Chapter 7
Thanks for sticking with the story gang! I don't own Criminal Minds…
JJ watched as Will packed what few things she had into a duffle bag. It was Friday, and she was going home. The doctor and nurse had to come in to check her again, before rattling off numerous directions about home care and re-cooperating. JJ closed her eyes for just a moment as Monday morning flashed through her head. She had been with Hotch and Reid when it happened. Everything about being shot that day was starting to be the only she thought about these last few days. She shook her head, as if trying to make those memories tumble out of her head. Her eyes were still closed when she felt Will's lips gently kiss her cheek.
"You alright?" She looked up into his brown eyes, and saw they were full of concern.
JJ opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Yeah I'm fine." She didn't want him to worry about her. "Just a little tired is all."
"No worries love." He said. "When we get you home you will be doing nothing but resting!"
"I can't wait to sleep in our bed instead of this thing." She said gesturing to the hospital bed she had been attached to for the last four days. "And I can't wait to be at home with you and Henry."
"He's pretty excited to have his mom home."
"Yeah after being spoiled by the whole team these last few days."
Will zipped up JJ's bag and sat it next to the bed. He and the nurse had helped JJ change into a loose fitting t-shirt and lounge pants. Because she still couldn't reach up with her left arm, Will brushed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail for her. She kept telling him that surely she must look a mess from being stuck here for the last few days. Will looked down at her and smiled. Her eyes got him every time. She was gorgeous no matter what, and she didn't even know it. He reached out and caressed her cheek.
"I can't wait to get you home and get you better."
"You're going to be like the best male nurse ever." JJ said smiling back at him.
"Much better than the tool who kept drooling all over you last night."
"Ooh jealous?" JJ chided him.
"Not jealous honey." Will corrected her. "It just took him a little longer than necessary to check your pulse is all I'm saying."
JJ squeezed Will's hand reassuringly. Will had that New Orleans fire in him, and she loved it. Will had always had a jealous streak in him when it came to other guys getting into her personal space. She was the same way. Even before they were officially together JJ had gotten jealous when another woman bought him a drink at the bar! She tugged lightly on his hand with her right hand. He sat down next to her gently, as to not jostle her on the bed. He knew that if she moved too much, she would be in a great deal of pain.
"Come here." She whispered to him. Will smiled, and leaned in close until their lips were less than an inch apart. "I love you." She said just before their lips connected in a sweet kiss.
Will reached his hand and it snaked up her face to hold her to him. Every time they kissed Will felt a like a jolt of electricity was being shot through him. He broke the kiss after a few seconds knowing that if she breathed too hard, she would be in pain.
"I miss that." JJ said when Will gently pulled away.
"Me too cher."
Just then a nurse came in with a wheelchair. It's time, JJ thought. She took a breath to steady her herself. She felt nervous, but couldn't understand why. This is what she'd been waiting for!
"Who's ready to get out of here?" The nurse asked. She stopped the chair in front of JJ and put the brake on.
"That's your ride, honey," Will said.
"Let's do this." JJ said. She put out a hand so the nurse and Will could guide her from the bed and down into the chair. JJ grimaced as a stab of pain shot through her abdomen.
Will crouched down beside her. "Are you okay?" He asked his eyes full of concern.
"It's fine Will." JJ said. When he didn't move from her side she added, "I'm good. Let's get out of here."
The nurse stepped aside so Will could push JJ in the wheelchair. They went out of the room, down the elevator, and out to the main entrance. Will left JJ with the nurse so he could pull the car around. Once he parked and opened the door, he and the nurse helped JJ stand up so she could lower herself into the front seat of Will's Camaro. Once she was settled he shut the door and thanked the nurse for her help. He slid behind the wheel and looked over at his girlfriend.
"You ready to go home babe?"
"Let's go home Will."
"I still say we should've put more balloons up." Garcia said commented on the lack of decorations in JJ and Will's house.
"JJ said she didn't want us to make a big deal out of her coming home."
"But just a Welcome Home banner just doesn't seem to do it!"
Morgan laughed. "Baby girl don't sweat it." He slung his arm around her shoulder. "JJ is the one who's hurt. What she says goes."
Just then Reid came in carrying Henry on his hip, Hotch and Rossi in tow. The team had gathered to be here when Will brought JJ home. They were so happy, and wanted to show her how much she meant to all of them.
"When mommy and daddy get home?" Henry asked anyone who would answer.
Rossi knelt down next to Henry who had just climbed out of Reid's arms and onto a kitchen stool. "They're on their way right now, partner." He ruffled the boy's blond hair.
"Mommy got hurt, but she is okay?" he asked.
"Your mom is like a super hero remember." Garcia told him sitting down next to her godson. "Mommy will be leaping tall buildings in a single bound in no time!"
Hotch watched his team interact with JJ and Will's son. He was glad everyone had come together to help is newest profiler. JJ has been part of this BAU family for just about seven years now. Hotch frowned, thinking of his part in JJ getting shot. He had been wrestling with guilt for five days now. If only he had been a little faster in getting off the shot. He shook his head at the memory of seeing so much blood coming from a gunshot wound that could have been prevented. Hotch's thought were interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. It was Prentiss.
"I think I know that look Hotch." She said quietly.
"What look is that?"
"The look you get when you feel like you've tried your best at protecting someone close to you, and you didn't protect quite enough."
"Are you profiling me now?"
Emily shook her head. "Just a friendly observation." She looked at Henry playing with Morgan, Garcia, and Reid. "You couldn't have prevented what happened to JJ."
"No?" he asked.
"No." Rossi said coming to stand beside the pair. "I know more than Emily, Hotch. Take it from me."
"Of course." Hotch answered with a hint of doubt. Doubt in himself.
Just then Emily's phone buzzed. She looked and saw it was Will. He had said that he would call when they got home. JJ would need helping getting from the car to the house.
"We'll be right out." She said before hanging up.
"You hear that bud?" Reid asked "Your mom and dad are home."
Henry jumped into his godfather's arms and squealed with excitement. "Aunt Pen, mommy and daddy home!"
"That's right little man!"
Morgan and Emily went outside to meet them at the car. Morgan opened the passenger side door while Will climbed out of the driver's seat. He crouched down so he could look at JJ.
"Hey beautiful." He greeted her.
"Hey handsome." She replied playfully.
"Hey now…." Will said walking around to their side of the car. He handed Prentiss JJ's duffle bag, and he and Will reached to help JJ stand up out of the car. Emily cringed at the sight of JJ squeezing her eyes shut and biting her bottom lip from the obvious pain getting out of the car was causing. Her heart went out to her friend.
"JJ, are you okay?" She asked the blond.
JJ nodded her head without saying anything. She held onto Will's arm while Derek lightly held onto her left arm. They took a break once she was up and standing.
"You know JJ I could just carry you into the house." Morgan said pointedly. Will shook his head at JJ's teammate's gesture. Morgan was the prince charming for the ladies on the team, no doubt.
"I'm good Derek, but you're a prince for offering."
"Are you okay to walk into the house?" Will asked. "We can take a break once we get inside, and you can lie down on the couch for a bit."
"Sounds like a good plan." JJ said.
They all headed into the house. Prentiss walked behind them to put her mind at ease. She needed to see JJ make it into the house. Morgan opened the front door, and JJ could see down the hallway and into the kitchen. Her eyes lit up when Reid carried Henry over to her.
"Mommy you home!" Henry cried. "You feel better now mommy?"
JJ smiled at her son. "I do now that I'm home with my boys!"
Reid let Henry lean over so JJ could give him a kiss on the cheek. She blinked back tears that threatened to spill over. She felt so lucky to have all these people around her. Supporting her. Morgan and Will guided her into the living room. JJ saw the welcome home banner hanging up.
"You guys are great." She leaned into Will a little as she felt gravity start to take over, and the pain start to throb deep in her chest and abdomen.
"We're just glad you're back home dear." Rossi said.
"And we're all just a phone call away if you need us kitten." Garcia reaffirmed. "For you too my dear detective." She added rubbing Will's shoulder.
"Here, let's get you sitting." Morgan said. He monitored while Will eased her into a reclined position on the couch. JJ closed her eyes and leaned her head back, clearly exhausted.
"We should go." Hotch told the group in a quiet yet stern voice.
"Mommy Uncle Spence got me a new toy!" Henry told his mom. He stood beside her as she lay on the couch. She opened her eyes at the sound of her son's voice.
"That was nice of your Uncle Spence honey."
Reid stepped up to stand beside Henry. "Hey bud, you wanna go upstairs and play with your new toys?"
"Yeah!" Henry looked back at his mom, then up to his dad who stood over them. Will nodded his head.
"It's alright son, go on." He ruffled the boy's longish blond hair. "I'll keep an eye on mommy."
"Come on." Reid hoisted Henry up, and they went upstairs to his room.
The others made their way to the front door after telling Will and JJ that they would be checking in soon. Hotch stayed behind and knelt beside JJ where she lay on the couch.
"What's up Hotch?" JJ asked him, seeing the look of worry in his eyes.
"I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am." He hung his head briefly, avoiding eye contact. "I don't know how I could've let this happen."
"What?" JJ asked in shock. "Hotch, you didn't let this happen. It just happened."
Hotch shook his head. "JJ if I wouldn't have…" he stopped talking as JJ held up her hand to silence him.
"Hotch, it happened."
He knew best than to argue with her. "I'm glad that you're home and that you're going to be okay."
He stood up as Will came back into the room. He reached out to shake the young detective's hand.
"Will of you guys need anything just call. Strauss has us back in on Monday, but you can reach any one of us whenever."
"Thanks Hotch." Will said. He started to walk the agent to the front door, but Hotch held up his hand.
"Stay with her." He gestured towards JJ who had her eyes closed again. "I can show myself out."
Will heard the front door close, and he heard the faint sounds of Spencer upstairs playing with Henry. He was grateful his son to have a nice distraction. Will looked down at JJ on the couch. It was going to be time for her to take her pain meds soon. He kneeled down beside her and reached for her hand. JJ opened her eyes and smiled at his touch.
"What did I tell you about watching me sleep?" JJ joked, but her voice was strained.
"I can't help it cher." He kissed her sweetly on the cheek. "You're just so damn cute."
"Spence is with Henry?" She asked.
"They're playing in his room."
"So he's okay?" she asked.
"He's fine JJ." He gently rubbed her arm. "Can I take you upstairs? I think you'll be more comfortable in our bed."
JJ nodded. "That would be great Will. I think walking wouldn't be so good right now."
Will gently got his arms underneath her body and effortlessly lifted her from the couch. He could feel her body tense up in his arms. "Are you alright?"
"I'm good. I promise."
Will walked slowly with JJ in his arms. He went up the stairs and down the hall to their room. Once inside, he placed her gently on the bed. He propped up the pillows so she could recline, and placed a light blanket over her body.
"I'm going to run downstairs and get your meds, and then you can get some sleep."
A few minutes later Will was back at JJ's side.
"I checked in on Reid and Henry." He handed over a hydramorphone for her to take with some water. "He offered to stay since it's your first night back home. Henry was so excited I couldn't say no."
"That was cool of Spence." JJ said taking the pill from Will and downing it with one gulp of water.
"They're going to go grab a bite then they'll be back. Use the downtime time to rest!" Will went to stand up off the bed, but JJ tugged on his arm holding him back.
"Can you just lay with me here for a little while?" She asked.
"You bet I can." Will leaned back on the pile of pillows, and JJ rested her head on his chest.
JJ sighed taking in the scent of Will's aftershave. She closed her eyes, feeling his fingers run up and down her arm. Wow that pill works fast, JJ thought as her eyelids became too heavy to stay open. JJ was just starting to fall into a deep slumber when an image of Alan Jennings wielding a gun flashed through her mind. Then the gun went off, and everything went black…
Will felt JJ flinch and looked down at her. She had been falling asleep, but now she opened her eyes again.
"Hey what's up?" He gave her a worried look.
JJ bit her lip. She didn't want Will to worry about her having flashbacks of getting shot.
"JJ…?"
"It's nothing Will." JJ said. "I'm sorry, I'm just…" her voice trailed off.
Will looked into her blue eyes. She wasn't telling him something, but he didn't want to press the issue considering the situation. He squeezed her hand to let her know that he was there for her, and she squeezed back in acknowledgement. The squeezing of the hands was like code for them. Will leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.
"What was that for?" JJ asked.
"That was because I love you, and I'm glad you're home." He leaned back and held her. "Rest, Jennifer."
"Resting…" her voice trailed off on sleep. She pushed any thoughts of Monday's events out of her head. She felt Will's heart beating and it soothed her. Soon she drifted off.
Will looked down at JJ and listened to her quiet, even, deep breathing. He was worried for her. He worried that she was holding back what she was feeling. He worried that she would try to do too much too soon. He was just worried. But for now he would just be there for her. He would help her face whatever she was feeling when she was ready. Will sat in the silence of their bedroom holding onto his girlfriend. He knew he would always be there for this woman that he loved.
No matter what.
That's it for chapter 7 folks. Don't forget to read and review!