It had been two weeks since they had come home from Lorelai & Rachel's hometown. Things had gotten back to normal. Rachel had been dealt with and she paid Lorelai back. Lorelai was finally approved to go back to work. It had taken two more weeks after she answered the question that her therapist had asked before she would let her return to work.
The elevator dinged and the door opened at her floor, and she stepped off and walked towards the squad room. She noticed only Reed was there. "Good morning." She said
"Morning." He responded.
"Where is everyone?" She asked looking up at the two offices upstairs and seeing the lights off
"I believe Morgan is with Garcia. Rossi and Hotch are with the director. JJ is going to be late and not sure about Prentiss." He said
Lorelai nodded.
"You ready to be back at work?" He asked
"I've been ready for weeks." She said
Slowly everyone came into the squad room. A new case hadn't come in but there was a lot of paperwork to get caught up on from previous cases. Lorelai didn't have any paperwork to do however as she hadn't been working in a few months. She decided to go visit with Garcia.
"Hey." She said as she knocked on her open office door.
"Welcome back!" Garcia said getting up and hugging her.
Lorelai smiled and hugged her. "Thank you."
"No new case?" Penelope asked
"Nope. And I have no paperwork, so I thought maybe you didn't either." Lorelai said
"I don't actually. I've been keeping up with it." Penny told her
"Good. We can hang out then?" Lorelai said
"Sounds good." Penny said
The two girls just sat and chatted about random stuff. At one point they both heard a phone ringing. It wasn't either of their phones.
"Who's phone is that?" Lorelai asked looking out the office door, but no one was there.
"It sounds like its coming from you." Penny told her.
Lorelai quickly pulled a phone out of her pocket. "Hello?" She answered and her heart started to beat fast. The voice on the other end was begging for help and the line went dead.
"Garcia. I need you to trace where this call came from and text the team when you get it." She asked her she gave her the number of the burner phone.
Garcia quickly got to work without asking any questions.
She quickly went to the squad room texting Hotch and Rossi on the way.
"Um. I need help. I can explain on the way, but someone is in trouble, and we need to get there now." She said to the squad room where Hotch and Rossi had come as soon as they got the texts.
The Agents in the room stood up and they all headed out.
"Long story short. I have given some teen girls who I could tell were being trafficked a business card with an alias and a burner number. I just got a call on the burner phone. Garcia is tracing the number." She told them as they headed out to their cars.
Garcia texted the whole team the address when she had found it.
The team all went quickly not asking questions just yet. At this moment all that was important was helping this person who was in trouble.
When they got to the location it was an old, abandoned gas station.
They all got out guns drawn. Lorelai staying in the vehicle till the area was cleared.
She got out and called out. "Anyone here? Someone called me." She said
Slowly a girl. Who looked no older then fourteen came out from hiding she was evidently pregnant.
"It- it was me." She said softly
Lorelai went to her. "It's okay. You are safe now." She said but as she was going towards her, another car pulled in and two men got out and drew guns.
The team quickly got in front of Lorelai and the young girl to protect them and drew their guns on them.
"FBI." Hotch called out "Drop your weapons. Now." He said
"Let my sister go and we will." One of the voices called.
"Why was your sister here calling for help?" Morgan asked
"Because she knows she in trouble for being pregnant." The older of the two spoke.
"We clearly aren't a risk to her safety so you need to drop your weapons and we can talk about this." Hotch said.
"No." One of them shot towards the group the bullet swooshed past Hotch's head and hit the building behind. Lorelai grabbed the girl and pulled her down to make sure any further shots avoided them.
The team shot hitting both of the men. One in the leg the other in the shoulder. Both went down. Rossi and Prentiss quickly got Lorelai and the young lady to the vehicles while the rest of the team went to the men on the group and called in for ambulances.
Quickly they came and took both men and the young lady to the hospital. Lorelai went with the girl. Morgan, Reid, Hotch & JJ went with the men to keep them from getting away. Leaving Rossi and Prentiss at the scene.
In the ambulance Lorelai looked at the girl. "What's your name?"
"Bridget." She said softly
"How old are you?" Lorelai asked
"Thirteen."
Lorelai nodded. "Was that guy your brother?"
"Step-brother technically." She said. "The other guy is his friend."
"Okay. Did you call me for help to get away from him?" She asked
Bridget nodded. "He. And my stepfather have been. Making me. Do things I didn't want to do. And I got pregnant. I was supposed to have an abortion today. They found out and wouldn't let me. I took off and hid. Someone gave me your card and said you were someone who I could call for help. I didn't know you were FBI."
Lorelai nodded. "Where is your mom in all this?"
"She died. Last year. My biological father was in the marines and died when I was seven. My mom remarried two years later and than died last year. My step-father is my legal guardian." Bridget told her
Lorelai shook her head. "You are safe now. I will make sure they cant ever hurt you again." She held her hand and went into the hospital with her and when she had a chance texting the team what Bridget had told her.
Hotch got the text and contacted CPS to get her a case worker. He texted the team and told them this. He also called local law enforcement since technically this wasn't an FBI case, but they agreed to let the FBI know if they needed help.
Within an hour local law enforcement had showed up to the hospital and to the shooting scene and the team made their way back to the office.
The car ride started off quietly but eventually Lorelai broke the silence. "Go ahead." She said to Hotch
"Go ahead?" He asked
"Ask me questions. Lecture me. I know it's coming." She said
"Oh, It is. But not right now." He said.
When they were back at the office he called a meeting of the whole team to the conference room. They all went Penny also had joined them.
"I think we all have questions and considering how the situation went we all deserve some answers." Hotch said. He looked at Lorelai. "So now. Start talking."
Lorelai took a breath and closed her eyes. "When I first started working here. I saw a group of teenagers at a truck stop. I knew they were in trouble I went to offer help and they refused it. They said they were fine. The next day I saw on the news one of them was dead. That day I decided to use an old trick I had heard of at the academy. I created an alias. Sarah Smith. I choose a manicurist because I knew it wouldn't draw attention if a pimp found it." She said not opening her eyes once. "I had the business cards made and handed them out when I saw girls at truck stops and they refused help.
"Agent Davies. Why. Didn't you tell us?" Rossi asked
"When I first started here. I didn't trust anyone. You all know it took me a really long time to trust anyone." She said. "When we found out I wasn't as old as we all thought and went to live with Aaron I stopped. I knew I couldn't do it anymore when I was only sixteen. I stopped giving out cards, but I couldn't just give up on the girls who I gave those cards too. I kept the phone. I told myself if I ever got a call I would come clean and today was the first time I got a call." She said
"No one called your burner phone before today?" Reid asked.
"No. I keep it on at all times. I use it for nothing but this purpose." Lorelai told them
The team was all quiet for a few minutes. Hotch looked at the team. "anyone else have any questions?" he asked.
They all shook their heads.
"Okay. You can get back to paperwork. I will let you know if this becomes an FBI case but for now it has been handed over to local law enforcement. Garcia, please make sure if any body has been found with that business card on them you find them and if they are found in the future that the case comes to us" He said
The team all went except Agent Davies and Hotch.
When they were gone Hotch looked over at Lorelai "Look at me." He said in a low angry voice.
Lorelai looked up at him. Holding back tears.
"I understand the lack of trust in the beginning. I understand it took you time to trust us. I understand why you didn't say anything in the beginning. I understand why you wanted to help those girls. What I can not understand. Is why you didn't say anything when you knew you could trust us?" He asked.
"I was scared. I knew that I was already being given a lot of leeway being only sixteen at the time. If you guys found out about this then I wouldn't be allowed to be an agent anymore. I figured if I stopped, and no one ever called me…" She said
"That is not a good excuse agent Davies." He said slightly raised voice.
She took a breathe. He didn't yell. He never even raised his voice. He was angry. "I know." She said softly
"When are you going to learn. To actually trust us?" He asked
Lorelai looked at him. "I do trust you. This isn't about lack of trust. Its about me being… stubborn."
"Do you understand what trust is? Because if you trusted us. You would have trusted us to have your back." Hotch asked.
"This isn't about that! Your just pissed off because one of your agents decided to do something on their own. And your pissed because you think this… could have been avoided if I told you about it." She said getting annoyed and standing up and walking towards that door.
"Agent Davies. You walk out that door and you will be suspended." He said.
Lorelai stopped and looked back at him.
"I'm dead serious." He said
Lorelai sat back down.
"I do not. Blame you for this. I blame the people who forced her into and who shot at us." He said
Lorelai nodded. "Sorry." She said.
Hotch nodded. "How many girls did you give cards to?" He asked.
Lorelai thought. "Around 50," she said
Hotch nodded. "I take it you have no names."
"No. I know each location they were when I gave them out." She said
He nodded. "Well, when you write up your report you can list those places and I will pass it on to the police. Of if this becomes an FBI case we can look into those locations" He said
Lorelai nodded.
"And you should look up the definitions of team, family & trust." He said. "I think you need a refresher." He said getting up.
"I know what they mean." She said with an attitude. "Its why I came to you all when I got a call." She said angrily standing up as well.
He stopped dead in his tracks and turns around to look her dead in the eyes. "Agent Davies. You will drop the attitude. And do as you are told." He said
She took a deep breathe. "Would you be acting like this if it was Agent Prentiss? Or JJ?" she asked calmly
"They are not seventeen." He said
"And when I was giving the cards out I thought I was eighteen and nineteen. I stopped as soon as I found out the truth." She said
"That's not why I'm angry. I am angry you didn't tell me. When you found out the truth." He said
"I am expected to tell you everything I did before I knew truth?" She said
"No. You are expected to tell me things that could effect your safety because you are in fact under eighteen. And a lot of rules are being bent to allow you to be an FBI agent." He said
"I know that. And I am very thankful for that. I know you are a big reason for that, and I thank you. However, that doesn't mean I am going to tell you things that I don't think will do anything but worry you or anger you. Why would I want to go out of my way to annoy you when I do that without trying." She said
"I wouldn't have been angry if you had come forward with it when you found out the truth about being only sixteen. Yes. I would have worried but as your father I have that right." He said
"You told me when you brought me into your home that at work you are my boss and at home you are my parent. Well, we are at work. This isn't something I would ever tell my -dad. My boss is who I told about this situation." She said
Hotch took a breath. "Fine. As your boss I would be worried yes. I am not angry this situation happened. As humans we have the want to protect our young and vulnerable. As I have said I understand why you did what you did to help them." He shook his head. "This conversation is just going in circles. I am ending it now. You should have told me when you found out you were sixteen." He said. "End of discussion. We will discuss consequences later. Go do your paperwork." He said.
Lorelai took a breathe. She was annoyed but she did as she was told and went to start on her paperwork.
She sat down at her desk and put her head in her hands. The team noticed but didn't say anything. After a few minutes she looked up at them. "I'm sorry." She said. "I'm sorry if it feels like I don't trust you all. That was not the situation." She said
"I don't think that's what this was." Morgan said.
"You don't? Does anyone besides Hotch think that?" She asked
They all shook their heads. She had a sudden gut feeling that she knew there was more than what Hotch was saying about how he was feeling. She wrote up her paperwork quickly. When she was done she went up to his office with it and knocked on the door.
"Enter." Hotch said before she went in.
"I'm done the paperwork sir." She said putting it on his desk. "I also wrote up separately the locations I gave out the cards to make it easier to get to local LEO'S" she told him
"Thank you agent Davies" he said.
She took a breathe. "Are you upset with me as my boss or my dad?" She asked
"Cant it be both?" He said
"Of course. But are you upset your agent or daughter didn't tell you something?" She asked
He took a breath. "Daughter." He admitted. "I know this is a work situation, but it has become very hard to keep them apart." He said
"I'm sorry. It's not easy for me either. I have nothing but the upmost respect for you. As both my dad and my boss. I know. It might not seem like it, but I do. To be honest I was scared. I was scared you would be angry. And the longer I didn't tell you the more worried I would be that you would be more angry with me. I should have told you. As my boss. And I'm sorry but if you were just my dad and not my boss I would never have told you. If you were in my position would you tell your parents?" She asked
Hotch took a breath and listened to her talk. When she was done. "No. I probably wouldn't no. Thank you for being honest with me." He said
Lorelai nodded. "What happens now?" She asked
Aaron took a breath. "Is there anything else I as your boss should know? Anything else from before that you have neglected to tell me?" He asked
Lorelai thought for a minute and shook her head. "Nothing I can think of no." She said
"Okay." He thought for a moment. "I assume if you ever get another call you will let me know?"
"Yes. Of course. I will tell the whole team." She said
"Okay." He thought for a moment. "No matter the reasoning you still put yourself at risk. If someone figured out the truth of who you were it would have not only put those girls in danger but also put you in danger. This team cant protect you if we don't know what to protect you from." He said
Lorelai nodded. "Yes Sir."
"And yes if any agent did this I would be angry." He said. "I'm glad you told us when it came up. That was the right thing to do." He continued. "There is a chain of command for a reason." He added.
She nodded again.
"I have informed the director of the situation. Like you I have a boss I report to." He told her
"I understand Sir." She said
"He has agreed that given the fact that you can forward when it became a serious risk that this can be handled off the books. And because I feel like you wont do this again. A warning. Pull a stunt like this again and I will not be lenient. Understood?" Hotch finished.
"Yes sir. I understand. It wont happen again." She said
"Go. Find something to do." He said.
Lorelai went quickly before he had a chance to change his mind and went back to the squad room only Reid was there at the moment.
"Went well?" He asked
"As well as can be expected. I got a lecture and a warning." She said
He nodded. "He has soften."
Lorelai chuckled. "I don't know about that but if he has your welcome?"
Spencer laughed. "Well, he most definitely has. And yes you, Rachel and Jack are a big part of that." He said.
Lorelai smiled and nodded and went to get herself and Spencer some coffee. When she came back She handed the coffee to Reid. Before going to her own desk and trying to find something to do. After a few minutes something landed with a snap on her desk. She looked up at Spencer. "What was that?"
"Have I never showed you my science magic?" He asked
She tilted her head. "No."
He set it up again and called her over. She went over and watched as the little rocket shot across the room. Lorelai smirked. "Magic?" She asked.
"Science Magic." He said
She chuckled and said. "More like chemical reaction."
"Oh. Yeah. I mean I guess you might know." Spencer said looking a little disappointed
Lorelai smiled. "Don't worry. I wont tell anyone."
Spencer smiled. "Thanks. Last time I did that in here I hit Emily in the head." He said
Lorelai laughed. "Was she pissed?"
"No. She wanted to see it done. So, I did it again and it flew landing at Hotch's feet." He said
"Oh crap." She said
"Yeah. He acted annoyed and basically told me not to do it again to show face, but he was amused by it too." He said
Lorelai chucked and shook her head. "And yet. You do it again."
"I mean. You looked upset. I just wanted to make you smile." He said
"I'm fine." She said and gave him a quick hug from behind "But thank you for making me smile." She went back to her desk picking up the rocket as she passed to make sure no one saw it.
Hotch decided a few hours later to send everyone home early. Everyone went home to enjoy the time off.
