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 mild violence.

Chapter 7

"Calm down JJ. They were trying to keep the heartache away for one more day. They knew you'd be professional about this." Reid says.

"There's nothing professional about keeping this from me. I could've been making funeral arrangements. I can't believe you Hotch! I'd never keep something of that importance from you!" JJ says, red in the face with anger.

"Oh really? What about all this stuff about Peter and Sophie knowing you? What do they know about you that we don't?" Hotch says, voice raised.

"That's not important." JJ says, trying play it off as small as getting someone else's mail.

"Do you know who is responsible for Mrs. Mason's death?" Gideon asks.

"I have a good idea. But I'm not saying anything until I know for sure. Besides, it's a very long story." JJ says, looking out the window, crying.

"JJ, you have to tell us! How can we help you if you don't tell us everything?" Reid says.

"I have to speak with Agent McEnroe. He's known me for a little over ten years. I need to take my vacation when we get back. I have a funeral to prepare and then I have to leave. It may mean I need a sabbatical. I don't know for how long. I'll explain more when we're on the plane." JJ says.

"This better be good. And you better tell us everything. I'm beginning to get a little scared and a little pissed." Hotch says, glancing back at JJ in the rear view mirror.

"You and me both Hotch." JJ says, thinking of Josh and Walt. JJ feared Josh more than Walt. JJ went silent for the rest of the drive to the hotel.

After they stopped at the hotel to collect their thing and then on their way to the airport, JJ's been silent. Everyone's nervous, but curious as well. As they board the plane, Morgan and Reid had to help JJ up the stairs. They all get settled around JJ in anticipation of her story. Like cub scouts would gather around the camp fire. Suddenly JJ had five sets of eyes on her. This was a little nerve wrecking. She had no idea where to start.

"Ok, I'm under witness protection. My sister, Jess too. I haven't seen my real mom in over ten years. When I was seventeen, my troubled life came back to haunt me." JJ says, looking down at her hands. Too afraid to look anyone in the eyes.

"At seventeen, how do you get a past?" Prentiss asks.

"Oh, it's possible. It's possible." Morgan says, looking from Emily back over at JJ.

"I got involved with this young man, Josh. He's very violent. He used to torture me. I was sent to Mt. Horizon and I thought I was rid of him. I was rid of him for about nine months. Josh got admitted to Mt. Horizon and tried to use psychological torture. I finally stood up to him and this really set him off. He got me alone in a locked room and over powered me. But Peter and my friends saved me. At the trial, Josh told me when he got out he was going to kill me. The FBI really worried that I was going to be targeted. They believed that Jess was in danger as well. Walt, our stepfather was in the same prison and they were informed that Walt and Josh planned to come after Jess and me. So I was whisked away from Mt. Horizon and my family and friends. I believe deep down that this is the reason I became an FBI agent. I've seen what some of our victims have gone through. I've been one of them. That's why I can be as sympathetic as I am. I'm not going to elaborate to what had happened to me in my previous life. It's another life and a different person. I like who I am now rather then the person I was then. Sure, I still remember, but it's almost like I'm watching the memories rather then reliving them. I don't think Walt can do any harm, he's old. Josh's defiantly the one to worry about. Jess needs to worry too. Josh doesn't know Jess, but if Walt wants her I'm sure Josh will get her for him. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but you know how the FBI works." JJ says, with a half smile.

"How come I wasn't even informed?" Hotch asks, a little upset.

"I guess they didn't think it was necessary. I mean I got into the Bureau on my own. Sure, it helped to have the money for college and the money for the house, but it was hard not having family. That's why Martha's my family. WAS my family. I'm a little afraid. I mean I haven't had to think about this in almost ten years. I believe I can handle myself better now. I have all the FBI training and I have a strong will to live and take them out. No one hurts my family and gets away with it. I need to find them before they find me. Any suggestions?" JJ asks, standing. She wasn't even worried about her leg.

"JJ, this sounds a little outrageous. You need to calm down. You can't just go after them willie nillie. We are your superiors and we can't allow this. So get it out of your mind. Now, do you want to talk more about your past? I mean just you and I." Gideon asks.

"No. Thank. I need to call Garcia and fill her in. Then I need to start making funeral arrangements. I also need a little rest. Boy, this is taking a lot out of me." JJ says, slowly setting down.

"Are you sure you're ok? You're looking a bit tired. Lay down." Gideon says, bending over JJ. He's feeling her head and neck for any sign of a fever. Gideon notices a small puncture whole in the base of the neck. He swipes the spot and gets a little blood drop on his finger. "JJ, when did this happen?"

JJ was out cold. They all gathered around her and try to wake her. They all begin to panic.

"Check her eyes. If she has small red dots then she's been drugged with a narcotic. If they look blood shot, then it's probably the pain or stress." Reid says, talking from experience. He learned a lot at his NA group.

"It looks like a little of both. Do you remember what to do?" Hotch asks, like a scared parent.

"Emily, take her in the bathroom and strip her down to her under garments. Then keep the cold water going and just gently squeeze most of the water out of the hand towel. Leave some in it and let it run all over her body. Head, chest, stomach and legs. Make sure you get her neck. Don't let her drink any water. If she does, then we can't test the blood when we get back to Quantico. She WILL ask for some, just don't let her." Reid says, helping Emily get JJ in the small airplane lavatory. Reid walks out and shuts the door. They can hear the water running. They all wait to hear if anything happens.

A few minutes later, they hear JJ scream. This rattles the guys. They can also hear a bunch of mumbling, but can't make out the words or who's saying what. It gets quiet and then the door slowly opens.

"Can I get some help here?" Emily says, trying to help JJ out of the small room.

"Oh, here." Morgan says, since he was the closet. They help JJ to the couch so she could lay down.

"I still don't understand why I can't have something to drink. My mouth feels like it has cotton in it." JJ says, slurring her speech like she was drunk.

"JJ, you can't drink anything. Sorry, but we're going to draw some blood when we get back to Quantico. I believe you've been drugged. Do you recall the mark that's on the back of your neck. It looks to be fresh. Gideon wiped over it with his finger and there was still wet blood." Reid asks, sitting on the edge of the couch as JJ tried to think back.

"I don't think so. Josh couldn't have done it. He wasn't close enough to inject me. It might of happened when I took off toward the cars. When I threw the crutch. It does have that butterfly nut. Or the tip of the screw. If you won't let me have something to drink, may I sleep until we get home?" JJ asks Reid. She gives him those little puppy eyes.

"Yeah, just don't get mad if we wake you every hour to make sure you're ok. Do you want a pillow or blanket?" Reid asks, as everyone else scatters.

"No Spence, I'm good. Thanks." And before Reid even got up, JJ was fast asleep. Reid went to talk to the group.

"Hey guys. This doesn't make any sense. She might just have a mark from the crutch. Let me see it." Reid says, hand out ready to take the crutch. Morgan hands the crutch over. Reid looks at the screw and butterfly nut. It is consistent to the whole mark in JJ's neck. "It matches. She's probably just drained from the news of Ms. Mason and the accident. Let's let her sleep until we get home. I still would like to have her blood tested as a precaution. If that's alright with you guys." Reid says looking at Hotch and Gideon.

"Fine with me. Why don't you take her right to the doctors when we get home. Have the doc look at her and maybe give her something to keep her calm. She's got a long road ahead of her. She's got a funeral to plan, a house to fix up again, all the stuff of Ms. Mason's to go through. Maybe we can all help her do these things. How about we make a list and sort out the details while she sleeps. This should relieve some of her tension." Gideon says, with everyone nodding in agreement.