Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. I suck, I know. School is kicking my behind. I do not recommend taking 6 college courses to anyone, especially upper level Criminal Justice courses. It's insane. Also, working 40 hours while taking said 6 courses? Definitely a bad idea. Anyway, here's chapter 9. I've started chapter 10 and I'm going to attempt to finish it this weekend, but if not, look for an update by the end of the week.

Again, sorry for the delay. I wouldn't be surprised if I lost some of y'all but to those that have stuck around, I really appreciate it!

Chapter Nine

"Oww…"

Derek sighed again. JJ had been mumbling unconsciously for the last two and a half hours, but she still hadn't woken up. The doctors had assured him that it was part of the healing process. She had, in fact, suffered a mild concussion and a broken wrist. They were currently waiting for the rest of the tests to come back to make sure there was no intracranial bleeding.

"Oww…" JJ mumbled again. "Em...ly?"

Derek glanced up at the bed and practically jumped out of his seat when he saw a pair of blue eyes staring back at him.

"Derek?" She groaned.

"JJ? Hey, beautiful." He let out a huge sigh of relief. "You gave up quite a scare there, babe."

"Uhh." She blinked slowly and lifted her left arm in an attempt to wipe at her eyes but stopped when she saw the cast. "What happened?"

"You took a pretty hard fall at your game. I wasn't there but both Em and Spence were. And Robbins said it looked rough." He explained, taking her right hand in his own. "Does your head hurt? Do you want me to get the nurse?"

JJ closed her eyes again and shook her head. "Where's Em?"

"Her and Spence went down to the cafeteria. They should be back any minute." He replied. "Babe, are you sure you're alright?"

Nodding her head slightly, JJ opened her eyes. "Can, can you get the doctor? My head hurts and, and I'd like to know why."

"Of course. Hang on a few minutes, okay?" Derek climbed to his feet and, without waiting for a reply, headed out the door and towards the nurses' station.

JJ used this time alone to her advantage and began taking in her surroundings. She recognized her room as a hospital room. She figured it was Pittsburgh Medical since that's where all the athletes were taken. Sighing, she attempted to push herself up into a sitting position but failed miserably and fell back to the bed. Frustrated, she lifted her left arm and studied the bright yellow cast that adorned it. Emily had already scrawled a get well note across it and Spencer had signed his name just below hers.

"Miss Jareau?" A young man with brown hair, who couldn't have been much older than JJ herself, entered the room with Derek following close behind. "I'm Doctor Barnett. How are you feeling?"

"Like shit." JJ responded automatically before groaning at the lack of a filter on her mouth. "I'm sorry."

Dr. Barnett smiled. "It's cool. Your honesty is refreshing." He grabbed her chart off the end of her bed and flipped it open. "Do you remember what happened at all?"

"It's kinda fuzzy." She replied. "I remember being at my game. And running towards the goal, but after that, it's a blur."

"That's completely normal. From what I understand, you got kicked in the head hard. I wasn't here when you were brought in but it says here that your coach was. She said one of the players on the opposite team side-tackled you and ended up going down with you. You broke your wrist in a way that it looks like you were trying to catch yourself."

"Her cleat, my head. Wonderful." JJ sighed.

"Exactly. But it looks like your head is pretty solid because there aren't any signs of bleeding. Just a mild concussion, which explains your headache."

"Does that mean I can get out of here?" She asked, attempting to sit up again.

"Whoa, JJ. Slow down." Derek placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have a concussion. Take it easy."

"It's just a concussion, Derek. I'll be fine." She retorted.

Dr. Barnett smirked. "You're right, Jennifer, you will be fine. But your friend here is right, too. You're out of the danger zone now but concussions are unpredictable. We're keeping you here overnight and if all goes well, you'll be able to be discharged tomorrow morning."

"Overnight?" JJ exclaimed. "Dr. Barnett! C'mon! I'm fine! It's just a headache!"

"Sorry, Jennifer, but it looks like you're going to be keeping me company on the graveyard shift tonight." He smirked again.

JJ groaned and dropped her head back onto the pillows. "Fine. But please, call me JJ. Don't call me Jennifer. Only my parents do that, and you're like half their age."

Dr. Barnett chuckled. "Okay, JJ. If I'm half their age, then Dr. Barnett seems a little too old for me. Call me Ray."

JJ nodded. "It's a deal. Now, is it possible that I can get something for my headache? Since you're making me stay here all night?"

"You bet. I'll send the nurse in with some Tylenol. I'll be around if you need me."

"Thanks." She replied as he left the room. She glanced over to her left side to see Derek sitting in one of the chairs along the window. "What'cha doing over there?"

"Just waiting for you guys to finish flirting." Derek replied, rolling his eyes.

"What?" JJ's jaw dropped at his tone and obvious jealousy. "We weren't flirting, Derek. One, he's way too old. Two, he's my doctor. And three, we were just discussing my injuries."

"He's a few years older than us, and that sure didn't sound like 'discussing your injuries'."

"Derek!" JJ exclaimed.

Derek sighed. "I'm sorry, JJ, I didn't mean to snap. It's just, he was totally checking you out and I didn't like it."

"Derek, have you seen me? I'm a little bit of a mess right now. I don't know what he was looking at but it wasn't me."

"You're not a mess, JJ. You're hurt. There's a difference." He grabbed her non-broken hand in his and squeezed it slightly. "You're still beautiful to me."

"You're such a cheese." JJ laughed.