A/N: Please note that other triggering content (self-harm and suicide will be discussed) throughout the story. Please be forewarned and take precautions if these are troubling for you.
I just wanted to thank everyone for the reviews. My muse and I both appreciate it. This is still, as of now, planned to be a fairly long, multi-part story, but if you all aren't into it…I'll wrap it up before too long.
And remember…reviews and feedback keep me and my muse motivated…especially if they're positive!
I hope you enjoy this latest chapter…Now on with the show!
"Nobody can predict the future. You just have to give your all to the relationship you're in and do your best to take care of your partner, communicate and give them every last drop of love you have. I think one of the most important things in a relationship is caring for your significant other through good times and bad." ~ Nick Cannon
"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope." ~ Maya Angelou
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Chapter 22
Looking back at my reflection in the mirror, I think back to the conversation I just had with Emily in the kitchen, and I'm so relieved that our conversation from earlier went as well as it did. I was so worried that she would shut me out completely, maybe try and lie about her self-injury, or somehow turn the conversation around on me and start asking me about my scars instead. I'm grateful that none of that happened, especially the last one. I know I'll need to talk to her, about the other stuff I've been keeping from her…about what happened when I thought she was dead, but right now all of my focus is on helping her.
The fact that she let some of her walls down…let me in…even a little bit…is amazing and I'm so grateful. I thought that I'd completely blown it and that she'd never trust me, or give me another chance to prove to her that I wouldn't run away again. I needed to show her that I did love her then, and that I still do now…more than anything. I just pray that she believes me. I'll keep doing whatever I have to do to prove to her that I mean it…even if it takes forever. I thought I lost her once and now I have a second chance…I'm not going to take that for granted.
As I finish fixing my hair, I notice a smile playing across my lips as I think about how normal it felt to wake up with her and talk about mundane things in the kitchen this morning. Feeling her arms wrap around me…our flirtatious conversation…hearing her laugh…all of which has been missing from our interactions lately.
I realized how much I've missed her…and how stupid I was to not fight for her so long ago…how much of a coward I was…and how much I have to fight for right now. I know…without a doubt I can't live without her. I need her too much…even something as mundane as arguing over a shopping list brings a silly smile to my face.
I laugh internally as I walk out of the bathroom, realizing how ridiculous I must've looked…with my hair in such a state. I've never forgotten to fix my hair like that before. Then again…I tend to get flustered or so completely engaged in my thoughts of Emily that I tend to forget what I'm doing…or should be doing whenever I'm around her or my thoughts turn to her. She has that much of an effect on me. She leaves me unnerved…breathless…speechless….amazed…and sometimes forgetful; all at the same time.
As I make my way towards the stairs, I wonder if she's thought of where she'd like to go for breakfast. I know she didn't eat much for dinner, so I'm hoping she'll eat more this morning. If she chooses the place, she'll more likely find something she likes…and with her mood being better…she'll hopefully eat more.
One step at a time; I know she won't get better overnight…with her self-injury…her less than stellar food intake…any of it. But I will break through all of those walls she's built up and I will help fix whatever it is that she thinks is so broken inside of her.
I look over towards the kitchen as I make my way to the edge of the stairs but notice she's not there. I start to call out to her…but just as I do…I hear Emily yelling at someone…though it sounds like it's somewhat muffled from my vantage point. I realize she must be on the phone on the other side of the condo.
I hate to pry…but from the way she sounds…I'm more than a little concerned. I slowly make my way down the stairs in an attempt to hear what she is saying. To say that I'm shocked would be an understatement.
"Lucas…you fucking bastard! What have you done? Where are you? Where's Summer?"
Those are two of the names I heard her say in her sleep last night. So Summer is a person…but who? And what is going on...why is she yelling at this Lucas guy?
"Dammit Lucas! I'm not fucking around here. If you've done anything to Summer…I'll…"
She thinks this Lucas guy has done something with whoever Summer is…based on her tone…whoever Summer is…she must be important. I wonder why she's never mentioned her to me?
"Just let her go dammit! This is between me and you…she has nothing to do with this! It's me you want…not her. I'll meet you anywhere you want…just LET HER GO!"
Oh God! It sounds like this guy has whoever Summer is and is holding her hostage or something. I hope Emily isn't planning on meeting him someplace.
"How do I know you haven't already hurt her or that she's even there with you? Put her on the phone so I know she's okay."
"No…no tricks. But why would I trust you after everything you've done. I'll meet you…but not unless I know for sure that she's there with you and that she's okay."
No Em! Don't agree to meet with him…Dammit!
Shit! It sounds like you are planning on meeting him…I can't let you do that. And she said after everything he's done…what did he do? Did he already do something to her? To someone else? Now it sounds like this guy is holding someone hostage since Emily is asking to hear if she's okay for herself. What the Hell is going on? Why would some guy hold someone hostage just to get Emily to meet him?
"Summer…can you hear me? Are you okay?"
Sounds like the guy put her on the phone so Emily can at least hear her voice.
"Yeah…but don't worry…I'm coming…nothing bad is gonna happen to you…okay…I'll be there as soon as I can…just hang on until I get there….I love you sweetie."
No way am I going to let you meet this guy alone. I'm coming with you…but who the Hell is it that you're trying so hard to save? Who is that means so much to you…that you've never once mentioned to me?
"Yeah, I got it…no cops or Agents…I'll come alone…but just so we're clear…if you hurt her…I will fucking kill you."
The tone in her voice just sent chills down my spine. I've never once heard that tone…it sounded like pure evil. She didn't even sound like that when she talked about Ian. I could actually feel the hate she has for that guy all the way over here.
Whoever Summer is…she obviously means a lot to her…I just don't understand who she is and why Emily has never once mentioned her to me. I know she said she had secrets…but Emily told her that she loved her. I'm not sure that I've ever heard her say that to anyone.
I'm still stunned by the venom and hatred I heard coming from Emily when I see her spin around and come to a complete stop. She realizes that I've heard part of her conversation.
I try to talk to her, but she tries to walk right past me, so I grab her arm to stop her from leaving. I have so many questions that I need answers to.
"What was that about? Who's Summer? Where are you going?" concern and confusion lace my rapid fire questions.
"JJ…I wish I could stay here and explain it all to you…but I can't. I have to go." She pulls out of my grasp and grabs for her gun, putting it in her waistband and shoving her badge into her back pocket along with her wallet, as she picks up her car keys and start towards the door.
"Then explain it on the way…I'm coming with you." I sternly reply, making my way towards her.
"No! I'm sorry…but you can't. It's too dangerous and I won't risk you getting hurt…not like this. I have to do this on my own. Just stay here until I get back. I'll call you as soon as I can." She leans in and quickly places a kiss on my lips before rushing out the door. I try to respond, but she's already gone.
I chase after her…stopping only briefly to grab my own gun, badge, keys, and phone. I quickly make my way down to the parking lot only to see her SUV speed around the corner and out of sight. She must've known I would try to follow her and ran to her SUV.
Dammit! Now what?
I run out to my car thinking I might be able to catch up to her…but realize that she's got too much of a head start on me by now. I would have no idea which way to go. I know I only have one hope of figuring out where she went.
I quickly dial the familiar number and start to get impatient as it rings a few times. The voice that answers is not who I expect so I look down to make sure I've dialed correctly. Startled only momentarily, I hear the voice again say "Hello".
"Morgan…it's JJ. I need to talk to Garcia." I firmly reply.
"Why would you think…" I interrupt his excuse before he has time to continue "You answered her phone…just hand her the phone…it's an emergency." I quickly state.
I hear muffled sounds and then Garcia gets on the phone "Sorry about that Kitten…I'll explain later. What's wrong?" Garcia nervously replies.
"It's Emily…she's in trouble. Can you track her phone for me?" I rush out…worry lacing my voice.
"What do you mean…Emily's in trouble?" Garcia quickly asks…concern rising in her voice.
I hear more muffled sounds and then I hear Morgan on the phone "JJ? You're on speakerphone…What's going on? What happened to Emily?"
"Can Garcia track Emily's phone?" I ask again.
"Yeah…she's working on getting that started right now. Now…tell me what happened" Morgan replies anxiously.
"I overheard her on the phone this morning. She got a call from some guy named Lucas." I hear more sounds in the background…like Garcia is saying something to Morgan…but can't make out what they are saying so I keep going.
"He was holding someone named Summer hostage and Emily ran off to meet him. I tried to stop her but she ran off too fast. She was in her SUV and speeding out of the parking lot before I could catch up to her. I need to know where she's going so I can get there and try and help her…she said she didn't want to put me in danger…but that means she knows wherever she's going is dangerous. I lost her once. I won't do it again!" I finish…panic starting to set in.
I hear more talking and muffled sounds in the background and then Garcia comes on the line again "Kitten…I'm working on tracking down the location for you…but you have to promise me that you won't go in wherever she is alone…you have to wait for backup." Garcia pleads.
"I can't promise that Pen…she's in trouble…I know it. I can't risk waiting backup…and that guy made Emily promise that she'd come alone…I'm guessing he threatened to do something to whoever Summer is if she didn't. So if a bunch of cops or agents show up…she could end up in more danger…both of them could. Please…just tell me where she is…I've got to get to her so I can help." I plead back with her.
"I know Kitten…but Morgan and I are going to meet you… he's talking to Hotch right now…you know they know how to handle situations like this without tipping anyone off. I'm going to conference you all in so you can all get the location at the same time and work together to help her. None of us wants anything to happen to her…and Lucas is a monster…" Garcia trails off.
"You know who this Lucas guy is?" I ask…shocked she has heard of this guy and I haven't.
"Yeah…I do."
"Who is he?" I ask.
Why does Garcia know who he is and I don't? What the Hell is going on?
"I've got Hotch and Rossi patched in on the line with Derek and me…JJ is on the line too. I've almost got the coordinates for her location, Sir." I hear Garcia state.
"JJ. I need you to wait until one of us is there before you go in." I hear Hotch come on the line.
"I can't do that Hotch. You didn't hear her earlier. I know she's in trouble…I can't risk losing her again. I won't"… I argue.
"I understand that…but this is a tricky situation…one that you don't fully understand" Hotch replies.
Why is it that I feel like I'm the only one not getting the full story here?
"What are you talking about Hotch?" Morgan's confused reply.
Okay…maybe I'm not the only one. Somehow…that doesn't make me feel much better.
"Okay…I have the location. She's north of where you are JJ…just East off of Wisconsin Avenue." Garcia interrupts.
"Hotch? You know what that means?" Rossi asks.
"Yeah. He's having her meet him at the park." Hotch coldly replies.
"What park? Would someone tell me what the Hell is going on and why does everyone seem to know but me?" I finally snap…anger and panic getting the better of me.
"Yeah…I'd like to know the answer to that too" I hear Morgan reply.
"Dumbarton Oaks Park…just go North on Wisconsin Avenue…I'm sure you know where it's at JJ. We're on our way."
"Yeah…I know where the park is…how can you be sure that's where she's going…or that this guy would have her meet him there?" I ask…still waiting on the answers to my earlier questions as I put my car in gear and start driving towards the park.
"Because Lucas and Emily have some history with that park" Hotch softly replies.
"Looks like her SUV is on the north side of the park, but GPS for her phone shows she is further north of that location Sir." Garcia interrupts.
"Makes sense he wouldn't meet her out in the open. There must be some place north of the park itself that he knows she'll be able to find. Garcia? Are there any structures north of the park?" Hotch replies.
"Let me check Sir…" Garcia replies. Seconds later she says "Sir…their appears to be a couple of older structures about a mile or so north of the park…off of some kind of trail."
"That must be where they're meeting. " Rossi interjects.
My mind races as I try to put all of the pieces together. How is it that Garcia, Rossi, and Hotch all seem to know something about this guy and I don't? Who's Summer? What's this history that Lucas and Emily have…the way Hotch just sounded…it must not be good. I hear everyone talking in the background…but now that I have a location for Emily…all it is to me is background noise.
I make it to the park in record time and almost immediately spot Emily's SUV. I notice she's not in it but I see a walking path right near where she parked. She must've parked near it so she could walk the path towards that building Garcia mentioned to meet that guy. The others aren't here yet…but I'm not waiting for them. I'm going to help Emily on my own…they'll just have to catch up when they get here.
"Guys…I'm at the park and I see Emily's SUV but she's not here. I'm going to take the path next to where she parked…towards that building Garcia mentioned and see if I can find her. Just meet up with me whenever you get her." I interrupt the ongoing conversation.
"JJ. You need to wait until we get there" Hotch states firmly.
"Sorry Hotch. I'm not waiting. We waited too long when she fought Ian…and look what it cost us. I won't risk that again. I have my phone but the ringer is off now. Just catch up with me when you get here" I respond before ending the call.
I make my way down a rough walking trail…watching my surroundings carefully as I go. I make it nearly a mile when I get to a building out in the middle of the woods. It's a large rock structure…large enough to be nearly two stories tall, with several dusty windows and probably several rooms inside. It's odd to see a building this large out in the middle of the woods, but because it is made of rock and covered in ivy, had I not been looking for it, I might've missed it entirely. It's almost as if the building grew up out of the nature that surrounds it. I notice that what looks to be the entrance to the building doesn't have a door, just an opening in the shape of a door, carved out of the rock itself.
This has to be where Emily is…I can almost feel her here. The air is thick with electricity and every cell in my body is on high alert as I slowly creep towards the rock structure. The sounds seem magnified as I try to quietly step closer…every leaf and stick I step on seems to explode beneath my feet and every breath I take seems echo through the trees.
I absently-mindedly remember telling the guys that I was scared of the woods before…and at the time I had been joking. Why would I be scared of something like that? I remember thinking it was stupid at the time and how ridiculous it was for them to fall for something so lame. Now…sneaking up on this creepy looking building…hearing all of the sounds being magnified all around me…hearing my own heartbeat rapidly pounding in my own chest and ears...thinking that Emily's life is in danger…again…I wonder if that joke will come back to bite me in the ass…since I am completely terrified…sneaking my way through these particular "woods."
I finally make my way to the rock entrance and try to peer inside. It seems to be an empty room, but I glance around the carved out door anyways, just to make sure that there are no traps or hidden wires before I try to sneak inside. The last thing I want is to tip off anyone inside that I'm there. Seeing nothing, I slowly creep inside and let my eyes adjust to the darkened room. It's a small entryway, but doesn't seem to have anything in it other than a couple of doors leading to other parts of the building and one small dusty window.
Then I hear muffled sounds coming from the room with the window and slowly rise up enough to try and sneak a glimpse inside. When I finally get a good look at what is in the next room…my heart nearly stops. I see a dark-haired young woman…bound and gagged sitting in a chair.
I assume this person must be Summer. But it's the look in her eyes…and what she's looking at that has me truly terrified. She's looking directly at Emily…who's being held with a gun to her head by a man. She's sitting in a chair, tied up so she can't move her hands or feet. She's saying something…but from where I am…I can't make out what she's saying. Then I see the man move towards the younger woman and Emily says something else.
Damn! I wish I could hear what they were saying!
The next thing I see is the younger woman rushing over to Emily and hugging her and the man pulling her away from Emily…pointing towards the door I'm just behind. They're all talking…but I still can't make out what they are saying. The younger woman is crying…but she slowly starts to back away towards the door.
I watch as the door I'm crouched beside slowly starts to open and the younger woman backs out. She glances down and sees me…nearly gasping in shock…but I quickly place my finger over my mouth to signal for her to remain quiet. Thankfully…she does.
I hear the growl from the guy on the other side telling her to close the door and leave. She closes the door…but not completely. She leaves it open…just a crack…enough for me to be able to hear the conversation inside.
She stares at me for a few seconds…as if she's trying to work out some kind of puzzle in her head. Then she crouches down beside me and whispers..."He's gonna kill her"…tears and terror filling her eyes.
The next words she whispers to me render me nearly speechless…"You have to save her JJ."