Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It all started last month.  

The case file that looked like any other had crossed her desk like the many others she got. But this wasn't like the others. It was worse, a nightmare returned.  

She ignored it the first time, she saw many cases that the BAU didn't cover, maybe this would be one of them. At least that is what she told herself, until the third file came in a month later and she knew she could no longer ignore it.  

Jennifer Jareu sat in her small office, the room lit only by the small table lamp she liked to work with, especially late into the evening. She took a deep breath before opening the file, she was used to looking at these cases, she was often the first to see them with part of her job being to decide which cases the BAU are going to investigate, it was something that haunted her, something she tried not to think about too much.  

There had been 3 victims so far, all female, blonde hair, blue eyes ages 23 to 30... her age group, each victim had been held for approximately 5 days whilst being sexually assaulted and tortured before being stabbed in the stomach then strangled with bare hands. She knew this bad, it was a brutal killing, to kill someone with your bare hands was hard, it was personal.  

She forced herself to read the file before printing off some extra copies, one for each member of the team. Standing, she straightened her pencil skirt, took a deep breath, put on that media mask and walked into the bull pen “Sorry guys, we got a case” she chuckled softly listening to the groaning and bickering of Morgan and Prentiss as they, plus Reid, followed her into the conference room where Garcia, Rossi and Hotch were already waiting.  

Once everyone had a seat and a fire she began, “We have three female victims, each held for several days before being killed and dumped. They have a lot of injuries, medical examiner concluded they have been clearly tortured the first two victims were held for 5 days but the last one was held for 6” she flipped the screen showing the dump sites. “All three women went missing from a small town, everyone knows everyone that kinda thing, the first victim lived there the other two just passing through, one of them was volunteering at a wilderness school there, and another had provided a movie night in her diner for them too so it seems the school may be the connection.” she took a deep breath before switching the screens to show the victims of the faces.  

Each of the women looked like they could be sisters, even more disturbingly, they looked like they could be JJ’s sisters. She avoided the eye contact of her team as she heard Penelope gasp, Reid frowned the way he did when he was in deep thought, the two older agents in their team were unreadable, as always whilst morgan and Prentiss looked at each other than JJ with concern.  

“Where are we going?” It was Rossi who decided to break the tension.  

“Seattle, Washington” JJ looked at him and turned off the screen.  

“Wheels up in 20 then, let's go.” Hotch ordered as he gathered the file, watching closely as JJ couldn't get out of the room fast enough.  

Chapter Text

The flight to Seattle was just under 6 hours, JJ spent the flight quiet, only talking when she had to.  

“Hello, my crime fighting pretties” Garcia spoke through the screen “We were right in thinking that the school seems to be the connection, I'm not finding a link from the first victim and the school but our first victim Lucy, I am not finding a connection to the school but the second victim was short term volunteering at the school, looks like she works for a charity that uses horse riding as therapy and our 3 rd owned a cafe in the village where the school had a movie night for some of the kids.”  

“So, what kind of school is in the woods in the mountains?” Morgan asked.  

“Therapeutic boarding school” Reid started, “Therapeutic boarding schools offer boarding for kids with emotional or behavioral problems, they tend to focus on emotional well-being as well as academic abilities.”  

“Yeah, it says here that these guys focus on troubled at-risk teens, it's like 20 miles from the nearest town” Emily scrolled through the website. “Looks like they use allot of outdoor therapy and activities for these kids.”  

“Garcia has arranged for us to stay at the school, makes the most sense since that seems to be the hub and there's only one small bed and breakfast in the town that can’t accommodate us all at short notice.” Hotch spoke  

JJ looked up across the plane at him, “We are staying at the school?”  

“Is that a problem?” he asked curiously.  

“No... no problem” she shook her head and looked back down, pretending to focus on the file in hand again. Her shift in attitude since this morning hadn't gone a miss by a colleagues and friends, they mostly assumed it was down to her similarity to the victims, each team member had made a silent promise to keep an eye their friend.  

“When we land, I want us to go straight there, there isn't much we can do tonight so we will have an early night in the morning, meet with the sheriff and go from there.” Hotch added, they all nodded and filled the time in their own way until they landed.  

Reid and Morgan began a card game with Rossi watching and Hotch reading up on the file still. Emily decided to move over to the couch where JJ was curled up with her trusty blue blanket.  

“Hay, you good?” the older women asked her friend.  

“I’m good” JJ gave a small smile and nodded.  

“You don’t have to pretend; you can talk to any of us you know that right?” Emily placed a hand on her knee.  

“Just tired... you know how it is” she shrugged and cuddled back down, not even giving Emily a chance to respond.  

Eventually, they landed at the local private air strip, the drive from the airport to the school took the team about forty-five minutes in their government SVU’s. JJ sat in the back with Prentiss in the front and Morgan driving, Reid, Rossi and Hotch in the other car. Neither Emily nor Morgan failed the notice that the closer they got the more nervous JJ seemed to become.  

“You okay back there blondie?” Morgan glanced at her through the rearview mirror.  

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she practically snapped back.  

“Just checkin” he stated giving Emily a look as they heard JJ sigh and watch out the world go by out the window.  

By the time the team arrived it was just after midnight, the place was mostly in darkness apart from the main light in the main building and an outdoor light for the team, there waiting was a tall, friendly looking man.  

He reached out to shake Hotch’s hand “Peter Scarbrow. I'm the head teacher and owner here.” he spoke in a soft, friendly voice.  

Hotch shook the man's hand, “Aaron Hotchner, this is agents Prentiss, Morgan, Rossi, Jareu and Dr Reid.”  

Peter smiled and shook the hand of each team member, stopping at JJ he suddenly looked like he had seen a ghost.  

She shook his hand and spoke before he could say anything, “Jennifer but my friends call me JJ. I’m the team's media liaison, tend to work with the families of the victims and media if needed.”  

“JJ... right” his eyes lingered on her, once she spoke, he knew instantly it was Shelby, his Shelby.  

“Umm anyone, we have 3 visitor cabins set up for you guys, they’re cozier than they look” he chuckled leading them to 3 small but cozy cabins.  

Once they confirmed some finer details for the morning the agents headed to bed with the agreement to meet in the morning in the main reception for breakfast bright and early, not that JJ got much sleep that night.    

Chapter Text

JJ hadn't managed much sleep and she felt even worse this morning, it didn’t help that the place hadn't changed at all. The dining hall was still the same and she would even bet the chef was the same time... despite being ancient even when she was here all those years prior.  

Before arriving a part of her had hoped that Peter was no longer here but a bigger part knew he’d never leave until he really had to, Peter loved the school and the work. The team had just finished eating, JJ laughing at something Reid had just said as there was a loud crash followed by the entire room going silent.  

“Oh my god” an older blonde women gasped looking directly at the team. “Shel?” she looked at JJ with tears in her eyes.  

“I... I'm Jennifer... JJ” she shook her head, a slight look of panic in her blue eyes.  

Peter was beside the older women, picking up the tray she had just dropped, he didn't look so convinced either “Sophie, these are the agents staying with us.  

She looked to her husband, “she looks -”  

“I know” he nodded, a silent promise that they would continue this conversation in a more private setting.  

Before anyone could say anything else JJ jumped in “I think I might stay here whilst you guys' head into town. I can talk to staff and the students, ill check in with Garcia too see if she got anything else.”  

Normally, Hotch would be against them splitting up, but something told him there was something going on with his young agent so reluctantly he agreed.  

The rest of the team headed into the town whilst JJ followed Peter and Sophie into the office, if she was here under different circumstances, she would almost find this funny, there had been many occasions where she had been led into this very office and the feeling was just the same.  

She took a seat in front of the large desk with Peter behind it and Sophie perched on the edge, again, something so familiar. She found herself sitting on her hands out of nervous habit.  

“It is you... isn't it” Sophie asked softly  

When JJ didn't reply, and clearly couldn't make eye contact Peter speak, “number one rule... Always be honest”  

“Don’t” JJ snapped “Don’t do that, I’m not a kid anymore” she sighed and nervously ran a hand through her hair “My team... they don't know... they don't know of it as far as they are concerned, I have always been JJ, you cannot tell them" She shook her head, tearing up as her breathing became more rapid.  

Sophie dropped to her knees in front of JJ, hands on knees she spoke softly “Nice deep breathing for me” she took deep breathes herself for the younger women to follow “Thats it... in... and out” they did that a couple more times before the agent’s breathing eased back out.  

“I’m sorry” JJ sniffled wiping her eyes.  

“We don’t apologize for the way we feel” Sophie offered her a soft smile looking into blue eyes. “Now why don’t you tell us what is going here?  

JJ nodded and took a deep breath “When I... I left for good we finally got a social worker who listened... thanks to you guys and when Walt to prison my mom she... she still blamed me, even more so after Ross killed herself, she continued to defend Walt so when i got offered a full scholarship I just... I had to take it, the social worker she was amazing she helped me change my name legally and get the records sealed... I have been JJ for almost eight years now I never told my team, they’re my family now but I just... i couldn't tell them.” she wiped her eyes again. “I don't want the way they look at me to change. I went away for college, so it was easy to start over. JJ she... she's everything Shelby wasn't, she's smart, caring, she helps people... so many people and I really like her” she chuckled.  

Sophie couldn't help but flash a small smile as well “Shelby was those things too... she was strong, so strong, sometimes too smart, and she cared... she was just a kid trying to survive impossible things.” she leaned forward pulling her into a strong but protective hug “God Shelby, we missed you so much.”  

“JJ... please I... just JJ” she hadn't heard the name Shelby in years and now it just made her cringe.  

“Right sorry” Sophie leaned back on her heels and wiped JJ’s face softly. “Do you think you should tell them? You know we will not do anything you do not want to do but these guys are profilers, they're also your friends, they are going to figure out something is going on.”  

“No” JJ shook her head quickly again, “They cannot know, I will figure it out, but they cannot know.”  

“okay... okay” Sophie sighed a little, she knew that was a bad idea but she wouldn’t push the younger women away, not when they just got her back, they cared for all the kids that came through their school, of course they did, but JJ... or Shelby... had been there longer than most, she didn't go home for holidays, didn't have family visits. They truly loved her like their own and had even offered to her let her stay with them once she had aged out, but they lost contact, her mother forbidding it once her stepdad had gone to prison and once his trial was over, they never heard from Shelby Merrick or her sister again.  

She caught up with a little more, hearing about the people who were here at the same time as her, she was shocked to hear that Scott still lived in town and was now the sports coach at the local school, that was a little funny to her, but it made her smile regardless.  

She called Garcia who confirmed there was no other connection between the three women other than the school, it just made JJ even more concerned by how much she looked like the victims, technically, her stepfather wasn’t supposed to be out of prison for a long time but it had been about 10 years since he went away and the agent in her knew that sometimes, bad guys just got out early, unfortunately it was just how it worked. She just couldn't bring herself to check, and she certainly couldn't ask Garcia to check without making her friend suspicious.  

Eventually, the team returned, and JJ was in a much better mood after her talk with Peter and Sophie.  

“I spoke with Penelope,” she spoke to the team “there is no other connection other than the school, she couldn't find a person that connected them either and the staff don't have any ideas who it could be either, what did you guys find?”  

“Not allot” Rossi sighed “all women were described as outgoing, talk to anyone that kinda thing, it is looking like we don’t have much to go on and if he stays on pattern he will take another victim soon.”  

“Look... I don't want to say it but there cannot be many JJ look alikes walking about this tiny town” Morgan pointed out.  

“Derek” Emily said in a stern voice.  

“No... unfortunately he is right and the fact you're a federal agent may make you more appealing JJ, I don't want you going anywhere alone” Hotch added.  

“I can look after myself” she chuckled  

“I don't doubt that... but I would feel much better knowing one of us was with you” he said it in a way that left no argument.  

The team moved to an office that had been set up and designated to them for their stay as they worked on the profile.  

“Strangulation is personal... so is the torture. I mean he holds these women for days at a time, tortures them and even though he stabs them he finishes them of with his bare hands.” Morgan put out there.  

Emily was frowning in thought as she looked at the photos of the bodies “the stab wounds, each victim only has one and they are all in the same place, non-have been the fatal injury.”  

“This guy is definitely recreating something and with how alike these victims are they have to be surrogates for someone else right?” Morgan nodded  

The others nodded in agreement.  

“So, this is a woman who hurt him, somehow, we thinking partner or just a woman who rejected him?” Emily asked  

“I’m not sure... it’s someone he knows or knew well. This is just too personal” Rossi added.  

“We can deliver the profile to the police department in the morning, JJ, you head back and talk to Peter and Sophie since you worked with them all day, give them the profile see if it rings a bell with anyone they know, Reid, I want you to work on a geo profile of our victims see if there is anything you can come up with. Morgan, Prentiss, call Garcia and give her the profile see what she can do.”  

The team answered with a collection of nods and yes sirs as they all went about their tasks.  

JJ didn't need to ask them if they recognized anyone, she knew what they would say.  

Chapter Text

“What d’ya got mama?” Morgan asked answering the phone to Garcia.

“Hello my furry friends, I have been looking into ex staff and students of the school, I narrowed it down further by only looking at full time staff members trying to find a women who matches are victims and I think I might have something… Morgan, can you take me off speaker for a second.”

He frowned softly but did it anyway, “It’s just us”

“Derek… who is there with you?” She asked softly, the use of his first name let him know it was something serious.

“You got me, Rossi, Hotch, Prentiss and Reid. JJ is talking to Peter and Sophie.”

“Okay… okay… umm I might be crazy but I have something”

“Baby girl, what is going on?” He asked, worried

“Take me of speaker,” she waited for the go ahead and talked “so I looked back at the time frame Prentiss gave me and I found a student who was at the school for just under a year about 10 years ago, it looks like she was sent here after an accusation of abuse in the home at the hands of her step dad, she had a sister too, it looks like she was also a student here but for allot longer, looks like a few years, this student, Jessie, killed herself when she was a teenager and I think she may be the trigger… I sent the picture to Prentiss… please tell me I am not the only one seeing this.” She said the last bit quietly.

Emily opened her phone and looked at the email Penelope had sent over, “Oh” she raised her brew and widened her eyes. “Umm guys” she turned the phone to show the others, the photo showed a teenage girl with dark blonde hair and green eyes, again, she looked like the other victims other then the eye color. “She looks like…”

“JJ” Reid frowned “She looks more like JJ then the other victims”

“Someone please tell me it’s a coincidence” Garcia voiced what everyone else was thinking.

“What do you have on Jessie Garcia.” Hotch asked, pulling the analysts attention back to the case.

“It’s odd I mean it looks like the mom didn’t believe the girls and he got away with it the first time after Jessie and the mom said the sister was lying and attention seeking now what’s weird is I am really struggling to find anything on her sister at all, she was about two years older I have a name of Shelby but it looks like after the death Shelby just disappears and I am even struggling to find much before then its like she just doesn’t exist. This is a struggle even for me.”

The team gave each other curious looks, if Garcia was struggling there was certainly something weird going on.

“I think it’s time we talk to JJ” Hotch stated, he hadn’t missed how odd she had been acting since they got this case, he hoped it was a coincidence but a part of him knew it wasn’t.

The team headed to Peter’s office just as he was exiting with Sophie, “Where is JJ?” Morgan asked, a frown on his face.

Peter looked from his wife to the team of agents stood before him, “Haven’t seen her since you guys got back.”

Morgan ran a hand over his face with a sigh, jaw clenching annoyed.

This time, it was Sophie who spoke, “I think I know where she is. Come on” she led the others down a hill to the back of the property leading to a small lake, right there, on the small wooden jetty JJ sat with her knees to her chest looking out at the water, at some point, she had swapped her blazer for a hoodie that she had brought with her.

It was Emily who moved first, about to make her way to JJ before she felt a soft hand on her arm as Sophie stopped her “Let me go talk to her, it isn’t the first time I’ve found her sat out here”

Emily reluctantly nodded and ran a hand through thick dark hair as she kicked at the dirt under her feet, the rest of the team and Peter watched as Sophie made the short walk over to JJ, it was close enough that they could still see them but they wouldn’t be able to hear anything being said between the two women.

Sophie shook her head with a silent smile as she smelt the tell tale smell of cigarette smoke coming from JJ’s hand “I’m getting a sense of de ja vu” she stood over JJ

“Only this time you can’t stop me” she stated flatly as she continued to look out across the lake. “They figured it out, didn’t they?”

“They’re just worried about you Shel.” Sophie sat beside the younger women, keeping some distance but still beside her. “You guys have been here since yesterday and this is the first time I have seen you smoking.”

“Checked the hidin place, it’s still there”

“Yeah I know.” Sophie chuckled then smiled at JJ’s raised eyebrow as she finally looked at her “I always knew it was there, let you have it though.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes “They’re mad at me, aren’t they?”

“No.. worried but I don’t think anyone could hate you. They’re just worried, we all are, you know how this looks.”

JJ simply nodded, “I have done since before we got here… he’s back, isn’t he?” She looked at her old mentor with a mix of anger and fear in her eyes

Sophie plucked the cigarette from her fingers, tossed it into the lake and pulled her in for a hug “He can’t hurt you anymore we won’t him” She placed a soft kiss on top of her head.

The two sat there for a while, Sophie had a rule with the kids, never be the first to break the hug, they stayed there until it started to get colder “I don’t want to tell them… they’re gonna be mad at me I know it.” JJ sniffled a little.

“Me and Peter will be with you every step of the way, I promise” she stood and offered her hand for JJ to take helping her up to, she gave a soft squeeze and continued to hold her hand as they walked back up the path, as they reached her team JJ fiddled with the sleeves of her hoodie, unable to make eye contact with them “I haven’t been totally honest with you guys”

“Why don’t we talk about this inside ?” Peter spoke, easing the tension, he led the others to a small room in the main building, a room JJ recognized as an area that use to be used for group therapy.

“Really?” She rolled her eyes at him as she headed inside with a sigh, to the team, it was out of character but to Sophie and Peter this was the young women they knew.

The chairs were arranged in a circle and JJ took a seat, she pulled her knees to her chest again as Sophie and Peter sat either side of her, she was great full for that, it made her feel a little safer.

Morgan and Prentiss looked at each other with a deep intake of breath as they all took a seat in the circle too, it was Peter who broke the silence, “We have rules in this room, your emotions are valid but we do not raise voices and we let each other speak.” He didn’t mean to patronize the others but he wanted to set the scene, even with adults he found it helped.

Emily kept her eyes on JJ the whole time, she couldn’t help but notice how small JJ looked sitting knees to chest, chin on knees in that oversized hoodie, she looked exhausted and her normally bright blue eyes looked sad, faded and something else she couldn’t quite read.

“I know who the main desire of his fantasy is… its me” she spoke quietly “I… well my name wasn’t always JJ.” She kept het eyes forward, avoiding anyone else, “My name is… was Shelby. Shelby Merrick, the Unsub is my step father, Walt.”

Chapter Text

JJ’s eyes flashed up to look at her team, Rossi and Hotch were unreadable, Morgan looked like he wanted to punch something or kick a door in, Reid was looking down, avoiding looking at the women he viewed as a sister and Emily had a look that JJ couldn’t quite understand.

She took a deep breath before continuing, “My mom married… him when I was a kid, I don’t remember my biological dad at all. It was fine, at first, then he started coming into my room and you know… I started getting into trouble after that, drinking, smoking, skipping school I didn’t tell anyone because he threatened to kill my sister and I believed him as I got older he started to introduce me to her friends” she spoke softly

“You’re doing really well, take your time.” Sophie smiled encouragingly.

“I started to run away after that and my mom heard about this place, decided it was easier to ship me off then deal with what her husband was doing I guess. I hated it at first, fought them every step of the way but then… I made friends, this place was home I guess.” She shrugged. “Walt ended up having a massive heart attack and my mom brought me back to care for him so I did.” She wiped her eyes angrily “I cared for him even after everything he did, being home that summer I found out he had been doing the same to Jessie too and despite that and how ill he was he… he still tried it with me, I let him at first… I wanted to protect her but one day I just… I was done. He was unwell that day and it would have been so easy to kill him, I wanted to… I really did and I had the knife but I couldn’t… I couldn’t kill him so I tried to kill myself instead” she mumbled the last sentence.

It was Peter’s turn to jump in “Shelby was found by her mother after trying to slit her wrists, that’s when the abuse came to light again, Jessie admitted what was happening but their mother still refused to believe it, told us all Shelby had brainwashed her sister during the summer. The courts said the girls could not return unless she left him she refused so the girls stayed in our care. Shelby testified though, Jessie refused but this time there was enough evidence to get him looked away and the men who were abusing the girls too.”

“I should have killed him I had just been better, if I did better these girls would be safe and now he’s back” JJ was fully crying now, her head resting against her knees

“Because you’re not a bad person JJ” Emily spoke softly

“You should have told us sooner.” Morgan snapped and pushed his chair back roughly, storming out of the room.

“Derek” Emily snapped back sighing as he left the room

“I’m sorry” JJ cried into her arm mumbling her sorry’s over and over again, once she started she couldn’t stop, it was a mix of fear and relief after years of keeping this secret from everyone she cared about.

As she watched her friend pull her hood over her head and sob uncontrollably Emily’s heart broke for her friend, she stood, crossing the room to kneel in front of her she reached out slowly pulling her gently into a soft but strong hug and as JJ cling to the older agent, practically climbing into her lap as Emily sat back on the floor to support them both, Sophie and Peter shared a knowing look.

“I’m here… I got you…” Emily whispered into blonde hair kissing her head, that’s how they stayed until the women in her arms had cried herself to sleep.

Emily easily transferred herself and JJ to the couch in the room so they could be more comfortable.

The rest of the group left the two of them in the room and stood out in the hall way.

“How was this not picked up? She works for the FBI for god sake” Rossi asked

“When Walt was arrested the girls stayed with us for a bit, technically people leave at 18 but Shelby was different, we both loved her, she was here longer then most and we offered to let her live with us. She was like the daughter we never had.” Peter smiled sadly, “she got a college scholarship and sometime in her first year of university we lost contact, she was an adult, we couldn’t force it so eventually, we let her go.” He sighed.

“I kind of figured she left the country because it was like Shelby just didn’t exist anymore, couldn’t find a record of her anywhere, I guess she changed her name.”

“It isn’t in her file.” Hotch thought out loud, “she must have got them sealed some how it’s not important for now. What matters is that we know the unsub, we know who his target is and we can protect her now we know.”

“We should find somewhere else to stay” Reid added “Keep the kids safe”

“No” Sophie shook her head “We just got her back, this place is safe, we are miles from anywhere, surrounded by woods and I may now know JJ but I know my Shelby, I know how she gets and she’s been holding this in for a long time, a familiar environment will be good for her, you heard her, it’s the only home she has ever had.”

Hotch nodded “She’s right. We stay here, this place is small if Walt is here he may know we are too. If we move JJ he might spook. Reid, Rossi find out what you can about Walt and fill Garcia in. I am going to find Morgan, leave Prentiss and JJ for now.”

The group split off silently, in their own thoughts as they went about their tasks.

Chapter Text

JJ eventually began to stir, she opened her eyes with a groan, not awake enough to realise where she was yet. She froze, feeling a soft body under her.

“Hay sleepy head” Emily spoke softly

JJ relaxed in her arms and rubbed her eyes, “How long was I asleep?”

“Almost two hours” Emily brushed the hair from JJ’s face “Don’t worry though, obviously you needed it.”

The younger agent nodded and stayed silent for a couple of minutes, “Is everyone mad at me?

Emily frowned softly and shook her head, “God no Jay… We have just been worried we could never be mad at you.”

“Morgan was” she sat up on the couch running a hand through soft blonde waves.

“He will come round, you know what he is like but he could never hate you” she sat up with a stretch

“I should have told you guys sooner… I should have been honest the minute I knew”

“JJ… this was your business not ours… what’s done is done the important thing is that we know now, we will catch him and keep you safe”

JJ frowned softly, not fully believing her friend but nodded anyway with a sigh “Emily, thank you for staying with me… It… you make me feel safe” she whispered the last part softly

Emily looked pleasantly surprised at that last admission, despite the situation she couldn’t help but smile softly as she placed a hand on JJ’s thigh “You will always have me… always” she learned closer pulling her in for a hug again.

Laying her head on Emily’s shoulder JJ sighed happily, “I’m still tired” she mumbled

“I’m not surprised… it’s been allot to keep to yourself. But you don’t have to do that anymore, I’m here for you, we all are.”

“I know” she mumbled “It’s funny… this was the first place I felt at home I never thought I’d be back and it hasn’t changed at all.” She sniffled

“She lil JJ was a rule breaking bad ass” Emily tried to ease the mood.

“JJ was boring.. Shelby was a hell raiser” she couldn’t help but smile back “God if teen me could see what I am doing now she wouldn’t believe it” she scoffed “I hated cops… like a lot, didn’t trust them I guess cos they didn’t do anything to help when I needed it” she shrugged “I had my first boyfriend here” she changed the conversation “Not that we were allowed but I didn’t really care for the rules back… I miss them sometimes, the friends I made, I know I could use work to look them up but I… I didn’t want any cross over between JJ and Shelby” she frowned softly “Is that weird?”

Emily shook her head, understanding that more then anyone knew, she wanted know part of Emily and Lauren to mix either… like JJ, that was a part of her past she had never shared. “It isn’t weird. Not at all.”

JJ pulled her knees to her chest and Emily couldn’t help but notice how different she seemed, her whole energy had shifted, like she was constantly on the defense, she had snapped a few times. Something she had never seen JJ do, it was like she was meeting Shelby for the first time. “How much did Sophie and Peter tell you guys?”

“Not allot really, Sophie was adamant it had to come from you, they love you jay.. they seem very protective.”

“I really missed them…” she smiled sadly.

********************

Hotch found Morgan on the small basket ball court to the back of the main building, shooting some hoops with a couple of kids. He could tell Morgan was annoyed, he watched his younger team mate for a few minutes before Morgan tossed the ball to one of the kids and walked back to Hotch.

“Yeah yeah, I shouldn’t have stormed out like that” he sighed “She should have told us Hotch, she knew who this bastard was and didn’t say anything.” He clenched his jaw.

“We all have secrets Morgan. You know that” Hotch pointed out, silently referring to Dereks own abuse he had once kept from the team.

Morgan paced a little “If he sticks to his pattern he will take another women soon he might know she is here already.”

“I know and that’s why we are going to help her. The others were right this is a safe place for her to stay and we will just make sure she is never alone. The best thing we can do now is work the case. I need your head in the game Morgan. JJ needs you focused.

“Has someone spoke to Garcia?”

Hotch nodded “Rossi and Reid are updating her, I left Emily with JJ. We know who are unsub is but I want you to work a profile with me anyway, we don’t know where he is and it’ll give us all something to focus on”

***********

Rossi and Reid had called Garcia to fill her in, understandably she was upset, not that her friend didn’t tell her but because of the abuse her friend had suffered, and the fact that JJ had dealt with this all alone for years at a time.

“Penelope, I know it’s allot but we need to focus. I need everything on Walt and JJs childhood and time here”

“Sir” Garcia whispered “she’s my best friend”

“I know we all care for her allot but we have to find this sick son of a bitch, not just for the victims but for her too.”

“Y-yeah alright umm tell her I love her. Please” the idea of having to through her friends life broke her heart, she had to do it once before with Morgan and she hated it this time just as much as she did then, only this time she knew she would find more learning all about the abuse her best friend had faced as a child broke her heart and it felt like such an invasion of privacy going through it all.

******

Meanwhile, back in the room Emily was trying to gather further information from JJ, the younger agent had been giving short, snappy answers, occasionally changing the topic when she didn’t want to talk about a certain topic Emily raised.

Emily was almost great full when her phone rang and it was Hotch “Yeah… yeah she’s awake now… are you sure that’s a good idea… okay okay” she sighed running a hand through her hair “yeah we will come over now” she hung up “Hotch wants us to meet him in the single therapy room… he said you’d know where that is?”

JJ scoffed “It’s more like an interview room… one way mirror included I’m not stupid” she sighed and walked out the room with Emily following her.

Once they arrived, Morgan and Hotch were waiting outside, “Morgan is going to ask you some questions.”

“Oh so he’s talking to me again now” she crossed her arms, her face matching that of a petulant teen.

Hotch decided to let it slide, for now. “JJ just let him do the interview we just need to build up a profile you know how this works.”

She ignored him walking into the room, whilst the others stood the other side of the glass, it really was like an interview room as JJ said.

“Ask away” she crossed her arms leaning back in the chair bouncing her leg.

“We are just here to help” he spoke softly

“Everything is in the file” she shrugged

“Come on… we both know that’s not how it works when you’re a kid in that position.”

JJ chuckled, “What do you want to know Morgan? You want me to tell you about the parties where he passed me between his friends to pay of debts? Or the time I ran away and lasted for almost a year by selling my self? Cos that was real fun actually.” Emily was right, this wasn’t JJ… not their JJ this was Shelby talking.

The other agents watched from behind the glass, Hotch looked to Peter for confirmation who simply nodded.

“I did it here too you know, there was a delivery guy used to sneak us in cigarettes and alcohol he was easy too” she laughed “all he wanted was to be sucked off so I did. Easy” she shrugged

“Jay…” Morgan started

“What ? You said you wanted to know I’m just telling you what happened. Oh there’s also that one time I told Scott, my first love and he looked at me kinda like you did earlier. Like I was scum, dirty. What am I not good enough for you Morgan. It’s okay for you to sleep around but its an issue if I do it?” She was rambling now, her pupils wide and unfocused, she stood and walked around to the side where Derek was sat, she looked down at him as he remained seated, trying to keep his expression neutral but soft, countless training often went out the window when it was someone you considered family.

Before he could stop her she was straddling his lap, “Come on Derek… I’m sure there’s better things we could be dong then talking about my fucked up childhood … maybe I could show you, I can show you exactly what I did to survive on the streets.” She leaned forward and whispered in his ear “I’ll even let you use your cuffs on me” she bit her ear lobe and ground her hips.

Dereks strong hands went to her hps to keep her in place “Jennifer… stop… this isn’t you, it is not what you want. And I would never take advantage.”

“What you don’t want me? Am I too used for you? You don’t like used goods?” She tried to roll her hips but he was strong.

“Jesus someone needs to stop this” Emily snapped out

“Just wait… Derek knows what he is doing. He wont let her cross that boundary.” Rossi added.

“Come on Derek.. you must have thought about it, me and you, think how hot it could be… in my office… on the plane… anywhere you want really.” It wasn’t till she leaned into kiss him that he moved his hands of her hips, wrapping her in a tight hug to his chest so she couldn’t move “Derek! Get off me!” She thrashed trying to move, “Let me go” she thrashed harder as he held her close and whispered words of comfort in her ear, he let her thrash until she stilled from exhaustion, by now sobbing into the crook of his neck.

“I’ve got you princess… I got you baby its okay”

“What the hell was that” Emily frowned

It was Peter who answered “We used to see this allot with her…  she tried something similar with just about every staff member she worked with… including the women. It’s not uncommon in young victims of abuse, its what she knew, that’s how she had survived so long with Walt and then on the streets.”

Eventually, Derek eased his grip but continued to hold her until the tears ran dry.

“I… I’m so sorry derek I… oh my god I’m so sorry i… I don’t know what happened I just –“

“Shhh.. its okay… its okay we got you.”

Eventually, she got up avoiding looking at him or the one way mirror she knew her team stood behind “I umm.. I’m going to lie down… please don’t… don’t follow me I just need to be a lone for a bit I promise I’m fine” before anyone could answer JJ left the room, heading towards the cabin her and Emily were using for accommodation whilst they were here.

Chapter Text

Morgan watched her go with a sigh, despite her asking not to be followed all he wanted to do was follow his friend to make sure she is safe. He ran a hand over his face before kicking the chair across the room in anger “Son of a bitch” he mumbled before going back out to the team.

“You good?” Hotch asked him, the only response he got back was a glare.

“That is not JJ… That isn’t out girl Hotch we have got to get this sick son of a bitch,”

“We will… now that we know who he is its only a matter of time.”

“Look… doesn’t anyone else find it odd that he hasn’t picked up another yet?” Prentiss added.

“Why does that matter? Isn’t that a good thing?” Sophie frowned.

“Of course,” Emily continued, “it’s just that he has stuck to a pattern. Most killers start to speed up the process but not the opposite…” she trailed off.

“She is saying that he probably knows JJ is here and is waiting for the opportunity” Reid sighed.

“Yeah… that” Prentiss sighed.

“Well this place is safe, security is top notch, much better then it was all them years ago. He’s not getting onto these grounds.” Peter shook his head.

“Even still. She cant be on this case any more and she does not leave this property alone. At all.” Hotch added “we don’t know where this guy is and until we do she stays here.”

The team agreed and headed back to the room they were using as a base, now they knew who he was they could use that to try and build the profile to try and figure out his next move and where he may be hiding these women, he clearly needed somewhere with space and privacy.

“Garcia you’re on speaker.” Morgan spoke the minute she answered.

“How is she? How is our little cupcake?” She asked, skipping their usual banter from how worried she was about their friend and colleague.

“She’s… not great” Morgan sighed, he just couldn’t bring himself to lie to her “but she will be fine because she has all of us. Garcia we need everything you have on Walt but umm… we need everything on JJ too… or Shelby I guess. We have her full name and dob here so that should be a start.”

“I cant snoop on my friend like that I just cant.”

“Garcia…” Emily jumped in “I get it, it feels wrong but this will help. We are helping her, I just think it would be better for you to find this stuff, she’s told us allot but I cant help but feel she’s holding back still and she’s… not in a good place right now.”

“Fine. But don’t expect me to like it.”she snapped the phone off without waiting for a reply.

The rest of the team worked, mostly in silence, it felt wrong, they were breaking the one inner team rule, no profiling each other. It had been about an hour when Morgan answered his phone “Yeah baby girl what have you got?

“I send over everything I have on Walt. It doesn’t look like he owns any property but he must do so I’m still looking into that. I’ve sent you everything I have on him and our girl. But umm here’s the thing… I found a file… its sealed.”

The room remained silent as they all looked at each other knowing what that normally meant, “Unseal it Garcia.” Hotch ordered.

“What but this is our friend I cant do that.”

“Garcia, I know this is hard, non of us like this but it could be important.”

“Fine but I wont read it.” The clicking of her keyboard could be heard over the phones “Unsealed and sent. I don’t want to know what’s in it. If she wanted us to know we would know… Look after our girl… Garcia out.” With that, she hung up again.

Each of the remaining agents opened the file on their tablets, as usual, Hotch and Rossi were unreadable, Reid just looked uncomfortable as Morgan clenched his jaw and sat upright in his chair. Emily ran a hand through her hair and began to read out loud “charges of possession, petty theft, shoplifting and… prostitution.” She sighed “all common charges we see with young run always”

“How the hell does she work in the BAU with all of that?” Morgan frowned

“Well non of it is in her file I would know. It looks like after the abuse allegations stuck Peter and a few others from here wrote letters to the judge, he sealed them as she was going for her scholarship.

“I can’t do this right now.” Emily mumbled, normally well put together and level headed it was finally all getting to much. “I am going to check on JJ…”

“I think we should call it a day” Hotch nodded “Its been long and emotional for all of us”

Emily didn’t need to be told twice, they headed out with the files and back towards the guest cabins, when Emily entered there’s she frowned, the room was empty, she knew she wasn’t in the bathroom as the door was open but there, on Emily’s bed was a folded piece of paper with Emilys name written in beautiful neat font. She frowned, opening and ran back out just as the others were entering their cabins.

“Hotch! It’s JJ… she’s gone.”

Chapter Text

“What do you mean she’s gone?” Morgan snapped

“I mean she is not here” she snapped back holding up the note “She’s gone and she left a note. She’s gone to meet him.”

“Damn it JJ” Morgan sighed angrily.

“It says that she knows where he is and this is the only way to stop him and save other women. It doesn’t say where and she says we shouldn’t follow her.”

The team looked at each other, anger and concern filling their faces. Realizing that sleep was now of the table they went to get Sophie and Peter again, hoping they may have some idea of where JJ… or Shelby… may go in this situation. Between them, they decided it would be best that Morgan call Garcia, they needed her help more then ever and the news would be best coming from him.

*******

JJ wasn’t sure how long she had been out but when she finally came round her head was pounding and her whole body ached. She tried to stretch out but realized she was tied to a bed spread eagle, still clothed thankfully. She groaned and looked around, she was in a small room tied to a single bed against one wall, a table was against the other far wall that had various items on, from this position she couldn’t work out what, that thought alone made her nervous. She noticed the window was welded shut and boarded with a single light in the middle of the room. Suddenly, this seemed like a really bad idea but she knew Walt, she knew the profile he was only going to get worse and she had to protect her team… her family.

She forced herself to take deep breathes, focus, remember her training. Her body felt stiff but there was no obvious injuries, her head was pounding but she couldn’t feel any blood, she figured it must have been drugs, the last thing she remembered was going to a cabin he used to use, she figured that would be where he was hiding out.

She wasn’t sure how long she lay there but she had a lock the other side of the door and her whole body stiffened as she waited, trying to keep her breathing under control. In her head, she could hear Morgan giving the profile, ‘he gets off on fear’ she knew this from experience and was determined not to let him see the fear.

The room filled with light as the door opened and a tall, stocky man entered the room, despite all her training, JJ was right back to being that scared little kid “Kitten! You’re awake” he smirked as he walked over “I was surprised you came. Just couldn’t keep yourself away from me.” He stroked her cheek and laughed as she clenched her jaw.

‘Don’t give in to him’ she repeated to herself in her head, wincing when he roughly grabbed her chin and turned her head to look at him.

“Look at me when I am talking to you” he snapped “That’s better, I always thought you had pretty eyes.” He flashed a lopsided grin, the kind that makes our stomach turn “You haven’t changed a whole lot” he continued as he sat on the bed next to her, “you got your women body… kinda old for my liking but I never could stay away from you” he licked his lips as he ran a hand down her side “I heard you go by Jennifer now… or is it JJ… anyway it was for me to track you down so imagine my surprise when my little kitten is now a big shot FBI agent.” He laughed in delight this time, “The guys from the club… you know the ones they warned me its too risky with your job but that makes it all the more excited so imagine my surprise when I don’t even have to do anything and you come to me.”

She cringed slightly when she felt his large, rough, calloused hand travel under her hoodie and stroke her bare stomach just about the top of her jeans. She wanted to pull away but she knew he liked it, knew he got off when she would struggle, for years she had hidden Shelby away, locked her up so deep that it was like she never existed, she had fought so hard not to slip into those old bad habits, JJ was funny, strong, she had a loving family… found family but still, family all the same. She wasn’t Shelby, she did not want to be Shelby but she felt her coming back. Shelby would be able to cope with this. She had before she could do it again.

“Its interesting,” Walt spoke as he stood, walking towards the table, “I wonder how long it will be to break JJ the way Shelby did.”

She frowned softly looking over, he had his back to her and she still couldn’t see what was on the table, whatever it was seemed to hold his interest now though and that concerned her.

He did eventually turn, he had an evil smirk on his face as he caught her looking over at him with wide eyes, he chuckled as her eyes wondered down to the shining, bright blade in his hand.

“I always liked when we came to my cabin” he walked over as he spoke “Middle of no where, we can be as loud as we liked. It was always fun, wasn’t it kitten?” He stood over her now, playing with the blade between his fingers “Seeing how much I could make you scream, you always gave in eventually… now I’m thinking JJ might be a bit more fun… badass FBI agent with all that training.”

“Go to hell” she spat back at him, “I put up with you for years I can do it again”

“You see… I have spent years locked up in a cell thanks to you and that brat of a sister of yours… I had nothing to do but sit in my cell and think of new ways for us to have fun” he smirked down at her as he placed the blade under her hoodie, he watched he suck in, trying to get away. He let out that evil laugh again, the one that haunted her dreams for years and roughly cut her hoodie of, it didn’t escape her how sharp it seemed and she was just great full that she had underwear on.

He let out a whistle, “You lost your baby fat I see… got your women body, clearly work out allot is it gym? Running… running makes sense you were always a runner. Normally you wouldn’t be my type anymore, too old” he winked “but it was just to good to pass up plus… you broke the rules kitten. I told you what would happen if you ever told and now Jessie is dead… well… I get you instead.”

“My team are going to find you and kill you.” She snapped

“You’re team” he nodded, sitting on the bed again, lightly trailing the blade across her stomach, not yet hard enough to break skin but enough to leave a red trail and light sting, “It’s been interesting watching your team the last few months since I found you, I thought you and the buff guy… Morgan is it ? See I thought the two of you were an item… you always liked the jocks but then imagine my surprise when I see how cosy you are with that brunette lady. She’s cute I’ll give you that.”

JJ frowned, a few months? He had been watching her all that time? And he knew the names of her team, this guy maybe smarter then she thought, and he was right, years of pent up anger, she was the one that put him there he was going to be more brutal then ever.

“She’s not… she’s just a friend” she snapped

“Well yeah but she wishes it was more, I’ve seen how she looks at you, plus there was that night out few weeks ago… must have been around your birthday. You and your team went to that bar and you were both very drunk” he shrugged “She got real close that night”

JJ knew what he was talking about, Emily was very intoxicated and was very obvious in her flirting with JJ all night… it freaked her out though that he seemed to know all this… if he had been planning this for that long she was in even more trouble then she thought.

“You know what I think?” He smirked, watching her breathing pick up as the knife left a slight scratch on her breast “I think you couldn’t find a man good enough to compete with what we had… need a real man to show you how it feels again. Don’t worry kitten, we have plenty of time.”

“Go to hell” she glared at him, jaw clenched in defiance.

Chapter Text

Emily took a deep breath as she sat on a couch in a small office they had been using, she opened the letter looking at the beautifully neat handwriting in her hands.

‘Emily,
                  I know you guys are going to be mad at me but I have to do this. Its my fault he’s taking these women and its me he wants… I know you will find us so I just have stall long enough for you to do that so he cant hurt anyone else.

I don’t know if I’ll make it so if I don’t I need to be honest. I love you Emily Elizabeth Prentiss. So much. I guess it’s just scary you know? You’re my best friend and I couldn’t lose you. I cant pin point exactly when i fell in love you but it was probably somewhere between girls nights with Pen and shit take away on a case but it was the night out, my birthday, that’s when I knew, we never talked about it and honestly you were so drunk I’m not even sure if you remember but I felt… alive… special even. So here it is, I love you.

Please tell Garcia I love her, she has been my best friend for years, a literal ray of sunshine, you tell her to always have kitten pics and collect the things that make her smile. Its our little secret but I get her a pen from every city we visit, a novelty one of course, you have to continue that tradition… it makes her smile so much. She’s going to be hurt that she’s had to go through my life tell her im sorry and she’ll always be my best friend. Make sure she knows I am not mad at her over it.

Derek… I know he’s mad at me but you have to be there for him no matter how much he tries to take it out on me okay? He’s a great guy, just a little bone headed sometimes but its an act. He’s more sensitive then he lets on. He’s going to need a new running partner and yes, I know Emily Prentiss says Saturday’s are for donuts and wine but do it for me… he likes the competition.

Hotch and Rossi you have to watch for, I know you and Rossi have this weird dad daughter relationship going on anyway but they’re both the same… maybe its an age thing I don’t know but Hotch wont talk, he doesn’t show his emotions… years working close with him though I have learnt the secret is burger, fries and strawberry milkshake (Maybe ill tell you about that one day… maybe…) you have to make sure Rossi continues with the cooking lessons, he complains but he loves it really, makes him feel good and it’s good for the rest of the team too… especially after a rough case.

Now Reid… I worry about Spence. He doesn’t talk to people and he’s going to so angry with me, everyone leaves him, but I had to do this… I did. He shuts down and it worries me, he can be kinda mean too so don’t let him okay? Remind him that you all love him and are there for him… let him tell you his facts and never stop sharing Russian books with him. He wont ever admit it to you but he loves when you guys go to see movies or read in Russian , don’t ever stop doing that you have to promise.

And you… god Emily I know you still haven’t fully let your guard down with us and I guess it’s hypocritical for me to say that now given what’s gone on… you have to talk to people Emily. Do not lock yourself down over this, I know you. I know you try to be strong but you don’t have to be, not all the time anyway.

Anyway, I really do have to go now, I am sorry I want honest with you all but I had to do this.

Forever yours,
JJ x

Chapter Text

JJ wasn’t sure how long she had been in this tiny room but she could see through the single window that it was now dark out… so it had been around 24hours she figured… then again, she wasn’t sure how long she had been unconscious for after he had drugged her. She thought that was odd, he’d never had to do that anymore, part of her assumed it was because she was a scared little kid before but now, despite her training and fitness he was still bigger then her and should have been able to easily overpower her… unless he couldn’t.

She thought she just had concussion but now the headache was manageable and her thoughts were less fuzzy she realized he had obviously drugged her. She was always so careful about pain killers because of her past, even refusing them in hospital and now he had given her something, it was all she needed.

She was still alone in the room, still died down and still clothed… minus the hoodie he had cut of her previously, she knew it was only a matter of time before he hurt her though, that’s why he had taken her and she had seen enough unsubs to know what happens after years of pent up anger when they finally get the victim they really want. Calming her self, she looked around the room and noticed a camera set up on a tripod that certainly wasn’t there before, she also noticed the red light indicating that it was on and recording. She couldn’t believe this was happening again.

“You’re awake again!” Walt expressed as he entered the room again, this time, she was awake enough to look towards him as her body stiffened. This time, he came straight to the bed sitting beside her again, “You grew out your hair. I like it long.” He stroked her cheek with a sleazy grin, as before she didn’t flinch but she did flex her jaw causing him to chuckle. “Still playing in tough I see… it’s okay we are just getting started.” He stood, keeping that lopsided grin that made her stomach turn, un buttoned his pants and removed his belt “I am going to enjoy this kitten and this time… we don’t have to be quiet.” He kneeled on the bed between JJ’s legs roughly tugging down her leggings, smirking as her breathing picked up and clenched her eyes shut trying to think of anything else.

********

Back at Mt. Horizon Emily was reluctant to let the others read the letter, she knew it was but she just couldn’t bring herself to hand it over. She planned to keep hold of it a little while longer. She shook her head sighing “I’m so mad at her”

“Excuse me ?” Morgan raised a brow

“She shouldn’t have gone alone.” Emily shook her head again. “Not only does she know him she knows profiling enough to know he is going to be extra brutal now he has his ideal victim. He’s not going to stop until we find the son of a bitch.”

“And we will find him.” Morgan said bluntly, he was saying it to convince himself not just her.

“Oh really Morgan? Because right now we have nothing. We have his name but at this point its pointless! They could be anywhere and he’s got her doing god knows what!”

“Hay.” Morgan snapped back, “we are going to get him. We will bring our girl home. Garcia is still going through his entire life, and JJ’s something will come up, this guy can’t be completely of the grid he’s smart but not that smart.”

As he was talking Emily dialed Garcia “Do you have anything yet?” She snapped at Pen, something very unusual for Emily but they were all feeling on edge, her especially since the letter.

“I…im still looking Em… this… it looks like everything was in her moms name, their old house, the one she grew up in has been demolished since so we know he isn’t there. I just… im really trying but this is hard even for me.”

“Garcia” Emily sighed “She’s been gone over 24 hours you know the odds –“

“Emily” Morgan warned “We are all doing out best here.”

At that point, Hotch called it a night he outright ordered them to head to bed, they were no help to JJ at the moment considering non of them had any sleep in almost 24 hours. They all knew they wouldn’t be sleeping but they needed a break, much to Emilys protests.

******

JJ didn’t know it but she had been missing for almost four days now. Her body hurt all over and she was close to giving up, the longer she was here the more JJ disappeared and Shelby came back. He had continued to drug her, with what, she had no idea but it was making her groggy and loose track of time. She had stopped counting how many times he had raped her but she kind of didn’t care any more, she was giving up.

She lay still, this time she wasn’t fully tied, she just had a chain keeping her to the bed, allowing her to move just enough to reach a toilet on the other side of the room but just short of the door. She didn’t have the energy to fight back anyway, he was keeping her dosed up, her face was bruised and she was pretty sure she had at least one broken rib as well.

She was currently sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the back of her head trying to rid of the pounding headache when she noticed something by the now empty table, she stood up slowly, unsteady as she wondered over. She couldn’t help but chuckle a little as she noticed it was a piece of broken glass, about the length of her hand. JJ picked it up and placed it just under the mattress for later. For what, she wasn’t sure yet.

****

Emily was currently pacing the basket ball court just out side the main building when one of the boys approached her “Umm agent Prentiss ?”

She jumped slightly and looked at the teenage boy now standing beside her “Yeah?”

“Well… I was in town this morning with my group leader and a couple of other students and a guy came to me when I was in the bathroom he umm… he said I should give you this.” He said nervously “He said it was really important but I shouldn’t tell anyone else.”

She frowned softly looking down at what looked like a cd case he was holding “Thank you. Come with me? You’re not in trouble I just need to get this to my team and we will need to ask you some questions.” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder leading him in doors.

He explained again to the others and to Sophie and Peter what had happened. Hotch and Reid took him to a more comfortable room with the two staff members so they could ask him some questions and confirm that it was Walt as Derek, Rossi, Morgan and Emily went into a small room with the tape.

“Ready?” Rossi ask tentatively

“As I’ll ever be” Morgan clenched his jaw leaning back against the table as Rossi pressed play.

The screen was fuzzy, clearly filmed on an old camera the image was grainy as it came to late to show a figure lay semi conscious on an old metal bed frame, wearing nothing but underwear.

“God.” Emily rubbed her face with her hand.

The camera stopped shaking as if it was finally set up and the back of a man they all recognized as Walt came into view. They watched as their friend let out a whimper and a soft cry. The three agents watched in silence. Non of them wanted to watch but they also didn’t feel like they could look away either, non of them wanting to miss anything important that may give a hint as to where this bastard was holding their friend.

Emily prided her self on her ability to compartmentalize but when she heard the way JJ screamed as they watched Walt put the 4^th cigarette out on pale skin made her want to rip the world apart.

“Son of a bitch” she heard Morgan mumble before hitting a wall, Rossi was unreadable and Emily thought she was going to be sick.

The three agents watched him stroke and grope at their younger friend until his hand moved to the band of her panties, the only sound coming from the TV was Jennifer crying and asking him to stop.

“That’s enough.” Emily mumbled turning it off. “I’m not watching it anymore. JJ doesn’t deserve that.”

Morgan and Emily watched curiously as Rossi frowned and moved closer to the screen “It isn’t very clear… poor quality but it looks like wood.”

“So?” Emily snapped, still more irritable then normal… understandably.

“So… I think he’s in a hunting cabin. My dad had something similar it was a small one bed with an open living space and kitchen but it had a pretty large basement. It was in the middle of the woods and we used it allot during hunting season. Normally they’re pretty isolated and well hidden.”

“I’ll call Garcia.” Morgan grabbed his phone as Emily spoke at the same time “Ill get Hotch and Spencer.”

About 10 minutes later Emily, Hotch and Reid were coming back into the room just in time to hear Penelope finish “I have it! Okay so it didn’t come up in a search before because technically it doesn’t exist but I used some recent satellite images and it is registered to Walt’s half brother which is why it didn’t show easily, they have different names and –“

“Garcia!” Emily interrupted.

“Right… I’ve sent the co-ords to your phones. Go get our cupcake.”

Chapter Text

JJ was exhausted, everything hurt and at this point she was struggling to stay awake. She lay there, still and silent as she watched Walt stand up and buckle his pants again “my team…” she mumbled “they’re going to kill you.”

“Well kitten, they’re taking their time getting her don’t you think? Maybe they have forgotten you already” he shrugged “How many times do I have to tell you Shelby? No one cares… they have already left and go back to Quantico.”

Rational JJ knew that would never be true but here in a drugged pace somewhere between Jennifer and Shelby she just wasn’t sure. “No…you’re lying they-“

“Have left” he leaned down stroking her face “It’s just us.” He stood again with a dark chuckle.

With a sudden burst of energy JJ stood and with her free hand holding the glass she thrust it towards his neck but the mix of the drugs in her system and the pain made her reactions slow and before she knew what was happening Walt grabbed her wrist, twisted her arm behind her back and was holding her close, flush to his chest chuckling when she whimpered with the pain and dropped the shard.

“Nice try Kitten” he chuckled and kissed her hard, seemingly spurred on as she struggled against him, it was pointless though, she was weak and he was about three times her size. She stopped struggling because the more she did the harder he held on and she was sure her wrist was going to break at any point.

“If you wanted to be this close to me again all you had to do was ask.” He leaned forward, this time kissing her neck roughly biting down on her collar bone loving the way she screamed out in pain… it had taken a couple of days but he finally managed to break her. There was only so long she could stay silent whilst he was hurting her. There’s only so much the human body can take.

“I would never willingly be this close to you” she growled right back.

“No? Because I’m pretty sure you were nice and wet for me.” He licked up her neck.

JJ knew from the years of therapy that could be normal, the body reacts even when your mind doesn’t want it but still, even after all these years and training for her job she struggled to come to terms with that.

“Fuck you” she sniffled.

“Oh happily.” He chuckled and sat on the bed, bending her over his leg, her arm still twisted behind her back. Just as his hand slid into her underwear both their heads jerked towards the door, where upstairs there was a loud bang and shouting.

They both froze but JJ’s look of horror quickly turned to a smile “I told you they’d find me” she chuckled. “You loose… again.”

Before she knew what was happening she felt the tell tale prick of the needle in her neck again as he whispered “Not there yet kitten”

As they heard footsteps coming down the basement he stood, keeping JJ in front of him, a knife to her chest. She still wasn’t sure what the hell he had been giving her but it was fast acting. She was able to stand, he was holding her up anyway but she was quickly becoming more confused and drowsy.

She was so drowsy she wasn’t even embarrassed as Morgan, Rossi and Prentiss stormed through the door and she was stood there in nothing but her underwear.

“FBI let her go.” Emily said sternly.

“We all know you’re not getting out of here Walt.” Rossi added.

JJ winced as she felt the blade press against her neck “E-em?” She looked forward trying to focus.

“Its me Jay… I’m here.” She frowned worried as JJ’s eyes closed “Hay… JJ stay awake eyes on me.”

“You shoot me and ill slit the little sluts throat. I am not going back to prison.” Walt growled.

“And what exactly is the plan here man? There’s only one way out and you’d have to get through each of us plus the other agents up stairs” Morgan sneered, all three agents keeping their guns on the man holding their friend.

“You’re going to let me go.”

“Not a chance” Emily scoffed.

Walts free hand stroked JJ’s bare stomach, making each of the team cringe. They wanted to look away but couldn’t.

“My gun is about to go straight through your head keep going and ill shoot”

“Ah.. you must be Emily… you know she cried for you, cried out your name in her sleep. Who knew my little girl would grow up to a dyke huh… she always did like to cause issues for me and her mother.”

“Let. Her. Go” Emily growled again, her hand tightening on the glock she had pointing straight on his head. It was a risky shot, for all agents, the way he was holding JJ and the grip he had on that knife they couldn’t risk it, especially with how out of it their friend was at the moment.

“No… no I don’t think I will you see me and kitten here have been having allot of fun havnt we Shelby?”

“Huh?” JJ’s eyes opened again as she looked around looking confused again.

“Let her go and we can tell them that you cooperated. She is a federal agent, you kill her and you’ll die in prison.” Rossi tried to negotiate with him.

It all happened so quick, he threw JJ on the bed behind them and rush towards the others, knife raised, Emily wasn’t sure who shot first but the minute he was on the floor bleeding out she holstered her gun and rushed to JJ, taking of her jacket she covered the younger agent who was now only half awake.

“Emmy…” she mumbled and smiled sweetly up at her “I kn-knew you’d come for me.” She mumbled quietly again.

“Always Jay… I have you… he cant hurt you anymore.”

“Kinda cold Em” JJ yawned and closed her eyes.

“Stay awake for me JJ… I need you to stay awake.” She gathered her up in her arms and brushed the hair from her face.

“Prentiss.” Rossi grabbed her attention as he tossed Emily the key to the cuff keeping JJ attached to the chain, he fished it from Walts pocket once he was sure the scum bag was dead.

“Oh okay…” JJ nodded weakly “stay awake… got it.” She curled into Emily, not registered Emily cursing asking where the medics were “Em… do you have Cheetos?” She slurred, the last thing she heard was Emily chuckling sadly as she lost consciousness.

Chapter Text

Emily was a nervous wreck as she paced the waiting room that the team, now also joined by Garcia, were waiting in as their friend and colleague was in surgery. It had only been a couple of hours but for Emily especially it felt like a life time, they had all sat in complete silence since they got here. Hotch and Reid were still at the scene, Emily had joined JJ in the ambulance with Morgan and Rossi following behind. Her head snapped around as the Dr entered the room.

“I’m Dr Torres, you guys came in with Agent Jareau?”

Rossi stood coming beside Emily as he nodded.

“Okay so my colleague is finishing up but we are done, she’s real lucky. She’s got a broken wrist but I’m happy that’ll heal just fine. A couple of fractured ribs, she has a few burns. My guess is cigarette burns. She’s very dehydrated and I’ve ordered a tox screen so we can figure out what exactly he was drugging her with. Until she wakes up I cant rule out concussion either.”

“So can I see her?” Emily asked.

“They are taking her up now… one of you can come up I don’t want her overwhelmed when she wakes up.”

Rossi placed a hand on Prentiss’ stopping her from picking at her finger nails “You go kiddo, it’ll be you she wants to see.”

Emily nods and follows the dr to the waiting room where JJ is lay, hooked up to machines and an IV. She stands there, frozen.

“The IV is antibiotics… precautionary and fluids… look Emily was it? There was also clear signs of sexual assault I know you are aware that we prefer to do the rape kit when the patient is awake but we had to do it before we could clean her up so… we have it. I’ve ordered a STI test as well just in case… you can stay in here but I’m not sure how long it’ll be until she wakes. If you need anything though just use the call button.” The Dr placed a hand on Emilys arm as she walked out.

Emily took a deep breath, JJ looked so small in the bed she took a seat next to the bed and placed her hand on top of a smaller, pale hand. Her other hand in a white cast. “Kinda wanna smack you right now” she chuckled sadly “Can’t believe you went after him alone.” She stroked JJ’s bruised knuckle with her thumb.

Emily wasn’t exactly sure at what point she fell asleep but she stirred softly, thinking she felt someone squeeze her hand. She sat up slowly just as JJ groaned loud with a wince on her face.

“Jay…” she spoke softly.

Blue eyes opened to look at her, squinting slightly at the light “H-hi” she replied in a groggy voice.

Emily sat up fully now, a big smile on her face “Hi sleeping beauty.” She noticed the look of confusion and fear on the blonde’s face “It’s okay… you’re safe now… you’re in the hospital and he cant hurt you… it’s over Jay.”

JJ closed her eyes again and nodded. “Mhmm head hurts”

“Okay… just relax im going to grab the nurse” Emily rushed out calling for a nurse as she left them to deal with JJ she stepped back into the waiting room where the whole team was now waiting along with Sophie and Peter “She’s awake… she woke up” Emily smiled, despite everything “The nurse is just seeing her but she’s awake.”

“Oh thank god.” Sophie put her face in her hands, finally allowing her self to cry.

“I… I’m heading back but I wanted you guys to know ill come get you in a bit?” She left the room without waiting for a reply.

The young nurse turned to face Emily, “No concussion and the drugs have worn off. Doc says the others can come in when shes ready but not much… she’s gonna be tired for a while.”

“The team is all here?” JJ asked, almost surprised.

“And Sophie and Peter… we all stayed.” She back down taking the smaller hand in her own.

“Knew you’d come for me… he said you wouldn’t but I knew you would.” She teared up. Sniffling softly.

“Hay… hay it’s okay that’s family does.” She lifted JJ’s hand and kissed it softly. “I am kinda mad at you though.” She gave JJ a playful grin when the blonde looked up at her with bright worried eyes. “I cant believe you went without telling us… what were you thinking.

“I don’t… I wasn’t” she said honestly “Wait… the letter did you…”

“Yeah I read it… JJ.. we need to talk about it.”

“We don’t just forget it okay… you’re my best friend and that is enough I can…” JJ rambled until she was stopped by Emily putting a finger on her lips.

“Jennifer Jareau I love you too.” She kissed her knuckles again and smiled softly.

The two women stayed talking for about an hour before JJ felt ready to see the others, she was nervous but she knew her found family enough to know non of them would leave for rest until they physically saw for themselves she was okay so she sent Emily to go get them.

Garcia and Reid came in first for a bit, then Morgan, Rossi and Hotch and once they left Sophie and Peter came in. For some reason, JJ was most nervous to see them and when they did enter Emily headed out to give the three some space.

Sophie stood beside the bed and leaned down to kiss JJ’s forehead “God I could kill you myself I might never let you out of my sight again.” She sighed.

JJ smiled, a small smile, but still, it was there “I’m sorry i… I was trying to protect you guys and I didn’t want him coming into the school its.. for allot of… us it being there is the only safe space and couldn’t risk that for the kids.”

Peter stepped forward now, sitting the other side, “You don’t have to explain yourself to us just know we love you and we are here.”

“I do know.” She nodded and they stayed with her until she was fighting sleep. The three said their goodbyes before Emily came back in.

“You should head back as well Em, get some sleep… you look like crap.” She teased.

Emily rolled her eyes with a slight smile. “Then I will sleep here… gotta make sure you don’t wonder off again.”

****

The two women had slept all night holding hands and by the time visiting hours started again JJ was actually sat up in the bed smiling when Garcia came in with breakfast.

“Morning my pretties! The dr said they wanted you to try and eat but I didn’t know what you’d want so I kind of went over board and my Prentiss hasn’t eaten a meal since you went so –“

“Emily” JJ warned looking at the women sat beside her bed

“Oh wait… you guys cant just gang up on me.” She looked between her friends then rolled her eyes “Okay fine. I’ll eat.”

The three women sat and ate, JJ wasn’t able to stomach much but she tried and that was the main thing, Garcia and Emily made jokes and laughed trying to keep it as normal as possible for their friend.

“Wait… what was that… you in pain?” Emily asked as she saw the younger blonde wince.

“Nope.” JJ replied through gritted teeth.

“Well that was a lie.” Emily raised her brow

“I hate working with profilers” jj mumbled “I’m fine… just my ribs.”

“I’ll ask the nurse to get you some pain meds.”

“No.” JJ snapped before she could get up “No pain meds”

“But Jayj you’re-“

“Pen I said no.” She snapped then sighed and looked at her friend “Look I.. I’m guessing you guys read my file so please… no drugs I cant.”

“Okay… okay” Garcia nodded sitting back down

“I’m sorry Pen… I didn’t mean to snap.”

“You get a pass just this once.” Garcia shrugged back.

They stayed talking until visiting hours ended and as Garcia was saying goodbye JJ looked to Em “I think you should go too.” She squeezed Emily’s hand as the older agent looked disappointed “It’s not that I don’t want you here but god Em when was the last time you slept or ate properly. I’m gonna sleep too and then you guys can come back in a few hours anyway.”

Emily sighed reluctantly “Okay okay… do you need anything?”

“You have to at least try an sleep. And umm.. could you ask Sophie to come back later.” JJ chewed her lip.

“Of course.” Prentiss leaned down and placed a kiss on JJ’s cheek ignoring Garcia’s knowing smirk.

As the two left the hospital Garcia smirked at her friend “so…”

“Nope not talking about it.”

“Oh we sooo are.” She chucked as they climbed into the car.

Chapter Text

As promised it was Sophie who returned at visiting time, she popped her head around and smiled when she saw JJ was in fact awake.

“Hay, nice to see you’re a little more awake.” She smiled taking a seat beside the bed.

“Hi, I umm hope you don’t mind that I asked you to come I know you have the school and…” JJ trailed of nervously.

“Now I have you I am never loosing touch again.” She offered a soft smile

“Yeah… sorry about that” JJ chuckled “Umm” she fiddled with her own fingers nervously “I was just wondering if we could still have that chat?”

“Of course” the older women nodded “Take your time” she offered a family, comforting smile.

JJ took a deep breath as she started to talk “Before I left I didn’t… well I didn’t feel like JJ I guess I felt like Shelby and then what I did to Morgan…” she sniffled and wiped her eyes “God I cant believe I threw myself at him like that and I don’t want him to be mad at me.”

“Derek is not mad you.” She spoke softly

“I know I should not have done what I did but I wasn’t really thinking I just wanted to keep everyone safe and then in the basement… i… I didn’t recognize myself. All I could think was don’t fight or react… he l-likes that.” She frowned looking down at her hands “I felt like that scared kid again and im not that… that’s not me.” She became more angry now. “I am an FBI agent I have interviewed serial killers for god sake and I couldn’t… I couldn’t stand up to him.”

“JJ…” Sophie spoke over the young agents rambling “Jennifer” she said a little more harshly to catch her attention. “Let me ask you something… your team mentioned something before, what is it you tell potential victims about stalkers?”

JJ frowned in thought “W… we would say that it is better to go along with the fantasy of the unsub its safer because… oh.” She looked up at Sophie finally as it clicked what the other women was getting at.

“You did what you had to do in order to survive. Shelby knew how to deal him. The dissociation you had with agent Morgan and again in the basement was completely normal.  JJ it is normal and it is likely to happen again… now I don’t say that to worry you or frighten you but we have been here before, we helped you through him before and we will do it again.”

JJ wiped her eyes again quickly, as if she didn’t want Sophie to see the tears. “What if I cant this time?”

“You can… you know how I know?” She waited till JJ looked at her “Because you’re not a child anymore, you have an amazing team… a family that love you so much, you have me and Peter back and you are not alone. You will never be alone again.”

She nodded and sat quietly for a moment “He drugged me… I worked so hard to get sober and he… he took that from me.”

“No. No he didn’t.” She leaned closer “He drugged you against your will that is not the same thing as you taking drugs by choice.”

“Well yeah but-“

“JJ… no buts, you did not take those drugs by choice. Do you want them now?” She raised her brow knowing she was never able to lie to her.

“Umm i… yeah” she mumbled “I mean… the craving is there but I really don’t want to. I told the dr no pain meds.”

“See that there is the difference… but you know pain medication is different. There is no shame in you accepting pain killers especially here, it is controlled, precise and there is drs all around.”

“I dunno I… its scary” she sniffled back tears and shrugged

“I know” she reached forward and placed her hand on top of JJ’s “But I am so proud of you for admitting that and I mean it, you’re not alone. You have a team that clearly loves you and me and Peter are not going anywhere.”

JJ finally looked up at the older women “I really… really missed you guys.”

“We missed you too… so much…” she stood up and pulled her into a soft but protective hug “And when you’re better I am going to yell at you for vanishing on us all these years” she kissed the top of her head.

The young women in her arms chuckled softly “You don’t yell Soph… you did have the whole not mad just disappointed vibe going on though.”

“You just enjoyed pushing my buttons” she scoffed and sat back down “Now… tell me about Emily.” She gave her a knowing look.

“You know I suddenly feel really tired…”

“Nice try. Talk”

JJ rolled her eyes but smile softly “fine… Emily Prentiss is… everything” she blushed softly “she believes in me even when I don’t, shes protective and she always has Cheetos on her… even though she hates them” she chuckled “Oh she speaks like 7 languages shes so smart, she swears in Russian normally which I think is funny… but shes clumsy trips over her own feet all the time its… really cute actually.”

Sophie smiled brightly, listening to JJ talk “She is something else… your boss threatened to hand cuff her to the bed post if she didn’t try and get some sleep.”

“I told her I loved her. Kinda…”

“The letter?” She asked, continuing when JJ’s eyes widened “Don’t worry… she wouldn’t let anyone read it but she wouldn’t put it down either. You should talk to her about it”

“But what if she doesn’t feel the same?”

“I am telling you… talk to her.” She gave her friend a knowing smile.

The two women talked, caught up properly and JJ was starting to feel like herself again. Sophie stayed for a few hours before leaving to her nap, she managed a couple of hours and when she woke she found Emily watching her.

“That’s creepy” she teased.

“Sorry” Emily chuckled. “Guess what?”

“Umm?” JJ turned on her side to face her friend.

“Doc said you can go home tomorrow… well no flying yet.”

“Urg finally” she groaned.

Emily nodded then took JJ’s hand “Jennifer… when we go home would you like to go on a date with me?”

JJ smiled brightly and nodded “I would love that Emily.” She shifted on the bed patting the space between them “Will you hold me”

“What if I hu-“

“Please?” She repeated batting her eyelids then smiling brightly as Emily removed her jacket and climbed onto the bed wrapping her arm around JJ

They lay in a comfortable silence for a while with Emily playing with soft blonde hair “Jayj?” She whispered in case the young women was asleep, when she got a mumbled reply she smiled “I love you too.”

Chapter Text

It had been a year since the incident in Seattle. In that time, JJ had allot of nightmares, especially at the beginning and it took a while for her body to heal, she was annoyed when she had been stuck on desk duty for a while but was finally back to work and she was great full for the distraction. Over the months, the nightmares had eased, she was doing therapy and had even kept in touch with Sophie and Peter again and she vowed to never loose that contact… they quickly became her parents again and it made her realize how much she had missed them. She had even returned to Mt Horizon a couple of weekends through the year to volunteer with Morgan joining her one weekend too.

The team were amazing, they all made sure to look after her and became even more protective then ever, especially on those cases where she was similar to their victims. As Emily promised, they went on a date. JJ was so nervous but it was the best date she had ever had and they had been dating ever since, it didn’t effect their job and all their friends were happy for them. They had practically moved into Emily’s town house not long after and sure things were moving fast but they had been best friends for years and after everything, life felt too short to wait any longer.

The first few months were rough, on all of them, she found it hard to shut Shelby away again and that self protective energy was back, she was snappy, miserable and sometimes downright cruel but they all let her, calling her out when she needed, holding her when she needed and giving her the space. The therapy had helped with that and she realized they no longer needed to be separate Shelby Merrick would always be a part of Jennifer Jareau, and that was okay.

With it being the one year anniversary since they almost lost JJ… not just physically but mentally Straus had agreed to give the whole teem 10 days of work, JJ thought she would be fine but the closer it got to the date the more she had started to isolate her self so they all thought it was best.

Rossi had booked them a holiday, a family vacation he called it to non other then Disney land. JJ and Penelope were so excited, Shelby had never had a childhood, she had to grow up extremely fast and so this past year JJ had been learning to heal that inner child and Penelope… well she was just excited. The others… a little less sure, Emily was just happy to see JJ’s mood lift.

So here they were, the happiest place on earth, Garcia had even convinced the guys (Mainly Morgan and Hotch) to wear mouse ears around the park and turns out even they had a great time. The younger members of the team had quickly come to call Rossi and Hotch mom and dad and although they groaned every time they secretly loved it.

They had 4 days in the park before they would be moving on to universal and then some water park Morgan was desperate to visit.

Emily had been on edge, nervous all day and it was started to get on JJ’s nerves a little, she thought Emily was just been extra protective but she honestly felt fine. She was fidgeting all day, barely let JJ out of her sight and was even picking her nails again. She didn’t fail to notice Penelope was being a bit weird too… she was just even more excitable then she had been the previous couple of days and Morgan seemed to be subtly keeping her away from JJ because every time she was close she just started crying and telling her how much she loved her… it was kinda weird but she just put it down to tomorrow being the anniversary of the day they rescued her.

It was incredibly hot as it was reaching mid afternoon and the more the day went on the more unsettled Emily became. The group had just had lunch and now were all eating an ice cream around a fountain as JJ rambled to Emily about her favorite Disney film considering Emily hadn’t actually seen many of them. The blonde hadn’t even realized Emily had subtly guided her closer to the fountain and sat her on the edge.

Emily chuckled, using her thumb to wipe some pink ice cream of JJ’s nose. She stared at her face for a while, not even listening to the ramblings of her girlfriend, JJ, so interested in filling Emily in she didn’t even register that Emily was now on the floor trying her shoe lace that was until Emily looked up into bright, excited blue eyes. “Jayj… Jennifer” she interrupted “Marry me?”

JJ chuckled “That’s funny… anyway I really like –“

Emily shifted so she was on one knee and pulled out a small ring box from her pocket “Look… I had this whole big magically Disney proposal planned but… I cant wait… sat here in shorts, princess ears and ice cream on your nose you look more beautiful then I have ever seen and I just cant wait another moment.. so… Jennifer Jareau will you marry me.”

JJ was tearing up now but she had the biggest smile on her face “Yes” she laughed “yes Emily god I want to marry you.” She let Emily put the ring on her and leaned forward to kiss her softly before pulling her in for a hug giggling and kissing her face all over “I love you… so much.” She looked across at the team as Garcia squealed, Derek practically holding her back to let the girls have their moment. JJ laughed again “Wait did they all know?” She slapped Emily’s arm playfully when the brunette simply smiled and shrugged.

JJ kissed her again before dragging Emily over to the team, Garcia enveloped them both in a crushing hug as they all gave their congratulations it was Rossi who first reached for Emily, pulling the younger agent into a strong hug “I’m proud of you kid.” He kissed her head as they watched JJ be showered with love.

Derek let go of JJ “Congrats blonde.”

JJ pulled away from his hug as she heard a voice behind her “Does this party have room for 2 more?” She spun on her feet, instantly recognizing the voice and laughed as she pulled into a hug by Sophie and Peter “What are you guys doing here?”

“Emily invited us and we just couldn’t say no. She came to me a few months ago, and asked if she could marry you… kinda funny shes faced some of the worst serial killers and could barely look me in the eye” Peter winked at Emily

“What? I was worried you’d say no.” She blushed

“Wait you asked his permission?” JJ faced Emily and kissed her cheek when she nodded with a soft blush “I love that… I love you so much.”

Garcia slipped some custom ears on each of her friends, bride themed with “she said yes” and “I said yes” printed on them as the group talked, mostly the other making fun of Emily because despite facing murders on a daily basis, doing deep undercover work and even being held hostage without so much as a blink she was a nervous wreck all day.

JJ sat in happy silence, taking it all in, this was it. This was her family, Sophie and Peter, the family she didn’t want originally but showed her what a true parent should look like, unconditional love, showing up for her even all these years later as an adult despite how she had treated them in her younger years and then vanishing.

Then there was her team, each of them so different but the bond shared by the BAU was unbreakable, each member bringing something to the group. Derek, the muscle but sweet and sensitive on the inside, her protective big brother. Garcia, the best friend a girl could ask for, always bringing a little big of sunshine to them on their darkest days, Spence… her little brother and best friend in the whole wide world. They had been the youngest members of the team and had bonded from day one. Then there was Dave and Hotch, mom and dad always there for their team no matter what… and finally… her Emily.

And so as she looked around at the group quietly she realized she found it… She was Home.