safe inside, criminal minds [ 1 ]

001. childhood

Five year old Danielle hides behind the corner as her parents and brother are in the bedroom.

"Spencer, please go to the other room with your sister." William orders.

"Don't treat him like a child." Diana orders.

"I'm not gonna have this conversation in front of him." William states.

"Statistically, children who grow up in 2 parent households attain 3 more years of higher education than children from single parent households." Spencer informs.

"We're not statistics, Spencer." William says.

"I'm not crazy." Diana says.

"If you refuse to take care of yourself, I can't help you." William says.

"I do take care of myself."

"What day is it?"

"That's not fair." Danielle hears her mother reply after a short moment.

"I'm out of ideas, Diana." William says.

"Well, you could take Spencer and Danielle with you, just for a little while." Diana suggests.

"Don't do this."

"You're weak."

"You're right." William walks to the door, stopping by Spencer. "Goodbye." He walks out, only sparing a glance at his daughter.

"I'm not weak." Spencer states.

"I know, honey." Diana says, hugging him.

"Where'd daddy go?" Danielle asks, stepping into the room. Diana sighs.

"Come here, honey." Diana holds one of her arms out. The five year old goes over to her and hugs her mother and brother, Diana rubbing her back.

+++

Danielle sits in the kitchen, watching her brother lead the two men to the room their mom is in.

"What are these men doing here?" Diana questions.

"They're from a hospital. They're here to help." Spencer tells her.

"I don't need help." Diana states. "And you can't be here without permission." She tells the two men. "Tell them, Spencer."

"I called them." Spencer admits.

"Spencer."

"I'm doing this for you."

"This isn't legal."

"Your son's 18, ma'am. He can act in your welfare." One of the men state.

"You need help." Spencer tells his mom.

Danielle's heart breaks and she starts to panic when she hears her mother start to cry.

"I want to stay here." Diana cries.

"I'm sorry." Spencer says.

"Please, these are my things. This is my life." Diana cries. Danielle watches the two men lead Diana out of the house while she cries.

After a bit, Spencer walks in, it looking like he was just crying.

"What's going on? Where's mom going?" The thirteen year old asks.

"She... she's going to a hospital. They'll help her there." Spencer promises.

"But-- but what about us? Who's gonna take care of me? I'm no 18." Danielle frowns.

"I-- I'm gonna try to get custody of you. With dad out of the picture and mom in a hospital, as long as I have a job and money and a plan, I should be able to get custody of you. It's okay. I won't let anything happen to you." Spencer promises.

+++

Danielle graduated high school a couple of months ago, living in a small apartment with Spencer that he saved up for.

"What'd you wanna talk about?" Spencer asks.

"I, uh..." Danielle picks at her fingers. "I wanna move back to Vegas."

"What?" Spencer asks.

"Well, it just-- you just started the BAU so you're not really gonna be around all the time. You're gonna go on cases and work late nights. Plus, I like Vegas. And now that I'm 18 and have some money, I-I wanna do what I want." Danielle says. "I mean, I can still visit. Or you can visit, you'll probably make more money than me. I would hope the FBI doesn't pay the same as waitressing. So..."

"Ye-yeah. Yeah, no, of course." Spencer says. "I-- I get it. And I'll visit when-- when I can."

"And I can check on mom a lot. I mean, I-I know you write her, like, every day, but... we can call. You know, I'm sure somebody will help you figure it out." Danielle lets out a small laugh, Spencer also quietly laughing. "So you're okay with this?"

"Yeah. Yeah, you-- you should be able to do what you want. As long as it's not illegal." Spencer says.

"But breaking the law is more fun." Danielle smirks.

"Danielle, if you--"

"I'm joking." She laughs. "Relax, genius. I'll... try not to get into too much trouble."

"Thank you." Spencer sighs in relief.