Chapter 17: Alive

It hardly mattered that JJ didn't look good.

She was alive.

And that was what really mattered.

She hadn't woken up since being taken in the ambulance, but she never stopped breathing on the way over, and when they arrived, she didn't need to have emergency surgery. Both of which were huge wins, though the journey was not over yet. Now she laid peacefully in a hospital bed with an oxygen cannula under her nose, while Morgan sat by her bedside, waiting patiently for her to wake up.

All her injuries had been attended to.

Those of which were not lacking.

Her broken arm that had only required a splint a mere two weeks ago now sported a hard cast. The varying array of colors on her face accompanied by increasing swelling were evidence enough of her captor's rage. He couldn't see the wrap underneath her hospital gown, but he knew it was there, stabilizing her broken ribs. Her broken ribs that would hurt for several weeks as a painful reminder of the trauma. She had to get stitches on the left side of her head from an injury Morgan didn't want to know how she received. Even more than that, the bruises around her neck looked more pronounced here in the hospital than they had in the ambulance. Morgan could have sworn he saw a hand imprint amongst the black and blue bruising but didn't want to imagine his hands around her neck.

Still, the most concerning injury of all of them were the criss-cross lacerations across her wrists. Her wrists that were wrapped in white gauze now, but he could still remember seeing them for the first time, and he could still remember when the nurse asked him if JJ was a suicide risk. He had swallowed hard and tried to remind himself the nurse was just doing her job as he clenched his fists and answered as calmly as possible.

Since then, he held JJ's hand and thought about all the things he would say when she finally opened her eyes. He was hoping to see her alone before the rest of the team got there; because they would all want to, understandably, see her too.

"Derek?"

The croak was so quiet Morgan thought he'd imagined it until he whipped his gaze up to meet JJ's azure blue eyes. Morgan smiled back at her but still couldn't find one word to say that was adequate enough for this situation.

"Do I really look that bad?" JJ joked, this time with a little more power behind her voice, but the words were still strained, undoubtedly from the damage inflicted.

"No, I think the split lip, black eye, and stitches really accentuate your complexion."

"Wow, still the charmer, I see."

"Man, it is so good to see you and hear you and-"

"It's really good to see you too," JJ interjected with the best closed-lip smile she could offer.

"Listen, JJ… I can't imagine what you've gone through, but I want to tell-"

Morgan was cut off again, this time by Penelope storming in the room with the rest of the team following close behind.

"My gumdrop!" Garcia cried out while moving to JJ's side. "Can I hug you? Would a hug hurt? Where does it not hurt? Oh my, that was a dumb question. Of course, it hurts everywhere."

"I would love a hug, Pen."

Garcia leaned down gently and gave JJ the best hug she could while the tears dampened JJ's pillow beneath her head.

"How are you feeling?" Emily asked.

JJ couldn't tell, but it seemed like there was some guilt laced into that question. Something to address another time.

"I've been better." JJ joked and tried to push herself up in the bed.

"Woah, woah, woah." Morgan stopped her. "What do you need?"

"Could I have some water?" JJ requested, her voice sounding more hoarse than before, if that was possible.

On a tray placed on the side of JJ's bed opposite of Morgan sat two cups of water. Reid moved to get the water and handed JJ one of the cups.

"Thanks," Morgan mumbled in reply for JJ and then watched JJ intently as she took a sip of the water.

"I'm going to go get an update from your doctor to see when we can take you home. You deserve to be home after all this." Hotch said and turned to leave but quickly turned right back. "Also, when you're ready, if you want, your job will be waiting for you. Take all the time you need. It's good to see you back, JJ."

JJ smiled; a bit of shock decorated her face to the point she couldn't even say 'thank you' before he had left the room. His usual expressionless face had been full of an emotion unfamiliar to her. But it was comforting nonetheless.

"We don't want to overwhelm you; we just all wanted to see you. You know, make sure with our own eyes that you're safe." Rossi commented. "I'm glad you're here, kid."

"I really appreciate it, you guys; I'm sorry I'm feeling so tired."

That was their cue, so the remaining members gave JJ their hugs, forehead kisses, and sweet wishes before piling out of the hospital room.

"You coming, my dark hunk of chocolate thunder?" Garcia asked before she followed Emily out.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there in just a second."

Garcia gave her little 'I know what's going on here' look between the two of them before walking out and closing the door behind her.

Derek sat back down in his chair and grabbed JJ's hand again. As he looked up at her, he could see her smiling.

"What?" He asked.

"Come here, close."

Morgan leaned in as JJ closed the short distance and put her good hand on the side of his face before letting her lips meet his.

A/N: getting really close to the end! if there is anything you want to see (especially between JJ and Morgan) now is the time to let me know :) and for those of you that didn't read my story 'Lockdown'- a little personal update: i ended up in the ER almost 2 weeks ago and now I have to have surgery. They've postponed it once and I'm just hoping I can get in soon. Anyways, until next time my loves & thanks for reading!