CHAPTER 10

Earlier

Emily held her breath every time a twig snapped under her feet as she moved from one tree to the next. If it wasn't so dangerous it would have reminded her of taking her daughter paint balling last Christmas. The unsub most likely had a hunting rifle with a high powered scope on it and he was a good shot if it had come from the cabin where they were headed. She still had no idea where Jeff had gone, she hadn't heard any more shots, though she had no idea if the unsub had any combat training. She hoped Jeff either flanking him from the other side or was going for reinforcements.

She caught a glimpse of the ramshackle single story log cabin. Her Glock 19 was held steady in her hand.

The cabin had two small square windows on either side of the front door, that was when she saw Mike hand cuffed to the porch post, his shirt was ripped open and there was a lot of blood but she couldn't see the wound or wounds that caused it. The unsub had gone and got him while she was working her way forward. Even though she knew she couldn't have gotten there any faster she still felt responsible.

Movement.

A large man in dirty jeans and shirt came out of the cabin, his hair was shaggy and he hadn't shaved in a long while. He was holding a huge knife. He was walking towards the at best unconscious at worst dead cop. Emily couldn't take the chance that Mike was still alive, she darted around the tree so she could get a clear line of sight.

"FBI. FREEZE!"

She hoped to get his attention and she succeeded. He spun round so fast she was surprised he didn't fall over. She walked steadily towards him, her gun aimed at him.

"STOP AND DROP THE KNIFE!"

He didn't instead he charged her, howling like a banshee. Emily fired.

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JJ barely managed to not rush on ahead as she followed Hotch her mind was full of Emily and what would happen to Sam if something happened to her mother. Also there was the promise to Sam, she cared about the girl.

No I refuse to think that! JJ shook he head to clear it. If she let this distract her how could she would she react if they were closer. Stop it! You don't know if it's even possible and even if it is that does not mean that she will like you the same way you like her!

Hotch had everyone spread out. He decided it was worth using the radio. He pressed the button, "This is SSA Hotchner. Can any body hear me?"

The radio crackled for a moment then...

"Hey Hotch it's clear. Mike's hurt bad we need a medic. I haven't seen Jeff at all."

JJ heaved a sigh of relief at hearing Emily's voice. She wouldn't have to tell Sam that she had broke her promise.

"The unsub?" asked Hotch.

"Dead."

JJ went straight to the cabin with Hotch and an EMT while the others started a search for the Park Ranger. Emily was holding her jacket to Mikes chest, the unsub was lying on his back ten feet from his porch.

The EMT took over allowing Emily to stand up. Her eyes went back to the unsub. It wasn't the first time she had discharged her weapon in the line of duty and she knew it wouldn't be the last. She sighed.

"You okay?" asked JJ softly as Hotch went to look inside the cabin.

"Yeah," replied Emily, deliberately only answering the physical aspect of the question.

"He's definitely our unsub," said Hotch, coming back out, "There are a lot of knives in there with blood all over them and they are consistent with the M E's report."

Mike was still wearing the cuffs, she had pried them from the post with the unsub's own knife. She glanced down at her blood covered hands and shuddered. She jumped when JJ put her own jacket round her shoulders.

"You'll get cold," said Emily.

"I still have a sweatshirt on," replied JJ.

"Thanks."

It was Morgan who found Jeff, like Emily he had dismounted to make his way to the cabin as quietly as possible. On the way he had tripped over and broken his ankle, after hearing the shots he had started hopping. He had tied his horse to a tree, one of the other police officers went to get it.

It wasn't long until everyone was at the cabin and Hotch asked Emily if she could find her way back to the Ranger station on horseback.

"Yes, sir."

"Take JJ with you."

"Sir, don't you need us to..."

Hotch held up his hand, "There are enough people here."

Emily nodded he had a point plus there were still three BAU members there. It didn't explain JJ though. She glanced at the blond's feet encased snugly in a pair of brown hiking boots, obviously not hers, they had been broken in. And after the hike to get here it was a sure bet JJ's feet were not happy.

"Okay." Emily led JJ over to the bay gelding, she climbed on as Morgan helped JJ up behind her. Emily cleared her throat as her friend wrapped her arms around her. "Ready?"

"Yes."

"Hold on."

"Don't worry I will."

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Sam was at Kendra's when her mom called to say that they would be home that night. She grinned happily as she flopped back down on the floor of Kendra's bedroom to finish her homework.

"Case is done?" asked Kendra, she was fascinated by the relationship that Sam and her mother had. Her own mother had died when she was four and she hardly remembered her. Her dad had left her mom before she was born. According to her grandmother he was a deadbeat loser who had fled the minute he found out his girlfriend was pregnant.

"Yep, they're coming home."

Kendra wondered if Sam realised she was referring to JJ's apartment as home and the blond as part of her family. She was pretty sure she didn't.

As they were coming back Sam went to JJ's when she had finished her homework to feed Sergio.

When Emily walked through the door she was greeted by a big hug from her daughter.

"Hi, Pumpkin," whispered Emily, holding her close. Immediately Sam knew the case had been bad in some way. Those were the only times she used that particular nickname for her. She also knew her mom would never tell her why. Hopefully she would talk to JJ, really talk to her.

JJ got a hug too.

As they made dinner together Sam told the two FBI agents about school and her time with Garcia.

Sam was happy that they were back, she completely ignored the little voice in the back of her mind reminding her that the living arrangements were temporary.

"Shirley offered that I could stay with them if Garcia has to work," said Sam.

Emily nodded, she had realised that there might come a time when Garcia pulled an all-nighter if they had to. For now she was satisfied with the arrangements and knowing that there was a back up plan in place made Emily feel better about leaving her daughter.

Now they just had to wait for there next case.

TBC...

A/N. Hi. Hope this was worth waiting for. Thank you all for following, reviewing and fav'ing this story. Have fun T-Rex :)