AN: Sorry that this took a few days, but I've been a tad busy and haven't really had an idea for this chapter until now. I'm also sorry if it sucks. I'm kind of short on time and tired because it is already around 2:30 AM here. However, I want to go ahead and get this part down. Thanks for all the reviews, you guys are the best! *DISCLAIMER* I do not own Criminal Minds or Higher Ground.
The team and the detectives were preparing to depart the station the next morning when Hotch noticed something. It was JJ. She seemed slow, almost sluggish. She had awful bags under her eyes, which were a little blood-shot. Her hair was messy, as if she had barely ran a comb through it that morning. She looked tired, but that wasn't what concerned Hotch the most. He caught something in the glint of her blue eyes, but he didn't know what it was yet. He would need more information. He struggled to stop himself from profiling her. On one hand, the team had a sort of code. They agreed to try to stay out of each others business, that everyone had secrets and a need for privacy. On the other hand, JJ was an excellent agent and a friend, and he couldn't help but be concerned for her well-being. He pulled Prentiss off to the side for a moment. JJ, who was almost zombie-like, didn't even seem to notice.
"What's up," Prentiss asked.
"Did JJ tell you anything last night."
"Like what?"
"Anything personal. Or did she act strange in any way?"
Prentiss tried not to give away anything. She acted cool, didn't really give a reaction. She didn't want to lie to Hotch, but she definitely didn't want to talk about JJ behind her back. They were friends, and she felt that JJ deserved better than that.
"No," she said, "We got in the hotel and went to sleep."
"Did she have trouble sleeping?"
"Not that I know of, but I was asleep." Another lie. Hotch stared at her for a second. Maybe he thought he could break her, but she held strong. He nodded.
"Ok," he said, "But if you notice anything, please let me know." He started to walk off.
"Hotch." He turned back.
"What is going on?"
"Something is troubling her," he whispered, "I don't know what it is, but she's been struggling since we took this case. I just want to make sure that we keep an eye on her so that we can step in if she needs someone to lean on."
Prentiss nodded.
"Ok, I'll try to see what I can find out," she said.
"Hotch, Emily," Morgan called, "We're waiting on you!"
Neither agent had noticed that the others were ready. They rushed to the front doors of the station to accompany them.