AN - I don't know if this is kosher, but I am regretting ending that last chapter where I did, so am put this short chapter in here. Maybe it will make more sense.

This is my first contribution to ff and I am loving the process. Thank you for all of your feedback. I only, of course, own Kara.

Kara twisted and threw herself to the left and then the room exploded in gunfire. The arm fell away from her and she ran. She ran faster than she even knew she could, out the door, down the stairs, and across the yard until two powerful arms grabbed her. Kara struggle but the arms would not relent. They held her tightly and pulled her backward, and when Kara heard Dave's voice, she allowed all of the strength to leave her body and was guided to the ground.

"It's over, sweetheart. You're safe. You did great. Everything's going to be ok now," the platitudes continued as she cried.

Wanting to feel the comfort surrounding her, Kara thoughts quickly moved to her friend, "Rachel," she tried to get up, but that was not going to be allowed.

"We'll wait here. Someone will come tell us soon," and he continued to calm her.

As predicted, Hotchner approached them mere moments later, "We have Rachel. She's going to be fine." Taking in the scene in front of him he added, "What can I do?"

"Call Erin Tell her to meet us at the hospital," he said, and Aaron turned and walked away, mission at hand.

"What? No, I don't need to go to the hospital," Kara tried to keep the hysterics at bay, figuring they would do her no favors now, and noticed an EMT approaching.

"We're just going to take you in to get checked out. It won't take long," he stood and allowed room for the medic.

"But I wasn't hurt."

"It's not a suggestion, kiddo."

Her level of annoyance was slinking up, but somewhere deep inside of her, she was relieved that someone else was making decisions.

"Besides," he said, "Rachel will be there," and he helped her up.

She laid on the stretcher in the ER feigning sleep while listening to her parents talk. Guilt from eavesdropping was not overcoming her, as she didn't think she could open her eyes if she tried.

"She's fine, Erin. Some bruises and exhaustion. They will release her soon and then you can take her home and tuck her in."

"What about Rachel?" her mother's voice was strained and Kara could sense the tension dripping from her body.

"Rachel will be ok. They're keeping her overnight, at least, to get the drugs to work through her system. Then she will be fine."

"How did you get to them so fast?"

"Those boys weren't very smart. We figured they would end up back at the house, and were trying to get the locals to sit on it for us. Of course, Rachel had been missing for only a few hours and they didn't really like our involvement at all. We were on our way back when Rachel's text went out and Garcia had been monitoring it. I just can't figure out how Kara got there first."

"Simple, she has her mother's determination," Erin said with a grin.

David smirked, "Not always a good thing."

"Why would Rachel do this?" Erin asked, serious again.

"I don't know, but we can let her parents worry about that."

"What are we going to do about this one?" Kara felt her mother's hand rub her calf and she felt the warmth of her mother's love.

"Oh, we can take care of her. She'll be fine. We do need to all sit down and talk, though. This time without cell phones around."

"Maybe after everyone sleeps," Erin said.

"Let me go see about getting her out of here. Why don't you get her up and ready," he kissed them both and left the room.

Erin leaned close to her daughter, "I love you, Kara. To the moon and back."