CHAPTER 10

After a long conversation with Emily and the officer, Dani was set free to go home.

The only reason why they took so long was that both Emily and Tara were reprimanding the officer for his actions.

They were mad at the fact that the officer dared detain the girl with no evidence of her doing anything wrong.

Daniela was pretty surprised with the quick change of attitude the officer had when both women presented themselves as federal agents.

He practically went pale when he saw the FBI credentials, especially when he noticed that Daniela's foster was no one other than the Unit Chief of the BAU.

Never expected that from a foster did ya? Daniela thought to herself with a smirk on her face once Emily showed her credentials.

It was weird how a rather tall and fit man was being intimidated by Emily. She shouldn't be surprised though.

The woman deals with serial killers on a daily basis. Nothing phases her.

But now it was over.

It was a bump on the road that none of them wanted for the weekend but for now, they just wanted to get over it and enjoy their food that was still in the car.

Emily hoped that the food didn't get too cold.

They arrived at the parking lot and walked towards the car where the food was.

Dani was explaining her side of the story to both ladies, ranting how it was all messed up.

"They were lucky I'm a pretty chill person and didn't put up a fight," she commented.

"That lady kept on looking at me like if I was going to pounce on her or something."

"But you didn't because you are better than that," Emily stated as she unlocked the car.

"Well not really. It was mostly because I was cuffed," the teenager answered.

Tara let out a snicker while Emily rolled her eyes with a smile at the teenager's remark.

"Who was that lady anyway?" Tara asked her.

"My guess is as good as yours. I don't know who she was. I don't even think she lives here," Daniela responded.

"She probably came to visit someone or something."

"Well as long as we don't cross paths with her again, it's all good," Emily said as she took out the two bags of food.

"For now, let's just go back upstairs and eat this before it gets too cold." Both Tara and Dani nod in agreement as they make their way to the entrance.

"Emily. Emily Prentiss," they hear someone call out the agent's name.

Daniela thought that the voice sounded way too familiar. All three of them look back to see who it was.

Both Emily and Dani recognize who this person was but for different reasons.

"Mother?" Emily questioned with uncertainty as the woman approached her.

"That lady is your mom?" Dani asked her incredulously. Her jaw practically dropped.

Emily nods in response as her mother came forward. She was as elegant as always, keeping herself flawless despite her age.

The woman smiled at Emily and greeted her.

"Emily, dear. How long has it been since I've last seen you," she said with a wide smile.

"it's been quite the years, mother," Emily said with a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

It has been years since she has last seen her mother. The woman was an international diplomat.

She traveled everywhere and that was always something that Emily both liked and hated about her mother's job.

She mostly hated it though because her mother never gave her the attention that Emily craved when she was younger. That is why their relationship was so distant and cold.

She loved her mother, she really did but Emily has grown used to her long-distance relationship with her.

But now her mother is here. After years of her coming to DC, she is back without giving Emily any notice.

Emily wasn't quite sure how to react. She hated getting caught off guard.

The woman approached Emily and gave her a quick hug.

She then looked behind Emily, noticing Tara and then the teen who was not far from them.

Tara was also surprised. She has known Emily for years.

Not as long as other members of the BAU like JJ or Penelope but long enough to form a close friendship with her.

Emily has talked about her relationship with her mother before. Tara knew that they weren't close and could explain why Emily was so independent.

She knew that Emily was more than confused when her mother appeared from a parking lot.

Dani on the other hand was more than shocked in seeing who was Emily's mother.

First of all, she had rarely heard Emily talk about her. She only mentioned her twice since Dani has met her.

The only thing she knew is that her name was Elizabeth Prentiss and that she was an ambassador. She didn't even know how the woman looked like.

The second reason why the girl was shocked was that Dani just had a recent encounter with the woman.

Ay Dios Mio. Ain't life full of unexpected surprises, the girl thought to herself.

"You? What are you doing here? Were you not with officer Cooper?" the woman asked as she let go of Emily.

Both Tara and Emily looked at the ambassador with a confused face at her comment.

"How did you know about that?" Emily asked with speculation.

She looked at Dani and then back at her mother.

"Wait a second. Were you the one who called the police on her?" Emily asked with disbelief.

"Why yes I did," the ambassador confirmed.

She looked at the teenager who was standing rather uncomfortably next to Tara.

"I caught her stealing some items". She paused and directed her attention to the girl.

"How come you are here?"

Before Emily could interject in the conversation, Dani who was at first unresponsive, stepped up in order to give an answer to the woman.

"The officer confirmed that I do live here. There was no proof of me stealing since the owner of the package backed up my claim that I was simply going to return it to him," she calmly replied though she felt more than offended that the woman was still questioning her.

"And how did he confirm this information?" the ambassador asked.

"I did, mother," Emily answered her.

Elizabeth looked at her daughter with a brow raised, wondering what she meant.

"I confirmed that she lived here because Daniela lives with me". Emily saw how her mother's face changed from confused to surprised.

Emily never told Elizabeth anything about her taking in Dani. Though deep down she believes that the ambassador knew something about it.

She has contacts who keep her in touch with situations.

"This girl lives with you?" Elizabeth asked her daughter.

Emily simply nodded as she walked towards Daniela, placing her hands on the girl's shoulders as she stood next to her.

"This girl who you unnecessarily called the police in lives with me."

She then directs her attention to both Dani and Tara.

"Why don't you both go ahead and start lunch without me. I will stay here and talk."

"Are you sure?" the teen asked with worry.

She didn't want Emily to confront her mother because of her fault.

"I'm sure hun. Just go up with Tara and ill handle this," Emily said as she pushed a strand of hair behind the teen's ear.

Dani nods and walks with Tara to the entrance, heading up to their unit as Emily stayed behind with her mother at the parking lot.

"I can't believe you actually took her in," Elizabeth said once she saw that no one was near them.

"I thought there was some sort of mistake when I heard that you took in a foster child."

Emily turned around to face her mother eye to eye. They both had the same dark chocolate eyes facing each other.

"I took Daniela in around two years. I knew that one of your informants would tell you about what I did."

"They did tell me though I thought there was an error in their finding. You didn't look like the type of woman who would take in a child," Elizabeth told her daughter.

"Especialy a child like her."

"And tell me what exactly do you know about her?" Emily asked, spitting a bit of anger at the end of her sentence.

"Well, what I can remember of what they told me is that the girl comes from a very unfit home. I remember hearing that her mother was a drug addict and her father a low-life gang member," Elizabeth responded.

"It's no wonder that she ended up in the foster care system."

"She has been through a lot. That is why I wanted to help."

"But you can't be serious to take her in, Emily," Elizabeth states. "That child is bound to cause trouble."

"And what on Earth makes you say that?"

"She is the daughter of an addict and a criminal dear. All she has known is to use or sell drugs or anything of that sort," the ambassador explained.

"Listen, I get that maybe you wanted to take in a child because you wanted the experience of having one, or maybe you took her in because you felt lonely. Whatever the reason is, you could have taken in a child who didn't have so many problems. "

"Especially if it's a girl that was in one of your cases. What are you going to do? Take in every child you see with a messed up life?"

Emily took a sharp intake of breath before responding.

She hated to have to hear every single word that came out of her mother's mouth like that. How judgemental she was towards a girl that the woman has never met before.

Each sentence that her mother said was a low punch towards Emily and she was going to try her best in responding without letting all her anger show.

But if her mother were to still continue with her diminishing attitude towards Daniela, she would snap and pounce on her.

Unlike Dani, Emily wasn't restrained with handcuffs.

"Listen, mother," Emily started with a low and eerie cold voice.

"First of all, I would like you to stop saying those things about Daniela. She isn't anything about what you just said. Dani is a good kid with an amazing heart and I find it ridiculous that you are saying things about her even though you have never truly met her. "

"Just because you know partly a few things about her does not mean you know her as I do. So just cut it off with your labels towards her," she stated.

The ambassador was about to protest but Emily continued.

"Second of all, you don't have to know why I chose to take her in. That is something between me and her. I have the right to make my own choices and I chose to take her under my care. I didn't care what others would think and till this day I still don't."

"Don't get so defensive, Emily. I'm on your side here. Believe it or not, I am looking out for you," Elizabeth told her.

"Look, if you wanted to take in a child I have no problem in that. I'm glad that you want to start a family, even if it isn't in the most traditional way. You should have contacted me about it and I would have helped you."

"All I'm saying is that you should have picked a more... suitable child. One that preferably won't be dead or in jail in a few years."

That was the last straw for Emily.

"Now stop that right now, mother! Just stop. I absolutely can't believe what you are saying right now! This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you about Dani because I knew you would react like this," she paused and took a breath.

"I knew that you wouldn't accept her because you always see people through their status and labels. Guess what mother?I don't care what you think about what type of child is more 'suitable' for you."

"I don't give a damn because I'm the one who will be taking care of her not you," Emily was mad, furious even about her mother's words and it was evident.

"And I warn you right now. Do not ever say that about Daniela again. She doesn't reflect her parent's actions. She has been very determined to push through her struggles and she has become a great person because of her dedication to move on."

"I refuse to listen to you constantly belittling her. It isn't fair for you to do that and I won't tolerate it."

"Emily, I refuse to let you talk to me that way. I demand that you show some respect because whether you like it or not I am still your mother."

"Don't expect me to let you talk about Dani that way because I won't," Emily huffed.

"And by the way, how bold of you to call the police on a child. A child, mother."

"I was trying to do the right thing. How was I supposed to know she lived here?" Elizabeth scoffed, folding her arms around her chest.

"Because she told you so."

"Well, I thought that it was weird that someone like her lived around here that's all. May I add that from my perspective she looked suspicious walking around with the package like that? She just seemed out of place."

Emily took a sharp intake of breath before she responded. If she didn't she could swear that her head was going to explode with frustration.

How could her mother be this way? It was very upsetting to hear but at the same time, Emily wasn't surprised.

That is what hurts her the most.

"It's very sad that you think that way. I always thought that your status and wealth blinded you but I see that it has done more than that. It has made you a self-centered and arrogant woman with your head in the clouds."

"What are you-"

"Enough, mother!" Emily snaps.

She turns around, turning her back on her mother. She wished she did it sooner. Their conversation was just a dead end.

Her mother wasn't going to change. The best thing she could do is step away from her.

"It's a shame that your prejudice won't let you see the best in people. I bet that if you really wanted to meet Daniela you would see the most wonderful child in your life. The child that I fell in love with the moment I took her under my care."

"Until then, please don't come back to my home if you are not willing to change. I don't want Dani to feel uncomfortable in her own home," she starts to walk away from the ambassador.

"Goodbye, mother."

"Emily, don't walk away from me. We are not done discussing," Elizabeth called out with bitterness in her tone but Emily continues to walk away.

She didn't want to listen to her mother anymore.

She knew that if she were to continue with her, the words that her mother would say will hurt her more than they had already done.

She wasn't walking off on defeat. No. She just walked away from the time bomb before it explodes.

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After the tumultuous events from the afternoon, Emily, Tara, and Dani spent the rest of the evening enjoying their food and company.

The ladies spent the rest of the day enjoying each other company by playing a few card games and watching TV.

None of them discussed what happened with Elizabeth, with them preferring to get that sour taste out of their mouth. Especially Emily.

She didn't Elizabeth to ruin her day more than she already has. Her presence, physical or not, still made Emily stiffen with a mixture of emotions.

None of those emotions were good.

But for now, it was over. All she wanted to do now is to enjoy her time with the people she loves.

She wasn't going to let her mother ruin her mood that was very upbeat in the morning.

Though she knows deep down that she couldn't just shake off what happened. It was going to be harder than that.

After a few hours, Tara left. Emily was grateful that she came over.

Tara was just very fun to hang out with her adventurous and humorous side, always cracking up a joke or two to lighten the mood.

Emily was especially grateful that she was there to take Dani back upstairs as she talked to her mother.

She didn't want Daniela to witness the type of relationship they had.

Dani also enjoyed Tara's company. She likes hanging out with everyone from the BAU. They were all so cool and warmhearted towards her.

She remembers how she met Tara back two years ago. She helped her receive counseling after they rescued her from that man who wanted to kill her.

Daniela thought that Tara was going to be like the rest of the shrinks that she went to before but Tara proved different.

The woman knew how to interact and connect with her and treated her as equal. Dani wasn't fond of therapy but she just did it for the six months that Tara suggested.

Dani more than agreed to it. She absolutely hated talking about her feelings. She preferred to do anything else than to spill her problems and insecurities to someone else.

She hated it because it made her feel weak.

Now Emily and Dani had the home all to themselves again.

Emily was in the living room reading a book while Dani was upstairs finishing up some homework that she had to turn in the next day.

Though Emily had the book in her hand, she couldn't seem to concentrate on what she was reading. Her mind wouldn't allow it.

She kept on rewinding to the words her mother said. How overcritical she was towards Daniela even if she only had a brief encounter with her.

The way she talked about Dani made Emily's blood boil in anger.

She was angry that her mother attacked the one person that Emily loves without limitation.

Her love towards her was immeasurable, so much to the point that it even scared Emily. It scared her because she knew if something bad were to happen to the girl she would be absolutely devastated.

The teenager managed to make Emily have a weak spot. Her love was also her greatest weakness and her mother proved it that way.

The words that she said managed to get into Emily's head.

Words that she wants to light on fire.

Emily was interrupted in her mind spiraling thoughts when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turns around, seeing Dani standing right behind her with a smile.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted some," she said as she lifted a bag of soft-baked cookies.

Emily smiled at the sight of the bag.

"Of course. I would love some," she said while reaching out for the bag.

The teenager in a swift move turns around with the bag in hand as she walks around the couch.

"Ah, hold your horses. I offered a few, not the whole bag," she said as she sat next to Emily on the couch.

Emily pouts in response, crossing her arms around her chest.

"It's not like I'm going to eat the whole thing."

"Last time I checked, I bought these and they mysteriously disappeared the next day," the girl explained as she opened the bag of cookies.

"That is why I kept these in a secret hideout," she said as she handed Emily a few cookies.

"I don't know how many times I have to explain that it wasn't me," Emily said as she took a bite of the cookie.

"Oh yeah? Then who was it?"

Daniela asked with a brow raised.

"Let's see. It wasn't me and apparently, it wasn't you either. Huh. Ahh... fue el fantasma," she said as she snapped her fingers in realization.

Emily nods in agreement.

"It obviously was the ghost. It was probably hungry or something," she said as she finished her cookie.

"Of course, my bad for blaming you," Dani said with a smile as she took a bite of her cookie.

Emily reached for the bag hoping to get another. Dani simply hands her the bag in defeat.

"That will be a dollar for each cookie that is left in there," she said. Emily looked at her surprised.

"And here I thought you were being nice," Emily mumbled as she continued eating.

"Listen, Em. I would give absolutely anything for you. You need an organ, I got you. But with food. That's a different story."

Emily laughs and nudges the girl on the shoulder. "You're crazy."

"Thank you," Dani said with a smug. It was a compliment.

Dani then realized the book Emily had next to her. It was a blue, hardcover chapter book with what appeared to be a golden tree on the cover.

"Is the book interesting so far?"

Emily looks down at the book and then back to the girl.

"I am not completely sure. I haven't been exactly paying attention to it," she admitted.

"I noticed. You have only advanced like five pages since you started reading it like an hour ago,"

Daniela said as ran her fingers through her hair.

"I know you aren't a slow reader and you have been acting a little distracted lately. Are you alright?"

Emily looks at the girl who showed nothing but concern for her. She knows that she was acting weird though she tried her best to act like herself.

"Would you believe me if I said that I was fine?" she asked as she closed the bag of cookies.

"Nope," the girl replied.

"Listen, I ain't a profiler like you but I have been with you long enough to know that something is troubling you."

"You're right. Something is bugging me," Emily said, putting her book and the bag on the coffee table.

"It's my mother."

"I had a hunch that it was because of her. From what you have told me, you two aren't really close."

Emily nods slowly.

"We aren't. It's just been that way my whole life. She isn't the most attentive parent in the world," Emily said as she started fiddling with her fingers.

"And each time we do spend time together we always argue about something."

"So I'm guessing you were not expecting her to come over. Is that why you are so pensive?"

"No... well yes. Partly because of that," Emily said. She sighs and looks down at the floor.

"The reason why I am like this is because of what she did to you. She had no right in treating you that way and I'm so embarrassed that you went through all of this because of her. You didn't deserve that and I'm so sorry for what she did."

Dani looks at Emily and places her hand on Emily's shoulder. Emily looks up at the girl as she begins to speak.

"Em, you don't have to apologize. What happened back there with your mom was not your fault."

"But I still feel bad about the way she treated you," Emily said.

"She outed you out for no reason and started accusing you of something you didn't do. She made you feel like an outsider inside your own home," Emily said with indignation.

She was mad that this happened to Dani. It wasn't just for the girl to be questioned by a woman who didn't even live there.

If anything, Elizabeth was the one who didn't belong there, not Dani.

"Em, it's all alright. You don't have to feel bad at all," Dani told her. "What happened back there... it's not something new."

Emily looks at her, wanting to know what Dani was referring to.

"Listen Em, it wasn't my first time being told that I don't belong. I've been and lived in places where they made that pretty clear, especially when I lived in the Southern part of Maryland. I immediately saw that I didn't fit in with the rest." the girl explained.

"I definitely felt like the odd one out. And the looks people gave me while I was out there didn't help ease up the tension."

"They all looked at me with skepticism, asking why there was a wetback in their town. That I was bound to cause nothing but crime and trouble." she paused and looked down at her hands.

"It's just something that happens you know."

"I didn't know you went through that, Dan. It's horrible all of those things happened to you," Emily told the girl.

She wasn't aware of the events Daniela told her about. It both infuriated and saddened her at the same time.

This wasn't supposed to happen to Daniela or anyone. We were in 2017 for crying out loud. None of these terrible actions should happen.

It was just sickening to hear what happened to the girl.

"It sucks but I try to not let it get in my head," Daniela said. "

I can't control how others think and I can't change that. I could just get used to it and turn a blind eye."

"It's not fair that you have to get used to it," Emily said, downhearted at the girl's statement.

Dani just shrugs and looks back at the agent. "Plus, it doesn't even happen much, and well... to give the benefit of the doubt to your mom, she was probably confused about something."

"I mean... it's not every day you see an awesome Mexican gal around these places," she said with a smug.

Emily smiles at the teen's optimism. She greatly admires how the girl has handled what happened.

It looked like what happened didn't affect her mood, or at least she didn't show it.

"Well, whatever my mother was thinking, it doesn't excuse her for doing all this."

"Oh, well I would say you should talk to her but I know it wouldn't end well. From what I can tell, you are about as stubborn as your mom," Dani points out.

"Oh my God, don't compare me to her," Emily huffed, shaking her head.

"I'm not," Dani said, raising her hands in defense.

She found it amusing how Emily reacted. She definitely didn't want to be like her mother.

"You are way cooler and pretty fun," she said.

"All I'm saying is that maybe when the waters cool off you should talk to her. I know you don't get along but at least give it a shot. Maybe you guys can at least look eye to eye again once you've reached out."

Emily looks at the girl, shocked by her suggestion.

"You still want me to talk to my mother after what she did to you?" she asked.

She thought that Dani would already have an unlikable opinion towards her mother.

In complete honesty, if she were Dani, she would have more than a hard time looking to her mother with anything else than remorse.

"As I said, I wanna give her the benefit of the doubt," Daniela told her.

"Plus, I feel like it would be good for you. Obviously, you should do it once you feel ready. No rush in doing so. It's just to talk and clear things up. Who knows? Maybe the thoughts that are troubling you can be settled," she states.

The girl then starts fiddling with her fingers.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," Emily said, wondering what the girl would ask.

"Despite everything, do you love your mom?"

Emily opens her mouth but pauses. The question is simple yet complicated.

Yes, she does love her mom.

Even if she wasn't the greatest person ever and even if they had countless arguments, she did love her mom.

It's weird and bizarre the way she loved her.

"Yes. Even after everything, I still do," Emily states, and Dani smiles.

"Then you should try to patch things up. You never know what can happen to those we love," the girl said.

She knows from personal experience what it was like losing someone close, especially her mother. She regrets so many things but it was not telling her that she loved her is that hurts her the most.

"Plus, it's not like you can just give your mom away in some sort of mother's convention or something," she added, lightening up the mood.

"You're right. Those conventions don't exist yet and if they did, I doubt anyone else would want her," Emily said, making them both laugh.

She then reaches for the girl and wraps her arms around her, pulling her close.

Dani was right, you don't know what can happen to a person you love and that is why she wanted the girl close.

"You're amazing. You know that?" Emily said, putting her chin on top of the girl's head.

"I'm surprised you just noticed," the girl said, looking up at her foster.

"I always knew that," Emily said. "And that's why I love you."

"Yo tambien te quiero."