A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited or followed this story!

Special thanks to samcarter1980, , Jotchprossi18, jenny crum and Twilightangell!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 11: Familiar faces

November 10th 2012

Everything around JJ was fogy. Her vision was extremely burry and it was as if she was dreaming. She tried to move her hands, but something kept her from moving. Her eyes wouldn't open and the panic was like a jolt through her body. It felt like she was tied up. Being tied up wasn't exactly the best situation for her. It only reminded her of the bad times. Of everything that was taken from her. And that was the last thing she ever wanted to think about. But she wasn't in that bad place anymore. Somehow, she just still didn't feel safe. She would probably never feel safe. Who she once was, disappeared. She couldn't be that person anymore after everything she had seen and experienced in the past six years.

JJ looked up when the door to the room opened. She realized she wasn't tied up at all and that it must have been her imagination. She saw Emily, Garcia, Reid, Derek and Hotch coming through the door. She saw that Garcia clung to Derek. They hadn't changed much. But their expressions were filled with sadness and that scared her a lot.

''Hi.'' JJ croaked out. She didn't know what to say.

Garcia immediately broke down in tears at the sight of her friend in the hospital bed. She realized JJ's condition was bad, but seeing her made it all too real. She was so small in the big bed. And her blue eyes were so different. Something was gone and she just couldn't help but cry. ''JJ!'' Garcia exclaimed. She was the only one who carefully approached the blonde.

''Pen!'' JJ sighed deeply, crying softly. It was her. It was her family. Everyone was around her and she just couldn't believe it. It was real. The moment she had waited for, for six years. And it was six years too long.

Garcia didn't rethink to be careful. She ran towards JJ and hugged her tightly while JJ cried as they hugged. ''Oh JJ. I missed you so much.'' Garcia whispered. ''So much.''

JJ listened to Garcia as she stayed in her embrace. She suddenly made eye contact with her favorite genius. He returned her gaze and he waved at her. JJ couldn't help but smile. She was around the people she loved, but something inside her was still so broken. She didn't feel like herself. Not remotely and she wondered if she ever would be herself.

''Spence!'' JJ finally said after Garcia pulled away and made room for someone else to get to their friend.

Reid stepped forward, feeling awkward. He didn't know how to act or what to say. He was just glad that they had JJ back and the heartache was over. ''It's so good to see you again. I missed you so much.'' he said emotionally, taking her hand in his. He squeezed it softly, reassuring her that he was there. Trying to let her know she was safe and nothing bad could happen to her.

Hotch felt his heart skip a beat as he watched how easily the team interacted with JJ. It was good that she didn't panic with them in the room. It meant that a part of her was still there. But he still couldn't believe how tiny she looked. How much she had actually changed. He never believed JJ could lose her joy in life. It was like her lifeline and it cheered him up whenever they were together. And in the end it was what kept them together through his marriage. ''She's doing good.'' he whispered to Derek, who was standing next to him.

Derek turned to Hotch with a small smile on his face. ''Yeah, she is.'' he agreed, feeling like he was home again.

JJ knew they were talking about her, but she tried to ignore it. Instead she focused on the other team members. She had said hello to everyone except her black-haired friend. And then there was Emily. The last face she had seen before she disappeared. Her body was shaking slightly. She made no eye contact with JJ at all.

Emily had her gaze on the ground. She didn't want to see the damage that had been done to her friend because of her. No matter what she told herself, she would always blame herself. Nothing could or would ever change that. She was responsible. And it that moment she realized that JJ deserved her acknowledgement more than anything. ''Hey.'' Emily murmured, stepping forward to the bed. She stopped at her bedside. She finally made eye contact with the blonde. It shocked her. The marks on her body were everywhere. It was like there wasn't a spot without them. ''I'm so sorry!'' she apologized with tears in her eyes. ''I'm sorry.'' she repeated.

''It's not your fault.'' JJ whispered, hoping Emily would listen. It was typical for Emily to blame herself. She had expected her to do that, but JJ split up herself. It wasn't Emily's decision.

''It is.''

JJ shook her head in disagreement. ''No, it's not. I decided to split up without waiting for your permission. I went on my own.''

''I should've followed you, JJ.''

Derek interrupted before anyone could say anything. ''We'll give you two some privacy.''

''Thank you.'' Emily said as she watched the team leave the room. She turned around to JJ after the door closed. ''I don't how to start…'' she said but she stopped when she had no words left. She had no idea what she should say. This wasn't a everyday conversation.

''You don't even have to, Emily.'' JJ whispered as she sat up. She could still feel a sharp pain going through her entire body. There was no energy within her, she just wanted to be her best for the team.

''I'm so glad that we finally found you. It's been hell without you.''

''Was Hotch that bad of a boss?'' JJ asked curiously.

Emily wished she could answer that question but she couldn't. She didn't work for the BAU. ''I don't work for Hotch. I work at the Chicago Field Office, actually.''

''Oh, your old post.''

Emily was about to answer when Hotch stormed into the room. His expression was one of fear and concern. His eyes radiated a calmness that always made JJ feel comfortable.

''I just got a call from Anderson.'' he started. ''He interviewed some other girls and he realized we haven't arrested person behind this whole thing.'' he explained to Emily and finally turned around to JJ. ''I need information, JJ. I'm sorry, but it's the only way we can catch these people.''

''I'll leave you two alone.'' Emily said softly. ''I'll come back.'' she promised to JJ.

JJ felt like she could finally breathe when Emily left. She didn't need to act like she felt so great, but Hotch was still there. It would never work to act around him. He knew JJ too well. He had always been able to look right through her.

''Was it too much?'' he asked as he sat down in the chair at her side.

''I'm just so scared.'' she confessed. ''When my father touched me, I instantly flashed back to…'' she stopped there. She couldn't talk to Hotch about what happened to her. She never wanted him to know. ''Is there someone on your team I can talk to?''

''Are you sure that's what you really want?''

''Yes.'' she replied. ''I need to talk to someone who doesn't know me personally.''

Hotch thought she would request someone else. It was probably best for JJ, but he wanted to be there for her. She was going to relive what were probably the worst moments of her life and he wanted to be there. He felt like it was his duty.