"How are you doing, Jayje?" Emily asked. She knew with Mr Scratch now after Tara's brother; she was even more worried about her kids. They were driving back from interviewing the couple from who Mr Scratch bought the BDSM equipment, and Emily could see the worry in her girlfriend's eyes. She was glad she'd partnered herself with JJ for this case. It meant she could keep an eye on her at a time she would likely be struggling but wanting to hold it together in front of the others because they need to save Gabriel.

"Scared," JJ said. "What if he gets Will, or my boys or you?" She asked.

"I'll be okay, Jayje." She replied, looking at the blonde beside her. "We have a protective detail on Will and the boys, and if we need to, we can put them in witness protection."

"I hope so, Emily," JJ replied. She could only imagine how Hotch felt being targeted by Mr Scratch and now Tara. The last thing she wanted was for her children to lose their parents or for her to lose her children. "How are you doing?" Her first day at the unit chief ended up with a high stakes case to solve.

"Stressed. I don't want to fail." Emily replied honestly.

"You won't fail, Emily. Scratch is the most difficult unsub this team has had. If we don't get him today, you've not failed."

"I know. But what if someone gets hurt or dies. It's on me."

"Emily. You are incredible. If that happens, it's not on you. It's on scratch okay."

"I know. Thanks, JJ." Emily replied. According to those higher up than her in the FBI, it would be on her, but at least the team would forgive her if something went wrong.

They worked on the case together. Emily feeling reassured by JJ's little pep talk that it wouldn't go as wrong as she feared it might.

When they went to the warehouse, JJ was glad she was beside Reid. He'd unlikely pick up that her concern about Emily was a result of their relationship. But she was definitely concerned about Emily. She stopped breathing for a moment when the pins fell down. What if they had hit Emily or any of the team. But especially Emily. She knew their vests would provide some protection, but it was limited.

She breathed a heavy sigh of relief once she knew Emily was okay. No one was hurt. They still hadn't got Scratch, but no one being hurt was a success in itself.

"I'm going to head home and see the kids, don't stay too late." JJ wished, coming into Emily's office later that day.

Emily smiled when she heard JJ's voice and looked up from the resume she was looking at. "Of course, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow Em. You were great today." JJ wished.