i'll keep you safe, criminal minds

015. drive

"Can you teach me how to drive?"

Spencer's blood runs cold at the fifteen year old's question.

"Excuse me?" He turns to her.

"Can you teach me how to drive?" She repeats.

"Wh-why?" He stammers.

"Because I'm 15 and have my permit, I just... need to work up to my license so I can get it when I'm 16." Mackenzie says.

"Well, but-- but we take the subway all the time. I-- I barely even drive. We-- we don't need to rush." Spencer says.

"It would be good to have it."

"You may not even be able to get a car, though."

"Okay, but having a license could come in handy in case of some emergency or something. And, you know, the... independence."

"Not much independence if you don't have a car." Spencer points out.

"Spencer." She whines.

"I'll... I'll think about it." Spencer says making her give him a look. "Promise. We're both running late. Let's go."

"You know, if we drove, we could get there on time." Mackenzie points out, grabbing her backpack.

"Have you witnessed D.C. traffic?" Spencer frowns.

"You don't even like all the subway germs. It would make more sense for you to drive." Mackenzie points out.

+++

Mackenzie is sitting in Spencer's desk chair and spinning around, having the day off since it's a teacher day.

"Some things never change." Mackenzie looks over at the voice, recognizing the raven haired woman from pictures.

"Hey, you!" JJ greets.

"Hi." Emily smiles. JJ loudly kisses Emily on the cheek.

"Welcome back!" Spencer exclaims, Emily letting out a yell as he hugs her.

"Donuts? Wait, did you happen to get--" Spencer asks, taking the box.

"Chocolate frosted with sprinkles?" Emily asks. "Yes. How could I forget your favorite?" She laughs as he takes one and bites into it. "Hi." She smiles at the redhead who smiles back.

"Mm." Spencer quickly swallows his food. "Emily, this is--"

"Mackenzie." Emily says, shaking the girl's hand.

"Hi." Mackenzie politely smiles.

"It is great to finally meet you. So sorry I didn't get to meet you last time I was around." Emily says.

"See, I think she'd want me to drive." Mackenzie says.

"Don't." Spencer warns, Mackenzie rolling her eyes.

Emily hides her amused expression at the two. She didn't imagine Spencer would be the next member to become a parent, but between watching them now and everything he's told her about the girl, she can tell how much he loves the teenager.

Spencer holds the box out to her, Mackenzie grabbing a chocolate frosted with sprinkles donut. Spencer lets JJ take the box.

"It is so great to see you." JJ says, taking a donut out and biting into it. "Even if it's only temporary."

"Well, when Hotch told me the director tapped him for special assignment, I wanted to help out." Emily says. "More so when he said you guys still have escaped serial killers you have to catch, on top of your normal caseload?"

"Lewis is going to be sorry she missed you." Spencer says.

"Oh, yeah, me, too." Emily frowns and goes to put her bag down.

"That's actually Luke Alvez's desk." Spencer informs, getting her to stop.

"Really? It looks empty." Emily comments, putting her bag on the next desk.

"Uh, well, he travels light." JJ says, putting the donut box on her desk.

"Garcia said he was ex-Army." Emily says. "Came over from fugitive taskforce?"

"Yeah, you're gonna like him." Spencer says.

"You know, the lack of personal effects on his desk could stem from his days as a fugitive hunter." Emily says, sitting on Luke's desk. "He probably felt like he was never one place long enough to dig in. I mean, no family photos, no significant others."

Mackenzie quietly laughs when Luke walks in, standing behind Emily.

"Not even a plant to over water." Emily says as Spencer motions for her to cut it out, but she's not paying attention to him. "I mean, this Alvez could be a real loner type."

"Somebody could have done a real number on this guy. An ex, maybe." Emily says. Spencer attempts to clear his throat while Mackenzie quietly laughs. "I mean, no doubt the Army taught him order and discipline, but a desk like this could mean he has commitment issues."

Emily finally looks at the three, seeing their expressions.

"He's behind me right now, isn't he?" She asks. JJ winces and nods.

"Luke Alvez, meet Emily Prentiss." Spencer smiles. Emily stands up, turning to him.

"Hey." Emily awkwardly greets. "Nice to meet you." She shakes his hand.

"Hey." He greets.

"Emily used to be part of our team, and now she's the unit chief for Interpol in London." Spencer informs.

"Yeah, she's agreed to help us out while Hotch is off on a TDY and Lewis works on her research." JJ says.

"I'm on temporary duty, so I'll be in and out. I'll be working on and off." Emily says. "I'm on today. Obviously. I'm just-- I'm really happy that I could, uh, come back, you know, and help-- truth be told, it's pretty hard to resist putting the band back together again, so--" She nervously laughs. "Yeah, so, I'm here to help."

"I think she's worse than you." Mackenzie quietly tells Spencer who frowns.

"Well, we have a lot on our plate." Luke replies.

"Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear." Penelope mutters to herself as she walks to the round table room.

"Speaking of which, looks like we have a case." JJ points out.

Luke, Emily, and JJ walk off.

"You know, I could help out. Fresh eyes." Mackenzie says, wanting to cure her boredom.

"Not a chance." Spencer immediately denies. "Go draw. No snooping."

+++

"Why can't I go to Texas?" Mackenzie asks.

"You have school." Spencer says. "I won't be there for very long and it, once again, isn't just a trip for fun. I'm going to help my mom. You don't need to be worrying about any of that."

"But--"

"Kenzie, I swear I will be back soon and-- and next time I go to Houston, you can come with."

"Do you not want somebody there, though? Moral support or something?"

"I'll be fine. You're gonna stay with Penelope. You'll have plenty of fun." Spencer says.

"Can you at least get better at calling me? So I know you're not going insane." Mackenzie says.

"Deal." Spencer says. "I'll be back before you know it." Mackenzie sighs, but lets it go, knowing dealing with his mom is causing him enough stress.