I'm very sorry about the delay, I had a hectic weekend spent in hospital with my little sister. Here's some JJ/Emily, JJ/Carrie and Emily/Carrie. Thank you so much!
Disclaimer: I also have no affiliations to Parkmont Private School in DC.
It was one thing knowing that Carrie suffered from nightmares, it was another thing experiencing it. As soon as the first blood-curdling scream pierced the quiet of the night, JJ's eyes flew open in fear, that's when she realised that Emily had been severely down-playing the teen's nightmares. She knew that they were bad, the black circles under both the brunettes eye's were testament to that, but this, this was sheer terror.
Emily jerked awake under her before giving her a quick squeeze, promising to return, before making her way to the office down the hall. JJ didn't know what she could do, she wanted to help but Carrie didn't know she was here and she didn't want the teen to get embarrassed by her presence.
Down the hall she could hear the screams cease all of a sudden and Emily's comforting tone taking its place, her heart went out to Carrie. Nobody should have to experience that level of pain, much less a fourteen year old girl. She knew that all their victims and the victims families suffered a vast amount of pain in the wake of the crimes they saw but this was the first time she experienced the aftermath of a child losing their parents firsthand.
Half an hour later JJ was still lost in the depth of pain she had heard in the teens screams when Emily shuffled back into the bedroom.
"Is she okay?" JJ asked, the concern evident in her voice.
"She's back asleep, that's one of the quickest I've been able to get her back to sleep. I don't know if she feels guilty or what it is but when she wakes in the night she retreats into this shell. I'm really worried about her, I know she's been through a lot, I just want to be able to help her and I don't know the best way yet." The brunette whispered. It was clear that Emily was suffering alongside the teen.
"Have you thought about bringing her to a professional?"
"I have, but is it too soon? I know she's hurting right now but I don't want her to think that I don't want to be here to help her, I know she already feels so much guilt and I think she believes she's being a burden, an intrusion on my life. That's not true Jen, it couldn't be further from the truth."
"I know that Em, I know. I'll be here to help you make sure she knows too." The blonde said as she pulled Emily into her chest. "How about we get some more sleep now and we can talk about this more tomorrow?"
"Thank you Jennifer. Thank you for being here."
"You have no need to thank me, now sleep, you have enough to catch up on." JJ didn't let herself fall back asleep until she felt the profilers breath even out, only then did she place a kiss in brunette curls and let the world of dreams take her again.
When Carrie awoke the next morning she could smell breakfast cooking from downstairs. That was a new one but she didn't think much of it as she pulled on some fluffy socks and a baggy hoodie over her pajammas. Emily could cook, she had made them dinner and lunch on several occasions over the last few days.
Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs she realised the reason for the change in routine. JJ was in the kitchen, wearing what looked like a t-shirt belonged to Emily and a pair of cotton shorts, dancing to music only she could hear and cooking a pan of bacon and sausages.
Carrie immediately dropped her head in embarrassment and cleared her throat as she made her way over to the kitchen island.
"Good morning, do you want some juice?" JJ said with a bright smile turning to face Carrie, as if this was something that happened every morning. She could sense the teen's embarrassment and wanted to ease it as quickly as possible.
"Eh, no thanks, I think I'm just gonna stick with water for the minute." Carrie replied, still not making eye contact, as she moved towards the sink.
"Do you eat sausages and bacon? I have toast ready to go on too."
"Yeah, I eat pretty much everything. JJ, I'm sorry about last night... I didn't mean to... I'm sorry." Tears threatened to fall as she took as seat on the opposite side of the kitchen island to JJ.
"Carrie listen to me. You had a nightmare, that's okay, we all get them, every one of us on the team. I'm going to be around a bit more now if that's okay with you and I want you to know you can trust me. I don't care if you wake me up with a nightmare, I just want to be here for you. I know a lot has happened and I understand you may not be ready to let me in yet but when you are, I'm here."
Looking across the kitchen island and into bright blue eyes, Carrie could tell that JJ was telling the truth, she didn't care about being woken up and she was there for her. "Thank you JJ. I'm sorry I woke you up. Things are still very messy right now but I'm glad I have Emily and I'm glad I have you too."
The honesty in Carrie's voice told JJ everything. The teen really was trying, she would open up when she was ready, and JJ would be there. "Speaking of Emily, lets feed you before she wakes up or she'll never let me near you again."
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah she's okay, I think she's just exhausted." Seeing the guilty look on the teens face JJ continued, "Hey, don't even think about feeling guilty. She is exactly where she wants to be, okay?"
"Really?"
"Really really. Here you go, do you want anything else?"
"I'm good JJ, thank you."
"No problem kiddo." The two continued to make general chat over breakfast, both letting the other in a little bit more.
Monday morning Emily and Carrie had a meeting with the principal of Parkmont Private School in DC. Emily had put in extensive research into schools in the area, this one appeared to be the best and it was on a bus route with the condo.
JJ had stayed for breakfast on the Sunday, waiting for Emily to get up before leaving. The two brunettes had then spent the day arranging and then re-arranging Carrie's room before watching a movie and collapsing into bed, exhausted.
9am Monday morning saw the two eating breakfast, black rings back under their eyes after another night of nightmares.
"Emily what if I'm not cut out for private school. I mean I've never even set foot in one, never mind thought about attending one. These girls already know each other. I'm not going to know anybody."
"You know I have money, that's not a secret, I live comfortably but I don't like to splurge. I have the money because my Mother is a US Ambassador. We spent my childhood travelling the world and I had to try and fit into a new school almost every year. I know how hard it is but I really believe that this is the best option, if you really don't like it you can move but can you just try it?
"You're just going into High School, and yes, some of them will know each other but I have every faith that you'll make friends, you're a great kid." As Emily finished she wrapped an arm around Carries shoulder, trying to comfort the teen.
"Okay I'll try, I'm sorry, I'm just nervous."
"You have nothing to be sorry about, it's okay to be nervous. Let's go and get this over with, sooner in, sooner out, right?" To which she only received a nod.
Once they arrived at the school Emily slipped into 'Prentiss-mode'. "Hello Ma'am, I'm Agent Emily Prentiss and this is my foster daughter Carrie Ortiz, we have a meeting with Ms. Ryan."
"Agent Prentiss, Ms Ryan is expecting you, you can go straight in."
The principal stood as the two brunettes entered the office, shaking both of their hands. "Agent Prentiss, it's great to meet you, this must be Carrie."
"Yes it is, she just moved here last week to stay with me. As long as she is in my care I want her to attend the best of schools here in DC. My commute to Quantico takes me into this area and there is a bus route in the vicinity of our home so transport is not an issue. I have brought along all school records I have to date." Emily could feel herself slip into formal speak but she couldn't help it, she wanted the best for Carrie and if it was her name and her upbringing that would get her that then that is what she would use.
"All these reports and grades look to be well within the entry standard for Parkmont." Ms Ryan said as she glanced over Carrie's report card. "I will also have you know that we require every student to take at least one extra-curricular each semester. It may be the same one every semester. Have you given it any thought?"
"I hadn't until now but I can sing. I was in my church choir back home." The teen's back straightened and her attention became even more focused under the newfound scrutiny.
"We have a great choral programme here, I think that would be an excellent extra-curricular for you." Turning her attention back to the older brunette now, Ms Ryan added, "Everything seems to be perfectly in order here. Is Monday a good day to start?"
Emily looked at the teen and saw fear in her eyes but received a slight nod anyway. "Monday is great. We'll see you then. May I speak alone with you for a moment please Ma'am?"
Carrie, having an idea what the conversation would be about, stepped out into the lobby to wait for Emily, who returned five minutes later. "Were you telling her about what happened to my family?"
"Yeah, I was kiddo. Are you okay?" Emily's tone immediately slipped back to more informal as the two made their was to the parking lot.
"I guess. I mean I'm really nervous about starting here but I suppose I have to start somewhere eventually and this place does look amazing. Thank you for giving the opportunity."
"Always kiddo. What do you say we hit the mall, get your new uniform, some lunch and then some retail therapy."
"Sounds good to me." The teen said, another genuine smile crossing her face despite the fear she felt about the upcoming tasks she knew she would face starting a new, private school.