Chapter 20

Sorry this is only a short chapter

The next couple of days where the same Emily was now stable and arrangements were being made to transfer her back to DC. "How long before they are ready?" JJ asked as she continued to gently running her fingers over Emily's hand.

"A couple of hours, the jet will be ready in about 4 hours, Morgan has gone back to the hotel to sort everything out" Hotch said softly.

"Okay, what are her chances Hotch, honestly?" JJ asked.

"Honestly, 50/50, the doctors are hopeful, she is healing physically," he gave a half smile.

JJ shook her head slightly. "I guess I'll feel better once she wakes up" JJ said softly.

"I know, she will wake up JJ" in truth the whole team was on tender hooks waiting for her to wake, JJ had only left when Morgan promised to stay with her.

Time seemed to drag as they waited for the transport to take Emily home, the doctors and nurses busied themselves around her making sure she was medically stable, they gave her another sedative for the journey. The doors opened slightly the doctor gave her a slight smile.

"We are ready for her now" JJ nodded before she placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Look after her" JJ said firmly to which she gained a firm nod.

The doctor stayed behind as the two porters wheeled Emily out of the room. JJ let out a sad sigh as she watched them take her down the short corridor. "If one of you would like to travel back with Miss Prentiss," he smiled kindly

"JJ you should go with her" Morgan said kindly.

"Are you sure?" she hesitated slightly.

"I think she will be happier seeing your face when she wakes up than any of ours" JJ smiled softly.

"Thank you"

"I will take your things and Emily's on the jet" JJ gave him a grateful nod before following the doctor.

Morgan headed back into the waiting area where the rest of the team where. "JJ is going back with Emily" he said kindly to which Hotch nodded.

"Rossi will meet us at the jet, we should only be an hour behind them" Hotch said as they all began to leave the hospital.

"If a case comes back up in this town can we veto please?" Morgan grumbled slightly.

Hotch raised his eyebrow at him, "We will see" Hotch said carefully. In truth he was in no hurry to come back, but he knew that once the trail started they would have to return and so would Emily.

Morgan sits at the rear of the plane his mp3 player in his hand, his eyes closed as his head bobs along to the music he is listening to. Reid has his book in front of him although he isn't really reading just flipping through the pages, Garcia is sat across from Morgan her head leaning against the glass her eyes half closed, for the first time she seems more relaxed opposed to how she normally was when travelling with the team.

Hotch and Rossi both sat at the front of the jet deep in conversation with each other. "They haven't managed to get anything more out of Mark" Hotch said softly.

"I guess with all the evidence and imagery it speaks more volumes than he ever could" Rossi says easily.

"Doesn't help much, I was hoping he'd give an explanation, you know explain why he did this to her"

Rossi frowned slightly "You know as well as I do any explanation he gives won't be a clear reason for doing what he has done, what he has put her through." He said firmly.

Hotch shook his head, "We can't lose her Dave" the emotion thick in his voice as he spoke.

Rossi gave a weak smile. "It's going to take time Aaron" he took a sip of whiskey before speaking, "We are all going to have to be there for her and patience"

Hotch let out a deep sigh. "I know. I've asked the lead detective to make sure no one sees the pictures or the tapes unless they truly need to see it" Hotch closed his eyes slightly.

"How bad was it?" Rossi asked carefully.

"Killing her would have been kinder" he said sadly.

Rossi's eyes went slightly wide at his comment. "Pardon?"

"You heard me Dave" his voice flat and deflated.

JJ had been allowed to sit near Emily her hand gently wrapped around Emily's as her fingers ran over her knuckles in comfort. JJ looks at the nurse which is pushing something into her IV bag. "Is everything okay?" JJ asks although her voice waivered slightly.

"Everything is fine, I have just administered another does of the sedative which will last now until we land" the nurse gave a kind smile before updating Emily's chart.