Hello!
Alright, I'm going to be honest, I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, but I felt like it was necessary to set up for future chapters, especially the next one. Hope you're not too bored with this chapter, I promise the next one will be better!
Thanks for reading! - J
Chapter 5
The next day was spent catching up on sleep, and taking advantage of a sunny day, walking around Emily's neighbourhood and doing some shopping, both brunettes happy to be out of the house. Emily had made Alex an appointment with Dr. Sullivan for Friday morning, the teen nervous, but agreeing that she would do her best to be open with the doctor.
Emily had also spent a portion of the day getting ready for the next week as Alex needed to start school and she needed to return to work. So Emily had made a call to Lowell Preparatory School, using her last name to get a meeting with the Dean, confident that she would be able to get the teen a spot at the school despite the last minute.
It was now 9am Wednesday morning and the pair of brunettes had to be at the school in an hour to meet the dean, Alex slowly eating a bowl of cereal, looking slightly nervous.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Alex asked for what felt like the millionth time since the day before. "I mean, I just don't know if me and private school are such a good idea."
"Alex this is like the best school in the city," Emily explained once again. "You graduate from Lowell and you'll be able to get into any college you want."
"Yeah, but it's going to be a bunch of rich kids," Alex argued. "I went to public school in Chicago, what's so wrong with that?"
"I just want you to go to a good school," Emily replied. "Plus it won't be all rich kids, some kids will be there on scholarship."
"Great, so they'll be super smart," Alex countered.
"Then you'll fit right in," Emily replied, Alex raising her eyebrow in a very Emily-like way. "What? I've seen your old report cards kid, don't even try to tell me that you're not smart."
"I just don't know about this Emily," Alex said abandoning her cereal and beginning to chew her lip nervously.
"Look just give it a shot okay?" Emily asked placing a hand over one of Alex's. "I promise that if you hate it then I will find you the best public school in there is. Deal?" Emily asked holding out her hand for the teen to shake.
"Okay, deal," Alex replied shaking the profilers hand before going back to her cereal. "So what are we going to do for the rest of the day?" She asked mouth full of cheerios.
"Well I need to talk to Hotch about going back to work next week, so I thought we'd stop by the office," Emily explained.
"Oh," Alex replied, swallowing. "So you're going back next week?"
"Well yeah, but I was going to ask Hotch if I could work from here for a few weeks," Emily explained. "Give us a little more time to get everything figured out."
"Oh….okay," the teen replied with a shrug, finishing up her cereal before running upstairs to change for their meeting.
By 9:50am the pair were standing in front of the large school campus, the white building that housed the school looming over them.
"This place is huge," Alex said, looking all around her. "All this for a high school?"
"Well it's not just a high school," Emily replied chewing her lip. "The school goes from K to 12."
"K to….great, so all these kids will have known each other since kindergarten, and I'm going to be the new freshman," Alex said. "I knew this was a bad idea."
"Hey, hey don't be like that," Emily said as the pair began their walk towards the building. "We're giving it a shot remember?"
"Yeah, yeah," Alex mumbled. "We're giving it a shot," she said with a very fake smile, making Emily laugh.
The pair entered the large building, easily finding the main office where there was a secretary sitting at the front desk.
"Hi, I'm Emily Prentiss," Emily greeted the older woman. "This is my daughter Alexandra. We have an appointment with Dean Hackett."
"I'll let her know you're here," the woman replied. "Just take a seat."
Emily and Alex sat in the waiting area, Alex's knee bouncing nervously as they waited to be let in. A few minutes later the woman returned saying that the dean would see them now, holding open the door as the two brunettes entered the office, where a woman in her forties was sitting behind her desk, standing in greeting as the pair walked in.
"Katherine Hackett, it's nice to meet you," she greeted holding out her hand.
"Emily Prentiss," Emily replied, shaking the woman's hand. "This is Alexandra," she introduced watching as Alex shook the woman's hand.
"Now our registration for the new school year is usually in February, and I wouldn't normally allow a new enrollment this close to the first day," Dean Hackett explained. "However, after reading over Alexandra's records from her previous school I am willing to make an exception."
"We really appreciate that," Emily says with a smile.
"Alexandra's grades are definitely about average," Dean Hackett continued, "and if you needed it financially she would qualify for our scholarship program, though I don't think that's a problem."
"Not at all," Emily replied knowing she could easily afford the school's tuition.
"Now I was reading some comments from your teachers at your last school, and your English teacher says that she had to create many independent study projects for you throughout the year," Dean Hackett said turning her attention to Alex. "Is there a reason why?"
"I read a lot, so I had already read all of the novels we were going to be studying last year," Alex explained. "So the assignments were fairly simple, and I guess she didn't want me to get bored."
"Well then, I guess your English teacher will have to work to find some books you haven't read then," the Dean said, making a note for Alex's file with a smile. "I also have here that you were captain of your Junior High soccer team, and you were a member of the choir?"
"Yes ma'am," Alex replied politely.
"Here at Lowell we do require students to be involved in at least one extracurricular each year," Dean Hackett explained. "Though you will find we do offer many options, and students are always free to create their own clubs if they wish. Soccer starts up in the spring. We also have a fairly large choir, or perhaps you may want to get involved in one of the school's musical, the arts department puts on two a year."
"That could be fun," Alex replied, thinking that maybe this school wouldn't be so bad.
"Alright, well I think with everything here in your file we should be able to set up an appropriate schedule for you. You'll have to come to the office first thing Monday morning to get it," Hackett explained. "I'll make sure we get you into an AP English course, and I will arrange for a student from your homeroom to show you around."
"Oh, thank you," Alex replied with a small smile. "That sounds great."
"Yes, thank you so much," Emily added, grateful to see that Alex didn't look like she was completely against going to the school.
"You're very welcome," Hackett replied. "I will see you Monday morning Alexandra."
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"Can I ask you something?" Alex asked 15 minutes later when the pair were in the car and headed towards the FBI Headquarters.
"Of course," Emily replied glancing at the teen before turning her attention back to the road.
"Are you like rich?" Alex asked straight to the point causing Emily to laugh. "I mean when we were in Chicago having dinner with the team you paid for everyone. And you just got me into that school no problem, and I know the tuition for that place has to be crazy. Plus your condo is like super nice!" She finished while Emily continued to laugh.
"You really don't beat around the bush do you?" Emily joked receiving a glare from the teen. "Honestly? I was a trust fund kid Alex. I told you what my mother does for a living, so we were pretty well off," the profiler explained. "My parents set up some pretty hefty trusts for me, which I was given access to once I finished high school, and then college. I try not to dip into those funds too often; I live comfortably, but I try not to overindulge."
"So is that how you got me into the school?" Alex asked. "Did you give them money?"
"No, but I knew that I could get a meeting with the Dean because of my last name," Emily explained. "Something I don't usually use, but I'm glad I did because you deserve to go to that school."
"Thanks," Alex smiled. "So the team's not away on a case?" She then asked, as they got closer to their destination.
"No, they haven't been called out so they're at the office doing paper work," Emily explained. "JJ said they'll probably be working from here all week unless something pressing comes up."
"Cool, so will JJ be over this weekend then?" The teen asked assuming that the two friends spent most of their free time together.
"Um, I don't know," Emily, answered. "Maybe."
The teen smiled, turning her attention to the window, taking in her surroundings as Emily continued to drive towards her workplace, happy to return after being away for so long. As much as Emily was enjoying spending time with Alex, the profiler was admittedly anxious to get back to work.
When the two brunettes finally arrived at the BAU floor some time later, Emily was greeted with a familiar sight that made her smile, as Derek and Reid were pouring over files at their desks, while Rossi, Hotch and JJ were each in their respective offices, all three of whom could be seen working on files through their blinds.
"Hey, look who it is," Derek called out when he looked up from his file, noticing the duo walking towards him.
"What are you guys doing here?" Reid asked standing from his desk.
"We just went to visit Alex's new school and I needed to talk to Hotch, so I thought we'd stop by," Emily explained.
"What school are you going to?" Reid asked looking to Alex.
"Lowell," Alex replied.
"That's a great school," Reid said sounding excited. "The best in the city by far."
"So I've heard," Alex smiled, glancing at Emily. "Thanks again for the book by the way. I'm really enjoying it."
"Oh that's great," Reid exclaimed. "You know if you're ever looking for something to read I have a rather extensive collection."
"Uh thanks. That would be cool," the teen replied.
"I thought I saw you two on the cameras!" Came Garcia's shouts, her heels clicking quickly towards them as she made her way over to Alex, scooping the teenager into a hug. Alex, who seemed to have gotten used to this greeting from the technical analyst simply laughed, hugging the bubbly blonde back.
"What are you guys doing here?" JJ asked as she came out of her office, having heard Garcia's greeting from her office.
"Just came to see Hotch," Emily explained as she pulled away from Garcia who had pulled her into a tight hug after releasing Alex. "You okay to hang out here while I talk to Hotch?" She asked, turning to Alex.
"Yeah, sure," Alex replied moving towards JJ who immediately put an arm around her.
"So why don't you tell us about this new school of yours," Morgan asked as Emily made her way towards the Unit Chief's office.
Emily knocked on Hotch's door, entering when she heard her boss call out for her to come in.
"Emily, I wasn't expecting to see you around here this week," Hotch greeted as Emily took a place in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"I just took Alex to her new school, so I figured I'd stop by and talk to you about coming back," Emily explained.
"I told you, you can have as much time as you need," Hotch said, not wanting the profiler to rush back to work.
"I know, but Alex is going to start school next week, and I was thinking that maybe I could come back and work from the office," Emily explained. "I could help Garcia out with things here, until I figure out what I'm going to do about travelling."
"That's fine by me," Hotch agreed. "But you know you can take more time if you want right?"
"I know, but can you honestly see me sitting at home all day alone while Alex is at school?" Emily asked with a smile, knowing that she would go stir-crazy if she didn't get back to work next week.
"Good point," Hotch smiled understandingly. "How's everything going anyways?" He asked, looking out his office window, seeing a smiling Alex talking animatedly with the rest of the team.
"There's good days, and there's bad," Emily replied honestly. "Just trying to take it a day at a time."
"That's all you can do," Hotch smiled. "If you need anything you just let us know."
"Thanks Hotch, I will," Emily said, grateful to have such an amazing boss.
"We will see you Monday morning then Agent Prentiss," he said standing from behind his desk.
"I will see you then sir," Emily replied, smiling as she made her way back to the bullpen. "Well kid, I think we better get out of here so these guys can get back to work," she said, holding out a hand for Alex to take.
"Alright," Alex replied, taking Emily's hand and standing from where she was sitting, keeping Emily's hand in hers as she turned back towards the team.
"Ugh, can't you stay?" Garcia whined. "It has been so boring."
"Sorry Garcia, it's back to work for you," Emily laughed at the pout on her friend's face. "I'll be seeing you guys on Monday though."
"You're coming back?" Morgan asked sounding a little excited.
"Yeah, but I'm going to work from here for a few more weeks," Emily explained. "So I guess I will be keeping you company when the team gets called away Garcia."
"Oh yay!" Garcia squealed, the team laughing at her obvious excitement.
"So I'll see you guys soon then," Emily said as Alex also said her goodbyes, the pair turning towards JJ, still hand-in-hand.
"I'll walk you guys out," JJ said, moving to follow the duo towards the elevators.
"So is the paperwork driving you crazy yet?" Emily asked JJ when they turned away from the team.
"A little, but it's kind of nice getting to go home every night," JJ smiled.
"Do you think you guys will have to leave for a case this weekend?" Alex asked as Emily pushed the button for the elevators.
"I don't think so, but you never know," JJ replied.
"Well you should come over if you don't," Alex said, surprising Emily slightly. "Friday night."
"Sure, that sounds like fun. Em?" JJ replied, wanting to be sure it was okay with her friend.
"Yeah, sure, sounds perfect," she replied with a smile just as the elevator doors opened with a ding.
"I will see you Friday then," JJ said, watching as the pair got into the elevator.
"See you then," Alex replied, giving the blonde a small wave as the doors closed.