Chapter 5

The team had arrived at Blue Ridge within five hours, the ranger in charge gave him a sad smile as the team of agents approached, Hotch just nodded, he already knew the likelihood of them surviving the plane crash was a 50% chance either way for them both, and he also knew they may have survived the crash but with the temperature dropping so low at night and all the wild animals that roamed the park it could swing either way and for the first time in being with this team he allowed his emotions to show, the team could see the worry etched on his face and the concern in his eyes and even Rossi had the same expression.

Morgan closed his phone placing it back into the belt clip on his waist he had promised to ring her every chance he got even if there was no news. After Hotch had introduced them all to the ranger, he began to fill them in on where they had searched so far.

"We have done a grid search over the north side of the area and we are about to start on the south side, your tech analyst has sent us the coordinates of where the plane had last been picked up, which is around the south and east of the park," he paused for a moment as Morgan looked at him.

"What are the chances of them being" Morgan felt his throat become choked as he cut himself off knowing that the ranger would already know what he was trying to ask.

"The main thing I am concerned about is that, the temperature can drop in this area below 26f and if they are injured and unable to find shelter" he gave a sad smile knowing the agents in front of him already understood what he was saying.

JJ moved slightly as her chest throbbed, "I think I may have broken a rib or more," she said softly as she breathed slightly shallower than normal.

Emily nodded in understanding and also with the knowledge that she may have been the person to break her ribs but to her that wasn't a problem JJ was breathing and though she didn't want to drop the bombshell that she had, had to perform CPR she knew she would have to at some point but right now she couldn't bring herself to do it. The image of her lifeless body still played in her mind.

"Well we did get thrown out of our seats so more than likely you have," she said with a soft smile as she bit the inside of her lower lip, "We should try and move JJ" Emily said softly as she tried to stand.

The exhaustion and pain in her ankle took over her body, but the stubborn side of her overtook, pain and exhaustion was not something she would give into, she needs to get them both out of the dense forest they had found themselves in and either find a trail or a clearing. She knew that the flag would have been raised by now and that the team would be searching for them.

"Are you sure we should move, Emily?" JJ asked as her eyes scanned the area around her

Emily could feel the grip that JJ had on her shirt as she smiled softly at her.

"JJ the team will be looking for us and Morgan will know that I will try and find a trail or a clearing, remember that is what we have always been told to-do" she gave a weak smile already knowing why JJ was so reluctant. However, when JJ spoke she could not help but chuckle.

"We are in a forest it isn't safe to walk around, you have no idea what is out there or what we could run into" she scowled at her slightly as she heard Emily start to chuckle.

"Jen, I have an idea of what is in a forest, and by the looks of it we are in a national park, so there will be trails and also we still have our guns or have you forgotten how to use yours?"

JJ could not help but roll her eyes at the comment "I am the best shot on the team so what do you think"

Emily smirked "See nothing to worry about then, you will protect me" the comment earned her a playful slap on her arm, though JJ wouldn't let go of Emily's shirt as they began to get up of the cool floor, "Think I can have my shirt back?" Emily asked with a bemused look on her face.

The team and the rangers had been searching the area for the best part of three hours as they worked their way slowly through the south side of the park, the national park ran for miles and they all knew they would not be able to finish searching the area in one day much to Morgan's annoyance.

"We will have to start making our way back in a few hours," the ranger said softly knowing that the team would not want to leave without the two members of their team. "We will search the next two grids and then we must head back,"

Even Hotch knew that they didn't really want to out here when nightfall fell the animals that came out hunting and if anything happened to them they would be no use to Emily or JJ, he nodded in understanding as he felt the eyes of Morgan burn into his back.

Emily closed her eyes as she placed her foot on the ground, the pain again ran up her leg as she took a sharp breath hoping that JJ hadn't heard her, but the look on the blondes face told her she had been busted. "Emily what have you done?"

Emily gave a half-smile and even that laced the pain across her face as she closed her eyes "Twisted my ankle" well she hoped she had just twisted it.

The pain that emanated from her ankle had taken over most her body so she thought, and with the amount of pain she was in she knew she had more than likely broken it but that was the last thing on her mind really they need to get out of the forest and in to an open space and find shelter for the night as they began to walk slowly through the area.

The slight rustling of leaves made JJ jump her grip becoming tighter on Emily's blouse to the point Emily began to worry JJ would rip the buttons off leaving her fully exposed, not only to the weather but to anyone they may happen to come across and she knew Morgan would never allow her to forget it.

"You think you could hold my hand or arm instead JJ?" Emily mused slightly as her top began to lower slightly.

JJ turned to look at her as she saw what she was doing, the fear inside her made her want to cling to Emily for dear life, the fear she had of the woods wasn't a slight fear it was the type of fear that people had at the sight of spiders, the thought of them crawling on your skin making your blood turn cold, your stomach twisting causing the lump to form in your throat as every part of your body screamed in fear and panic, but as Emily prised her fingers off her blouse entwining them with her own the fear started to dwindle slightly.

Emily Prentiss was strong, stubborn, and loyal, more than anything she protected those she cared about with her life, over the years JJ had begun to see it more, and more, she saw the pain in her eyes the first time JJ had been hurt and worry about Reid's safety when he had been kidnapped. As Emily's fingers tightened with hers in a reassuring gesture JJ knew, she was safe she was going to be okay.

Emily gave a soft smile as they made their way further into the woods hoping as she looked up at the sun she was on the right path, the pain still overtook her body, as the cooler air attacked her skin, she could only hope the team would find them soon.

The sun began to draw in as the team retreated back towards the camp sight not one of them was willing to evade the area which there friends their team members, their family was lost in.

"This doesn't feel right Hotch" Morgan grumbled, like Emily Morgan had a strong desire to protect, to take care of the people around him, Emily and JJ classed him as their big brother even though Emily was older than him, he was the one person you would want to fight in the same corner as you.

"I know but we will head out again at first light, we would be no use if we got ourselves lost or hurt" Hotch said as he gave a soft smile, he knew the odds but he also knew the two women on his team were a force you didn't fully want to go up against.

"Prentiss would kick your arse if anything happened to you" Morgan chuckled slightly as he gave a solid nod knowing Hotch was right.

Emily looked at the sky as she saw it turning a light grey colour "We need to find shelter for the night JJ," Emily said as she squeezed her hand softly. JJ could only nod as she tried to press her body more against Emily; the thought of another night in the forest scared her more than walking through the open.