A/N – So this is a bit emotional, it mentions what happened to Kate so be warned. Also Strauss is in here and is nice, so I know that will annoy a few people but I think it kind of works with the story, don't worry I've got a happy tale lined up for tomorrow!

History Project –

Strauss placed the file on Hotch's desk, making sure that it was in the centre so that he would see it once he returned from Texas. Closing the door behind her she started to walk down the stairs when her eyes caught the young girl standing in the bullpen, looking rather confused and anxious. Quickly she walked down the stairs and towards her, meeting her at Agent Prentiss' desk.

"Hello Kate, are you looking for Agent Prentiss?"

"Yes ma'am."

Kate looked up at the woman, a frightened look came across her face when she saw who had spoken to her.

"I'm afraid the team have been called away on a case in Texas, I'm sure that she rang your school to let you know before she left."

Erin Strauss thought it extremely strange that Kate didn't know that her adopted mother had been called away and immediately wondered who normally looked after her when Agent Prentiss was away.

"Well I sort of left school a bit early...I eh...had a history class...they gave out this project...and well...I got a bit upset...and wanted to see mom."

Kate tried to stay strong and composed in front of the imposing woman but she failed and the tears started to fall.

"It's ok Kate, why don't you come to my office and tell me about it and then we can give your mom a ring?"

"Thanks ma'am."

"Please Kate, you don't work for me, call me Erin."

Erin Strauss put a protective arm around the shoulder of the young girl and led her on the short walk along the corridor to her office, shutting the door behind them she gestured for Kate to sit on the sofa as she sat down beside her.

"So what was it about this history project that got you upset?"

Kate fumbled in her school bag and found the piece of paper that she then handed to the older woman. Strauss put her glasses on and read the title of the project, 'A Family Portrait'. She then carried on reading and saw what had gotten the young girl so upset, she was expected to provide a narrative of her life so far, a detailed picture of the first 10 years of her life.

"Oh."

Strauss rubbed her forehead, she had read the report, seen the photos, read the court transcripts, she knew exactly what this young girl had been through and being a mother herself she felt extremely protective of Kate.

"How about we ring your mom and see what she says?"

Kate nodded as Strauss walked, gesturing for Kate to follow her to the desk and dialled a number and put it on speaker.

"Agent Prentiss."

"Hello Agent Prentiss, this is Section Chief Strauss."

"Ma'am?"

"I've got someone here who needs to talk to you."

"Mom."

"Kate? What are you doing at Quantico? I spoke to JJ and she was going to pick you up after school."

"I, uh, sort of left school early, please don't be mad...I needed to see you but when I got here you'd already gone."

Kate's voice began to break as she got upset again.

"Munchkin you know I'd never be mad at you. What's the matter?"

Strauss could see how upset Kate was so she decided to explain the situation herself.

"It seems that the school history teacher handed out a rather difficult project today. Kate has shown me the project. Emily she's got to provide a report on the first 10 years of her life."

Emily was taken aback by Strauss' use of her name but then when she heard why, she was lost for words.

"Oh."

"Don't worry Agent Prentiss, I'll look after Kate, you concentrate on the case, I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I take it from what you said earlier that Kate is to stay with Agent Jareau?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Well I'll drop her off there later."

"Thank you ma'am."

Strauss clicked the phone off and walked around to Kate as they wandered back to sit on the couch.

"So do you want me to ring the school and get you a different project to do?"

Kate shook her head.

"No I want to do it. I think I need to do it."

Strauss smiled at the young girl, how strong she was, she reminded her of Agent Prentiss, who was obviously turning out to be a wonderful role model for her.

"Well shall we get started then?"

It was nearly 10pm by the time Erin Strauss stopped outside Agent Jareau's house. Kate had fallen asleep as soon as she had sat in the back of the car, Strauss slung the girl's school bag over her shoulder, before she undone the seatbelt and managed to lift the girl out of the car without waking her. Strauss walked slowly up to the front door as she didn't want to wake Kate up, as she approached the door it opened and Agent Jareau stood there holding her 6 week old baby boy who was also fast asleep.

"Thank you ma'am for bringing her round, I was really worried when the school rang and said that she had left but then Emily rang and explained the situation."

"Well I think she is exhausted now, do you want to show me to her room and I'll put her down?"

"That would be great, just follow me."

JJ showed her boss to the spare room which Kate used when Emily was away and smiled as the older woman carefully placed Kate on the bed, tucked her in and kissed her on the forehead, she then placed the school bag at the end of the bed and pulled the door shut as she went to leave.

"Thank you once again ma'am."

"It was my pleasure Agent Jareau, she really is a remarkable young girl."

Strauss turned and left as quietly and quickly as she arrived, it wasn't until she reached her car and started to drive that she allowed the tears to fall as she remembered all the details of Kate's life so far.

JJ instinctively woke up at the sound of crying, dragging her tired body out of bed she took the few short steps to Henry's crib but he was still fast asleep. JJ then remembered the other person who was staying at the house and walked quickly to the room where Kate was sleeping. JJ walked into the bedroom and saw Kate sitting up in the bed, cradling her knees and sobbing into her hands.

"Kate it's me JJ, are you ok?"

Kate turned and looked at JJ who had sat on the bed, putting her arms around Kate and gently stroked her head.

"I'm sorry for waking you Aunt Jen, I just had a nightmare. I haven't had them for so long but after today..."

"Shhh Kate, it's ok. Come on lie down, I'll stay here until you get back to sleep."

Kate nodded and made herself comfortable again, with JJ sitting on the bed stroking her head and humming softly to her. JJ had found that this trick had worked with getting Henry to sleep and she hoped that it would have the same effect on Kate, luckily 10 minutes later she was sleeping soundly and JJ went back to her bed.

It had taken the team four long days to catch the killer and all Emily wanted to do was get home and see her daughter. She had spoken to Kate on the phone and knew she had been through a really tough time whilst Emily was away and it broke her heart that she hadn't been there to support her daughter. As the plane landed Emily saw that JJ was there waiting with Henry and Kate with her, the team left the plane and eagerly went over to see JJ and her baby whilst Emily quickly walked over to Kate and hugged the young girl.

"Hey munchkin, I am so happy to see you!"

"Me too mom!"

"Come on lets go home, I believe that you have something to show me?"

"Ok."

"Hang on a sec."

Emily walked over to the rest of the team who had since been joined by Strauss.

"Hotch, if it's ok I'd like to take Kate home?"

"Of course it is Prentiss, take care and we'll meet tomorrow at 10am."

"Thanks. Oh and JJ thanks for everything while I was away."

"No worries Em, Kate is getting quite good at changing Henry's nappy so it gives us a break!"

The team laughed but were soon interrupted by Strauss.

"Agent Prentiss, could I have a quick word please?"

Emily walked over with Kate still holding her hand, unwilling to let go of her mom.

"Ma'am. Thank you for helping Kate, it was really difficult being away whilst knowing what she was going through."

"It was my pleasure Emily, she is a lovely young girl. I had my reservations after Pittsburgh but you have proved me wrong, you are doing a great job."

Emily and Kate quickly made their way to the car and took the journey home.

Once inside the apartment Emily and Kate sat together on the sofa and Kate handed her mom the project to read.

I was born on the 18/4/99, my name was Katherine Rose Stanley, and my parents were Richard and Claire Stanley. I was born in Pittsburgh and lived there for 9 years. My parents both worked, my dad was a high school science teacher and my mom worked part time as a clerk in a local bank. I had a lovely childhood up until 18 months ago. My parents spent time teaching me to ride a bike, swim, read, write and play the piano. Then one July night a fire broke out in our house, caused by an electrical fault, both my parents were killed and I spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from some minor burns and smoke inhalation. Most of our possessions were lost in the fire and now I only have one photo of my parents.

I had no other family other than my parents so after I left hospital I went to a foster home, but it was only a short term option and I quickly got moved to another home that lasted for two months, then another one that I thought was great but then they moved to Canada. That's when I went to live with Mr and Mrs Ainsley.

I thought that the house was nice, I had my own bedroom and my foster parents seemed ok. For the first month things were fine but then things started to change, I soon found out that Mr and Mrs Ainsley were not very nice people. After the first month or so Mr Ainsley started to come into my bedroom at night, I was so scared that I didn't tell anyone for nearly two weeks. I then confronted Mrs Ainsley but that was a big mistake. I hadn't realised that Mr Ainsley had already killed three young girls and that night I was taken to a small log cabin to be the fourth victim.

My time in that cabin was beyond my worst nightmare. I can still remember every moment like it was yesterday, he beat me, he raped me, he starved me. Then one day, I still can't remember how long I had been there, my whole life changed, just as I was about to give up. Mr Ainsley brought a woman to the cabin, tied her up and left her there with me. She told me she was a FBI Agent, her name was Emily Prentiss and that her and her friends were looking for me.

A day or two later we were rescued but both of us were physically and mentally scarred. Emily and her friends were amazing, they stayed with me whilst I was at the hospital, talked to me, made me laugh and cry. Then the most amazing thing happened, Emily asked me to come and live with her. I couldn't believe it at first, that someone would want me after all that I had been through but Emily and her friends treated me like a member of their own family and I hadn't felt that loved since my parents died.

Eventually I moved back to D.C. with Emily and started a new life, I am now her adopted daughter, and my name is Katherine Stanley Prentiss. I have a wonderful, loving, caring mom with a delightful extended family with my over-protective Uncle's Dave, Aaron and Derek. My Uncle Spence is like my big brother, he is always there to help me with my homework or to teach me magic tricks. I have two exceptional Auntie's who are always there for me and have taken great care of me, Aunt Jen is like a second mom to me and I know that I can talk to her about anything. Then there is my Aunt Pen who is so cool, she teaches me all sorts of great stuff on the computer and can always manage to make me laugh and smile. Finally I have my grandmother, Ambassador Prentiss, I stay with her sometimes when my mom goes away. I couldn't ask for a better family, they love me, care for me and most of all they make me happy.

Emily had tears streaming down her face by the time she finished reading Kate's report, she hugged her daughter tightly.

"And you make me so happy too sweetheart."