Reid and Emily get JJ situated on the plane's couch. They make sure she has enough pillows to keep her back comfortable on the flight home. Emily smiles down at her.

"That good?"

JJ nods. "Yeah. I'll be fine. Really. At least the bastard didn't hit my nose," she says, trying to make Emily's smile reach her eyes.

Emily just nods. JJ takes her hand. "Emily…"

"Not now, Jen. Please," Emily whispers.

Emily had not said what she and Morgan had discussed the night before. And though Emily had bought breath mints, the smell of cigarette smoke still clung to her blouse. JJ had asked her about it but Emily had ducked the question. Just like last night, JJ shakes her head in frustration. Emily was nothing but walls again.

JJ whispers back. "Don't think I'm giving up my wife without a fight. I've knocked those walls down before and I'll fucking knock them down again. Do you understand me?"

Emily stares into JJ's eyes. JJ sees the flicker of fear, followed by the flicker of love. Emily looks away. "I'm hanging by a thread, Jen. They are the only thing holding me together. Just leave them alone for now. Please," she begs.

JJ slowly nods. "Okay. For now." Emily starts to turn away but JJ grabs her hand. "Hey. I love you, Emily. Don't forget that."

Emily just nods, not trusting herself to speak at the moment.

Hotch sees the exchange. He hadn't forgotten Emily's request for time off. He plans to make sure she takes it. He'd seen agents on the edge of the abyss before. He wasn't going to lose Emily the way he'd lost Elle and Gideon.

When the plane lands at Quantico, Hotch takes extra time getting his things together. This leaves him alone on the plane with JJ and Emily. He approaches them.

"Emily, why don't you take JJ on home and take the rest of the day off. You've both earned it."

Emily stares at him. "Don't act like we're stupid, Hotch."

He sighs and sits down in a seat near the couch. "You're right. I'm sorry. Emily, you've asked for time off. Take JJ home, email me your report. Let me know how much time you need and—"

Emily turns away from them. "God damn it, Hotch, I don't appreciate being fucking ambushed. I'll finish the damned paperwork for this case before taking off. I'll be fine for the day."

JJ and Hotch exchange a look. Both had heard her voice start to break. Hotch stands and approaches Emily.

"A few years ago, I ignored the signs that told me Elle was about to break. I thought if she just got back to the job she'd be okay. She wasn't. I saw Gideon start to doubt himself and I figured he had done this for years, he'll be fine. He wasn't. Emily, I'm not going to lose you, too. This time I'm paying attention to your words, your actions, your emotions. I'm sorry I said something in front of JJ." He steps closer and lays a hand on his shoulder. "I don't care about the paperwork. I don't care about what we have to do to give you a leave of absence. I care about you, Emily. Whatever you need from me, you'll get. I'll start by leaving you two alone to discuss everything. Take the day at least. If you want to come in tomorrow, okay. If you want to email me your reports and how much time you need, that's fine, too."

Emily takes a shuddering breath. She slowly turns around, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Thank you," is all she can manage.

Hotch nods, grabs his things and leaves the plane. Emily looks down at JJ. The blonde slowly stands and takes Emily's face in her hands.

"Whatever you need, honey. Whatever you fucking need," she promises.

Emily nods. She grabs their bags and helps JJ from the plane and into the SUV. Their drive home is silent. JJ has so many questions but she knows she needs to get Emily home before she asks them. When Emily parks she leans her head against the headrest for a moment.

"I swear, I wasn't trying to hide my leave request from you. I just need you to know that, Jen," she finally says softly.

JJ reaches over and pats Emily's leg. "I know, sweetheart. I know. I had suggested to Hotch you take some time and he told me you'd already asked."

Emily closes her eyes for a moment. "Oh."

They get out of the Lexus and Emily grabs their go bags. As they head towards the elevator, JJ takes Emily's hand. She is glad when Emily entwines their fingers together. When they get up to the apartment, Francesca starts to give them both big hugs. Emily steps in front of JJ.

"Uh, Jen got a little hurt, Francesca. She can't handle one of your big welcomes today," Emily tells the exuberant nanny.

Francesca stares into Emily's eyes. "E ciò che è accaduto a te, cara?"*

Emily sighs. "Vita è accaduto."**

Francesca just shakes her head. Emily's eyes have lost their spark. JJ's eyes are pained with worry and from her injuries. Francesca takes a hand of each woman.

"Go upstairs. Shower. Get in comfy clothes. Play with your son. I will make you a good meal that will help make things better," she insists.

Emily goes to protest but JJ stops her. "I think that's a great idea. Thank you, Francesca."

Francesca nods. "Henry is in his crib. He should be just about done with his morning nap."

JJ leads Emily upstairs. She turns towards the nursery but Emily stops. JJ turns and looks at her. Emily will not meet JJ's eyes. She's ashamed of her emotional turmoil.

"Jen…I can't. I don't want to…to mess him up somehow. I don't want to scare him."

JJ forces Emily to look into her eyes. "Do you remember when the whole team was imploding after Hailey died? After we caught that bastard Belser in Nashville? We all pulled away from each other. And do you remember what you said the night you finally reached out to me? When I finally reached for you?"

Emily closes her eyes. She remembered that night vividly.

"Emily, do you remember what you said about Henry?" JJ pushes.

Emily slowly opens her eyes. "He's…he's a touchstone for me."

JJ nods. "That's right. Emily, you need him and love him as much as he needs and loves you. Don't run away from those of us that can heal you," she says gently.

JJ starts towards the nursery again, pulling Emily along behind her. When JJ looks down into the crib Henry is playing with his activity center. She smiles at him.

"Hey, little man. We're home."

His head spins around at the first sound of her voice. He rolls to his back waving his hands and giggling. JJ chuckles at him, then looks at Emily. The brunette is smiling but her tears have started again. JJ runs a hand down Emily's arm.

"I can't lift him up, baby."

Emily just nods. She leans over, unable to speak, and lifts him into her arms. As she pulls him close he cackles and gives her a hug and sloppy kiss on the cheek. Emily buries her face in the crook of his shoulder for a moment. She breathes in his scent and feels the crack in her mind start to heal.

"I love you, Henry," she whispers.

JJ rubs her hand down Emily's back. "He loves you, too."

*And what happened to you, darling?

**Life happened.
Both translations courtesy of Babylon Translator.