Chapter 17

JJ glared slightly as Rossi retreated out of the room, she sighed slightly "Well Em seems everyone is hiding things these days, first you now it seems to have rubbed off on Hotch." Her fingers played with the cotton sheets. "I wish you had told me about her, I would love to know what she was like."

"It wasn't a case of not telling you Agent Jareau it was always about keeping Stacy safe, or it was till around a year ago" Elizabeth said as she walked into the room fully.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, I didn't know you was there, I can leave if you like" JJ said slightly stumbling over her words. Why had no one warned her that she had arrived?

Elizabeth nodded "I would like you to leave" her face blank, JJ's shoulders slumped slightly, "And once you have had a shower and a change of clothes you can come back" JJ nodded slightly.

JJ walked out of the room closing the door behind her, she leaned back on the cool glass as she gathered herself slightly. She now had even more questions and yet still no answers. She wondered if Elizabeth would give her any information, she let out a gentle sigh.

"She's a Prentiss, it's not their style" she mumbled.

"They both are? Or did you get hit on the head in there?"

JJ jumped slightly, "I see you need a bell as well" she said as she glared slightly at Morgan.

"Well if you're offering" he mused slightly.

"Let me think about that for a moment" she said with ease. "No, that would spoil Emily's fun too much" she said with a slight smirk.

"You've seen her do that then" his jaw slackened slightly.

"Yes I never knew that you was so easily scared" she teased.

"When it comes to that woman, yeah I scare easily, have you seen what happens when you piss her off?" he teased.

"Yes, but we were all slightly pissed off on that case." JJ reminded him.

"Yes, but you didn't watch as she knelled on top of that guy, her gun pressing against his forehead," Morgan shook his head slightly.

"Yeah, you told me what she did" JJ sighed slightly

"Now you know why she scares the hell out of me" Morgan said firmly. "What are you doing out here anyway?" he questioned.

JJ pushed herself off the glass door "Her Mother" was all she said.

"And you left Emily because?" Morgan said slightly confused.

Although Emily's mother put the fear of god into them JJ was never fazed by her, she had always stood her ground when it came to the ambassador but here she was standing out in the corridor like a naughty little school girl.

"I got kicked out" Morgan's shoulder squared slightly.

"She did what?" he questioned.

JJ smiled "I am only allowed back in there, once I've showered and I have a fresh set of clothes on"

"I do agree," he mused slightly handing her the much needed coffee. "Come into the waiting room and I'll get Garcia to take you to the hotel"

"Thanks."

They made the short walk down to the waiting area, "is Hotch back yet?" JJ asked pushing the door open.

"He said he will be here in an hour"

"Oh gumdrop" she made her way over to her best friend allowing her kind loving arms comfort her slightly. "She will get through this JJ I know she will"

"Yeah she is slightly too stubborn to let it beat her too much" Morgan said in agreement.

JJ closed her eyes trying to stop the tears that were forming fall. "I." she paused slightly as she moved out of Garcia's hold. "I just need to shower than I can get back to her," Just as quickly as she fell apart she pulled herself together.

"Nearly as stubborn and guarded as each other" Rossi commented as the door closed behind them both.

"I often wonder if they take lessons off each other" Morgan joked slightly.

The drive back to the hotel was in comfortable silence, JJ's head rested on the cool glass as Garcia navigated through the roads and streets.

"What's wrong Jayj?"

"I don't get it, I don't get it at all"

"You don't get what exactly?"

"How long have we all been friends, she didn't trust us enough not to judge her. What does that say about us Garcia" her voice rising slightly.

"Whoa kitten settle down" Garcia said pulling the car to a stop, "You know how private that woman is, she never told anyone JJ. I think with her mother" she paused slightly "Maybe that is why. You know how the political game can be played, you've played it yourself with the media" Garcia smirked slightly "Oh you didn't know I knew about that." She chuckled slightly.

"I know but to hide her partner. To" JJ shook her head "I just need a shower Pen"

She patted JJ's knee slightly before re-joining the traffic, "You know she isn't the only person on this team to keeps secrets" Garcia mused slightly.

"What's that meant to mean?"

"Morgan kept his secret till it nearly cost him his job. Rossi closed everyone off when he needed help. And Hotch, well he never told anyone that his marriage had ended until the divorce papers were sent to the bau. And you missy, you have secrets, and I know you do, just like I have mine. So unless we all want to bare our souls to each other, then we should leave and respect each other enough" she rambled on slightly.

"Doesn't stop me being angry" JJ mumbled slightly.

"What gives you the right to be angry with her? All because she didn't tell you she was in a relationship or is it because she didn't tell you she is a lesbian?"

"It doesn't matter" JJ fidgeted in her seat slightly.

"Jennifer Jareau what is it that is hurting you so much?"

"Just leave it Pen" JJ warned slightly.

"See secrets" shaking her head slightly. "So unless you want to be completely honest then you have less rights to be angry with Prentiss, she needs our support not your hurt feelings"

JJ glared at her slightly. "You want me to be honest? You want me to be truthful? Are you sure you want the truth. I will support Emily as much as she needs and as much as she will allow me to. You don't get to tell me I can't be angry at her Garcia." Her voice holding a warning tone.

"Maybe if this team started being honest, things like this wouldn't happen"

"So you now think because Emily wasn't honest she got herself kidnapped?" JJ said slightly confused.

"You really need a shower, sleep, and some more coffee and maybe try and relax slightly, if you really think I meant that." Garcia said softly as their eyes met.

"Sorry" JJ mumbled as they pulled up outside the hotel.

"No need for sorry," she said easily before getting out the car.

Hotch ran his hand over his face, he had made himself sit through the whole recordings of Emily, he had stopped a few times, wiping the tears from his eyes, holding back the bile as the hours went by. He had watched nearly every frame some parts he skipped over but the why she said Stacy the amount of hurt in that one word, that one name would be a sound that haunted him more than anything. He knew that what had kept her fighting and hanging on, and that is what worried him more than anything, when she finds out the truth when she remembers will she still fight or will she give up?

Hotch made the journey back to the hospital, he had received the message that the ambassador had already arrived he couldn't help the sombre tone in his voice as he entered the waiting area.

"How is she doing?"

"She hasn't fully come round yet, she has stirred slightly but JJ said she wasn't making much sense. Elizabeth is with her now." Rossi said. "What is it?" he asked. "I know that look Aaron" he said firmly.

Hotch gave a slight shake of his head "Not here" keeping his voice low so he didn't disturb the rest of the team.

They made their way down the corridor towards the small canteen Hotch ordered their drinks before heading to the furthest part of the room out of ear shot of everyone.

"What's going on?" Rossi asked as they sat down at the table.

"He recorded it" Hotch said sadly. "Everything he did, he recorded" he shook his head slightly. "No one can know" his voice slightly firm.

"Do you think she knows?"

"I doubt it and I'd rather she didn't find out at least not yet anyway."

"I really wished you had killed him" Rossi grumbled.

"I know"