Title: The Poison Apple

Author: innocent choir girl Is a past offender after the BAU team?

Category: General

Genres: Angst, Crime, Drama, Hurt/Comfort,

Characters: Aaron Hotchner, David Rossi, Emily Prentiss, Derek Morgan, Jennifer Jareau, Spencer Reid, Penelope Garcia

Rating: PG-13

Chapter Four - "Sleeping Beauty"

Author's Note: I'm trying…that is all

January 12, 2008

Saint Mary's Hospital

Duluth, Minnesota

Prentiss wasn't happy. Not only was JJ still unconscious, but the doctors hadn't told her anything more. She hadn't talked to the team since she'd last called in to let them know about JJ staying the night for observation. She smiled as she realized that JJ was finally getting her sleep. Maybe it would help, she hoped so. The slight creak of the door brought Emily's attention away from JJ.

"Ma'am? Would you like some coffee? Or maybe I could order you up something from the cafeteria?" the nurse asked.

"Thank you," she responded quickly. "A cup of coffee would be great." She smiled to the nurse as she left. She definitely needed it. They'd already been in Minnesota for at least twelve hours. With little sleep and little nourishment, she was sure the rest of the team was feeling as she was.

After she'd finished her cup of coffee, Prentiss was leaning back in the hard chair and trying to get comfortable when she noticed a slight movement from JJ. That got her attention and she sat straight up. Scooting to the edge of the chair, she reached out and squeezed JJ's hand. "I'm here."

"Mmm…"

She smiled widely as JJ's blue eyes opened, "Hey there…" she said softly.

It took JJ a few minutes to try and take in her surroundings. Her hand rubbed her forehead and then opened her mouth. "Am I in the hospital?" She knew the answer already, but she still wanted to hear it from Emily.

"Yeah," Prentiss answered. She brushed stray blonde hair away from her friend's face. "Do you remember what happened?" she asked gently.

"I was with Hotch," she whispered thinking hard.

Prentiss nodded, "You were…and then you came to a scene with Hotch," she prompted. "Do you remember that?"

"Not really," JJ admitted and stared up at the ceiling thinking about how ridiculous it all was. "I passed out?"

"Doctors haven't said anything yet about why," Prentiss informed her.

"I'm sorry," JJ said still not feeling so great, but she did feel rested. She was embarrassed, though, for passing out at a scene in front of everyone.

"Hey," Prentiss said, her tone both concerned and serious. "It's not your fault… You can't blame yourself…" She knew that no one blamed her. Everyone WAS, though, worried and concerned about her. "The important thing is you're awake. I was starting to think you were playing Sleeping Beauty on me." Prentiss was trying to keep things light between them. "I haven't found myself a prince; I'm not sure how I'd find yours…"

Emily's tone sounded almost serious to her and JJ couldn't help the wide smile that spread out across her face. But then her stomach reminded her that she wasn't better as it clamped down and twisted her gut, or so what it felt like.

"JJ? You okay?" Emily asked quickly when she saw her friend's face contort. She was obviously in pain, which meant that something was wrong.

"I think I just have the flu," JJ told her. "I don't want you to catch it, too."

Smiling, she squeezed the younger woman's hand a bit. "Don't worry about me."

January 12, 2008

Duluth Police Department

Duluth, Minnesota

Hotch listened carefully as he was filled in. Prentiss was happy to report that JJ was awake, but still not feeling well. He was a bit surprised to find out that JJ's memories were vague, but he could also understand it as well. He couldn't fault her in any way for it. In fact, he could perceive it as being horrifying to remember. JJ was so unlike herself that it had been disturbing to them all.

"Alright," Hotch said trying to wrap up his call with Prentiss. He knew that although answered to why JJ had passed out were not yet known, the fact that she was conscious would raise morale considerably.

"Was that Prentiss?" Reid asked as he watched Hotch put his phone away. They'd been waiting hours for some kind of news about JJ.

"Yes," Hotch said. That alone was enough to not only keep Reid's attention, but also grab Rossi's and Morgan's.

"What'd she say?" Derek asked curious to know how JJ was. Garcia, he was sure, was already into the hospital's cameras (if she could find one at the right angle) in order to check up on JJ as well. She'd been panicked when he'd told her when she'd called an hour ago.

"They still don't know," he told them truthfully.

"But she was only supposed to call if there was a change, if the doctors knew something Reid said quickly.

Hotch didn't miss Morgan's head snap in his direction. Worry spread across his face, but before he could speak his concerns Hotch spoke. "She's the same," he told them, "But she's awake…"

"Well, that sounds like good news to me," Rossi spoke up. "It means she didn't knock her head too badly during the fall."

He noticed how Rossi was trying to help. How he was trying to shift the focus and how they were looking at it. He appreciated it. It helped him from feeling like he was being heartless. He cared about JJ's wellbeing, but he knew that she'd be upset if they didn't work the case. That was why they were there after all. "Let's find the unsub," Hotch said trying to change the subject in order to get the team on the path they needed to be on. When the unsub was captured, then they could all return home.

TBC…