never grow up, criminal minds

015. aunt emmy

Clara holds Ellie's hand as they two walk into the bullpen.

"He's in there." Clara points towards the round table room, seeing her father with Derek and Rossi through the window. Her hand escapes Ellie's, rushing to the room.

"Wha-- Clara. Wait." Ellie tries to stop her, chasing after her.

"Daddy." Clara runs into the room.

"Wha--" Spencer panics, rushing over. "Hey. Hey, what are--" He gently pushes her out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He glances up at Ellie who has an apologetic look. "What are you guys doing here? You shouldn't be here." He says. His mind goes to Doyle who is in an interrogation room just down the hall. Even though the likelihood of him getting out is very low, he doesn't want his daughter in the same vicinity whatsoever.

"There was a fire at the apartment. They wanted everybody out for the night." Ellie explains. Spencer's eyes widen. "It wasn't your place. Everybody is fine, they just want it cleared out while they work on it and let the smoke get out and everything. She wanted to see you, so I-I hope it's not too terrible timing."

"It's, uh... it could be better." Spencer mumbles. "Okay, baby girl, we're very busy right now, so why don't you and Ellie just go to the hotel, okay?"

"I wanna stay with you." Clara whines.

"I know, but I'm working, honey. On a very serious case." Spencer tells her.

"You have fun cases?" Clara frowns.

"I-- well, no, but-- Clara, I will be with you later, I promise. You guys should go to a hotel, though. It's already late enough." Spencer says.

"Can I please stay?" Clara begs, giving him puppy dog eyes.

Spencer sighs, knowing she won't really be in danger if she's here.

"Okay. Okay, fine. Stay at my desk." Spencer tells her and she nods.

+++

Clara had been asleep within minutes of sitting at Spencer's desk, missing all the times Emily walked by.

The team get back after dealing with Doyle. Spencer goes into the bullpen, his eyes immediately going to Clara and Ellie, the woman attempting to comfort his daughter.

"Clary?" Spencer gently calls, getting her attention. Clara runs over to him and Spencer crouches down, letting her crash into him. "Hey." He mumbles after hearing her sniffle. "Hey. You okay, baby? What's wrong?"

"Bad dream." She says, her voice muffled by his shirt. "You went to Aunt Emmy again." She hiccups.

"It's okay. I'm right here." Spencer assures. "And, uh... about that..."

Before he can continue, Clara's eyes look up, freezing at the sight of the raven haired woman.

"Emmy?" She whispers, her face scrunching up in confusion.

"What the fuck?" Ellie whispers to herself.

Spencer winces, knowing explaining this to a sleep seven year old is not the best time to have the conversation.

"Okay, you... you know how I said that-- that Aunt Emmy passed away?" Spencer asks. Clara nods, not tearing her gaze away from said woman. "Well... it turns out she didn't."

"But you say don't lie." Clara frowns, looking at her dad.

"I didn't. I didn't." Spencer quickly assures. "There was a plan, made by other people, that had Aunt Emmy go to Europe where she would be safe from a very bad man. And the plan involved telling people that... that she had passed. But she's been alive and okay this whole time. She just came back tonight because it's safe for her again."