A/N – sorry for the delay, this was a difficult chapter to write and hope that I managed to get the emotion across.

Chapter 15 –

JJ knocked hesitantly on the door, she had used the journey wisely taking the time to compose herself and sort through the words that she was going to use and the look on her face told Blake that it was not good news as she was ushered into the apartment.

"JJ?"

Blake moved the two of them into a corner of the kitchen, signalling to JJ that Emily, Dave and Kate were in the bedroom.

"He shot Kate's boyfriend."

The words were spoken in a monotone voice and JJ swallowed hard as she watched Blake's shocked expression before her hand flew up to her mouth.

"Is he...?"

JJ nodded her head as Blake shook her head, still in disbelief.

"I'll tell her, Hotch needs you to get some rest and then meet him at the office tomorrow morning."

Blake reached out and placed her hand on JJ's shoulder, patting it gently before she turned around and picked up her bag from the kitchen counter.

"You know where I am if you need me."

"Thanks Alex."

Blake smiled softly as the two of them walked towards the door, checking the security locks before Blake left and JJ prepared herself for what was about to happen.

JJ made sure that the door was securely locked and checked the video feed from the cameras outside the building, only when she was certain that everything was ok did she make a move. Knocking firmly on the door she knew that she wouldn't have to make much noise and seconds later a worried Dave opened the door, concern only growing on his face as he saw JJ.

"I need to speak to Kate."

The words were mumbled slowly as JJ looked straight at Dave, she knew that he had worked out that news wasn't good, she just hoped he wouldn't react too badly when she broke the news to Kate.

"She's sleeping."

"Please Dave."

Dave sighed heavily before he nodded his head and stood aside, letting JJ into the bedroom before he followed her in, their conversation although quiet had woken Emily and she quickly sat up as she saw her friend enter.

"What's happened?"

Emily kept her voice to a whisper as she tried not to wake her daughter.

"I need to speak to Kate."

JJ moved in closer as she stood beside the bed.

"Jen?"

"Please Em, you know that I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."

Emily reluctantly nodded her head as she reached across and gently shook Kate's shoulder while Dave flicked on the beside light, positioning it so that nobody would be blinded by the sudden influx of light.

"Kate, sweetie I need you to wake up for me."

"Uh, what?"

Slowly Kate opened her eyes blinking them as she struggled to rouse her sleeping body but then she sat up and saw JJ, instantly Kate found herself wide awake.

"What's happened? Mom?"

Emily quickly placed her arm around Kate's waist as she snuggled in closer to her mom, both of them watching JJ anxiously as she perched on the end of the bed before Dave walked around and stood protectively behind Kate and Emily.

"JJ needs to speak to you."

"Aunt Jen?"

Kate's voice had a pleading tone to it as she looked at JJ and JJ knew in that moment that her job had just become ten times harder, she took a deep breath before she reached out and took a hold of Kate's hands, caressing them gently as she spoke.

"Aaron, Derek and Spencer found Adam Lockwood's cabin but he wasn't there but he is definitely the guy Davis hired for the job, in the cabin were lots of photos of the three of you, alongside these photos there was also a photo of a man, Derek recognised him as the person you were having coffee with when we met you in New York Kate."

"John."

Kate's word was raspy and quiet, JJ nodded her head before she continued knowing that to do this quickly was the only way that she would be able to get through it.

"As soon as we knew he was a potential target Garcia tracked him down and alerted NYPD, unfortunately we were..."

"He's dead?"

The tears were already streaming down Kate's face as she chocked the words out, JJ slowly nodded her head as she squeezed Kate's hands.

"I'm so sorry Kate."

JJ felt her own tears beginning to fall as Kate turned and buried her head into Emily's chest tearing her hands away from JJ as she did so, while Emily cradled her distraught daughter Dave just stared hard at JJ.

"What happened JJ?"

JJ took a deep breath as she reached up and wiped her eyes before she stood up and nodded towards the bedroom door.

"Not here Dave."

Emily reached up as she heard the emotion in her friend's voice, gently touching her arm causing JJ to turn and look at Emily who was still trying to console Kate.

"Thanks Jen."

JJ nodded her head before she walked out into the kitchen, quickly pouring herself a glass of water, feeling that Dave was standing behind her she finished her drink before JJ turned around and faced him, instantly seeing the conflict of emotion that was adorning his face.

"It was a sniper, silencer on the weapon and he was high up so he was long gone before anyone realised what had happened. Garcia is trawling through the CCTV to see if she can get any trace of the vehicle he is using."

"He couldn't get to us so he had to hurt us some other way."

JJ just nodded her head at the statement before she turned back into the kitchen and filled the kettle up, switching it on before she spoke again.

"If we had thought that John was in any danger Dave..."

"I know JJ."

Dave sighed heavily as he spoke, his conversation with Emily still prevalent in his mind and he knew that he had to reign in his feelings of anger and he had to be there for Kate.

"We'll find him Dave."

"What about Elizabeth?"

"Aaron spoke to her security detail and informed them of the threat, they agreed to increase their presence but for the time being we're not going to place her in protective custody."

"Yes if you think that Emily was difficult to convince I'm sure that Elizabeth would prove to be an eve more combative opponent."

Dave's soft smile quickly eased the tension in the apartment as JJ nodded her head while she placed four mugs beside the kettle before she made four mugs of tea.

"Here you go and take these through to Emily and Kate, I'll be out here if you need me."

"Are you sure JJ, don't you need to get back to the kids?"

"Strauss is looking after them for me."

Dave raised an eyebrow but JJ waved her hand before she gently patted him on the back, sending him on his way to the bedroom with the three mugs of sweet tea. Swiftly JJ picked up her own drink and wandered over to the sofa, curling her legs up as she made herself comfortable, closing her eyes JJ knew that she wouldn't fall asleep, the sounds of Kate's painful sobs echoing throughout the apartment would ensure that.