CHAPTER 25
A few days pass by with Daniela slowly recovering from her injuries.
The team kept their promise in visiting whenever they could in order to make sure the teen and their boss were okay.
The ladies would enjoy their company, especially with Penelope's vivid energy and Rossi's exquisite food.
Emily noticed how Dani became quite reserved during these last few days. She was quiet for the most part, only talking when Emily would start up a conversation.
Part of her wants to think that the reason why Dani was acting this way is because of the medication that she takes.
Some of them do make her drowsy, lowering her energy in talking but the agent knows that it is more than that.
She knows it's something deeper than that.
The teen has always told her that she feels good physically but never says anything in regards to how she feels emotionally.
Emily decided not to push the teen into talking, not wanting her to feel agitated or uncomfortable.
She is just patiently waiting in hopes of the teen eventually opening up.
It's a Wednesday morning and Penelope stopped by for a visit, bringing along breakfast to share.
Emily and the tech analyst are sitting at the kitchen bar, talking while having a drink.
"I brought you tea with fine herbs my non-caffeine drinker," Penelope said while handing her a cup.
"I admire you for quitting on such a strong yet addictive drink but I do wonder how you manage without it. I don't think I can go by a day without coffee," Penelope said while pointing at her cup.
"This is life."
"Caffeine gets me all agitated. With everything that has been going on the last couple of days, I'm already on edge. The last thing I need is to add extra nerves in my system," Emily tells the blonde.
"The only time I drink coffee is when I'm hungover or something like that."
"Yeah, last time that happened, she was complaining that her head was pounding and everything was too loud for her," Dani said while entering the kitchen with a smile.
She is wearing a pair of red basketball shorts with an oversized long sleeve shirt. The teen has her hair tied up in a messy bun as she just woke up.
"Coffee was the cure."
"You're up!" Penelope exclaims as she stands up and walks toward the teen.
She welcomes her with a light hug, knowing that the teen is still recovering from her broken rib.
"Hey, P," Dani said with a smile.
She is glad that the tech analyst stopped by for a visit. Penelope lets go of the teen and look at her with a smile.
"I brought you something that I know you will love," she said with an energetic voice.
Dani tilts her head to the side wondering what the bubbly woman was talking about.
The blonde grabs the teen's hand and guides her to the bar where Emily was sitting. She is taking out something from one of the breakfast bags she brought while Dani sits next to Emily.
The brunette smiles at the teen and leans over to press a kiss on the top of her head.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she tells the girl.
"Morning, Em," replied the teen with a sheepish smile.
"Any trouble sleeping last night?" Emily asks. She noticed that the teen had tired eyes and looks slightly paler than usual.
Now that she thinks about it, the girl does not look like the best version of herself. She looks restless but somehow manages to show herself as being okay.
She begins to worry about her health and with good reason. If Daniela continues on this path it can affect her physical health. She could end up sick or maybe even worse.
"Yeah. Well, kind of," Dani answers while stretching.
"I slept a little late. Tried sleeping earlier but I couldn't. I guess the meds screwed up my sleeping schedule," she said with a shrug.
"I'm just a little tired, that's all."
That was only half true. Yes. She struggled sleeping last night.
In fact, she couldn't sleep until about three in the morning but it wasn't the medication that was keeping her up.
Something else was bothering her all last night.
Its been leaving her restless ever since she got back from the hospital.
Emily looks at Dani with worried eyes. Before she can say something, Garcia walks up to them with a coffee cup in hand.
"Here you go, sugar bear. Vanilla flavored ice coffee. Just how you like it," Penelope said while handing the cup to the teen.
Dani accepts the cup with a smile.
"You're the best. Thank you," she said while taking a sip.
"Anytime, hun," Garcia said with a wink.
"You and I are both alike when it comes to mornings. Can't go anywhere without a delicious dose of caffeine."
"That is very true. I don't think I can properly function without this," Dani said while leaning back on the chair.
"You have the day off?"
"Unfortunately, no. We don't have a case yet so we just have paperwork to fill out. I have to be at the office by eleven," she said with a small pout.
"But I wanted to stop by for a visit to see how you two are doing. As the very wonderful person I am, I brought delicious breakfast for you wonderful ladies,"
she said while unpacking the food that was inside the bags.
"And that's why we love you," Emily said while standing up in order to help the blonde.
Dani nods in agreement.
"Oh, I know you do," replies Penelope with a grin.
The three ladies eat breakfast together. Penelope brought in a variety of morning dishes which included pancakes, sausages, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
They all enjoyed the food, Penelope briefing on what Emily has missed from work.
Emily is worry-free when it comes to her team not being under her command.
As the Unit Chief of the team, she has the responsibility of carrying out and observing what happens in the facility.
She left Rossi in charge, knowing that he is the most experienced and skilled person to handle the position of being in charge. She knows that the BAU is in the right hands.
Dani is the first one to finish. She stands up and politely excuses herself from the table.
"Thanks for the breakfast, Pen."
"No problem, dear," Penelope replies. "I hope this recharged your battery to the fullest."
"I hope so too," Emily said while taking a bite of her pancake.
"Remember that you have a doctor's appointment at twelve today."
"That's today?" Asks the teen with a brow raised.
"Yes," the brunette confirms with a nod. She sees how the teen gets a little tensed up.
"It's just a check-up. They just want to see if you are getting better. That's all."
"I hope you're right," Daniela says.
"Because if one of the nurses comes out of nowhere and tells me that I'm missing a vaccine or something like that, I'm gonna have to throw hands."
"Please don't do that," Emily says with a sigh.
"You can't blame me. I'm getting tired of being poked with a needle," the girl whines with a small pout.
The two agents see how the girl suddenly looks a few years younger than she is.
Emily stands up and looks at the girl.
"It's just a quick check-up. No more injections. I promise," she tells the girl.
She then places her palm on the side of the girl's face.
"You look adorable with that little pout of yours," she said while squishing Dani's face with both hands.
Daniela moves her head back and raises her brow, questioning the woman's statement.
Dani is a teenager. The girl wants to be seen as cool and a badass. As intimidating even. Not adorable like Emily said she is.
"I am not adorable," the teenager mumbles under her breath while rolling her eyes, proving that she is in fact a teenager, not a child.
Emily smiles as she pulls the teenager towards her and plants a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm sorry. I guess I forgot that you are a total and complete badass," she tells the girl as she pushes back a strand of hair from the teen's face.
"Now go do what you have to do and get ready for the appointment."
"Alright. I will go shower and change then," Dani says as she leaves the kitchen.
The two ladies watch as she leaves before talking.
"She seems to be doing well," Penelope tells the brunette.
"Too well," Emily said with a frown as she sits back down.
"That is a good thing... right?" Garcia questions.
She thought that Dani doing well is a good sign that everything is getting better. Apparently not according to her friend.
"I don't know. I guess," Emily said with a sigh.
"The kid, she is good at masking what she really feels. She is like a prickly cactus, hard to reach if she doesn't want you to get to her."
"Are we talking about Dani or about you?" Penelope said while cocking her head to the side.
"Em, you both do the same thing. Strong-willed, never breaking in front of others."
Penelope cannot believe how similar Daniela and Emily act. The way they express themselves, their mannerism, and even their sarcasm is at par with one another.
It's almost like Daniela has been raised her whole life with Emily. They are meant to be a mother and daughter duo.
But the downside of being similar to each other is their flaws.
They both dislike expressing their weakest emotions. Their ego or stubbornness doesn't allow them to do so.
Emily looks at her and notices that her friend has a point.
"I guess you're right but that's the part that scares me. If she is like me that means it would be almost impossible to reach out to her."
"Have you tried asking her how she feels?" Penelope asks.
"Yes, but she only tells me how she feels physically," Emily answers.
"She never once brings up what she felt when she was captured or how she is feeling now in regards to her emotions."
"The thing is, I think her emotional state is starting to affect her physical one."
"I do have to say, my sugar bear looks like she isn't getting much sleep," Penelope tells the woman.
"Do you think she has any nightmares?"
"I don't think so. Normally when she has any bad nightmares I hear her but none of that has happened," the profiler replies.
"But something is keeping her up. I'm just not completely sure what it is."
"I have to admit, getting Dani to talk will be a struggle. She is like you after all," the blonde points out.
"Em, you are the closest thing she has to a mom. You have to hang in there, be there for her in order to let her know that she isn't alone," Penelope states while reaching for Emily's hand.
"She will see how much you love and care for her. Once she sees that, she will start opening up."
Emily smiles at her friend, grateful for the advice.
"Thank you, Penelope. For everything."
"Anytime momma bear. It's just a matter of time."
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Emily and Dani are sitting in the waiting area of the doctor's office. It's a nice-looking family physician building with bright lights that beamed vividly.
The walls are bright blue and the floor is squeaky clean. The teenager considers it the nicest doctor's building she has ever been in.
The place is rather empty, with only four other patients waiting in the room.
Dani is sitting on the edge of her seat, bouncing her foot up and down. A habit she grew up with whenever she is anxious or nervous.
She isn't sure exactly why she is feeling this way. It's just one of those things that she can't control.
On the other hand, Emily is patiently waiting while reading a book. She noticed how jittery the teen is and placed her book down.
"You okay?"
Dani looks up at the brunette and shoots her a smile.
"Yeah. A little nervous, that's all," Emily frows, concerned for the young teenager.
"I just haven't been outside since... well, you know."
Emily nods in understanding. She knows how hard it must be for the girl to be outside the comfort of their home.
It's hard to leave the only place you feel safe after living something as frightening as her kidnapping.
"Once the check-up is over we will go back home, okay?" She said while placing her hand on top of Dani's.
"Alright."
Just then Dani is called inside. Both ladies walk inside, greeted by a young nurse. The nurse guides them towards a small room that was right at the entrance.
Dani enters the room and sits down on a chair while Emily is standing by the entrance.
The nurse does a quick check-up, checking out the teen's heart rate, temperature, height, and weight.
After that was over, the nurse guides them to a larger room, telling them that the doctor would be there soon to check on them.
Dani is sitting on the practice table while Emily is sitting on a chair placed on the side. Dani rests her chin on her hand, feeling slightly sleepy.
Damn. The caffeine wore down already, she thought to herself.
They hear a knock on the door and watch as the door opens slowly, with the doctor entering the room.
She is a young, caramel-skin-toned woman with nice frizzy hair. Dani's primary physician ever since Emily took her in.
"Why hello there, ladies," she greeted with a warm smile.
"Dr. Bailey. Nice to see you again," Emily said while standing up and stretching her hand.
Both ladies greet each other with a firm handshake and a smile. Dr. Bailey looks at Dani who is sitting on the edge of the table.
"So, I heard you entered inside an MMA ring or something like that," she said with a sweet smile.
She knew what really happened to Dani. Emily told her the day she made the appointment.
She was caught up with everything, including the child's injuries.
"You could say that," Dani replies.
"And if someone asks, just tell them that I was the one who totally won the match."
Both adults in the room chuckle at the teens' remark.
"Knowing you, I wouldn't doubt you for one second," said the doctor.
"You know it, Doc," the teen said with a grin.
"Alright. I just need to check on your recovery," she said while putting on some latex gloves.
"I will check on the cuts on your arms in order to make sure they are healing properly," she tells the teen while walking toward her.
Dani nods and slowly rolls up her sleeves, revealing the scars. She looks at them and frowns lightly, watching the lashes in her arms.
She has been wearing long sleeve shirts and hoodies since she got back from the hospital.
It isn't because of the weather. Mid-August weather in the DC area is still reflecting some hot and sunny days, though not as bad as June and July.
She has been wearing these long sleeve clothes in order for her not to look at the lashes she has.
It only reminds her of that night. That damn awful night.
She stretches her hands in order for the doctor to get a good look. Dr. Bailey examines both arms and makes sure they were healing properly.
Emily watches quietly as the doctor examines the teenager's arms.
She can see how the lashes ran across her arm, some longer than others. She shudders as she remembers the live feed where she saw Dani receiving those cuts.
Each and every single one of them.
That video will always haunt the agent for the rest of her life. That whole night will always drag her down in fear and guilt.
"They seem to be healing very well. These scars should be gone in a few more weeks," the doctor tells the girl.
"How about the cut on the brow?" Dani asks quietly.
She can hardly see herself in the mirror without looking at the slash she has through her eyebrow.
It's the first thing that stands out to her or to anyone who looks at her.
She doesn't like the fact that unlike the rest of her scars and bruises, she can't hide this one. No clothes or bandages can hide this slash.
She hates the fact that this scar represents one of the worst days of her life and the worst of all, she can't hide it from herself and from others.
"Let me take a look," Dr. Bailey tells her as she stands up and grabs a handheld scope.
She reaches for the teen and slowly touches the stitches that are going through Dani's eyebrow, looking for anything unusual.
Dani slightly winces with the doctor's touch, feeling a slight sting. The doctor gives her an apologetic look and places her hand down.
"Well, the stitches seem to be doing fine, which means they should dissolve just fine. The good thing is that it is not infected," she pauses and looks at Emily who was listening attentively.
"Unfortunately, the cut was deep in a rather sensitive area of the skin. There will most likely be a permanent scar left behind after the wound fully heals."
Dani looks down and sighs. So much for good news.
"That's okay. As long as it doesn't hurt anymore I'll be fine."
"Once the stitches are gone, you won't feel any discomfort," the doctor assures her. "I promise."
Dani nods and glances at Emily. The agent is sitting on the chair and lightly smiles at her.
"Scar or no scar, you look perfect," she tells her. She smiles and turns her attention back to the doctor.
Doctor Bailey continues examining the teenager by checking on the teen's rib.
Dani was lifting up half of her shirt while Dr. Bailey was lightly pressing on the side of her ribcage, asking her if she felt any discomfort when doing so.
Daniela has purple bruises in the abdominal area of her body but only felt slightly sore.
Dr. Bailey uses her stethoscope and tells the teen to take deep breaths in order to hear any crackling there could be.
She was glad to hear the teen breathe normally without anything sounding unusual.
"Well, it looks like you're recovering at a great pace."
"Your wounds are healing well and soon enough you will be able to do activities without any major restrictions," Dr. Bailey tells Dani while sitting down on a mobile stool.
"For now I want you to continue resting and limit any major physical stress. Take any pain medication only when you feel discomfort."
"That I can do," Dani said while hopping off the table.
"So is the check-up over? Do I get a lollipop or something for my excellent behavior?"
The doctor chuckles as Emily shakes her head with a smile.
"Not so fast, Daniela. I do need to assess one more thing before you go," Dr. Bailey said.
"But you can get candy that is inside the top cabinet," she said while pointing out the cabinet.
Dani smiles as she opens the cabinet door, revealing a jar of small sweets. She takes out a red tootsie pop and leans against the wall.
"What is there left?"
"Well, as I said, you have been healing well physically. How about mentally?" asks the young doctor.
Emily looks at the teen for a response.
"What do you mean?" asks Dani with a brow raised.
"What I'm saying is, have you recovered emotionally?" said the doctor.
"What you have been through was a really hard and stressful experience. Experiences like the one you went through can negatively impact their mental health."
"Are you saying that what if what I went through made me crazy or something?" Dani said rather defensively.
Emily noticed the change of tone in the teen's voice. She stands up and walks in front of her.
"We are not saying that something is wrong with you, Dan. We are just worried that what happened affected you emotionally," she said softly.
"It's okay to feel sad or scared. Nothing to be ashamed about."
"I'm not scared. I'm fine." Dani said while looking at Emily. She glances at the door, wanting to get out.
"What happened out there... it's over. It's in the past now."
Dr. Bailey sits up and looks at the teen.
"Daniela, these types of situations are not easy to overcome, especially for a teenager like yourself. This was a very traumatic experience you went through-"
"But it's not the first one," Dani said while interrupting the adult. She looks down at the floor with a frown on her face.
"I've been through a lot of... hard times. I've managed to go on and push through without any problems. I don't need any help now."
She doesn't know why but she started to feel overwhelmed by the doctor's question.
Can't they just understand that I'm okay? What happened is now over. I can get through this by myself. Why can't they see that and let it rest?
"But now you have the opportunity to get the help you need," Dr. Bailey tells her.
"I can recommend the best therapist for you and then you can start a personalized treatment."
"And who the hell says I need therapy?"
"You do, Daniela," Emily speaks up.
She flashes the teenager a warning look, silently telling her to watch her tone.
"There is no shame in that. Let us help you. Let me help you."
"I don't need help so you two should just drop all of this," Daniela quickly replies.
The badgering from both women is too much to handle for the teenager but noticed her demeaning tone quickly.
She internally scolds herself, knowing that she has no right in treating them this way.
"I'm sorry. Sorry for saying that. I just... I need to go to the bathroom."
Daniela opens the door and quickly walks out of the room, leaving both of them behind.
Emily sighs and turns around, facing the doctor.
"She doesn't want to talk," she said in a defeated tone.
"She has been quiet ever since we got back from the hospital and when she talks she makes sure to avoid the topic of her abduction. When I try to ask her how she feels about it she shuts down."
Dr. Bailey stands up and looks at the worried brunette.
"It isn't abnormal for her to display this behavior," she tells Emily.
"Daniela is right about her going through a lot of tough situations. Starting with witnessing her mother's battle against addiction and watching both family members die in front of her."
"This isn't counting her time in being in the foster care system," she pauses, feeling bad for the teen.
"She was never offered the right support in order to properly heal from these traumas. The only way she knows how to deal with them is to hide her feelings of pain, locking them in order to suppress her negative emotions."
"But she has that now. I can offer her the best quality support if she would just come forward."
Emily has more than enough connections that she can use in order to help the teen.
The best medical health, the best psychologist in the area, even the best legal assistance shall she ever need it.
All the girl has to do is accept it.
"It's hard for her to accept help when she practically had to figure everything out on her own for most of her life, " the doctor replies.
Emily is attentively listening to everything Dr. Bailey is saying. She is right, Dani was never given the opportunity to properly address her traumas with therapy or a support group.
It makes sense that the teen would want to continue to suppress her pain. It's the only way she knows.
"What do you suggest I should do?"
"Make an appointment for a therapist. I can give you a list of very good therapists around the area," the doctor answers.
"What is important right now is for Dani to talk. If she won't talk to you or to anyone, you have to take her to see a therapist."
Emily bites her bottom lip. She knows it would be an impossible task for her to take Dani to see a therapist.
Emily has only succeeded in taking the girl to see a therapist once. That is only because it was a condition that her social worker placed when she first stayed with her.
"I know it won't be easy," Dr. Bailey adds.
"But it's for the best. Try to get her to talk to you. If she won't open up, counseling will be our plan B."
"I just hope we don't end up using plan Z."
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Both ladies headed straight home after the appointment. They didn't exchange words.
Emily knows that the girl is still worked up from the therapy conversation they had earlier.
The teenager is looking out of the passenger window with her arms around her chest, a behavior that is used either as a shield to protect herself or used as a self-soothing mechanism.
Either way, it was obvious that the mentioning of her going to therapy made her visibly uncomfortable.
Emily can understand the girl's point of view. The agent isn't fond of therapy sessions either.
She can recall the time when she was forced to attend these sessions after her whole Doyle ordeal.
Something about talking to a total stranger about your deepest emotions never sat right with her.
That's probably why she practically bs'd during her sessions. She tried, she really did, but she will admit that she wasn't completely honest with her shrink.
But now that she thinks about it, maybe she should have been more open.
Maybe, just maybe, the emotional skeletons in her closet would be cleared out. Not completely, but enough for her to live without any heavyweight holding her back.
They arrive at the lot, the agent looking for an empty space to park her car.
Once she does, she parks the car and turns off the ignition. She glances at the girl, not sure whether to say something or not.
It doesn't matter though, Daniela beats her to it.
"You're not seriously thinking about taking me to therapy, right?"
"I am strongly considering it," Emily answers, turning her head so she can properly see the girl.
"I think you need it."
"I don't need it, Emily. I'm not crazy," the girl states firmly.
"You know well that having therapy sessions does not mean your crazy," Emily explains.
"It just means you need help. There is no shame in that."
"I don't need anything because I'm fine. Just because you're a profiler doesn't mean that you know everything about my mental state."
"I don't need to be a profiler to know that you need help," Emily replies.
"I saw what happened to you first hand. I saw how you got hurt. I saw the fear in your eyes," she says softly, empathizing with the teen.
She can see how the girl clenches her jaw when the woman finishes her sentence.
Emily struck a nerve and she knows this. It isn't her intention to hurt the girl. All she wants is for Daniela to understand that she needs help.
The agent tentatively places her arm on the girl's shoulder, wanting to gain her full attention.
"What you went through was something that no one has to go through, especially a young person like you," she tells her.
"No one can shake off what happened. No matter how old or strong they may be. You aren't the exception, Dani. I can see that you are hurting. Let me help you."
Daniela glances at the agent and looks back out the window.
She feels a burning sensation in the pit of her chest that is slowly suffocating her.
She pushes this sensation down, trying her best to ignore what she is feeling.
"You're right. You were there and saw everything," she admits, nodding her head slowly.
"But that's beyond me now. Whatever happened that night cannot be changed so it does no good for me to be sad about it. It's best for us to let it go and not look back."
"It's not as easy as you say it is because if it was then it wouldn't be affecting your health," Emily says.
"You haven't been sleeping well. I can tell. Even Penelope noticed."
"I told you. It's because of all of those damn pills I'm taking! If I were to see a shrink, they will just prescribe more meds and I don't want that. I don't want to be some type of lab rat!"
"Is that why you don't want to go?" Emily questions.
She has wondered why the teenager was always so opposed to the idea of therapy. Maybe this was the reason.
"That and many more," the girl replies.
She sighs and runs her fingers through her hair, pushing it back.
"You know very well that I respect you and your decisions. I hope you respect mine."
Daniela unbuckles her seatbelt and opens the passenger door. She steps out and is about to close the door when she hears the agent speak up once more.
"For the love of God, Daniela! You had a gun pointed to your head. You can't just walk out as if nothing happened."
The girl stops and looks at the agent. So much for subtly from the agent.
"Well then, thank god that wasn't the first time I've had that happen!" the girl retorted.
All her efforts in hiding her annoyance are wearing out thin.
"I'll be fine, Emily. I don't need to talk to no shrink because I'm. Not. Weak!"
She slams the door shut and starts to make her way to the building's entrance, leaving the woman inside the car.
Emily lies her head back and takes a deep breath, trying to take in everything that has happened.
It's more than obvious that Daniela doesn't want to see a therapist.
The girl is completely opposed to going and even though Emily can be firm, she knows she can't force the teenager in going.
If she does force her, all she will gain is the teenager's spite and hatred. The agent has no intention of getting that.
A teenager can hold remorse for a very, very, long time.
But something about what Daniela said stood out to the agent.
I'm. Not. Weak.
The way Daniela said this. The way she expressed herself. She was completely on the defensive, stating that she isn't weak.
She said this to convince Emily but the profiler believes that the girl said this to also convince herself.
Emily never said that the girl is weak, she didn't even imply it.
Somehow the talk of going to therapy made Daniela feel like she was being called out as weak.
The woman decides to drop the therapy conversation.
For now.
She won't force the girl but she wants, she needs, for her to come forward and just talk to her.
The remainder of the day went on with Daniela staying in her room for the rest of the evening, only coming down when Emily told her that dinner is ready.
She remained rather quiet during dinner, not wanting to talk about anything while at the dinner table.
Emily tried to come up with a meaningful conversation but the teen would just answer with a limited amount of words, showing no type of interest in having s real conversation.
She just didn't want to talk. No matter how hard Emily tried, Dani wouldn't budge when it came to talking to her.
It's not like there was a strong negative tension in the house. The girl was no longer angry with the woman.
Instead, she was just avoiding her but not in order to despise her. She just needs some space.
Dani made sure to avoid any contact with Emily after dinner. She went straight to her room and stayed there for the rest of the night.
Emily noticed how distant the teen was with her, hardly allowing her to get close.
She recalls this behavior as something Dani used to do when she first moved in with her.
She was a very reserved and shy child. She did her best in limiting the amount of contact she would have with Emily.
Emily knew the reason she did that back then was that the girl was afraid and had trust issues.
Emily knows that Foster children have a tendency in having a hard time getting attached emotionally to a person.
She took small steps in order to form a bond with the girl, which took time and patience but eventually she was able to make a connection with her.
But now it looks like she is back to square one.
