I actually can't even believe how many reviews I received for my last story! You guys have been so incredibly kind to me and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my stories!
This story is picking up right where my last one left off (so if you forget what happened in the last chapter you may want to review). I hope you guys will all enjoy it…and PLEASE keep in mind that Parrilla may not show up as soon as you guys hope! But bare with me because I have other stories planned and a reason for everything!
So enjoy! -J
Chapter 1
"Hey we've got ice cream right?" Alex called, interrupting Emily and JJ's thoughts; both thinking about the dangers of having Isaac Parrilla still out there, snapping out of it and attempting to look normal as the teen, followed by her three friends came down the hall.
"Preferably chocolate?" Olivia added.
"Or strawberry," Spencer called.
"You're in luck I've got both," JJ laughed, putting on a smile, as Emily did the same. "I've got cookie dough too Lex," she said, knowing it was the teen's favourite. "Actually I want some t…" She started to say, just as her cell began to ring. "It's Hotch," she said, checking the caller I.D. before turning to Emily. "I'll be right back," she said, standing from the couch and making her way down the hall so she could answer the call in private; feeling Emily's gaze on her back.
"Hotch," JJ greeted as soon as she answered, closing the door to the game room behind her so she wouldn't be overheard. "Did you find him?"
"No," Hotch sighed, wishing he had better news. "It's actually something else," he said. "I got a call after you left. We have a case."
"A case?" JJ asked in disbelief. "But what about Parrilla? We need to keep looking."
"The search for Parrilla isn't over," Hotch replied. "The locals will continue and we've put his face out there. We've done everything we can for that case right now," he said, sounding disappointed. "You know I can't turn down another case so we can keep looking. Especially one that needs our help."
"What's the case?" JJ sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration, hating the fact that she would soon have to tell Emily that the team was being pulled away from the search for Parrilla.
"It's an L.D.S.K," Hotch replied. "Victims appear to be random; both men and women in various public places. So far we have 4 dead and they're worried that count will rapidly increase if they don't find this guy."
"And where are we headed?" JJ asked.
"It's uh…It's in New Orleans."
"New...oh," JJ replied rather ineloquently, suddenly at a loss for words. "Was uh…did…who called you in?"
"I received a call from a Chief Howard," Hotch replied. "But I was told that he…Detective LaMontagne, is working the case."
"Oh," JJ muttered, biting her lip.
"Look JJ no one would blame you if you wanted to sit this case out," Hotch quickly told the blonde. "Between Emily being injured, and your history with LaMontagne I would completely understand, but I wanted to give you the choice. Whatever you decide I will support you, and I will handle Strauss, so don't worry about that either."
"I…" JJ began, considering her options for a moment. "When do we leave?"
"Are you sure?"
"I'll have to tell Emily…she's not going to like this," JJ replied. "But you're already down an Agent. I can handle this."
"Alright," Hotch replied, knowing the blonde would be able to remain professional regardless of what happened. "Wheels up at 8am."
"I'll see you then," JJ said before hanging up the phone.
Leaning her head back against the couch, JJ covered her eyes, unable to believe her luck. The blonde hadn't heard from William LaMontagne since she had told him that she was pregnant with his child, a fact which, had at first really bothered her, but, which she had learned to accept; realizing that she really didn't need the man in her son's life. Being forced to see Will while working though would be awkward to say the least, and she also knew that Emily would hate the fact that she had to stay behind.
Not wanting to put off the inevitable, JJ stood from her seat, making her way down the hallway, knowing her worry would be clear on her face.
"Jen?" Emily called when she came into view. "What is it? Did they find something?"
"No…no uh…we got a case…" JJ replied, her shoulders slumping, looking up to find Emily staring back at her with a confused look on her face. "…In New Orleans."
"What?" Emily asked, the shock evident on her face, having not expected this news at all. "In New Orleans?"
"Yep," JJ nodded, in disbelief herself.
"And you're going?"
"Wh…of course I'm going," JJ replied, looking at Emily in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be going?" She asked, both completely forgetting that they had an audience; all four teens watching them interestedly.
"Well I can think of one reason," Emily said rather harshly, without really realizing it, JJ's eyes widening in surprise.
"Maybe we should go upstairs," Alex quickly suggested, interrupting JJ who had looked prepared to respond; her mouth wide open. "Come on guys," she said, waving her friends to follow her; Olivia looking rather reluctant, but following anyways.
Waiting until the girls were fully out of earshot, JJ looked back at Emily, the look of disbelief still on her face. "We have a case Emily, you know I have to go. It's my job remember," JJ replied, keeping her voice down, and trying to remain calm.
"Did he call you guys in?" Emily asked, knowing exactly how she sounded, but unable to stop herself. "Is he going to be there?"
"His chief called us in, but yes Will is working the case," JJ sighed in frustration.
"Then why would you go?" Emily asked. "The man won't even acknowledge the fact that you're having his baby," she pointed out.
"You think I don't know that?" JJ replied, resisting the urge to raise her voice. "Look I don't want to see Will anymore than you want me to see him, but I can't let my personal life interfere with my work Em. You know that."
Knowing the blonde was right, Emily had to bite her lip to prevent herself from arguing further, not wanting to start an unnecessary fight. "What's the case?" She asked instead, knowing it would be best to change the subject.
"It's a….It's an L.D.S.K," JJ replied, pinching the bridge of her nose as she knew this answer would only worry Emily even further. At this Emily opened her mouth so as to answer, closing it again when words seemed to elude her. "Em?" JJ asked when it became apparent that the brunette wasn't going to speak.
"I want to come," Emily replied.
"Emily you just got shot," JJ shook her head. "You haven't been cleared. You know you can't come."
"I…I don't care," Emily argued. "I'll work from the precinct. I can do paperwork," she said. "I want to come."
"Hotch isn't going to let that happen," JJ replied, stepping closer to the brunette, and taking her hand. "Look I know this isn't easy for you. I know you hate being injured and not being able to work, but I'm going to be fine," she assured her, seeing the worry in her girlfriend's eyes. "I promise you I will stay out of the field. I won't put myself in any kind of danger. I won't even leave the precinct except to go to the hotel."
"Okay," Emily replied quietly, nodding her head despite the fact that she still looked rather anxious. "I just…I hate you being out there for something like this and I…I hate that I'm not going to be there for you," she said. "You shouldn't have to deal with this Will thing on your own."
"I'll be okay," JJ said, squeezing the brunette's hand. "The team will be with me, and as much as I don't want to have to see Will this way, I think that maybe it's for the best. At least this way I know I gave it my all and if Will still refuses to acknowledge his own son, than so be it," she said. "I mean I've got everything I need right here anyways."
"And don't you forget that," Emily replied with a small smile.
"Not a chance," JJ grinned, leaning forward to give the brunette a chaste kiss. "I love you Em."
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"What was that about?" Olivia asked as soon as the girls made it upstairs and into Alex's bedroom; the brunette closing her door behind her so they wouldn't overhear Emily and JJ downstairs. "Are they fighting? Do they ever fight?"
"Liv," Zoey said, her tone warning.
"What? I'm just asking," Olivia replied defensively. "It seemed a little tense."
"She's right, it did," Alex said, interrupting the scolding she could see Spencer about to give. "I don't know what it's about though."
"Well is there some sort of significance to New Orleans?" Zoey asked. "I mean Emily really didn't seem happy about that."
"Not that I can think of," Alex shrugged, not aware that JJ had met the father of her baby on the team's last case in New Orleans.
"Maybe it's just because it's so far?" Spencer suggested. "I mean your mom did just get shot and JJ's pregnant. Maybe she doesn't want to be so far away from her?"
"Plus they haven't found that guy that shot your mom yet," Olivia quickly blurted out.
"Liv," both Spencer and Zoey exclaimed, glaring at their blonde friend.
"It's fine guys," Alex quickly intervened. "I've seen the news. I know my parents want to keep me oblivious to all this, but the guy's face has been all over. You can't turn on the TV or open a newspaper without seeing it."
"Well do you think that's what your mom's worried about?" Spencer asked delicately, not wanting to worry her friend.
"Honestly, I don't know," Alex sighed. "It's so weird seeing them fight. I mean besides when my mom first found out JJ was pregnant, they like never argue."
"All couples fight," Zoey argued. "I'm sure they're usually just more careful about doing it in front of you."
"Yeah she's right," Spencer quickly agreed. "My parents argue all the time when they think I can't hear them. I'm sure everything's fine."
"I can't even hear them now," Olivia called from where she had her ear pressed up against the door, trying to listen.
"Olivia get away from there," Spencer said, shaking her head, but unable to hold back her laughter, Alex and Zoey quickly joining in.
"They're probably already making up," Olivia said, smiling as she moved to sit on Alex's bed beside Zoey. "They're like the best couple I know. They'll be fine."
"I know," Alex agreed with a small smile. "Come on let's just watch a movie or something," she suggested, wanting to change the topic off of her parents. "You guys can pick," she said, laughing as she watched all three girls race to the cabinet where she kept her favourite movies.
Sitting back against her headboard and listening to her friends immediately begin arguing over movie choices, Alex couldn't help but smile; believing her friends when they assured her that her parents were going to be just fine. Zoey was right after all; all couples fight. Emily and JJ were no different. But as the teen willed herself to stop worrying, she couldn't help but think of the look on her mother's face when JJ had told her where they were going; curious about what could have possibly bothered her mother that much.
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The girls had been a half an hour into their movie when JJ and Emily had made their way into Alex's room; both with smiles on their faces as they sat down to join the teens for a short while before bed. Both women were still slightly worried about the coming case, but had put on smiling faces; trying to act normal as they enjoyed the last half of the movie with Alex and her friends. Sitting with Emily on Alex's window seat, JJ couldn't help but notice the teen constantly glancing over at them; a worried look on her face, though she tried to hide it whenever the blonde caught her eye.
Needing to be up early the next morning in order to be at the airstrip, JJ had excused herself to go to bed as soon as the movie had ended. As she was washing her face and changing into a pair of PJs, Emily had come in, kissing the blonde on the cheek before beginning to get herself ready. Once they were both dressed they had gotten into bed, Emily snuggling up behind JJ and wrapping her arms around her before she had drifted off.
With her mind still filled with thoughts of what the next day would bring, JJ had a difficult time getting to sleep; trying her best to lay still so as not to wake Emily who had fallen sleep with the help of her pain medication. When the blonde's alarm had gone off at 6am, she felt like she had just gotten to sleep, groaning as she quickly shut it off; making her way towards the shower, while Emily rolled over to go back to sleep.
"Em, I'm leaving now," JJ whispered, leaning over the brunette 45 minutes later, brushing hair out of her face.
"Already?" Emily mumbled, squinting open an eye. "What time is it?"
"Almost 7," JJ replied with a smile. "I need to get going."
"Okay," Emily nodded, sitting up so she could give the blonde a proper goodbye. "You're going to be safe right?" She asked, unable to disguise the worry in her voice. "You'll stay out of the field."
"I promise," JJ replied, taking the brunette's hand. "And trust me there's no way the team is going to let me out of their sight on this one. I won't even get a chance to get away from the precinct."
"I know," Emily sighed. "And you'll call if you need to talk about…about anything?" She asked, not wanting to mention Will again.
"Of course," JJ nodded, leaning forward so she could give Emily a kiss. "I love you Em. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about," she said, understanding that Emily didn't like the idea of her seeing Will when she couldn't be there.
"I know," Emily replied softly. "I love you too Jen," she said, pulling the blonde in for another kiss. "Are you going to say goodbye to Lex before you go?"
"I'm going to go sneak in there on my way downstairs," JJ told her. "You should get some more rest. And don't forget you need to keep that sling on. At all times."
"Yes ma'am," Emily replied with a smile. "Be safe," she said, releasing JJ's hand from hers.
"See you soon," JJ smiled, heading for the door; turning and giving the brunette one last wave before opening it and making her way out into the hallway.
Needing to say goodbye to Alex, JJ quietly slipped into the teen's room, tiptoeing over to the bed, not wanting to wake any of the girls as she made her way over to where Alex was fast asleep.
"Lex," JJ whispered, giving the young brunette a gentle shake. "Lex sweetie," she repeated when she was unsuccessful.
"JJ?" The teen grumbled, sounding somewhat confused. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," JJ smiled, brushing the teen's messy locks out of her face. "I'm just heading out. I wanted to say goodbye before I left."
"Oh right," Alex replied rubbing her eyes as she sat up, holding out her arms so the blonde could give her a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too kiddo," JJ replied, running her hand over the teen's hair and holding on just a little bit longer. "I'll call you guys as much as I can," she said as she pulled away. "You'll take care of your mom for me right? Make sure she doesn't miss any of her appointments and she follows all the doctors rules."
"You got it," Alex laughed quietly.
"Alright, I'll see you soon sweetheart," JJ said, turning around just as Alex reached out and grabbed her hand, preventing her from moving away.
"Wait," Alex said as the blonde turned back around, confused to see a worried expression on the teen's face. "Everything's okay right? With you and mom?" She asked. "I mean things seemed a little weird last night. I'm just a little…You guys are okay?"
"We're okay," JJ assured her, giving the teen's hand a squeeze. "This case is a little…stressful, and your mom isn't thrilled about not being able to go with us, but we're okay," she explained. "It's going to be fine. Don't worry okay?"
"O-okay," Alex nodded, not entirely convinced but agreeing anyways. "I'll see you soon," she said, giving the blonde the best smile she could muster.
Nodding, JJ ran her fingers through the teen's hair once more before forcing herself to turn around and leave the room. Closing the teen's door behind her, JJ couldn't help but dread the rest of her day, having no idea just what would happen when she would be forced to reunite with William LaMontagne.