CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

13x13 Cure

"You okay?" Spencer asked when she didn't answer his previous question.

"Sorry?"

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it's just, um… You know Linda Barnes, the bureau's assistant director of national security, well, she says she needs to set up a meeting with me… preferably the day after tomorrow?" JJ's mind was racing with implications.

"Think she wants to talk to you about the covert work you did in the defense department?" He suggested.

"Yeah, that's what she says…"

"And?"

"The last time I got an email like that from a person like Barnes, I was taken off the team."

"That's not gonna happen again. I honestly don't think that's even possible."

"Well, I do," JJ said back anxiously.

"Well, was Emily copied on the email?" He asked. JJ turned to check.

"Yeah, yeah, she is."

"There you have it. Emily's not gonna let you get caught up in some crazy bureaucratic undertow."

"Well, that's what Hotch thought, too. He couldn't protect me either."

Emily's voice interrupted their conversation. "Hey, guys. I know we were inches from a clean getaway tonight, but I just got a call from DC metro police. They need our advice on an active homicide scene."

Emily dropped her pen on her desk with a satisfying sigh. She glanced at the clock on the wall - 6:30pm. Not bad at all. Maybe she and JJ could actually have a night with the boys after all. Emily glanced out of the window but JJ was nowhere to be found. That was odd - her coat was still hanging on the back of her chair. Her bag was still sitting on the floor next to her desk. Emily scanned the room quickly. Then she saw her - on the far end of the room, staring out of the window at the rain. Emily stood from her desk and walked slowly over to her. She knew that look. It was a symptom of working at the BAU. Emily would recognize that anguish anywhere.

JJ turned and met Emily's eyes, confirming her suspicion. Emily sighed - she never really knew what to say. "It never does get any easier - outcomes like this one." Emily said gently. She continued to gaze cautiously at JJ. JJ smiled briefly.

"No, it doesn't. And it also has a way of dredging up the past you thought you had locked away. The 'what if's' and 'if only's.'" She turned her head to look at Emily. They were speaking on another level. Both thinking about Roz. "You know there are parts of this job that we really can't take home…" JJ said sadly. Emily nodded in quiet understanding. Her mind wandered to their children. If she could, she would shield them from all the evil in the world.

They walked to the elevator together. Emily boarded without thinking, but JJ lingered by the doors. Emily turned around and was momentarily confused before she remembered.

"Oh, right. You're meeting with Barnes."

"Should I be worried?" JJ asked, nervously. She figured she knew the answer - but she wanted to enjoy the last few minutes of peace.

"Not as long as I'm in charge."

"Good evening, Agent Jaraeu."

"Assistant Director Barnes."

"I'm sorry for the sudden urgency in having to meet tonight. However, effective immediately, SSA Emily Prentiss will be placed on administrative leave pending an internal review. And so you will be the acting Unit Chief of the BAU."

JJ didn't know what to say. She had said it so casually, JJ almost misheard her. How could this be happening? What was happening?

"I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"If you wouldn't mind leaving your cell phone out here, we can talk in my office."

Her mind was racing, but she did what she was told and followed Barnes.