AN: So we totally forgot to share with you guys, PCA results are in. We scored "Best JJ/Morgan" for "The Substitute" and runner up for "Best JJ/Reid" for "Seams". Thank you guys so much for voting!
MN: Yes, thank you all. Now, on with the show because the plot bunny that attacked me last night is still nibbling on my ear and the faster we post the faster we get to writing!
"You ready to get out of here?" I didn't notice JJ in the doorway until she spoke and it made me startle slightly.
I recovered and nodded. "Yes please."
Hotch had insisted I allow paramedics to take me to the local hospital. After several hours of being poked, prodded, and blood tested, I had finally been released, but was forced to wait for a pickup.
I slid from the bed onto my feet gingerly. Both soles had 'minor abrasions' from the gravel I had been standing on. I was incredibly lucky. Scratched up feet, bruised wrists, and a killer headache were nothing compared to what could have happened.
"I brought your slippers from the hotel." Sure enough, my hot pink bunny slippers were dangling from her fingertips.
"Thanks." She dropped them on the floor and I stepped into them as she took the bag of supplies the hospital had given me from my hand.
Somewhere along the way I had inherited a jacket with an FBI logo on it and I zipped it up as I followed JJ through the maze of the ER.
"We moved your stuff back to the hotel the rest of us are at. We should be able to head home tomorrow." She pressed the button to open the door out of the Emergency department.
"Good. I don't think I could stand going back to the convention hotel." The very thought made my gut twist.
The rest of our walk to the black SUV she had brought was made in silence. I know JJ had to be itching to question me and I was immensely grateful that she was resisting the urge.
Once we were in the car and on the road she did ask a pair of questions. "Do you want to stop for something to eat? Because if they didn't feed you, it's been twenty hours by Morgan's count since you guys had dinner last night."
In truth, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to hold down food, so I shook my head. "I think I'll order room service at the hotel. I just want a shower."
"Okay. Did we need to stop and pick anything up for your feet?"
I shook my head. "No. The hospital gave me some gauze and tape."
Her mumbled acknowledgment was the last sound either of us made until we were at the hotel. JJ walked me to my room and pulled a keycard from her pocket, handing it to me. There was a chair sitting next to the door and I pointed at it and raised an eyebrow.
"Rossi thought you might be a bit more at ease if there was an agent close by. One of Parish's guys volunteered. He should be over any minute. I'm going to stay until he gets here but then I need to go back to the office."
I nodded as I unlocked the door and pushed it open. True to JJ's word, my bags, minus the surveillance tech, were sitting on the bed I had occupied before going undercover. I crossed to it and dug through to gather what I needed for a shower.
"You want me to order you something to eat while you shower?"
Much as I wanted to object, JJ was using her 'mom' voice and I suspected that declining wouldn't be wise so I shrugged. "Sure. Something simple though. My head still hurts and my stomach's a bit wonky."
She smiled at me and I knew I'd made the right choice. "Alright. I'll order it and tell them to leave it with the agent at the door so you can take your time in the shower."
"Thanks." I escaped into the bathroom to begin the delicate process of unwrapping my feet.
I was still shampooing my hair when JJ stuck her head in to say that an agent named Tennyson was now occupying the chair in the hallway and she was leaving.
I completed my shower much more quickly than I had intended as the pain in my feet worsened. I wrapped myself in a towel with another around my hair and exited back to the room to get dressed. I pulled on a pair of charcoal pajama pants and rifled for a clean t-shirt. I came up short so I scavenged one out of Derek's bag instead.
As I was gently wrapping gauze around my feet, mostly to protect the bed sheets in case one of the cuts started bleeding again, I heard the muted sounds of voices in the hall. After a moment there was a soft knock.
"Ms. Garcia? Your food is here. Just let me know when you want me to bring it in."
I applied tape to the gauze I had just cut and crossed carefully to the door. I opened it without unlatching it, peering out through the crack. Logically, I knew I was safe, but the last time I had opened a door for room service without checking I'd been kidnapped.
A gentleman I guessed to be in his fifties wearing a suit was standing outside. When he saw me looking out he pulled his jacket back to reveal the badge on his belt. I closed the door to release the latch then opened it fully. I released the door to reach for the tray he was holding and he shook his head.
"I'll bring it in for you."
I stepped back to let him pass and he entered, crossing immediately to the small table. "Thanks."
He set the tray down then turned back toward me, smiling gently. "You're welcome. I'm Finn Tennyson. I'll be right out there until your team gets back if you need anything, alright?"
I nodded, finding myself suddenly choked up by his soft words.
He stepped back out and I closed the door behind him, leaving it unlatched so Derek could get in when he returned. I decided it was worth it to at least see what I had to eat, so I picked my way to the table.
JJ was, as always, amazing. She had ordered me pancakes, which smelled delicious. My stomach rumbled loudly so I dug in. I quickly polished off the food, as well as the accompanying cup of herbal tea.
Exhaustion slammed into me like a ton of bricks. I glanced over at my bed which was strewn with my luggage and clothes. Nope. It just wasn't happening. I pulled the curtains tight against the afternoon sun then turned off the lights in the room and climbed into Derek's bed. I fell asleep almost instantly.