And If I Fall, Let Me Part II: After The Rain - A. Hotchner x OC & Jemily

Closing In

"The past beats inside me like a second heart." John Banville

Laura Kavanaugh's office

To say Laura Kavanaugh was unhappy to see them was an understatement. The first eye roll should've been an indication, but it was the accompanying groan that really set the mood. Alex couldn't even blame her.

"What is it now? He's already dead, right?" she snapped, leading them to the couch they had sat on the day before.

"We have some new information," Hotch answered her. Sitting down next to Alex, he leaned forward to look into Laura's eyes. "We are certain the Unsub is female."

Surprising Alex, the other woman started laughing. "You're kidding."

When Hotch shook his head, Laura Kavanaugh grew quiet.

"A woman did this?"

"We think this might have something to do with revenge. Do you know any women in your life that might've had a similar relationship with their father?" Alex jumped in. Looking at her, Laura thought for a second.

"Currently?" she asked, suspicion in her voice. The blonde shook her head.

"Not just currently, everyone you can think of would be helpful."

The lawyer bit her lip, thinking for some long seconds. When she looked back at Alex, there was something like honest sadness in her eyes, for the first time since she had met the woman.

"I know too many with a bad relationship," she chuckled humorlessly, "But I have some friends from before rehab that had it real bad."

Alex and Hotch exchanged a look.

"What does real bad mean?"

Shifting in her seat, Laura looked away again. "Sexual abuse kind of bad, or drinking and beating them," she said, her voice faltering, "I wouldn't even know, but every time we got high together...people get honest when they do drugs."

Oh dear. How could this case get worse and worse?

"We need their names," Alex said quietly. Laura's eyes snapped up in horror, and she shook her head.

"I'm not supposed to know this," she whispered. Hotch leaned forward again, his face calm.

"We will be as confidential as possible with this information, but there was another body this morning. We need their names, Laura."

Gulping, she looked back at him. "I feel like a snitch."

"If we know their names, and it turns out they're innocent, there is a chance for prosecution."

It was risky, dangling that in front of her, and Alex was sure he knew. But he was right. There was a chance they could hand over some part of that investigation, hoping to get something out of it. It was just sadly very unlikely. And as a lawyer, Laura was more than aware of that.

The other woman nodded, a sad smile on her lips. "We both know that's probably not going to happen."

"You're right, it probably won't," Hotch gave back, cocking his head at her, "But we still have an Unsub to catch."

Getting up slowly, Laura nodded. She walked over to her desk, sat down, and pulled a piece of paper to her. She scribbled down something and got back up.

When she handed it to Hotch, she held onto it for a second, looking into his eyes. "Please", she said quietly, "These girls have been through enough."

Honest compassion was on his face when he nodded. "We will do what we can."

Alex thanked her and got up too. When they turned to leave, Laura spoke again, addressing Hotch.