AN: Its a creepy story, very creepy. Think XFiles and Blindsopt.
"Ross, what do we do?" Hotch stood beside the experienced doctor. He had been keeping an eye on the clock and JJ. And he wasn't a doctor but he knew she wasn't improving.
Ross shook his head as he looked over JJ. She cheeks were red with fever. "We need to get the blanket off of her; I've already given her meds for the fever. I don't want to give her anymore."
Ross was worried, Hotch could tell. "Can you take care of her here?" Hotch asked, helping Ross untangle the blanket from around JJ.
Ross took a deep breath. "As long as she doesn't get any sicker, then yes. The last thing I want is to take her to the hospital. She doesn't need to be exposed to that." He paused, "But Hotch, she cannot fly like this. I don't know what's going on yet, but my concern is her headache and now the fever. Putting her on a plane with the increased air pressure could do a lot of harm."
Hotch nodded but another concern hit him. They knew JJ's location, somehow, Doc and Leaff knew where she was. He rubbed his eyes, "We cannot leave her here, Ross." He replied, weighing the options. Leave JJ here and risk exposing her to the men responsible for this; or risk putting her on the plane.
"What do you propose I do?" Ross hissed, pointing down at JJ. "In case you haven't noticed, agent, she isn't doing great."
Hotch arched his eyebrow "and in case you aren't aware, there has been a direct threat on her life."
"We've known that for months; we've known they could come back at any moment. You are telling me the FBI doesn't have a plan B in place? Especially considering… this?" He gestured towards JJ. "That you damn well knew she would deteriorate at any minute and that you simply were waiting for Leaff to contact you? What happened to being proactive instead of reactive?"
Hotch was livid, "You knew she would deteriorate, and all you can do is frantically pace the room and order she not get on a plane?"
JJ heard the two men arguing, arguing over her. If her eyes were not closed, she knew they would have seen her roll them. She heard bits and pieces of the argument, they were trying to make a decision for her. Not with her, but for her. And it continued to strip away at her independence. She despised it; that she was not involved in this conversation. And she slowly opened her eyes to peer over at the two men, their argument growing more heated.
"Can you two please keep it down." She finally spoke, making sure her voice was heard.
"JJ." Both men stopped bickering and came to her side.
"I'm fine," she whispered, hoping they wouldn't question her. "I'm just tired." And her body ached.
"Stop JJ," Hotch ordered, "we know you are sick, I don't know why you are bothering to tell us you are fine…"
If JJ was angry before, Hotch's statement just made it exceptionally worse. Her throat hurt, her head was still pounding but she forced herself to sit up. "Because I am! I probably caught something somewhere, its flu season isn't?" She asked, looking over at Ross who nodded. She took a deep breath, knowing they were just trying to take care of her, "Hotch, I'm sure it's the flu."
Hotch swallowed, "JJ, what if…"
JJ shook her head, "Hotch, if it was them, it would be tremendously worse. I know how it works, and this isn't it." She reassured him. "I wouldn't be able to talk, I wouldn't have the strength to sit up." JJ reached over to grab Hotch's hand. "I know you both are worried, but for once I need you to trust me."
Hotch looked at her, "Of course we trust you JJ, why wouldn't we?"
"Because apparently, you and Ross are arguing over the best option for me; but neither one of you thought it was important to consult me." She pointed out and laughed inwardly at the look on their faces. "And yes, I heard it all." She coughed, her lungs hurting.
Ross and Hotch exchanged looks. "You're right JJ." Ross consented trying to hide his concern at the cough. "JJ, are you hurting anywhere?"
"No." She replied quickly. "Quit trying to change the topic."
Hotch couldn't help but smile; JJ was back. "We were discussing if it would be a better idea to move you to another location or keep you here. We know Leaff knows where you are; but Ross is worried about letting you fly with your current… condition."
"Flu Hotch, I am convinced it is the flu." JJ reminded him.
"I will leave that up to Ross," Hotch replied. "JJ, we need to figure out what to do."
JJ nodded, shivering. "Where did my blanket go?" She asked, looking around the room for it.
"I confiscated it," Ross smiled. "I'll give it back once your fever is down," He grabbed his thermometer and stuck it in her ear, "which appears to be happening," He sighed in relief. "It's not great but its better."
"I told you so." JJ reached for her blanket, grabbing it back.
"JJ…" Hotch pressed, wanting to know her thoughts on staying or leaving.
JJ nodded, knowing what her supervisor was waiting for. She weighed her options; she knew Doc would find her wherever she went, at least here she was somewhat settled. And if she was honest with herself, she felt like shit. Even the thought of getting on the jet made her want to vomit.
And she knew one other thing. She was done being afraid of him; she was ready to take him down. "I need to stay here," she replied, seeing the relief in Ross' expression. "Hotch, Ross can handle the flu. And I know you already have a security team outside." She coughed again as her body ached.
"We will stay here, JJ." Hotch consented reaching over and tucking the blanket around her body; he felt her fever through her clothes. "Do you promise me?"
JJ knew instantly what he was asking and she nodded. "I promise Hotch; I promise its nothing but the flu."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
It was the higher ups who walked into the compound; four of them all led by one person. And as they passed the staff, a silence fell over them. The staff stood in respect until they disappeared down the hall and into the IT room.
"Do you have her back yet?" The person who was clearly the lead asked. They sat down, looking at Leaff and Ian. Doc was nowhere to be found.
"No, but we know where she is. Bellevue, Washington." Leaff replied.
One of the men nodded. "We have a compound near that location." He looked over Ian's shoulder at the data filtering in. "She has a fever?" He asked.
Ian nodded, "she's fine, it'll blow over in a few days."
The leader smiled, "Good. But we have another problem." She took a sip of her water. "It's time to get rid of Doc; he failed and now our main success is free and improving." He turned to Ian. "Get rid of him. Dr. Bryant is now in charge. He has been reading over her chart and file; he knows all about her and where Doc left off. She has never seen Bryant before, she cannot identify him. This ends now." The leader stood up without another word; her directions very clear. "I want her back within the compound within two weeks. You do whatever you need, but by the next time I am here, I want to have a long conversation with her about what's to come. She isn't getting away with this." And with that, she turned and left; her own security team following her out.
