"Agent Prentiss?" Dr. Isom knocked on the wooden door with a smile. "It's nice to see you again, Agent Jareau. I just wish it were under better circumstances."
"Thank you, doctor. So what exactly is going to happen?" JJ asked, clutching Emily's hand with her own.
Again, Dr. Isom smiled warmly. Pulling his chair next to the two women, he handed JJ Emily's chart. "Basically, Agent Jareau, your wife has a small tumor attached to her basal ganglia. This is why she has been experiencing episodes of extreme weakness and severe headaches. Before it becomes larger, we'd like to extract it using a small laser. We'll make an incision here-" he paused, dragging his finger along Emily's skull- "and use the laser to remove the tumor. If all goes well, we'll be able to remove all of it and Agent Prentiss will live a long, happy life."
"And if it doesn't go well?" JJ whispered, her eyes glued to Emily's hand.
The doctor bit his lip. "Well you see, the brain is a tricky thing. If we're unable to remove the entire tumor, we'll attempt to reduce or shrink the remainder with radiation therapy. But it is possible that the tumor could return again, but in a larger size. If this happens, your wife could have trouble sustaining movement, with her memory, with her speech, and possibly problems with her nervous system." At the frightened look across both women's faces, he added, "But I'm confident that the procedure will be successful. Of course there are always risks associated with everything, but I'm sure you two of all people would know that with your line of work."
"Jennifer, don't worry." Emily gently stroked the blonde's cheek. "Everything will turn out fine. I'll be home before you know it, playing planes with Matthew and driving you crazy."
Tears were forming in JJ's eyes. "I know. I'm just worried."
"We'll take excellent care of her, Agent Jareau. You have my word."
JJ nodded. "What will the recovery process be like?"
Dr. Isom ran his fingers through his hair. "If all goes as planned, the surgery will take approximately 6 or 7 hours. Emily will be moved to recovery, and when her blood pressure stabilizes you'll be permitted to see her. From there, she'll be moved into ICU for the night. Once she awakens and her vitals have returned to normal, she can be moved to a normal room. The actual amount of time that she'll have to be admitted depends on how her body reacts to the surgery. If there are no complications, I'm comfortable saying that she won't be here more than four or five days."
"And once I take her home?"
He smiled. "Then she'll be instructed to rest for several days. We'll show you both a few minor exercises that will help Emily rebuild her strength, and she could probably return to work sometime next month- assuming she undergoes a physical and is cleared for duty."
It was Emily's turn to smile. "See, Jen? There's nothing to worry about. And hey- now I won't be crippled by so many headaches! I'll be fun again!" she joked.
JJ rolled her eyes, wiping away the tears streaming down her cheek. "I swear, after this is done and you're all better, we are never stepping foot inside another hospital."
"Agreed." Emily beamed, rubbing her wife's back softly.
"I'll send a nurse in to start prepping you for surgery sometime soon, Agent Prentiss. Angent Jareau, I'll see you after surgery."
The two agents nodded, holding hands as the doctor closed the door behind himself. Five seconds later, Garcia burst into the room. "What did he say?" she practically screamed, her eyes wide.
Emily laughed, shaking her head. "I'm fine, Penelope. The surgery won't take too long and I'll be home this week."
"But-"
"No buts, Garcia!" JJ tried to smile. "Remember the rule we had last time Emily was in the hospital? Only good thoughts. You'll just have to keep me company while we wait for Emily."
"Where's Morgan at?" Emily asked, looking behind Garcia at the partially opened door.
Garcia's head tilted. "Well someone had to stay with Matty. They're going to have a weeklong slumber party until you're home and strong enough to deal with him."
Emily's stomach dropped, remembering her son's big eyes and sweet smile. "What did you all tell him? Where does he think we are?"
"Morgan just told Matty that you were sick and that JJ was taking care of you."
JJ bit her lip. "Do you think he'll be okay?"
"Of course!" Garcia smiled. "I think he loves his uncle more than he love any of us sometimes. He's just excited for the adventure." Seeing JJ's crestfallen face, she added, "But we can go see him whenever you want. I just didn't think it would be a good idea to bring him into the hospital. You know how easily he catches colds…" her voice trailed off.
"I know, thanks Garcia." Emily's voice was flat, somewhat disappointed in the idea that she wouldn't see her son before surgery.
Garcia jumped as a nurse entered the room without knocking. "Agents?" she smiled, motioning towards Emily. "I'm going to prepare Ms. Prentiss for surgery now. You're welcome to stay until we take her back."
JJ nodded, shifting to Emily's other side so that the nurse would have access to her right arm. They were silent as Emily's blood pressure and temperature were checked, and as the IVs were stuck into her arm. After a few moments, the nurse smiled and excused herself from the room.
"Jen, come here." Emily pulled JJ closer to the bed. "I know you're worried, but you don't need to be. You and Matthew are my entire life, now. You two are reason enough to fight. I'm not going to give up on that table because I need to grow old with you and watch our son grow up. I meant everything I said in my vows at the wedding, and I intend to live long enough to make you the happiest woman in the world. So don't be afraid for me, honey. I'm not leaving you."
Before JJ could respond, another nurse interrupted and began pulling the side rails of the bed into position. "This is it, ladies. Jennifer, someone will update you as soon as we have information to give you, okay?"
"I love you, Emily." JJ's lips paused on the brunette's for a long moment. Looking towards the nurse, she said, "Bring her back to me, okay?"
The nurse smiled brightly. "Before you even notice she's gone."
JJ melted into Garcia as Emily was wheeled from the room.
