A little while later
JJ POV
The sterile smell of the hospital lingers in the air as I wake up to the soft beeping of the heart monitor beside me. I look over to the bed next to mine, where Maddie is still asleep, her face peaceful despite everything she's been through. The doctors have been monitoring us closely, and today is another day filled with assessments and tests.
My own body is a tapestry of pain and healing. Every movement sends a sharp pain through my ribs, a reminder of the brutal beating I endured during my week of captivity. My wrists are bandaged, evidence of the restraints that held me captive. Bruises cover my body, a painful mosaic of my ordeal. The doctors said I was lucky—nothing was broken, but the internal bruising would take time to heal.
Maddie's condition is more severe. Her time in captivity has left her frail and malnourished. Her skin is pale and bruised, and her eyes have a haunted look that speaks of the horrors she's endured. She's undergoing a battery of tests—blood work, scans, and psychological evaluations. The doctors are particularly concerned about her emotional and mental state, as well as the physical toll her prolonged ordeal has taken on her young body.
Will walks into the room, a worried look on his face. He's been here every day since my rescue, never leaving my side. He gently kisses my forehead, his touch a comforting reminder of the life waiting for me outside these hospital walls.
"Morning, beautiful," he says softly.
"Morning," I reply, managing a small smile. "How's Henry?"
"He's doing great. He misses you, though. We both do."
Before I can respond, a nurse comes in to take Maddie for more tests. Maddie wakes up and looks at me with wide, fearful eyes.
"It's okay, Maddie," I reassure her. "You need to go with the nurse for a little while. I'll be right here when you get back."
Maddie hesitates but eventually nods. She clutches my hand briefly before allowing the nurse to guide her out of the room. The sight of her thin, trembling frame breaks my heart all over again.
As the door closes behind them, Will pulls a chair up to my bedside. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," I admit. "But I'll be okay. There's something I need to talk to you about, though."
Will's brow furrows with concern. "What is it?"
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "When my sister Roslyn died, things were really hard on my family. The state got involved because of the circumstances of her death. My parents were investigated, even though they didn't do anything wrong. During that time, I was placed in foster care temporarily. It was... terrifying. I felt so alone, so lost."
Will takes my hand, his thumb gently stroking my knuckles. "JJ, I had no idea. I'm so sorry you went through that. Why did you never tell me?."
"I don't talk about it much, I hate talking and thinking about it. All these years I just pretended it never happened," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "But seeing Maddie, hearing her story, it brought all those memories back. I know what it feels like to be alone and scared. I can't let that happen to her."
Will's eyes soften with understanding. "What are you thinking?"
"I want to foster Maddie," I say, my voice gaining strength. "I want to make sure she's safe, that she knows she's loved and cared for. She's been through so much, and I can't just let her go into the system. She helped me survive Will, I can't send her back into that system, Not after everything."
Will looks at me for a long moment before nodding. "If that's what you want, I'm with you 100%. We'll make it work. She deserves a safe, loving home."
Tears of relief well up in my eyes. "Thank you, Will. I knew you'd understand."
So Will and I give Maddie's social worker a call and start the process to get our license. She thankfully agreed Maddie would be better of with us then a random home.
Just then, the door opens and the team walks in. Hotch, Emily, Morgan, Reid, Rossi, and Garcia all gather around my bed, their faces a mixture of concern and relief.
"JJ, how are you holding up?" Hotch asks.
"I'm getting there," I reply. "There's something I need to tell all of you. Something from my past that's important now."
The team exchanges curious glances as I recount the story of my temporary time in foster care. I explain how the experience has stayed with me, shaping who I am today. I tell them about Maddie, about how much she reminds me of that scared, lost girl I once was.
"I want to foster Maddie," I say, my voice steady. "I want to give her a safe place, a loving home. She's been through so much, and I can't just let her go into the system."
There's a moment of silence as my words sink in. Then, one by one, they start to nod.
"That's incredibly brave, JJ," Emily says, her eyes filled with admiration. "Maddie is lucky to have you."
Morgan claps a hand on my shoulder. "You're doing the right thing. That girl needs you."
Garcia wipes away a tear. "You have the biggest heart, JJ. We're all here for you, whatever you need. I can do some computer magic to help speed up your license."
Hotch steps forward, his expression serious but supportive. "We'll do everything we can to help. If there's anything you need from us, just say the word."
"Thank you, all of you," I say, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I couldn't do this without your support."
Just then, the door opens and Maddie is wheeled back in, looking tired but relieved to be back. She looks around at the gathered team, her eyes lingering on each of them before settling on me.
"JJ?" she says tentatively.
"Come here, Maddie," I say, holding out my hand. She takes it and climbs into the bed with me, curling up at my side.
"How would you feel about coming to live with Will and I? We want to take care of you, Maddie," I say softly. "You're not alone anymore. You can have a family now."
Maddie looks up at me, her eyes filling with tears. "Really? You mean it?"
"I mean it," I say, hugging her tightly. "Welcome to the family, Maddie."