AN: So it's the next chapter! Special thanks to hazy sea for your review :) Hope everyone enjoys and thanks for the favourites and alerts! Please don't forget to review, I need to know that the story is making sense because I'm pretty much letting my hands type and not really focussing on technicalities, I'm letting the creativity take place over everything school teaches you! :P Enjoy!

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Joey smiled warmly as she stroked the ever-growing bump that was her stomach. In just a few months, she would meet her baby, marry Mike and they would be a family. She didn't care that she was only seventeen; after all, she had a good head one her shoulders and the man of her dreams by her side. Well, almost always the man of her dreams, but not that night.

The front door slammed open and Mike came stumbling into the room, reeking of beer. He tripped to the side, bumping into the door frame and flung his arm out.

"Hey babies, you miss me?" he slurred.

Joey frowned and stepped up to him, letting him pull her into a clumsy hug. He sloppily kissed the top of her head and let her go to stagger to the kitchen.

"Your dad got beer?" he questioned.

"Haven't you had enough?" Joey asked him jokingly.

As if a switch went off, he spun round and pushed her up against the wall. Joey let out a yelp and looked at him with fearful eyes.

"Do not talk back to me." He spat.

The smell of his breath combined with the fear of the situation made her sensitive stomach lurch and before she knew it, she bent over and released the contents of her stomach onto the floor. Unfortunately, she also hit Mike's shoes and she wasn't expecting the reaction she received.

"Bitch!"

Something collided with her head and she fell forwards, landing in the contents on the floor. She quickly scrambled up again and looked at her usually gentle and calm boyfriend.

"I'm sorry!" she yelled as he stepped towards her.

Her yell temporarily made him pause, but then his eyes narrowed and she took a step back, her foot colliding with the bottom stair. Not even thinking, she turned and flew up the stairs, her brain telling her to get to the one room with a lock; the bathroom. She had her foot on the top step when a hand grabbed her arm and once again she was slammed up against the wall. She let out a pained scream as her head banged against the brick and black spots exploded in her vision. She pushed against him, but it only fuelled his anger. With a roar, he pushed her and before she knew it, she was falling backwards, her vision becoming blurry as she descended further and further...

Joey woke with a scream, her hand automatically curling round her stomach, cradling the child she knew wasn't there. Her breath came out in short, shallow gasps and it took her a few seconds to register that the noise she could hear was actually her own voice. Less than five seconds later, heavy footsteps thudded down the hallway and her door was slammed open, causing her to flinch, even though she knew it was her uncle. She blinked as the light came on and saw him standing there, his gun drawn. She sighed.

"Sorry Uncle Aaron. Bad dream."

Aaron lowered his gun and gave her a small frown.

"That was more than just a bad dream Joey. You were screaming in terror."

Joey shrugged before slumping back, resting her back up against the wall.

"I'm sorry. It was just a really bad dream."

Aaron sighed and sat down on the bed next to her, placing a hand on her knee before squeezing it and giving her a warm smile.

"Okay honey, just next time try not to give me a heart attack, okay?"

Joey smirked and gave a soft snort.

"Sure thing. Sorry again."

Aaron gave her one more smile before leaving. Joey glanced at the clock and after seeing that it was almost 6am, decided to get up anyway and cook breakfast for her family. As she prepared the food, there was a tap on the window behind her, causing her to drop the bowl she was holding, sending it crashing on to the floor. She cursed as she glared at Derek's smiling face then grimaced as once again, Aaron came running into the room. He too saw Derek and frowned.

"Morgan. What are you doing?"

The smile dropped off Morgan's face and his expression sobered.

"Sorry Hotch, but we got a call. I was on my way in to work when JJ called so I thought I'd swing by and tell you we have a new job. La Plata county Colorado."

Hotch sighed.

"Okay, I'll be five minutes."

Morgan nodded and after smiling to Joey, walked back down the drive and into his car. Aaron quickly told Hayley that he was leaving and gave Jack a warm hug before kissing the top of Joey's head as he walked towards the door and left.

Hayley came into the room a few minutes later, the usual signs of tension on her face that told Joey that she was beginning to dislike Aaron being away so much more and more. She gave her aunt the best smile she could, but Hayley found herself unable to smile back. Joey's face dropped and she instead turned her attention to her cousin.

"Hey buddy, wanna go play?"

"Yeah!" the almost four year-old cheered.

Hayley gave her niece a grateful look and Joey ushered Jack out into the garden to give his mommy some time to herself. Three hours later as she carried an almost sleeping Jack into the house, she wasn't sure who was more exhausted; herself or him. Hayley smiled at them.

"I take it you had fun?" she asked.

Joey nodded.

"Yeah. How are you feeling?"

"Better now. I just hate that he's away so much. When Jack was younger I didn't really mind but now he's at the age where he is learning new things, developing a memory and starting pre-school, it just feels that both Jack and Aaron are missing out on each other more and more."

Joey nodded, understanding her feelings completely.

"I know what you mean. Before mom died, I never really knew my dad. He was always off working or on course after course. Even when mom died, he didn't take the time to care for me and I spent more time here or with grandma and grandpa Hotchner. When they moved to Canada last year, I had to move with dad but hated it; I didn't know who he was. That's why I asked you guys if I could move here with you for med school."

Hayley gave her niece a sympathetic look, knowing how tough she'd had it. She may not have seen much in the way of evil over her life, but as far as Hayley was concerned, not knowing the love and care of a parent was just as scarring. Joey shifted her arms, holding Jack in a more comfortable position and grinned as the toddler's head flopped onto her shoulder, finally asleep.

"I'm going to put him to bed then I have a couple of assignments I need to work on."

Hayley nodded, turning her attention back to the show she was watching. Joey put Jack to bed and slipped into her room to work on one of her many assignments. As if hearing her silent curses, her phone began to buzz. Without looking at the caller, she flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Joey?"

Joey blinked in surprise. It was Claire, an old accquaintace from Dallas.

"Claire? Why are you calling me?"

"Look, I'm not calling for a friendly chat. I just wanted to give you a warning. Mike's out of prison."

Joey gasped.

"What!"

" I just though you needed to know he's been released and seems pretty hell bent on being with you again."

Joey could hear the bitterness in the other girls voice and frowned.

"You still think I stole him from you don't you? Trust me, if you wanted to be the one who was almost killed and lost their baby, then that's fine. Have a good life."

She hung up before Claire could say another word and slammed her fist on the desk. Her bedroom door creaked open and Hayley's head appeared.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, just an old friend from back home."

Hayley came into the room and sat on the bed.

"That didn't sound very friendly."

Joey sighed and smiled, knowing nothing slipped past her aunt.

"Okay, we used to be friends. You remember Mike, right?"

Hayley pursed her lips. Of course she remembered the scumbag. She remembered flying out to Dallas with Aaron the night they received the call telling them their niece was in hospital, dying and the baby she was carrying was dead. She remembered the day of the trial, when it took both Aaron and Joey to hold her back when she tried launching herself at the teen.

"Yeah, I remember." She spat.

Joey raised an amused eyebrow. She loved how protective her aunt was. Despite the worry of knowing her ex was out of prison and was trying to find her, she still couldn't help but smile.

"Well, Claire had broken up with him a month before. When mike and I started to date, I didn't know that she was trying to get him back and let's just say we went from being best friends to enemies."

She saw Hayley nod and continued, deciding to tell a lie rather than worry her family unnecessarily.

"She was only calling now to brag that she was back with him and that I lost out. I just told her good luck and hoped he wouldn't try to kill her like he did to me and my baby."

She let out a soft sigh and glanced at Hayley, who was still tight lipped.

"Hayley?"

Hayley looked up and smiled.

"Sorry. Old feelings about him sprung up. We're heading into town to change the number on your phone. If she can call you, so can he."

Joey shook her head.

"I have a better idea. I'll ring Garcia and ask her to do it. I can also ask her to put a trace so that if Mike or any of his family try to call using the numbers they used to have then I will know and can contact the police."

"Good idea. Okay then, I'll leave you to get back to your work. Dinner is in an hour, okay?"

"Okay."

As Hayley left, Joey picked up the phone to call Garcia, but getting only voicemail. She left a message explaining her request before continuing her work.

It was almost three days later when she got a call from Garcia. She was lying in the garden, watching Jack run around with a football when her phone buzzed.

"Hey Penelope, thanks for getting back to me."

"Hey honey bunny. Look, this is only a very quick call to say I will sort out your phone as soon as this case is wrapped up. Things are a little hairy out there."

"What's happened? Is everyone alright?"

"Well, Emily and Reid went undercover but they found out Emily is FBI and now they're being held hostage. We think there's a planned mass suicide or something too."

Joey sat up and gripped the phone tighter.

"Penny, how long would it take to fly to Colorado?"

"About 5 hours. You shouldn't go."

"I know but maybe I can help in some way. I have enough medical knowledge to help out in some way."

"Okay, I'll let the others know you're coming."

"Thanks Penny."

"Garcia out."

Joey wasted no time in telling Hayley where she was going and before she knew it she was borrowing her aunt's car and heading to the airport as fast as she dared. When she reached the airport, a receptionist was waiting for her at the desk.

"Miss Hotchner?"

"Yes?"

"An agent by the name of Aaron Hotchner called us and we've been told to escort you to one of the FBI jets."

Joey followed silently as she was led towards one of the jets she'd only heard about from the others. As the plane took off, she noticed a letter on one of the seats with her name on it.

Joey,

I know you want to help, so on this one and only occasion, you have been granted clearance by Strauss to offer medical assistance. As you are a temporary agent, this means we can use one of the FBI jets to get you here quickly. I will meet you at the airport and we will be discussing this further.

Aaron.

Joey gulped as she read the last sentence and put the letter down on the table before sighing as she stared out of the window, her mind relaying all the medical knowledge she had. When they landed, she saw Aaron waiting for her, standing next to one of the FBI vehicles. She joined him and quickly climbed in the car. Aaron wasted no time before questioning her.

"Why are you here Joey?" he asked.

"I couldn't just sit at home knowing people could be seriously hurt out here."

Aaron sighed and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

"There are plenty of medical staff in Colorado already. Plus, you're not yet a qualified doctor."

"I know that...I just...oh to hell with it! You guys are the only family I have, and to know that you're all out here in possible danger while I sit at home is terrifying me! When I heard, I couldn't sit back, I had to be here. I know I've probably disappointed you but I'm sorry, I just had to!"

Aaron simply pulled the car over and stopped at the side of the road. He turned to face Joey and saw she was looking at the ground.

"Joey, look at me."

She looked up and was surprised to see no anger there, only understanding.

"I'm not disappointed. If anything I'm proud of your courage and devotion. You should think about joining the team. It wouldn't take you long to learn what you need to know and we could always use an official medic on the team for some cases. I'll speak to Strauss about the possibility when we get home, if you like?"

Joey nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'd like that."

Aaron smiled and they resumed their journey back to the team. It was dusk when they arrived and it was chaos. Women and children were being ushered out of a building and gunshots could be heard in the distance. Joey found herself being pushed to the ground by Aaron, just as a bullet struck the car where her chest had been seconds earlier. She stared in horror as she watched people fall to the ground, and ignoring her uncle, she darted out to them, grasping a child and dragging him out of the way.

She looked down and saw a bullet wound in his stomach. She shrugged off her jacket and pressed down on the wound to stem the blood flow. As she pressed, she suddenly realised the child wasn't breathing. Wanting to cry and vomit, she pulled away from him, her eyes wide in horror. A pained cry from behind her brought her to her senses and she turned to face a woman with blood pouring down her face. She noticed a gash on the woman's head and ordered her to sit down before using the same jacket from the boy to press against the wound.

All of a sudden, there was a loud explosion and Joey found herself knocked to the ground from the force of it. With terrified eyes, she looked at the flames consuming the building and screamed.

"Emily! Spencer!"

A pair of arms came round her and she began to kick out as she screamed and sobbed.

"It's okay! Joey, it's okay, they're okay!" a voice yelled.

She realised the person holding her was Morgan and when the words he spoke sank in, she instantly calmed.

"Where are they?" she asked.

Morgan indicated over to where an injured Prentiss was standing and Joey rushed over, throwing her arms round the older woman.

"Joey? What're you doing here?" Prentiss asked.

"Long story." Joey mumbled.

As Prentiss was taken to hospital, Joey saw Spencer standing away from the crowd, staring up at the building. She called out his name and before he had time to properly face her, she jumped on him and wrapped her arms round him, not hiding the fact that she was crying with relief. Spencer automatically put his arms round her and hugged her back, deciding not to ask how she was there and instead, choosing to just go with it.

"Are you okay?" he asked her when he noticed she was crying.

Joey laughed and wiped her face.

"You've been held hostage for two days and are clutching your stomach and you're asking if I'm okay?"

Spencer simply chuckled and hugged her once more, suddenly feeling more at ease with the events that had just occurred.