AN: Yes, another JJ gets hurt story, I apologize but this is what I write. For those that say "you put her through so much" um duh. But first, this is a fictional character in a fictional world; JJ does not exist. Please keep that in mind. Also, most of my stories, except sequels, have nothing to do with one another- so while JJ might be abducted in one story, it doesn't mean she was also shot in that story world. Hopefully that makes sense.
So, that being said. Here is another JJ in some kind of danger fic! I had to end this where I did with this chapter because if I didn't the chapter would have been about seven pages long. WAYY too long! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
Aaron Hotchner kept a careful watch out as he continued walking along the winding forest path. He had lost time how long the team had been out looking for Eric Elliot, but judging by the amount of sweat he felt pouring down his shirt and cheeks, it was probably close to thirty minutes. If that.
The Floridian air was not being especially accommodating to the skilled group of profiles and as the day wore on, both the temperature and humidity rose. It was beyond uncomfortable outside; it was downright miserable.
And while he knew he was uncomfortable, he focused his attention elsewhere, in multiple different directions.
The first was finding Eric Elliot and Hotch knew they were close. Well over a dozen tips had poured into the tip line citing Elliot hiding out in the park; all tipsters reporting the same general location. Elliot had been on a tear in northern Florida for the last three years, murdering seventeen people in the last year alone. The local PD had finally had enough and requested the Bureau's help. Within a two days of arriving, Hotch and his team not only had the probable location of the killer, but a name to go with it. Which lead Hotch and his team to exactly where they were now- in the middle of a state park with a large storm quickly approaching.
Not just a storm. It was a hurricane and Hotch wanted nothing more to have Elliot in custody and to be clear out of Florida before Hurricane Beth struck landfall. Beth was a category three storm, significant, dangerous and ready to bare down exactly on their location. It was time to get out of Florida.
He stopped momentarily to guzzle a drink of water and smiled as he saw JJ stop beside him. He shook his head when he noticed she was barely sweating and seemed pretty well acclimated to the horrendous humidity.
JJ and he had gone one way, Morgan and Emily another, Reid and Rossi another. Everyone remained in radio contact, all stayed within the plot of land they were assigned to cover. Five square miles was not too horrible, easily done.
"Just spoke with Alexander." JJ began, "Still no sign of Elliot."
Hotch nodded, "He isn't going to come easily."
JJ shook her head and reached into her pocket, pulling out an energy fruit strip, offering half to Hotch. "It won't kill you." She promised, noting the look in his eyes. "It's organic apples, bananas and pears."
Hotch reached over and took it, thanking himself for parenting with JJ. She had planned ahead, she knew the weather would be hot, knew the climate would be draining and had thought ahead to bring something to briefly chew on before they continued on their search.
"Did you make it yourself?" He asked, placing it on his tongue.
The look on his face caused JJ to laugh. "No, Will did? Is it that bad?"
Hotch shook his head, forcing himself to swallow what he was sure, was rubber. "No. But don't offer me anymore."
They walked in silence for another mile, each using their training to search for clues that they were getting closer to Elliot.
"Hotch." It was Morgan's voice over their radios. "We've got nothing, sun is starting to set. We might need to call it a day."
Hotch nodded in agreement, the last thing he wanted to do was spend the night in the woods. "Alright, we'll meet back.." Hairs stood up on his spine, and every alarm signal began going off in his mind as adrenaline poured into his body.
JJ looked at him puzzled, and turned around, her hand reaching for her gun. She had worked with Hotch long enough to know the look on his face; had seen his hand reaching for his gun and reacted instantly.
"FBI!" Hotch bellowed, pulling his gun just in time to see the 6'8 , 275 pound figure of Elliot ram into JJ's petite frame. She never had a chance as Elliot grabbed her by the standard issue FBI vest, smiled at her and with one swing, tossed the young agent down the side of the steep, rocky hill they were standing on.
Without hesitation, Hotch pulled the trigger, watching as Elliot's body collapsed to the gravel road.
"JJ!" He yelled, stopping only to make sure Elliot had no pulse. "JJ!" He called again, his heart racing as he heard no answer. "Morgan, we are a half a mile south of the 114 trail, Elliot is dead. But JJ is hurt."
Hotch didn't hear anything that was said next, he had conveyed what was important and trusted his team to be able to find the location. His focus was now on getting to JJ and as he overlooked the massive hill, his heart plummeted further.
Rocks and trees littered the steep incline, sharp branches from trees littered the ground, as ant piles rose uninhibited by man. And there, just about sixty feet down, lay his wounded agent.
"JJ, I'm coming." He shouted to her as local police arrived at his side.
"Shit." One of the officers said, upon seeing JJ. "Agent, hold on, we need to be careful of the snakes."
Hotch heard none of it and began carefully, but quickly skidding down the hill. It took much more effort than he would have imagine, but somehow he maintained his balance.
"JJ!" He shouted, finally arriving at her side. He sat down by her side, looking her over, and pressing his fingers to her neck. At his touch, JJ moved and Hotch took a deep breath. "JJ, open your eyes." He commanded and she did just that.
"Don't move, JJ." He ordered, seeing her blue eyes finally focus on him. She was breathing, she was semi-conscious, and she was alive. Everything else could be taken care of; she was injured, Hotch had seen that as soon as he had laid eyes on her, but it didn't appear that any of her injuries that he could see, were immediately life threating.
Her leg however, was a completely different story. It was undoubtedly broken and the sight of the injury itself was nauseating; the pain must be absolutely agonizing. And it seemed as if JJ's brain had finally recognized it, that something was very wrong with her body. Immediately, she tried to sit up, but Hotch gently but firmly pressed her back down.
"JJ, look at me." He ordered, trying to command her attention; she did not need to see the condition of her leg, the unnatural angle of it, and the bone protruding from the skin. "JJ," He called again, coming very close to her face, wiping the blood away from her forehead.
"Hotch…" He could hear the pain in her voice, the confusion.
"You're going to be okay, just took a fall." He explained, grabbing his water bottle and tilting it to her lips as he caught of a glimpse of Morgan and two officers coming towards them. But as Hotch looked back at JJ's leg, another thought hit him.
There was no way JJ could walk out of here, and no way could an ambulance reach her. The paramedics could, but she couldn't be evacuated from where she was.
Keeping one hand firmly holding JJ down, Hotch spoke into the mic. "Garcia, we are going to need a medivac."