It was almost out of this world.

It was too beautiful to be real.

Emily and JJ walked into the academy surprised to see how traditionally decorated it was. It was reminiscent of an old castle, something JJ made akin to Harry Potter. There was no doubt that the students enrolled there were from wealthy families based on how prestigious the academy appeared. Upholding the architecture and cleanliness of the grounds clearly needed extensive funds. Given their current case, they knew the person they were looking for had such funds to be enrolled in such a place.

The two agents made their way through the front hallway and saw the sign pointing to the office. They were about to turn a corner when they saw a wall of awards, trophies and memorabilia on a wall. The academy took pride in its sports and education and displayed it for everyone to see.

"Can I help you?" a voice sternly asked, catching the two's attention.

Both Emily and JJ turned to the sound of the voice and saw an older woman with blonde, loosely curled hair appear near them. They could feel rather than see the fiery aura, and possibly personality, the woman had and knew she was someone with authority in the academy. She also didn't look like she was interested in continuing to have their presence there with how her arms were folded in front of her. The older of the two agents stepped forward and cleared her throat.

"We're here looking for a student; Serenity Song. We'd like to go to the office and inquire for her," Emily calmly answered, hoping it would ease the woman's defenses, but it seemed to only heighten it. The moment she mentioned the student's name, it looked like the woman was ready to fight them, or at least call whatever security was in place to take them away.

"What business do you have with my students?" the woman questioned back with a snarl in her voice. It was evident that she would not give up Serenity Song without an appropriate reason.

That could be changed.

Emily looked over at JJ and they both pulled out their FBI badges, presenting them. They watched as the woman scanned them over, only to look back at them appearing more defensive than before.

"Come with me to my office," the woman pointedly said.

The two agents put away their badges and followed the woman through the hallways into the lobby of the reception area of the front desk for the office. They went past the desk and immediately received and apologetic look from the secretary as they approached the door that read 'Principal' on it.

Of course, they would have the luck of talking to the principal without knowing it.

The principal opened the door, allowed them in, closed it shut, and turned to the agents with a fierce look on her face.

"What does the FBI want with my student?" the woman promptly asked. There was hostility in her voice, but there was a hint of protectiveness that didn't go unnoticed by either agent.

"We only have a few questions to ask…" JJ paused to look around the office and saw the nameplate on the large wood desk. "Ms. Grant."

"About what exactly?" Ms. Grant questioned back. "Should I call her family?" she added, more so out of anger than concern.

"It would be best if we could talk to her soon about what's going on because it concerns her family. If you could please let us see her, then this will be over as soon as possible." Emily raised her brows and hoped her soft tone would be enough to get through the principal. It did its job when the other woman narrowed her eyes and glared at her.

"One wrong move, agents, and I'll make sure you face a lawsuit that will end your careers," the principal stated as she opened the door again. "Sit down and do not touch anything."

Emily and JJ didn't have a chance to reply when the woman walked out with a good solid shut of the door behind her. They sat on the sofa meant for visitors and started looking around the office, automatically analyzing the principal based on the room.

"Definitely not the kind of principal I had when I grew up," JJ stated as she read the nameplate again. She didn't have to when Garcia had pulled up the information on the academy before they arrived.

Principal – Cat Grant.

"I had the strict ones, but none of them were as protective as her," Emily replied back. She saw how orderly everything was in the room, but one thing caught her eye that sat on Cat's desk in plain sight. Perhaps not in direct sight of others, but it was in plain sight—a picture of Serenity Song.

How interesting.

"She was getting really pent up."

"Yes; you would've thought we were here to see her daughter," Emily answered with an intrigued tone in her voice. She thought back to what Garcia said when she pulled up all the information on Serenity Song and remembered the girl wasn't related to Cat Grant, but it was clear they had a strong bond. That picture was evidence of that.

"Are we doing the right thing coming here to see her while the rest of the team goes to her family?" JJ questioned, turning to the older agent.

Emily bit the inside of her cheek because that was her call. She released her cheek as she turned to meet the blonde. "We needed to talk to them separately before they could come together and corroborate on a story. We're meeting with Serenity first before the rest of the does anything, anyway. All we have to do is do this quickly, but thoroughly."

JJ nodded, but it was obvious that something was nagging at her. "Is it fair to be asking her of this?"

Emily stayed silent and turned away. How was she supposed to answer that? How would she answer a question regarding a teenager to her friend who had children of her own? She didn't know, and no amount of empathy would be able to help her give a right answer. All she could do was reach out and place a hand on JJ's knee, gently squeezing it.

She didn't have to stay silent for too long when the door opened and Cat returned with a tall dark-haired girl in a black and red uniform, carrying a backpack. She and JJ stood up at their arrival, only to receive another glare from the principal. That was a warning.

"I'll leave you three alone," Cat started, "but if you decide to leave the grounds with her, you tell me first, understood?"

The three of them nodded as the door closed once more, but this time with a gentle shut.

Now that Serenity Song was with them, she was looking at them with curiosity. Emily motioned for the girl to sit down in the chair across from them. Once she was seated, she and JJ took their seats again and smiled.

"Hello, Serenity, we're Agents Emily Prentiss and Jennifer Jareau from the FBI and we'd like to talk to you for a few minutes," Emily introduced as she pulled out her badge for the girl to see. She could see from her periphery that JJ did the same. She saw the girl's curiosity turn into a subtle fear. What that fear was of, she wasn't sure, yet.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" The girl's posture was rigid and far from relaxed now. How well was she going to cooperate? "Did I do something wrong?"

"Not that we're aware of," Emily answered, pulling a small baggie with a piece of paper inside from the pocket of her blazer. "We were wondering if you recognized this symbol." She placed it onto the coffee table and passed it over to Serenity to see.

The girl looked it over while the agents looked over her. Emily and JJ could see that Serenity recognized it and it was clear in the girl's eyes just how familiar she was with it.

"Yes, it was my dad's tattoo," Serenity answered, returning the item across the table. "What is this related to?"

"We're investigating the current string of bombings and robberies taking place. They all had that symbol left behind as a crime signature," JJ answered with some reluctancy, taking the baggie and handing it to Emily. She looked at the teenager and saw the intense fear in her face.

"You think I might have had something to do with this?" The girl looked at them with wide, disturbed eyes.

"No, but we believe—" Emily stopped talking as a cellphone started to go off. All eyes went to Serenity and she, too, looked surprised at the sound. The girl quickly fished her phone out of her backpack, unsure as to why it was ringing.

"Hello? What?! Wha—Leo? Leo!"

Emily furrowed her brow when she heard the name. Leo—Leonardo Robertson—was Serenity's brother; why was he calling her during school hours? Why did Serenity look rattled?

"What game are you playing at?!" Serenity exclaimed, standing from her chair and pointing at the two agents.

"What are you talking about?" JJ asked, taking to her feet in confusion. "We aren't playing games, Serenity; we're here to talk."

"To talk or distract me while you went after the rest of my family?" Serenity shot back in frustration. "My brother called and he just said that my mother and sisters were just arrested."

Emily pulled out her phone as it immediately vibrated in her pocket during their conversation. She saw a text message from Garcia. The team was standing off at the Robertson household.

"JJ, we have to go—" she started, ready to walk away only to stop when Serenity blocked her way. She looked up at the taller girl and pursed her lips. "Serenity…"

"No, you do not get to come here and just leave like this. I am going with you! This does not happen while I get left in the dark," Serenity firmly stated, silently challenging the older agent. She refused to be left behind while her family was being taken away.

Emily took all of three seconds to determine if it was a good idea and it led her to one answer, "Let your principal know you're coming with us."

"Wait, she's what?" JJ asked in utter disbelief.

Emily watched as Serenity gathered her backpack and start to leave without them. She turned to JJ and nodded without a doubt in her decision. "She'll stop the standoff."

"And you're sure about that?"

"I'm only as sure as the next person," Emily answered, following after the girl.

It took one clipped explanation from Serenity for Cat to allow them to leave all together. It took all of JJ's willpower to not question Emily's judgment before they returned to their SUV. She had no clue why Emily would allow such a call, especially one that involved a minor.

Hotch may have done the same, but this was a different situation. Hotch was no longer chief and their minor was a genius. Perhaps, it was maternal instinct that nagged at her conscience. All she knew was that her heart raced at the idea of bringing Serenity to a possibly dangerous situation.

If something were to happen, how would she let herself be okay in the end? How would she let Emily get away with the calls she'd made so far? Could she forgive Emily if something occurred?

"If something happens to my family, I won't forgive you!" Serenity called out.

If something did happen, could Serenity ever forgive them?

Could they forgive themselves?