A/N: Somehow, I have found inspiration for this story, which means frequent updates. Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited or followed this story!

Special thanks to Jotchprossi18, Guest and jack!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 3: Salvation

The team was on their way to the warehouse. The sirens were off because they didn't want to warn anyone about their arrival. Everything had gone by so fast that Reid and Garcia weren't even able to catch up with Derek. They decided to do it after they knew more about the location they were going to. Hotch decided to take as many cops and SWAT agents with them because he wasn't going to let anyone get away. They were too close now. Nothing could stop him. And he knew the team was as dedicated as him, and that gave him a little more hope for what was about to come.

They finally arrived at the parking lot of the warehouse. It was deadly quite outside. No one spoke a word as the teams split up into six groups. Every team member was leading a team into the warehouse. Derek decided to take a team as well, knowing that more people would give a better outcome.

The teams entered the building at the same time. Hotch entered from the back. The room was dark and dirty. He heard voices calling out ''clear'' over the radio. He slowly but thoughtfully led SWAT through the long hallways. At the end was another door, but it was locked. One of the SWAT agents used bolt cutters to get the lock off the door. Hotch slowly opened the door and instantly stopped when he saw the sight in front of him. There were small prison cells on each side of the walls. Some of them were empty and others had girls in them. Hotch was so caught up in the sight that he didn't even notice the gunfire at first. But refocused when he got knocked down to the floor for protection.

''I need all teams at the North end of the warehouse!'' he yelled into the radio. He started shooting at the men who were closing in on his team. He saw that two men were already down. But they were saved when Morgan's team came rushing inside. Hotch was able to get up and the room was finally cleared. Hotch started looking into the small cells, hoping to find JJ. But she wasn't anywhere. He yelled out in anger until he noticed another door. He opened it with his gun drawn, but what he saw there was something he never imagined to see.

He saw her. It was JJ. He just couldn't believe it. Her hands were tied up behind her back and she was gagged. She was sitting in the corner of the room, shielding her body with her knees. Well, what was left of her body. Every inch was covered in dirt, bruises or cuts. Her bones were sticking out. He couldn't fight back the tears he felt welling-up.

He gasped when she finally looked up. ''JJ!'' he whispered. But her eyes weren't the same. She looked terrified. There was no recognition on her part at all. It was as if JJ was gone. He could see all the horror in her eyes. There wasn't an inch he recognized. And seeing her like this tore him apart. It was the last straw. He felt like breaking down in that exact spot but he couldn't do that in front of her. She seemed like a totally different person.

JJ looked up in fear as the tall dark-haired man approached her. He had put his gun at his hip. But he was scaring her. She cringed with every step he took. But when she heard him calling out her name one more time, it all clicked inside her head. That calming voice belonged to the man she once trusted with her life.

''JJ.'' he said softly, kneeling down in front of her. He calmly waited for a response. He knew he had it when a tear ran down her dirty cheek. He slowly removed the tape from her mouth, causing her to cringe even more. He followed by carefully removing the restraints from her wrists. He moved backwards, kneeling down in front of her again. JJ leaped forward, somehow taking the gun from him. She moved back into the corner with the gun in her hands as Hotch stayed kneeled down in front of her, trying not to move. He knew any sudden movements could sent her into a panic. He knew what he couldn't do. But he had no idea what he could do. He had never seen anything like this.

JJ was shocked that she remembered what it felt like to feel cold metal against her hands. To her it seemed like a decade since she last held one. She didn't know what to do. She held on to the gun while she slowly tried to stand up. She had several failed attempts and she saw Hotch cringe every single time she fell down. There was no energy left in her body. Not even an ounce. Everything she once was, was gone. Her whole world ceased to exists and she became a shell of the person she once was. JJ fell to the ground one more time, still holding the gun. She suddenly felt two strong arms, wrapping around her body from behind. She instantly flashed back to the moment when she got abducted. It felt the same. She was overpowered. She couldn't do anything. The panic came out as sobs.

Hotch held onto JJ as her entire body shook of its own volition. He was able to take the gun away from her. He kept her in his arms while he hoped she would calm down and recognize him in any way. Or at least trust him.

''Let me go!'' she finally yelled. She finally found her voice. ''Let me go!''

JJ's screams caused the entire team to race toward the room where Hotch was struggling to keep JJ as calm as possible.

''Oh my god.'' Derek exclaimed when he saw the terrified blonde. ''Get the medics in here now!'' he ordered immediately.

Hotch tried to put as less of a grip on JJ as possible. He didn't want to scare her, but he knew there was no possible way that would happen in that moment. ''JJ, it's just me.'' he whispered, trying to get some of her attention. ''It's Hotch! I'm right here, sweetheart.''

But his words only made the situation worse. Her cries became screams for help. They were like screams for mercy. ''Help! Help! Let go!'' she yelled out.

The medics finally arrived. One of them helped Hotch to keep JJ under control while the other administered an anesthetic to get her to calm down. Stress couldn't be good for her body. Her condition was bad enough without the addition of more stress. Her screams and sobs started to disappear and her body went limp in Hotch's arms. He picked JJ up and held her entire body, carrying her out of the warehouse while cops and agents watched from the sidelines. It felt like he was carrying Jack. Her body was so light it actually scared him. But her weight wasn't the only thing that scared him. JJ's condition was worse than he could've ever imagined. He had thought about every single scenario, but he never thought it could get as bad as this one. JJ was always a strong person and he believed she could get through anything. But he wasn't so sure anymore.