Chapter 12

When Emily and I arrived at Quantico, we were greeted with two fresh cups of coffee as we sat down at our round table. I looked around to see everyone sitting around us except for Hotch.

"SIx year old Kayla Roberts went missing from her step father's house in Orlando late last night. We've been called out to help with this case" Hotch said as he entered the room, as pictures of a bright blonde six year old flashed across the screen.

"How long has she been missing?" I asked

Hotch looked at me before sighing "Two days"

"Two days? And we're just being called in now!" Morgan snapped as everyone turned to look at him, I kept my eyes on the pictures of a smiling Kayla. Hoping that we would be able to find her.

"Did her father not know she was missing?" Emling asked

"I've been told by local P.D that he has a history with drug abuse" Hotch stated "JJ as soon as we land I want you to go talk to the parents".

I shook the pictures of her from my mind before looking back at them. "You okay?" Morgan asked

"I'm fine" I said before glancing at Emily, only to find her looking at me puzzled.

"Wheels up in twenty" Hotch ordered before standing up and walking out of the room, everyone filed out after him but when I stood up Emily placed her hand on my arm and stopped me. I kept my eyes on her arm before looking up at her.

"What's going on in that mind of yours?" she asked, I sighed before looking away "I really hate these types of cases.. I try my hardest and sometimes that isn't even good enough." I said

Emily slipped her hand down my arm before placing it on my hand "You can only try" she stated as I nodded and looked at the file again, reading over the contents of the case.

"I'll save you a seat on the plane." she smiled before leaning over and placing a chaste kiss on my cheek. I blushed slightly and squeezed her hand before letting her walk out of the room. I quickly gathered the folder and walked out the door, down the catwalk towards my office. I stopped in the doorway only to see Strauss sitting in one of the chairs in front of my desk.

"Agent Jareau" she said as I nodded and walked around to my desk "Hello Ma'am" I replied

"Have you received your new case yet?" she asked, by the way she was talking I knew she wasn't here to talk about the case.

"Yes Ma'am we're about to fly out soon" I stated when she stood up and crossed her arms at me. "If you don't mind Ma'am but I'm in a hurry"

She glared at me before I bent down and grabbed pads of paper and my credentials for the trip. "You know why I'm here Agent" she said sternly. I gripped the paper and clenched my teeth together.

"Is there something going on between you and Agent Prentiss?" she asked

I looked up at her, my heart racing in my chest before I answered back "No, there is nothing going on between me and Emily". She nodded and started towards the door before pausing and looking back at me.

"I will be keeping tabs on you and Agent Prentiss from now on, if I find any 'romantic' relationship forming between you two. I will have no choice to replace you, or find somewhere else you might be needed. I'm sure Emily would love to go back to Interpol" she stated before walking out.

I gritted my teeth harder, wanting to scream back at her. I took deep breaths as I left my office and walked out to the elevators. This was going to be a tough case.

Driving down to the airport all I could think about was what Strauss had said. I parked behind the other black SUV's and boarded the plane, I saw Emily reading the case before glancing up to smile at me. I was about to walk towards the empty chair beside her when Strauss's words replayed in my head. I opted for the couch leaning against the side of the plane.

I glance back only to see a small hurt expression flash across her face before her profilers mask was back on, I knew what I did wasn't right. That I shouldn't be so worried about Strauss, but the thought of her going back to Interpol made my chest ache. It wasn't until I felt my phone buzz that I was knocked out of my thoughts. I pulled out my phone and glanced down to see a single message.

What Happened? - Emily

I sighed before typing back

I'll tell you later - Jennifer

I saw her eyes flicker down to her phone before returning back up to mine. "Okay let's look over the case again" Rossi said.

It was a three hour plane ride to Orlando. While on the plane we were able to come up with many questions but not as many answers to them. "Emily, go with JJ to talk to the parents" Hotch said as we landed, I looked at her before grabbing my bag and stepping off only to be greeted by two men.

"I'm Detective William LaMontagne, Jr. and this is Detective Hartman" the younger man said as he stuck out his hand for me to shake, I slipped my hand into his and firmly shook it before letting go. "Why someone so pretty is working in such a dangerous job" he said

"Well you know us girls, we love them bad boys" Emily sneered from behind me, I glanced at her as she kept her eyes on the detective.

"We should get going" I said, walking away as everyone else started to file off the plane. "Who was that?" I heard Will ask.

"That is Agent Jennifer Jareau" Emily answered back before following after me, I could hear her footsteps coming up behind me as I reached for the handle on the door "So are you going to tell me about what's been bother you?" she asked as I opened the door and climbed in. Waiting for her to shut the door before cupping her cheek and bringing her lips to mine for a brief kiss.

I pulled away only to have her peck my lips again. "Strauss" I said when she froze and pulled back slightly.

"What did she do?" she asked

"Before I left she confronted me in my office asking if anything was going on between us, I denied it, saying that we were just friends. But she threatened me saying that if there was, she would fire me or send you back to Interpol" i stated

Emily swore under her breath before shaking her head "I'm not surprised that she's done this, but I don't care if she finds out" she stated "You could lose your job or be sent back.." i said

"I don't care if she fires me, and she sure as hell isn't going to send me away. I'm not going to lose you Jennifer." she said sternly

I smiled before brushing my thumb over her cheek. She leaned into my touched and sighed with contempt "I really wish we didn't have to go talk to people right now" she said as I nodded "So do I but we have to find out the answers". Emily pulled away and buckled up her seat belt before starting the car.

Thirty minutes later we arrived at the Robert's families home, Emily looked at me as we got out of the SUV and walked up to the door. I tapped my knuckles on the wooden frame before the door swung open and I was met with crystal blue eyes that looked like an older version of Kayla's.

"Hello Ma'am, I'm Agent Prentiss and this is my partner Agent Jareau" Em stated as the mother nodded, tears started to form in her eyes. "May we come inside?" I asked softly as she took a few steps back and let us enter her home. I moved over to the couch and sat down beside Mrs. Robert's while Emily took the seat across from us.

"When was the last time you saw your daughter?" I asked as she stopped and looked up at me with teary eyes "Two days ago, when I dropped her off at her father's for the weekend" she answered "I should have never let her go to that god awful place, if I didn't drop her off she would still be here." she added as the silent tears started to spill down her cheeks, I reached over and handed her the tissue box as she gladly grabbed a few tissues and started to dab at her tears.

"Mrs. Roberts I need you to understand that this wasn't your fault" Emily stated when she looked at Emily and glared at her "This is my fault, her father is a druggie and I left her with him!" she snapped as Em tensed up slightly. I glanced down to see that her hands were clenched into fists.

"I think you two need to leave now" the woman said as I nodded and stood up "Thank you for your time" I said before touching Emily's shoulder to see her relax and stand beside me as we made our way out of the house and towards the SUV. I took out my phone and dialed Morgan's number in before pressing the call button.

"Morgan" he answered

"Hey Morgan, we're just leaving Mrs. Roberts house" I said

"How is she taking all of this?" he asked, I sighed and opened the door "Not very well, she's too distraught to tell us anything and she blames herself for everything" I answered back.

"Okay, I'll call Garcia and see if she can find anything" she said before hanging up, I shut my door and placed my phone in my pocket. Emily kept her eyes trained on me before I looked at her "You looked like you were about to hit her" I stated as she shook her head, I chuckled before she rolled her eyes at me.

"Okay maybe I did, but I don't understand how you deal with that. Having people talk to you like that, we're here to help and you shouldn't be treated like that" she said as I shrugged "It takes some getting used to" I said as Emily took her hand in mine and smiled.

"If I ever talk to you like that, I give you permission to hit me" she winked as I grinned and started the SUV before pulling out of the driveway and back towards the station.

As promised, a longer chapter than the last one. Hope everyone is enjoying the story, i'd love to hear your thoughts about it! Next chapter will be an exciting one! I have some idea's and i will try to post the next chapter before Sunday. Read and Review! ~ Kay