Heaving a sigh of relief, her eyes on the road, hands lightly holding the steering wheel as she drives down a neighbourhood road. It is 11:24 p.m. and there is a concert going on for most of the night along with fireworks, so the streets are generally quiet although on one of her main roads there was an accident. So she decided to go down a neighbourhood road, feeling tired and agitated as her and her team are trying to find a witness to their unsub.

Waiting on video footage that Garcia is working on getting so she can find out who the witness is so they can get to him or her before the unsub. All of them just waiting, JJ is returning from a conference call and is on the phone with Garcia who is waiting for the video of surveillance to load.

"I hope the person is local… I hate waiting and waiting for the bad news" JJ muttered and then heard Garcia begin to type on the keyboard.

Slowing to a stop at a stop sign she then heard Penelope gasp, JJ's eyes went straight to the car phone, "what do you have?" she asked and heard her click a few buttons. "JJ we know the witness! Its Haley!" Penelope responded and JJ put on the gas as her heart took a flip and began to quicken its pace. No longer feeling tired and continued down the road.

"What's the address? I may be near by" JJ informed and began looking around at the quiet looking homes as she drove by and listened to the address given, "gees… I'm on the right road… the house is just a block away!" JJ stated and put on the gas to drive down there faster. "Wait – what're you going to do? Your just one person!" Garcia stated and within a few more seconds JJ pulled up to the curb in front of the house.

"Well I can't wait around for back up, by then I may be too late! Just tell the other's to hurry and I'll protect her as best I can" JJ said and with that ended the call. Stepped out of her car and pulled out her gun, the front door is closed and the lights are off. The air is cool Please be in there… please be alright JJ thought as she then saw a figure move from the side to the back of the house.

The hairs on the back of her neck standing on end and the hairs on her arms rise to the cool air mixed with feeling anxious. Pulling out her flashlight her eyes skim the ground, eyes briefly going to the front door of the house as she walks up to the side, "FBI! Come out with your hands in the air!" JJ demanded, her voice strong as she stops briefly. No movement, no sounds. A few large trees in the backyard making it possible for some hiding spots for whom is lurking around in the dark. Please don't let Haley's screaming be the next thing for me to hear… she thought as she walked down closer to one of the trees.

No sign of movement, flashlight going along the ground and her eyes continuously going around the bushes. JJ's heart rate going faster as he index finger rests on the trigger, nice and steady as she takes a step around one of the trees. A faint noise from below and above, turning her attention towards the tree her eyes set upon a thin, long object just as it hits her in the side of her forehead. It having happened so quickly she cries out in surprise and stumbles back while holding her forearm to her head where she'd been struck and hears more movement.

Keeping her left eye closed, left side of her head now pounding as she slowly opens her eye and skims around the area. Frig… a warning shot… I love it when they aren't afraid of the FBI JJ thought and shook her head lightly only to have her head yell at her briefly for having done it. A sound of movement coming from the other side of the backyard and then another one from closer to the house. "Two unsubs…" she whispered to herself as she felt something start to trickle down the side of her head.

"Oh no…" came a female voice that JJ knew instantly, she turned her attention towards the front of the house to see Haley standing to the side of the house. Raising her flashlight she can immediately tell Haley is frightened but unharmed, "Haley, its JJ" JJ assured as she began to walk towards her and watched as Haley nodded in recognition.

"Lets get you inside" JJ stated as she got closer and her attention went around to the bushes and other spots where the unsubs could be hiding. Once inside Haley locked the front door, she is obviously shaken up by what is going on, "Are you alright and where is Jack?" JJ questioned as Haley led her to the kitchen. "I'm okay, I'm just really scared – I tried to phone Aaron but it was busy. Jack is with a friend of mine, he's not in the city… let me see your head" Haley said the last part more as to jump at something.

JJ shook her head lightly, "no, no – my main priority is your safety. I have to put you somewhere safe until I get some back up. The people outside are going to try and get in. They don't want you talking, they will force their way in" she explained and began looking around the kitchen.

"But I- " Haley began to protest and then hurried to the hallway, JJ followed while keeping her eyes on the front door. She watched as Haley went to the side of the stairs and flipped open a part of the wood to show a spot for a key, quickly she went into her pants pocket and pulled out a key and then after using the key to unlock the secret place. Pulled on the key to pull the door open, "I can hide out in here… look for this marking" Haley pointed out in the door to show where the panel comes out, "and pull just above it."

At least they won't know of where she is… JJ took a deep breath to prepare herself for the coming events as Haley then crawled into the small space that they clearly don't use very much and gave JJ the key. Quickly she crouched down, "could I have your hand?" JJ asked quickly in wanting to make sure that one more thing was taken care of.

Haley immediately took her hand and JJ made sure that Haley's eyes became locked on hers. "No matter what you hear, do not make a sound and do not move. I will not let them take you" JJ said in a firm tone, Haley nodded in acceptance, taking in the words.

With that JJ let go of her hand and closed the door, locked it, put the key into her pocket and closed up the panel. Feeling on edge, eyes on the front door as she takes steps back into the hallway to a back room.

Around a corner behind her in his socks holding a bat is one of the unsubs, having snuck in when Haley rushed out to find out what was going on outside. Fingers gripping the handle tightly, his tongue lightly sticking out in concentration of waiting for the right moment to strike.

JJ watched as she heard something come up to the front door, her index finger on the trigger, muscles tight, taking slow breaths to keep herself steady for what will come next. Ready to shoot whoever barges into the house, watching as the handle turns slowly to open the door but leaving it to sit at just a crack open.

"Drop your weapon!" JJ ordered, her full attention on the door but her ears are open for anything she could have missed.

The door then flew open, a man in a black outfit having kicked it open with a red bandana over his face, a TMP in his hands. The moment he came in he turned his attention to her immediately time feeling like it slowed down as she pulled the trigger to have time return to normal and watch him fall backwards from a bullet to the center of his forehead.

The man fell through the doorframe and to the outside, "wow… you've got good aim!" came an impressed male voice from just outside the door. More than two… it's a group, but then how many more of them are there? JJ began to wonder as she took a step back. The unsub around the corner taking a step out though not making a sound, waiting for her to be further distracted to make his move.

"I'll make you an offer, if you give us the lady of this household we will let you live!" the man outside offered, JJ narrowed her eyes down to the open space in the door frame, "I will never give her up!" JJ declared and then heard a creek in the floor from behind. Shit! Was all she had time to think, the second after felt a strong, solid hit to her lower back. Gasping outward at the sudden shock to her whole body. Instantly feeling her body go stiff, JJ cringed as her left hand let go of the gun but right hand still clutching it, a man taking a step into the house as her body is still reacting to the hit.

In the corner of her right eye JJ can see and hear someone step up to being right next to her, everything happening within a matter of seconds as the unsub holding the bat swings and delivers a another solid blow. This time to the abdomen and JJ instantly felt a rib give way, a cry of pain escaping her lips while the man walks into the house as she drops her gun, doubles over and collapses to the floor clutching at her abdomen.

The man with the bat grabbed her roughly by her right shoulder, grasping a hold of the burgundy, collar, button up work shirt JJ is wearing. Pulling her to sit up against the side of the stairs as the man walks up, both of them in full black though the man from outside a black beanie hat and bandana over his face.

"Now… this is going to get worse before it gets better. Tell me where the lady of the house is and depending on your reluctance we may kill you slower or faster. What'll it be?" the man asked in a kind tone though JJ knows that he is grinning from ear to ear. Her head still pounding and now it hurts to breath. Taking slow breaths she looks at the man in the eye, "your never… going… to have… her" JJ responded wishing she hadn't dropped her gun though finding it a struggle to even answer him.

Hotch… get here soon… JJ thought just as the man with the bat set the bat down. Lifted her to her feet and then delivered a hard punch to her abdomen, the wind being knocked out of her at the same time she cried out in agony.

The man then shoved her back against the wall and then on impulse JJ put her right knee out and sacked him. He went down faster than the guy who came barging in. The man who's been asking all of the questions then stepped up, "I didn't care that you took out the guy at the door, it was his punishment to barge into the house. However that man you just kneed, is my right hand man – for taking him out and not being a helpful FBI agent, here are the consequences," the man stated and then he delivered a punch to the left side of her face.

The hit from earlier combining with this hit made her head begin to scream, her vision going hazy. As JJ turned to face him while starting to slide back down he wrapped his right hand around her neck and pulled her back to standing and is holding her there. "Plant the C4… and be quick about it!" the man holding JJ by her throat ordered and the man that she'd sacked got to his feet, went into the living room and grabbed a bag with some C4 in it.

Struggling to breath more with how tight his hand is around her neck JJ then brought up her right hand and waved him to come close. He took this as a sign that she is going to share information, let go of her throat and leaned in close, "something you want to share with me now?" he questioned as JJ took deeper breaths than she originally intended. Her broken rib hurting more with each deep breath as she regains herself, her head spinning from the loss of oxygen but fighting it to stay focused on the task at hand.

"Yes… I do" JJ gasped and then through her hardest punch she could gather and got him in the Adams apple. He immediately grabbed at his throat and took a step away; she fell to the floor and pushed away from the side of the stairs to grab her gun. Picking it up, ignoring her screaming abdomen, rolled onto her back and aimed at him as he took a quick step towards her she fired. His foot in front of the barrel as he went to kick it away, the gun left her hands and went across the room. He screamed hoarsely and fell to the floor, clutching at his foot now while his right hand man runs over with a remote in his hand and picks up the bat.

"Boss! We have to get out of here! The FBI are sure to be here any minute now!" the henchman informed as JJ stared at him while he helped his boss to his feet. "Take her out – make sure she and the lady don't make it out of here alive!" the boss demanded as he took the remote and began to limp his way over to the door as JJ struggles to get to her feet.

The man then turned to JJ with his bat in hand, "you're going to go up in flames little missy…" he threatened, JJ now partially standing while clutching at her abdomen. Her breathing shallow, blood now covering a good portion of the left side of her face and her vision blurring to the movement around her. The man wound up even with her right arm covering her abdomen and swung hard, JJ moved her right arm out of the way as if trying to brace for an all new hit. A grunted mixed with a gasp of pain seeped out, another rib possibly broken, her eyes closed and JJ then fell onto the right side of her head on the floor directly in front of the secret door.

Her head swimming, her vision fading, abdomen protesting for no more while she listens to the man walk out of the house and slam the door shut. I'm loosing it… I'm loosing the fight… I have to get up… I have to save Haley; you came here to protect her! Get up! GET UP! JJ groaned as she forced her body to crawl closer to the side of the stairs.

Her finger's fumbling as they go into her pocket and pull out the key, her vision starting to go dark and eyes wanting to close I have to get her out…she kept thinking and pulled open the cover, shoves the key into the slot, turns it and then moves over to the side to give room for the door to open. While pulling she feels her eyes close and hand drop, arm hitting the floor as her head is spinning out of control and she feels her head drop onto the floor. Telling her to sleep, to give in.

Haley immediately climbs out, having heard everything that happened looks down at the floor to see JJ's limp form on the floor, her eyes fluttering as she can tell she is loosing the fight to stay awake. "Hang on JJ, I'm not leaving you here!" Haley said finding a new strength in her as she pulls JJ to sit up and then puts JJ's right arm around her shoulder's to lift her to her feet.

Taking one fast and steady step at a time to the back, JJ barely walking but taking steps at the same time as Haley gets them to the back door. Opens it and partially carries JJ out across the lawn, hearing sirens coming down the road as she makes her way with JJ to the house closest for cover. "They're… still here… the-they will wait… t-to see… the bang" JJ informed Haley though is starting to loose consciousness. "What do we do then?" Haley asked as she finally stopped at the neighbour's bricks of the back yard. Wanting to keep JJ awake for as long as possible.

The police cars then pulled to a stop in front of the house, the officers piling out and already have their bulletproof vests on. Hotch, Morgan, Reid, Prentiss and Rossi already grouped and have their guns out. Haley looked to JJ to see her eyes are closed and placed a hand onto each side of her face, "JJ open your eyes! Tell me what we do!" Haley demanded but kept her voice low. She watched as JJ's eyes came open slowly, she can tell that JJ isn't focusing on her so she held her face to be directed right with her own.

"W-Wait till… tires scr-screech" JJ finally answered, Haley then heard Aaron order, "Lets move!" and then the C4 went off. Haley did her best then to shield JJ as she starts to slide down the bricks but then used her own body to stop her from sliding and to hold her there.

Meanwhile seconds before the explosion went off Hotch looked to his team, "the unsub could still be in there with JJ and Haley. Keep your eyes open everyone" Hotch stated and looked to the house please be safe… please be alright, both of you he thought and then placed his left hand over his gun that is sitting in his right hand.

"Lets move!" He ordered and just as he took a step forward his house then exploded. The window's shattered, the door blew off, flames burst out of the window's and other small explosions went off on the inside. His heart stopped a beat and his eyes widened Haley… no… Haley, JJ NO! His thoughts then came through his voice as he then started to charge towards the house to have firm strong hands grab his arms and shoulders and stop him.

"HALEY! JJ!" Hotchner screamed as Morgan and Rossi then stepped in front of him to fully hold him back and push him back. "There is nothing you can do Hotch! There is nothing any of us can do!" Morgan shouted over the flames and Hotch then stopped struggling and sagged back to lean against the SUV.

Reid is staring with unblinking eyes at the burning house, as if what he is seeing isn't actually happening, what he is witnessing isn't really going on in front of him. Feeling numb as he then hears Emily's cell phone go off.

Tears were already down Emily's cheeks as she looked upon the flames and absent minded pulled the cell phone out, "they could have gotten out… right? There is a chance they weren't in there right?" Emily asked and looked to the other's to see Hotchner's face red. His eyes red and tears down his face, Rossi looking lost for words to say and Morgan having turned to the SUV and planted his hands onto the hood of it. His face showing a mix of emotions as she can clearly see tears fall.

We've lost JJ… there is no doubt in my mind that the sons of bitches that did this wanted us to watch it blow up. They are going to pay! I'll do it for JJ… for JJ and Haley! And then… I don't know what I'll do… Morgan thought as Emily brought the phone to her ear.

"Em… I saw the explosion…" Garcia said in a low voice as if expecting the worst. Emily covered her mouth and closed her eyes, swallowed and then removed her hand from her mouth to look at the flames, "we don't know if JJ and Haley were still in there or not… never got close enough to find out" Emily said and felt her voice crack.

Screeching tires then sounded from down the road. Haley looked to JJ to see that the explosion had somewhat helped wake her up a little. I heard everything you went through… Haley thought as she remembered hearing JJ cry out in pain, hearing what was said and each time JJ fell to the floor. Knowing fully how much JJ went through to protect her. She looks worse than I imagined… Haley thought, as JJ is pale, with beaded sweat on her forehead and face; some blood is still coming out of her hit to the head from the bat.

"Lets go… now" JJ said and winced at the words, finding it harder now to breath and talk than before with two broken ribs. With that Haley set JJ's right arm around her shoulders, placed her own left arm around JJ's waist for extra support and began to slowly come out from behind the neighbours house.

Both were able to hear Hotch's screams, Haley can see as they walk down along the neighbouring house that the team looks crushed. JJ's vision still a blur but able to make out who the people are in the distance and once within range Haley took a deep breath, "AARON!" she yelled as loud as she could.

Rossi and Prentiss were the first ones to see them but thought they were a fragment of their imaginations. Morgan spun around on the spot at the voice and felt his legs go weak; he wanted to fall to his knees the moment he saw the girl's faces. Reid looked from the house to the two of them and then back, tears welled up in his eyes as he watched Hotch run over to the two before anyone else could.

Tears rolled down Haley's cheeks as Aaron came running over, as they got closer, the moment he met him he wrapped his arms around the two of them. "I thought I'd lost the two of you, he whispered as JJ winced, "Hotch easy…" and Aaron let go of her right away. Rossi began yelling at the paramedics to get to the girls; Emily and Morgan were next up.

Hotch cupped Haley's face, he was shaking with profound joy at the sight of seeing her alive, "are you both okay?" he asked though his voice shook she smiled at him.

Emily immediately took JJ from Haley, "what did those scum bags do to you?" Morgan asked before Emily could and JJ closed her eyes shut tight for a few seconds. Searching her memory for the details, "hit me… with… a bat" JJ opened her eyes slowly to see fury come over Morgan's face but he quickly put aside his anger. "Broke your ribs?" Emily enquired once she heard how difficult it was for JJ to answer. As well as noticing her breathing of being shallow.

"Yeah… my head… its-" JJ began to say but then Morgan placed his fingers over her lips to stop her from continuing. Those bastards are going to pay… for hurting her the way they have… Morgan fought those thoughts aside; he lightly placed his right hand onto the left side of her face. Wanting to go and pound in the man's face that made her bleed so much. "Shhh… you look like you could pass out – we'll get whoever did this to you I promise" Morgan assured and for a moment JJ's eyes locked with his and she put on a weak smile.

"We'll take care of you, Hotch has Haley now" Emily informed as they finally reached the road as the paramedics have already set up a stretcher. Emily looked to the paramedics, "she has a few broken ribs…" she stated and they nodded at this information.

Aaron then surprised Haley with picking her up in his arms, and carried her over to the road where another ambulance is waiting with paramedics who have recently gotten there. He smiled at Haley, "don't do that to me ever again" he commented and she smiled, her arms around his neck. "JJ said to wait till tires screeched to come out," Haley added as it came to her and Aaron then raised his eyebrow.

"So… they stuck around to wait until we were here to blow the house up. They wanted to see our reactions and to be sure you ladies didn't come out the front door… JJ has learned a lot from us in the time she's worked with us" Aaron said with a smirk on his face. She knew that if they came out too soon then the unsubs would still hunt for Haley and her. Once he reached the stretcher he set her down onto it and looked over at JJ to see that she has finally passed out. An intervenus already in her arm as she is being put into the ambulance, Morgan climbed in after. I have to thank her the first chance I get Hotch thought as he then turned to look at Haley who is sitting on the bumper of the ambulance.

"I'm fine… no one touched me. JJ made sure of it… I'm just shaken up," Haley admitted and Aaron smiled at her. "We'll take you to the station and put you and Jack under around the clock FBI protection, JJ will have the same at the hospital just to be safe."

To Be Continued…

Hiya, I had part of this as a dream actually but I had to alter different parts. I want your opinion on weather or not I should continue. Any and all comments, suggestions, ideas are welcome. Please Review!

Started: Thursday January. 17, 2008

By: SLITH