Chapter 9 -
Emily looked at Tara's bruised and battered body as the medics started to treat her and let out a slight gasp. Without realising JJ had moved beside her and put her arm around Emily's waist.
"We've got her Em."
Emily nodded her head as she swallowed hard in an attempt to keep the tears at bay.
"Go with her Emily, I will be there in a bit once we know we have everything sorted here."
"Thanks Jen."
Emily's voice broke as she spoke, it always affected her one of the team were hurt but seeing Tara had pushed her over the edge. Carefully Emily moved closer as the medics moved Tara onto the stretcher, taking a hold of Tara's hand Emily was at least pleased that Tara managed to squeeze it gently.
"It's ok Tara, I'm with you, you're safe now."
Emily jogged beside the stretcher as she whispered into Tara's ear but she could see that the woman was drifting unconscious once again.
The tears flowed instantly down Rebecca's face as she finished the call, putting her head in her hands she felt arms suddenly around her body and a small head resting against her shoulder.
"Is she ok Rebecca?"
Rebecca managed to lift her head slightly as she saw the worried look in Libby's eyes, slowly Rebecca nodded her head and held tightly onto Libby as their tears hit each other's necks.
"She's hurt Libby, I don't know how badly."
"But she's alive Rebecca and Emily will make sure she's looked after."
Rebecca smiled as she kissed Libby on the cheek and hugged her tightly.
Emily sat on the hard plastic chair, Tara's blood still on her hands, as she stared at the floor her hands shaking as she held them in front of her.
"Hey."
The voice was quiet and unmistakable as Emily felt the arm wrap around her back and a head bent down and rested against Emily's shoulder.
"Jen?"
"How is she?"
"She's in surgery, there is some internal bleeding that they need to stop."
Emily lent her head against JJ's for support as she then saw that Dave was there too as he bent down in front of her and took a hold of her hands.
"We've got her back Emily and we will make sure we help Tara as much as possible."
Emily nodded her head as she managed a small smile back at her friends.
"Rebecca phoned me she is coming up."
JJ moved her head slightly and gently moved Emily's head so that she looked at her and acknowledged the words JJ had spoken.
"Thanks hopefully we'll have more news by the time she gets here."
"Luke is going to meet her at the airport and bring her straight here, Tyler is bringing you Go Bag so you can get changed."
Dave spoke calmly as he kept a hold of Emily's hands and she smiled in acknowledgment back at him.
Luke smiled as he saw Rebecca with her small bag, quickly he walked over and wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly at the same time taking a hold of her bag.
"She's out of surgery and stable."
Rebecca leaned and accepted the tight embrace, she was emotionally exhausted and the support was gratefully received.
"Thank you Luke, for looking after her."
"Come on let's get you to the hospital."
Luke managed a smile as he kept his arm around Rebecca and lead her out towards the SUV, he hadn't gotten that close to Tara but close enough to see the damage and that it was going to be a long road to recovery as the emotional trauma was going to take longer to recover from than the physical injuries.
Emily felt a little better once she was in clean clothes and, thankfully, Tyler had brought them all some decent coffee. JJ and Garcia were sitting either side of her, the three of them silent as Tyler and Dave stood protectively around the door of Tara's room. The sound of urgent footsteps and the sound of Dave clearing his throat brought Emily's gaze up, seeing Rebecca walking alongside Luke quickly had Emily standing up, embracing her friend warmly as she felt Rebecca sink into her arms.
"Let me take you to her."
Emily's voice was quiet as she slowly led Rebecca into the room, keeping her arm tight around Rebecca's waist as she felt the woman stumble slightly as she caught sight of Tara in the bed. Gently Rebecca sat down on the chair next to the bed and took a hold of Tara's hand while Emily pulled up the other chair and put her arm around Rebecca as she spoke quietly.
"They stopped the internal bleeding, there was a laceration on the liver but they have fixed that. Tara has a broken clavicle, broken ribs a cracked knee cap and a broken wrist."
Emily's voice broke as she watched the tears trickle down Rebecca's face and Tara's broken body.
"Did he, did he do anything else to her Emily?"
Rebecca turned, her eyes red, as she looked carefully as Emily, the tears started to fall from Emily's eyes as she regretfully nodded her head.
"I'm so sorry Rebecca."
Emily reached across and embraced Rebecca again.
JJ sighed heavily as she felt Garcia lean in against her, their eyes watching Emily and Rebecca.
"Come on let's go back to the hotel, clean up, have some food and then we can come back and swap with Emily."
Dave spoke softly as he touched JJ on the shoulder, she looked at him and the others as Luke moved closer.
"I'm going to stay here guys and look after them."
JJ smiled and nodded her appreciation at Luke as she slowly got up and followed Dave and Tyler, her arm intertwined with Garcia's as they walked towards the elevator. Only when she was back in the hotel room did JJ feel comfortable to give Will a call to let him know that she was ok and she would be heading home the following day. As much as JJ wanted to stay around for Tara she needed to see and hold her children, it had been a close call and she needed to feel their touch and love.
Emily felt her cell vibrate as she lifted her head up and looked at Luke who nodded and swapped seats with her as Emily walked out of the room and answered the call.
"Prentiss."
"Emily?"
"Oh hi Hannah, is everything ok?"
Suddenly the anxious tone returned to Emily's voice.
"Libby wanted to speak to you, she is worried about Tara."
Emily closed her eyes as she sat down on a chair in the hallway.
"Of course put her on Hannah, sorry I haven't spoken to her sooner."
"Emily it's fine, you have had a lot to deal with, here you go."
"Hey Libby, sweetheart."
"Hi Emily, how is Tara? Rebecca left so quickly."
"Sweetie she is going to be ok, she is hurt but nothing time won't heal."
"Is she badly hurt?"
"Yes Libby she has a lot of broken bones and cuts."
"Will you stay with her until she can come home?"
"Only if that's ok with you and Hannah, if you need me home then you know I will come back."
Emily took a breath, she could hear whispering on the other end of the call but she couldn't make out the conversation.
"Hannah is ok to stay with me and I want you to stay there and look after Tara and Rebecca, they looked after us Emily it's only right we do the same."
Emily smiled as she listened to Libby's voice.
"Ok sweetheart, I promise I'll ring you in the morning before school and you'll ring me anytime ok?"
"Of course Emily, please can you give Rebecca a hug from me."
"Of course Libs, take care sweetie. I love you."
"Love you too Emily."
Emily smiled as she finished the call, walking back into the room she quickly embraced Rebecca and kissed her on the cheek.
"Libby says hi."
Rebecca managed a small smile as they settled back down and waited patiently for Tara to wake up.