I want to thank everyone for reading Darkness. Thank you for reviewing, favoriting, following, commenting, and anything else I might be forgetting as I write this note. I loved writing this story, and I'm going to love writing the recovery, I absolutely loved reading everyone's thoughts and comments as they continued to follow my updates. I hope you enjoy this final chapter, I couldn't stop writing so its a lot longer than all the rest.

Garcia and Reid hopped into the car when Hotch pulled up to the dead man's house. "How are they?" Garcia asked sliding unto the backbench while Reid took the front right seat.

"Rossi called and said both were immediately rushed into surgery." Reid inhaled sharply when Hotch paused. "They're stable. But the injuries that they sustained and the substantial blood loss…" Hotch stopped speaking, he knew telling them would only make them more anxious. Garcia began to squirm in the back as the red-lit sign of EMERGENCY came into view.

Hotch parked the car and turned towards Garcia and Reid. "I'm going to tell you what I told Rossi and Blake already." He said meeting both of their gazes. "We have no idea what they've gone through over the past 2 weeks." Reid's gaze instantly dropped to his fingers that were beginning to fumble between each other "Take things slow, keep everything light, and be strong for them." Garcia gave Hotch a small smile and nod. Reid kept his eyes on his hands but gave a small nod, his mind created images of what Morgan and JJ looked like, bodies kept alive by machines attached to them their face unrecognizable emaciated, it made his stomach roll. Hotch leaned over t and opened his door, giving Garcia and Reid permission to leave. Reid kept his eyes focused on the ground as the three walked into the building; Rossi and Blake met them in the lobby. Hotch's phone began to ring, and he walked away from the group to answer it.

"Any news?" Garcia asked pulling Blake into a hug. Reid tugged at the hem of his shirt, trying to divert his anxiety. Rossi

"Still in surgery." She said her words muffled by Garcia's shoulder. Reid tugged at the hem of his shirt, trying to divert his anxiety. Rossi watched Reid's behavior and was about to speak to him when Hotch returned to the group. Rossi raised an eyebrow quizzically towards his Unit Chief.

"That was Detective Lamontage." Hotch started putting the phone back in his pocket.

"Is he coming to see JJ?" Blake asked

"No, but he informed me that they've checked surrounding surveillance footage and haven't found anything to locate Curtis."

"Wait! Curtis got away." Reid shouted his head jerking up

"He had cameras on the outside of the building, he knew we were coming in-"

"What about Wolfe?" Reid interrupted

"Dead, and so is the dog, both bodies were found in the same room as JJ and Morgan." Hotch answered

"Bodies? They were dead before you found JJ and Morgan. So Curtis killed Wolfe before he disappeared?" Garcia asked

"That's what we believe, yes, but we won't know for sure until we get a statement from JJ and Morgan." Hotch answered again, everyone gave each other weary glances. Garcia was the first to speak up.

"You think Morgan or JJ-

"It's a statement that proves that Curtis killed Wolfe, and abducted both of them. We have evidence that definitively connects Wolfe to the abduction, but with Curtis all we have is the fingerprint, the rest is all circumstantial. Two eye witnesses would be enough to convict Curtis, along with the injuries that they sustained during the ordeal, any jury would find him guilty." Rossi explained

The agents stopped their conversation when a surgeon walked into the waiting area.

"Derek Morgan?" He called out

"Aaron Hotchner, Derek Morgan is a FBI agent, I'm his Unit Chief." Hotch spoke up reaching out his hand. The Surgeon grabbed hold and gave a firm shake "Dr. Bryce Thatch. Agent Morgan sustained major contusions to his head, causing swelling to the brain, which we were able to relieve some of the pressure. He also came in with a broken leg, luckily he was treated adequately and the bone was properly aligned so we were able to insert screws into his bone that will help it set correctly. The bite wounds that he sustained to his right leg and his shoulder were stitched up and he was given medicines for rabies just in case. He is under anesthesia from the surgery but should be waking up in a few hours. You can go in to see him."

"There was woman that came in with Agent Morgan. Her name is Jennifer Jareau."

"Yes. She is still in surgery, but Dr. Nakamara said that she stable, it's just the wounds that see received were numerous and were infected so it's taking a little longer. Also, a puncture wound to her abdomen had nicked an artery so that took a while for her surgical team to amend. Both sustained major injuries, but they'll make a full recovery." He reassured with a smile before leaving the room.

Garcia stepped forward right after the doctor left their view, "I'll go and sit with Morgan until he wakes up." She gave a smile before walking towards the double doors that led to the patient's rooms.

Garcia walked into the small room that smelled of antibacterial soap. Her eyes rested up the figure lying in the bed connected by wires to machines. She looked upon the face of her friend now misshapen and discolored and couldn't stop the tears from falling down her face. Her emotions changing from joy and happiness of seeing her friend once again to sadness t for the injuries he sustain and guilt that she couldn't find him sooner. She circled the bed and slid a chair to his side. Garcia cupped his hand within her own and cried. "I'm sorry." She sobbed. Reid knocked on the doorframe before entering the room. Garcia wiped the tears from her face and replaced her hands around Morgan's.

Reid took in a sharp breath finally seeing his friend for the first time in 2 weeks. "Is it good or bad that I imagined him to be in a lot worse shape." Reid smiled, Garcia made a small chuckle. "Why?" She asked turning her gaze to Reid "Why didn't he tell us?"

Reid took in a deep breath walking behind Garcia. "Curtis probably gave him an ultimatum-"

Garcia looked up to meet Reid's gaze "But he would've told us, or left clues. He always tells me about his plans and back up plans, he-"
"Garcia, any of us would've done anything to get her back. I know I would've done anything to take her place. Curtis knew that Morgan would do anything for his family, and we are his family. Remember when Emily was taken by Doyle, Morgan was willing to do anything to find her and get her back. Just like now."

Garcia gave Reid a smile and returned her focus on Derek. His eyes were slowly fluttering open, his hand twitched inside Penelope's.

"JJ" He rasped, his heartbeat rose as he moved his injuries sending pain shooting up his body. Garcia put her hands gently on his torso trying to calm him down. "Derek." She spoke softly trying to relax him "Derek, its Penelope. You're safe." His muscles tensed at her name, "Not safe." He seethed through clenched teeth "Wolfe." Garcia put her head on his chest. "It's over." She whispered, "It's over."

Derek's muscles relaxed at her words, remembering his own voice saying that to JJ. He slowly opened his eyes, his eyelids heavy from the pain medicine still flowing through his body. "Baby Girl." He smiled gently placing his hand on her hair. 'Aren't I glad to see you." He gave her a half smile, even that sent pain flaring through his body. His eyes shifted from the woman at his side to the man standing at the foot of his bed. "Hey Reid."

"I thought I wouldn't see you again." He squeaked his arms crossed across his chest.

"It'll take a lot more than a few punches to take me down." He joked; his hand grabbed his side, his small chuckle causing him massive pain.

"Easy, tiger." Garcia cooed brushing her hand gently on his cheek.

"I'll go tell the rest of the team you're awake." Reid said turning towards the door. He stopped as the three agents walked into the room.

"JJ just came out of surgery." Hotch said walking into the room "How's-" He stopped his eyes landing on the black man awake in the bed.

"How is she?" Derek asked his cheery mood changing to concern.

"Her injuries were severe, but there isn't any permanent physical damage." Derek gave a sigh of relief hearing Hotch's words. "Derek, I know you just woke up, and that the events that you endured were anything but traumatic, but can you tell us what happened these past 2 weeks?"

2 weeks, the term seemed foreign, that long, it sent chills down his spine. His mind drifted back to the parking lot where he had planned to trade places with JJ. His leg flared with pain causing his face to contort in agony. Being injected with the drug that caused blackness to shroud his memories. The next memory was being strung up in the air as Curtis raped JJ. Oh God, did they know? He bit his lip, and looked towards the ground of the Hospital room. The memories flooding his mind, blood, fire, pain, more blood, screaming, even more pain. He pressed his hands against his head trying to stop the nightmares from their attack.

"Derek, how we start with the last thing you remember. And then we can work our way backwards." Blake said placing a hand on his foot. He took a deep breath, regaining his composure. The last thing I remember he thought.

"Wolfe was in the room with JJ and I." He said, taking in a sharp breath as the vivid memory replayed in his mind.

"He had a dog, we were caught off guard. I tried to keep the dog and Wolfe's attention on me and away from JJ." Derek closed his eyes tightly hearing JJ's scream ringing through his ears. "Wolfe was on top of me, I was trying to stay awake. JJ tried to fight him off, but caused the dog to attack."

Garcia covered her mouth with her hands, tears flowed down her face. The description making her stomach churn, she wanted to leave, but knew she needed to stay to comfort her friend. She needed to know what they went through so she could help them.

"I was going in and out, but-" Derek gave a perplexed look while his eyes were closed envisioning the scene. "Wolfe stopped beating me. There was a loud noise. A gun shot?" He remained silent for a second trying to make sense of the memory plaguing his mind. "The dog is on top of a pool of blood, JJ is laying right beside the dog. Oh god please she has to be alive." He squeezed his eyes as tears flowed down his cheeks.

"JJ's alive." Rossi confirmed, "She's alive."

"So Curtis shot the dog?" Reid whispered loudly to Hotch and Blake. "Why?"

"There was another noise. Now Wolfe's on the ground. He's screaming, why didn't Curtis just kill Wolfe?" Derek asked shaking his head "I don't remember what happened next, the next thing after that was waking up in here."

"That's okay Morgan." Blake gave him a reassuring smile "You just gave us more information."

"What happened after I passed out?" Derek asked causing everyone to give hesitant glances to one another. "Wolfe was dead when we came into the room." Hotch explained

"Curtis?" Morgan asked "Tell me that Son of a Bitch is dead."

Hotch took in a deep breath and sighed heavily, Morgan's heart dropped at his unit chief's silence. "No." He croaked

"He got away."

"No!" Derek yelled, he rubbed his hands over his head. The black agent shook his head wildly, not wanting to accept the news. My nightmare is still out there. JJ's nightmare. Oh My God JJ. His eyes popped back up to his team who was staring silently letting him take in the information.

"I understand this is a sho-" Hotch began trying to calm his friend

"No!" Derek interrupted "Don't do that regular FBI crap with me. You have no idea. The man that has been torturing me for the past 2 weeks, and JJ for almost 3 we-" He stopped "You have no idea what he did to us. To Her." He flung his arm out towards the hospital. "He did things." Derek stopped, knowing it wasn't his right to tell, "None of you understand. None of you will ever understand. Not completely." He seethed. He slid his hands down his face resting them over his mouth. We'll never be safe. JJ wouldn't be able to comprehend; It'll destroy whatever she has left. I have to protect her. I'll always be by her side to protect her.

"No one tells her." He growled, Reid opened his mouth to refute, but Derek stopped him. "You have no idea what he did to her. I know parts of what happened, but you were never there. You have no idea what her mental state is, she wouldn't be able to make any improvement if she knew he was still out there. I'll tell her, when she's ready."

Reid closed his mouth, understanding Derek's command. The rest of the team stood around in silence and disbelief.

"I need to be there when JJ wakes up."

Hotch gave him a nod "I'll do everything in my power to make sure you're in the room when she wakes up" he turned and walked out of the room to find a nurse. The rest of the team followed after, leaving Morgan alone in the room.

Derek closed his eyes letting the information sink in completely, his stomach churned at the thought of Curtis walking around DC. He could be in this hospital. He could be in the room with JJ. A sense of anxiety filled him, causing his breathing to shorten, he bit into his bottom lip trying to calm himself. I need to be with her. I need to protect her. His heart monitor began to race as images of Curtis looming over JJ swirled in his mind. He closed his eyes trying to block out the images.

Derek reopened his eyes when the images receded and gasped at the figure in his doorway. "Curtis" he gasped. Derek squirmed in his bed looking for some kind of weapon to use against his enemy. The figure began to walk toward him, their face becoming apparent in the light. Derek's heartbeat started to slow as Reid stopped at the foot of the bed.

"Wha-." He began he licked his lips trying to think of the words "Can you tell me what happened?" Derek gave him a confused look. "You said we would never understand. Derek, I was tortured before, I had- I still have nightmares, but talking to JJ-" He stopped looking down to his fingers that were picking at each other. "It helped, and I might not have been there, but I can try to understand what happened." Reid looked up staring in silence for a response from his friend. "I'll let you think about it." Reid gave a small smile before walking toward the door.

Derek watched as the young doctor walked out of the room. What the hell is wrong with me. I'm letting him control me. I have to be strong. I can't let him win. I'll kill him before he hurts anyone else. Derek balled his hands into fists his fingernails digging into his skin, the pain shooting from his hands broke his daze. He took a deep breath waiting for someone to take him to JJ.

Hotch rapped his fingers on the doorframe before pushing a wheel chair into the room, with a nurse following closely behind. Derek jolted awake, a little dazed at the sight of his unit chief pushing in an empty wheel chair. "JJ's nurse said the anesthesia should be wearing off soon, so you can go visit her." Hotch said with a small smile. Derek gave one back in reciprocation, "Thank you." The nurse hovered around Derek's bed checking the monitors one last time before turning them off. "Agent Morgan, you have stiches so less movement would be appreciated." The nurse stated pulling off some of the wires connected to his chest. "Agent Hotchner can you help me move him to the chair." She asked, Morgan took in a deep breath angry that he couldn't do anything by himself. The two helped the black agent sit up and move slowly to the wheel chair near the bed. Derek took in a sharp breath as pain shot through his body from the movements. Hotch gave the nurse a positive glance, and in return she gave a look of disapproval. "He doesn't need to be in that chair long." She said walking with the two through the door. Derek squinted at the bright lights of the main hospital hallways, for the past 3 weeks he had been in dimly lit rooms and his eyes weren't ready for the sudden change. Derek scanned the hallways, his paranoia sending twinges through his head at every person he passed. That guy could be working with Curtis. She might be with Curtis. Wait was that Curtis! No, that's not him. He felt his heartbeat increase as anxiety filled inside him. He saw a room guarded by two police officers; his anxiety began to die down as anticipation filled him. He wanted to hold JJ's hand again, to feel her heart beat against his chest, to hear her voice, being away from her even if it was only for the few hours of surgery was agonizing for him. Hotch gave a nod to the officers as the two passed through the entryway. Derek took in a sharp breath gazing on the unconscious form. He bit into his bottom lip as his view became clearer and clearer. Hotch slowed to a stop putting Derek right next to the bed.

"Thanks Hotch. Do you thin-"

"No problem." Hotch interrupted lightly placing a hand on the man's shoulder before walking out of the room.

Derek stared at JJ's sleeping form; tears filled his eyes at the distorted form that laid before him. In the dim light of the room they were in with Curtis, some of the wounds and abrasions she had sustained weren't as noticeable. But now every discoloration, bump, cut, and burn was evident. Anger filled inside him, he wondered how much pain she was in. He slowly rose from his chair, his muscles burning in pain, he grabbed onto the bed to steady himself with his left hand, as he tucked the few stray hairs behind her ear with his right. He leaned in close "I'm so sorry. I'll make sure he never hurts you again." He whispered and lightly kissed her head. "I love you." He pulled back; a tear fell from his eye, guilt and anger filling inside him, his entire body shook from the amount of time he had been standing and the pain flaring through his body. His body burned from the pain as he slowly sat back down in his chair. His hands encompassed hers, and his eyes began to grow heavy from exhaustion. "I won't let him hurt you." He whispered before drifting off to the steady noise of JJ's heart monitor.

I hoped you enjoyed it, i'm sad to say that I will have to change the status of this story from in-progress to complete. **virtual crying**. Again I hoped you enjoyed it, and thank you to all who read this story! As always, comment, review, favorite, follow, suggest, message me, or do whatever floats your boat.

Bye Guys I'll start writing the recovery story soon! (Maybe in a few weeks) :)