Chapter 22

I have a few days off, so I am going to try and update these stories as much as I can, then after Monday they may become a little slow again.

"Guess Strauss will want us back in work Monday" JJ said as they both tried to distract themselves.

"From what I can gather, she does and Hotch doesn't seem to be fighting it.

JJ smiled "They are kind of right we do need to get back to work," JJ shook her head slightly. "There isn't anything we can do other than visit" Morgan nodded.

The door to the room opened again producing a very brightly dressed Garcia, "Wow." JJ muttered slightly.

"What?" Garcia asked.

JJ hadn't seen her since they left the hospital and her attire for the day was very subdued for her only a hint of colour, but now stood in front of her was an extremely pink and green clothed woman. If JJ was honest she wondered if they we more neon they were that bright.

"Nothing Pen" JJ said lightly, although she bit the inside of her lip to keep herself from laughing.

"How is she?" Garcia asked as she gave JJ a puzzled look.

JJ shrugged slightly "Groggy, her vitals are good though and like I have said to Morgan earlier they may take one of her IV's out in the morning, but for now they will keep an eye on her."

"Has she said anything?"

JJ raised her eyebrow as she looked at Garcia. "You mean aside from she is sorry" JJ shook her head. "And no I have no clue why she keeps saying sorry" JJ mumbled.

They all sat around making small talk, not enough noise to disturb Emily from her sleep but loud enough to warn her that people where around her if she did wake up. Although what no one noticed was that brown eyes were staring at each of them. The heart monitor sped up slightly pulling JJ's attention, but before she moved her eyes fell onto Emily's form, the wild and frighten look she had in her eyes made her slow her movements completely down as she stood up making her way back over to the bed.

"Hey" JJ said softly.

"Hey" Emily gave a slight smile as she looked at JJ.

"Hey Prentiss" Morgan said although he never moved from the chair.

Emily swallowed as Garcia seemed to rush towards her causing Emily to flinch. "Sorry" Emily mumbled as she looked at her friend, she could see the concern and hurt written all over Garcia's face.

Garcia smiled brightly "You had me so worried" Garcia said brightly.

"Sorry" Emily said as she tried her best to smile.

"Well no need for sorry" Garcia smiled slightly.

JJ shook her head as she looked over at Morgan. "How's the head?" Morgan asked as the silence seemed to fall around them.

"Sore" Emily said as she closed her eyes.

"You want me to see if a nice nurse will bring you some pain medication?" he offered.

Emily shrugged slightly, as a yawn took over "It can wait" Morgan fought the urge to roll his eyes at the stubborn woman.

"Okay, I'll ask when I go out" he smirked.

"Think they'll let me out soon?" Emily asked as she looked at Morgan.

"Seriously? You have had major surgery, not to forget swelling on your brain. I can't see you getting out of here for at least a week, maybe two, depending. And they more than likely will want someone to stay with you" Morgan said as he looked at her.

JJ chuckled "You've got to admit you knew that was coming, you two are as bad as one another." JJ said as she looked between them both.

Morgan and Garcia stayed for an extra half an hour before bidding Emily goodbye. JJ looked at Emily carefully as she seemed to relax more once they had left.

"JJ?"

JJ smiled softly, "Yes"

"I am sorry"

JJ frowned slightly. "What and why do you keep on saying sorry?" JJ finally asked.

Emily shrugged slightly "Not telling you"

"That you had a partner? Or" JJ paused slightly.

"She was my, everything" Emily let out in a whisper.

JJ smiled softly. "I gathered that, you didn't need to keep it from us though Em" JJ said as she sat next to her.

Emily let out a soft sigh. "I was going to" Emily paused "Once she came back I was going to introduce"

JJ took hold of her hand giving it a gentle squeeze "You know I am always here for you, no matter what?" JJ said firmly.

Emily closed her eyes as she shook her head. "I can't" JJ frowned slightly as Emily pulled away. "If"

"None of this was your fault Emily" JJ said as she figured out what Emily was trying to say. "None of it" she reiterated.

Emily sighed as she closed her eyes, allowing sleep to claim her again. JJ had drifted off as she sat in the chair next to the bed, her hand still holding Emily's. Hotch looked at them both for a moment before clearing his throat in a hope to disturb JJ.

JJ grumbled slightly as she heard her name being said. "JJ" Hotch said slightly firmer.

"Hi" JJ said as she opened her eyes before yawning.

Hatch gave a rare smile "How's she doing?" he asked just as Rossi entered the room.

"Groggy, her head is hurting" JJ shrugged "Other than that the only thing she mentions is Stacy" JJ said giving him a slight smile which didn't reach her eyes. "Oh and she is already asking about going home" JJ shook her head slightly.

"At least she's awake JJ" Rossi said as the door closed behind them both.

"I know" JJ again gave another weak smile. "I just wish she wasn't"

"Stubborn?" Hotch offered

JJ let out a slight laugh "Yes although I am not sure that is the word I'd use" JJ mumbled slightly.

"Would you like a coffee?" Rossi asked.

"Yeah, but I might come with you, I could do with the walk" JJ admitted.

"I'll stay here in case she wakes." Hotch said.

"How you doing kiddo?" Rossi asked as they made their way through the corridors.

JJ shrugged slightly "I don't know, don't get me wrong I am happy she is alive, I am more than happy that she is awake. But I also know she is going to try her best to push us away" JJ said as she looked at him. "The problem is she is still grieving for Stacy and then add this on top, I am just unsure"

"if she wants to talk let her, even if it's just about Stacy, what's she's been through JJ it's going to take a lot of time and patients" Rossi said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know, just how do you explain that to someone who is extremely stubborn, who already finds it hard to allow people in to see who she really is" JJ shrugged. "If all she wants to talk about is Stacy" JJ gave a soft smile "Then that is all we shall talk about" Rossi nodded as they made their way into the cafeteria.

The next few days were the same, Emily had pulled away from them only greeting them through hellos and goodbyes, and they could see her body tense as soon as they entered the room, but they also saw the relief as they went to leave. JJ stayed longer than the rest and Emily was relaxed around her thankfully. There had been talks about allowing Emily to go home as long as someone would stay with her. JJ wanted to offer but she also knew Emily needed to make the first move, if she could do that, then JJ knew the stubborn woman may open up in time. They had spent most days talking about Stacy, although it was a more of Emily blaming herself for not introducing her to the team and the guilt she felt because of their last conversation.