La historia de mi hermana

That night seemed to drag on for Elle. She was staring at the TV, some new channel on. It was just sound in the background. How could Hotch just drag up her past like that? He had no business doing that. She tossed back another drink. She knew she should stop but she couldn’t be bothered. Her ears pricked up as she heard a loud knocking. Groaning, Elle stood on wobbly legs and answered it.

“Spencer,” she said, sounding surprised.

“Hi…they discharged me…obviously...um…can I come in?” he babbled.

“Sure, sure. Come on in…you want something to drink?” she offered.

“No…I’m fine. How much have you had tonight?” he replied, helping her back onto the couch.

“Does it matter?” she asked, fixing him with a glare. He immediately took the glass from her hand.

“Yes, it matters, Elle. What’s wrong…you only ever get this drunk when something is wrong,” he said, pulling her close. Instead of answering she curled up and kissed his cheek.

“Hotch is an ass,” she finally said.

“Elle,” Reid started but she cut him off.

“No fucking right to tell my boss about the Lee case,” she continued, her voice rising in volume.

“You’re right…he didn’t. But he brought it up. If it makes you feel any better the team knows about my drug problem. We’re both out in the open about it now,” he reassured her.

“Will you stay tonight?” Elle asked, stifling a yawn.

“I’d like to stay every night,” he murmured. She gave a consenting sigh and he carried her to bed.

The following morning Elle woke up to her alarm and immediately climbed out of bed. Her head was pounding but she was more determined than ever to nail this sick bastard. Reid rolled out of bed just as she was pulling on a clean shirt.

“Morning,” she greeted, kissing him on the lips.

“You’re relative coherent…” he commented with a smirk.

“Oh I had a question for you,” he added as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Yeah? Like what?” she answered.

“I checked myself into an outpatient drug rehab facility here in the city and I need a place to stay,” he explained.

Elle smiled, reaching behind her and into his pants pocket. She pulled out her engagement ring, sliding it onto her left ring finger.

“We’re back on,” she remarked, failing to hide the broad grin overtaking her lips.

“I’ll make breakfast,” he offered and headed for the kitchen. They shared a quick breakfast before heading out. Elle dropped Reid off at the rehab center.

“Good luck,” she called out the rolled down passenger side window.

“You too,” he replied, waving her off. She headed for the station, praying Liv had talked to Casey and gotten the warrant for Santos’ apartment. She walked in to see just the SVU squad.

“I didn’t scare them all away did I?” she asked jokingly.

“They’re in with Cragen. Come on, let’s go pick up this guy,” Liv answered. Elle merely nodded and followed after Olivia. They were halfway to the apartment building when Olivia chose to speak.

“What happened yesterday? Cragen was really pissed that you bailed,” Liv remarked, slowing down at a stop sign.

“Hotch just dragged some things up that I’d rather he not have done. But Cragen knows now so I guess I just wait and see what happens,” she sighed in response.

“It must have been serious,” Liv murmured.

“We were working a case and the unsub knew all kinds of things about us…our hobbies, where we lived. Hotch sent me home and the guy shot me. I almost died. I guess I have some issues with blaming him,” Elle responded as they reached the building.

“You get the warrant from Novak?” Elle questioned as they ascended the stairs. Liv flashed the document at her partner and they knocked Jorje’s door. He opened it after a few knocks.

“Buenos dias, Señoras,” he greeted.

“Jorje Santos, usted está detenido para la violación de Marisol Vasquez y Lupe Hernandez,” Elle said, cuffing the man on the spot. She radioed for a squad car to take him to the station and continued reading his rights. Liv walked into the apartment, checking to make sure no one else was there. She began looking around, noting a large calendar taped to the fridge. She heard footsteps behind her some five minutes later and turned, gun drawn, only to see Elle.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Elle apologized as she looked at the calendar.

“Moreno quinceañera on the twenty first,” Elle read.

“He’s got about five other dates marked for this month,” Liv breathed. She donned gloves and pulled the calendar off the metal surface. Elle went to explore the rest of the apartment.

“Liv you better come here and see this,” Elle shouted from the living room area. Liv placed the calendar on the counter and followed Elle’s voice. She found her partner standing in front of a shrine. There were photographs of a young girl, around 14 or 15. Elle picked up one of the photographs and turned it over. The name Elena Maria Marquez was written on the back.