Chapter 10

Garcia smiled as she looked at Stacey and put her hands on top of the girl's.

"Hey sweetie, I've got to go now but I'll speak to you soon, we've made sure that the house is comfy and secure and I asked for some pencils and sketchbooks for you."

Stacey looked up and smiled at Garcia.

"Thanks, thank you for everything Penelope."

Garcia squeezed Stacey's hands gently before she stood up and gave Emily a warm embrace and kissed her friend on the cheek.

"Take care, both of you."

It was dark outside by the time Luke arrived at the hospital, tapping lightly on the door he smiled as he walked in, glad to see that Stacey managed a small smile back at him. Placing a small rucksack on the end of the bed Luke stood protectively as Emily looked and spoke to Stacey.

"Luke is going to take us to the safe house, he has brought you some clothes to change into, if you are ready to leave?"

Stacey took a long deep breath as she looked at Emily and slowly nodded her head.

"I'll wait outside and get everything arranged with Garcia while you get changed Stacey."

"Thank you Luke."

Stacey's voice was quiet as Emily stood up and closed the blinds before she turned and looked at Stacey.

"Do you need some help getting changed Stacey?"

Emily looked carefully at Stacey, with her broken left arm and bruised body Emily guessed that Stacey was going to struggle on her own.

"Yes please."

Emily smiled as she helped Stacey put the sweatpants and sweatshirt on before Emily wrapped her coat around Stacey, knowing that the piece of clothing gave Stacey some comfort. Emily placed the sketchbook and pencils into the rucksack and picked up her own bag before she turned and looked at Stacey.

"Just wait here for a moment, I just need to check that it is clear and safe for us to leave."

Emily noticed the frown on Stacey's face and smiled reassuringly back.

"Garcia didn't want to take any chances, she is going to hack into the CCTV feed so that nobody will see us leave."

"Wow, thank you."

Emily nodded as she slowly opened the door and looked over at Luke.

"Is everything alright for us to leave?"

"Yes, all clear."

Emily nodded as she gestured for Stacey to walk over to her, instantly Emily protectively put her arm around Stacey's waist as they followed Luke out of the hospital and into a waiting SUV.

Luke stopped the vehicle in the driveway and handed Emily a set of keys and a piece of paper.

"That's the security code to get in, the rest of the information is on the table in the kitchen, Tara has put everything ready for you in the bedrooms and there is plenty of food in the kitchen."

"Thanks Luke, I'll give you guys a ring in the morning."

"Not a problem, make sure that you both get some sleep and rest."

Emily smiled as she helped Stacey out of the car and they both made their way into the small house, heading into the kitchen as they both sat down at the table.

"Are you hungry Stacey?"

"A little Emily."

Emily nodded as she stood up and opened a few of the cupboards before a soft laugh left her mouth as she opened the fridge.

"Well Tara has been busy, she has left us a lasagna to warm up."

Emily put the food in the oven before she sat down once again and opened the bag that had been left on the kitchen table. Bringing out her own laptop, a spare laptop and phone and a tablet with a drawing pen.

"Well I think that this lot will help keep us entertained but for tonight let's just have some food and get some rest, how does that sound Stacey?"

"Like a good plan Emily."

A little while later Emily passed Stacey her medication along with a glass of water, sitting down beside Stacey Emily rubbed the girl's unbroken arm.

"Are you ready to go up to bed?"

Stacey nodded her head as she swallowed her medicine.

"Come on then sweetie let's go up and have a look."

Emily smiled as the two of them wandered up the stairs, seeing that there were two bedrooms and a bathroom in between. Emily saw that her bag was already on one bed and in the other bedroom was another black bag. Emily led Stacey through and opened the bag, placing the clothes on the trunk at the end of the bed.

"Wow, thank you Emily, these clothes."

"Hey Stacey, it's fine, you will need to thank Tara and JJ they got these for you."

Emily smiled as she passed Stacey a pair of pyjamas.

"Tara said that she has put some toiletries in the bathroom for both of us, go and get changed and I'll be in the other bedroom if you need help with anything."

Stacey nodded her head and managed a small smile while Emily waited until she was in the bathroom before she wandered through to the other bedroom, sitting on the bed Emily grabbed her cell and sent a quick message to the team to thank them all for what they had done to get the house ready.

About ten minutes later Emily heard quiet footsteps outside, swinging her legs off the bed Emily wandered and looked into the other bedroom. Stacey was lying in the bed, her head looking towards the door.

"Are you ok Stacey?"

"Yes thank you Emily."

"Well I'm just going to go and get changed, do you want any lights left on?"

Stacey shook her head as Emily smiled softly back at her.

"No problem I will check on you again in a minute."

Emily quickly got herself changed and headed back into Stacey's room, this time she walked in and crouched down beside the bed.

"Sleep well sweetie and please come and get me if you need anything, it doesn't matter if you wake me."

Emily gently stroked Stacey's hair and kissed the top of her head, keeping the door open as she went through and climbed into the other bed, quickly falling asleep.

The noise a few hours later was not a surprise to Emily, it wasn't a loud scream but a yelp of pain quickly had Emily moving through to the other bedroom, she didn't turn any lights on but Emily could hear the quiet sobs from Stacey. Emily crouched down and gently placed her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Hey sweetie, are you ok?"

"Sorry, so sorry Emily I didn't mean to wake you."

"It isn't a problem Stacey, I told you it is fine, it's my job to look after you so please let me."

Emily gently wiped the tears away from Stacey's face.

"Sweetheart you've been on your own fighting for so long, you don't have to do it all alone now."

Stacey's sobs quietened as she slowly nodded her head, her voice quiet as she whispered.

"Thank you, thank you Emily. Would you mind staying with me please?"

Emily smiled as she got up and quickly moved into the bed, pulling the covers over the both of them as she wrapped her arms carefully around Stacey and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm right here Stacey, don't worry you are safe with me."