Chapter 8

Stacey opened her eyes as she heard loud voices, it was difficult to sleep in the hospital because of the noise but the voice that had woken her seemed all too familiar. A wince of pain crossed her mouth as Stacey moved her body so that she was sitting more upright but then a gasp of horror left her mouth as she saw her social worker arguing with a nurse at the desk. Stacey slid back down in the bed and brought Emily's coat up closer to her face as her breathing became more erratic. A further shout came from outside but then a nurse appeared at the side of Stacey's bed.

"Hey Stacey, don't worry we are not letting her in, security is escorting her off the floor and then they are going to come back and make sure you are safe, ok?"

Stacey nodded her head but the tears were already escaping from her eyes as the nurse bent down and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I am going to let Agent Prentiss know as well, don't worry Stacey you are safe."

"Hi, is everything ok?"

Emily looked at Garcia's eyes and saw that the tears were welling up, quickly Emily sat down close to her friend and looked up at the monitors and saw the horrible images that Garcia had been sifting through.

"Did you know that three of these children are now dead and nine are missing?"

Emily sighed as she heard the emotion in Garcia's voice, she reached and put her arm around her friend as Garcia carried on talking.

"The three who died, the ME said natural causes and no signs of any abuse, but I found their images on the websites Emily."

Emily sighed and dropped her head but then she heard Garcia take in a breath and take a hold of Emily's hand.

"What is it Garcia, what else did you find?"

Garcia swallowed hard and Emily closed her eyes as she spoke, answering her own question.

"Stacey is one of the children who is missing?"

Garcia nodded her head as the tears trickled slowly from her eyes, Emily said nothing as she rested her head against Garcia's shoulder, her voice breaking as she finally managed to speak.

"You found her image then?"

Garcia nodded her head as she changed the image on the screen before she turned her head away so that she didn't have to see it again but she heard the gasp leave Emily's mouth.

The silence between the two women was suddenly punctuated by a beep on Garcia's computer alongside Emily's cell vibrating. Movement from the both of them was swift, with Emily reading the message and Garcia looking at the alert on her computer, instantly they both realised how close Stacey had come at the hospital.

"Please go Emily, make sure that she is ok and safe, I'll keep you updated."

Emily nodded her head before she hugged Garcia tightly.

Emily walked quickly into the hospital and over to the desk where she saw one of the nurses who had been looking after Stacey.

"Thank you."

"Not a problem, she was not at all happy about having to leave so I kept a security guard up here just to help Stacey feel safe."

"Thank you, it's really appreciated."

Emily smiled and moved over towards Stacey's room, closing the door behind her before she sat down close to the bed. Instantly Emily could see how anxious Stacey was and she reached over and gently put her hands on top of the young girl's.

"Stacey."

Emily's voice was quiet but the sound and the touch was enough to cause Stacey to shift her gaze to look at Emily, but only momentarily as the tears started to fall down her cheeks.

"It's ok sweetheart, you're safe, we're not going to put you in any danger."

Emily's voice was quiet and soft as she gently reached up with one of her hands and placed it on the Stacey's cheek and brushed the tears away with her thumb. Stacey rested her head against Emily's hand and squeezed Emily's other hand tightly, Emily could feel Stacey's breathing becoming unsteady as she started to sob, without hesitation Emily moved to perch on the bed and wrapped her arms around Stacey, as soon as she did Stacey clung tightly to Emily and sobbed onto her shoulder.

"It's ok Stacey, I've got you sweetheart, you are safe with me."

Emily whispered into Stacey's ear as she rubbed the girl's back and held her tightly, upset that it had come to this point but at least Stacey was finally starting to trust her.

JJ sighed heavily as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear Tara approaching until the older woman placed an arm around her back and whispered into her ear.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

"Huh, sorry, it's just crap isn't it. I can't understand how people who are meant to be looking after the most vulnerable children can exploit them."

Tara sighed as she poured herself a coffee.

"I don't think we ever will JJ and I for one am glad I won't."

"How were the children Tara?"

"I didn't get much, they are emotionally scarred and don't trust anyone, it's going to be a long journey before we can get anything meaningful from them."

JJ shook her head and looked up at Emily's office, seeing it was empty she frowned and looked back at Tara.

"Have you heard from Emily?"

"No, I came back as I thought we were catching up here."

Both of them looked around the bullpen before JJ whispered.

"Garcia."

Quickly the two of them wandered out and down into Garcia's office. Garcia smiled as the two women walked in, quickly she stood up and hugged the both of them before she took a hold of JJ's hand.

"Are you both ok?"

JJ and Tara nodded their heads before JJ spoke quietly.

"Where's Emily?"

Garcia sighed as she sat down and gestured for the two of them to do so to.

"The hospital called to say that Stacey's social worker tried to gain access to her. They didn't let her in but Emily has gone to check that she is ok."

Tara shook her head as Garcia reached and typed quickly on her keyboard as she brought up the information she had found out about the children. A gasp leaving JJ's mouth as Tara leaned forward as she spoke.

"That's Stacey isn't it?"

Garcia nodded her head as the three of them sat in silence, in shock at the abuse that the children had been subjected to.