CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

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Emily had been watching her closely. They all had - it was obvious to everyone that JJ was losing control. And while the whole team was losing their minds with worry, it was different for JJ. Spencer, Penelope, and she had always been so close. Inseparable… Thus, Emily had been watching JJ closely. But it had been a long time since she'd seen JJ. Emily glanced around the squad room - she was nowhere to be found.

It had been nearly 20 minutes since Emily saw her go into the bathroom. Emily put down the file she was holding and made her way across the room. Sure enough, when Emily peeked her head in the bathroom, she found her wife standing in front of the sink, crying softly. Emily entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

"Hey…"

"Hi," JJ muttered back, wiping her eyes. This seemed inevitable - that Emily would come check up on her. She cleared her throat and Emily waited for her to speak. "Did I ever tell you about the Redskins game, gosh, 14 years ago now?"

"No."

"Well, Spence - Spence got us good tickets. Actually, Gideon gave them to him and talked him into asking me to go. So, you know, I just figured all the youngest team members should hang out. So I, of course, asked Garcia to come along. Ugh…" JJ shook her head, looking down. "Well, it turns out Morgan and Hotch were giving him pointers, on the side thinking it was going to be a date." Emily nodded mildly. "Gosh. I mean, he'd never been on one before. Poor Spence. He didn't know what to do. I'm glad he forgave me."

Emily took in a breath. It would be a lie to say it wasn't at least a little rattling to hear about this for the first time, but all Emily really cared about was making JJ feel better.

"He adores you. And it sounds like that was the beginning of something even better. The three of you have been inseparable since I met you."

JJ nodded, agreeing with her. Another wave of emotion was coming over her - threatening to overwhelm her. "I don't know how to do this without them. If, uh, we can't get them back I…"

JJ let out a small sob. Emily closed the space between them, taking JJ in her arms. She welcomed the embrace, staring over Emily's shoulder in terrified silence.

"It's okay."

Emily whispered against JJ's hair. You don't know that… JJ thought to herself. It was just what people said. It didn't really mean anything… But even though she knew that, JJ was still grateful that Emily said it. She could feel her body shaking in Emily's steady arms. She ran a hand across JJ's back soothingly.

"I know…" Emily whispered.

Emily was the first to get to him. He had a knife on Spencer's throat. She shot him without hesitation. Emily shot the man, but she let JJ untie Spencer. She knew she would want to. And she knew Spencer would want JJ. Emily watched them out of the corner of her eye, holstering her weapon.

JJ didn't leave his side for the remainder of the trip. Even in the hospital, when he was sleeping, JJ sat across from his bed on a small couch that decorated the room. Once Emily had finished her report, she delivered her wife coffee and breakfast. JJ welcomed the company, but neither of them spoke. It only took Emily one look to know that JJ hadn't slept at all. And as they sat together on the couch, JJ began to feel the weight of sleep pulling at her. Emily's presence was the only thing that allowed her to relax. She was leaning up against her, her head resting on Emily's shoulder.

Emily wasn't going to sleep. Now that Spencer was safe, she finally allowed herself to process what had just happened. And there it was again - the feeling that could only really be described as jealousy. There was a part of her, no matter how hard she tried to deny its existence, that was intimidated by the feelings her wife had for Spencer Reid. Her mind wandered to the story JJ had told her earlier.

Her eyes focused back in when she heard Spencer shift a little. He opened his eyes groggily. Emily smiled at him. She was so relieved that he was okay. Emily watched his eyes focus on her. He glanced down at JJ who was still leaning against her, fast asleep. Emily held a finger up to her lips. He smiled and closed his eyes in understanding. They sat quietly together. Emily leaned her head over, resting her's against the top of JJ's. Her steady breathing continued.

Emily was just about to speak when the doctor opened the door, waking JJ. Her eyes opened and she sat up slowly. Emily immediately missed her warmth. They stood together.

JJ sat with Spencer until they had taken off in the jet. She leaned forward and squeezed his hand before standing and walking to the other side of the plane. Emily took the opportunity to take the seat that JJ had just left. Spencer smiled. He looked contemplative.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I am."

"It'll take a while, but those will fade," Emily said, inspecting the bruises that covered his face. She knew from experience. "You look kind of tough."

"Thank you. That's what I was going for." Emily laughed with Spencer for a moment. But the humor drained out of his face. He furrowed his brow. He was struggling with something. "I always had a hard time saying what I feel. I think maybe it's because I'm afraid of being disappointed. But… I've never said… how much I love all of you."

"That's the beauty of family," she responded, smiling tenderly. "We already know."

Gratitude played across Spencer's features before as he turned his head to look out the window at the clouds. Emily studied his demeanor for a moment. She looked at him guiltily and shook her head slightly. Emily turned to look out the window herself.