Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds

Once Upon A Time

~ Chapter Three ~

~ "The dark path to the fairytale forest lies in the depth of our imagination." ~

"Hey baby, I am so sorry." I hear him say as I open my eyes, looking around to see the familiar wallpaper of my own bedroom. It's early morning and I was laying next to him on our bed, how did I get here? I sigh, crying out in pain as I try to sit up.

"Forgive me?" I don't know what to say to him, it hurts all over and I just want to get to work and pretend again. I just want to carry on living in my own little fantasy world where everything is okay, I can't do that here.

I can feel my whole body shaking as he puts his arms around me, trying to comfort me like he had done nothing wrong. I shake my head, tears falling from my face as I try to remember a time when I was happy.

"No. Go away." I whisper, pushing his arms from around me with all the strength I can manage.

"No, baby, I will get help this time, I promise you!"

"How many times have I heard that?" I shook my head again, doing my best to get out of bed. I looked down at my body, suddenly realizing I was naked, I could see every single bruise, every cut. I cried out in pain, almost falling to the ground as I stood up on a swollen ankle. I have to leave him, I have to go somewhere where I can be safe. I have to stop pretending like everything is okay when it's not.

"Where are you going?" He quickly got up, walking over to me as I just stood there, taking every ounce of strength to just stand still.

"Work." I muttered, knowing I shouldn't turn up looking like this, Will wouldn't live to see tomorrow if Morgan or Hotch had anything to do with it.

"No, you can't do that. You know the rules, we can't let them see you like this."

"I don't care any more, you took it too far this time." I carried on walking, grabbing what clothes I could, finally sitting down in the living room to get dressed.

"I have to go baby, I have an interview today. I will drop Henry off at nursery as well. Will you be here when I get back? I will phone in work for you and tell them you're sick if you want?" I nodded slowly, wincing as the pain rushed through my body,

"Thank you." I whispered, noticing his grin as he rushed over to the phone, he could be so stupid sometimes. I shook my head, walking over to the bathroom, looking in the mirror at my new injuries. My face was barely recognisable, he had never gone for my face much before, always wanting to cover everything up.

I touched my face lightly, staring at the two black eyes, the massive cut on my forehead, dried blood surrounding it. My nose was still dripping tiny droplets of blood, and there was a cut and bruise on my cheek – probably from his wedding ring.

My lips were swollen and there were dark bruises from fingers on my neck. I winced when I touched them, more tears falling down my face.

"I am sorry you know?" I nodded, trying my best to smile at him. I tried to hide my shaking hands as he wrapped his arms around me, kissing my cheek as gently as he could before walking out of the bathroom.

I looked back into the mirror, sobbing this time, I can't do this any more. I can't live like this. One more beating like this... I don't think I could make it through. At least four ribs are broken or cracked, tears fall heavily down my face as I stare at my stomach and legs, large gashes from a kitchen knife cover my entire stomach area and some of my legs. I lift up my left arm, noticing the swelling, sighing as I realize my wrist is broken again.

There are too many cuts to count... to many bruises to think about... too many scars to heal.

I slowly walk over to the phone, biting my lip as I try to think about who to call.

Emily

She wouldn't be at the office yet, she was always late.

"Emily.." I whisper into the phone as I hear her answer,

"JJ? JJ what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I am so sorry." I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand, wondering what to say next.

"I need help, Will is going to kill me for telling you. Please help me."

"Why will he kill you?" I can hear the fear in her voice, the sound of her grabbing her car keys, and then the front door slamming.

"I am not allowed to tell anyone, nobody is supposed to find out. I can't do it any more Em, can you come and get me?"
"I am on my way already, just stay put and unlock the door for me okay?"

"Okay." I whisper, hanging up as I walk over to the door and open it a little bit, Emily only lives a five minute drive away, she should be here soon.

~ .. ~

"Oh God, JJ what happened?" Emily ran in, kneeling by my side as I looked up at her, tears falling down my face.

"He hits me..." I finally tell her, just wanting someone to know, someone to help me.

"For how long?" She brushes a hair gently out of my face, doing her best to smile at me,

"Four years." She breathes in quickly, I can see her blaming herself but I don't say anything, it's not their fault, I am good at hiding secrets.

"You're getting out of here now, you can stay with me in my guest bedroom with Henry okay?" I nod, too weak to do anything else.

~ .. ~

I smile at my friend as we pack all my stuff in a large suitcase, moving onto Henry's room. I should have known she would help me, I shouldn't have been so scared.

And then it's as though everything stops, my heart beat gets faster and faster as I hear him call my name. I look at Emily, my whole body shaking as tears run down my face.

I have been caught.

I put my finger to my lips, walking out of the bedroom,

"What are you doing home?"

"Can't a husband bring his wife something to eat?" I shrug lightly, doing my best to get rid of him soon.

"Are you okay?"

"What do you think?" I spit at him, glaring as he hands me a coffee, smiling at me as though nothing ever happened, he is the perfect husband just like in my dreams.

I wish

"You should go to work, you're late."
"Trying to get rid of me? Give me a minute, I just have to grab my keys." I nod, not noticing him walking towards the bedroom.

"Will! Don't!"

"What's going on?" I bite my lip, knowing what is going to come next.

"No! You can't leave me please!"

"I have too, just until you get some help." I walk into the bedroom, standing next to Emily,

"I won't let you leave."

"I don't think you have a choice." I look at Emily as she stands in front of me, her voice stern. I sigh, looking down at the floor, never seeing the kick coming.

The next thing I know I am laying on the ground, trying to ignore the pain as I hear the sound of another rib breaking.

And then I hear Emily shout.

Please don't hurt her, I didn't mean to get her involved. I didn't mean to.

And then my world went black once more.

Just like it had a hundred times before.

& I was left in peace to live in my fairytale world.