never grow up, criminal minds

019. run

Clara is sitting on Penelope's lap in the truck, having an absolute meltdown when they tried to separate her from the team. The only thing she wants right now is her dad and she'll be damned if she doesn't get him.

Isabelle and Megan had been ushered away since Clara was with people that could be responsible for her and assured her dad was on the way.

"Here, honey. You want this?" Penelope hands her a small squishy unicorn. Clara takes it, squishing it and squeezing it.

~ ~ ~

Clara is sitting in the truck, all alone since the others are doing their jobs. She's drawing on some spare paper Penelope managed to get.

Clara looks up when the door opens, lighting up.

"Daddy!" She shoots to her feet, racing over to him.

"Hey." Spencer kneels down, the girl crashing into him. "Hi. Hi, baby." He tightly hugs her. "Hi. Oh, I'm so glad you're safe." He kisses her on the head. "Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?" He pulls away, glancing over her for any injuries.

"The medic said I have a concussion." Clara says. "But that's the only thing."

"Okay. Okay, that's not too bad. That's manageable." Spencer says, smoothing her hair down. "Oh, I love you so, so, so much, baby." He says, kissing her on the forehead and pulling her into another super tight hug.

"I love you, too." Clara says. "I was really scared." She says, sniffling as her tears start to return.

"I know. I know, baby. I'm so sorry you had to go through that." Spencer says, stroking her hair. "You're safe now. They won't get you again."

"Did you arrest them?" Clara asks.

"Not yet, but we will." Spencer says.

"So they're still out there?" Clara's eyes widen, pulling away from him.

"Hey, hey, hey. No, baby, it's okay." Spencer coos. "We're gonna get them today and after that, we'll go home and watch as many movies as you want. It's all gonna get solved today, I promise."

"I don't wanna see them again." Clara whines.

"You won't. It's okay. You're safe." Spencer tells her. "I won't let anything else happen to you. You're safe now." He pulls her back into another hug, Clara digging her face into the crook of his neck. Spencer tightly holds her, not wanting to let her go even though he knows he'll have to.

+++

The team, aside from Derek and JJ, are in the truck. Clara has sound proof headphones on and is watching a movie on the iPod Spencer always keeps in a bag near him. She's sitting by Spencer, her arms and legs wrapped around his leg, head leaning against his shin as she watches the movie. Spencer knows screens aren't good for concussions, but he couldn't think of any other way to distract her mind while also keeping her calm.

"JJ and Morgan said the unsubs were in an alley northwest of the perimeter." Spencer says while he rubs Clara's head, gently massaging her scalp.

"Yeah, this footage confirms it." Penelope says. "Okay, I can see two figures in the car. Please tell me one of them's Will."

"See how she's turned? It's like she's keeping an eye on someone in the back." Hotch points out.

"Does that mean Will's in the car?" Penelope asks.

"There's somebody back there." Hotch says.

"What's the license plate?" Spencer asks. Penelope zooms in on the plate.

"That's weird. They're government tags." Penelope says.

"Federal or district?" Spencer asks.

"Federal." Penelope answers.