Mother's Concern || Alfie & Emily
Emily took in the sight of the young boy. He’d been through so much and his face and body showed it. The poor kid looked exhausted, like he’d been dragged through hell and back. Then again, he pretty much had been. Em tried her best not to compare him to the kids they saw on cases-the ones with too much on their shoulders and desperately needed a break; as well as for someone to care for them.
"Thanks," she smiled as he let her inside and lead her to the living room. She suspected it might be awkward but she hadn’t anticipated it’d be this bad. She should’ve known better though. "Let’s not beat around the bush here," she spoke with her hands as she sat down, gesturing for him to do the same. "I know your dad’s not here. I spoke with him earlier today. …He asked me to come here and talk to you." She paused a moment, just long enough to gather her thoughts and catch a small breath. "He’s worried about you Alfie. He wants to help too, he’s just not sure how. Hence why I’m here," she clasped her hands together.
She paused again trying to read his reaction. However she feared if she didn’t keep talking, if she didn’t make it clear she was doing this out of her own genuine concern and affection, and not pity, that he’d shut her out. “I’m worried about you too and I don’t get to see you much. You’re not usually around when the other families get together.” Her face reflected a hint of sadness. Honestly, she did wish he were there. Especially now that she knew what had happened. “I know this probably seems weird but I’m not here to be your therapist. Just as…well, as a friend, or a confidant if you will. Someone who’s a little less directly involved but still cares about you.”
She figured telling him that his dad wanted her to be like a mother figure would be a bad idea. That was a huge role to take on, one she wasn’t yet ready or comfortable with assuming for Alfie. She’d bet he’d feel the same way. They had to work towards that. Emily would do it though if that’s what Alfie wanted. “You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to but I hope you’ll consider it. I also hope you’ll consider stopping by more often. Just checking in, rejoining the BAU families.”
Shuffling in behind her, he pushed his hands into his pockets and stared at the floor. He resisited the urge to say something sarcastic like, "This is nice," Emily didn't know him well enough to understand his dry sense of humor. Desperately looking around the living room to hide any tell tale signs of his moping, he tried to not look as tired and heavy as he felt. Why was she here? He thought to himself as he watched her sit down.
She knows, was his first reaction, his breath catching in his throat. He could feel his eyes widen. His dad is getting the FBI to help him now. He didn't kill three people, he tried to kill himself, he isn't one of their cases. Grinding his teeth, he tried to reign in his paranoia, knowing that would be something she'd immediately pick up on. It's her job too. Clearing his throat, he tried to make his voice as monotonous as possible, "Why? What did he say?"
When he said she was there to help, he almost laughed, barely containing it. A bit late there, he thought bitterly before mentally scolding himself for being cheeky. He didn't know Emily, she didn't know him. Looking at his feet, he deciding to shuffle to an armchair across the room rather than sit next to her. "Uh yeah, I don't really like the...'family' gatherings," he muttered, slight sarcastic emphasis on the word family. He felt awkward even saying it as that's the farthest thing they were to him. Half of them weren't even acquaintances. The only one who meant something to him was...well gone. "I already have a therapist," he snapped, then quickly regretted it, outbursts of anger and snapping at people weren't part of his recovery quest. She'd tell his Dad that he was being angry towards her and his Dad would probably ship him off somewhere for the emotionally unstable.
"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his eyes, "I'm only awake from a nap, I haven't had my coffee yet," he joked feebly. He knew it wasn't enough though. "I don't know why he's worried, but if he is so worried, why couldn't he just ask you what to do rather than send you to do it? I mean, I'm not exactly your responsibility am I?" When she asked him to rejoin the family, he gave her sad smile, "I didn't leave I was exiled," he said just loud enough for her to hear, he felt like he had to say it quietly as it was something he'd never really spoken about before.
