Chapter 5 – Rescue

Hotch entered first, banging the wooden door so that it flung wide open, JJ was right behind him as they adjusted to the darkness of the unlit cabin, it was a matter of seconds before the five of them were inside, their weapons drawn as they searched for the source of the gunfire. Hotch instinctively sought out Emily and soon saw her sitting on the chair with a figure squirming on the floor by her feet as he rushed over.

"Are you ok Emily?"

Emily nodded as she looked over at Kate who still had a hold of the gun, her hands shaking as Emily watched JJ holster her own weapon and slowly approached the young girl.

"It's ok Kate, that's JJ."

JJ smiled as she got nearer, reaching out she put her hand on top of Kate's and gently prised the gun out of her hand, passing it back to Reid who had moved to stand behind her. JJ's heart sunk as she saw the injuries on Kate's naked body, she quickly removed her FBI vest and threw it to the floor before she took off her grey suit jacket and wrapped it around Kate, holding the girl tight as she cast her eyes over to Emily who was still bound to the chair as Morgan moved over to her.

"Just sit still Emily, I need to cut these off you."

Emily just nodded, afraid that if she opened her mouth she wouldn't be able to stop the tears, she moved her head slightly as she saw Hotch on the floor, roughly cuffing Ainsley and ensuring that he stayed on the floor in spite of his gunshot wound. Emily knew what she looked like and what must be running through their minds but she was just relieved that they had found her and Kate. She felt Morgan's hands gently touch her skin as he carefully used his pen knife to cut through the tape, in a matter of seconds she felt the blood start to pump more freely and instinctively she wriggled her fingers and toes.

"Are you ok to stand?"

Morgan spoke quietly as he stood up, he saw Emily looking across the room as JJ bundled Kate up in her coat and started to carry her out of the cabin before Emily turned her gaze to the wall which had four small pictures adorned on it, three showed the dead girls, the other was of Katherine Stanley. Emily felt her hands and feet begin to tingle as she tried to move them but she just nodded in response as she felt Morgan's strong arms wrap around her as he took her body weight, supporting her as they started to walk out of the cabin, passing two paramedics who rushed over to Ainsley who was bleeding from the wound in his stomach and they heard Hotch angrily growl to them.

"You can see to him but there is no way that I'm removing the restraints or leaving him!"

Emily smiled as she heard Hotch speak, knowing that he was going to make life very uncomfortable for Ainsley.

JJ picked Kate up, unsurprised at how little she weighed, for JJ had seen how malnourished the girl was and she could feel her shaking as they walked out of the cabin, Kate burrowed her face into JJ as the bright sunshine hit her eyes.

"I'm going to be sick!"

"Ok hang on a minute Katherine."

JJ looked around and quickly saw a large log on the ground, she moved swiftly over and carefully placed Kate down, sitting beside her and holding her blonde hair back as the girl lowered her head between her legs and threw up onto the ground.

"Katherine are you ok now?"

JJ spoke quietly as she kept her arm around Kate, she knew that the girl needed medical attention but only one ambulance was there at the moment and they were attending to Ainsley.

"Yes, thanks. Please call me Kate."

"Ok Kate, I'm JJ. Are you ready for me to carry you over to one of the SUVs?"

Kate nodded as she felt JJ wrap her arms around her once again and lift her up, her eyes were now adjusted to the bright light and she allowed herself to look back towards the cabin and was relieved to see that Emily was walking out.

Emily let Morgan support her, knowing that she didn't have the strength to walk out alone, as she left the darkness of the cabin and hit the bright light outside her body suddenly crumbled as Morgan caught her.

"Emily?"

"I'm ok, I just stumbled."

"Come on lets you sat down."

"Take me to Kate."

Morgan nodded as he looked up and saw JJ placing the girl into the back of one of the SUVs, with his free hand he reached for his cell and hit the most frequently dialled number.

"Derek, have you got her?"

"I've got her babygirl, can you send two ambulances up here ASAP?"

"Of course now doing it, how is she Derek?"

Morgan reached across and put the phone to Emily's ear, she knew who was at the other end as she tried to hold the tears back as she spoke.

"I'm ok Pen, can you bring my bag to the hospital?"

"Of course sweetie, it's so good to hear your voice!"

"Yours too Pen."

Morgan smiled as he put his cell back away, helping Emily walk the short distance to the SUV where JJ was standing protectively over Kate. JJ smiled and hugged Emily before she moved out of the way, allowing Emily a chance to sit down next to Kate.

"You're right, she is nice."

Emily put her arms around Kate and pulled her tight towards her.

"I'm glad to hear that she is looking after you. I'm sorry I couldn't do more to help..."

Emily's voice began to crack and the tears started to roll down her face, Kate leaned in closer and rested her head on Emily's chest.

"Hey Em the other ambulances are arriving, we'd better get you two to the hospital and checked out. That jaw definitely needs looking at Prentiss."

Morgan broke the silence as he heard the sound of approaching sirens but Emily and Kate stayed sitting holding each other tightly, offering each other silent support for the trauma they had just endured.

"Come on Em, Kate let the medics take a look at you."

JJ reached into the SUV, touching them both softly. Emily nodded as she reluctantly released Kate and shuffled out of the vehicle, allowing Morgan once again to help her before JJ reached in and lifted Kate up.

"Don't worry Kate, I'll keep you safe and Emily will be at the hospital too."

JJ felt the girl nod her head as she held on tightly to JJ, unwilling to break contact with one of the people who had rescued her.