Chapter 51

"Aaron, I need to sell my home. I want and need something bigger. I thought maybe you could help me find a place. Then maybe get the one I have ready to sell. I want a three or four bedroom. I want a spare room, one for baby, one for me and an office. Maybe with a finished basement. A room of the main basement as a play room for Jack and peanut. Jack has said he's like to come for a visit and I promised him a room." JJ says.

"Oh, did he? Did he ask first or did you offer? I don't want Jack bugging you. With you being so kind, I could see you not saying anything if he was bothering you." Aaron says.

"No. I believe I asked him. Him being an only child and peanut being an only child, I thought Jack might treat him or her as a younger sibling figure. I just know Melody was my best friend all my life. And you and Sean. I've heard Pen talk about how lonely she was growing up alone. Derek had his sisters. Dave had a sister I believe. Spencer was a lonely boy. I believe Emily has a brother too. So if you notice the single child home was lonely. So I thought that our children could keep each other company and less lonely. I'm being a bit selfish too. While they play, I can bug you for 'how to's' with raising a child. I don't want to screw up too bad. Also, I figure any questions I have, you've probably gone through it already." JJ smiles.

"Oh, I see," Aaron smiles back. "I think we can help you out. So what are you going to do until you get a new house? You won't want to stay at the old house. There's major work that needs to be done. Ripping out the carpet. Painting the walls and ceiling. You need a new bedroom set." Aaron says, noticing the conversation getting off topic.

"I'm thinking I'll stay here when we aren't working on a case out of town. It's not that far from work. Farther than my house is now, but there are people that drive farther then here. Plus, if I'm exhausted after a case, mom or dad can come and get me. So that's a big plus. Any idea when we go back to work?" JJ asks, getting a little nervous.

"Sure. I'll find out tomorrow. Strauss is going to call me to inform me when we report to duty. Plus, she's thankful you were cleared and are ok. I haven't told her of your pregnancy. I figured it was your news to tell when you wanted to. Now to where you stay, you can stay with Jack and me anytime. Like if we get in at 2am, you could just stay at my apartment so you don't have to wake your parents for a ride." Aaron says, motioning for her to head into the house. She takes the hint.

"I know it sounds weird, but I can't wait to get back to work. I need to think of something else for a while." JJ says, walking through the patio door.

"I know. But you still have to go back to your house. I know it's going to be hard, but you have to face it." Aaron says.

"I know Aaron. I will, I promise." JJ says, raising three fingers together like a girl scout.

"What's that mean?" Aaron asks, smiling.

"I was a girl scout. This is the pledge of honor. Like my word." JJ smiles.

"Ok. Good to know. Now let's get to play some games." Aaron says, looking back to the intriguing woods, wondering who hurt Jason. JJ notices the look.

"Did you see something out there?" JJ asks, nervously.

"No, just thought I saw movement. It looked like a deer or some wild creature. Watch your step." Aaron says, gently grabbing her arm to help her carefully into the house.

"Mr. Gideon, we have your CT scan results. You have a pretty good concussion. We won't keep you but you need to stay with someone that can keep an eye on you for the next 24 to 48 hours. You can sleep for 1 to 2 hours and need to be woke up after no more than 2 hours sleep. It could be a matter of life and death." The distinguished doctor says, writing down notes in Jason's chart. Then a prescription for Motrin. "You can take up to 8 pills in a twenty four hour period. Now some take one pill every 2 to 4 hours or you can take 2 pills every 4 to 6 hours. Depends on how your pain tolerance is. If you feel nauseous or don't feel right, come back or head to the closest ER or call 911. Don't try to be strong. You could possibly have a stroke. With your age and place of injury, it is a possibility." The doctor hands the prescription and release papers.

"Thank you sir. I'll be very careful." Jason says, as the doctor heads out of the room.

"Hey my man, let me go pay the bill then I'll come back in and help you to the car." Derek says, patting Jason on the shoulder.

"Thanks Derek. I'll meet you out there in a moment. I can make it. I just need to straighten my cloths up." Jason says.

"Sure, take your time. I'll call the Jareau's and let them know we are on our way back momentarily." Derek says, opening the door.

"Good, be out in a moment." Jason says, as Derek closes the door. Jason gets his phone and calls his son.

"Hey baby girl, Jason's ok and we are coming back. He has a pretty bad concussion, but we just have to keep an eye on him. Only allow him to sleep for 1 to 2 hours at a time max. We have to stop at the pharmacy first, then we are on our way." Derek tells Penelope.

"Oh, that's good to hear. I can't wait to have you guys back. Abby's just not herself. We need some good, happy news. I'm trying to look up the info they need, but it's not looking so good. Could you stop and get some ice cream? Neapolitan." Penelope says.

"Sure baby girl. Anything else?" Derek asks, somewhat distracted.

"No. Just you, Jason and the ice cream are good. Can't wait to see you again chocolate bear." Penelope says, sounding sad and lonely.

"I can't wait to see you again too sweetheart. I'll be there as soon as I can. Tell them to be ready for some crazy fun. My body's ready for some volleyball. That's something Jack can play, but everyone can enjoy too. Not too strenuous." Derek says, trying to get this day back on a happy note.

"Ok, I'll help set up the net. See you soon love." Penelope says.

"See you soon baby girl." Derek says, then hangs up.

"Yes ma'am. I understand. Ok, we'll be there 8am sharp. Goodbye." Aaron says into his cellphone.

"Hey there. What's up?" JJ asks, handing Aaron a glass of cola.

"That was Strauss. Couldn't wait to tell me tomorrow. We have to report for duty on Monday. She got the report that you were cleared and pointed out that we've been out of commission for over a month. SO she wants us back in the game. You up for that?" Aaron asks, taking a sip of his soda.

"Sure. Can't wait to finally have something back to normal. Just one thing. The distraction will be good for me. Helping people." JJ says, putting dishes into the sink and putting the 2 liter of soda away.

"Well, I think there's a case that needs us. Do you want me to pick you up on Monday morning? Or you can stay the night. Jack's going to stay at his aunts. So his bed's free. He wouldn't mind if you slept there. When we are done with this case, I'll personally go over to your house and start cleaning up. But I was hoping you'd go with me. I know it will be hard. We can take Susan with us in case you need a therapist. But you might remember something else that could be helpful." Aaron says, waiting for JJ to answer.

"Let's see how the case goes. I'm sure that I'll go to the house very soon. I need to get a few more things. Like work cloths. So I guess that means I need to go tomorrow. Or I have no work cloths. But I'm staying here tonight. You and Jack need some father son time before we go back to work." JJ says, distracted. JJ's nervous about going back to her house. But she knows if she doesn't get back on 'the horse' then it would prove what a coward she feels like.

Before Aaron could get a word in edge wise, Derek and Jason arrive.

Everyone crowds around them to see how Jason is. And Penelope takes the ice cream to place in the freezer.

"I'm fine everyone. Don't fuss. Let's have some fun. I'm sure Jack is getting pretty bored." Jason says, smiling.

"Well, Jack watched JJ's old VHS video of 'Secret of Nimh'. He fell asleep and is napping. So sit down and tell us what they said." Aaron says.

"Well, the CT scan showed nothing abnormal. I just have a pretty good concussion. When I sleep someone has to wake me every 1 to 2 hours and I get to take Motrin." Jason says, smiling. Making light of the situation.

"Well, we're glad you're ok." Abby says, genuinely happy he was ok.

"Thank you Abby. You are a kind hostess. Is there anything I can do?" Jason asks, trying to be helpful.

"No Jason. Thank you. You being ok is just enough. When little Jack gets up, would everyone be up to volleyball? We set the net up. So it's all ready. Maybe Jason should take it easy and play score keeper. Don't want any more injuries." Abby says, seeming to come out of her devastated mood.

"Well, let's get a count of how many want to play. That way we can get an even number on each team. Then see how we go from there," JJ says. "Excuse me a moment." JJ eaves the kitchen and heads to the bathroom downstairs. Then gets sick. She washes her mouth out and splashes water on her face. She looks at herself in the mirror and whispers, "Please God, give me strength. Tom and Mel, give me the courage to do this. Raise a baby alone and go back into that house. To fight who I need to." JJ wipes the water dripping from her face. JJ had decided to return to the house the following day. Alone. What could go wrong? It's just a house.