Penelope guided JJ into the waiting room where Hotch, Reid, Rossi, and Strauss were sitting. Rossi was the first to stand, the rest of the team following his lead.
"Did they start yet?" He whispered, gently rubbing JJ's shoulder.
JJ was still engulfed by Garcia's arms. She just nodded, the tears she'd been holding back for hours finally spilling out.
Strauss looked on uncomfortably, unsure of what to do or how to respond. Hotch flashed one of his rare smiles. "JJ, hey- it's okay. Do you really think Emily would do anything to ever leave you?"
Reid chimed in, "Statistically, tumors on the basal ganglia are incredibly difficult to remove once they become enlarged. But tumors of a small magnitude have an 85 percent success rate of full removal."
JJ nodded again, wiping her eyes. "Thanks, Reid."
The group sank back into their chairs as Garcia helped JJ to sit down. The waiting room was empty other than the team, and was overlooked by a kitten-themed analog clock that counted off the seconds with a tick.
Everyone was quiet, their eyes glued to a fragile JJ who was balled up on a couch with her head in Penelope's lap. She kept telling herself that she wouldn't cry, but each tick she heard felt like a crack in her heart. Slowing, seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours. JJ remained curled into her friend's lap, but gratefully accepted coffee when Reid or Rossi offered her a steaming cup. Strauss sat silently too, her fingers fidgeting with each other as she watched the clock.
Strauss liked to think of herself as part of the team, but it was moments like this that truly showed her what being part of a family meant. The rest of the group was content with the silence, their hearts connected together by an unspoken bond. She, on the other hand, was an outcast; she didn't have emotional ties with these people like they had with one another. But she knew that this was the right thing to do; being there, even if it was awkward, was the first step in introducing herself as not just a leader, but as a friend.
"Are you here for Agent Prentiss?" a mousey nurse asked, eyeing the disheveled group. The clock read 3:07, exactly five hours since the surgery began.
JJ shot out of her seat. "I'm her wife. How is she?"
The nurse smiled. "The surgery was a success. She's resting in recovery now."
The blonde thought her knees were going to hit the floor, the weight on her shoulders lifted. "Oh thank god. Can I see her?"
"Not yet. But we'll let you know soon when you can, okay?" With that, the nurse turned and left the group to hug one another.
This time, it was Rossi who hugged JJ first. "See? I told you that our girl would be okay."
Garcia beamed towards JJ and kissed the blonde's cheek. "I'm so happy! I've got to go call Morgan and tell him the good news."
JJ smiled her first real smile since yesterday afternoon, sinking back into her chair. "Thank you, guys. It means a lot that you all were here for this."
"Agent Jareau- JJ, I mean." Strauss stuttered, "I just want you to know that whatever you and Agent Prentiss need, you let me know. I know that we haven't been close in the past, but I hope that changes in the future. Seeing how this team operates under such family-like bonds has made me realize how crucial support is in the success of our operations."
JJ nodded, "You're part of this team too, which makes you family." She smiled warmly. "It means a lot that you were here."
Garcia reentered the room. "Morgan sends his love. He says he's currently under arrest by Sargent Matthew Prentiss, so he couldn't talk long. But he was thrilled by the news."
"Oh, God. Don't tell me he gave my son handcuffs." JJ laughed hysterically. "I don't think he'll ever want to leave Morgan's."
Garcia rolled her eyes. "Okay, who needs more coffee? Because all this relief flooding through my veins is making me realize how exhausted I feel."
Strauss rose to her feet. "My treat. I'll be back in a few minutes."
After she left, Garcia looked to Hotch, "Since when does Mama Bear leave the cave?"
"She's just trying to be more involved and supportive." Hotch answered. Trying to avoid JJ's gaze, he added quietly, "I think she was truly worried about Emily and how JJ would react if things didn't turn out well."
Rossi nodded. "We all were."
"Well, thank god she's okay." Garcia smiled. Looking around the room, her eyes started forming tears. "I don't know what I would do if I lost any of you!"
"JJ?" Emily whispered, her lips dry and cracked. "Are you here?"
The blonde took Emily's hand. "I'm right here, baby."
Emily's pitch heightened, her voice hoarse. "Why can't I see you? Why can't I see?" she cried.
"Sshh, it's okay. It's okay, honey." JJ soothed, brushing back Emily's hair. She grabbed the nurse's call button.
A nurse entered the room, "Well welcome back, Agent Prentiss. Let me get the doctor." The door clicked shut behind her.
"JJ, I can't see anything!" Emily panicked, her lips trembling.
"Hang on, honey. Let's see what the doctor says. I'm sure its just temporary. It's okay." JJ tried to calm her wife.
Dr. Isom appeared in the door way. "Good morning, Agent Prentiss. How are you feeling?"
"Doctor, Emily can't see me. She can't see anything." JJ couldn't keep the terror from her voice.
Dr. Isom took an interment out of his pocket, shining a light into Emily's eyes. "Out of either?" he asked calmly.
Emily shook her head. "What's wrong with me?"
The doctor's face tensed a little. "It's probably nothing. It's more than likely just a temporary side effect from the operation."
"And if it isn't?" JJ asked, her fingers glued to Emily's.
Dr. Isom cleared is throat. "Then its possible that its permanent."
A/N: So what do you guys think? Is everyone still with me? Leave me some suggestions and predictions in your reviews! I'm not sure what will happen from here and I'd love your feedback! Stay tuned ;)
