Garcia flooded into the waiting room with coffee in hand, ready to wrap JJ in an embrace. "How is she?" Penelope cried, sloshing the hot liquid over its lid.
JJ shook her head. "She'll be alright, Pen. They're finishing another transfusion now."
"Another one? How many-"
"Three." JJ frowned. "She lost a lot of blood. If it hadn't been for that, she would have been okay. It was a thru and thru."
"Where is everybody?" Garcia asked, looking around. The two agents took their seats; Penelope placed a hand supportively on JJ's forearm.
The blonde shook her head. "Back out in the field. Emily's out of danger now, and they need to find him before he disappears again." Tears slid down her cheek. "I just couldn't leave her."
"Oh sugar, it's okay. Everything is going to be okay now." Garcia soothed, brushing the hair from JJ's eyes. Taken aback, she noticed Jareau's clothes for the first time. "JJ, you're covered in blood. Why didn't anyone get you anything to change into?"
JJ looked down, seeing her blood-soaked camisole as if it had just appeared. "Oh. I uh, I didn't ask. I'm sorry."
"Hold on." Garcia smiled, happy to finally be able to help in some way. She glided over to the nurses' station, and rang the bell sitting on the desk.
A tired-eyed nurse came from behind the ER walls. "Yes ma'am? Are you looking for an update on your friend?"
"Well yes, that would be great." Garcia blinked, surprised. "But I was actually going to ask if you had a pair of scrubs I could confiscate. That petite blonde thing over there- she's an FBI agent. And she's covered in our friend's blood. I could run out to a store, but…" Garcia rambled.
The nurse smiled sympathetically. "Ma'am, of course. Just give me a moment and I'll see what I can find. And I'll get you both an update when I come back."
Penelope nodded, elated. "Thank you." She returned to where JJ was seated and winked, "They're bringing you some authentic hospital gear so that you can play doctor when you're tired of playing cop."
JJ rolled her eyes.
"They're also going to get an update on Emily."
JJ visibly relaxed. "Oh, thank God."
"Well, technically you mean 'thank Garcia'." She smirked.
JJ rolled her eyes again. "Thank you, Penelope." She smiled, more genuinely this time. "Seriously. You didn't have to come all this way."
"Are you kidding? You two were kidnapped and-" Garcia paused, her eyes widening like softballs. "Oh, JJ! I didn't even ask if you were okay! I am so sorry! I'm a horrible friend! Are you? Are you okay?" She spit rapidly, her words running together.
Chuckling, JJ nodded. "I'm fine, Pen."
The nurse reappeared with a set of freshly folded scrubs. "Ma'am, the bathroom is right around the hall if you'd like to change. And when you're finished, Agent Prentiss is asking for you." Looking to Garcia, she solemnly added. "I'm sorry, but only one person can go back at a time. But you can visit with her as soon as Agent Jareau is finished."
"That's fine. Tell her hi for me, JJ." Garcia kissed the blonde on the cheek. "I'm glad you're both okay."
"Hey there." JJ smiled, opening the door softly. Emily was still hooked up to an IV bag, but her color had significantly improved since the last time JJ had seen her.
"Hey yourself." Emily did her best to lift her head from the pillow. The pain meds were making the room spin. "You okay, Jen?"
JJ inwardly swooned at the way Prentiss said her nickname. "Why does everyone keep asking me that? You were the one that was shot!"
Emily's lips curled into a small smile. "And you were the one who was kidnapped. I just had to save your ass."
"Thanks for that, by the way." JJ pulled the armchair closer to the bed, taking Emily's free hand. "What did the doctor say?"
"Not a whole lot. Said I was lucky, that the bullet missed everything vital; if we hadn't been stuck in there so long, I wouldn't be in this bed right now."
JJ nodded. "I know. My shoes were filled with blood by the time we got out. It was crazy."
"Is that why you're dressed like a nurse?" Emily joked, her eyes closed.
"Garcia's here. She flew out whenever she heard what happened."
Emily jolted back awake. "She did? But they're releasing me in the morning! She didn't have-"
"Hey!" JJ gently pushed Emily's good shoulder back against the pillow. "Relax. You don't need to get worked up. She was worried about you, Em. We all were."
Emily frowned. She hated being the center of attention, and hated people worrying about her most of all. She grumbled. "Tell her thank you for me, then. But it was still unnecessary."
JJ smirked, smoothing Emily's hair. "I will, honey."
The brunette melted at JJ's touch, quickly falling asleep with the blonde beside her. JJ smiled. She slipped her cell from her back pocket and sent a quick text to Garcia. She's okay- being released tomorrow. Back asleep, but I don't want to leave. Staying at the Marriott if you want to head back to the room.
Garcia's reply vibrated back. Nope, I'll be fine right here. Just a text away if you want coffee or food. Or need someone to harass a nurse. Or a fine ass doctor. ;)
JJ laughed, grinning at her response. Emily stirred at the noise, making JJ silence herself; she put the phone on the bedside table and leaned her head against the bed's guardrails, grasping the brunette's hand for dear life. Together, they drifted off to a restless sleep.
At 8am, the doctor loudly knocked on the door before entering. "Morning, Agents." He boomed as a nurse opened the blinds.
Emily winced at the sudden light, rubbing her eyes.
"How are you feeling, SSA Prentiss?" Dr. Holden asked, eyeing the clipboard.
"I'd be better if I could get out of here." Emily grumbled hopefully.
JJ smacked her lightly on the arm. "Be nice!"
"Ow! JJ! I was just shot!"
JJ's eyes widened like an owl's. "Oh my god, Emily! I am so sorry!"
Emily grinned, laughing. "Wrong arm."
JJ glared and struck her harder.
The doctor cleared his throat, although the look on his face showed that he was amused. "Well, Agent Prentiss, your vitals look good and I don't see any reason that we can't let you go today."
"Really? Already?" JJ frowned, protectively grabbing Emily's hand.
"JJ, hush! When I can leave?" Emily asked, already sitting upright.
The doctor tried to hide his smile. "We'll get started on the paperwork. A nurse will be in shortly to go over discharge instructions, alright? The basic gist will be to take it easy and to follow up with a doc at home. Sound good?"
"Sounds perfect."
The doctor left, leaving JJ to stare at Emily. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Hey, you were the one that got me shot at."
"Emily? What are you-" Hotch began, dropping the case file that had been in his hand. His surprise was obvious when he saw Emily, JJ, and Garcia walk into the local precinct.
JJ put both hands in the air. "Don't look at me. I told her this was a bad idea."
Emily's right arm was freshly bandaged and in a sling, her balance slightly off as she walked through the bullpen. "I'm fine, Hotch. I know I can't work the field, but there's no reason that I can't work from here." That last part was slightly drawn out with a yawn.
Garcia glared at both Emily and JJ. "Sir, please tell them how dumb of an idea this is!"
He tilted his head, "I agree with Garcia, Prentiss. While I admire your… spirit," Hotch paused, "You both need your rest. The best thing you can do for the team, right now, is to go back to the hotel and get a solid night's sleep."
Emily shot the entire room a death glare. "But Hotch-"
"That wasn't a suggestion, Prentiss. It was an order. You too, JJ. Garcia, you can work from here or from the hotel if JJ and Emily need you nearby." Hotch picked up his case file and handed it to JJ, adding. "If you two are up for it, you both can rejoin us tomorrow. Deal?"
Before JJ could take it, Emily snatched it from his hand. "Deal."
A/N: I know there was a lot of action in the first chapter, but there will be fluff in the next few (and for those of you that have asked, we'll see JJ and Emily rejoin the case without any real danger involved, I promise). Tell me what y'all think! Predictions? Suggestions? Stay tuned! :)