Disclaimer: Criminal Minds belongs to CBS and I am only playing in their universe. This story has a femslash theme. If this is not your thing, please find another story to read.
Author's Note: Thank you readers and reviewers! I appreciate you taking the time to check in on the story.
The truck reached its destination about midday judging by the position of the sun, and the pain its brightness burned into JJ's eyes as they pulled her from the trailer. They had arrived at the airport the men were talking about after the phone call. It was a single runway facility with no tower. The air strip was something that was probably maintained by this crime ring. JJ did her best to look for anything that might allow her to find it again if need be.
She was having problems controlling her actions. Her normal clear reasoning skills were clouded. Fear had got the best of her several times, and she had to fight not to lose control. Standing in the heat, she watched as the truck pulled away still carrying the sad cargo. JJ knew that those men could not survive those conditions much longer and reeled that she could do nothing to help them. Even worse, she could do nothing to help herself. That point was driven home when one of the men grabbed her and forced her to follow him into a hanger.
He handed her a bag of hotel size toiletries and clothes then said, "Clean yourself up and put this on." It was the man the others had called Teddy. JJ paused looking at him hard. He looked around and then turned back and followed his first comment with, "Look you are in danger here." he said with concern lacing his voice. "Get inside and I'll keep the others away from you, but if you give me any lip they will notice and we will have a problem." JJ nodded in understanding and took the bag out of his hand. Quickly she walked into the small bathroom. The water felt wonderful, and she did her best to rid her body of the smell of the truck. She also drank as much water as she dared. Dehydration was not a good thing in any situation. The clothes were clean at least but they were of poor quality. JJ slipped them on and felt as if she had somehow lost a layer of protection. Pulling her hair back she exited the small room to face her captors.
"Better," said Teddy giving her a kind smile. "The smell from that trailer was making me sick. I can't imagine how you felt." He walked her out of the hanger to the runway. A rickety old plane had landed and was taxiing back towards the hanger. There was only one man from the group waiting for them. For the briefest of seconds, JJ thought of making a break for it, but as they approached Teddy's associate she saw his shoulder holster. JJ knew she would not make it far in trying to escape, and just maybe that end to her situation would be better than what she was facing. JJ jerked at the thought then kicked herself mentally for such stupidity. She forced herself to pay attention. There had to be another way out of this, JJ just had to find it.
The plane stopped, and the metal steps slammed down. A small man stuck his head out. "What the hell is this all about Ted?" he shouted in a squeaky agitated voice. Handing JJ's arm to the second man from the truck Teddy stepped forward and held a quiet conversation with the pilot. There were several looks from the smaller man over Teddy's shoulder towards JJ. About five minutes into the conversation the pilot threw his hands up and began shaking his head in a decidedly negative gesture. He turned to move up the steps, but Teddy grabbed the back of his shirt and swung him around violently.
JJ watched as Teddy leaned down to get mere inches from the man's face and made two short statements. She would never know what the big man said, but the pilot blanched and winced when he heard the words. He looked one more time back at JJ and then shook his head yes. JJ was pushed forward and once again she found herself beginning a journey to a very uncertain future.
Emily was in first class, not for the comfort but for the room. She was on the phone and had pictures and documents spread in her area and the seat next to her. She had tipped the flight attendant very generously to direct everyone away from her. The women had been better than a body-guard and Emily had made some real progress. She had the bones of the plan in place now she just had to flesh it out with supplies and people.
She had been selective on who she contacted. Most of the old team members were still active, and working for various agencies around the globe. Those she did contact went over their memories of the case, each adding to the world Emily had to rebuild in a matter of hours. She was so tempted to call Penelope or Derek, but she didn't want to get any hopes up, besides this was an Interpol investigation and there were stupid rules she had to follow. "For now," she told herself. There was one person she knew she had to have on the case. She dialed, waited then hit the proper extension. 'She Blinded Me with Science' played through the speaker, "Linda, it's Em. Pick up." she said.
With a click, the song ended, and a clipped chipper voice said, "Ms. Prentiss, my darling girl, you better be calling with something interesting for me to do. If I have to oversee another round of medical training for new recruits I might do something desperate." Emily smiled at the familiar tone of Agent Linda Sato, forensics and medical specialist for Interpol.
"Crystal Op went hot about," Emily checked her watch "eight hours ago." The sound of a strong intake of breath travel through the phone to Emily's ear and she knew the doctor was up and moving. "I know what this case meant to you. I wanted to let you know that the operation has heated up. If it's not too much to ask could I …."
"Of course I'm in, Em. I would have hated you forever if you hadn't called. Headquarters owes me some field time, and I will be cashing in. I am with you on the ground where ever you need me." There was a pause and then Linda said, "Now, tell me the rest Emily, by the sound of your voice there is more to the story and I need the particulars, my dear girl, tell me everything." Emily sighed and proceeded to tell the good doctor what she wanted to know. How the phone call came in out of the blue, the picture of JJ she had received, and how Emily knew and felt about her.
"Well," said Linda with a snarl. "Fate is a bastard." Emily smiled and imagined the look on her friends face. "We need to get your girl back to you as soon as possible. I am packing as we speak."
"Don't call her my girl, Linda." said an embarrassed Emily. "She doesn't even have an idea of my feelings for her. We are just friends , and that is all it will ever be. She was married and has a child."
"I will toss you off that bridge when we come to it, but for now are we invading San Rains or somewhere else?" asked Linda
"Beautiful downtown San Rains," Emily replied tone dripping sarcasm. "The ranch is ours again. It is being supplied and personnel are moving in as we speak. Luckily, Ramon is still there and as willing to play as always. Once JJ is secure we will move on. Can you refresh me on what to expect? I have been away from the trafficking world for a while, but I know you have kept current." Emily settled in for what she knew would be a more than thorough forensics report. There was nothing truly new but Emily was unsettled by the increased drugging of captives.
The use of opium, ketamine, ecstasy and who knew what else to sedate and lower resistance of the captured woman sickened Emily. They were even soaking clothes in these toxic solutions to administer the drugs slowly through skin contact over time. She hung up with Linda after receiving a list of supply she must have on hand to help with any medical issues that might arise. Emily caught the eye of her body-guard slash flight attendant and had her coffee refilled then grabbed a meal. Quickly it was back to phone calls because Emily found it unbearable to sit and do nothing while JJ was in danger.
JJ had entered the plane and was placed in a side fold down seat then strapped in for the trip. Being out of the truck had done wonders for her mood. She was strangely up beat. JJ was done with being afraid and had moved on to being exceptionally pissed off. Teddy and the other man from the truck had joined her for the plane ride. From what she could figure out, the plane ride was part of a debt repayment and not something the pilot was pleased to take part in. Teddy had taken a seat beside her and made sure the others stayed will away.
After enduring a terrifying take-off and the wobbly leveling off of the ancient aircraft, JJ felt nauseous. She had begun to sweat. Looking for something else to focus on than her personal discomfort, she eyed the man sitting next to her. "What is it with you and all of this?" JJ asked. "You just don't seem the type." She looked at the big man. He was older than her, but something had aged him beyond his years.
He leaned back and did a minor stretch to cover his look around the plane. Clearing his throat he said quietly, "I'm not one of them. I am a father in way over his head." He looked at her shocked expression. "These people took my daughter three years ago." He turned away and didn't continue.
"What…"JJ started to ask. She felt out of sorts, but this man's story was touching her. It was like she had some connection with him, but she had never met the man. There was something seriously wrong, and in the back of JJ mind warning bells were sounding. She just was unable to figure out what was triggering them.
"This woman my boss made the deal with, this Crystal woman. "She…" he hunted for the words. "She bought my daughter and sold her off to the highest bidder just like she is going to do to you. My sixteen year old was put through countless tortures and then killed." He ground out between clinched teeth. "I have tried to find this woman and avenge my daughter. This is this first chance that has come along. You are my only hope. Please help me."
Teddy watched as the drugs were taking effect on the beautiful blonde. "We should have thought of this years ago." he said to himself. JJ skin was crawling, and she unconsciously was adjusting her shirt to relieve the itch. Even with that discomfort she found herself entranced by this poor man's story, totally oblivious that the drugs in her clothing were slowly attacking her ability to reason.
"How can I help?" she asked.
He smiled, "You're a federal agent right. I know you can handle a weapon." He looked at her and then flashed the gun at his side. "When we get to our destination, I'm going to give you this gun, and you are going to shoot Crystal for me. I can't get close enough but you can." He glanced towards the other man from the truck and smiled. "They will have you walk to her. She always calls for the merchandise to join her. When you get close you can take her out. Then we will get the pilot to fly us out of here, and to some place where you can contact your agency for help. I will finally get some justice for my daughter. I will get some peace. Please, I'm begging you to help me."
JJ knew she should be asking more questions, but she found she didn't care. It was in her nature to help, and she had been helpless for far too long. She hadn't been able to do anything for those men in the truck. These were the people who stole children like those precise girls she had found in the desert. If JJ could help this father, she would. Looking at the man she nodded then closed her eyes to try to clear her head. Teddy watched JJ then smiled and looked away. "This is just too easy," he said as he closed his eyes thinking of all the wonderful he was going to do to the pretty lady sitting next to him.
The race was on. Emily's plane had touched down, and she was setting the scene for the trafficker's arrival. Ramon had sent the cars and the men who would serve as her entourage. She was around the side of one of the SUVs when her cell rang.
"Linda, where are you?" she asked with a muffled tone as she pulled her shirt over her head.
"Two hours out darling, tell me everything." replied the doctor.
"We are at the air strip, scene is being set. Ramon and the boys are here and we should be good to go. Ranch is being stocked per your instructions." Emily stuttered reply flowed between lipstick and various make-up applications.
"Are you in your vest?" said Linda in a flat no-nonsense tone. There was no reply from Emily. "Emily, I demand you wear your vest. Put it on now."
"It is so hot here…" whined Prentiss's voice. She was cut off by a very loud, "Now Em." Emily giggled. "Okay Mother."
"Heavens no my darling, not your mother." came the regular tone of the doctor, "Promiscuous sister, alcoholic auntie, slutty cousin…"
"Okay, I get it." laughed Emily as she removed her shirt to put on the vest per the doctor orders.
"Be safe my love, help is only one hour and fifty-three minutes out." Linda hung up knowing that Prentiss was not one for goodbyes.
The buzz of an approaching engine pulled Emily's attention, and her stomach did a flip. Was JJ safe? Had they hurt her? She would find out soon enough. She checked out her look in the small mirror and the tinted car windows. It was as good as it was going to get. The vest made things look funny maybe she should quickly pull it off. One of the men called, and she was stuck with the bulky garment. Slamming on a hat, she rounded the car as Crystal. The game was on.
Teddy bumped JJ who had difficulties opening her eyes. He gently shook her and she jerked awake. "What was wrong with me?" JJ thought. She hadn't eaten anything, and the only water she had consumed had been directly from a tap so she couldn't be drugged, but that is what it felt like. Shaking her head she pulled herself together. Teddy was looking at her with concern, but she smiled at him and he sighed in relief. Coming to their feet, they walked towards the exit. Teddy steadied JJ as she move out of the plane and then winked at the pilot and his friend. He held is hand up to indicate five minutes, and then followed JJ out of the plane.
The fresh air did little to revive JJ, but she gathered herself as much as possible to handle the task she had accepted. She paused giving the grieving father time to catch up to her. He brushed her hand and transferred the gun to her behind her back. JJ palmed the gun and almost dropped it because she was sweating so much. They approached the various vehicles that lined the end of the air strip. Teddy stopped holding JJ back.
Emily heart was pounding so hard she thought she might pass out. JJ looked to be moving on her own, and all her limbs were unbroken. Stepped out, Emily stood with her hand on her hip giving the impression of impatience. Reaching out with her hand, she motioned for JJ to come to her. Emily watched as the large man next to JJ spoke to her then pushed her to walk forward.
Teddy said to JJ, "See the woman in the hat that is the target. I have to stop here, but I can cover you. When you shoot her run back to me," JJ moved away and he called after her, "Thank you so much for avenging my child."
JJ walked forward. The world was a dream as she saw the woman in the hat step out. She started moving forward faster. She reached behind her and checked the safety. Rolling her neck on her shoulders, JJ forced herself to focus. Teddy had the gun set she just needed to aim and pull the trigger. The monster who would sell a sixteen year old into slavery would be gone. She started to run.
Emily thought for a moment that JJ had recognized her and was running to her for help. She smiled and took another step towards her friend. That is when she saw it; there was a flash of metal by JJ side. Emily only had time to shout, "Don't kill her." before she felt the bullets slam into her body and knock her to the ground. Pain ran through her body as she fought for breath. The world erupted in gun fire.
JJ saw the woman slam to the ground and then stood dumbly looking at the gun in her hand. She was supposed to do something but she could not focus. A body slammed into her, and she felt her feet leave the ground. Teddy had her and was firing into Crystal's men. He reached a Jeep and tossed her into the seat next to him.
"Brilliant, just brilliant, I can't believe you killed the bitch." He yelled as he raced the engine and peeled out. JJ struggled to look at him. He leered at her. "Oh baby. You are too much." He ran a hand down JJ limp arm and said, "I am going to do some amazing things to you." He slammed her back in the seat and right before she blacked out the face of the woman she shot flashed before her eyes. Had she just killed Emily?