Her past catches up with her
I don't own Criminal Minds or Higher Ground. Might not be suitable for young children. Mild swearing.
Chapter 10
On the way to the hotel, Shawn tries to get JJ to trust or confide in him. "So, what happened to your leg?" Asking out of curiosity.
"I had an accident. Glass was embedded into my leg, nicking an artery. I also had glass embedded into my head. But I'm fine now." JJ says in her professional voice.
"I'm glad you're ok. I'm sorry we won't have a chance to work together. I'm sure your very smart." Shawn says.
"Ok. Enough! You're working for Josh and Walt, aren't you?" JJ says, yelling and with increased breathing.
"Agent Jearau, I have no idea who you are talking about. Who are you talking about?" Shawn asks concerned and confused.
"You don't know who Josh and Walt are?" JJ asks, hesitantly.
"No I don't. Who are they?" Shawn asks with full on concern.
"Well, you'll probably hear the others bring up their names. Walt is a pedophile. Josh is an abuser. Their both working to find two young ladies by the names Shelby and Jess. I know of at least on of their whereabouts and thought they might send someone after me to get that info. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions." JJ says, looking out the window. Shawn knew then that there was something about this agent that he found amazing.
"It's ok. You have a lot going on. So, are we going to smith street holiday inn or Hubble road?" Shawn asks.
"Smith street. It's closest to work and the houses." JJ says, explaining a little.
"Houses?"
"Yes. My house and Martha Mason's. Their both mine now." JJ says, silently crying.
"Oh. Why aren't you going home?" Shawn asks clueless.
"Because they are both crime scenes. Martha was murdered at hers. Mine was ransacked. I can't go there until at least tomorrow. Why don't you tell me what you do know." JJ says, frustrated.
"All I know is that I'm temping for you because one of your close friends passed away and you were injured. It wasn't specified how long I would be temping. Do you have any tips for dealing with the police departments and media?" Shawn asks, nervous about doing her job.
"It can't be much different from what you do for sex crimes. You make sure you chose your words carefully. You have to worry about creating a mass panic. If you need any help, just call me. It's mostly my injury that's keeping me from work. Martha's murder would only make me want to get back to work to find her killer." JJ says, under her breath says, "I'll catch them both and make them pay."
Shawn heard what she said under her breath and pretended he didn't, "What was that?"
"Nothing. So, how long have you been at sex crimes?" JJ asks, changing the subject.
"Well, I've been with sex crimes for about five or six years, give or take. I've been with FBI for seven to eight years, give or take. How about you?" Shawn asks.
"I've been with the BAU for about five years. Agent Hotchner hand picked me. I'm sure he's regretting it now." JJ says, drifting back to the earlier plane ride home. Although she remembers it more like a movie she'd just seen.
"Why would he regret it? You seem to be very good at your job. Why do you think I'm so nervous about doing your job. I have to live up to your high standard. And from what I can tell from the little time I've been around your team, they are more like a family. Why do you believe that they would think badly of you?" Shawn asks, shocked at her point of view of the BAU team.
"Just some things that happened on the last case. They didn't say anything, but when you're around profilers most of your time, you learn a thing or two." JJ says.
"Maybe you misunderstood. I can't see them not saying what they think. If they didn't say it, then I think you're putting to much pressure on yourself. Your just over reacting. You have a lot going on in that beautiful head of yours." Shawn says, pulling into the holiday inn parking lot.
"Thanks for the lift agent. Here's my cell number incase you need some help or have some questions." JJ says, getting out of the vehicle.
"Would you like some help?" Shawn asks.
"No. I think I can get this myself. Thanks anyway. Good luck agent, you'll need it." JJ says, smiling as she shuts the door of the car. Shawn smile fades at the thought of what JJ just said.
Back at FBI headquarters, Hotch and the team got some info about a piece of property that Josh's rich family owns in Boston, Massachusetts. Morgan and Reid are going to Massachusetts to do some investigating on the property.
The call Hotch received with JJ in the room was a call from sheriff Swan in Hope Springs, Colorado. He was calling on the disappearance of Sophie Becker-Scarbrow and Katherine Cabot-Ferris. Sheriff Swan had also been informed by Peter Scarbrow that two other women had been abducted too. Juliett Wayborne and Daisy Lipinowski. It's believed that Josh and Walt had kidnapped them. To try to get Shelby/JJ out of hiding and lure her out into the opening. Hotch didn't want JJ knowing what was happening. He knew she'd go after the missing women and put herself in danger.
Scott Barringer, Peter Scarbrow, Augusto Ciceros and Hank Ferris are all scared out of there minds. Peter and Hank are on their way to Quantico. The other guys, Scott and Augusto were flying out tomorrow. Peter and Hank were coming to talk to JJ and the BAU team. Everyone knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.
At the holiday inn, JJ starts to write down any information that she can remember about Josh's life. Once she gets out all that info, she starts on all of Walt's info. There's much more info on Walt. In the middle of her writing, the phone rings. JJ jumps and the walks over to the phone. She doesn't know who it can be since no one had her room number or phone number for that matter.
"Hello?" JJ answers with hesitance.
"It's this agent Jearau?" A young male voice asks.
"Yes, whom may I ask is calling?" JJ asks professionally.
"This is Scott Barringer. I was told by Peter Scarbrow to call you at the FBI headquarters in Quantico. There was a gentleman there that gave me the number to the hotel. I'm sorry to be bothering you there, but I really need to speak to you. You see, some of my female friends have been kidnapped. We're coming out there to try to help. I don't have the faintest idea why Peter would want me to call you." Scott says, not sure what she can do to help him.
"Did you say Scott Barringer?" JJ asks smiling. Not even paying attention to what else he'd said.
"Yes. Do I know you? Have we spoke before?" Scott asks.
"Yes, we have. Scott, it's me, Shelby! That's why Peter wanted you to talk to me. What did you say about a kidnapping?" JJ asks as reality of the situation sets in.
"Shelby! My god! Well, I guess I should say Agent Jearau. Oh, Sophie, Juls, Daisy and Kate have been kidnapped. Juls and Daisy were first kidnapped yesterday and Sophie and Kate today. Sheriff Swan called and talked to Agent Hotchner earlier today. Peter and Hank are flying out today. Tomorrow Auggie and I are going to meet up and fly out there together. I can tell you Auggie's very upset. Someone broke into their home, hit Auggie over the head and abducted Juls. It sounds like the same with Sophie and Kate too. I'm not sure about Daisy. She lives alone." Scott says, then is silent.
"I have a feeling it has to do with Josh and Walt. They killed my neighbor lady that was more like the mother I always wanted. They found me and took their anger out on my best friend." JJ says, crying now.
"Shel, it's not your fault that these bastards are crazy as loons. But we do have to find them before he hurts any of the girls. Do you think you can handle seeing and dealing with them now?" Scott asks.
"I didn't become an FBI agent being weak. Sure, the thought of seeing them freaks me out. But if I treat this as a case, I can handle it without waver. I'm sure they'll let them go in exchange for me." JJ says, plotting a plan out in her head.
"Shel, shouldn't you be talking this over with your team?" Scott asks.
"Scott, I'm a superiors Special Agent with the behavioral analysis unit. I'm just media liaison. But I've spent enough time around behavioral profilers to have learned a few things. I need to take care of this myself. Besides, I'm off on family leave. My team knows about Josh and Walt. I was injured and am planning a funeral for my neighbor. So they have a temp filling in for me. Then I find out my team is taking care of all the funeral arrangements, cleaning up my house and Martha's. As it was I had to sneak out work files to have something to do. These guys believe I'm going to break. They treat me differently. I hate it. It reminds me of the way you treated me after finding out about me being on the streets. These people have been my family for about five years. I hate showing any form of weakness. Then I fear for Jess. I hear you're married with a family. Congratulations! Peter told me that you named your daughter Shelby Ann. Thanks for that. It's an honor. Does she have your amazing eyes?" JJ asks, smiling while imagining a sweet little baby girl with beautiful blue eyes.
"Well, she's beautiful little bundle of sunshine. I think she's more like her beautiful mommy. But she reminds me of you too. Light blond hair. A smile that makes my stomach flip flop. I sure do miss you. Do you have someone special in your life?" Scott asks, hoping the answer is yes.
"I really haven't had the time for a special person in my life. I've been so busy pushing myself to put myself through college, then the academy. My job keeps me pretty busy. I'm flying all over the U.S. Just when I start to unwind, another case comes across my desk. I'm the one who chooses. You know, I used to keep the picture of our group hidden in my house. If I ever felt alone, I pulled it out and looked at it. I used to wish you'd find a nice woman and have a family. Be the happy family we both used to wish for. I guess my wish for you finally came true. It sounds like you all have done well for yourselves. Except for poor Ezra. He was such a sweetheart. Hopefully David will come back alive. Kate and Hank married. I could see that. Have Peter and Sophie been able to adopt?" JJ asks.
"They've adopted a little girl about nine or ten months after you left. She's a great little girl. She kind of reminds me of you. She's about ten years old now." Scott says.
"When I saw them, they hadn't mentioned it. But I guess I didn't give them much of a chance to tell me. I was hospitalized before seeing them. Then we went up to the school, a boy ran and Peter and a couple of my co-workers went to retrieve him. When they got back, I got the call saying Martha had been murdered. So we left. Sophie had to keep me calm. I knew it had to be Josh and Walt. Why would someone murder Martha, ransack her house and then go over to my house and ransack it? It had to be someone who knew me. But as Jennifer Jearau, I had no enemies. My only enemies are Josh and Walt." JJ says, sighing.
"So, FBI agent Jennifer Jearau. How did you come up with that name?" Scott asks.
"Well, agent McEnroe gave me a list of names. I met a nice lady by the name of Jennifer. She helped me through a hard time. And there was a name of Jennifer Jearau. I want to believe Jess picked the first name of Ashley. She always loved that name. From now on, could you call me Jennifer or what I'm normally called JJ. Shelby died the day I left horizon. I missed you all terribly, but I knew I was all on my own. So I relied on myself. No boyfriends, only one friend. She was my roommate from college. But we haven't spoke in about five or six years. Peter and Sophie would have loved to see me studying all the time. No distractions. I was determined to do something to help others not go through what we did."
"So your team isn't letting you work to find the girls?"
"No. They're keeping info from me. But I'm going to find Josh and Walt and take them down! That's a promise! Oh, Scott I have to go. My cell phone's ringing. Can you call me back in an hour?"
"Yeah. Bye." Scott says, and hangs up.
"Jearau." JJ says, answering her cell phone.
"Agent Jearau, where do you keep from sheets for faxes and cost reimbursement?" Shawn asks.
"The fax cover sheets are right next to the copier/fax machine. The cost reimbursement sheets are in my top left desk drawer. What costs do you have already?" JJ asks.
"Agents Morgan and Reid have a hotel room in… I can't tell you that. You're off duty." Shawn says.
"They have a lead on Josh and Walt, don't they?" JJ asks.
"I can't say."
"Well, I can tell you how much the hotel costs if you tell me where it's at." JJ says, in here sweet, flirty voice.
"Boston, Massachusetts. Agent Jearau, if I keep you informed, would you promise me that you won't go off and try to be a hero single handedly?"
"I swear. Now, tell me what you know."
"Agents Morgan and Reid have gone to Boston to check on a piece of property owned by Josh's rich family. Oh and it's believed that Josh and Walt have kidnapped five ladies."
"Five women? I thought it was four women?" JJ asks.
"The list I have is Sophie Scarbrow, Katherine Ferris, Juliett Wayborne, Daisy Lipinowski and Ashley Bowers." Shawn says.
"Ashley Bowers? Where's she from?" JJ asks.
"I have her address down as Charlotte, Michigan. Do you know her?"
"I believe I do. Does she have any family? You know, kids or a husband?"
Yes. She has a husband, John. She has a young boy. Four years old and her husband says she just found out she's pregnant again."
"Oh my gosh! Way to go Jess. When was she kidnapped?" JJ asks, beginning to tear up.
"She was kidnapped two days ago. She was the first out of the five. Would you mind telling me what is going on?" Shawn asks, confused.
"I'm going to have to tell you when you come to get me. I need a ride somewhere and you have to go with me. Bring a couple of changes of cloths. When we're on the air we'll call Hotch and Gideon. I don't want to tell you where we're going so you don't have to lie about it if you're asked. So come get me please. Call my cell when you're downstairs. See you soon." JJ says, hanging up. She then dials the local airport to get two tickets to Boston, Massachusetts. She paid with her credit card and then grabbed her bag. When she grabbed the crutch, she threw it and says, "Screw it!" She goes down to check out and wait for Shawn.