A Second Chance

Lost Sleep

The rest of the weekend was easy going. Danielle invited Sophia over on Sunday so Emily dropped her off there in the morning and Danielle's mom dropped her off after dinner.

When Monday rolled around JJ and Will still weren't back. JJ called Emily to tell her that they should definitely be home by Tuesday night and that Will decided to stay an extra few days with the boys so he wasn't going to be home until Wednesday. JJ told her Sophia's school routine and everything she would need to know until they got back.

The morning went smoothly for Emily. She woke up around five and started making breakfast for her and Sophia. It was six when Sophia decided to go to the kitchen and eat.
"Good morning," Emily said cheerfully.
"Hi," Sophia replied tiredly.
"I made pancakes and eggs," Emily pointed out and put the child's plate in front of her.
"Oh cool," Sophia said, sounding uninterested and began eating.
She looked exhausted and as if she hadn't slept in days. Emily knew that look. She always had it on when she literally hadn't slept in days due to a case.
"Hey, are you okay?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, just a little tired," Sophia said and continued to eat.
"Want some coffee?" Emily offered.
"Really?" Sophia asked incredulously.
"Yeah, it might give you some energy," Prentiss told her and poured her a cup.
Sophia took the mug from the woman and took a sip. She sighed and closed her eyes.
"JJ and Will usually don't let me have coffee," Sophia told Emily.
Prentiss' eyes widened.
She careful took the mug from her daughter and said,
"Well then you shouldn't be drinking this and let's not tell JJ about this, okay?"
Sophia sighed but nodded.
Emily dropped her off at school and as she drove away, she realized she was worried about her daughter. The kid looked awful this morning and seemed out of it. For the first time in ten years, Emily was worrying about her child again.
That feeling never got old.

Prentiss went to the BAU and at around one thirty she got a call from JJ.
"Hello?"
"Hey, I just got a call from the school. Sophia's been in a fight. Can you go pick her up?"
Emily couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, I'm on my way," Prentiss soda and started making her way out.

While she drove back to the school as the worst case scenarios went through her mind. Like what if a big bully hurt her or made her cry or something? Emily went to the school and straight to the office, where she was then told to go into the principals office.
Right when she walked in, she saw Sophia and a bigger kid, who had an ice pack on his eye. Emily's eyes shot down to Sophia's hand and realized her kid was the bully, not the bullied.
"Hey," Emily said.
"Hi," Sophia replied shamefully.
"You must be-" the principal started to say.
"Emily Prentiss."
"I'm Principal Noman," he responded.
The principal shook her hand and motioned for her to take a seat.
"So what happened?" Prentiss asked.
"That freak gave me a black eye," the boy, Chris, yelled.
"Want me to give you another one?" Sophia asked back.
Emily's head shot over at the girl and glared at her.
"Sophia punched Chris in the face."
"Why?" Emily asked and turned to the girl.
"She won't say," Principal Nomen stated. 
"Sophia," Emily urged.
The kid kept quiet and looked away.
"If you don't tell me why, then I'm going to have no choice but to suspend you."
"What?" Emily asked.
"We have zero tolerance for bullying here, Miss Prentiss. Students can't just go around punching each other."
"I understand, but clearly it was in retaliation for something. Sophia had to have had a good reason for hurting him."
"Okay, but she isn't telling us why so I have to assume she started it."
Emily sighed and looked over at the kid.
"Anything you want to say? Now would be a great time to share?" Prentiss said.
"Can we go home now?" Sophia asked. It was subtle but Emily could see it in her eyes. Sophia seemed really sad about something.
"Yeah," Prentiss said softly.
"Miss Prentiss," Mr. Noman said.
Emily looked up.
"Sophia is suspended for two days. Today and tomorrow."
"I understand," she replied and got up to go.
Emily let Sophia out first then she followed her.
The car ride was quiet.
"So, do you want to talk about it?" Emily asked.
"I want JJ," Sophia said and just looked out the window.
Prentiss took the hint and stopped talking.