Only just realized that in the first 2 chapters I called 'Alex' 'Adam'
Oops. My bad. That's what parenting full time + work part time does to you I guess. My bad. Anyway, short chapter, happy new year.
She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a single word, another stab of crippling pain struck around her torso. She cried out in pain as her legs gave way beneath her. Aaron's arms shot forward, catching and lifting her as though she were weightless. This time, the pain was unrelenting. JJ could feel the droplets of sweat dripping above her brow. She focused only on breathing, but with the pain that she was currently enduring, even that was becoming difficult. Within seconds she was placed down gently on Hotch's black leather sofa. He was staring straight at her, but she wasn't sure which Hotch was the real one as three of them currently sat before her. Her vision was swimming and her head was beating louder than the drum set her brother got for his 16th birthday.
"JJ. Look at me. Can you hear me? Can you understand what I'm saying?"
JJ tried her hardest to focus, but it was though she could feel her body slowly shutting down around her. Opening her mouth to respond, nothing but erratic breathing came out.
Even in her disoriented state, she could see the look of panic in her bosses eyes. Never had she seen him so disheveled and scared. Except once. The night Haley died.
"JJ, I'm going to call an ambulance okay. You're going to be okay. Just keep your eyes open. Okay? JJ?"
At the sound of the word 'ambulance', her feet ached to run. But no matter what she did, her body just wouldn't comply. She told herself that she'd rather die than go to hospital, but then realized that the possibility of that happening was all too real.
She closed her eyes to blink, but they didn't reopen.
As the seconds ticked by, Hotch's panic stricken voice to the operator became duller and further away. She grew warmer, and calmer, and the second she saw Roaslines's porcelain hand being outstretched towards her, she took it.
"CAN YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ME? ARE YOU DEAF? WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY? SHE ISN'T BREATHING DAMN IT!"
For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to do. Flashes of Haley dying in his arms came relentlessly. He was scared. He had no idea what was happening. But he knew that he couldn't let the same happen to JJ. He couldn't. He couldn't lose her too.
Why had he not listened when his gut told him something was wrong. Why the hell hadn't he manned up and addressed the situation like an adult, instead of running scared.
Everything happened so fast, it all blurred together. The paramedics crashed through his open door, leaving muddy wet trails in their wake.
Hotch stood, running shaking fingers tinged blue from the cold through his hair. Questions were being shot at him from every angle, but nothing but two letters graced his lips.
"JJ."
She was whisked away from him the minute they entered the hospital. Never could he un-see the frenzied attempt of the two paramedics desperately fighting to keep her alive. He was shocked to the core, unable to move from the hard, plastic seat they had directed him too. His tired eyes trained on the same spot for hours, before eventually, a solemn looking doctor, who in appearance seemed to be around mid-40's, approached him.
"You came in with Miss Jareau, is that correct?"
"Yes." He answered, his voice monotone.
"And you're her boss?" He questioned.
"She has no family. She's one of my agents." Hotch answered quietly, as though this were all some horrid nightmare.
When he received no reply, Hotch ripped his gaze from the wall and stared at the man above him.
"Tell me." He demanded.
The doctor stalled for a moment, unsure as to just how much information he should give.
"Please." Hotch begged.
"The outcome isn't looking very good." The doctor answered truthfully. "Miss Jareau's injuries are very..."
"Injuries? What injuries?" Hotch questioned.
"There were many..."
"Like what?" Hotch pressed, angrily clenching his fits beneath the seat he was glued too.
"Miss Jareau sustained a punctured lung, hence the reason for her collapse, though that wasn't all. We've also documented a splintered wrist, fractured eye socket, as well as a catalog of cuts and bruises. All of our findings would indicate severely abusive circumstances. Her current injuries are fairly recent, however we did note many healed skin abrasions and previous evidence of broken bones..."
The doctor trailed off.
"So what are you saying?" Hotch asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"I'm saying... that this isn't the first time this has happened." The doctor finished sullenly.
Hotch clenched his teeth and fought hard to push the bile back down his throat.
"Is there anything else?" Hotch questioned, noting the sudden uncomfortable shift in the doctors stance.
"Tell me." Hotch demanded.
Licking his lips, the man answered quietly.
"We also felt it necessary to carry out a rape kit..." The doctor trailed off upon noting the instant chance of color in the young mans face.
"And!?" Hotch practically shouted.
"I'm sorry Agent Hotchner." The doctor replied softly. "I can take you too see her, if you'd like? Though as I've already explained, the next 24 hours are crucial. Please, prepare yourself."
For a good minute or so, Aaron didn't move. The older man waited patiently by his side, before finally, Hotch shakily made his way to his feet, and silently trailed behind as the doctor led him to JJ's room.