Chapter 8

Hotch hung up feeling old.

"Oh boss man I found the file. It's not good. Our little JJ had a rough time on the streets. I found 3 police arrest forms, one for drugs, two for prostitution. Then I wondered why the FBI would seal such a folder. I mean 14 year old prostitutes that died 2 years later aren't really our concern. So I started digging and I mean deep, it was sealed by a Dillon Fredrick who specialises in child sex crimes. So I thought so what's the connection. Anyway at the same time 'Shelby' died he made a major bust in a child sex ring. So I dug into that. A Shelby Maverick was going to be a huge witness in the Walter case after she died but he confessed and she stayed dead."

"So it's likely that JJ was in witness protection." Hotch concluded a little mollified even this many years on she would have been forbidden from speaking of it. It was still hurtful she hadn't even hinted at it.

His phone rang again, it was Rossi

"JJ has gone to confront Walt" he said without hesitation.

"What? Why? Where?" Hotch asked.

"Sammie gave her the message; he has another girl that he threatened to kill if she didn't show."

"Where?" Hotch repeated

"At the end" Rossi repeated.

"It's likely that's the site he killed Jess and Scott I would guess" Hotch surmised.

"There is another small problem; we can't find the head teacher Peter"

"Ok wait there I'll grab Spencer and some local PD's we'll meet you there" Hotch ordered.

"Hotch she is out there alone."

"We are 20 minutes away, Morgan and Emily are about an hour away"

"We can't wait. I'll start out now you guys can take the short cut from the road." Rossi suggested already loading his pack and checking his ammo"

"Ok" Hotch decided, already getting into the car with Reid and the Sherriff. The deputies followed behind in a separate car. On the way he rang Morgan and Emily to meet them there.

Rossi went to leave and was surprised to see the other counsellor waiting for him.

"Sophie what are you doing?" he asked knowing what she was doing

"I'm coming with you, it's my husband out there and a woman I once considered like a daughter to me." Sophie protested. "I also know these woods like the back of my hand, I can get us there quickly, and I have a gun and now how to shoot it,"

Rossi needed only to consider it for a moment

"Lead the way." He decided.

JJ tore through the bushes at a frantic jog, she knew the net was closing and that she wouldn't have long before they worked out her secret. She didn't have long to make things right but she wouldn't let him win again. She couldn't let him win again. Pausing as she approached the river she checked her direction against the map and the compass.

"Lost again" A voice from the behind the trees caused her to drop the map and compass and spin around aiming her gun. "You never could map read Shelby" She lowered her gun as Peter emerged.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned not bothering to deny it.

"I'm going with you Shel. I let you down once I promised myself I would never let another kid down like I did that day" Peter reflected.

"You never let me down Peter you and Sophie are the 2 people who never let me down" JJ replied honestly.

"I thought you were dead" Peter came over hugging her tightly, tears were running down both of their cheeks.

"I wanted to tell you but they wouldn't let me, they said I had to stay dead" JJ sobbed relieved to have it off her chest.

"It's ok Shel," Peter comforted.

"It was all my fault" JJ wept, "I should have been stronger, if I had stayed he wouldn't have hurt Jess or Scott"

"But he would have hurt you and that's not acceptable either" Peter reasoned carefully watching Shelby process it. She always was stubborn and always absorbed the hurt others gave her as if she deserved it. She said nothing silently disagreeing. Peter tried another tactic using information he had gathered after their death.

"I think it was Mellissa's after all if she had stuck it out he would have never started on you"

"How dare you?" JJ yelled angrily. "It wasn't her fault he made her"

"And it wasn't your fault either" Peter insisted. JJ fell to the floor with Peter half carrying her.

"It wasn't my fault" she whispered feeling like a huge burden had been lifted off her. "I still need to face him, I need to stop him" she insisted. Peter nodded, he knew he would never stop her, Shelby was nothing but stubborn and facing her fear could do her the world of good.

"Ok but we go together" Peter offered, JJ nodded, "And I do the map reading" JJ laughed wiping away the remaining tears.

Together they made their way through the woods. Arriving near the clearing JJ signalled for Peter to go around he would be her cover. She would be the distraction. She stepped into the clearing slowly unarmed Walt would search her for sure. Instead she had given Peter her side arm choosing to hide the back up in the bushes.

Entering the clearing JJ fought the urge to run. He was with the girl who was in the exact spot Jess had been clearly he was prepared for her arrival his gun was ready and already pointing at her. Walt was older thinner but still the same face of her nightmares. She shivered as she faced up to him standing her ground as he approached. The memories hit her hand and fast hiding under the covers waiting for the shadow that told her he was on his way. The way she would curl protectively in a ball to try and stop him. Every night, the doorknob would open, and his shadow wold approach. Kitten that name still caused her repulsion she has learnt to hide it now. He wiped some hair out of her face holding her cheek.

"I knew you would come kitten" he greeted.

"Let her go" JJ whispered,

"She can go," Walt indicated where the girl was currently crawling into the woods. Her clothing was torn, she was bleeding from multiple cuts.

"What do you want? JJ asked trying to edge away from him to give Peter a good angle on the shot. To her surprise Walt grabbed her holding her around the neck the gun pressed against her temple.

"I wanted what I always wanted…you" he caressed her face with his gun. "But as normal you make it harder than it has to be. I know you didn't come alone. Step out of the bushes Peter" Walter called, JJ said nothing as Peter emerged from the bushes. The game was over. Again she had failed JJ thought.

"Peter hello again my dear friend. Please come and sit" Peter did so reluctantly taking his place in the same spot Scott had all those years before.

"Good Shelby and I were about to get reacquainted. Weren't we kitten" Without warning he removed the gun from her temple throwing it back and slamming it onto the back of her head. With a groan she hit the floor and stayed down.

"Shelby" Peter yelled scrambling to get to her but the gun pointed in his direction stopped him.

"Not so fast there, Peter, healer of the emotionally wounded." Walter began, "Without you she would have returned home. She would have never dared to challenge me"

Peter knew he had to keep Walt distracted the longer he did the more chance they had a rescue.

"Good, least she didn't kill herself like your other daughter. I can't imagine having somebody that desperate to get away from me" Peter began.

"You turned her against me" Walt raged at Peter,

"She already hated you, so very much. When you had your heart attack she prayed for you to die, and so did I" Peter replied keeping calm, he faced angry kids, angry parents every day admittedly none of them were armed but it helped him stay in the right head space. Unfortunately his calm only maddened Walt further. He struck Peter who fell to the floor. Before he could react metal slapped onto his wrist belatedly he realised he was now handcuffed to a tree.

"I'll show you how much she hates me." Walt seethed as he placed the gun on the fallen tree far away from either of his victims grip. "Kitten lets have some fun" he suggested. JJ was just coming around as Walt approached her flipping her onto her back. She began fighting hitting blindly trying to hurt him as much as she could. Easily he fought her down.

"Shelby don't be the victim" Peter shouted hoping he was getting through to her. "Come on you're a big bad FBI agent now and you're still going to let him beat you"

JJ lay still as Walt began to undress her. Fear had paralysed her as Peters words sunk in. She was not going to be the victim again. She forced herself to relax as Walt began caressing her soft skin. It worked as it lulled him into a false sense of security. He released her arms in order to undo her pants. JJ waited as he struggled with the button. As it opened open she knew it was time to act.

She used his distraction to move her elbow outwards then propelled the top half of her body upwards slamming it into his nose. With a groan his hands left her panties reaching for the nose. JJ used the distraction driving her knee upwards making contact with his stomach. Walt grunted not ready for the blow, winded he rolled off her. JJ rolled the other way buying herself the space to stand up. On the way she pushed her top down and buttoned up her pants giving Walt the time to get to his feet. With a roar he charged at her hell bent at knocking her back to the floor. JJ used his momentum against him flipping him on to his back. She began running for the gun knowing it would be the quickest way of ending this. Walt reached out grabbing her ankle. JJ kicked out but he was expecting it using it to drag her foot closer. JJ didn't give up allowing him to bring her foot closer which allowed his grip to relax, she used that to bring up her leg and slam it down on his chest. His hands lost grip for a second which was enough to allow her to escape.

The gun was only a few feet away glistening on the grass. JJ reached it first picking it up, she removed the safety before swinging it around only to hit Walt's hands as they closed around the gun.

"I'll be taking that kitten little girls shouldn't play with guns." He mocked getting the upper hand

"I'm not a little girl anymore, I was forced to grow up and I'm not scared of you" JJ argued as she pressed the trigger. His eyes opened in shock as the bullet hit its mark in the centre of his chest. His grip loosened as he fell to the floor.

"Kitten, you were always my favourite" he whispered as his eyes close. JJ stood in shock covered in his blood, its warm stickiness rapidly cooling on her skin. The gun felt like a lead weight in her hand as she let in drop. It was over.

She fell to her knees the shock setting in.

"Shel its over" Peter reached out to her but she wasn't listening. Instead she sat on the muddy floor next to the body shaking.

Suddenly a bush in the clearing began rustling Peter tensed not knowing if they were friend or foe. Guns aimed they entered the clearing.

"Sophie" Peter cried with relief. Rossi made his way over to Walt ensuring he was dead. While Sophie approached JJ kneeling next to her she opened her eyes allowing JJ to fold into her arms.

"It ok to cry Shelby" Sophie whispered. JJ nodded into her shoulder letting the tears flow. Meanwhile Rossi searched the pockets of Walt finding the key to the handcuffs. Removing the handcuffs Peter rubbed his wrists.

"The girl he had she went that way, I'm pretty sure she was sexually assaulted" Peter informed Rossi pointing at the woods.

"We better find her nights here get cold" Rossi looked over at JJ and Sophie. They had heard. He could almost see JJ pulling herself together as she pulled away from Sophie

"We need to find her" JJ insisted standing up.

"JJ you need to see a Doctor" Rossi advised.

"No, not until she is found" JJ told them limping in the direction Peter had pointed. Rossi tried to protest but Sophie stopped him.

"Trust me arguing with Shel is pointless. Plus we really do need to find that girl" Sighing Rossi relented.

JJ led the way through the bush with Sophie and Peter next to her every step. After 5 minutes JJ stopped, and pointed the girl was hiding under a tree branch.

"There" she pointed her out. The girl cowered. They backed off keeping her in their sight. JJ went in after all she was the one who best understood what she was going through. She sat next to her in the bushes,

"Is he dead" the girl asked guessing from the blood on her.

"Yes" JJ said without hesitation.

"Good" the girl replied.

"My name is JJ" JJ introduced.

"He called you Shelby?" the girl asked in confusion.

"That was my name when I was your age. What is your name?"

"Ana"

"How old are you?" JJ enquired

"13" Ana muttered,

"So young" JJ whispered it was breaking her heart. "Where are your parents?" they should have been protecting her, loving her, at the very least they should have notified police she was missing.

"I don't know I ran away" Ana answered looking to the ground.

"Why?" JJ asked knowing there were plenty of good reasons to run away. Watching Ana closely she could tell what had happened at home.

"Your dad hurt you just like Walt did"

Ana looked ashamed shivering and JJ knew she was right.

"You don't have to go back there" JJ promised.

"I have nowhere else to go" Ana stated

"I know the perfect place, but we have to get out of the bush to get there. I promise I will die before I let your dad touch you again" JJ swore, Ana held out her pinky.

"Promise"

"Pinky promise" JJ swore. Taking Ana's hand she led her out of the bush. Peter gave Ana his jumper covering up the rips in her t-shirt. Ana clung to JJ, slightly terrified of all the people that had appeared,

"Ana, this Sophie, she is going to help you" JJ introduced them. Ana reluctantly let go of her hand grasping Sophie's like a life line. Peter and Rossi took position either side of JJ.

Peter navigated the way back but it was slow progress. Ana was bruised and terrified, and JJ limping. The woods were thick with imposing branches blocking their way. Nobody came this way anymore not after Scott and Jess's death, it was too painful for most and too out of the way for others. It was a trek done in near silence occasionally JJ would gasp, or grunt in pain.

Finally they hit a path, and sat down for a rest the whole group was exhausted. Rossi used the opportunity to check his phone.

"Still no signal" he reported

"The school is only 2km that way" Peter pointed. With such a short distance to cover they upped their pace, it was easier on the flatter more trampled ground. Nearing the school they could see the sirens lighting the way as darkness set in. As they approached people spotted them Sophie's torch a beacon in the darkness. Morgan was the one who reached them first,

"JJ" he cried seeing her beat up. He eased in taking Rossi's place as crutch.

"I'm ok" She claimed. Nobody believed her not even JJ as she said it she knew how ridiculous it sounded.

Hotch arrived next instantly replacing Peter. Although neither Peter nor Rossi would admit it carrying her for over 12km over rough terrain had exhausted them. Emily and Spencer were only moments behind him. Emily gave JJ a huge hug.

"Don't you ever dare even think of scarring us like that again" she threatened. Nobody spoke of her betrayal, her lack of trust in them. Those issues could wait. For now she was safe, as was Ana.

Between them all it wasn't far back to the school. The nurse was already waiting with the local doctor. They ushered JJ and Ana inside with Sophie and Emily being the self-elected party to escort them inside the sick room. The nurse met them escorting them onto a bed Sammie was sleeping on the bed at the end.

With all the beds filled the nurse began with Ana at JJ's insistence. First step was slow, gaining consent to even touch her. Sophie helped Ana trusting her more than the stranger. A quick exam showed she was physically stable with the nurse administering a sedative let Ana sleep joining Sammie in the land of nod.

JJ was next.

"He didn't rape me" was the first thing she told them wanting them to know this time she hadn't been a victim. They understood her meaning Sophie taking the lead

"You did really well, I'm so proud of you" Sophie told her hugging her tightly.

"Where does it hurt err Shelby or JJ?" the nurse asked not sure what name she should call her.

"Either I guess," JJ replied really having not thought about that. She looked to her friends for advice

"Whatever makes you feel safe" Sophie advised

"When I was Shelby I was always the victim, only as JJ did I defeat him, and I'm use to JJ now" JJ defended her name. Everyone nodded understanding her logic.

"My ankle I think I twisted it, otherwise I'm just bruised" JJ admitted. The nurse nodded walking to look at her ankle. Although only recently injured it was double its normal size and black.

"I think it's more than twisted" the nurse admitted, "We are going to have to get it x-rayed and casted"

"Later I need to be there for them" JJ indicated the 2 sleeping girls.

"First you need a shower" Emily wrinkled her nose but was more concerned by the fact she was coated in blood.

"Yeah I do"

"I'll grab a wheelchair" the nurse offered.

"I'll get you some spare clothes" Sophie offered. She left the sick room to see it crowded outside, before anyone could speak Sophie held up her hands.

"Both girls are physically fine, mentally I think abuse has been going on a while they are both sleeping at present they'll need a lot of time to come to terms with this. JJ has a broken ankle, mentally I think she is dealing with it better than last time."

"Thank you, local PD are getting in a Detective from Seattle to help tidy this case up I don't think they have had a murder case here before" Hotch told her

"We sent the local officers to collect Walt's body and preserve the crime scene." Rossi added.

"Great," Sophie replied, "Excuse me" she walked away from the group only Peter followed,

"Sophie," he grabbed her hugging her tightly.

"Peter those 2 girls need us, they were both running away from home, they need a safe place to heal" Sophie cried,

"I know we will give it to them" Peter promised. "Like we do for them all" he kissed her hair.

"It's just so hard" Sophie whispered. "So many broken people"

"And not enough good" Peter echoed. They broke the hug confidence restored.

"Ok I'm going to get Shel, I mean JJ some clothes"

"And I'm going to start persuading 2 sets of parents to send their daughters to our school" Peter sighed.

"You could always ask the FBI agents, Agent Rossi seems to be helpful" Sophie suggested entering their room.

Quickly she gathered sweat pants and some clean under garments she hadn't yet unpacked. Perfect she decided.

Back in the infirmary JJ and Emily were still in the shower. Sophie passed the clothes in. 5 minutes later a cleaner JJ came out. The clothes were a little baggy in places but fitted well for the most part.

"Thanks Sophie" JJ apologised sitting on the bed. Sheepishly she nodded towards the door, "How annoyed are they?"

"They understand" Sophie promised. JJ glanced at the door worriedly she had lied to them

"Can I see them?"

"Sure I think they're desperate to see you to" Emily joked as she opened the floodgates. The team and Peter entered on her signal.

"Hey" JJ greeted from the bed feeling strangely vulnerable. Taking a deep breath she reminded herself this was her team she was safe.

"Are you ok?" Reid asked

"I'm fine" JJ said everyone rolled their eyes it was the standard answer.

"Let's try this in a different way" Peter suggested hiding his irritation at the word "Let's go around each saying one word how we feel, I'll start, relieved" he looked to his wife taking her hand in his.

"Worried" Sophie them, she was stood in-between the other 2 girls assaulted, even with Peter at her side she knew this task would be long and arduous.

"Sorry" JJ was next,

"Angry" Morgan added now he had seen that she was safe his anger was surfacing.

"Betrayed" Reid put forth

"Confused" Emily told them glaring at both Morgan and Reid she couldn't understand their feelings to JJ.

"Thankful" Rossi added, he was glad that they had caught this guy and although there were some psychological scars everyone was alive.

"Reassured" Hotch said, his team was talking and being open maybe this technique was worth taking back with them.

"OK now we say why we are feeling like this" Peter explained. "I'm feeling relieved because we have everyone here safe and I know what happened to Shelby now I know she is ok and that she will heal."

"Worried, everyone is safe but we have such a long way to go, it's going to take a lot of healing"

"Sorry I lied to everyone, sorry I let this happen, sorry cus I don't even know why I just know this is my fault" JJ cried, to everyone's surprised Rossi was the one to comfort her

"You're wrong" he whispered

"I'm angry cus I didn't see it earlier, we all knew something was wrong and we all just let it happen. We should have had her back but I dropped the ball, and wasn't here when she needed me and that makes me angry" Morgan revealed,

"Betrayed, JJ you should have told us, told me" Reid admitted

"I couldn't I wasn't allowed," JJ cried clutching Rossi.

"Reid, it's not like we haven't all kept secrets before and always will that's why I feel confused," Emily contributed. "We have to follow orders and need to know no matter how much we don't want to" She thought of Doyle if he ever escaped the skeletons that would escape her closet. Reid said nothing for a while.

"I guess I'm sorry JJ"

"It's ok, I understand I'm sorry too" They hugged tightly.

"Thankful. We made it out" Rossi interrupted the moment.

"Reassured JJ is ok, we got the unsub and as a team we can come together and heal" Hotch spoke, he was upset and could understand the betrayal but if Foyett had taught him anything it was that he would lie to his team if it meant his family was safe. Try as he might he couldn't blame JJ for doing the same thing before she had even met them.

"Now that is over, we should get JJ and the girls to a hospital." Hotch decided. "Morgan could you and Reid get the trucks. Rossi please can you carry Sammie, I'll get Ana, Peter and Sophie if you could help JJ, Emily get the door"

With those orders the whole group jumped into action.

They arrived to the local hospital within 30minutes, as they had rung ahead they were ushered straight through to cubicles. Both Ana and Sammie having woken up on the drive, a specialist Doctor and nurse came in and saw to them while JJ got x-rayed.

It took 2 hours before they were all patched up and discharged. Both girls had blood tests taken and were awaiting STD results, Peter and Sophie were coaching them through it.

JJ had a hairline fracture on her ankle with a split cast on. She would be allowed to fly as long as it was reinforced when she landed. Reid was helping her with the crutches.

The case was tied up the shooting deemed lawful. They were packed up ready to go the girls were both in Horizon, one in the cliff hangers the other in the wind dancers. They seemed to be settling into the life there. JJ also seemed better, like a huge load had been lifted off her chest. She felt free finally he couldn't hurt her. She also felt overwhelming grief for Jess and Melissa as much as she knew it wasn't her fault she felt responsible it would take a long time to heal.

Saying goodbye to Peter and Sophie was hard they were her parents. They'd taught her more about life than anyone else. This time she promised to keep in touch and visit. She knew they'd hold her to it and that was ok.

Back at Quantico JJ stepped into the building and was whisked away into Garcia's lair.

"Should we rescue her?" Reid asked

"No way that's a mission to dangerous for anyone." Morgan answered.

Inside Garica's office JJ was deposited into a chair as PG paced in front of her. She didn't dare to speak.

"I am so angry at you JJ, I thought you were like a sister to me and then I find out you lied to me, then I find out how much you have survived and how you have become this wonderful person after all off that and it's frustrating because I can't get mad at you. Instead I find I love you even more my little light for everything you went through you still came out one of the brightest, best person I know."

"Thanks Garcia" JJ said tearing up. She had the best friend.

"But I have to know one thing, who did the hacking, I have to meet this person" Garcia begged. JJ smiled

"I honestly don't know. I was terrified you would find everything." JJ admitted,

"I couldn't find anything, and you know how much that annoys me" Garcia yelled. "If it wasn't you" she warned.

"So we are ok" JJ checked.

"Were better than ok" Garcia confirmed crushing JJ in a hug. "We are family JJ a big beautiful non-related family and there is nothing you can ever do or say or have done or said to make us love you less" Garcia insisted. JJ began to cry wondering how Garcia knew what to say.

"You're safe now"

"I don't even remember what that feels like" JJ admitted

"We will get you use to it, one day at a time" Garcia encouraged. "Starting with a girls night tonight just you me and Emily"

"Sounds like a plan"

It wasn't much in the grand scheme of life but to know they knew everything and they still counted her as family and she felt loved for the first time ever. She was part of a real family, with Peter, Sophie, Hotch, Rossi, Morgan, Reid, Prentiss and Garcia she would heal she had no choice. They weren't going to let her fall.