Her past catches up with her
I don't own Criminal Minds and/or Higher ground. Might not be suitable for younger children. Some swearing and a little violence.
Chapter 5
JJ sits next to Molly. JJ puts her hand on Molly's back. She winces and pulls away.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I hurt you. What happened to you?" JJ asks, almost too afraid of the answer.
"My mom's boyfriend beat me up. I was out past my curfew. He did other things too. That's all I'm saying. So you can go back to Peter and Sophie and tell them to piss off. They can make me physically stay here, but I don't have to 'open my heart' as they put it. I'm just glade to be away from that dumb ass. I don't understand why my mom would want a jerk off in prison. I guess she got what she wanted. I'm never going back. I'll run away before I step foot in THAT house. I'll even kill myself before I go back." Molly says, silently crying.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. I really wish you would give Peter and Sophie a chance. They really are good people. If you can keep a secret, I can tell you that they really do good here. Can I trust you to keep a secret between you and I?" JJ asks.
"Yeah." Molly says, eager to hear one of her secrets.
"I came here when I was about your age. I refuse to open up and it built up so much that when it came out, it was out of control. They ended up sending back home. Back to my HARD life. When I was thrown back home, I had to face my problem. I didn't have Peter and Sophie there to help. But what I learned from them gave me the strength to do what I had to do at home and on my own. So maybe you could tell Sophie. I mean if you feel more comfortable tell a woman." JJ says, then sighs.
"What did you have to deal with?" Molly asks, with hope in her eyes.
"I was a constant runaway. Finally, my mom found me and brought me here. I was doing drugs, selling sex for money. I figured it was smarter to sell sex than being forced to by my stepfather. But when I went home to take care of him after a heart attack, I found out he was doing it to my younger sister too. I turned him into the police. Then they let me come back here. I couldn't believe how much I missed Peter and Sophie. They became my family. Along with my group. Now look at how well I've turned out. I'm in the FBI now. I stop things from happening to others. Here, take one of my cards. If you ever feel you need someone and you don't think Peter and Sophie are enough, call me. I will came here as fast as I humanly can. Just give Peter and Sophie a break. They need them now and then. Would you like to accompany me to the den? I'm getting a surprise from Officer Jensen. I think he's got a crush on me. But don't tell, I have one on him too. Kind of corny, isn't it?" JJ says, blushing.
"It's kind of cute. Sure, let's go. Do you need some help?" Molly asks, smiling now.
"Sure, please. I didn't think about getting up." JJ says, holding her hands out. She rolls over onto her good knee then grabs for Molly's hands. Molly wakes and up came JJ. Molly and JJ are laughing as they walked back to the den.
As they walk in, their was a commotion going on. A lot of confusion. Then it hit JJ that they probably got back with that young boy who ran away. Molly and JJ just went into the den and sat down the sofa in front of the fire. They were talking when Hotch and Gideon came in to see how JJ was doing.
"Hey JJ. Oh, excuse me for interrupting. How are you feeling JJ?" Hotch asks. Gideon just stands next to him while they wait for an answer.
"Fine Hotch. This is Molly. Did you guys get that young boy?" JJ asks.
"Yes we did. Nice to meet you Molly. Can we borrow JJ for a few minutes. We just need to talk business
for a few moments. I'll come get you in a second." Hotch says.
"Sure, no problem. Thanks JJ. I'll remember what you said and I won't tell anyone. Later." Molly says and then just walks away.
"What was that about?" Gideon asks.
"I just kind of ran into her and I got her to open up a little. Just told her to let the Scarbrows help her." JJ says smiling.
"Well, that's nice. Just don't get too involved. You are a FBI agent, not a therapist. Just let the Scarbrows do their thing." Gideon says.
"I know. What's up. Oh, god! Is it Maggie? What's wrong?" JJ asks.
"Well, we can't stay much longer. Something's happened back home and we need to get back by tonight. So we have maybe an hour before we have to go to the airport. So let's do our talk and then maybe a quick look around. So let's get started." Hotch says.
"What happened?" JJ asks.
"Let's talk about it on the plane. We need to focus on what we're doing here." Hotch says.
"Ok. Just let Peter or Sophie know about the time thing and then let me know where we are going to talk. If you want I can get them set for you to talk. Answer any questions first and then have questions at the end of the speak." JJ says.
"You just stay sitting. We'll let you know about what's going on." Hotch says. Hotch walks away.
"Do you need anything?" Gideon asks.
"Gideon, what going on back home? I need to know if I have to put on my sympathy face or my shoot to kill face." JJ asks.
"Well, you my friend are going to be sitting at a desk. At least until the doc ok's you." Gideon says, trying to dodge that question.
"Gideon, help me up please. Then I'll need my crutch." JJ says, trying to get up.
"What are you doing?" Gideon asks, trying to make her sit back down.
"I'm going to get Hotch set up for the speak. You know, my job." JJ says, pushing against Gideon's pushes.
"NO! You are supposed to keep off that leg." Gideon says.
"I have a job to do! Let me go!" JJ yells. Everyone stops and looks at JJ and Gideon.
"Sorry, we didn't mean to be so loud. Please, go back to what you were doing. Excuse us. Come on Agent Jearau." Gideon says, pulling JJ to her feet and then helping her out of the building.
Once outside Gideon starts the yelling, "JJ what the hell is wrong with you? You never yell at me. Please tell me it's the meds. This is a side I've never seen of you and I don't like it. Now straighten up. We need to be an example to these kids. Don't make me have to pull rank." Gideon says, his face getting a little red.
"Gideon, just because I'm hurt, doesn't mean I can't work. I know my body. I'm fine to stand if I don't put weight on that leg. If it starts hurting, I'll sit down. Why are you trying to control me. I know you and Hotch are my bosses, but right now we're not technically working. This is a little side favor. Now please, let me do this. You know I have to stay busy." JJ says, pulling out her PDA. "Now if we don't start, we won't be able to take that quick tour."
"Fine, go!" Gideon says, moving past her and walking into the building. JJ just stands there. She takes a deep breath and then lets it out. She hears someone calling her old name. She pretends not to hear it. She pretends that she's turning around and catches a glimpse of a guy that looks like Josh. She freaks out and falls back words and blacks out.
When JJ comes to, she sees the school doctor, Hotch, Gideon and the Scarbrows looking down at her, "JJ, are you alright?" Hotch asks.
"I think so. Where am I?" JJ asks.
"We're at that school. You were out here alone and then you passed out. What happened?" Hotch asks.
"I think I turned to quickly and just went down. I thought I… Never mind. Oh this is so embarrassing. I'll be in in a minute. Let me just pick up my pride, throw it over my shoulder and I'll be in. Thanks for the help." JJ says, knocking the dirt and grass off her hair and body.
"JJ, do you want some help up?" Reid asks.
"Sure, why not." JJ says, handing her hand to Reid.
"Why don't we just leave. You're obviously not ready for this and we don't have much time left. Why don't we reschedule for another time. I'm sure they'll understand." Reid says, holding her up against him.
"Could you send out Peter and Sophie. I'd like to apologize and explain things to them myself." JJ says, still dusting herself off.
"Sure." Reid says and leave her leaning against the outside wall.
Peter and Sophie come back out, "Sh.. Jennifer, what's going on?" Peter says.
"Peter, I could swear I just saw Josh over by the basketball court. I would've bet my life on it. I heard him calling 'Shelby'. I didn't act like that was my name, but I casually turned around. I thought he was getting closer to me. That was when I passed out. Hotch, my boss says something came up back home. So we have to leave. I'd really like to reschedule this thing. I want to make a few days of it." JJ says, but then her cell phone rings. "Just a minute. I need to get this." JJ says, then "Agent Jearau. Yes, Martha Mason is my neighbor, is something wrong? Yes that's her address. Yes that's my house. WHAT! NO! Oh god!" JJ yells and drops her cell phone. Tear run down her face, but she just stares ahead. Peter holds JJ while Sophie grabs her cell phone and talks to the caller.
"Hello. Yes, this is a friend. Could you tell me what's happened?" Sophie says, pausing to hear the caller. "Ok. She's in Colorado at this time. She's on her way back with her work team. I'll make sure they know what's going on and make sure she's taken care of. Thank you for calling. Now when she gets home, where does she go to make arrangements for the funeral? Does Mrs. Mason have an attorney?" Sophie pauses, "Ok. I'll make sure she goes to see him. Thank you for everything. Bye bye." Sophie says and closes her cell phone.
"What's going on?" Peter asks.
"Jennifer's neighbor was murdered last night. Both their houses were tore apart. She's listed as Martha Mason's next of kin and beneficiary of her estate." Sophie says, fixing to cry for JJ.
"This can't be true. Martha knew how to fight. I taught her self-defense. She doesn't like guns. She always watched my house when I was out of town. We were our only family we had. I let her down. I have to get home. DAMN THIS CRUTCH!" JJ says throwing it. She started walking toward the parking lot. Sophie goes after her. Peter goes into the building to get her FBI team.
"Agents, Jennifer's just received some bad news. You all need to go. You kids be good. I'll be back in a minutes." Peter says, ushering the team out.
"What's happened now?" Hotch asks.
"Agent Jearau just got a call about a friend at home being murdered. She's REALLY upset. Sophie went after her to make sure she's safe. She threw this and isn't being careful with her foot." Peter says, walking with them to the parking lot.
When they get to the parking lot, they see JJ sitting in one of the SUV's with Sophie holding her and trying to calm her down.
"It has to be Josh and or Walt! Sophie, they found me! They killed Martha because of me! I'm going to kill them!" JJ yells. Reid comes over and tries to take Sophies place.
"They won't understand Sophie! They can't!" JJ says, with hurt and anger deep in her voice.
"Who won't understand what?" Reid asks.
"Sophie, you have to call Agent Macinroe and find out if Jess is ok. If he found me, then he's probably found Jess. God knows what they'll do to her. PLEASE, get the word to the agents and then to Jess. Call me on my cell when you hear from any of them. Thank you guys. Talk to you soon. Please explain to Officer Jensen what's going on. Bye, it's nice to see you guys again." JJ says as they close the door and Peter and Sophie wave bye.
"JJ, would you like to tell us what's going on here? We have quite a trip ahead of us. I hope you're ready to talk." Hotch says.
"What did you guys want to talk about on the plane?" JJ asks.
"Well, we were going to talk about the murder and break ins. Garcia told us yesterday, but we knew the case had to be done. You couldn't do anything at home, but Maggie needed to be found." Hotch says.
"You knew and didn't tell me! How could you do that to me? She's my family! I'm all she had! I wasn't there to protect her. She's my best friend." JJ says, still crying.