The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the schoolyard as the bell rang for the end of the day. Inside the special education classroom, the atmosphere was fraught with tension. Donna sat at her desk, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her shirt, her expression a mix of confusion and anxiety. Today was one of those days.
From the moment she arrived, the noise and chaos of the classroom had overwhelmed her. The laughter of her classmates felt like a barrage of sounds, each one piercing through her fragile sense of calm. Ms. Hart, her dedicated 1:1 aide, tried to engage her with calming activities, but Donna's anxiety had already taken hold.
"Let's use your core board to tell me how you're feeling," Ms. Hart suggested, hoping to redirect Donna's focus. But Donna just stared blankly, tears welling in her eyes. She was non-verbal today, unable to articulate her distress.
It began with small signs—a quiver of her lip, a slight shudder of her hands. But as the day progressed, the pent-up feelings erupted. During art class, a classmate accidentally bumped into her, causing a cascade of frustration. In an instant, Donna screamed, a sound filled with anguish, and began hitting her own head against the table.
"Donna, it's okay!" Ms. Hart rushed to her side, wrapping her arms around her to provide a safe space. But Donna thrashed, her cries echoing through the classroom. The other children looked on, a mixture of confusion and concern on their faces.
By lunchtime, things had escalated. Donna eloped from the cafeteria, bolting out the door. Ms. Hart called after her, but Donna was lost in a whirlwind of emotions, running down the hall until she found herself in the quiet room—her designated safe space. She crumpled to the floor, her screams turning into sobs.
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(The Call to JJ)
Meanwhile, in the warmth of her home, JJ felt a familiar anxiety creeping in. She had just finished prepping dinner when her phone buzzed on the counter. The school's number flashed on the screen, and her heart sank.
"Hello?" she answered, her voice steady despite the rising panic within.
"Hi, JJ. It's Ms. Hart. I'm really sorry to call, but Donna is having a particularly tough day. She's overwhelmed and... well, she just eloped from the cafeteria. We've managed to bring her to the quiet room, but I think it would be best for you to come pick her up."
"Of course," JJ replied, trying to mask her concern with a calm demeanor. "I'll be there right away."
As she hung up, JJ's stomach twisted with worry. Donna had made strides in school, but days like this reminded her just how fragile those victories could be.
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(At School)
When JJ arrived at the school, she rushed to the quiet room. Ms. Hart met her at the door, concern etched on her face. "She's been struggling with her emotions all day," Ms. Hart explained softly. "She's crying, biting, hitting, and screaming. I think she just needs some comfort from you."
JJ nodded, pushing the door open gently. Inside, she found Donna sitting on the floor, surrounded by soft toys but clearly in distress. Her face was streaked with tears, and she looked up at JJ with wide, pleading eyes.
"Hey, sweet girl," JJ said, kneeling down beside her. "I'm here. You're safe."
Donna leaned into JJ, burying her face in her mom's shoulder. JJ wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly as she felt the tremors of Donna's sobs against her chest.
"Let's breathe together," JJ whispered, guiding Donna through the calming exercise they often practiced. "Inhale... and exhale."
But the technique barely registered with Donna, who continued to scream and hit her head in frustration.
"Do you want your core board?" JJ asked gently. "Let's try to tell me what you need."
Donna shook her head violently, her distress unrelenting. Instead, she bit down on her arm, a behavior JJ recognized all too well as a cry for help.
"Okay, we'll focus on just being here," JJ reassured her, holding her tighter. "You don't have to use words right now."
After a few moments, JJ pulled back slightly, looking into Donna's eyes. "Can we try to go home? I think some quiet time might help."
With a small nod, Donna finally calmed enough to allow JJ to help her stand. Ms. Hart followed them to the door, concern still lingering in her expression.
"Please keep me updated on how she's doing at home," she said softly. "And if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."
"I will, thank you for everything," JJ replied, grateful for the support.
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(Home Again)
The car ride home was quiet, Donna's body still tense but her cries replaced by soft whimpers. JJ drove carefully, stealing glances at her daughter in the rearview mirror.
Once home, Donna slumped onto the living room couch, her energy drained. JJ set up a calming space with soft lights and her favorite toys, hoping to soothe her.
"Let's just relax for a bit, okay?" JJ said, settling beside her.
But as the minutes ticked by, Donna's discomfort resurfaced. She became restless, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for a way to escape the feelings overwhelming her.
"Breathe, Donna. You're safe here," JJ whispered, but the words barely penetrated the storm within her daughter.
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(The Evening Meltdown)
As evening descended, the atmosphere shifted. The family gathered for dinner, but Donna refused to eat, her distress evident. She rocked back and forth, her hands tugging at her hair, eyes filled with tears.
"Sweetheart, you need to eat something," Reid encouraged gently, but Donna just screamed, her voice piercing through the air.
"Why won't you eat?" Matthew asked, frustration bubbling as he watched his sister. "You're making it hard for everyone!"
"Matthew, she's struggling!" JJ interjected, her voice rising slightly. "She can't help it right now."
But it was too late; the tension in the room escalated, and Donna's scream turned into a full-blown meltdown. She hit her head against the table and bit her arm again, the distress pouring out of her in waves.
"Let's go to the quiet space," Reid suggested, already moving toward Donna.
JJ followed closely, wrapping her arms around her daughter once more. "I'm right here. Let's just breathe, okay?"
But the evening stretched on, filled with heart-wrenching cries and chaotic emotions. JJ and Reid did their best to soothe Donna, employing every technique they had learned. After what felt like an eternity, the meltdowns began to fade, but the echoes of distress lingered in the air.
That night, as they finally settled into bed, JJ and Reid exchanged worried glances. They had hoped for progress, but days like today reminded them how far they still had to go.
"Tomorrow is another day," Reid said softly, taking JJ's hand.
"Yeah," JJ agreed, her heart heavy. "We'll keep trying."
As they closed their eyes, they knew the journey would be long and challenging, but they were determined to face it together as a family.
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A House Is Not Always A Home: A Criminal Minds Fanfic
FanficAn inbetween where they didn't need the parallel universe. A JEID fanfic :) In the year following Garcia's leaving and the passing of Spence's mom, JJ spent all of her time devoted to taking care of Reid through his grief. JJ called it quits the mom...
