Chapter 3:

Alythia had been released hours ago, but she's spent those hours in her car. She knows her husband is going to be infuriated with her; especially if he knows what happened in the time she was gone. Sighing, Alythia slams her head on the steering wheel. Then she screams when she accidentally honks her horn, and her husband comes bounding out the door. Another groan leaves her lips, but she forces herself up and out of the car. She grabs her purse, ignoring her husband calling after her as she walks away. From the corner of her eye, Alythia spots one of her nosy neighbors peeking through the window. Great, now she's going to be called in for disturbance of the peace on top of everything else.

Ripping the door open, Alythia walks into her house with stomping footsteps. She throws her purse on the counter, ignoring the clanking of her pins that hit the hard surface. She's about to walk to her shared bedroom when she finally notices the kids sitting on the couch. She freezes, plastering on a smile when she notices her son and daughter staring back at her.

"Hey, kiddos. How was your sleepover?" She questions, softening her voice as she walks over to them. She sits on the couch, ignoring her husband sitting beside her. He wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her closer but never mentioning her current attitude.

"It was fine," Douglas murmurs, shifting on the couch with his eyes on the floor.

Alythia's heart pangs - she did that. She makes her children scared to speak up. She sighs, going to speak up once more, until their doorbell rings. Everyone looks towards the door, sharing confusion as they glance at each other.

"Were you expecting someone?" Parker whispers, leaning down so only Alythia will hear.

"No, you?"

When she receives a negative answer, she moves to the window. Ever since they moved to this neighborhood, they've only ever had five visitors - and they only show up with an early notice. Everyone knows about their preference for solitude unless they're new in the neighborhood. But, word of that usually spreads fairly quickly. Looking out the window, Alythia sprints to open the door. Everyone rushes after her, and Alythia makes sure she and Parker block their kids from view. When she opens the door, a man stands there with a small, kind smile. Behind him is another woman, but it's not the same one from the station. She's confused, eyebrows furrowing as she studies the family in front of her.

"Alythia Parker?" The man questions, his smile growing with recognition.

"Yes?" Alythia's lips quiver, she has a feeling she knows why he's here. However, the action causes Parker to place himself between them, growing protective at his wife's unease. The woman behind the newcomer starts to move forward, probably thinking this is going to lead to a fight, but the man holds up a hand.

"Hello, you must be Mr. Parker. I'm Patrick Jane, and this is Agent Lisbon. We're here to discuss your wife's sister."

Parker deflates, turning to hug his wife as a loud sob tears through her.

"What about her?" Parker demands, keeping a close eye on his wife and Jane.

Jane smiles at Parker, his shoulders straightening. "She's been released from prison, temporarily. She's on her way to my division as we speak."

Tears start to escape both the couple's eyes, and Alyhtia almost collapses to the floor if not for her husband's strong grip. Jane gives them a moment to collect themselves, only going to speak up when he catches a glimpse of two worrying children.

"If you wish, you can come see her."

Alythia struggles to stand, moving away from her husband and into the house. Teresa moves forward, about to scold her colleague for upsetting the poor woman until she sees the children as well. With the mother's absence, she gets a straight view of the children. They look about ten, twins that care deeply for each other. They're hugging each other behind the door, though they move towards their father when their cover is blown. Teresa smiles at them, giving them a little wave. They return it, tiny but confused smiles so similar that it shocks Teresa to her core. Her heart melts when she watches the father kneel, taking the two kids into a large hug. He holds them close, never wavering - even with strangers watching them.

Teresa goes to scold Jane again, but Alythia is suddenly bounding towards the door. Her coat is on, her shoes haphazardly shoved on, and a purse slung over her shoulder as she fumbles with her keys. She stops at the door, joining her family on the floor and in the hug. She whispers something to them, before moving outside.

She walks straight up to Jane, eyes red and voice quivering as she demands, "Where?"

Teresa has to get over the shock - not expecting that reaction. She thought they would be upset, demanding she was put back or confused as to why. But, every single one of them held care in their eyes, even the twins. That's why she isn't as shocked when the husband stands, his kids in his arms, and walks towards them.

"Just follow us, and I assure you, you'll be seeing her in no time," Jane talks slow and calm, smiling at the family with care and understanding only he holds.

Alythia nods, bolting towards her car. With no communication needed, the couple help their kids into their seats, buckling them in a rush before jumping into their car. Jane and Teresa have to run to their car, fumbling to get moving before the family grows impatient. They spend the ride in silence, and Teresa watches the car trailing their tail the entire way back.

When they reach the headquarters, the agent and consultant have to jog to catch up to the family. By the time they're finally next to the family, they have reached the front door of the division. When they push through the doors, many glances are thrown their way, but no one mentions it. The family pauses, looking around them. Alythia's clutching her son to her chest while her husband holds their daughter. He glances back at the agents, who take the lead and bring them into their working space. Jane guides them to his couch, sitting them down and ignoring everyone's stares.

"Tea, anyone?" Jane questions, his attention on the family of four. They're all nervous, shifting in place.

"Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks," Alythia stutters, scoping out the room. "Uh, where is she?"

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'm sure she'll be here soon," Teresa soothes, though her tone is a little too stony to sound caring.

Alythia nods, bringing her son closer as her husband pulls her to his chest. The family stays like that, silent as they wait for Evelynn. Jane leaves the room to get them tea, silence enveloping everyone. Rigsby inches towards Lisbon, his eyes watching the family closely. Though, through the confusion lies adoration and just a splash of jealousy. When he gets close enough, Lisbon interrupts his question.

"They're the family of the criminal who's being released into our care today. Jane told them they could see her if they came here."

Grace steps forward, holding her hand out to the family. "I'm Grace Van Pelt. It's nice to meet you."

Alythia takes her hand, shaking it with a tight grip and a small smile. "It's nice to meet you too. I'm Alythia, and this is my son Douglas, my daughter Anjelette, and my husband Benjamin."

Parker reaches forward, shaking Grace's hand as well. The kids only give a little wave and soft, hesitant greeting. Their conversation ends when Jane comes back into the room, balancing cups up his arms and in his hands. The family jumps up, assisting him before anyone can even offer their help.

"Well, thank you," Jane says, a grateful smile pulling at his lips as he watches the family sipping at the tea.

Alythia clears her throat, nodding at him and thanking him for the drink. Jane moves to lean against a desk, watching the family closely. The boy has his mother's hair, little dirty blonde curls bouncing in his face as he wiggles in his mother's lap. Though the daughter had gained her father's dark brown hair, yet the curls still look completely untamed. One thing that stuck out the most - they don't seem to care for his staring. Most people who catch him staring would at least glance at him, or point it out and ask what's wrong with him. This family acts as if it's completely normal to have a stranger watching their every move. Jane hums, storing the information away for another time as he sips his tea.

Though, what does gain their attention pretty quickly is the door slamming open. In fact, it attracts everyone's attention. Everyone stands up, watching as police officers march in, holding a gun close to their chest with the barrel pointing down and keeping an eye behind them. When they fully enter the building, Evelynn is standing with her shoulders pushed back and her head held high. Her chains are rattling as she moves, though she poses no obvious threat as she walks behind the officers in her prison uniform. Jane notices a new scratch above her eye, though. Ignoring it for the moment, Jane turns to study once more. Alythia stands from the couch, placing Douglas into the father's arms. She takes a step forward, new tears springing into her eyes.

For a moment, no one says anything. Everyone's attention is shifting between the sisters, waiting for something to happen. Finally, the cops start to direct Evelynn into the same office space as the Parker family - must've been directed there during the phone call. No matter, it makes the sisters come eye to eye. Evelynn freezes, causing the officers to turn around. Their shouts of protests are shut down by Agent Lisbon, who orders their departure with her eyes focusing on the sisters and her hand on her gun. Jane walks over, silent and slow so he doesn't disrupt the moment. He places his hand over Lisbon's, immobilizing her hand's movements. When she looks at him, he shakes his head in a silent no before watching the sisters again.

By now, the silence is becoming suffocating. Until Evelynn takes another step forward, her shoulders slacking and her hands reaching towards Alythia. Jane felt the tension spike in the room, but he held up a hand to make sure no one interferes. And, finally, someone speaks.

"Eve?" Alythia questions. She looks so different. From the slightly overweight and never-ending smiling girl to someone Alythia can barely recognize.

The only response she gets is a loud cry before both sisters tackle each other in a large hug. Alythia's sobs echo in the silent room, but so does Evelynn's quiet reassurances starting to drown them out. Even if they're both crying, Evelynn focuses on calming her sister down. Holding each other tight and ignoring anyone around them. The hug seems to last for an eternity, though the agents finally calm enough to drop their hands from their weapons. When Jane notices their calming behavior, he steps forward. All eyes snapped to him, hanging on his every word in the awkward, yet heart-warming moment.

"Wouldn't you like to see your niece and nephew?"

Evelynn snaps her head towards the couch, finally noticing Parker and the kids watching them. Parker smiles at her, moving to get off the couch. He slowly brings the kids forward, a reassuring hand on their shoulders until they are all bending down in a small circle. Evelynn looks at them in silence, taking in their features until a bright smile breaks out. She looks toward the little boy, pointing a playful finger at him while her other arm stays wrapped around her sister.

"You must be Douglas," Evelynn spoke, her voice light and joking. The little boy immediately relaxes at the sound, a shy smile blooming as he nods his head. Evelynn changes direction, staring at the little girl with a weird thinking face. Her tongue sticking out, her lips puffed like a fish, and her eyes squinting while she scratches at her chin. "Now, you have got to be," she pauses, a grin breaking out. "George!" She sounded so sure of herself, looking at the little girl like she wants confirmation on it.

The little girl laughs, the family joining in when Evelynn throws in a confused look.

"No, I'm Anjelette!" The little girl exclaims, pointing a finger in the air.

Jane notices the shocked look Evelynn sends to her sister, who only smiles with a little nod. The girl is clearly named after Evelynn if the adoration is any sign of that.

Evelynn quickly changes direction, putting a hurt expression in her eyes with a hand to her heart. "What do you mean? You're not a really smart monkey your Mommy and Daddy brought from the jungle?"

Anjelette screeches a giggle, mentioning how that's her favorite show. Jane watches closely, a smile blooming as Evelynn tickles the little girl and claims her to be a monkey. The family sits like that forever, the little kids sharing stories to Evelynn like they have spent years in a dangerous forest. Evelynn entertains them, acting silly and listening to every word they say.

Jane looks over to Lisbon, who's watching the scene with wide eyes. "Do you believe me yet?" Jane asks, a teasing tone locking in. Lisbon only glances at him before focusing on the family again.

"This doesn't mean she's innocent. She could be acting, or tricking us to make us think she's innocent. People will do a lot to get out of prison."

Jane turns his body to Lisbon, eyes sparkling with his usual upcoming remark. "Yes, but she hasn't been trying to get out for three years. Why would she suddenly change her mind? She cooperates with everything, she never causes a fuss, and yet she says enough snark to prove she's not planning to get out through good behavior. Why would she suddenly grow so desperate to act all this up?" Jane takes a moment to gesture back to the family. The married couple moved to sit on the couch, hugging each other close as they watched Evelynn interact with their children. Merry smiles adorn their faces, and their stance shows complete trust in the current prisoner, who's sitting with the two kids in her lap. They're on the ground, and Evelynn is showing the kids how to find shapes in the floor and ceiling to make a story. Jane knows that's what made up most of the hours she spent in prison.

"I don't know, but I don't trust this. It's been three years, why is this coming up now?"

"Because look at them. They all care for each other. Somehow, they have all held a bond so strong throughout the years that even now, they're acting like nothing's changed. Like Evelynn isn't in chains and like she's not a criminal - because she isn't. So, when they get the news that the death row is coming up, they're going to act on it. I don't know why they hadn't done it sooner, but I'm betting it's because she told them not to."

Lisbon turns to him, keeping an eye on the prisoner still. She has to admit, they all seem rather relaxed for the situation at hand. And Lisbon has to admire the way Evelynn is taking care of the kids. Still, something isn't right. Nothing makes sense, despite Jane's best efforts. And she shares those thoughts, but Jane only shrugs back at her with a smile. He knows something, but his dramatic ass won't share it. Lisbon sighs, but leaves it to him and goes back to watching the family reunion.

Something just isn't right.