Author's Note: Thank you for the kind words and reviews of the last chapter. Thanks for reading!

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Hotch knocked gently on the hotel room door, slightly disappointed that Derek was nowhere to be found. Hotch had stood guard outside JJ's room for a few moments while Derek had retrieved breakfast for him and Emily, and then Hotch had informed the younger man he'd return after running a short errand. It wasn't like Derek to shirk a protective assignment.

But the younger man was nowhere to be found.

Luckily, that disappointment quickly dissipated when Morgan answered the door. Feeling a wave of relief at the sight of JJ—showered and nervously nibbling on her thumbnail while she sat on the bed—he wondered why he even doubted his agents.

He stepped into the room, making sure to maintain enough of a distance that he wouldn't scare JJ too badly. "I spoke with the hospital," He said softly to the two profilers, not sure if JJ could hear him or if she was purposefully ignoring him, "they've got a bilingual specialist waiting for us. I briefed him on—" He jerked his head toward JJ. Pausing for just a second, he asked almost as an afterthought, "How was she, any problems?"

Emily and Derek exchanged guilty looks before Emily quickly responded. "No, everything's fine."

For a second, Hotch had a mind to push the issue further, but JJ's sharp intake of breath alerted him that she became aware of his presence. "Are you ready, JJ?" He smiled and asked the blonde kindly, feeling his stomach drop as she averted his gaze. Feeling the smile die on his lips, he stepped back toward the door, "We need to go."

All three agents were surprised as JJ quickly stood from the bed and limped toward the door. Ducking her head to avoid Hotch's shocked expression, she stopped just a few feet from where he stood with his hand still on the door handle.

Grimacing as he felt a sickening realization wash over him, he forced himself to focus on the matter at hand. Groaning, and knowing that he was going to hate himself for this later, he looked pointedly to the blonde, "JJ, Emily and Derek are going to help you to the elevators and we're going to the hospital, okay?"

JJ stared blankly for a few moments. When it was obvious that Hotch was waiting for an answer, she nodded slowly.

Twenty heart wrenching minutes later—only taking that long because they tried to match JJ's steps that slowed the closer they got to the hospital, Hotch sighed gratefully as they entered the hospital doors. Derek quickly stepped ahead to inform the hospital staff of JJ's arrival.

Seeing JJ's eyes dart around quickly, as if certain that an attack could come from any direction, he felt his own heart break. "JJ," The words died in his throat. Forcing himself to continue, he pushed the words out of his mouth, "I need you to let these doctors help you."

JJ nodded slowly to show her understanding, swiping at an errant tear with her trembling left hand.

Spying a woman quickly approaching with a wheelchair, he stepped back and grimaced as he noticed JJ's trembling increase.

Hopefully, this would all be over soon.

Author's Note: Suffice it to say, this will NOT be over soon.