As Time Passes (Book 2)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 (Reid's P.O.V)

"Kate?" I said, her usually long black hair had been cut up to her shoulders, it had slight brown highlights making her black hair look dark brown. She nodded and smiled bigger, she looked frightened to be in my presence again.

"What the hell?" I mumbled quietly and ran my fingers through my hair,

"I thought you were dead. Actually I have thought that for four years now!"  I said raising my eyebrows,

"I'm sorry dad, I needed to get clean. And I couldn't be around anyone. It took me four years but here I am." She said raising her hands a little.

"Who was on the floor, and dead in the hospital bed and coffin?" I said, she shook her head and looked at the floor for a few seconds,

"That was me on the floor, I had put on makeup I bought, I hired someone to make a fake mannequin, and that's what was there. Then I went to rehab." She said, I was partly relieved and enraged.

"Dad I'm so sorry!" She said and hugged me,

"This is real?" I said hugging her back, she chuckled and nodded.

"I need to talk to the team, only Emily and JJ knew." She said, I nodded and Emily entered the room first Kate following behind. I entered last. I heard everyone gasp and say her name quietly. Garcia sprang up from her seat and squeezed Kate tightly. She hugged everyone except Hotch,

"Hotch, I understand if-" He pulled her into a hug,

"Oh God you're alive." He said relieved.

"And if you allow me...I'd like to help you with the case." She said,

"Has everyone approved?" She nodded,

"Everyone except you." He smiled and nodded,

"Only if you promise to go see your daughter." Kate's eyes got wide as she smiled and hugged everyone once more.

(Kate's P.O.V)

Dad drove me in his car in silence for a few minutes, I felt regret for lying to my own father who had thought I was dead.

"You don't know how glad I am to see you again." I finally broke the silence, he glanced over my way and pulled over,

"Why couldn't I know you were alive?" He said again, tears starting to slide down his cheeks,

"Many reasons. Brad Parker who I bet you've already met." He nodded, "He sent a text threatening to kill me and saying he was tracking me" "I decided that then would be the best time to leave and get clean." His jaw tightened as if too many memories were invading his mind, I bet that's why.

"I almost took it." He stated,

"What?" He took my hands,

"The day of the funeral, I found your bottles of Dilaudid, I was so close, but I thought of your mistakes."

"Oh God, if I would've known..I beat myself up again and again. I just wanted to be a great mother and a better daughter." He smiled and pulled me into one more hug,

"You're safe..that's what matters Kate." He said, he started up the car and continued driving.