A/N: Ok so obviously I didn't get this finished before the primere last week :( But I am working as fast as I can to get it finished for everyone. So hang tight. I think there's only one more chappy after this (and maybe an epilog not sure yet).

CHAPTER 10

Watching as Jacob Morris pulled JJ away from the window Emily felt like there was more she could be doing to help her friend. "Hotch we gotta go in there."

"It's too risky, and the situation is still under control. " Hotch said in an authoritative voice. "He's got bullet proof glass, steel reinforced doors and there's still a possibility of a bomb. By going in now there's a good chance that we'll get her killed and a lot of others in the process."

"We can't just stand here and let him beat her." Emily tried again.

"I'm afraid that's all we can do at the moment. Trust the profile; he won't kill her, at least not yet."

"He's already deviated from the profile. What makes you think he won't?" She questioned, trying to find out what his train of thought was.

"Because he hasn't gotten what he wants from her yet." Hotch replied eyes on the house in front of him.

"What's that?"

"Her trust."

"AGENT HOTCHNER!" Morris' voice boomed from the house.

"Yes." Hotch replied, glad that Morris was communicating again.

"I've decided to send Jennifer out. But first there are some rules."

"We're listening."

"I'll send Jennifer out and surrender myself to you, if she can make it all the way to where you are by herself. If any of your people so much as take a step forward I'll shoot her." Morris said as he held up a very large riffle. "And Agent I assure you, I'm a very good shot."

Hotch turned to his right to find a very concerned Emily Prentiss. "Prentiss, have everyone stand down."

"You believe him?"

"There's no reason not to. I think this is our best shot at getting her out of there."

"Ok." Emily picked up her radio and started giving orders to the local police force that were currently surrounding the building.

"Make sure they understand they are NOT to help JJ under any circumstances." Hotch reiterated Morris' orders to her.

"Ok," Hotch said, "We agree. Send her out."

"Oh Jennifer!" Morris called as he turned around to find JJ on the floor barley conscious. "Hey. Hey, wake up." He said as he slapped the side of her face. "We have company and they would very much like it if you came out to play." He smiled down at her. She'd lost a lot of blood and was disoriented. This was the perfect he thought to himself. He was certain she wouldn't make it out to the street all by herself, and if the others tried to help, he'd just have to shoot them.

"Remember what I told you Jennifer?" He lent down near her ear, "Hum? Do you?"

"If I make it to my friends you'll let them live." She stated weakly.

"And if they try to help you?" He questioned.

"You'll shoot them." She repeated back his earlier statement.

"That's right. Now let's go." He grabbed her arm and pulled her up right. As he lead her towards the front door he smiled because this woman was a tough FBI Agent, smart, strong willed, physically fit but she was at a definite disadvantage, she was injured, bleeding heavily from the knife wound in her side, her hands were still cuffed behind her and his greatest idea yet was the blindfold. There was no way she would make it to the edge of the property where the fleet of police cars and ambulance awaited. And best of all he knew her team wouldn't be able to resist the urge to help her.

"It's been a pleasure my dear, but you really shouldn't keep the others waiting." Jacob Morris said as he opened the door he stood to the side pushing JJ out and shutting the door again. As soon as the door was shut he'd opened a small door in the middle and poked the barrel of his gun out training it on the team of FBI Agents that stood helplessly waiting for their friend.

As soon as JJ was through the front door she only had one thought on her mind and that was to reach her team no matter what because she had no doubt in her mind that Jacob would keep his promise to shoot them if he got half a chance.

Standing on the porch, dizzy and blindfolded JJ took a hesitant step forward unsure of her surroundings.

"JJ!" Emily called out hoping that Morris wouldn't consider this help, after all he'd told them they couldn't physically help her.

"Em?" JJ called back – glad for some sense of direction.

"JJ you've got about 3 feet in front of you and then there are 4 steps." She called back directions trying to help her friend the best she could while still conforming to Morris' rules.

"One, two, three, four,…" JJ quietly whispered to herself counting the number of steps she was taking as she slowly made her way across the porch. Using her foot to feel for the first step, a slight smile spread across her face when her foot found its mark and she slowly began to make her way down the steps. "One, two, three, and four." She again whispered to herself as she counted off each step Emily had told her about.

"Good, JJ. You're doing great!" Emily tried to encourage her friend. "You need to make your way to us. It's about 10 feet to the next obstacle." JJ nodded slightly but regretted it immediately when her head began to pound and the dizziness grew stronger. As she made her way across the grass Hotch and Emily immediately took noticed of the stagger in her walk. Closing the distance between them, they were able to see the growing blood stain on the side of her shirt.

"She's lost a lot of blood. She may not make it." Hotch said – grabbing a spare vest in case he had to make a play to help her.

"She'll make it." Emily encouraged. "She's half way here Hotch." She said turning her attention back to her blonde friend. "JJ I need you to take 3 steps to your left." Emily called trying to direct her around a garden in the middle of the lawn.

As JJ started to take her steps to the left, once again counting them off to be certain, she started to feel all warm and fuzzy. Taking the third and final step to her left JJ's foot caught on a tree root and before she knew it she was down on the ground.

**FLASHBACK**

"Dave's right you know." Hotch said getting her attention. "They'll come around, it'll just take time." JJ nodded and leaned back against the wall. "Now may not be the best time, but head brass is giving us another profiler." He paused waiting for her to catch up to the new conversation. "I asked you once before if you had considered the classes." He waited as realization came over her face.

"Hotch, I don't know. With everything that's happened…." She trailed of not sure of the answer she wanted to give. A few short months ago she might have jumped at the opportunity to be back with her old team. But things were different now they didn't trust her surely they wouldn't want her around now. "I have to get back to work." She stated and made her way towards the exit.

"Think about it." Hotch called to her. She turned and gave a small forced smile and made her way to the parking lot.

JJ had been sitting in her car for the last 20 minutes thinking about what Hotch had asked her. She'd never wanted to be a profiler. She was happy as the team's liaison. But things were different now – she wasn't with the team, she wasn't even with the FBI anymore and above all she wasn't sure if the team would accept her back.

JJ was startled when a light knock on the passenger side window brought her out of her thoughts.

"Emily!" The blonde smiled happy to see her friend.

"Hey," the older profiler smiled and climbed in to sit beside her.

"What are you…" JJ trailed of trying not to be rude.

"I was on my way to Morgan's house when I seen you sitting here in your car."

"Ah, he's pretty mad." JJ sad and looked down at her hands.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah." She tried to cheer up and convince her friend. "I'm really glad you're back."

"But…" Emily asked knowing there was more.

"Hotch wants me to take the classes, and come back to the team."

"JJ that's great." She paused noticing the look on the younger blondes face. "Isn't it?"

"I don't know Emily. A few months ago I would have jumped at a chance to rejoin the team, but now I'm not sure they even want me back." After making her statement JJ and Emily sat side by side staring out the front window.

"Ok, so we'll do it together!" Emily finally stated turning her head to look at her friend.

"Do what?" JJ asked in confusion.

"If you come back so will I."

"Oh Em, I can't ask you too…" JJ started but was cut off by Emily.

"You're not asking. If they can't accept that you helped me the only way you could then I don't want to go back."

"Together?" JJ asked with a hint of a smile.

"Together." Emily confirmed.

"Thanks." Was all JJ said and leaned across and hugged her friend.

**END**

A/N2: I've gotten a few comments, reviews and PM's on this story thus far. I hope I haven't confused anyone with the time line or the flash backs but if I have drop me a line and I'll explain - or if you're a totally awesome writer yourself drop me a line with suggestions on how to improve the writing!

Reviews are your friend!