Chapter 11

Opening the door to the precinct she saw a detective approaching them. Sticking his hand out to the blonde, "Agent Jareau? Hi. I'm detective Ronnie baleman," he greeted.

"Hi," responded the blonde, moving a side to introduce her team. "These are SSA Rossi, SSAs Morgan, Prentiss, and ."

The obviously distraught detective shook hands, "thank you, all of you, for coming."

Morgan ventured a glance at the hostile looks they were receiving for the rest of the precinct, "Well, your colleagues don't look all that happy to see us." Baleman just looked down and said, "They didn't just loose a brother."

"I'd like to get started on all the files," said Reid. "We're gonna build what we call psychological autopsies to determine whether the victims killed themselves."

The detective pointed behind him, "Everything's in those boxes."

As Reid went to look at the evidence, Hotch jumped in "We'd also like to take a look at your brother's house."

The detective nodded "I'll take you there."

"I think it's better if you stay here," said Prentiss.

Bewildered by the answer Baleman retorted, "It's my case. I brought you here."

Morgan lay a hand on the man's shoulders, "Technically, there is no case. If there was, you wouldn't be on it."

"We need to profile the scene without bias," mention Hotch, motioning to Morgan and Rossi to follow him out. On his way out Hotch pulled Emily to the side, "I need an agent to be with her at all times," Emily nodded, "and I need to know that if that agent isn't you, the job will get done."

She didn't like hearing that, she didn't feel comfortable leaving JJ, but she knew that they were there to do a job, and that people's lives depended on it.

"And Prentiss, if you notice anything of concern, take her to the hotel, understood?" he said, making it clear that it wasn't a suggestion.

"Yes Sir, I'll help Reid with the psychological autopsies," said the brunette walking back to where her colleagues and detective Baleman were putting together the evidence board.

After about three hours of work, JJ, Emily and Reid took a much-needed coffee break. Both of the profilers could have kept going, but one look at the blonde woman told them that she was dead on her feet.

"Are you feeling ok?" asked Reid eyeing her for any sign of discomfort. Sitting down in their makeshift conference table the young agent nodded. Emily knew not to push it, she knew JJ wouldn't go to the hotel even if they made her. She was 100% invested in the case, and to be honest so was she. So she decided to comfort herself with the knowledge that at least she was nearby the blonde agent.

Detective Baleman took the last open spot on the table; his somber face brought them back to the reality staring them in the face. There probably was a serial killer loose, in a community that had already gone to hell and back.

"Has your team found anything new?' he asked dejectedly, "we should let the media know."

"I would err on the side of caution," said the media liaison.

The detective stood up defensively, "What? People need to know," he demanded.

"And they will, as soon as we have absolute proof," insisted JJ. Both her and the detective missed the meaningful glance between Emily and Reid. They knew that JJ was tired.

"I think the town's been through enough already, don't you? Also keep in mind that if these cases are related, this unsub's probably already aware that we're onto him," added Reid.

Still not happy with the answer, "But the community needs to know If there's a serial killer in its midst."

JJ could only take so much; she knew she should probably be resting and if they had a lead detective that wasn't so emotionally compromised she probably would've gone to the hotel. This was her last attempt at keeping the peace, "And they will, as soon as we have proof," she said with a little more force.

"Even if the proof means another body?" he said leaving the room.

"You know he's right," mentioned JJ after a while. Her eyes searching comfort in sight of Emily Prentiss sitting across from her.

"He's also personally motivated, though, which means he's likely to react irrationally," responded the young doctor looking at the evidence board.

Starting to feel light headed JJ stood up. Looking back at the two profilers she said, "If this turns out to be the work of a serial killer, the whole town will, too."

She needed to find the restroom, quickly. It was all too much at the moment. She felt like sleeping, she felt like running, she felt like throwing up, all at the same time. Her body was telling her to rest, but her mind wouldn't stop. Unfortunately for the young liaison her need to throw up was overpowering all other urges.

Slamming the door of the bathroom shut, she didn't even bother to lock it, barely making it in time, as her body emptied her stomach.

She sat on the cold tile floor, crying. She felt weak, just like Will had told her. Useless.

"Jen, are you in here?" someone asked, it belong to the person she had learned to depend on. Before a response could form on her lips, two soft hands were pulling her head away from her face. She felt one of those hands rubbing her back. "JayJ, why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling ok?"

She didn't want Emily to think she was weak, "I'm fine Emily," JJ whispered.

Emily wasn't going to let JJ close her off. "C'mon JayJ we've been through too much for you to shut me out," Emily whispered. Using to fingers she tipped JJ's chin. All she needed to see was clearly displayed in those baby blues. "Let's get you to the hotel sweetheart," she said helping the younger woman to her feet.

"Em, I'm fine," JJ pleaded.

"Oh no you're not, lets get you to bed. You'll feel better tomorrow," promised the brunette. Looking down at her watch, "actually JayJ, it is time for all of us to head back to the hotel."

She gently held JJ up and close to her. On her way to the cars Emily didn't stop in their little conference room, she didn't stop to talk to anyone. Just as she closed the passenger side door on the SUV, Hotch and Morgan approached her.

"Is she going to be ok?" asked Hotch, noticing a mass of blonde hair pressed up against the glass of the window.

"I just want to her to the hotel guys, she'll be fine after a good night's sleep," said the brunette walking to the driver's door.

"Princess we're picking up some take out before we head back, either of you want anything?" asked Morgan.

"Sure, thanks Morgan," she said smiling.

The ride to the hotel was a short one, thanking her lucky stars for the GPS. Putting the car in park she stretched her hand and gently ran it over the sleeping woman's arm. "Wake up, we're here Jay," said the brunette pulling her companion awake.

Walking to the front desk, Emily gave the gentleman her last name. He politely informed her that there was no reservation under her name. Cursing the name Penelope Garcia, she asked if there was a reservation under "Jareau."

"Ah there you are! Oh, that's odd your name is here as well, I'm so sorry for the confusion," he said handing her the keys. "And I have a delivery for you as well," he said going to the back room.

Emily started to panic; neither of them had been expecting any deliveries. But she didn't have time to hypothesize about anything, as the young man came back, rather quickly carrying a bouquet of red roses. The note read:

Found you!

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