Secrets. 1
this is a prequal to my fic on @alittlelessthanacircleβ, but I am moving it over to here so that everything is on one account.
Emma Chase had received the letter from her uncle shortly after attending Sarahβs funeral. Having known the relationship between the woman and her uncle, the blonde doctor was aware of how much the loss would affect her previous caregiver and for that reason continued to make contact every few weeks. Losing him would have been the equivalent to losing her father, however, her actions had been futile.
To believe that she could help save that man was flawed, he didnβt require saving. What Jason Gideon required was a change of pace, he had surrounded himself with killers and that had stollen much more than his sanity. He lost people he loved, people he cared for, people he had assumed saved and it had all become too much.
He had explained that in his letter. Jason had told her how he wished he could remain in her life, but that he feared she would become a target for those who aimed their knives at his heart. He had watched her fight her way out of captivity before, and he didnβt want her to have to do the same again. To save her from potential trauma was what he thought he was doing, but abandonment hurt her beyond what her memory had.
However, knowing his ward as well as he did, Jason understood that he couldnβt leave her with no-one. Of course, the woman had her closest friend, but he was aware of Emmaβs toxic independence. It had been her biggest downfall for as long as he had been her guardian. Having lost her family in intervals, she had taught herself the fundamental characteristics of living. She learnt to live for herself.
She had found herself re-reading a passage of his letter almost constantly, not knowing what he had meant by it. He had written: Perhaps the biggest difficulty of this is leaving you and Lacey almost alone. I wish I could tell you that the thought of that was enough to convince me to stay, but Iβve lost so much. However, I have put as much in place as I can to make sure that you can have the family you have always wanted. We should have known that I was never that for you, one man is not a family.
Of course, he had been enough for her, a man could be a family if there was enough love. She was watching Laceyβs favourite film as she found herself reading over the letter once more. Obsessing over the words had been her past time since she had received it, but only this time was she disrupted by the sound of her phone.
Emma pressed the volume down button on the Disney film currently playing on her TV, luckily for the mother Lacey had fallen asleep on the couch, the Infant Tylenol having finally kicked in. However, the mother knew that if she were to turn the film off completely the girl would wake instantly as if her were still watching the film.
She moved carefully, reaching to grasp her phone from the coffee table without causing the couch to move enough to wake the young girl. As she swiped to answer, she was greeted by a familiar voice she couldnβt quite place, βIs this Miss Emma Chase?β
βDoctor,β She corrected, knowing how much her uncle was insistent that she would be called by her correct title. βBut, yes, this is she. May I ask who I am speaking to?β
There was a silence at the other end of the phone, where the receiver had become confused by the question, βThis is Agent Aaron Hotchner from the FBIβs Behavioural Analysis Unit, I assumed you would be expecting a call. I received your CV earlier this week, and I must say that I was extremely impressed.β
βThank you, sir,β Emma replied, smiling slightly to herself. βHowever, I didnβt send my CV in, not recently at least. I am going to assume that there was an external party who brought it to your attention.β
βIf you are referring to Jason Gideon, then I would like to agree.β Aaron stated, causing Emma to nod to herself. βHowever, if you are interested, I would like to offer you a trial period with the unit. We recently received funding for an additional member, and I feel your expertise would be an asset to our team.β
Emma was silent for a minute, knowing that she wouldnβt have received this offer without her connection to Jason, βHow long would this trial period last?β
βA couple of cases at the most,β the agent stated, βwhen would be the earliest you can start?β
Emma glanced over at Lacey, not wanting to leave the young girl while she wasnβt well, but also knowing that she wouldnβt get a chance like this again, βI would need to make a few calls, but I could most likely begin tomorrow.β
βThatβs great,β Aaron exclaimed, and she could hear him typing before the silence became planted. βIβm sorry to ask this, but have you heard from Jason?β
βOnly a letter since Sarahβs funeral,β Emma explained, letting out a sigh. βI take it thereβs been no news on your end either?β
βApart from a letter to one of our team and your CV, nothing.β The man stated, causing Emmaβs face to drop. βI hope, in all sincerity, that he contacts you soon.β
βThank you, Sir,β Emma spoke softly, noticing that the blonde girl was beginning to stir beside her. βI look forwards to working with you.β
Aaron knew from what he had learnt of the girl from Jason, that she was sincere in her words, but also that this job would be more than a career for her, βAnd you Doctor Chase, have a good evening.β
Tags: (message to be added.)
Iβve decided to move everything over to this other account to make it easier. Tag lists will remain the same as before when I get everything transferred correctly.
