The marker Reid was using slipped through his fingers, clattering unnaturally loud on the tile floor.

"Did you hear me? Hotch, the target is JJ," Rossi repeated into his phone after several minutes of silence on the other end of the line, a new sense of desperation in his voice.

Hotch took a steading breath. "Yeah, Rossi, I heard you," he said, his mind already going into overdrive. One thing was for sure, JJ had to be protected at all costs, and if he had learned anything from Elle and Garcia's shootings it was that someone the team trusted needed to stay with JJ at all times. "Have Prentiss bring her back to Quantico. We'll need to ask her a few questions. And Rossi? We will catch this man," he said, emphasizing the last few words before hanging up the phone and turning around to help the young genius.

Several miles away, Rossi mimicked Hotch's gesture, turning to see Prentiss rubbing JJ's back soothingly as the blonde braced herself against a tree before once again losing the contents of her stomach. He knew the agents were good friends, and he was pretty sure that they both had more romantic feelings for each other as well. The look in Emily's eyes helped confirm his suspicions as they briefly flashed through concern, anger and longing before settling on a fierce determination. Rossi knew that Emily Prentiss was going to be one tough agent to argue with on this case.

He swiftly approached the two, logging his observations, before whispering Hotch's instructions into Emily's ear. JJ might be the target of this case, but like hell was the blonde agent going to let the team treat her like a victim. Emily nodded at Rossi, confirming that she understood the unit chief's instructions and started gently tugging JJ into a more upright position. "Come on Jayje, let's get you back to Quantico so you can change," she cooed softly into the younger agent's ear, letting her voice carry all of the concern and sympathy she had for the blonde.

JJ just nodded, too weak to argue, especially since she knew the point was moot. Emily walked JJ back up to the SUV's and opened the passenger door for JJ, who climbed inside and snapped on her seat belt. Emily could tell that the action was more a force of habit than JJ actually thinking about it, and she was a little worried. JJ leaned her head back against the head rest and turned to give Emily a look of thanks. The blonde's eyes were clouded over like she was putting up walls, which in any other circumstance wouldn't be a problem, but she knew all too well that it was hard to escape a fantasy world, even if that world was created to protect you.

Prentiss got in and drove out of the small parking lot before looking at the blonde. "Are you okay?"

The question was simple enough, but JJ knew that Emily wasn't just asking about how her stomach felt. JJ looked out the window, debating with herself. There was so much going on right now, maybe if she just told Emily, it might help. And Emily had a right to know, right? Especially since she was part of the reason it happened.

"Will and I broke up," she whispered finally. "I'm actually more happy about it than I thought I would be, but I've been at custody hearings the last few days." She took a deep breath. The next part was the hardest. "Will won custody of Henry because of my work schedule, though I get to see him whenever I'm home." Tears welled in JJ's eyes once more, Will could have demanded so much and the courts would have given it to him. The only reason she could see her son at all was through the goodness of his southern heart.

"Oh, Jayje, I am so sorry," Emily said, putting her hand on JJ's thigh. She knew that Emily was being sincere about her loosing custody of Henry, but she could have sworn that the brunette's eyes lit up at the mention of her and Will splitting up.

She sighed, the explanation falling out of her mouth. "We thought that if I transferred to the Pentagon it might help us stop fighting so much, but it didn't. If anything, we started fighting more. I missed my job, I missed the BAU and I missed my family." A fierce look settled on JJ's face, as though she'd had this same argument over and over. Emily tried not to think too much about it; about just how many times the blonde agent had said those exact same words. "I started taking the profiling classes, and Will realized that I would eventually go back. I hated it the Pentagon, and then everything happened with Doyle. I think he partially blames you for me going back. No, I know he does. It's just been downhill ever since."

Emily bit her lip. She hated the idea of causing JJ any kind of pain, even if it wasn't entirely her fault. "Jennifer, I am so sorry. I never meant too – I'm so sorry."

JJ nodded, blinking back tears. It was more than just Doyle when it came to Emily, but she didn't dare tell the older agent that, more out of fear of rejection than anything else. She had once made the mistake of telling Will that she was attracted to women and ever since then, he had been extremely jealous of the way the two agents interacted. The worst part was that his jealousy wasn't entirely off-base. She did like Emily, and she was fairly certain that Emily returned the sentiments, but nothing would ever come of it.

"It was more than that, you weren't the only reason I came back, Emily," JJ said, trying to alleviate some of the tension. "I didn't want to leave the BAU in the first place. I would've found a way back no matter what. Saving you was the perfect opportunity for me to come back. Besides, there was this creep that was practically—" JJ stopped, suddenly sitting up straight in her chair. "I have to call Will."

She pulled out her phone and pressed the speed dial button that her ex-partner still claimed. She waited till a southern drawl answered. "Will, listen to me. Do you remember that creep who kept sending me stuff? I think he's been killing women and I might be next. Look, I just need you to take Henry to my parents' house or wherever. I know you don't have to be moved out until next week, but I just want to make sure my baby is safe," she said in one breath, her words rushing together and turning into strangled sobs.

"I'll make sure he's safe," Will stated, matter-o-factly, "but I want you to be safe too. I'll get him to your parents, but I'm staying here."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. You and I might not have worked out but you're still Henry's mom, and he deserves to have you, which means I'll keep you safe, if just for him."

JJ sobbed again before whispering her thanks into the phone as they pulled into Quantico. The time it took Emily to find a parking space and the duo to make it upstairs was all JJ needed to compose herself, letting a face she regularly used with the media to hide her feelings. She briefly thought about the consequences of not letting her feelings show now, but she felt that she had no other option at the moment.

Hotch saw Emily and JJ walk in. "Jayje," he said quietly before the blonde cut him off by raising her hand. She didn't want his sympathy right now, it would only make her break down, and she needed to tell him what she knew.

"When I went to work for the Pentagon, I started receiving weird mail. First at work, through the office mail, but later I started getting them at home. Chocolates, flowers, balloons, you name it. Will got so mad, he thought I was seeing someone else. By the time I finally convinced him otherwise, I was thoroughly freaked out. Anyway, everything stopped when I came back here. I thought it was over, but now I'm not so sure."

"Did you ever figure out who it was?" Reid asked quietly, obviously still shaken by the fact that the mother of his godson was being threatened.

JJ shook her head. "No, I had a couple of suspicions. The mail-boy for one, but we never really found out for sure. They were rarely signed, and when they were it was only an initial."

Hotch nodded. "Thanks JJ that helps a lot. In the meantime, I'll have Prentiss take you home so you can wash up."

JJ nodded. "Uh, Hotch," she said, apprehensively, "Will said he'd stay with me, so the team can keep working." She looked to the floor, feeling somewhat like a child either in need of protecting or about to get yelled at, she wasn't sure which. Some part of her hoped that her Unit Chief would refuse. She knew going home to Will would be awkward, especially after she had spent a good portion of the day with Emily. Now that Will was gone, she knew her feelings for the profiler begin to resurface.

Hotch surveyed the young profiler and sighed. He knew the strain he would be putting on both his agent and the southern detective if he asked them to do this, but if he had the opportunity to keep Emily in the field, he knew he had to take it. "Alright," he consented. "I'll also have a patrol car stationed outside." The blonde nodded and turned to walk out, Emily following behind.

Again, both women were deep in thought for a majority of the car ride. JJ kept replaying the events of her time at the Pentagon in her head. How many gifts had she received? Was it three or four? No, she couldn't forget those long stemmed roses, and those were only the ones that arrived at home. JJ's brow furrowed, there were way too many gifts to remember them all. She should have written down the gifts, kept a record of the letters or just… something.

On the other side of the car, Emily couldn't believe how afraid she'd been when they'd realized JJ was the target. She kept thinking about it; the gut-wrenching terror that she had experienced in that moment was worse than everything with Doyle combined. She knew that she'd had feelings for JJ for a while, but the blonde clearly didn't reciprocate those feelings most of the time. Still, Emily couldn't help but think of the times when she had shown a bit of interest. JJ had looked so relieved when she woke up after surgery.

Looking back, Emily could see a clear difference in JJ's behavior from before and after Doyle attacked her. Maybe there was something there. She looked over at the blonde, who surprised her by speaking up. "Take a left at the next light."

Emily nodded, thinking about how she wanted to phrase what she was going to say. "JJ," she began softly, deciding to wing it. "I really need to talk to you about something, but I'm not sure how you're going to react."

JJ nodded her head, her blue eyes lighting up. "Go on."

Emily bit her lip. "I… well, I like someone, but I'm not sure if they like me, or even if… I don't know, never mind," Emily said, bailing. She couldn't connect the words in the right order. Emily didn't know how to just look over and tell the beautiful blonde that she loved her.

JJ sat in her seat, getting more frustrated with each passing minute. She had gotten excited when Emily had started to talk. She knew what the older agent was trying to say, and she wanted to share her feelings too. She shook her head slowly, getting more and more frustrated with each passing moment. "No," she said finally, making up her mind as they pulled into the driveway, "Emily, I need to tell you something."

JJ didn't see Will coming to her window, as focused as she was on the other woman. He tapped on the glass, making her jump. JJ held up her finger to Will before turning back to Emily. "We're not done here, but I guess it will have to wait until we're alone again."

Emily nodded, her eyes confused, yet hopeful. She nodded apprehensively, "Okay."

Both agents got out of the car, and after making sure JJ was safe, and Will knew the plan, Emily headed back to the car. She reflected over the conversation on her way back, but pushed it aside when she walked through the doors to the BAU, knowing all of her brain power needed to be focused on finding this creep and keeping JJ safe.

When she arrived Hotch was arguing on the phone about personnel record, Reid was staring at a map of DC, and Rossi and Morgan were still off at the crime scene. Emily stopped by the break room to grab a coffee before she pulled up a chair to look over the case files of their victims, adding JJ into the mix. Hopefully, they would find this guy soon.

###

JJ and Will sat on opposite ends of the couch, an uncomfortable silence falling over the room. The TV was playing some crime show, but neither of them were really paying attention. "Where's Henry?" JJ asked, trying to break through some of the tension.

"I called Melinda, she said she'd drive him to meet up with your parents," he drawled in return.

JJ nodded. Melinda was their babysitter, and she trusted the college student enough to drive the hour or two it would take to meet up with her parents. Silence fell again. JJ didn't know how much time had passed, but she snuck a look at her watch, only to see that it was well past 7pm.

"Do you want to order pizza?" she asked. Will nodded. JJ got up and walked to the squad car outside to tell the officers what was going on. They gave her the number of a vetted pizza parlor, and JJ offered to buy them dinner. Both men perked up at the offer. JJ went back inside and ordered the pizzas.

About an hour later a 30-something, blonde hair, blue eyed delivery man with glasses and a thick moustache knocked on their door. JJ answered it and politely paid for the two hot pies before asking the man to take one to the squad car out front. A brief look of terror passed over his face, before he nodded and followed JJ's directions. She watched him as he did, wondering why he looked so familiar.

Will quickly ate three slices and sat on the couch, his eyes growing heavy. "I'm just gonna sleep here," he slurred, already half-way there.

JJ nodded, suddenly overcome with drowsiness. She managed to put the pizza away and crawl into her bed, still fully clothed, when sleep overcame her.

###

Hotch got the call around one. The second patrol shift had just arrived at JJ's house, and though he was expecting an all-clear call, he definitely didn't receive one.

"What do you mean?" he asked harshly, the rest of the team looking up from the files they had been buried in. When he stood up, as if in answer to whatever the person on the other end had said to him, the team snapped to attention and copied his actions. Anything that made Hotch show emotion was serious, and this looked seriously bad, especially if it was about JJ.

"And Will?" he said, nodding like he expected the answer, "We'll be right over." Hotch wiped his face with his hand and looked at the team, the news he had weighing heavy on his heart. "Will is dead, and JJ is missing."