I kind of, sort of, maybe spent over $1,000 today ... yea, I had to confess to someone who won't kill me. Okay then, enjoy!

Chapter XXXI

The front lawn was chaos. Nearly a dozen ambulances had been called to carry out the wounded officers and each one had their lights flashing, illuminating the Jersey street at 1 AM. Emily blindly trailed behind the gurney Mackenzie had been placed on and listened to the medical terminology the EMTs rattled off. The girl was alive, but only just. Technically, Mackenzie had been legally dead for three minutes and seventeen seconds before the paramedics brought her back. She was only semi-conscious now; her eyes half open and staring blankly into the night sky as she was stripped of her shirt and attached to wires and ventilators.

"Emily. Emily." She turned slowly and met the concerned eyes of Aaron Hotchner as he placed a hand on the small of her back.

"I have to go with her." She mumbled, already making her way to the loaded ambulance only to be stopped by Aaron's hand on her shoulder.

"Emily, you and JJ should get cleaned up." He saw the momentary flash of panic across her features and quickly added, "I'll go with her." Emily felt torn between wanting to be wrapped in Aaron's embrace and knowing that Mackenzie shouldn't be alone. "Come to the hospital when you're ready and we can get JJ checked out too."

"JJ doesn't need to be checked out." The blonde in question appeared behind him. "Come on Em, you can drive." She handed the brunette the keys and began to make her way to the black SUV with small steps. Emily caught up with her after watching Aaron take a seat next to Mackenzie's side and took the blonde's arm.

"Are you alright?" she whispered, afraid of whatever the answer may be. She examined the woman from top to bottom; taking in her blood stained hands, neck and blouse and realized that she must look exactly the same.

"Don't worry about me." JJ patted her arm and accepted the help getting into the passenger side. A hand still pressed between her breasts, JJ buckled herself in and watched as her friend turned on the ignition in a trance-like state. "Emily."

"Hm?" she mumbled, still looking straight ahead.

"She's going to be okay."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do."

"How?" Emily turned her head and gazed into JJ's blues with a hollow look.

"Because she's a fighter. Surviving is what she's done for the past who knows how many years and she's not about to stop now." JJ tried taking a deep breath and failed, stifling a cough in the process.

"You're right." Emily blinked hard and wiped some dry blood on the front of her pants before exhaling.

"I know." JJ offered her a sly grin which she willingly returned. "Now please put this thing in drive so I can get some Advil."

Emily and JJ had called Garcia and asked the techie to book the team a hotel room near the hospital. There was no way they would be leaving Jersey until Mackenzie's case was closed and the girl was back on her feet; Emily made sure of that. As they pulled into the hotel parking lot, the women couldn't help but gawk at the exterior of the building. They checked-in, all the while mesmerized by the elaborate architecture and expensive looking decorations, and eagerly went to find their room. Garcia had arranged a master suite; complete with 3 bathrooms, 6 beds, a kitchen and a common room, and the women were more than excited to get to it. Emily swiped the card she had been given and entered first, followed by JJ who by this time was practically limping.

"The Bureau's 'thank you' is definitely appreciated." Emily joked as she took in the room and tossed both go-bags on the floor.

"Mhm." JJ replied and Emily turned to face her. From the time it took them to get from the elevator to the room, JJ's face had contorted into a frown and her hand pressed hard against her chest as if she was struggling to breathe- which Emily guessed she was.

"Sit down." The brunette ordered and JJ, in too much pain to refuse, did as she was told. "Raise your arms."

"I…don't think I can." JJ admitted, her eyebrows bunching together.

"I'm taking you to the-"

"Don't say 'hospital'." Emily frowned and crossed her arms. "I'll be fine; I just need to sleep or something."

"JJ, you weren't more than 5 feet away when he shot you. You could have shattered ribs or a punctured lung or-"

"Seriously Em, I'm okay." JJ insisted, earning herself a nasty glare from the older woman.

"Take off your shirt."

"Say what now?" JJ cocked an eyebrow in response.

"If you won't let me take you to a hospital then at least let me see how it looks." Emily rolled her eyes in impatience. JJ sighed and slowly began unbutton her blouse.

"If this is fulfilling some twisted fantasy of seeing me shirtless-"

"I've seen you shirtless before crazy woman." Emily chuckled and watched her friend struggle as she tried to shrug the shirt off. Walking behind the woman, Emily tugged one sleeve then another until JJ remained in jeans and a bra. Both women glanced at the blonde's chest which had turned a shockingly vibrant shade of purple.

"No v-necks for a while huh?" JJ joked.

"Unless you want people thinking you and Will like it rough." That earned a pained laugh from the blonde.

"There's rough and then there's this." JJ thought for a moment. "Speaking of rough…how's Aaron?"

"What does that possibly have to do with-"

"Oh come on, we all know how SSA Uniformity likes-"

"For the sake of your well-being, do not finish that sentence." Emily blushed furiously, knowing exactly what the blonde was inferring.

"Don't get me wrong, he's my friend and I'm happy for you guys," JJ took a step closer to her. "but I'm sure you know what'll happen if Garcia and I don't get the juicy details."

"Your shattered ribcage is making you delusional." Emily ducked away from the woman and threw herself onto one of the beds. JJ stifled a chuckle.

"Sure it is." JJ winked her way. "I'm going to shower. You should too if you want to get to the hospital."

"I'll wait for you to finish." Emily was afraid of leaving the blonde alone for too long. She might act alright and attempt to cover up the pain she was feeling, but Emily knew from experience that damaged ribs could easily result in something more. JJ nodded her understanding and took her bag into one of the bathrooms. Two hours later, both women were freshly washed and put together enough to make their way to the hospital. Emily texted Aaron before they left, letting him know that everything was alright but that JJ would have to be seen by doctor- whether or not she wanted to- when they arrived. He agreed and twenty minutes later, the BAU women pulled into the parking garage of the Atlantic Urgent Care Hospital.

I know these chapters have been shorter than usual but I couldn't really put them together since it would take away the whole drama/cliffhanger perspective. Hope you can forgive me!