Chapter 4

2 weeks later she was released from a hospital. Peter had got to the clearing just in time with Sherriff Curtis. She was told later that Peter had carried her out of the woods to the awaiting ambulance. Apparently the local FBI office discovered Walt was connected with a national paedophile ring. That meant she began in danger as they used the evidence they had to press for names. She was going to be the star witness, they were saving her for the trial, and the whole thing was resting on her testimony. Despite the physical evidence her testimony would surely sway any jury. Adding in she happened to know details of the ring. Names Walt had mentioned in passing became really important. The paedophile gang was out for blood. Her blood, that's why Shelby died in the ambulance, her knowledge had been recorded and she would live again at the trial.

She had a new life. Everyone she knew thought she was dead or was dead. She was in a foster home going to a regular high school with bi weekly shrink appointments. For security she had a new name, a new life, and new issues. She had to be normal and blend in Jenifer Jareau didn't have issues. She played football, did her homework, got A's and waited. She was dead at least until Walt's trial.

Hitting a river JJ sat next to it perched on a rock. Her whole life had changed at that point. But she had and always been a survivor. She had become JJ, she had enjoyed being JJ and now she was JJ.

She remembered the trial almost a year later. She had prepared thoroughly for her testimonial ready when to everyone's surprise Walt confessed. It was easy he went to jail with nobody knowing she had survived the attack.

The decision was then a choice between 2 lives JJ and Shelby. JJ the sweet innocent girl next door or the broken dirty prostitute, in the end it was simple she had begged Dillon to let Shelby stay dead. JJ was good at soccer didn't have to go to a special school and was likely to go to college. Shelby was likely to end up hooked on drugs or dead. Dillon had reluctantly agreed. It would be as simple as forgetting to reinstate Shelby. In some ways it was easier for her to stay dead for them as well as her. But now Shelby had a choice to come back, it would help the team and cold save lives. The question was JJ strong enough to let her.

JJ shivered. In the time she had been sitting thinking the sun had lowered and was now disappearing under the trees. She knew the team would be concerned; it would be hard to explain why she had disappeared for so long but she didn't care at this point. The walking helped to clear her mind.

Getting back to the station the team was all back and waiting for her.

"Where have you been?" Hotch questioned as she walked through the door. He was calm but JJ knew he was pissed off by the way he met her at the door.

"I went for a walk and got a bit lost" she lied ensuring she kept her body language natural as he openly profiled her. "I needed the break" She confessed.

"Next time don't forget to tell someone where you are going" Hotch lectured making a mental note to keep a closer eye on JJ. She appeared tired and stressed although cases with kids always did that to the team.

"What did I miss?" JJ asked, sitting at the table next to Emily.

"If it is Walter he is a physically fit guy. Those trails aren't easy to traverse but we know they were killed at the site. So somehow he persuades the girls to go out there with him. We are thinking he has a gun or a knife. Neither is hard to get in these parts" Morgan summarised. "Since he had a gun when he attacked his daughters a gun is more likely."

"Geographically he is all over the map, although the school seems to be the focal point" Reid indicated his diagram, "It's likely his camp is in this block somewhere"

"We went to the school. Wow is it remote." Emily began. "We spoke to a Peter Scarborough and his wife Sophie" She checked her notebook. "They remember Shelby and Scott quite well less so Jess as she was only there for a month."

Rossi continued. "Scott was there because his step mother had been abusing him sexually. He turned to drugs to help. Peter seems to think he was making great progress. He bonded with Shelby over there sexual abuse."

"Shelby was apparently very wild when she joined. She refused to let anyone in and acted like a bitch" Emily added. "Then just as she was making progress she was sent back to look after Walt after he had a heart attack. She was there 2 weeks when suddenly she returned to Horizon after alleging Walt was abusing both of them."

"Then Jess ran away. She arrived at Horizon and begged Peter to let her stay. With consent from their mother Jess stayed. 4 weeks later Walt escaped and killed them all." Rossi read from his notes.

"They both got really upset by this point. Peter said he carried Shelby out himself to the ambulance. She told him not to ever give up Horizon and apologised for being a brat," Emily finished. JJ was confused she didn't remember that at all. Spencer noticed her confusion

"You ok JJ?" he questioned

"I don't remember that" she began then remembered where she was. "In any of the reports"

"Which bit?" Hotch enquired. JJ smiled panicking slightly her media face was in place

"The part where Peter carried Shelby out, it looks to be quite far on the map, I was wondering if we had ruled him out as the unsub." JJ internally hated herself for saying it. She knew it was no way Peter but it was the only cover she could come up with.

"We checked he has alibi's for all 3 disappearances" Emily replied.

"Good" JJ said smiling.

"Then the parents came in. As far as we can tell the girls had very little in common which makes sense with their ages differences. Apart from there blond hair and blue eyes they were opposites" Spencer said.

"Did the school have any photos of Shelby?" Morgan asked, "I can't help but wonder if it's important"

"They don't really believe in taking photos of the kids but we got one I'm not sure how helpful it will be" JJ practically snatched it from Emily's grasp. She studied it carefully and was relieved to see her face was too small and grainy to be of any real help. Plus the sun was glaring down behind them.

"Send it to Garcia see if she can get an image" Hotch ordered. "Oh and JJ while you're on the phone see if she has made any progress on locating the mother Jane" JJ nodded stepping away from the group.

"Hey my butter berry what can I do for you?" Garcia's chipper voice came over the phone.

"Garcia I've sent you a photo of Shelby see if you can clear it up. Also Hotch wants to know if you have located Jane?"

"JJ of course I have, she lives 2 hours from your location, I've sent the information to your phone already"

"Thanks Garcia" JJ said worriedly. If Hotch sent people to her mother's her ruse would be discovered.

"You ok JJ?" Garcia asked concerned

"Yeah this case it's just hard" JJ explained. Garcia nodded although JJ couldn't see the gesture she understood some cases were just harder than others.

"I'm here if you ever need to talk JJ" Garcia advised sincerely.

"I know thank you" JJ replied hanging up. Returning to the group she gave the address to Hotch.

"Great, Morgan and Emily you'll visit first thing in the morning. It's getting late we should eat then get some sleep" Hotch ordered.

"Now you're talking" Morgan agreed. They walked the short distance to the motel and pub.

JJ sat at the table it hadn't changed in the last 10 years it looked the same. Even the menu was the same. She knew what she wanted.

"Hey I'm Grace, can I take your order?" The young Asian girl came over. JJ too in her appearance she had really blossomed into a really pretty girl. Then remembering she didn't want to be recognised she ducked her head.

Everyone gave there order. Excusing herself JJ ducked out to use the bathroom. On returning Grace was waiting by exit of the restrooms.

"I remember you" Grace accused.

"No you don't" JJ corrected.

"Shelby you saved me from that cliff" Grace continued undeterred.

"Shelby who?" JJ questioned

"Strange you look just like her. Maybe I should call Peter down here and see what he thinks" Grace threw down the gauntlet. JJ felt trapped in some ways she was. She could call the bluff and hope Peter didn't come or she could admit everything and hope Grace kept her secret.

"I have no idea who Peter is or who you think I am Grace. I work with the FBI we are here investigating the recent murders." JJ played it cool calling the bluff. Grace dropped it sullenly.

"Fine but I know it's you."

Escaping JJ practically ran to the table to escape. Damn this town and there smallness.

Back at the table the team was talking. JJ sat down this was getting stupid she would have to confess everything to her team they had a right to know.

"Everything ok JJ?" Morgan asked he could tell she was tense and worried, never a good combination.

"Actually I have something really important to tell you all" JJ said she took a deep breath