What a Difference a Day Makes
Chapter Three
JJ's POV
"Bye Jayje!" Penelope called as I dropped her off at her house, and I stayed parked outside until I was certain she didn't trip and fall getting in the door. Morgan and I were the designated drivers for tonight, meaning I was sober, and burdened with the responsibility of getting my less-than-sober friend back home safe and sound. I turned the car back onto the road, driving the long road back to my house in the autumn rain showers. I wondered absentmindedly what the other members of my team were doing, Hotch was probably spending time with Jack now that he was lucky to have the time, Rossi was most likely at home, in front of the fireplace with his dog or a book, Reid was most likely passed out from the alcohol he had consumed, Morgan was probably trying to decide which of the phone numbers he received tonight he was going to use, and Penelope was probably either already asleep. But Emily? I hadn't a clue, I didn't know what time it was in Syria, I didn't know what the weather was like, and the not-knowing was the worst. I arrived home after my outing from the bar, the happy, fresh memories of Penelope's many tries to get Spence drunk, and Derek and his horde of adoring women still clinging to me as I entered my house until the smell of stale bourbon from within banished them.
"Will?" I called out, almost certain I knew what state of mind he would be in, but needing the confirmation.
"Jennifrr?" he slurred, and he staggered around the corner, obviously intoxicated.
"Where's Henry?" I was suddenly worried for my son's well-being, like I always was when Will got drunk and I wasn't around.
"Why, he's asleep chere, it's late." he drawled before sitting down on the couch beside the offending bottle of liquor. I went into mothering mode, cleaning up the mess Will had made before sneaking into Henry's room to kiss him goodnight. He seemed so peaceful, sleeping soundly with his tiny little arm wrapped around a threadbare stuffed lion that Emily had bought him when he was born. Emily…. Tonight wasn't complete with her, but she's off in Syria building schools for poor children, she's off being amazing. That's why I like her, because she's amazing, she's amazing at her job, she's an amazing person, and she's amazing with kids. Henry let out a soft sigh and I redirected my attention to my sleeping son. I sometimes wondered if he never existed, would Will and I still be together? Of course not, I love Henry with all my heart, but I didn't feel that way about Will and I never would, that spot in my heart was reserved for a certain brown-eyed brunette. After a few more minutes of watching my son sleep, I headed back downstairs to where Will was blaring a football game on the TV. Irritated at his irresponsible behaviour, I lowered the volume dial on the TV. It was when I tried to put away the bottle of bourbon that it got tricky,
"Hey, that'ss mine, I'm not done yet!" Will barked as soon as my fingers found the glass bottleneck.
"They're not meant to be finished in one sitting." I snapped back as I snatched it out of his grasp. I walked to the kitchen and returned the bottle to its position n the top shelf. Will was right behind me, waiting for me to turn my attention back to him.
"That wasn't nice, you're not being very nice…" he groaned, pointing a drunken finger accusingly at my face. "Why am I dating a girl who's not nice? I don't get it… I don't get you, give it back!" he growled, trying to find a logical train of thought before becoming mad again.
"You've had enough to drink Will, go to sleep now." I tried to sound forceful, but he was looking more and more imposing by the second. He lunged forward and grabbed my forearm, forcibly dragging me near his face where the stench of alcohol on his breath was nearly overpowering.
"Give it back or I'm done with you, I'm not gonna take any orders from you." His menacing tone and threatening body language made me afraid, and I recalled a promise I had made to myself when he started drinking. If I ever had to fear for my own safety of that of my son, I was dumping him. I took a deep breath and twisted out of his grasp, standing a few feet away.
"We'll talk about this tomorrow. Go to sleep." I ordered in a flat tone, and watched him slump and stagger away like a scolded puppy. After cleaning the kitchen up I looked in my bedroom and my heart dipped. Will was already asleep there, and I never slept with him when he was drunk. I grabbed an extra blanket and pillow and made myself as comfortable as possible on the couch. I slipped my cell phone onto the coffee table beside me in case a call came for me, and then I lay there, staring at the rain pattering on the window outside and counting my breaths until sleep came over me.
RING, RING
The irritating call of my cell phone ringer woke me from my sleep. I sat up bolt upright, rubbing my neck after a hard night on the couch and groaning as my head spun from the head rush. The sun was out and shining its morning rays into the window that had earlier been painted by rain. I sleepily grabbed for my phone and put it to my ear.
"Hello?" I asked, my voice cracking from sleep
"Hello is this JJ?" an unfamiliar man asked on the other line. His voice was hoarse and tinny, but the English he spoke was accented with Arabic.
"This is, may I ask who is calling?" only people I knew called me JJ, who is this?
"My name is Dr. Kinaan Seirawan, you wouldn't happen to know an Agent Emily Prentiss would you?" the polite voice asked, and I was suddenly filled with dread.
"Yes she's my colleague and friend, is she okay?" the voice of Dr. Seirawan turned grave and I sensed myself hyperventilating.
"I'm so sorry Miss, she was a victim of a terrorist bombing at the new school she was helping build. She is alive, barely. She has 3rd degree burns over 20% of her body, a ruptured spleen, three broken ribs, two ruptured eardrums, and a severe concussion causing an intracranial hemorrhage. She's in a medically induced coma right now." Silence, dead silence enveloped me as I took in the news, Emily was caught in a bombing? My Em? This must be a mistake!
"How did you get my number, if I might ask?" I queried, trying to hold back tears that were already running free down my cheeks.
"I was a first responder on scene, she wrote it in her own blood beside where she lay." He admitted, and I couldn't keep the horrific images out of my head. She wrote my name and phone number in her own blood before she passed out. I felt like I was going to be sick.
"Okay. I'll organize a flight to come and pick her up and bring her home to a hospital here." I ordered using my no-nonsense Agent Jareau voice. I was perfectly aware that it was probably the doctor's call when she could come home, but I didn't care. I was bringing her home, whether I was allowed to or not.
"Very well, we'll be awaiting your arrival-"his voice was cut off by the loud whine of a machine in the background. The phone was still on so I heard everything that was going on. "Her ICP's going through the roof! She's bradycardic we need to get her to an OR STAT! Stay with us Emily!" Oh my God is she dying? She can't be dying! The doctor was back on the phone now. "We're taking her to surgery right now, I'll call you later." Was his only reply before the cold dial tone rung in my ear. I was sobbing now, loud agonized screaming sobs as I tried to breathe. My stomach lurched and I barely made it to the sink before I was retching up what little I had in me, burning my throat and coaxing free more tears. I grasped the countertop with white knuckles while trying to get control of myself. After a few minutes I calmed down enough to call the others, I still had to notify the team.