Chapter Text
Poppy didn’t really understand what was going on. Her parents had gone out for their weekly ‘date night’, but had not returned in time to feed the cows that morning; that was left for Poppy to do. When at 9am they still had not shown up, she had decided to report them missing. A lot of people might call her paranoid or too hasty with calling 911, but Poppy knows her parents. And her parents were always back home in time to feed the cows.
She told the deputies everything she knew; her parents left at 6pm last night, they were going out for dinner and a movie, Poppy was to stay home and watch the house; they never came back home. That was all that she knew.
Poppy had honestly expected to receive a call a day later with a message letting her know her parents were found. What she got instead was a call letting her know she was now an orphan.
Poppy did not have any siblings or close friends. She had some family, but none that were involved in her life anymore. All that she has truly ever had were her parents and the farm. Now that she’s lost one, how long would it take before she also lost the other? This farm had been all she’s ever known. Poppy has no family, partner, or friends to turn to in these difficult times. She was almost seventeen. Would that mean she had to live with strangers from now on?
When two weeks later the FBI came knocking to talk to her, she allowed them inside purely for the human interaction. Even if they came bearing more bad news, she was simply delighted to see another person again. She had been isolated for quite a while and seeing this man and woman made her excited for a change. She’d honestly expected CPS to show up somewhere in those two weeks, but they never did. Poppy figured she’d slipped through the cracks of the system. There are a lot of young children that need help, after all.
The man introduced himself as the unit chief of the BAU –whatever that might mean– Aaron Hotchner. He also had a partner with him; Agent Emily Prentiss. However, the older man had captured her full attention. He was tall, intimidating, and oh so handsome. His face and presence alone made her almost forget about her lack of support system.
She’d led them to the small living room and asked them to wait for a minute. She quickly went into the kitchen to pour three glasses of cold, fresh lemonade and three homemade cookies. With the serving tray in hand, she walked back into the living room.
She could already see that the woman –Agent Prentiss– was about to refuse, so Poppy quickly spoke up first. “My mother always told me it’s impolite to not offer guests refreshments. Please accept it.” Please stay a little longer, she thought internally.
The man –Agent Hotchner– slowly nodded and reached for the lemonade. It was a sweltering hot day, and the two FBI agents were wearing their official business suits. Poppy doesn’t understand how they’re not melting away. She’s only in a thin summer dress and she’s still feeling hot.
“Thank you Ms. Lavender.” The older man replied with the smallest of smiles. Agent Prentiss nodded in agreement and quickly reached for a cookie. Poppy grinned back with a small shrug. “Please call me Poppy.” She quietly replied. The two agents nodded in understanding.
Agent Hotchner finished almost the entire glass of lemonade before he spoke up again.
“We’re sorry for the loss of your parents.” He began. She mumbled a quiet ‘thank you’. “Could you tell us everything you remember from that night?” He continued. Poppy was never told what had actually happened to her parents, only that they passed away and she’s now alone in this world. The police officers deemed her too young to hear the details. But not too young to live on her own, apparently.
“Ehm, okay. Well, my parents have, no sorry, had, date night every Thursday night. They would go out for dinner, maybe go see a movie, get a drink sometimes, and then come back home. They were always back home before feeding time.” She began.
Agent Prentiss interrupted with questions. “They would do this every Thursday?” She asked. “Yes ma’am.” Poppy replied. “And you would stay behind and watch the house?” She continued. Poppy again answered in the affirmative. “And what time is feeding time?” Poppy smiled, always happy to talk about her babies. “5 am, ma’am. The cows get their first round of food at 5 am every morning.” The agent nodded in understanding and wrote down notes.
“Please, continue.” Agent Hotchner encouraged her.
“Right. So, they left that Thursday night at 6pm. Everything was the same as any other date night. Mother was dressed up, father a little less so. Mother gave me a kiss goodbye, telling me they’ll be back around midnight. Then they left with the car. Same as always.” She sighed, “Only, this time they didn’t come back.”
Agent Hotchner nodded in understanding. Agent Prentiss took more notes.
“Did you notice any strange behavior from either of them on the days leading up to date night?” Agent Hotchner asked her. Poppy looked at him questionably, “Strange how?” Agent Hotchner explained, “Did either of them seem nervous? Or did they check their phone excessively? Did you maybe notice them mentioning a name or place out of the ordinary? Things like that?”
Poppy thought about it for a moment before she shook her head. “No, sir. Nothing like that. That week was just like any other, as was their date night routine. The only thing different this time is that they weren’t back home like they said they would be.” She replied quietly.
Suddenly she looked directly into Agent Hotchner's eyes. “Sir? Could you maybe tell me what happened to my parents?” She pleaded with the older man. She saw the two agents exchanging a glance, before Agent Hotchner turned back to her to reply, “No one told you?”
Poppy shook her head quickly. “No, sir. The police wouldn’t tell me, saying I was too young to understand. Which I think is unfair because I'm almost seventeen, which is almost eighteen, and thus an adult.” She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.
Agent Hotchner didn’t smile but Poppy could clearly see amusement in his dark eyes. “Yes, I can see how that would feel unfair.” He agreed. Poppy nodded excitedly. “Right! They say I'm too you to hear the details, but at the same time, they let me live on my own without question. That’s very adult, right? I need to know what happened with my parents, sir. Or else, I'll never have closure.”
Agent Prentiss gasped. “You live here on your own? This house, the farm, the land, you’re taking care of it all on your own?” Poppy nodded with a small frown. “Yes, ma’am. I’m on my own out here. That’s why I'm so happy to see you two, even if you come asking difficult questions. I’ve missed being with other people.” she sighed.
“You don’t go into town?” Agent Hotchner asked, taking another sip of the lemonade. He must be really thirsty, she thought to herself before replying. “No, sir. I can’t drive, and walking into town would take me away from the farm for far too long. I’m stuck here.” She shrugged.
“What about food?” Agent Prentiss asked. “Oh, I have a neighbor who gets me food from the supermarket, anything that I can’t grow myself out here. We have a vegetable and fruit garden in the back. So that is mostly what I eat.”
“And how do you pay for everything?” Agent Hotchner asked her, finishing his lemonade. “My parents apparently had quite good life-insurance, sir. I’m set for life if I live frugally. The farm is already paid off, and any other bills get automatically taken from my funds.” She took a small break, “Would you like another lemonade, sir? I’ve made plenty.” She smiled brightly up at him. He nodded slowly, holding eye contact with an unreadable expression.
When she came back and handed him a now full glass, Agent Prentiss finally gave her some answers.
“Are you sure you want to know the details of your parent’s death?” She asked her kindly. Poppy nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am. I need to know.” Agent Prentiss nodded in understanding. She took a deep breath and then finally answered Poppy’s curiosity.
“Your parents were kidnapped by an unsub we are still looking for. This unsub has done the same thing to at least two other couples. He takes them while they are out on a date, takes them to a remote location, and then… kills them.” The female agent told her.
Poppy nodded, her good mood was completely gone once the reality sunk in. Her parents were killed. They are dead and never coming back. And apparently they are not the only couple this has happened to.
“There was something else.” Agent Hotchner continued. Poppy looked at him with wide eyes. Something else? “Hotch.” Agent Prentiss hissed, but Agent Hotchner paid her no mind. “She deserves to know.”
“W-What is it, sir?” Poppy asked him quietly. Agent Hotchner shifted a bit closer. They were sitting across from each other. The two agents on the couch, Poppy in her mothers old chair. Agent Hotchner looked her straight in the eye as he continued,
“Your parents were burned alive while tied together. They are not the only couple who this has happened to, but this time there was something strange found at the scene.” burned alive? Poppy shuddered. She’s very afraid of fire, never letting her parents even light the fireplace when she is around. The thought that her parents were killed in such a way made her almost want to throw up.
“What else did you find, sir?” Poppy whispered, shifting slightly closer, looking subconsciously for comfort. Agent Hotchner put his large hand on her naked knee. A shudder went through her system. Poppy wasn’t sure if it was the cold of Agent Hotchner’s hand–created by the cold of the lemonade glass- on her skin, or the thought of what happened to her parents. Both equally chilling.
“We found photos at the crime scene. A lot of photos.” The agent began. He slowly started rubbing her soft skin with his thumb. Poppy hyper-focused on the older man. Agent Prentiss was no longer there in her mind. It was just him and her, alone, in their own world.
“P-Photos?” She whispered. Agent Hotchner nodded somberly, still stroking her skin. She put her small hand on top of his. He let her. She wasn’t sure if this was appropriate at all. Perhaps it's what Agent Hotchner does for all of the family members of horrible crimes; giving them a bit of comfort. Comfort she desperately needed.
“Yes. Photos of you. So many photos of you, Poppy. We are quite certain they were taken without your knowledge. Could you take a look at them and confirm that for me?” He asked her kindly. For me he said. Yes, she would do anything for him. Anything at all.
“Yes, sir.” she replied. Finally, Agent Hotchner pulled his hand away from her knee, reaching for the folder he had placed on the coffee table. Poppy had to hold in a whine when he let her go. When she dared take a quick glance over at Agent Prentiss, all she saw was her looking at Agent Hotchner with disapproval. It must not be protocol then? Does that make me special?
“Take a look at these and tell me if you recognize any of them.” Agent Hotchner handed her a stack of printed out photos. She quickly looked at them, one by one. She gasped;. she’s never seen any of these photos before. They were clearly taken on and around the farm. Some of them zoomed in close, others from a wider angle, showing the background as well. They were of her smiling, laughing, frowning. There were at least thirty photos. Photographs of her.
“I-I don’t know what to say.” She whispered. Agent Hotchner hummed in understanding. “Have you seen any of these pictures before? Or recognize when they were taken?” He asked her in a calm voice.
Poppy quickly shook her head, not being able to take her eyes from one particular photograph. It was of her, zoomed in so far it looked like the photographer was only a step away from her. She looked so peaceful in the photo. Her blonde hair was glowing in the sun. She liked the photo a lot, but the thought that some creepy guy had taken it of her, made her want to rip it to shreds.
“I’ve never seen any of these, I'm pretty sure. They were definitely taken without my knowledge. But, how? And why? Why were they at my parents’ crime scene?” She felt like crying. She was so overwhelmed with emotions.
“Do you have any cameras around the property?” Agent Prentiss suddenly asked. Poppy thought about it for a moment, before nodding. “Yes, ma’am. There are a few set up around the outside of the house, the stables, and the edge of the driveway.” She replied.
Agent Prentiss nodded before she suddenly stood up. “I’ll call Garcia.” She said to Agent Hotchner, before she quickly walked out of the living room, heading into the general direction of the kitchen.
“Sir?” She whispered, turning back to face Agent Hotchner. The older man nodded, showing her he was listening. “I’m scared.” She continued, her voice still almost silent. The agent frowned in understanding, before he stood up.
She looked up at him, not sure what he was doing. “Come.” Was all he said. Slowly she stood up, standing right in front of him. She was not that short, but she only reached till about his shoulders.
Suddenly he held out his arms. She gasped. Was he truly going to let her hug him? Surely that is not very appropriate? Not that she’s going to complain, of course; she could really use a hug. She quickly stepped into his reach, wrapping her arms around his waist. He held her tight, rubbing her back slowly. She sagged into his hold. She hasn’t felt this safe and comfortable since before her parent’s death.
“Thank you.” She mumbled into his chest. Agent Hotchner held her closer, rubbing his chin softly against her hair. “You smell like peaches.” He mumbled. She giggled, tightening her hold around him. “Like summer.” he continued. Poppy smiled, not saying anything in return.
“I can’t let you live here on your own anymore.” He suddenly said quite seriously. Poppy tried to pull away to protest, but Agent Hotchner didn’t let her, just pressed her head back against his chest. “No, no.” He mumbled. She relaxed again, letting him do what he wanted.
“I know you think you’re already an adult, but you’re not. And as someone who is an adult, I can’t let you live here on your own in good conscience. Especially when there might be an unsub after you.” He continued. “What is an unsub?” She asked him quietly. When Agent Hotchner explained it was the bad guy they were looking for, Poppy gasped. “Y-You think he’s after me?” She asked him quickly.
“We don’t know that yet. But I don’t like the fact he was able to take all of those photos of you without you knowing.” He replied. Poppy nodded in understanding. She didn’t like that either. “So what happens now? Are you going to contact CPS?” She asked him quietly, scared of his answer.
“And have strangers take care of you? What if they are bad people, as well? No. I’m taking you home with me.” He mumbled into her hair. Her heartbeat picked up. He wanted her to come with him? She can’t!
“Sir, what about the farm? My cows and garden need me here. I can’t just leave! And what about your family? I’m sure you have a wife and kids. You can’t just take me with you.” She protested.
Finally he let her pull away slightly. He grabbed both of her cheeks, squeezing them slightly together, making her pout and forcing eye contact. “I’ll have someone come here to take care of everything while you’re gone. The farm will still be here when you come back. It is only until the unsub is caught and you’re eighteen. Then you’re able to live on your own.”
He squeezed her cheeks even further together, her pouting face making him chuckle. “And no, I don’t have a wife anymore. I do have a four-year-old son, who I'm sure will be super excited to see you.” He continued with a small smile.
There are two things Poppy loves most in life; cows and children. She has always been slightly upset at her parents for not giving her any siblings. When she was still in actual school, before she started to get homeschooling from her mother, she was always so jealous of people with large families. The idea of living with a little boy she can take care of everyday is very appealing.
“A-Are you sure that it is allowed, sir?” She mumbled, having difficulty speaking with the way her cheeks were squeezed and her lips were pouting. Agent Hotchner finally let her go and pulled her back into his arms, hugging her tightly. It almost seemed like he was the one craving hugs and close contact, and not her, the girl who just lost her entire life. She hugged him back nonetheless, finding comfort in his arms.
“As long as you let me take care of everything, yes.” He replied matter-of-factly. She nodded. She felt and heard him smell her hair one last time, before finally pulling away completely. He sat back down on the couch. and she slowly sat back down on the chair. Not even three seconds later, Agent Prentiss walked back into the living room.
“Garcia is looking through all of the footage, Hotch. I think we have everything we need from here for now.” She looked directly at Agent Hotchner, not paying Poppy any attention. Poppy also looked at the older man, seeing him nodding his head seriously. “Good work.” He replied gruffly, before standing up again.
Poppy did the same, looking from Agent Prentis to Agent Hotchner and back. She was unsure what was going to happen now. Agent Hotchner had told her to let him take care of everything, so that is what she’s going to do.
He turned to face her, “Why don’t you pack a bag with your most important possessions. Only things you can’t live without for a few months. Don’t worry about clothing, I'll take care of everything.” Poppy’s eyes widened before she slowly nodded. She walked away towards the stairs, only barely being able to hear an angry, “Hotch! What the hell wa-” And then she was out of hearing range.
Seven minutes later she came back downstairs, a duffle bag filled with her prized possessions. Photographs, books, a cow plushie, her phone and laptop with chargers, her perfumes, and one change of clothing just in case. Agent Hotchner met her at the bottom of the stairs, Agent Prentiss was nowhere to be seen.
“Are you ready to go, peach?” He asked her kindly. She blushed slightly from the nickname. “Can I pack the cookies I made for on the road?” She asked him quietly. Agent Hotchner nodded with a small smile on his face. “If you’re fast. We leave in five minutes.”