By the time they arrive at the apartment complex it is full dark. Hotch and the SWAT team are already on site. He notices JJ is unusually silent but figures it's because she is concerned with stopping the people that had caused Emily's injuries. Morgan had not told Hotch about Elle's escape moves. As JJ and Morgan start to put on their vests, Hotch gives them the run down of how the raid will go.
"I'll knock and request entrance. If it's denied or ignored, SWAT will batter down the door. Morgan, you , Rossi and two officers will enter, clearing to the right. I'll be behind you with Greenaway and—"
"NO!" JJ blurts, fear on her face. Hotch turns to her.
"Is there a problem, Agent Jareau?" His use of her title showing he thinks her objection is personal, not professional.
"Yes. No. Maybe. Shit. Morgan, can you give us a second?"
Morgan nods and moves away. JJ looks around to make sure no one is within earshot.
"Hotch, she's been drinking. There's a flask in the inside pocket of her jacket. Or at least there was. She may have been smart enough to stash it in the car. I don't know."
Hotch stares at JJ's face. "What happened to your face, JJ?"
"I…we…Hotch, just worry about that later, please? Just…she's been drinking. She shouldn't make entry into the apartment."
Hotch stares at the media liaison. In the past he had always trusted her judgment. He saw no reason to change that now. He walks away from her.
"Greenaway. A moment, please?" She walks over to him. Hotch looks around to make sure they are alone. "How much have you had to drink tonight?"
Elle's eyes narrow. She looks beyond him to JJ, shooting daggers with her eyes. JJ just stares back calmly. Elle looks back at Hotch.
"I had a couple sips of scotch. I'm fine, Agent Hotchner."
"That may be, but you're not going in. I won't have this opp screwed up or someone hurt because you have a drinking problem."
"FUCK YOU! I don't work for you, Hotchner. Or have you forgotten that?"
Hotch maintains his cool. "You'll remain out here or I'll ask one of these officers to perform a breathalyzer test on you. Even if you aren't drunk, you're 'couple of sips' will cost you your badge. Are you willing to risk that again?"
Elle wants to protest but she knows Hotch will do exactly what he said. It wasn't just an empty threat. She turns away.
"Fine. But the bust still belongs to Reus and me."
Hotch nods. "Of course. But you better sober up before you write it up."
He turns and walks back to JJ. "We'll discuss this more later. I saw her bruises, too."
JJ just nods, knowing she's going to need to come completely clean with her boss before the case is over.
"You'll be with me and Reid," Hotch tells her as he goes to prepare the teams to enter.
JJ finishes getting her vest on. Suddenly the remnants of her phone are tossed into the back end of the Tahoe. JJ looks and sees Elle just walking away. The blonde sighs. When had things gotten so bad for Elle? And did the BAU team really have any responsibility for it or not? JJ shakes her head. There would be time to worry about that later. Right now there were two unsubs to take into custody.
Hotch's team heads up the west side stairwell as Morgan's team went up the east side. When they converge on apartment 308, Hotch bangs on the door.
"ALBERT AND SALLY SMITH THIS IS THE FBI! WE HAVE A WARRANT! OPEN UP!"
He waits a few minutes then steps away from the door. He nods to the SWAT officer with the battering ram and nods. The man steps forward and slams the door open. Morgan enters first, leading his team through the right side of the apartment. Hotch leads his team to the left.
"CLEAR!"
"CLEAR!"
"CLEAR"
"CLEAR!"
Hotch sighs. The place has been stripped clean. The unsubs were in the wind.
Back at the precinct, the team collapses into chairs around the conference table. They had missed their chance to stop these two killers because they hadn't put the puzzle pieces together in time. The only bright side was Garcia had found a white panel van registered in the name of one of the Smith's foster siblings. Since that man lived in Florida they are sure the Smith's are the ones using that van.
"Now what?" Morgan asks.
"Their mission isn't finished," Rossi points out. "They aren't going to stop until it is."
"True. But who says they have to finish it here," Reid says. "They could go anywhere this time of year and find all the Santa's they want."
"But Seattle means something to them. So did San Diego."
Reid frowns. "San Diego meant something to Albert. Seattle means something to Sally. What are we missing?"
Hotch hits speed dial and is not surprised when Garcia answers even though it is nearly midnight in Quantico, VA.
"Garcia, have you been able to, uh, see any medical records yet for Sally Smith?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. Her disability stems from a beating she took from one of her mother's John's. He beat her so bad she has permanent brain damage. But amazingly, the beating that hurt her also did something to jump start her creative side. She could suddenly draw amazing pictures. For a while it looked like she could be the next big thing art-wise but she was so scared of everyone except her brother that their social workers wouldn't let anyone exploit her talents."
"What do you want to bet the Carpenter's made sure she got art supplies each Christmas?" Rossi poses rhetorically. "I bet Santa even told her that when she got older her talent would take her places she couldn't imagine."
"And there's the lie!" Reid states. "We need to talk to the Carpenters. Whatever clowns or Santa's said to the kids is what the adults are getting revenge for. Those are the lies!"
Hotch nods. "You're right." He glances at his watch. "It's early enough to chance a call tonight. Garcia, get the info to Reid and Rossi."
"Yes, sir."
Reid and Rossi leave the room to find a private place to make the call. Hotch now looks at Mulroney, JJ and Morgan.
"Detective Mulroney, can you help Morgan with the paperwork on the raid? I want to make sure we have everything down correctly for your Captain."
"Yes, sir."
Morgan and Mulroney head out to get with the SWAT commander on the drudgery of paperwork. Hotch closes the door and sits down, staring at JJ.
"Are you ready to tell me what the hell is going on with you and Elle?"
JJ sighs, wrapping her arms around herself defensively. "Not really. But I guess I owe you a few explanations." Hotch just nods and waits. JJ gets up and starts to pace. "Elle and I bonded because we were the only two women out on the road with the team and, well, we are both bisexual. It didn't take long for me to realize that she'd developed a crush on me. I never encouraged it but I never really tried to discourage it, either."
"JJ, her having a crush on you isn't your fault. You know that, right?"
"I know. But a couple times…we sort of made out. God, I can't believe I have to tell you this." Her face is bright red. Hotch feels for her but knows she has to be completely honest so he can figure out what is going on here in Seattle. "Anyway, one night it became obvious she wanted more. I had been single a while and, well, you know how it can be." Hotch nods understandingly. "Well, one thing led to another and I suddenly knew if I let it go any farther it wouldn't be fair to Elle. I just didn't feel the same way she did and I wasn't going to lead her on." She sighs. "I told her I would never date a co-worker. That I wouldn't risk my badge to break that rule. It just seemed kinder than telling her I didn't like her the way she liked me."
"And then Emily Prentiss destroyed that rule and now she knows you told her a lie," Hotch finishes.
"Yeah. Mostly. Truth is, Hotch, until Emily, I really did believe what I told Elle." JJ smiles thinking of Emily. "But Emily made me realize that the rule just really sucked. I knew we could be together and I was even willing to transfer to stay with her."
"God forbid! Don't even joke about that, JJ," Hotch says with a smile.
"Thank you," she says sincerely. "Anyway, one night after Elle resigned she came to my apartment. She was drunk and she…she tried to…she sort of…" JJ just can't finish the statement. It is never easy to say you were nearly raped, especially when the attacker was a friend. She takes a deep breath and just says it. "Shit, Hotch, if I hadn't punched her she would have raped me. I know that as sure as we're standing here." JJ won't look at Hotch but she can feel the tension radiating from her boss…her friend.
"Son of a bitch," Hotch mutters. "And you didn't report her, did you?"
JJ shakes her head. "She'd already resigned from the FBI. I just…didn't want to cause more trouble for her. She told me she doesn't remember coming to see me that night. I believe her. Hotch, she's got a serious drinking problem."
"What happened tonight, JJ?"
"Earlier she made some remarks about Emily again. I punched her. When Morgan and I got to the hospital I saw her leaving Emily's room. I thought she'd done something. But Emily said they'd just talked; that Elle needed to know what had happened to Reus in that building. When Morgan and I left she was waiting for us. She said she wanted me to ride with her so I did. She ditched Morgan, broke my phone and cautioned me against pulling my gun. She said she wanted to talk but I didn't completely believe her. I was scared if I pulled my gun she'd wreck on purpose so I just let her drive."
JJ starts to pace again. She tells Hotch of the long trip to the beach and following Elle down to the waterfront.
"Fucking Christ, JJ! She could have killed you down there!" Hotch explodes.
"I know, Hotch. I'm sorry. But I asked her what I wish I could have asked Battle, Weston and Phillipe. I need to know why these cops are pissing away everything they worked for and why they turned their back on everything I still believe in. I need to know, Hotch. I have to understand."
"I see. Did she answer?"
"Sort of. She said the badge turned on her. Blamed us for not backing her after the Haid and Lee incidents. I called her on that bullshit. She had already pulled out her flask and had a few sips. She had talked about becoming a cop to honor her dad. I grabbed the hand with the flask and pointed out her dad would be so proud of her now." She unconsciously raises a hand to her head. "That's when she tried to club me with her gun. We exchanged a few blows and both ended up on the ground."
JJ closes her eyes against the memory. Hotch knows he's not going to like how the fight ended. She opens her eyes and looks her boss in the eye.
"We…we both had our guns out and leveled at each other. I begged her not to take me away from Henry…and not to make me kill another law enforcement officer. I'm not sure which part got through to her but she holstered her gun and stood up. I followed her up the path and didn't put my own gun away until I saw Morgan."
"JJ…Jennifer, she is unstable. She isn't safe on the streets. We need to tell her captain." He steps closer. "And you need to tell Emily. She should know Elle is this dangerous."
"I will. I've told her some. I'll tell her the rest. I promise."
"Good. I'm off to speak with Abry. Get someone to drive you to the hospital. I have a feeling Emily will be happy to see you no matter what time it is."
JJ smiles. "Yeah, she will. And I reallyneed to see her. She'll still the unease in my heart with just a word."
Hotch smiles. "The ones we love always can. See you in the morning, JJ."
"Night, Hotch."