Spencer had been trying to get Clara to fall asleep when he got the text that they had a case. Penelope had texted him a few seconds later, practically insisting she was Clara while they're away.
So, he packed a quick bag for his daughter and led her to the BAU. She slept on the train for a bit, waking up once they got to their stop.
Clara is on Spencer's back, running into Blake outside, both heading up to their floor.
"This again?" Blake sighs as she and Spencer walk out of the elevator.
"You miss another flight to see James?" Spencer asks.
"Worse. He came here." Blake says. "He's cooking and watching House Hunters without me. You know, he'd better not try to make an offer again." She says as they reach the others.
"So, we get Henry to bed, and, you know, we're about to finally have some alone time with mommy and daddy, and..." JJ rolls her eyes. "You guys know the rest."
"Ah, trying to dust off the old cobwebs." Derek teases.
"Inappropriate." Penelope punches his arm as he laughs.
"What?" He chuckles.
"Seriously, though, how long has it been?" Penelope asks.
"Too long." JJ says.
"What are they dusting off? What's mommy and daddy time?" Clara frowns.
"Derek Morgan." Penelope glares at him.
"Hey, she's quoting blondie." Derek defends.
"What were they doing?" Clara asks.
"Monopoly." Spencer tells her. The girl shrugs, not seeing anything wrong with the answer.
"Do we know what the case is?" Blake asks.
"Not yet. Hotch just said to drop everything and get back here." Rossi says.
"You need some private adult time." Penelope tells JJ. "I'll watch Henry. No bad guys, no kids, in that order. Go to Mexico. Or the Maldives, maybe."
"Cruz?" JJ asks.
"Yes! Exactly. A cruise would be perfect." Penelope says.
"No, no, no. Matt Cruz." JJ nods to Hotch's office, everybody looking to see Hotch and Cruz walk out.
"Let's get started." Hotch tells them.
The team head to the round table room, Spencer stopping at his desk to put Clara in his seat.
"Stay here." He tells her, kissing her head before walking off.
+++
Clara is doing her math homework, struggling on one of the questions when Penelope rushes in.
"Come on, sweet girl." Penelope urges.
"Where?" Clara frowns.
"We are going to Texas." Penelope states.
"What? Why?" Clara asks.
"Well, the... the team need me in Texas and you're here, so you're going." Penelope says.
"But you always drop me off with Ellie if you need to leave or something." Clara says.
Penelope sighs, knowing she can't lie to the girl.
"Okay. The... the truth is, while confronting a possible unsub, your dad was hurt." Penelope says and Clara's eyes widen.
"What? Is he okay? Is he gonna die?" Clara panics.
YOU ARE READING
never grow up, criminal minds
Fanfiction[ criminal minds -- seasons 1-15 ] Clara Reid Stand Alone: Never Grow Up I DO NOT own Criminal Minds, any of the show's characters or storylines. I ONLY own my OCs and their storylines.
