Thank you for all the amazing reviews. I had a great time in Boston and even got my past lives read in Salem! I was never a firm believer in all of that but now ... I don't know. It was an amazing experience that I highly recommend to everyone! Anyway, enjoy this relatively long chapter and tell me what you think!

XIX

Rossi, Morgan, Reid and JJ stood at the entrance to Emily's room and stared. The growing relationship between their colleagues hadn't come as a surprise but the sight before them was new and would take some getting used to. Sometime in the course of the night, Emily had managed to persuade Hotch into joining her on the oversized hospital bed. Now the two were peacefully asleep, wrapped in each other's arms with Emily's head resting on Hotch's chest. JJ couldn't help the beaming smile that spread on her face, Rossi seemed to be thinking something along the lines of 'about time', Reid looked uncomfortable as if he were intruding on a private moment and Morgan looked confused.

"What do we do?" the youngest member whispered, afraid of waking the couple. JJ and Morgan shrugged and as Dave opened his mouth, a blonde nurse practically ran into Morgan's back.

"I'm sorry." She smiled at him. "You must be Agent Prentiss' team?" Everyone smiled and nodded. "Well, I just have to check her chart and-" The small woman caught sight of the dark haired pair and smiled softly. "That's your-"

"Boss, yes." Morgan shook his head with a grin. The nurse simply chuckled as she approached the bed and scanned through the clipboard.

"We're still trying to put it together ourselves." JJ joked eliciting a small chuckle from the group.

"I'm Angela in case you need anything. I'll be here till one." Glancing at the clock as Angela left, the team seemed shocked to see that it was nearly 5 am.

"No wonder I can barely keep my eyes open." Reid yawned, quickly followed by the others. He took a sidelong glance at JJ who had been looking less and less like herself as the minutes trickled by.

"I think it's a good idea to head to the hotel and get some rest." Rossi concluded. "We'll be no help to Mackenzie if we can't see straight."

"You guys go." JJ waved them towards the door.

"JJ, you have a fever." Reid crossed his arms protectively and the blonde rounded on him.

"Spence, I don't care." She shook her head slowly. "I just-I need to talk to her okay?" No one spoke as they took in the raw appearance of their teammate. "I'll hitch a ride back with Hotch after they wake up."

"So in about five hours?" Morgan joked, desperately trying to lighten the mood. It worked, everyone breaking into small smiles, until a new voice called out.

"Who can sleep with you people yapping away over there?" Hotch grumbled as he slowly untangled himself from Emily's side. The brunette stirred slightly but didn't wake.

"Good morning Sunshine." Rossi rolled his eyes. "Sleep well?" Everyone was surprised to see the unit chief's cheeks turn red.

"Why are you all still here?" Hotch stretched himself and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "You should go back to the hotel and get some rest. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

"We were just talking about that." JJ said. "They're going back now."

"But you're not?" Hotch guessed as he raised an eyebrow at the blonde.

"Not yet." She said softly as she approached Emily's side. Taking up Hotch's previous position in the chair, JJ took her friend's hand in her own.

"We'll see you soon." Rossi called.

"Tell Princess to get better fast." Morgan tilted his head in Emily's direction and the men left, leaving Hotch and JJ alone with a still sleeping Emily.

"Is she alright?" JJ asked for the hundredth time since they had arrived. Hotch nodded and took the seat next to her silently. Slowly taking in JJ's state, he shook his head and wondered how she had not collapsed by now. Although she had pulled her golden hair back into a ponytail, the previous day's activities gave it the appearance of a madwoman. To say she had dark circles under her eyes was an understatement and no one had failed to notice just how much she had paled in such few hours. Her clothes, especially her once beige shirt, told yesterday's story clearly; Emily's blood still covering the woman's torso. Slowly, Hotch placed a hand on her shoulder only to feel her stiffen in response.

"JJ." He said softly. "It's going to be alright. Emily's fine. We're all going to be fine."

"I can't help but…feel like I failed." The blonde admitted in a hushed tone and Hotch saw just how hurt she really was.

"It's not your job to protect every single person on this team." He sighed in resignation. "It's mine. If anyone failed, it's me."

"You know that's bullshit." Hotch was shocked at the blonde's words, having never heard her curse before. "You can't help it if something like happens to one of us. We signed up for this just as much as you did."

"Then why is it your fault?" Hotch backfired the question at her, earning himself a glare.

"Ever since Paris," JJ sighed before continuing. "I don't know, I just have this notion in my head that if I mess up, she'll be gone again."

"This isn't your fault and it wasn't your fault last time either." Hotch squeezed the woman's hand tightly. "Jennifer, she's your best friend and you love her. It makes sense to be worried about her just like she worries about you." JJ nodded her understanding slowly and received a rare smile from her boss.

"Do you love her?" She asked bluntly. "Do you love my best friend Hotch?"

"Yes," the man smiled shyly before turning his gaze to the sleeping brunette. "Yes, I most definitely do."

"Good." JJ shifted in her seat, crossed her arms and plastered a very serious look on her face. "Then I believe it's only fair to remind you that I carry a gun and made a lot of…interesting friends during my time in the State Department."

"Duly noted." Hotch swallowed hard, wise enough not to take the blonde's threat lightly.

"And if you ever hurt her, I'll be more than willing to demonstrate my aim." JJ smiled a little too sweetly as Hotch's face contorted into a grimace. Releasing her hand, he stood and made his way towards the door.

"I'll go get us some coffee." He said, knowing that JJ would want some time alone with Emily. "Want anything to eat?"

"No, the thought of food-"

"You haven't eaten since yesterday morning and you're already sick." He pointed out. "I'll get you a bagel with egg and cheese." JJ shook her head as her boss left, not surprised that he knew exactly what she liked for breakfast. Turning her body in the chair, JJ scooted closer to her friend and tightened the blankets around her. Emily frowned in her sleep as JJ's touch stirred her.

"It's alright Em." She cooed. "You're safe, I promise."

"Jay?" Emily's weary voice called out, her eyes still closed. JJ rushed to shut the blinds, knowing that the impending sunrise would only hurt the woman's eyes and in turn, her already aching head.

"I'm here." She took Emily's hand again and squeezed. "You're in the hospital."

"Did you get him?" Emily slurred and JJ frowned in confusion.

"Get who Em?"

"Doyle." JJ's heart caught in her throat at the sound of the man's name. She reached forward and stroked Emily's slightly sweaty forehead.

"Hun, we got him years ago." She told her. "You hit your head yesterday and might not remember but that's okay." JJ fought to keep the panic out of her voice. Did Emily not remember the last three years? The brunette groaned slightly as she tried to sit up. JJ gently eased her up by the underarms and helped her settle. Eyes still closed, Emily frowned and placed a shaky hand to her head.

"Shit." She grumbled and JJ chuckled. "Ow."

"Yea, it's going to be sore for a few days." JJ rested back in her chair before continuing. "Em, what do you remember?"

"Uh," the woman shook her head slightly and blinked several times, taking in the room around her. Realization seemed to pass across her features, much to JJ's relief, as she recalled the most recent events. "Hotch kissed me." JJ couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, that he most definitely did." The blonde shook her head. Out of everything that happened, that was the first to come back to her. She took in the blush on her friend's face and laughed again before coughing.

"You okay?" Emily shifted her concern to her friend and JJ nodded.

"Just a little cough. I'll be fine." The blonde assured her with a wave of the hand.

"JJ," Emily's voice caught her attention immediately. "What's that?" Emily pointed to JJ's blood-stained shirt in horror. "Are you alright?!"

"Em, I'm fine. It's not mine." JJ cried at once. "It's…it's yours."

"Oh."

"Are you alright?" JJ asked with a raised eyebrow. Emily shrugged and immediately regretted it.

"I've been better." She admitted. After their ordeal in Paris, the two women had grown drastically close and Emily had gotten over her stubborn attitude and pride when it came to the blonde. "Feel like I've been hit by a truck." She joked and JJ rolled her eyes.

"Actually, it was an SUV." She informed her and Emily nodded in recognition.

"JJ, we have to find her." She said suddenly. "You don't know what he'll do to her."

"You have to focus on getting out of here okay?" JJ said calmly. "Mackenzie knows how to handle Hail. Right now, it might even be safer to be with him than on her own."

"How can you say that?!" Emily cried. "You saw what he did to her. She told me about him- about what he does to people he's angry at."

"I'm not saying Hail's not dangerous, Em." JJ raised her hands in defense. "I'm saying that Mackenzie knows his buttons better than anyone. She knows what to say and what to do to keep herself safe."

"One of those things just might have to be sleeping with him Jay." Emily pointed out harshly before reverting her gaze from the blonde. "You don't understand."

"You're right." JJ admitted. "I don't. But that doesn't mean I don't agree with you. We're going to get her back Emily."

"And what if we're too late?"

Her mind felt foggy. That was the only word Mackenzie could conjure to describe it as she awoke from her not-so-restful nap. Licking her lips, she desperately tried to get the ashy taste out of her mouth. Being shoved into the back of a van, hands tied behind her back, someone shoving a cloth under her nose. The memories came in flashes causing Mackenzie to bolt upright and her breathing to quicken. She had never seen this room before and assumed it was one of the many properties that Adrian owned all around the country. How long had she been out? Where the hell was she? The room was decorated elegantly, as all of Adrian's possessions were. Including you, she thought to herself and shuddered. It was true that Mackenzie had not been accustomed to the fine clothes and expensive jewelry that she was all but forced to wear ever since meeting Hail. She was simple and much preferred sweatshirts and jeans to Chanel dresses and Swarovski pendants but Adrian wouldn't allow his plaything to be seen in anything but. Mackenzie curled up in a tight ball on the mattress and fought the urge to break down. When was the last time she cried? When she held the dying woman in her arms almost seven months ago? Trembling against the frigid air of the room, she huddled under the covers and drew herself as close to the wall as she could. Calm down, she told herself. If he sees you like this he'll just get angrier. The sound of approaching footsteps could be heard and Mackenzie braced herself for his entrance. The door in front of her unlocked and Adrian strolled in, dressed as eloquently as a wealthy businessman. He sat at the edge of her bed and motioned for her to come closer. Reluctantly, she did, only to be pulled in by a rough hold on her neck. Her pulse quickened underneath his fingertips and she could have sworn she saw a flash of joy in his eyes. As his grip tightened, he spoke to her, his words mulled together by the sound of blood rushing past her ears.

"You're going to do something for me." He told her, leaving no room for discussion. As Mackenzie closed her eyes and let a few stray tears roll down her face and onto his hand, only one thought repeated itself in her mind.

Help me Emily.

I love writing Mackenzie. By the way, I'd love to hear some suggestions you guys have as to what her real name should be. I already have one in mind but I'd really like to get some more ideas so please let me know!

PS. I love anything foreign sounding