The morning light filters through the curtains as I wake to the familiar sounds of home—Henry's giggles from his room and the distant clinking of dishes from the kitchen. I stretch, feeling the stiffness from my injuries and the emotional weight of the days ahead.
I make my way downstairs and find Will in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He's already dressed for the day, his expression thoughtful as he scrambles eggs and flips pancakes.
"Morning," I say, leaning against the doorframe.
He looks up and smiles, but there's a hint of concern in his eyes. "Morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?"
I shrug, moving to pour myself a cup of coffee. "As well as I could, considering."
Will nods, understanding. "How's Maddie?"
"She had a rough night," I admit, taking a sip of coffee. "Nightmares."
He sighs, his brow furrowing. "JJ, we need to talk about Maddie."
I tense, bracing myself. "What about her?"
He sets down the spatula and turns to face me. "I can tell she's terrified of me. I want to help her, but she won't even look at me without flinching. I'm worried, JJ."
I put down my coffee and step closer to him. "She's been through so much, Will. It's going to take time. She just needs to feel safe, and right now, I'm the only one she trusts."
"I get that," he says, reaching for my hand. "But I want to be part of this, too. I want to help her, to be there for her. I just don't know how."
"We'll figure it out," I promise, squeezing his hand. "Just give her some space and time. She'll come around."
Will nods, but I can see the doubt in his eyes. "And what about you, JJ? You haven't really talked about what happened to you. I'm worried about you, too."
I pull my hand away, turning back to my coffee. "I'm fine, Will."
"JJ, don't shut me out," he says gently. "I'm your husband. I want to help you, too."
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I can't, Will. Not yet. It's too much."
He steps closer, his voice soft but insistent. "You're going to have to talk about it eventually. If not to me, then to someone. You can't carry this alone."
"I know," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "But not now. Not with you."
The hurt in his eyes is clear, but he nods, respecting my boundaries. "Okay, JJ. But when you're ready, I'll be here. And don't think for a second that anything you say will make me love you any less. You're my wife, and nothing will change that."
His words bring a lump to my throat, but I manage a small nod. "Thank you, Will."
The sound of footsteps on the stairs breaks the tension. Maddie appears in the doorway, her eyes wide and cautious. Henry is right behind her, his face bright with a smile.
"Morning, Maddie," I say warmly. "Come join us for breakfast."
She hesitates, her eyes flickering to Will before settling on me. I can see the fear in her eyes, but she steps forward, slowly making her way to the table. Henry bounds in and takes his usual seat, oblivious to the tension.
"Pancakes!" he exclaims, grabbing a fork.
Will serves up plates for everyone, his movements careful and deliberate. He sets a plate in front of Maddie, offering her a reassuring smile. "I made your favorite, chocolate chip."
She nods, picking up her fork and poking at the pancakes. "Thank you," she murmurs.
Henry chatters away, filling the silence with his innocent excitement. "Mommy, can we play outside after breakfast?"
"Maybe later, sweetie," I say, smiling at him. "Maddie and I have to go to work for a little while today."
Henry pouts but then turns his attention to Maddie. "You can play with me when you get back, okay?"
Maddie nods, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Okay."
We eat in relative silence, the atmosphere slowly easing as Henry's chatter lightens the mood. I can see Maddie relaxing slightly, though she still avoids looking directly at Will. I know this is going to be a long process, but I'm determined to make it work.
After breakfast, I help Maddie get ready for our trip to the BAU. She's nervous, and I can see the fear in her eyes as we head to the car.
"It's just a talk, Maddie," I reassure her as we drive. "We're going to tell them what happened so they can make sure the bad guy goes to jail."
She nods, her hands gripping the seatbelt tightly. "I'll try."
"I know you will," I say, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "You're so brave, Maddie. We'll get through this together."
When we arrive at the BAU, Hotch is there to greet us. His stern face softens when he sees Maddie. "Welcome, Maddie. You're safe here."
Maddie clings to my side as we walk through the familiar halls. The team is waiting in the conference room, their expressions a mix of concern and determination.
"Hey, JJ," Emily says, offering a warm smile. "Hey, Maddie."
Maddie nods shyly, staying close to me.
Hotch steps forward. "We're going to take this one step at a time. Maddie, you'll be with Emily for your interview. She'll make sure you're comfortable."
Emily steps up, her usual vibrant energy subdued but still warm. "Hi, Maddie. We're going to talk in a nice, quiet room, okay?"
Maddie looks at me with tears streaming down her cheeks, I wrap her in my arms and as I wipe away her tears I nod encouragingly. "It's okay, Maddie. I'll be right here."
She reluctantly follows Emily, and I turn to Hotch, my heart pounding. "I know I need to do this, Hotch, but it's hard."
He nods, understanding. "Take your time, JJ. We're here for you."
Maddie's Interview JJ's POV
Emily leads Maddie to a small, quiet room. I'm watching with Hotch on the other side of the window in the room. Emily offers Maddie a chair and sits across from her, a gentle, understanding smile on her face.
"Maddie, I know this is difficult, but you're very brave for being here," Emily begins softly. "Can you tell me about what happened? Start from the beginning, whatever you remember."
Maddie takes a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. "I... I was walking home from school, and this man grabbed me. He put something over my mouth, and I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in this dark room. It smelled damp and moldy."
Emily nods, listening intently. "You're doing great, Maddie. What happened next?"
"He... he kept me in that room for a long time. I lost track of the days. He would come in and... hurt me.
Emily nods "How did he hurt you Maddie?"
Maddie scoffs "I think the better question is how didn't he hurt me?"
Emily gently asks "Maddie what do you mean?"
"I mean he hurt me in every way imaginable with his fists, his feet, with the shock collar, the cattle prod, with the hose, the whip, keeping me chained up at all times, little food, the cigarette, the brand, and.. and worst of all... he put his fingers and... and... his thing inside of me... and..." Maddie trailed off her voice breaking through her sobs.
Emily hesitantly asks "and what Maddie?"
"He put JJ's gun inside of me" Maddie speaks barely above a whisper as she starts crying.
Emily went white as a ghost so did Hotch. I cover my mouth so Maddie doesn't hear my sobs. That fucking bastard it was one thing to do that to me but Maddie. I felt sick.
Hotch puts his hand on my back "JJ you know that's not your fault right?" I quietly nod and continue to watch Maddie's interview.
Emily asks "Maddie did he ever say anything to you?"
"He didn't say much, he usually said things like I am a bad girl who deserves to be punished, or scream for Daddy, or...He told me no one was looking for me, that no one cared," Maddie says, tears welling up in her eyes.
Emily reaches out, taking Maddie's hand in hers. "That wasn't true, Maddie. We were looking for you. JJ was looking for you."
Maddie nods, trying to hold back her sobs. "Then one day, he brought JJ in. She was hurt, too, but she was so strong. She told me to be brave, that we would get out of there."
"Can you tell me about the day you were rescued?" Emily asks gently.
"He was about to hurt JJ in the worst way.. he was going to... He was going to rape her.. I.. I couldn't let that happen. So I told him about what I signed in the video he got sooo angry. He took us back to our cell. JJ fought him as he tried to take me away. Her got angrier. JJ had done something to make him mad. He started hurting her, and I tried to stop him. That's when she passed out and he took me to Tyler's place. Eventually that when you guys came. You broke down the door and saved me," Maddie recounts, her voice breaking.
Emily squeezes her hand. "You're very brave, Maddie. You helped save JJ, too."
Hotch looks at me and I could tell he was worried that Olsen the unsub had tried to rape me before and was successful. I mean I'm sure he was aware of my SAE results but that didn't happen, other things did but not that.
I looked at Hotch "Don't he never did what you are thinking he got close but he didn't.. okay?" Hotch silent nods for now, I'm not convinced he believed me.
I walk to meet Maddie outside the room. I wrap her in my arms to soothe her I could tell she was scared and exhausted. I hold her face in my hands "You did so good. I am sooo proud of you Maddie Bug. Baby I am so sorry he did that to you with my gun." Maddie nods her head and snuggles into my body.
"Maddie Bug you are going to go hang out with Penelope, Spence, and Morgan, I promise they are safe. I trust them with my life. I have to do my interview now, okay?" I tell Maddie who nods and reluctantly goes with Penelope.
It is interview, I sit down with Emily in the same room. My heart is heavy, but I know this needs to be done.
"Take your time, JJ," Emily says, her voice gentle. "Start from the beginning."
I take a deep breath, my mind flashing back to the dark cell. "I was investigating a lead on a missing persons case. But we were breaking for the night I was headed to my car. I didn't realize I was being watched. He grabbed me, drugged me. When I woke up, I was in a basement. It was dark, cold. He kept Maddie and me in the same cells, chained to the wall and handcuffed in front."
Emily nods, encouraging me to continue. "What did he do, JJ?"
I swallow hard, the memories flooding back. "He... he tortured us. Physically, emotionally. He tried to break us. Made us watch each other being tortured. But Maddie... she was so strong. I tried to protect her as much as I could."
"JJ, Maddie talked about how he raped her, I know this is hard but did he do that to you too?" Emily cautiously asked unsure if she was ready for my answer.
I reply with a firm "No he didn't rape me with his member." I felt the tears forming in my eyes, Damnit I thought to myself don't cry JJ don't let them see you as victim, how he affected you.
Emily's eyes are filled with empathy "But he did sexually assault you didn't he JJ?"
I reply avoiding eye contact "ummm, yes but just with his fingers and ummm my gun. Please don't tell Will! Or the rest of the team, I know Hotch and Rossi you guys are watching. I'm not ready for them to know yet."
Emily grabs my hand "JJ I am so sorry. We won't tell anyone." She's about to say something else when I cut her off "I DO NOT want to be treated like a victim. Go it?"
Emily empathetically responds " You got it, now What about the day we found you?"
"He was furious. Maddie and I had managed to send a signal out, hoping someone would pick it up. He started hurting me, and Maddie tried to stop him. That's when I passed out. Then I don't remember much after that, just the sound of your voices, and waking up in the hospital," I say, my voice shaking.
Emily reaches out, her hand covering mine. "You're incredibly strong, JJ. Both you and Maddie."
Meanwhile Maddie with Reid, Garcia, and Morgan
Maddie is in the bullpen with Reid, Garcia, and Morgan. Penelope is doing her best to keep things light, showing Maddie her colorful computer setup she had setup in the bullpen.
"Look at these screens, Maddie," Penelope says cheerfully. "I can find anything with these."
Maddie smiles slightly, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow."
Spence steps in, trying to engage her in conversation. "Did you know that JJ calls me 'Genius'? She told me you remind her of me."
Maddie looks up at him, her expression curious. "Yeah she told me all about your boy genius, but does she Really think I'm as smart as you?"
Spence nods, smiling. "Yes. She said you're very smart and brave, just like her."
Maddie blushes, looking down at her feet. "JJ is brave. She saved me. Although she says I'm the brave one and you are the smart one."
Morgan, ever the playful one, grins. "Did you hear that, Reid? JJ thinks the kid is braver than you."
Spence looks a bit flustered, but smiles. "I guess she does."
Penelope chuckles. "Reid, tell Maddie something cool."
Spence thinks for a moment, then says, "Did you know that octopuses have three hearts?"
Maddie's eyes widen. "Actually, they have two hearts that pump blood to the gills and one that pumps it to the rest of the body."
Morgan and Penelope burst into laughter, and Spence. looks impressed. "You're absolutely right, Maddie. Very good."
Morgan grins. "Reid, you just got schooled by a kid."
Spence laughs, ruffling Maddie's hair. "I guess I did."
Penelope smiles warmly at Maddie. "You're going to fit in just fine around here sugarplum."
After JJ's interview - JJ POV
Hours later, we're finally done. Exhausted but relieved, I meet up with Maddie in Penelope's office. She looks drained but relieved to see me.
"Ready to go home?" I ask softly.
She nods, and we head back to the car. The drive home is quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. When we arrive, Henry rushes out to greet us, his boundless energy a welcome distraction.
"Come on, Maddie!" he says excitedly. "Let's play!"
Maddie gives a small smile and follows him to the backyard. I watch them for a moment, grateful for Henry's innocence and ability to bring a bit of normalcy back into our lives.
Inside, Will is waiting. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close. "How did it go?"
"It was hard," I admit. "But it's done."
"You're amazing, JJ," he says, kissing my forehead. "And we'll get through this together."
I nod, leaning into his embrace.
Author's Note: let me know what you think. Are you enjoying this story?