But to love is to hurt. (Criminal Minds)

Hugs and Hospital Beds

Aftermath of 15x02

JJ crouched down low walking through the parking garage gun on her side. A sick feeling built the closer she got. "FBI STOP!"

The man and woman stopped turning "All right, kick it over." JJ said firmly

The man skidded his weapon over to her and just as she reached for it the woman shot her sending her tumbling to the ground. JJ lay there on the cold concrete as the van drove past her. She laid there for what felt like an eternity before Reid appeared in her line of vision. He kept muttering "You're going to be okay." She fought the blood building in her lungs ''JJs been hit. We need an ambulance now!" he said into his radio.

All she could croak out was "Emily."

They rushed her into the hospital and Reid watched as they put the paddles on her. Before rushing her away. Emily ran in asking "Reid where is she!"

"Emily! They just rushed her back!"

Emily looked at him with tears in her eyes "Reid how bad was it?"

Reid swallowed saying "I'll call Declan."

Emily slumped down in the waiting room chair. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours. Emily looked up to see Declan walking in Grace holding tight onto his hand. She stood up rushing to the two. She pulled Declan into a hard hug crying into his shoulder. She quickly sucked in her tears when Grace pulled at her. She bent down lifting her daughter up. Grace whipped Emily's tears away just like JJ had done countless times and asked "What's wrong Mama?"

"Oh, baby bird. Mommy just had a bit of an accident."

"She has a boo-boo?"

"Yeah, baby she has a boo-boo."

"Did you try kissing it? Your kisses always help me!"

Emily held her daughter close, tears falling at the sweetness of her daughter's innocence. She kissed the side of Grace's head saying "Yeah baby I did."

She kept Grace's head on her shoulder and she reached her hand up placing it on Declan's cheek rubbing the sole tear that rolled down his cheek.

A few hours later the doctor walked out saying "Jennifer Jareau-Prentiss"

Emily stood up "I'm the wife."

"Your wife was touch and go but she has pulled through with flying color. I expect a full recovery."

"When can I see her?"

"I will send someone out here as soon as she's transferred."

Emily walked over where Declan was asleep Grace on his chest. She squatted down waking him up "Mom is out of surgery and is going to be okay. Why don't you two go home, get some real sleep then come back in the morning."

As much as Declan wanted to object but she could tell by her mother's voice that she would sleep better if she knew they were safe at home. She stood up gently still holding a sleeping Grace. Emily kissed them both goodbye. Just as they left the nurse came back saying "I'm sorry but only one person at a time." The whole team gave Emily a soft smile as she walked down the cold hospital hallway. She walked into the room, her heartbreaking a little more as she took in her wife's figure. She had a tube down her throat. Her hair was matted and her skin was pale except for the bloodstain around her mouth. Emily walked over, taking a hold of her wife's hand. She kissed it saying "Blackbird fly home to me.'

Several hours later the tube was replaced by a simple oxygen mask.

JJ's eyes fluttered open looking over to see her wife sitting in the seat beside her head on her leg. JJ reached out, running her slender fingers through Emily's long dark locks. Emily immediately started crying not even having to lift her head. JJ said, "Shh I'm here I'm safe." Emily nodded into JJs leg

"Baby look at me."

Emily looked up and JJ gave her a light smile "There she is."

Emily smiled saying "Gah it's good to see you."

JJ said, "Kiss me."

"What?"

"Kiss. Me."

Emily stood up gingerly leaning over her wife kissing her. Sitting back down taking a hold of her hand again.

The two just sat in comfortable silence.

"You were shot" Emily broke the silence

JJ turned to her saying "I was."

"You died."

"So did you."

Emily and JJ both let out a sad laugh "Boy we are messed up."

"Not messed up we just have experienced more."

"That we have my love."

"Where are the kids Em?"

"They are at home."

"Can you call Declan? I need to see them."

Emily kissed her hand giving her a knowing look. When Emily woke up from her surgery there was nothing more she wanted than to hold her daughter.

There was a knock on the door and Emily stepped out hugging her kids she looked down at Grace saying "Gracie girl remember when we talked about Mommy having a boo-boo?"

Grace nodded

"Well Mommy is doing better and she can not wait to see you but she still hurts some so I need you to listen to me and Mommy and be extra careful! Can you do that for me?"

Grace nodded firmly and Emily led the two into the room. Declan walked over gently bending down kissing his Mom's forehead saying "Hey."
"Hey, Dec." There was a pregnant pause "Grace?"

Grace was standing beside Emily grasping onto her leg. Emily gently ushed her daughter and Grace slowly walked up to her Mom's bedside. JJ patted the side of the bed saying "Come here, baby."

Grace looked back at Emily and Emily nodded gently placing Grace onto JJs good side. Grace was reluctant at first but then settled into her Mom's side. JJ kissed Grace's head and the little girl started to shake with sobs. JJ just rubbed her little girl's back whispering to her. Her own tears clouding her eyes. JJ looked up at her wife who shared the same teary eye just as Declan. The family soon settled Declan on the couch against the wall while Emily sat in the chair beside her and Grace was laying in her bed talking her ear off about what she and Dean did the other day. Just then there was a knock on the door and Garcia walked in with a big smile saying "You look amazing!"

JJ rolled her eyes "I look like crap."

Garcia gave her leg a gentle squeeze "You look alive and that's amazing!"

JJ tightened her grasp on her daughter, smiling saying "Thank you."