Brontide

A Criminal Minds Story

The sky was of a faded bright white. She watched as single, unique snowflakes appeared from the seemingly solid mass and fluttered down in a rhythmic sway like dancers to a song. Trees of great height towered above her being the only thing that pierced the white until they too were encompassed by it. Emily wished it would swallow her whole too, so that she could simply lie there forever.

The once searing pain in her side had changed to a dull ache, the cold numbing it efficiently. It wasn't a fatal wound, in fact, if found soon she would be just fine, but Emily hoped that she wouldn't be found ever. She prayed that the falling snow would cover her up because eventually, with time she would die. The bullet that had torn through her side could kill her and that seemed like the better option than facing the team after what she had done.

Hopes and prayers were dashed when the steady vibration of pounding feet on the forest floor, shook the ground beneath her. Once again Emily pleaded with the white sky to just take her, take her far, far away. A harsh intake of breath alerted Emily that they had just found them, she could only imagine their faces. Their agape mouths scanning the area of faded red snow.

She knew that it was Morgan and Reid, she's not exactly sure how she knew, but she did. They walked, where she knew the unsub was in a careful manner. He was dead though, so they needn't worry, Emily was absolutely sure about that. It was Rossi though, who put his fingers to her neck, checking for a pulse. She wasn't dead, and she wouldn't die, but ofcourse there was always the possibility of infection…

"They're alive, but we need to get help fast," She heard Hotch shout and Emily's heart stopped. The meaning of what he had just said hit her hard. They're… They're… Meaning that JJ was still alive.

The JJ she had shot.

Now Emily, feeling herself being picked up and cradled in Morgan's arms, said thank you to the white sky for not swallowing her whole. If JJ was to live then Emily had to be there, she had to say that she was so sorry. A fleeting thought occurred to her, and she groaned silently. She was being carried by Derek Morgan, and she would never live it down.

"Hang on there Princess," The man in question told her, "We've got you. You're going to be okay."

It was then that Emily wondered if she deserved it all. If she deserved these people that were currently sprinting through the woods to save them. She wondered if they would forgive her.

Everything streaked by, the trees and snow meshing together in a blur. But the they took no heed to their surroundings, only feeling the slick ground beneath their feet and the precious weight in their arms. Hotch was storming ahead, a dying mother in his arms. He knew it was only a matter of time.

They didn't know what happened there, where the snow is of faded red, but they didn't care. It was a sight that wouldn't leave them, not for a long time. Breaking through the trees, the ambulance was still there. JJ was quickly placed on a Gurney, followed by Emily and then Garcia climbed in after them. With the back doors closed, the tires flicked up loose snow as it drove off, it's horns blaring.

Three hours later, four anxious FBI agents waited for news of their friends. They paced with the clock, their worry building with each tick. They would sit down on the awfully comfortable chairs at each hour only to stand again five minutes later.

"Penelope Garcia?" They stood at attention and the doctor was thankful he had good news, for the thought of delivering bad news to these armed, distressed men frightened him, "Ms. Garcia had very badly broken nose and a bruised cheek bone and a concussion. She had some minor lacerations from the accident and puncture wound to the ankle, which was aggravated by trekking through those woods. She'll have to keep off of it for a week at the least."

"Can we see her?"

"Yes, she is in a bit of a shock and hasn't said much except to ask about the condition of her friends. A Vanilla Cupcake and her raven-haired beauty?" The doctor shrugged his shoulders informing them that he had no idea what she meant.

"The two girls that came in with her? Are they alright?"

"I don't know anything about that, but go see Ms. Garcia and I'll see what I can find out," The doctor smiled nodding as he received their thanks before he went to see what he could find out.

Garcia was pale, she was staring at the ceiling above her without blinking. Her once tight curls were loose and splayed out on the white pillow, her hands clutched her blanket tightly and tears were pooling by her eyes.

Morgan approached her first, his hand reaching for hers, "Hey Baby Girl, how are you feeling?"

"They won't tell me anything Derek, I need to know," Her voice shook with a high-pitched worry and her hand trembled beneath his own.

"Someone is checking on them right now," Rossi told her, on cue the doctor returned again this time his face was grim. Another, a woman, in some pale purple scrubs and a white coat accompanied him. Her brown hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail, their were bags under her eyes, and she held a sad smile.

"I'm Doctor Peyton, I worked on Ms. Emily Prentiss. She suffered a through and through GSW to the side. She has some minor cuts and bruises and a concussion. She has some broken ribs and severe bruising across her chest from the impact of the seat belt..," She let the information

sink in for a moment before continuing, "She should be able to leave in a few days."

"What aren't you saying?"

"Miss. Prentiss hasn't said a word since waking up from surgery." Garcia lowered her gaze to stare at her sheets, she was pretty sure she knew why Emily wasn't speaking, "She can be moved into this room, if you would like?" The question was addressed to Garcia who nodded immediately. The doctors nodded and walked out together leaving the team to process all they learned.

"Hey Wait, Dr. Peyton," Reid called out, sprinting to catch up with them, "Jennifer Jareau? She was admitted at 6:47, with a GSW to the abdomen?"

His voice was desperate and he stood a few feet back, he was afraid to hear the answer. The two Doctor's turned slowly. They shook their heads and Reid's stance faltered slightly, but he stood tall and waited for the news.

"We haven't heard yet, but so far she's been very lucky to have made it this far. Don't lose hope," She told him and Reid nodded. From the moment he saw her in that snow, he knew sh would have to fight for it, for her life.

But he knew JJ, so he didn't lose hope. Turning back to the team, he walked tall ready to tell them that there was still a chance, a chance that they would each fly home on the jet soon. All alive and all together.

How was it? Emily's okay, for the most part, but she isn't talking. Garcia knows what happened, but will she tell? And JJ? Please let me know what you think and if you have any comments, suggestions, or criticisms. Thank you for reading and for the reviews that have been read and received. They really go a long way to help make a story better.

Thanks!

-HCB