15

"That's it JJ. That's it. You got it."

JJ slumped letting the exhaustion take over her body.

"That was really good JJ. I think that's going to be it for today. I want you to keep up with the range of motion exercises every night. I am not going to see you for the next couple of days, but I will see you on friday. I think that two times is good for this week and next week, as long as everything is going okay we will get you in here more than twice."

JJ's breathing was heavy as she looked over to the other side of the room. In the 45 minutes of actual physio that she got through, between the breaks and explanations, Emily had been working for over an hour on her hand.

"We've already finished? We only just started. We didn't do anything."

JJ's physiotherapist looked at her and raised a brow. She was a no nonsense kind of woman and could tell that this patient was going to be a difficult one. Not because of her lack of motivation, but because of her over willingness to work harder than her body could handle.

She pulled up a chair directly in front of JJ and sat face to face with her, not batting an eyelid.

"Jennifer, you have to understand. You have been out of commission for a while. It isn't anything that you can't bounce back from, but at the same time, it is definitely not something that should be taken lightly either. You need to consider the good that can come from these sessions. But also weigh that against the damage that can be done if you push yourself too far too fast. I am not someone that will baby you. I will push you. But not so far as to compromise your health. At the end of the day, we have to work together and listen to each other. Communication is key. I know that you are ready to work, but don't just listen to your mind. Listen to your body as well. Look at yourself, what do you think that your body is telling you?"

JJ sighed and looked down at her hands, fiddling with them in her lap.

When she didn't get a response the physiotherapist continued.

"I think that by the exhaustion you seem to be experiencing, the heavy breathing and the sweating, your body is saying that it needs a rest. Not only that, you seemed fine at the beginning of the session, but appear to be in more pain now than before. Considering that, I don't think that continuing to do anything is going to be productive."

Feeling the emotions creep up on her was annoying. She was trying her best to ignore them and pretend that she wasn't feeling the way that she was feeling. How was that exactly? She wasn't really certain, but frustration was definitely at the top of her list.

The physio looked JJ over and waved Derek and Emily over to them. Morgan had decided it would be best to stay in case she or Emily needed anything. Not that they did. Honestly, he didn't think that they would need anything but he just liked being there to watch over them. Sort of like a big brother thing he supposed.

"We are finished for today. I suggest that you all go home and have a big lunch. Relax, sit, talk, and watch movies – whatever it is that you guys do for down time. JJ, you are going to be sore after today, but it shouldn't be anything that you can't handle. Take paracetamol and ibuprofen if you need it. And don't shy away from it. If you need it, you need it. Don't push yourself too far. Ask for help if you need it. Next time we're here we'll get you up on your feet and moving around. If you want to practice standing for short periods of time that's fine. But only if you have people like Derek here around. Not alone. You are weaker and haven't been up and walking for a while. You might get dizzy and I don't want you to pass out. Keep up with the swimming. The exercises as well. But we'll get you walking on Friday and check your stamina. Don't try doing that at home. I need to work out your starting point of what you can handle and see where you go from there."

…

Morgan dropped Emily and JJ off at home and then headed to the gym for some much needed stress relief of his own. JJ had been tired and went to bed to take a 'power nap' so that later on she could do something else 'worth-while to help with her healing'. Emily had settled on the couch. And Penelope was flitting around the place, cleaning, and getting dinner ready.

Emily had music on low in the background as she continued to flex her hand, and push through the residual pain. It was nice to be able to lean against the couch. Her back had been healing nicely, and although there was a certain amount of discomfort, it was much better than it had been.

As she sat, she thought about the past few weeks. It had been difficult. Difficult for herself, as well as being difficult for JJ, and for the rest of her BAU family. It was odd. She had considered them family for such a long time now, but never had she spent so much time with them. It was great, but if she was being honest, draining at the same time.

Mid thought she was drawn out of her head by a tap on the shoulder.

"Hey sweetness. I made us smoothies."

Slightly detached Emily thanked Penelope, and started to go back to her previous thoughts. This only served to intrigue Penelope, prompting her to take a seat and proceed to probe Emily.

"What up sugar? You seem down?"

Emily looked up from her drink and with a questioning look on her face. "I do?"

"You do. So what's happening in that pretty little head of yours?"

"Nothing."

This didn't fool Penelope for a second, only making her raise her brow as well as make her more intrigued. "Mm hmm. And Reid isn't a super genius. That's not going to fly with me."

"I… I mean, it's nothing really. I'm just… I'm not sure."

"Not sure about what love?"

"I… I think I'm just overwhelmed. That's all. Not a big deal, I'll get through it."

Emily made to move away, but was stopped by Penelope. Not rough, just to stop her from running. But the wince that ensued made Penelope furrow her brows. "You're not okay sweetie. Please talk to me. I know that this is a difficult situation for all of us. But when I try and think about it, from a neutral perspective, I can't help but have a resounding feeling that we've been neglecting you."

Prentiss opened her mouth and tried to think of something to say to counteract that. But she was semi-stumped. Did she feel neglected? Did she wish she could have some down time without having to think about the other people in this house? Was she simply over-reacting and being silly?

"No, no Pen. It's fine."

"But it's not Em. Something happened to you too. And just because what happened has meant that you haven't required as much help and support as JJ, I think we have all kind of neglected you. All be it, not on purpose."

"No, it's-"

"It's not okay. Just because you can cope on your own doesn't mean that you should. And it doesn't mean that we should let you."

"I know that you haven't meant anything by it. We have all been concerned with JJ, with her recovery and with how she is coping. What she went through was so much wor-"

"No. Stop. Right there. Stop. Don't compare yourself. Just don't do it. I won't accept it. Just because she experienced what she did for a longer period of time, and her resulting injuries take longer to recover from, it doesn't mean that you can say what happened to you wasn't as bad."

"But-"

"No Em. You can't just make light of what happened to you. I can't imagine it. It must have been painful, and scary and the thought of that jus-"

"No. Please Pen. Please… don't go there. Don't think about it. I try not to. It makes it easier not having to think about it."

Penelope went to hug Emily but was met with a shrug and a slight tensing. She retreated and looked at her friend. "You have been keeping it all inside. It's not healthy. When I try and talk to you about it you shut me out. You shut us all out. You can't keep up this façade forever sweetie. JJ is going to work through her stuff. She is going to find a normal after all of this. But if you don't try and work through your own stuff it is going to be as raw for you in six months as it is now – as it was just after it happened. I know that you love JJ, we all love JJ, and we would do anything to make this whole situation easier for her."

Emily was about to say something, but Garcia held up her hand.

"I'm not done. Yes, we would do anything for JJ. And we would do anything for you. And while you have feelings about what happened to JJ and to you, as difficult and confusing as they may be, you cannot allow that to affect you past a certain point. You can't allow that to mean that you sacrifice yourself and your own healing. It may seem like the good thing to do, because you want to help a friend. But sometimes, helping a friend isn't as important as helping yourself."

Emily was looking at Penelope. "You can speak now, I'm done."

This caused Emily to smile. "I know. That's what I've been thinking about. I've been thinking about it a lot actually. I… have been comparing my situation to JJ's. Not to make me feel better, because I'd do almost anything if it meant that what happened to her never did. But to make me not feel as frustrated I suppose. I keep thinking 'she needs more help. She needs this, she needs that.' And it makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing, trying to manage and not need anything. But I guess… I'm just… frustrated."

"You know that I'm here if you need me. Or Morgan, or any of the other guys on the team."

"Yes, but I can't just be like 'ooh, I need to talk.' When in the next room JJ needs help just to get out of bed. I-"

"Don't. You're doing it again. You're using her situation to belittle your own. Yes, if you need to talk, and JJ needs to get up, and move around, I'm going to need to go and help her. BUT, that doesn't mean that you can't just tell me that you need a bit of time as well. She sleeps during the day still, and goes to bed earlier than you. That gives me plenty of time, like now, just to sit and to talk with you. We can talk about you, and about how you are feeling and coping. Don't let it become too much. Don't immediately turn to your compartments in that pretty little head of yours. There is no way that any of us want you to do that. I… you do know that you have to talk to a therapist before you go back to work right?"

With a roll of her eyes, she nodded her head and began to talk. "Of course. We all know that is just a formality. Anyone on this team could pass with flying colours and be back to work the same day."

"Yes, I am aware that you are all smart little cookies that could wrap any shrink around your finger. But have you ever considered actually talking to them. Not just saying what they want hear so that they can clear you."

Emily went to speak, but then closed her mouth.

"You haven't have you? It's always been about suppressing your emotions and moving on. Rather than actually dealing with them, hasn't it?"

"I, Penelope, you have to understand. I have always worked in high stress situations. Work is a priority and so-"

"Woah. That wasn't a criticism. Merely an observation. And I may not be a profiler, but with your reaction, I think that what I said was pretty accurate. Right?"

"I… I mean. Well… not completely right. But not wrong either. I can't actually talk to the FBI shrink. They are too close."

"Well, why don't you see someone else?"

"No."

"Em-"

"No."

"Please think about it. Or if not, maybe… try talking to one of us. I don't get it all. I am not as exposed to the cruelties of this world like the rest of you are. But any of the other people on this team would get it. And I am sure that they would be willing to listen to you."

"I… maybe. Just… maybe. Give me… time. This is all new to me."

"Okay. I'm not trying to push you too much. Just enough to get you thinking."

Emily didn't say anything, but smiled.

Garcia couldn't help herself. "Can I hug you now?"

"Yes Pen. Yes you can."

Mindful of the wince the last time she tried, Penelope delicately wrapped Emily up in her arms.

"I love you, you know?"

"I love you too Pen. I love all of you. And maybe… I'll call Rossi and see if he can come over."

Penelope smiled into Emily's hair.

That was progress.

So I was asked by TinaraXx to see a bit more of Emily's healing, Reid and Rossi. Well that's what this is, and there'll be some more coming up! : )

I loved the reviews from last chapter! They were amazing and so I have had updating this as a priority. So here it is. Please continue to let me know what you think, I love the reviews. And keep asking for stuff if you want to see it. Via review or PM, I don't care. It gives me something new to work with.

And as for pairings. I have been asked for different ones. And lots of people have different views on what they do and don't want to see. I understand why people may or may not want these. But for now, I am just focusing on the healing. Any emotional moments between characters are just as friendship/ family. For now anyway. I will keep you all up to date with that in the future when it is a bit more relevant. Because honestly, I still haven't really been thinking about that too much yet. Thanks again for the reviews, favs and follows! : ) I am also hoping that I can update more regularly for the next little while. Fingers crossed. : )