can't kill me

"Do you have any suspects?" Benjamin then asked the silent room.

Spencer picked up the stack of photos of Aya's.  "We received these photos from the unsub — uh, unidentified subject. Based on the location of some of them, we've received a name, Tom, of the man who rents an apartment directly across from Aya's and he's only paid in cash. We're working on getting a sketch right now."

Rossi continued. "We also received a phone from the unsub. He requested money and to speak to you, Benjamin. He'll be calling back within the next twenty minutes."

The rest of the team entered the room and introduced themselves to Aya's parents.

"You said the man's name was Tom?" Sarah asked. "Did you get the drawing?"

JJ nodded and handed Sarah the sketch. Benjamin looked over her shoulder and immediately grabbed it, looking exasperated.

"Do you know him?" Hotch asked.

"That's my brother, Thomas," Benjamin said. "I've been keeping Aya away from him. He felt entitled to ask Sarah and I for money and I don't want him to do the same to Aya. He gets violent when we say no."

Hotch and Rossi exchanged a look.

"When we were really young," Benjamin started. "My parents died. Our house had caught on fire and it killed them both. We went to live with our grandparents.  I've always suspected he killed our parents, but I couldn't prove it."

"Why did you think that?" Hotch asked.

The phone rang before he could respond.

"Benjamin," Emily said. "We're going to lead you on what to say. But you need to try to get your brother to tell you where he has Aya."

Benjamin nodded and Hotch hit answer on the machine.

"Is he there?" was the first thing out of the speaker.

"I'm here, Thomas," Benjamin replied. "Do you have Aya?"

"Yes. I want the money."

Emily held up something to lead Benjamin's answer.

"Thomas, let Aya go and let's talk about money after."

"No!" Thomas screamed. "Money first."

"Let me talk to her. Let me talk to my daughter."

"Now you want to talk to her?"

"What are you talking about?" Benjamin looked completely confused.

"You abandoned her! You left her with her grandmother. Where were you when I grabbed her, Benjamin? Just like when we were kids. When everyone left? When Mom and Dad left? Huh? Where were you?"

Benjamin slammed his hands on the table. "That's not what happened, Thomas. They didn't leave you."

"Yes, they did!"

"Please, Thomas, let me talk to Aya. Let me apologize to her." Benjamin's voice cracked.

There was silence for a moment and Penelope appeared in the window with a small sign that read "GOT HER". Most of the team left the room, leaving JJ, Rossi, and Reid with Aya's family.

"Dad?" Aya's voice rang through. 

"Aya, baby," Benjamin said. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you."

"Dad, no," Aya responded. "This isn't your fault. I've had a wonderful life."

"Thomas, please," Benjamin begged. "Take me instead."

"No."

With that, the line went dead.

♕ ♕ ♕

Emily was the one to find Aya, bound to a chair in the shed behind the remains of her father's childhood home.  She had been beaten, with broken ribs and a knife wound to her leg. There were parts of her face that were swollen, but there was no evidence of sexual assault.  Thomas had been shot and killed by Derek after he made an advance on Emily as she attempted to calm him down.

Aya had gently run her hand against Emily's face and murmured, "Emily."

She passed out — presumably from pain — after that and Derek carried her to the ambulance.

♕ ♕ ♕

Aya was sitting in her hospital bed, propped up. She had just woken up for the first time since she'd left the shed.

Her grandmother and parents were her first visitors.

"Aya!" her grandmother cried. "I'm so glad you are okay!"

Aya accepted hugs from her family, but grabbed her dad's hand. "I don't blame you. When I was a kid, I hated both of you for leaving me. But I've had an incredible life and I'm the fucking princess of a country. I've had an extensive education and I have the best job in the world. Everything happens for a reason and I'm okay with how my life has gone. I enjoy it, actually."

Her father gave her another hug. "I love you, Aya."

"I love you, Dad."

The four of them chatted for a bit, before Aya's parents left the queen and princess to discuss Otharia.

"I am very glad you're alright, Aya. We will have to make a statement to the press in Otharia. And you need to decide if you want to stay in Virginia."

"I do, Grandmama, want to stay in Virginia. As I told my parents, I love my job. I can make the statement, if you'd like."

Her grandmother waved her hand. "Nonsense. You can make another one when you're out, but I'll make the initial one."

Her grandmother kissed her cheek and left. "I'll see you soon, child."

Dave and Hotch were next.

"Did you get to talk to her?" Aya asked Dave, without even saying hello.

Dave laughed. "I did. Soon, I might be spending holidays with you, Aya."

Aya laughed back. "Can't wait!"

Dave smiled and squeezed her ankle. "I just wanted to make sure you're alright. I'll come back later."

He left the room and Aya turned to Hotch. "Thank you."

"We're glad to see you're alright," Hotch told her.

"Can't kill me," the young woman joked.

"I understand if you don't wish to remain with this team. I can give a glowing recommendation anywhere you'd like if you want to transfer," he replied.

"Why would I transfer?" she asked. "This team is my family."