I am so happy you guys are enjoying the rewrite, definitely put a smile on my face to see the positive feedback. For sure I am going to put some flashbacks into the story, hopefully create a better understanding of characters and their youth. I have not see Higher ground but I have read into the character Shelby so I have some sort of understanding. I hope you like where I go :) Enjoy!
Emily's Pov
It had been a week since we had found Jennifer. Since then the team and I have put a great effort into helping her recovery as well as interrogating Walter. Funny enough Jen had made better progress than Walter. Her lacerations are clean and nicely healing and the bruises on her body are finally beginning to fade. Maybe it was the physical healing that was helping her heal mentally as well. Seeing herself heal makes her feel less like a victim. Jen had also been making progress with other people as well. In the beginning she was terrified of the men on the team but in the past week she has slowly been able to open up. She even allowed me to take care of her.
Settling on to the couch with the petite blonde in-between my legs, using my chest the rest against, I carefully wrap my arms around her waist and hold her close. "Is this okay?" I ask softly and kiss her cheek. I didn't want her to be uncomfortable in my presence.
"Better than okay," Jen mumbles and cuddles in closer. "It feels like we're teenagers again." Grinning widely I nod in agreement.
Flashback
"Jennifer give me my phone back!" I whine as I ran clumsily around the bedroom after her. Watching the petite blonde in awe as she bent over laughing in nothing more than an oversized t-shirt and a pair of panties. Deciding now was the time, I slowly tip toe behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.
"You'll never get it!" Jennifer laughs out and I fall on to the bed with her lying on top.
"One last chance," I warn her with a huge grin. There was no way she could get away now. Seeing that she was not going to be compliant I continue. "Alright well that leaves me with the ultimate weapon. I didn't want to use this but you gave me no other option." With that the tickle monster came out and attacked her sides. There was a squeal that fell from my girlfriends lips as she tried to get away.
"Alright I surrender!" She cries out in pants of laughter. Grabbing my phone I put it to the side and pull her in-between my legs and held her.
"God I love you so much." I whisper and kiss the crook of her neck.
Flashback Ends
"It does feel like we're teenagers again," I whisper back and kiss the crook of her neck. "The only difference is that I'm not tickling you." Teasing her a little I trace my thumbs over her hip bones feeling her jolt a little. "That may change though."
"Hey no tickling the cripple," Jennifer says teasingly and turns in my embrace to lay on her stomach, carefully not putting pressure on her ribs. Getting lost in each others eyes I feel her more up my chest till there was no space between us. "Just kiss me already Agent Prentiss." She husks out.
Silently nodding I lean forward and connect our lips. God it was heavenly, she has this ability to keep me grounded but make me feel so high. All within a kiss. Feeling her pull away I keep my eyes close and smile as I fall back onto the couch in happiness. "God you're amazing." I whisper out as I finally open my eyes seeing the blonde woman laying on my chest happily. I wanted to stay in this moment forever, leave all the worries in the world behind and just be here with Jennifer forever. Of course that's not how it works. Hearing the buzz of my phone I see the message from Hotch.
"Everything okay?" The beautiful blonde asks and sits up. "Is it about him?"
"Yeah, he's not speaking to anyone," I reply honestly. "We're lucky we have all this evidence to hold him otherwise we would have to let him go."
"What does Hotch think about this all?" Jen asks and links her fingers with mine. "Surely he's not happy about it."
"He's not." I say. "Walter has made a request that we will simply not allow and ever since he has gone mute…He wants you to speak to you, but I already told him no." Feeling the woman go stiff I pull her closer and tentatively stroke the palm of her hand soothingly.
"I'll do it." Jen says.
"Jen you don't understand he is using this as a way to see you one last time before he is sent away. You shouldn't have to be forced into this situation because of him." I plead. We were now sitting cross legged in front of each other staring at each other. Feeling my emotions get to the better on me I lean forward and rest my forehead on her uninjured shoulder. "Please don't do this." I whisper. She is such a strong person, but I knew deep down it would destroy her. It will break me to see her like that again.
"Emily this is the only way to get him to talk. I'll be okay baby," She urges and cups my face. Kissing my lip tenderly I feel the worries momentarily fade and I wrap my arms around her waist. "Trust me." Giving a nod I give in and pull her back down to lay with me. Being the larger spoon I place a series of kisses down her neck before burying my face into the back of her neck. I didn't want to let her go, ever. "Everything will be okay Em. If anything happens Hotch will pull me out before you can even blink."
"I just want to keep you safe." I murmur and lift my body slightly so I could look at her. "That's all I've ever wanted."
"As long as you are will me I will always feel safe Em," Jen says and cuddles further into my body. "You have always been this light that has kept me safe when I spiral out of control." Having nothing to say in response I quietly grab the blanket on the back of the couch and throw it over us. Soon we fell asleep to the noise of the movie playing in the background.
JJ's Pov
I could feel the panic grow in me as we walked into the police station. Why did I choose to do this? They had all the evidence needed to throw him away, why do they need me? Seeing the team come into my vision I let out a small shy smile and pulled each one into a careful hug. "You don't have to do this Jen, you can still say no if you'd like." Em says and squeezes my hand.
"I know but I want to," I say in response and kiss her cheek. "Where is he?" I ask Hotch. Following the older man to the interrogation room I see the monster lazily sitting in the metal chair and handcuffs. It was weird seeing the man that haunted my dream locked away. He was silent which was the most disturbing part. He was never silent.
"Do you want one of us in there with you?" Derek said said softly as he placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"No he won't hurt me." I say. Looking back at the beautiful brunette who was watching my lovingly, I pause for a quick second before pulling her into a brief kiss. "Try not to worry too much Em." Taking one last breath I open the door and make eye contact with my step-father. "Hello Walt." I say leaning against the mirror, effectively blocking Emily's view from the smirk I was receiving. Feeling my old defensive walls being built up I let Shelby take over, protecting Jennifer from the evil of the past.
"Kitten it's so nice to see you," Walter says with a wicked smile.
Letting out a scoff I roll my eyes before responding. "Couldn't say the same to you." To be frank I was annoyed with his old attitude. "I hear you want to give me your statement." I say and move away from the man who inched closer. Feeling to familiar ache set into my ribs I settle in the chair across from him and look him dead in the eye. There was something about the look on his face that made me want to smash the chair of this head. I knew I couldn't though.
"I do Kitten," He responded and leaning forward in his chair and placing his grubby hands on top of mine. "I will tell you everything as long as I get one thing from you." Yanking my hands abruptly away from his grip. After everything he has done to me and he still wants more, what a fucking prick.
"I owe you nothing Walter." I spit back and stand up carefully due to my achy ribs and faint headache that was forming.
"Now now Shelby that's no way to speak to your father, all I ever did was love you." Walter replied cockily and leans back into his chair. I felt his eyes trail over my body but I refused to react. There was nothing more I wanted to do that run but I knew I couldn't. "One dance with my kitten that's all I ask."
"What my fucking virginity wasn't enough for you?! You never loved my Walt, you're a bastard that liked to rape a little defenceless girl everynight till she was 15. Is that what you call love?" I growl. "You can have your dance but once it's over you will say everything that has happened." Letting out a smug smile the old man stood up and held his handcuffed hands out towards me and raised his eyebrow. Of course. Rolling my eyes in disbelief I exit the room and look at the group. "Can someone uncuff him?" I ask rudely and cross my arms with a huff. I Usually Jennifer wouldn't be acting like this but at the moment I knew I had let Shelby take over. "For fucks sakes if you want that statement then you better uncuff him now." I growl.
"JJ!" Penelope gasps in shock, "Why are you being like this?"
"Oh I'm sorry Garcia, did you want me to break down and cry for you all?" I sass back at the blonde woman.
"Come on Shelby I'll uncuff him for you just give Penelope a break."The brunette says softly and touches my bicep tentatively. No one knew what Shelby was like, only Emily. She knew what I was like before Jennifer Jareau existed. Following the woman back into the room I watch as she roughly uncuffs the man and whisper a threat in his ear. "I'll be right outside baby."
Emily's Pov
"Who was that?! That was my beautiful bombshell," Penelope cried out in distress. Of course this was new to them, they probably have never encountered or knew about Shelby. "What's happening to her?"
"You all remember how Shelby Merrick was Jennifer's former name?" Seeing the nods around the room, "Well that is Shelby Merrick. It's likely that she let her old personality break through to protect the image of Jennifer Jareau." I explain sadly. "Jennifer Jareau is this pure and Shelby doesn't see herself like that. She doesn't want Jen to be a victim." The sad realization hit them all and they became aware of how troubled her past was.
"Surely that can't be safe." Derek speaks up.
"No it's not but if anyone can do this it's Shelby." I reply and look back into the interrogation room. Soon the room was filled with a light, familiar song as he suddenly pulls the young woman into his arms. I could see by the posture and fear in her eyes that she was absolutely terrified. Placing her hands on his shoulders to create distance, we watched as Walter wrapped his grubby arms around her waist, dangerously low to her behind. "Bastard." I cuss out as I saw the proud grin he wore. As the song went on we watched helplessly as a small tear fell down her lightly bruised face. He now hand her pressed against his body, pushing his hips int her. I wanted to go in and stop it but I knew I couldn't and it was killing me. Finally blessing the song for ending I make my way into the room and cuff the man, this time to the table. "You're a sick fuck you know that?" I hiss as I push him back into his chair, purposely digging my thumb into his wound.
Seeing how upset the beautiful woman was I guide her out the room and pull her carefully into a hug. "You did so well Shelby," I whisper softly into her ear before kissing her forehead. I knew that Jennifer wasn't here right now but I knew she would come back once we had the statement. The woman didn't say anything but simply held on to me tight like I was a life line. We stood holding each other for a few minutes till she moved away and made her way back into the room.
We all sat and watch the horrid man as he happily relived the moments he shared with Jennifer, from when she was a young child to the abduction. I couldn't stop the tears falling down my face and neither could the others. I felt sick to my stomach listening to all the details, of course we talked about what he did but never all the details.
Somehow Shelby had kept it together the whole time. Hours spent with him and not a single whimper and tear fell from her body. Instead I saw rage, her body was stiff as a pole and her eyes never gazed away from the hatred within. By now all the team could see that this was no longer the same woman they worked with. "How can she be so strong?" Penelope cried as I pulled her into a hug.
"I've asked myself that many times as well," I reply and looked at the team, "I know she can move one from this though. It may take time but I knew she already has the support needed."
It was 3 hours, 3 exhausting hours of listening to that monster, but it had finally come to an end. I could now see how distraught the woman was once she exited the room and collapsed to the ground in tears. The tears poured from her eyes as she begun to shake her head vigorously muttering the same words over and over again. "Must get clean." We all watch the petite blonde as she began to rub her arms furiously in attempts to wipe the man off her. That's when I stepped in, I couldn't watch anymore. Carefully placing my body behind her I wrap my arms around her and stilled her hands. Of course she panicked at first but then she realized who I was and melted into my arms and cried.
"I'm so proud of you Shelby," I say soothingly and rock her slowly. "You're safe now baby, come back to me."
"It's n-not safe Em," She chokes out and shakes her head.
"It is love, it is." I reply and kiss the side of her head. "Com back to my Jennifer." Looking up at the team as they watch in sorrow, I smile sadly. Helping my love up I hold on to her firmly as we said our goodbye. Arriving back at the apartment Jennifer was already asleep so I carried her to the room. Tucking the petite agent under the duvet, I strip down to my panties and an oversized shirt I scooch up behind her and drape my arms around her stomach. "I love you so much Jay." I whisper and kiss the back of her neck before drifting to sleep.
Today was one step forward towards justice but two steps back of Jennifer Jareau.