i'll keep you safe, criminal minds

018. personal things

Spencer looks up when he hears a door open, sitting up as Emily walks over to his cell.

"Hey." Emily greets.

"You should be in the office." Spencer says.

"I'm right where I need to be." Emily states. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm okay. How're my mom and Kenzie doing?" He asks, standing up and walking over to the bars.

"Your mom's doing well. JJ's been by to visit every day since your arrest. She explained everything to your mom. Cassie's been great. That makes a big difference." Emily says.

"Kenzie?" Spencer asks. His demeanor softens when he notices Emily's shoulder sag a little.

"She's doing fine." Emily assures. "It's hard on her, of course, but... but she's managing. She even went to school today."

"I'm such an idiot."

"Don't Spencer, don't. You were trying to help your mother."

"I fell right into Scratch's trap."

"He won't win."

"He already has."

"Just the battle, not the war. You didn't do anything wrong."

"You and I both know that doesn't matter. All that matters is what the prosecutor can prove, and Scratch has stacked the deck against me. Even the FBI's abandoned me."

"I know, but we'll keep trying."

"I don't even have a lawyer."

"About that... I have a friend, Fiona Duncan. I've known her forever. Her father was in the foreign service, and we met in Italy when my mother was charge d'affaires at the embassy there. After college she was a Rhodes Scholar. You'd like her. Anyway, now she's one of the best defense attorneys in D.C. I would like it if you would let me reach out to her about representing you."

"Emily, really, I appreciate it, but you helping me could destroy your reputation at the bureau." Emily scoffs.

"My battle, my choice." She says. "Please, let me help you. Tell me I can reach out to my friend."

"Thank you." He tells her. Emily lets out a sigh of relief.

"Good. We are gonna get you out of here, I promise."

+++

Mackenzie slouches in the chair, her arms crossed over her chest, only a couple of other kids in the room. The teacher is setting up her paperwork, going over the list of students and noticing one not there.

The door swings open, a boy with dirty blonde hair walking in.

"Mr. Roberts. Nice of you to join us. Detention started five minutes ago." Mrs. Robinson says.

"Sorry." The boy apologizes, though he obviously doesn't mean it.

"Take a seat." The teacher lets out a heavy sigh, not wanting to be here more than any of the children. The boy looks around, taking the desk that's right behind Mackenzie.

"Hey." He whispers after a bit, leaning forward. "You're the girl that got into a fight in the cafeteria, right?"

"Yep." Mackenzie mumbles.

"You won, right?" He asks.

"Well, she has a black eye and I don't, so, yeah." She whispers.

"Sweet." He nods. "I'm Theo, by the way." Mackenzie sighs, pursing her lips.

"Mackenzie." She mutters after a few moments.

"Silence." Mrs. Robinson orders, giving the two a stern look.