It was 11 o'clock when Emily heard her cellphone ringing, stuck somewhere between the side of the couch and the floor. By the time she finally dug it out, she was breathless and didn't bother to look at the caller before answering.

"Prentiss"

All Emily could hear on the other end was silence – broken only by the occasional sniffle, as if the caller was trying to hold back tears.

"This is Agent Prentiss," Emily repeated, confused by the lack of response.

When she once again heard nothing but an increasing amount of sniffles, she took the phone away from her ear to look at the caller ID.

She felt her heart skip a beat when she saw "Jennifer Jareau" printed above the call- timer.

"JJ?" She said softly, adjusting her tone to be gentle and caring instead of professional.

"JJ?" She said again, "is that you sweet girl?"

JJ nodded her head, unable to speak through her silent tears, before realizing that this non-verbal response would play no part in affirming Emily's question.

She tried choking back the tears, and it took all of her strength to convince her brain to formulate the words that were beating in her heart. She knew as soon as she spoke the agents' name, the dam she'd been holding in for months would finally break.

"Emily," she sobbed, "Emily, can you please… can you please come here? Emily… please?"

The sobs became uncontrollable on JJ's end and unbearable on Emily's.

"I can't take it anymore, I just can't take it Emily! Please, it has to stop, please. Please make this stop!"

JJ had sunk to the floor with her head in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Emily could tell that the girl was in serious danger of hyperventilating if she continued on this way.

"I will be right there JJ honey. I will be there before you know it, okay? Just take deep breaths, okay? I will be right there."

Emily hung up the phone, grabbed her keys off the kitchen counter and raced out the front door, hardly stopping to lock up before sprinting to her car.

She didn't care that her outfit consisted of sweatpants and slippers, or that she'd been about to head to bed early for the first time in ages when JJ called.

Her only thought as she steered the car onto the main road between her condo and JJ's house was holding JJ in her arms and chasing away all of her fears. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel and her heart was hammering through her chest.

She could not believe that JJ had finally chosen to reach out, and she didn't know why, but she surely was not going to let this opportunity pass.

As she pulled into JJ's driveway, Emily threw the car into park, cut the engine, yanked the keys out, and was at the door before she had time to blink.

The sharp knock on the door startled JJ. She was still on the kitchen floor, her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped tightly around them.

She felt like her lungs were not getting nearly enough oxygen, and her mind was on the verge of losing control. She could not bring herself to call out to Emily, and standing from her spot to let the agent in seemed impossible.

Emily continued knocking on the door. She could hear JJ's sobs, the sound muffled through the thick walls.

"Jennifer, it's me, Emily. The door is locked honey. Please come let me in."

Emily listened for a response, but her ears were met only by the continued sobs of her best friend. She could tell the woman was in no condition to acknowledge her request.

"You can do it sweetheart, listen to me! Everything is going to be absolutely fine. We will get through this together. I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but you will get through this. You aren't alone. Just come let me in. Please JJ."

JJ wanted more than anything to have Emily at her side, but she could not move. She was paralyzed by fear.

Panic took over.

Her breathing began to come in small, sharp and painful breaths.

She was terrified of all the unspoken things surrounding her heart.

When Emily heard the change in JJ's breathing, she stopped talking and began looking for access into her house.

She did not want to break the door down, but knew she would if she had to.

She ignored the overwhelming fear, pushing it to the back of her mind as her training took over and she looked for a solution.

Glancing at the small slit between the door and the frame, Emily noticed the deadbolt was not locked. Breathing a hurried sigh of relief, she grabbed her credentials out of her pocket and pulled out the emergency credit card she kept in the same pouch, not caring as a million other cards went flying.

She jammed the card into the slit between the door and its frame, easily gaining access to JJ's house. She dropped the card and closed the door before heading towards the sound of JJ's panic.

Emily made her way into the kitchen, frantically trying to locate her best friend. As she navigated around the island in the center of the room, her eyes fell on the small blonde huddled on the floor with her back against the cabinets.

Emily's heart nearly broke in half at the same time that relief swept over her.

"JJ," she whispered, slowly crouching down beside the woman.

"Hey honey, it's okay… it's okay. I'm here now. Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

She reached her hand out slowly to place it on JJ's arm, but immediately felt her stiffen at the touch.

Withdrawing her hand, Emily continued in a soothing voice:

"JJ, we need to get your breathing under control, okay? I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but you are absolutely safe. No one is going to hurt you. And I am not going anywhere."

JJ still had her head buried in her arms, tears falling between each painful breath she took. She knew the words Emily spoke were true, but her mind had become hopelessly overwhelmed.

Noticing that words alone would not fix this, Emily decided on another tactic she had learned long ago:

"JJ, I need you to listen to me. Focus on my voice and only on my voice. Can you do that for me?"

This elicited a slight nod from the blonde, so Emily continued, "I am going to get behind you, okay? This is going to require being touched, but you need to remember who it is. It's me… it's your Emily. I am not going to hurt you and you know I never would."

As she spoke, Emily gently put her hand on JJ's shoulder and began moving her forward. The touch caused JJ to tense up again at first, but as Emily continued moving to get between JJ and the cabinets, she felt her friend slowly begin to relax.

Once Emily had her back pressed up against the cabinets with one leg on either side of JJ's form, she gently took hold of the woman so her back was resting on Emily's chest.

"Okay," Emily sighed with relief, "good job sweetheart. Now, I need you to do something else: I need you to listen and feel me breathe. Focus on every breath that I take. Feel my chest slowly rise as I take a breath and then fall as I let the breath back out. I need you to focus on my breathing and nothing else right now, okay? Let it fill your mind."

Emily finished her instructions before asking, "Can you do that for me?"

JJ let out a slight nod in response. She kept reminding herself that it was Emily who had a hold of her, and her body was beginning to acknowledge that this woman was safe.

Emily knew she needed to calm her own beating heart if she wanted to get JJ's rhythm under control.

She took in a deep breath before starting the exercise, praying this would work.

"Okay JJ, as you focus on my breathing, I need you to try as hard as you can to copy it. Every time you feel my chest rise, I want you to take in a deep breath too. Continue taking the breath in for as long as my chest is rising. Don't let it out until you feel my chest start to fall; don't take another breath until you feel me doing the same. Try to match my every breath, okay?"

At first, the task was easier said than done, and Emily's only sign to continue came from the fact that JJ seemed to be trying very hard. But over time JJ became comforted by Emily's rhythmic breathing, and she tried hard to follow her directions as the brunette whispered encouragements in her ear:

"There you go. Nice and slow…nice and slow."

Emily was happy to feel JJ's breathing slowly becoming more normal. She had her head rested back against Emily's shoulder, and as she continued to relax, Emily slid her hands down JJ's arms and entwined their fingers. Using her thumb, she caressed the outside of JJ's hand while continuing to whisper in her ear,

"You're doing so good Jay. You're almost there; just continue focusing on my breathing. You are so safe here. I've got you. I've got you…"

A calming peace was beginning to wash over JJ as she allowed Emily to comfort her. She recognized how severely her body had missed the physical touch of someone she loved. As her muscles let out the last of the tension they held, JJ leaned completely into Emily and prayed that she would continue speaking her soft, reassuring words into her ear.

Emily noticed that JJ's breathing was nearly normal now, but continued whispering her reassurances long after the blonde was back under control. The kitchen was silent except for the slight whir of the refrigerator, Emily's whispers, and the occasional intake of breath as JJ's tears slowly subsided.

The warmth that radiated from Emily's body seemed to attach itself to JJ, and she suddenly felt so tired that she could hardly manage to keep her mind focused on anything other than keeping her eyes open.

JJ's eyelids were beginning to droop when Emily noticed that she was falling asleep on her. The sight filled Emily with a deep sense of love and protection, but she knew she couldn't let JJ fall asleep on the hard kitchen floor.

Emily spoke softly so as not to startle the small woman in her arms, "You did great JJ. You did so great." As JJ opened her eyes wider, trying to focus on Emily's words, she noticed the brunette was speaking to her with a sense of pride for overcoming the panic.

"I'm so impressed with you JJ. Everything is going to be fine now. You made it through. You are so strong, and you are going to be just fine. I promise." JJ found that she was beginning to believe the words Emily spoke. She no longer felt hopelessly overwhelmed and alone.

"I'm going to get you some water, okay?" Emily said. "Then we will go somewhere more comfortable so you can rest."

JJ desperately wanted Emily to continue holding her, and as the brunette slowly started to rise, JJ's heart-rate spiked. She squeezed the Brunette's slender hands and mumbled, "Just a little longer. Please?"

The pleading in JJ's tone was enough to make Emily do absolutely anything for the blonde, and her resolve was quickly broken.

JJ felt Emily settle back down against the cabinets, and as she did, she removed her hands from JJ's grasp and wrapped them around her stomach instead. JJ settled back down into Emily's embrace.

"Of course," Emily answered softly, "As long as you need."

JJ's voice came out low and hoarse, "Thanks, Em."

They stayed like that for a long time – Emily holding JJ close and JJ taking in every second of Emily's comforting embrace.

When Emily eventually noticed that JJ's head was beginning to lull, she removed her arms from around her stomach and placed her hand gently on JJ's forearm instead.

"You can't fall asleep here sweetheart. It isn't comfortable. And your body needs some water before we get you to bed."

JJ let out a reluctant sigh, not wanting the moment to end. She swore Emily had a healing power that she was using on JJ every time they touched.

"Why?" JJ whined, and despite the situation, Emily could hear the humor in her tone.

The brunette smiled as she awkwardly climbed to her feet and stepped out from behind JJ. She leaned down, offering her hand to help JJ up. Once the woman stood solid on her feet, Emily grabbed her to pull her into a deep and unexpected hug.

JJ could feel the built-up worry in Emily's bones as she clung to her friend.

After releasing her grip, Emily looked JJ over and softly ran her thumb across the bags under JJ's eyes. She then turned away towards the fridge, trying to hide the tears that quickly formed upon viewing JJ's exhausted face.

As she watched Emily ruffle through the fridge, pretending like she didn't know where the water was in order to buy some time, JJ wiped the remaining tears from her face and cleared her throat.

"Em?" She asked hesitantly.

Emily continued pretending to search the fridge for water.

"Emily? Can you stop for a second please?"

Emily reluctantly stopped her false search, grabbed the handle of the water pitcher and pulled it out, placing it down on the island. She then turned and looked into JJ's eyes, revealing the small string of tears that had begun to fall from her brown eyes.

JJ took in Emily's appearance for the first time since she had arrived. She wore an old t-shirt, baggy sweatpants and slippers. Her hair was still damp from the rain falling outside.

JJ was struck by the fact that Emily had literally dropped everything she was doing when JJ called and got to her house in record time. She could not begin to fathom the love this woman must have for her.

The look in Emily's deep brown eyes as they bore into JJ's filled her with an overwhelming sense of warmth and comfort. It was unlike anything she had experienced before, and before she knew it she was reaching her hand out towards Emily's delicate face, using her thumb to gently push the tears away.

"I am so sorry Emily." JJ whispered. "I didn't mean to scare you. I shouldn't have called like that…" she let her hand drop with shame and looked towards the floor, slowly retreating back into her shell.

But this time Emily wasn't letting her go.

She grabbed JJ's shoulders to keep her from retreating and began speaking with a passion that had the blonde hanging on her every word.

"JJ, the fact that you chose to call me tonight set me free from a personal hell I have been experiencing for months now. You misunderstand these tears. Of course I am worried about you…I love you JJ. Deeply. But these tears are also tears of joy, because you have finally realized the fact that you need help."

Emily paused to take a deep and steadying breath.

"Don't you dare turn back now. I know this is hard. Actually, I can't even imagine how hard it must be. But JJ, you are my very best friend in this world. I cannot stand seeing you bottle this up any longer. So don't you dare go back to that dark place all alone."

Emily's voice began to shake as she finished, "If you have to go back there, you are taking me with you this time. Do you understand?"

The emotion and sincerity in Emily's voice chased away JJ's uncertainties and ripped straight through her already crumbling walls. The blonde surprised herself again as she leaned forward to fall into Emily's arms with no hesitation.

"What did I ever do to deserve a friend like you?" she whispered in the brunette's ear.

Emily squeezed JJ tighter, unable to answer the question through her tears.

There was no need to answer; JJ could feel the love Emily had for her more than she felt anything else in that moment.

When JJ finally released her hold on her best friend, the brunette slowly stepped back and let out a shy laugh while clearing her face off with her hands. She then turned to the cabinet with the glasses, choosing the largest she could find, filled it to the brim with water, and handed it to JJ with slightly shaking hands.

"You need to drink that whole thing, but not too quickly. Just take small sips."

JJ did as she was told; noticing a small change in her body as the water slowly replaced her escaped tears.

"There is no way your body can be under stress like that and not result in a killer headache. Where do you keep the ibuprofen?" Emily asked.

JJ gestured towards the guest bathroom while she continued to drink, and Emily left the room before the blonde had time to tell her exactly where the medication was. She returned a second later with three pills in her hand. Tipping the pills into JJ's hand, she gave her a look that clearly meant, "Swallow those. Now."

JJ followed directions once more, allowing the pills to slide down her throat. When she placed her glass back down on the island, Emily topped it off before returning the water to the fridge.

She then turned and looked into JJ's blue eyes once more.

"I'm taking you to bed now. No arguing. I am also going to stay on your couch all night long. I will be here if you need anything at all." Her tone was one of finality – not compromise, and JJ didn't dare argue.

Emily extended her hand, allowing JJ to reach out and accept the invitation. "Oh and JJ?" she said, "You sure as hell had better get me if you need me. You aren't alone anymore."

Once she held JJ's hand securely in her own, Emily grabbed the blonde's water from the counter and led the way to the master bedroom.