Chapter 28

JJ had taken the time to go home and change before she made the short journey to the hospital, she had cleaned herself up a bit more although there was no hiding her black eye or the cut on her lip which was now turning a slight shade of purple, luckily those were the only bruises that showed. The vest may have softened the blow but the area had quickly bruised, she was thankful that nothing was broken.

She made her way through the familiar corridors; she had stopped off to pick up a tuna salad and two coffees to go on her way in to the hospital. She had stopped at the nurses' station to make sure everything was as she left it. Knowing that Emily may shut her out. Slowly she pushed the door open careful of what she had in her hand.

"I bring food and coffee," JJ said easily.

Emily looked at her for a moment. "What happened?"

JJ gave a soft smile; she could see the fear in her eyes as she placed the coffees and food on the small table. "Two by four." Emily swallowed slightly as her eyes went slightly wide. "I am fine a little bruised and sore but other than that I am fine," she said easily.

"Has someone checked?" Emily asked.

"Morgan and a doctor" JJ said as she rolled her eyes. "Hit my vest with the wood and then managed to get a punch in" JJ shook her head slightly. "Then to add insult to injury, I slipped on the porch" Emily moved up slightly as JJ perched herself on the bed.

"Is it bad?" Emily asked as her eyes focused on the area where her vest would be.

"It looks worse than it is, I promise I am just sore, eat your salad and drink your coffee," JJ said as she pulled the table closer.

Emily looked at her again before she removed the lid off the salad. "JJ" she paused slightly. "I want out of this hospital"

JJ gave a slight smile. "You know the answer to that Em."

"I don't want to be a burden to anyone."

"Why on earth would you think that? You only need someone around you and to help do the things you are unable to do for now" she paused for a moment. "The offer still stands Em" she gave a slight smile before.

Emily sighed slightly. "You sure you wouldn't mind?"

JJ chuckled "How many times do you need me to say it?" JJ asked before looking back at her. "So do I need to pack a bag?" JJ asked softly.

Emily swallowed. "Are you sure" JJ nodded "How long before you can get me out of here?" Emily asked.

JJ smiled as she heard a slight lightness to her voice. "I will get the paperwork going through here, while they are sorting all your medication and discharge forms, I will head home back a few things and come back to collect you." She paused slightly. "Is that okay?"

"Thank you" she gave a slight smile. "Will you let the guys know?"

JJ looked at her slightly puzzled before her brain caught up. "I will send them a message once I get outside; signal isn't the greatest in here"

"Okay"

"I'll let Garcia know first because knowing her she will turn up later," JJ said easily as she got off the bed. "I'll be back soon."

With that JJ left the room, she headed over to the nurses station to sort out Emily's discharge, promising that she would be staying with Emily while she fully recovered. It would take a good couple of hours before the paperwork and a care plan would be in place. JJ had nodded knowing in the back of her mind how stubborn Emily was. She would not allow her to help fully.

She made her way out of the hospital; the air had cooled slightly as pulled her jacket around her more. She pulled out her phone sending a mass text message informing them all, what was going on, and that she would be staying with her until she recovered.

It had not taken her long to get home, she lend against the cool wooden door. She could not help taking a deep breathe before a long sigh came out. In honesty, JJ just wanted a full night's sleep. No nightmares, no worrying, just to be able to rest. Although she doubt it would happen anytime soon. Even the coffee was not helping her stay awake or her mind clear. She would never admit it but the only reason she got hurt was that her reflex was not there until after the first blow. Even then, it was too late to react.

Forty-five minutes she was working back through the hospital doors, up the same familiar corridor. The nurse caught her attention before she had chance to open the door to Emily's room.

"Can you sign the release forms, please? I have written instructions on how to change Emily's dressings, what she is able to do. It is important that she doesn't push herself, it only slow her recovery."

JJ sighed and gave a slight nod. "Have you explained this to Emily?" JJ asked.

"Yes, I have gone through everything, I've explained why it is important for her not to push herself too much. Medication should be with you in the next half an hour. She needs to take them as instructed or she will suffer with the side effects"

JJ groaned slightly as she nodded. "This shall be fun," JJ mumbled to herself as she pushed the door open.

"They are just waiting on your meds then we can go" JJ said as the door closed behind her. "Which means you need to get dressed." JJ said kindly.

Emily could not help but flush with redness. Her joints were still sore and stiff, lifting her arms hurt, in fact if she was honest her whole body hurt. She closed her eyes for a moment as she gathered herself. "Would you give me a hand?" Emily swallowed slightly.

JJ gave a soft kind smile "Of course, I am sure you've got a button blouse in here," JJ said as she began to root through Emily's go bag. Her eyes went slightly wide as she came across a picture. "Is this Stacy?" JJ asked carefully before placing the bag back on the floor.

Emily nodded slightly; she closed her eyes to try to control her emotions. "She's beautiful," JJ said before placing it back in the bag.

"You would have liked her" her voice held so much emotion as she spoke.

JJ gave a soft smile before placing the blouse and trousers on the bed. "Right let's get you dressed and ready to go home" JJ said lightly.

Emily nodded as she closed her eyes, she turned her had away as JJ untied the gown which she had been wearing. JJ could not help but swallow as she saw just how much damage had been done to her friend. She placed her blouse on fastening it up as quickly as she could. She could already see the silent tears that were running down Emily's cheek.

"Right let's get your pants on" JJ said lightly.

Emily nodded as JJ swung her legs around. Again, Emily closed her eyes turning her head away she flinched slightly as she felt hands on her legs, JJ stopped before looking at her friend. "It's only me Em," JJ said softly before carrying on. "I need you to stand Em," JJ said softly pulling her attention.

Emily took a deep breath this was not the first time JJ had helped her out of bed, her legs were slightly weak. Her hands rested carefully on JJ's shoulders as her feet touched the cold hard floor causing her to grip a little tighter on her shoulders. In one swift motion, the pants were on a fastened.

JJ pulled her attention again. "You can sit back down now Em," she said softly.

They had fallen into an easy silence as they waited for the medication to arrive. "They've given me a care plan for you," JJ said carefully. Emily just nodded she had withdrawn into herself again once JJ had finished helping her get ready.

JJ had gone to collect a wheelchair for Emily once the medication was dropped off. "You ready" JJ said as she re-entered the room"

"Yes" although her voice was weak when she spoke as though all the fire had gone from her.

Maybe it was the fact that she now had to rely on someone else or the fact she felt dirty and on some level guilty. The guilt came from hiding Stacy from everyone. The drive to Emily's condo was quite. Emily had not even registered that the car had stopped and JJ had opened the car door on her side.

"You ready?" JJ asked pulling her attention for the first time since leaving the hospital. Emily gave a slight smile and nod before allowing JJ to help her out the car and into the condo.