The team was back in the office after the holidays. They had all been able to take the full week between Christmas & New Years off, so they were all well rested and ready to get back to work.
Any new cases that came in during that time were handled by other FBI teams.
The Director had called Hotch into his office as soon as they got in and Hotch had been in there for over an hour. The rest of the team had come in during that time. Hotch was always the first one in and since Lorelai was without her own vehicle she had to come in with him.
Lorelai told everyone that Hotch was with the director, and they were all curious as to why. It was another thirty minutes before Hotch came into the room to his team. He had a file. "It seems in the past couple months seven more girls have gone missing across three states. They have all been connected to our open trafficking case." He said
"Jet?" Rossi asked as the whole team stood up
Hotch nodded.
"Where exactly are we heading?" JJ asked.
"Four out of the seven were abducted in Idaho." Hotch told them looking over at Lorelai.
Lorelai's heart sank. She could tell by the look on his she knew what he was saying. "Who?" She asked softly.
Hotch didn't want to have to tell her this, but he knew there was no choice. "Rebecca." He said
Lorelai was in shock she wasn't expecting that. She was expecting one of the younger kids. She took a step back trying to lean back into her desk for a moment and almost feel over. Thankfully Rossi saw what was happening and caught her.
"Are you going to be able to work this?" Hotch asked her.
"I-I have to." Lorelai said
"I know this will be hard for you. But if you want to work this case. You need to remain impartial. Treat it like any other case." Hotch told her
Lorelai nodded as she righted herself. "I can do that." She said firmly. She had to. For Rebecca's sake. And the sake of the other children.
They all headed for the jet. Lorelai still seemed very distracted.
On the jet they discussed the missing children the four from Idaho, two were from Nevada and one was from Oregon.
"Those other two states, they boarder Idaho." Lorelai pointed out
The rest of the team nodded.
"Now that I think about it. All the children in the trafficking case. Except the three from Minnesota are all from states that boarder Idaho…" Lorelai pointed out
The team all looked in the files. "She's right. And those three cases. We couldn't really fit them to the trafficking cases. Is it possible that the traffickers just knew our Minnesota kidnapper?" Rossi asked
"We should look into his family and friends. See who has been in contact with him in prison." Hotch told them.
"When we get there. Morgan and Prentiss. I want you to head to Nevada to check out that crime scene. Rossi, Davies to Oregon." He said
"Hotch no. Please I need to s…" Lorelai started but was cut off
"Agent Davies. You will be going to Oregon with Agent Rossi." He repeated in a no-nonsense tone of voice.
"Agent Jareau, Reid and I will set thing up here and talk to the families here and check out the crime scenes here." He continued
Lorelai was not happy. She decided not to press her luck this early in the case and risk being sent home.
When they landed they all went to do there assigned tasks.
Lorelai and Rossi headed for the two-hour drive from where they landed in Idaho to where they needed to go in Oregon. The ride started quietly. Lorelai kept looking at her phone.
"Expecting a call?" Rossi asked after a bit
"No." She said
"Why do you keep looking at your phone than?" He asked
"I was looking at the last emails between Rebecca and I." She said
"Anything that might help?" He asked
"It was about a blind date she was going on." She said
"Did you talk to her after that?" Rossi asked
"Yeah. Well, she texted me that it went really well… but the text seemed to not be in her linguistic pattern." She said
"You should tell Hotch that." He said.
"I already did on the flight here." She said
Rossi nodded. "Good. You know this isn't your fault." He said
"Fault. No. Not my fault. But I should have seen that something was wrong and done something…this was two weeks ago. How were we not notified?" She asked
"Apparently she had run away from her foster home three times previously." Rossi told her
"What? When?" she asked
"The last three months. Apparently she tried to get emancipated, and it didn't happen. She didn't take it well." He told her
"How do you know this?" She asked
"Your not going to like my answer." He said
"Morgan. Again, not telling me things. After he fucking promised." Lorelai said
"Lorelai. What would you have knowing helped? He asked
"I have the right to know." She said. "I maybe could have helped her get through it." She added
"Its not on Morgan." He told her
"He promised he would keep me updated." Lorelai said
"And he was told not to." Rossi said
"Hotch?!" She asked
"Nope. Higher up than that." He told her
"The director?" Lorelai asked
Rossi nodded. "Hotch and Morgan went to the mat for you but were told to not tell you anything."
"The whole team knew but not me?" She asked
"No. Hotch, Morgan & I No one else on the team." Rossi told her
"Do you know the directors reasoning?" She asked
"He thinks you don't know how to keep it from getting personal on cases with those you are close to." He said.
"Why am I working this case at all than?" She asked
"Hotch made a deal with him." Rossi told her
"If I cant keep it from getting personal what? I lose my job?" She asked
"No. Hotch loses his." Rossi said.
"What?! Hotch put his own career on the line? And didn't tell me?!" She said
"He has faith in you. I wasn't supposed to tell you that either." Rossi told her
"Okay." She said looking out the window. "Thank you for telling me."
"You can handle this one of two ways. You can let his faith in you be true. Do your job while keeping it in control. Or give in and let the director be right. And I don't know about you but if the man who brought me in was not doubting my abilities I would want to prove him wrong." Rossi told her.
"This is personal. She is the closest thing I have to a best friend. We survived together." She said
"Its okay for you to let that push you to work harder but work harder to help all the children not just her. And if it gets to be to much you step back. That's okay too. It will prove you know when to step back and let your team cover you." He told her.
The rest of the ride was quiet when they got there they did what the needed to do. Spoke to the families and spoke to the police there and got all the information they could. Meanwhile in Nevada Morgan and Prentiss did the same and Hotch and the other two in Idaho complied all the information as it came in and spoke to the families there as well. Lorelai kind of took a back seat and let Rossi do most of the work just helping where she could. She was to afraid that she would do something wrong and screw things up for Hotch.
Rossi noticed but chose not to say anything. He had her back. They were there for about 36 hours before they headed back. On the ride back Rossi looked at her. "You know you can still do your job. No one thinks you are not a good agent. That is unanimous. You are an amazing agent. Just do what you do." He told her
"I cant do that and not make this personal. This is who I am. I will fight to the death for the people who I care for. I though that's what this family was. But I cant do that and keep it not personal when its someone who helped keep me alive from the age of four." She said
"Are you saying Rebecca's life is more important than the other children?" He asked
"What? No. Of course not." She said with a look of confusion
"Than fight for ALL of them." Rossi said. "You have more passion for saving children than any one I have ever seen. That's a good thing. Just don't make it seem like Rebecca's life trumps any of the other children and don't let the fact that she is missing cloud your judgement. Do what you would do on any missing child's case." Rossi told her
Lorelai was starting to understand what he meant. "Okay. I can do that."
"I know you can Agent Davies. We all know you can. We all know how good of an agent you are. That's why we fight for you. Because you fight for us and for the people who cant fight for themselves. You have already made a huge difference in so many peoples lives. And you will continue to. You can change the world Lorelai. You just need to be the agent you are." Rossi told her.
Lorelai nodded. "Okay. Thank you."
They pulled into the police station in Idaho. She was glad this was several towns over from where she grew up. That place still gave her nightmares. Everyone was back there and got to work on finishing up the profile and making headway in finding the girls and their unsub.
Lorelai was looking through names and photos of people who had known their kidnapper in Minnesota and a picture triggered a memory.
*flashback*
She was in the kitchen making lunch for the kids at the foster home. It was quiet all she could hear was her foster mother and a man talking. She couldn't hear what they were saying but she could tell the conversation was intense. She went back to cooking as her foster mother and this man came into the kitchen. Her foster mother told Lorelai to make the guy a drink. Lorelai asked him what he would like. He made a weird comment about wanting her and smirked before saying he would take coffee. Lorelai got the guy a coffee and felt really awkward like he was watching her the whole time. He was gone before long. He had only seen him one more time and that was with her former social worker in her office just three weeks later and again she felt like he was watching her.
*end flashback*
"Uh. Guys. I think we might have someone to talk to." She said
Hotch looked at her. "What?
"This man. I have seen him before. He knew Jessica. And my old social worker. He grew up in Minnesota." Lorelai told them
Morgan called Garcia and put it on speaker. "Baby girl. Check how Frank Ulterage and Jared Drew know each other." He said
They could hear typing. "They went to the same highschool. Both got suspended several times for inappropriate behavior against the girls and got expelled when they cornered a teacher in her office and tried to rape her." Garcia said
"Thanks baby girl." Morgan said
Hotch looked at the team. "Morgan, Davies. Go find him."
Lorelai's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head. "uh. Wouldn't that be field work. He could be dangerous. And to be honest Sir…I" She said
Hotch felt an overwhelming amount of pride in that moment. He nodded to Lorelai "Reid. Go with Morgan."
Morgan and Reid left
Hotch told Prentiss and Rossi to go talk to Rebecca's foster parents again.
JJ went to check something with the chief leaving Hotch and Davies
"I am incredibly proud of you Agent Davies." He said
Lorelai shrugged. "Don't want to risk -my career"
Hotch looked at her. "Something make you think your career is in the line?"
"Nope. Not -mine" She said. She felt bad putting Rossi in the line of fire, but she was upset with her boss/father.
"Agent Davies. What are you talking about?" He said
"Nothing. I am talking about nothing Sir." She said.
Hotch was annoyed. He knew she was keeping something from him. But right now, was not the time.
Morgan and Reid came back an hour later with the man in cuffs and Reid an icepack on his eye.
"What happened?" Hotch asked.
"This guy. Knows Agent Davies. He made some comments. Agent Reid didn't take it well." Morgan told him.
"How did Reid end up with the black eye than?" Hotch questioned
"Reid got up in his face and suggested he take back his comments. The guy decided to punch him instead." Morgan told him
Hotch told Reid to have a seat.
Reid did as he was told. Lorelai looked at him. "Are you okay?"
Spencer smiled at her. "Yes. I am fine."
Everyone else left the room leaving Spencer and Lorelai alone.
"What did he say about me?" She asked quietly
Reid took a breathe. "I don't know if I should tell you" He said
"I want to know. Please. I promise I wont overreact." She said
"He said that he wished he had a chance to do what he had intended to you." Spencer said
Lorelai took a breathe. "I see. Did he say what that was?"
Reid nodded. "He said in less appropriate words that he wanted to take your virginity."
Lorelai nodded. "I'm not surprised." She looked and made sure no one was watching before quickly kissing his cheek. "Thank you for defending my honor."
Reid was surprised but nodded. "Of course."
Hotch came back in. "Reid. I appreciate you trying to defend Agent Davies."
"I didn't touch him." Reid said
"You egged him on." Hotch told him
"What exactly would you have done Agent Hotchner if you were there?" He asked
Hotch narrowed his eyes. He knew he was right. "We aren't talking about me Agent Reid."
Lorelai bit her lip to keep from laughing and quickly left the room.
Morgan took her into another room. "I have to ask. Is there anything that he did to you?"
Lorelai shrugged "Stared at me and made me uncomfortable. Made comments."
Morgan nodded. "The Director told me that you have felt like you were being watched and after what happened with Goodwin thought it was him. Since he has been locked up have you felt like you have been being followed or watched still?"
Lorelai made an annoyed face. "I cant believe he told you. Did he tell Hotch too?"
"No. You don't get to be annoyed with the director. He did his job. He told me what you should have. And no. He didn't tell Hotch. Now answer my question." He said
Lorelai thought for a moment. "Yeah…I guess I have." She said
"You will go in there and tell Hotch." He said
"Why should I?" She asked
Morgan gave her a look. "You know why Agent Davies."
"I'm expected to tell you all everything, but you guys are told to not tell me things?" She said
Morgan looked at her. "What do you mean?" He asked
"Really? I know Rebecca ran away three times in the past three months. I know you were told not to tell me anything. I know Hotch put his job on the line. I know it all." She said
"We didn't choose that. We were ordered by our superior to do something. We didn't like it, but we did it. We fought for you. But ultimately it wasn't our decision. And as for Hotch's decision that's on him not me. I am telling you to do something and you will go do it. Like it or not." Morgan told her
"Yes Sir." She said with a tiny bit of attitude. She went before Morgan had a chance to call her on it. Spencer was no longer in the room, but Hotch still was.
"Agent Hotchner. I need to tell you something." She said
Hotch looked up at her. "Alright. What?" He asked
She sat down and told him everything about feeling like she was being watched for months.
Hotch listened and clenched his fist. "The director didn't see the need to tell me this?" He asked
"Apparently not." She said.
"Do you know how long Morgan has known?" He asked
"No idea." She said. "I feel like not long seeing as he made me tell you."
"Is he the one who told you about the conversation I had with the director today?" Hotch asked
"I am going to choose not to answer that." She said
"Lorelai. I did that because I knew you wouldn't do anything wrong. I trust you." He said
"But I might have if I didn't know." She said
"No. I don't think you would. Which is why I am letting you go talk to him in interrogation." Hotch said
"What? I don't…" She started
"You are allowed to interrogate." He said
"Yes but I might want to kill him." She admitted
"Well learn self control and get in there, That's an order." He told her
Lorelai took a breathe "who will be in there with me?" She asked
"Rossi." He said
Lorelai nodded
"But you take the lead. Rossi will be your back up and reel you back in if needed." Hotch told her he knew that she had missed her chance to face her abuser in Jessica and that while this guy never touched her he did make her uncomfortable and she had earned the right to face him and get some form of justice for herself.
Lorelai nodded. She hadn't led an interrogation before. She started planning her strategy. Hotch went and told Rossi he was her back up.
After about thirty minutes she had her plan and went into interrogation with Rossi.
"Hello. Long time no see." Agent Davies said.
"Lorelai. It has been far to long." He said
"That's Agent Davies to you." Rossi said
"Ooh. All big shot now. Do they know who you really are?" He asked laughing
Lorelai sat down and just stared. She was taking a page from Hotch and Morgan's books.
Rossi stood back and crossed his arms.
"I could tell them if you would like? I am sure they are all watching on the other side of the window." He said
Lorelai just kept staring.
"I could tell them how we shared multiple nights of passions." He said
"So, your claiming to have slept with a minor?" Rossi asked
"This conversation does not include you. This is between me and Lorelai. And she's not a minor anymore." He told Rossi
Lorelai just kept staring.
"I told you its Agent Davies to you." Rossi said
Their unsub laughed again. "So, you need your little friends to speak for you. I see nothing has changed. Just doing what your told."
There was a knock on the window. Rossi took that as to leave her alone in there with him, so he left nodding to her.
"Good. Just the two of us." The unsub said. "I bet your little boyfriend is on the other side watching. Don't worry I showed him that we are the ones meant to be together."
Lorelai decided to start speaking. "You should be afraid. Agent Rossi was in here to keep me from killing you. And what makes you think the agent you punched is my 'little boyfriend'" She asked
"Oh yeah right. I would like to see you try. You're a pussy. Just like Rebecca." He said
Lorelai bit her tongue. She remembered that freaking out on him would lead them no where. Rossi's words echo through her brain 'Fight for them all not just Rebecca'
"You ever heard the expression it takes one to know one." She asked him
He looked confused "Obviously."
"So, if I'm a pussy what does that make you?" she asked tilting her head
His face turned to angry. "Who the fuck do you think you are? I own you." He said
"Nope. No one owns me." Agent Davies said
"Just wait till I get you alone again. I wills show you who owns who." He said as he threw himself over the table at her.
Lorelai quickly moved out of the way as he flew and fell to the floor. Lorelai stayed seated as Rossi came in quickly. "Wrong move buddy." He said pulling him off the ground and cuffing him again.
"Agent Rossi I still have some questions for him." She said
Rossi nodded and sat him back in the seat and cuffed him to the table so he couldn't move again.
He laughed. "See you cant even defend yourself. You need your big strong protectors."
She ignored the comment and said. "You didn't answer my question. What makes you think the agent you punched is my boyfriend?" She asked
"Oh please. I've seen you with him. When you two got coffee. When he drove you home after getting hurt."
Lorelai smirked. "So, you have been staking me." She said
He realized what he had been tricked into saying. "I want a lawyer." He said
Lorelai got up and started to walk out. "Oh. And why would I have to defend myself against you. One your not worth my time and two I have a team no, a family to do it for me." She said walking out of the room. She went to the observation room and was met with impressed stares.
"Damn, Davies. Your better than Hotch at this." JJ said
Lorelai chuckled. "Nope. Just took his approach." She said
"And made it your own." Hotch said
Lorelai shrugged.
"Are you okay?" Hotch asked
"Yes. Just so its clear. He never touched me." She said
"We know." Rossi said.
"But he has been stalking you for along time." Reid said
Lorelai nodded. "It seems so."
"Alright. Well Prentiss and Morgan have gone with the police to tear apart his house." Hotch told them.
"What should we do?" Rossi asked
"Agent Davies. Anything else you think you can get from him?" Hotch asked
"I can try." She said
"When your ready go back in. Rossi I need you here with her. JJ get Garcia on the phone and see what you can find about his properties. Where he might be keeping them." Hotch said
"I was thinking." Lorelai started. "Those girls who went missing from the home. We assumed were dead. Maybe he has something to do with it." She said
"It crossed my mind too." Reid said.
Hotch nodded. "Something to ask him about." He said "Reid. You and I are going to the scene to help."
When everyone had left Rossi looked at Lorelai. "That right in there. Is how you do your job and not make it personal. There were moment where I wondered if you were going to overreact. I am glad I was wrong."
"Thanks." She said.
"Now go back in there and keep it up." He said
Lorelai smiled and went back in sat back down and started to stare again.
