Needless to say Arya got the job. And she was damned good at it to. She had already made a few sketches that resulted in the arrests of the criminals. Arya also loved the fact that she was helping people, and working closely with Horatio and the others. A fact that they all regularly mentioned and enjoyed. She just had a way with the witnesses and families. She would walk into a room with a scared or otherwise uncooperative person, and in minutes they were relaxed and telling her the exact details of what they saw. She was amazing. Arya still preferred old school sketching to the computer programs they had, but she had even gone as far as mastering how to use said programs, just in case. It amazed Horatio that sometimes she could be so old school, then morph into a tech savvy master when she needed to. They used her talents every chance they got. That is until a special case came up. One that Horatio wouldn't dare ask Arya to be a part of. And at first the team fully agreed with him. But that soon wore out, since they couldn't even get a lead. They needed Arya. And Horatio couldn't bring himself to ask her to help this case.
The case was this. A family, mother father and brother, were massacred in their own home. But that wasn't it. Not only was a family killed, it had one surviving member. A little girl. No older than 10. They had found her and brought her in, but she wasn't talking. She wouldn't even look anyone in the eye. The others begged Horatio to bring Arya in. And pleaded. And finally Horatio made the call.
Arya walked into the lab, art case in hand. A shaking hand. Horatio didn't say much on the phone but she knew it had to be bad. He met her outside the room they had the girl in, with the others. Arya looked up at him and gave a shaky smile. "What do we got Horatio?" He gulped back his fear and looked at the others before looking at her. "The um.. Witness is um... A young girl.." Alarm bells went off in Arya's head. Eric and Ryan went to Arya and put steadying hands on her shoulders. Horatio continued. "And she is the only survivor of her family who was killed. Her mom dad and brother are dead Arya..." Understanding dawned in her eyes. Her hands shook. "I'm not just here to get a sketch am I..." They all shook their heads. "I'm here to get her to open up.." Horatio nodded. Arya took a big breath leaning on Eric and Ryan for support. Horatio winced. "If you'd rather not-" Arya shook her head. "I'll do it.." Calleigh smiled in relief with Natalia and Frank and Horatio stared in surprise. Arya grabbed the handle of the door. "I'll not fail you, or her.." Without another word she walked into the room and sat down in front of a girl who mirrored herself.
The girl stared at Arya silently as she set her sketch pad in front of her. Arya smiled gently at the girl and leaned back giving the girl space. "Hey there little one... My names Arya.. Weird name right? I'm here to help you." The little girl shook her head and buried herself against the chair whimpering softly. She didn't trust Arya yet. Nope not one bit. Arya sighed softly trying to think of what to say, to make this girl trust her. She put her sketch pad away and dug down deep into herself. She fought against the tears and flashbacks, and met the girls eyes. "You know... You're not alone..." The girl snorted once. Disbelieving. Arya looked at her hands and spoke softly. "You know.. I was a little girl once. I had a mommy, a daddy, and two bubbies.. And one night.. A big bad man came, and took them away from me. Just like yours were taken from you.." The girl jerked up and looked at Arya eyes wide. Arya let a stray tear fall from her eye, one of many. Suddenly the girl relaxed. "I-I... I'm Emma.." Arya looked up and stared at Emma as she uncurled her body. "Did they get the big bad man..?" Emma asked. Arya nodded. "Yes.. And they'll get this one too.. I just need you to tell me what he looks like." Emma stiffened eyes filling with tears. Arya risked it and crossed the table to her, taking Emma's hand in hers. "I know it's scary.. But I'll be here.. I'll help you ok?" Emma slowly nodded and wiped her eyes. Arya smiled a little. "Ready?" Emma nodded. Slowly she told Arya what her big bad man looked like. And slowly they both fought their demons, Emma just starting to, Arya, trying to hold them back. Soon she held a sketch of the man who killed Emma's family. And Emma was sitting in Arya's lap, exhausted and falling asleep. Arya got up still holding Emma and quietly motioned for the others to come in. She knew they would never leave once she got in. They filed in one by one until everyone was in starring at her. Arya kept her eyes down and handed Horatio her sketch. "I got your sketch..." Horatio nodded silently starring at the sleeping child in Arya's arms. Ryan slowly took Emma from her, putting her down on the couch. Arya nodded a silent thanks. Natalia was the first to speak. "That... Was very amazing... And brave." They all nodded. Arya choked. "I.. Need a hug.." At once they all group hugged the crap out of Arya, much like they did years ago.
Once the others filed out of the room Arya stared at Horatio who had stayed behind. He picked the sleeping Emma up and smiled gently. "She's staying with Yelina for now.. She's safe." Arya nodded wordlessly and closed her eyes. "I need a little alone time..." Horatio nodded and stepped aside. "It's ok... Go."
The graveyard was dark save for a few security lights. Arya didn't need them. She had been here many times before. Her family was here. And so was speed. Coincidentally Speed was buried right across the way from her family. She'd only have to move over a few feet to see him. She dropped a rose on Speeds grave and her families and sat down between the plots. Her voice shook with tears. "H-hey everyone..." Silence met her ears and for the first time she welcomed it. Arya fingered the dog tags she had gotten from her dad so many years ago. "This girl... She's just like me.. And she brought so many bad memories back... And so many good ones.. What do I do?" She whimpered. Tears started to fall but she didn't try to stop them. "What do I do?" A breeze blew across her face. And with it came a scent. One she knew very well. It was Horatio's. Just then Arya knew what she had to do. She had already had that thought in the back of her mind before. This sign only strengthened her resolve.
Arya walked into their house silently. All the lights y were off but she didn't need them to walk back to the room they now shared. She found him there, on the bed fully dressed and reading a book, a glass of scotch in his hand. "I was wondering when you'd get home from your visit." Of course he knew where she went. Arya nodded silently. "Horatio... When I was in this position you saved me. Gave me a family and a home." He looked up at her and nodded smiling a little. "Yes. And I don't regret it." Arya rubbed her neck smiling nervously. "Horatio.. What made you do that?" He stilled, surprised by her question. Horatio thought for a moment and shook his head. "I honestly don't know.. I just knew that I had, no needed to. Why do you ask?" Arya took a steadying breath and looked him in the eyes calmly. "Horatio.. I want to give Emma the same things you gave me. I wanna adopt her."