way, home she fell asleep. She woke up a few times with a nightmare but just went back to sleep.
Hotch did tell the rest of the team about what had come up and what was happening now, and they all looked at Lorelai and saw she was asleep.
"How does she feel about that?" JJ asked
Reid responded, "She's not thrilled."
Hotch shook his head "Don't think that question was aimed at you Dr. Reid."
"Your right but it's the truth." Reid told him.
Hotch nodded. "I am aware Reid."
"Okay. I'm sorry." Reid said shutting up
"I appreciate you want to protect her." Hotch told him "It will be a change. I realize that but its better this way than she ends up in a bad foster home where she has to change more." He pointed out. "I too just want to protect her, and this is the only way I can do it." He added.
Reid nodded. He understood where his boss was coming from.
When they landed Reid woke Lorelai up. Lorelai looked at Hotch. "I guess I go with you now?" She said
Hotch thought. "No. Go home. Get some sleep. Tomorrow I will come over. The rest of the team will as well. We will help you pack. I will talk to your rental agent and get you out of your lease. But home. Eat. And bed. Deal?"
Lorelai shook her head and snorted under her breath.
"Problem?" Hotch asked
She sighed. "No. Sorry. Yes deal." She said as she started to leave.
Hotch stopped her. "We have to agree for this to work to be open about things. I ask again. Problem?"
She bit her lip. "You told me that I didn't need to ask permission for things. And you, kind of just told me what to do."
Hotch nodded. "I did. But than I asked you if you were okay with that? Is there something you'd rather do tonight?"
"No. Not really." She admitted
"So, what's the problem?" He asked.
"There is no problem. I am just…" She said
"Being stubborn?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes…" She admitted
"Go on." He told her shaking his head. He had a feeling that it would take a long time to break some of her bad habits, but he was willing to do it if it helped her.
She went to her car and went home. She had some dinner took a shower and went to bed she was exhausted.
The rest of the team did the same. They all received texts from Hotch asking them to go to Lorelai's apartment when they wake up the next day to help her pack up and get ready to move. It was an ask not a demand, but they all agreed to help before heading to bed.
