Mean Something (Jemily)

Chapter 35 - Bruises (JJ POV)

Spending time in the hospital was exhausting with the constant poking, beeping and 'how are you feeling?' being thrown at me every time someone walked into the room. It was early Friday morning before I finally convinced the doctor I was fine to travel home. Against my wishes, the team stayed behind waiting for my release 'It's only an extra few days, we have things to finish up here don't worry about it.' Rossi said trying to reassure me that it wasn't an issue. I knew in reality they could finish up all the paperwork and other excuses back at the BAU but they wanted to stay close. I didn't mind that they worried about me, but I did wish they would leave me alone for a second. Emily was being extremely attentive, again, it didn't bother me for the most part but I could feel the guilt radiating off her anytime she was around. She would pull out her badge and use the 'This is official FBI business' anytime someone would try to remind her visiting hours were over. It was funny watching her act all big and tough just to turn around and melt with worry anytime I coughed.

The bruises scattered across my body slowly turned from dark shades of black and blue to a nasty mix of purple and yellows over my stay. My left eye was still bruised the worst, but at least the swelling had started going down. Even with the slow healing I avoided reflective surfaces at all cost, I couldn't stand looking at myself. I was going stir crazy sitting in my room waiting for the doctor to finish filing paperwork when I heard the door open. "Sorry JJ, it's just me." Emily smiled walking in shopping bags in hand "What did you get yourself up to this morning?" I asked. "Oh. I bought you some clothes- I figured it'd be easier if you had some shirts you didn't have to pull over your head but the one in your go bag didn't look comfortable so—" I laughed cutting Emily's ramble short "You always ramble when you're nervous." "I'm sorry, it's just a thing I do when people around me are sick. Being sick in new, comfortable clothes always made me feel better." Emily pulled out some button up flannels, sweat pants and even some new shoes "You got me a new pair of vans?" I asked excitedly, wincing a little when I sat up to reach for them "Don't think I'm being sweet, I have no clue where the nurses put your boots." My laughter shot pain through my chest, reminding me of my injuries once again.

Emily must have caught on to my uncomfortable state and helped me change into the clothes she brought, leading me into the bathroom right before the doctor came in. I quickly splashed my face with some cool water before leaning against the small bathroom door, breathing heavily as I watched the doctor walk into the room. "How are we feeling this morning?" Doctor Toni asked, nose pushed into a clipboard. Swallowing as I tried to straighten out my posture, "I'm good. Ready to go home." I managed to get out weakly. He glanced at me over his glasses letting out a slight 'uh-hu' unconvinced "Well, just in case you aren't feeling 100% I'm sending you home with some medication. Take these as needed for pain, these," I watched as he pulled out at least three other bottles. Something for the swelling, antibiotics and antidepressants, explaining when and how many of each to take. "Wait antidepressants?" I asked realizing what was said. The doctor packed the pill bottles into a paper bag and handed it to Emily. "Yes, but only if you need them. Agent Jareau, what you've been through is more than enough to make the normal person depressed. We just want to stay ahead of it... Do you have someone who can stay with you while you recover? You're going to have to take it slow for the next few weeks and having someone around to help can make the healing process easier." I drowned out his conversation with Emily as he went over the instructions for when I was home, her assuring him that she'd do her best to make me take it easy.

After what felt like forever I was finally being wheeled down and out the front of the hospital. I saw Luke leaned up against the hood of the usual black SUV. He let out a toothy smile when our eyes met "Glad to see you're still kicking!" I grinned at him, handing him my bag from my lap, and watching as he threw it in the back. Emily helped me into the passenger seat and we made our way to the tarmac where the jet was waiting. Emily and Luke made small talk the entire way there and I couldn't help but let out a soft smile when I saw the rest of the team standing around waiting for me. Spencer ran over opening my door helping me out of the SUV and into the jet, telling me some random fact about how rib fractures heal mixed in with expressions about how glade he was I was okay. Sitting on the couch of the jet, I listened to everyone avoid the one subject I wanted to talk about. My concussion was still effecting my memory, and while the doctor said it would slowly start to come back to me it wasn't coming back fast enough to satisfy my questions. I remember everything clearly up to be dragged into the back of a van, after that it's just bits and pieces of minor information until I found myself waking up in a hospital room.

The flight back wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but with the help of painkillers I managed to sleep for most of it. I woke up in a cold sweat, noticing Tara's eyes on me for a split second as I struggled to sit up on the couch "We're going to be landing soon, you need anything?" she asked standing up "A water, please." My voice was still scratchy and rough. She nodded walking over to the small kitchen. I looked around to see Emily was sleeping curled up in the chair across from Luke, who was zoned out in a book. I was a little surprised seeing Garcia busy on her laptop next to Luke, forgetting she came down while I was in the hospital. Rossi and Spencer we're sitting across from the three, deeply focused in a game of chess. Tara walked back towards me and I shifted over making room for her on the couch as she handed me the water bottle "How are you holding up?" she asked before taking a sip from her own water bottle. "I've never had cracked ribs before, but all thing's considering I'm okay..." I paused slightly "Can I ask you something?" Tara's gaze met mine and she nodded "Sure, anything." "I know there was a camera set up during my abduction... Do you know if it was recording?" I asked in a hushed voice. Tara hesitated for a moment before nodding "I believe so... Why?" "Uh—no reason. I was just curious." Tara pretended to be satisfied with my answer and changed the subject, noticing my nervousness.

The jet landed and Luke insisted on helping me to the car, he was being just as protective as Emily but to be fair, the whole team was overcompensating a bit. Emily insisted I stay with her until I felt well enough to handle the day-to-day on my own, deciding that her flat may be easier to navigate than my house would because of the lack of stairs. "I'm going to set up the guest room for Henry that way he can stay the weekend. Will's going to drop him off tomorrow." Her eyes were focused on the road ahead of us as she spoke "Thanks Em, that's sweet." "Something wrong?" She asked concern in her voice "I'm a little worried about what's going to happen now... I mean it's not like we can really continue hiding our relationship from the director. He's going to see the case files." Emily's fingers tapped on the steering wheel "I have a meeting set up with him for Monday after your appointment." She answered "Should I be worried?" "It's hard to say... There's been way's around it in the past, but with me being your boss and with this case ending with you in the hospital because of our relationship, I fear it's going to be a hard sell." I gave a quick nod, anxiety turning in my stomach. I knew the team would eventually have to find out about our relationship, and I knew that there was a chance it would cause a shift in the way we worked but I was hoping it'd happen when we we're more prepared.

We made it home and I struggled into the apartment, once again thankful Emily's place didn't have stairs. The short walk from the car there whipped all of my energy out. "Do you need anything?" Emily asked watching me sit on the couch "I could use a shower but I'm not sure I have the strength or the pain tolerance to wash my hair." I could see her smirk "What do you think I'm here for Blackbird?" I laughed "Don't go getting idea's Prentiss!" She looked at me gasping, giving me an overly dramatic shocked face "How dare you! I'm just trying to be a good girlfriend." This was the happiest I had seen Emily in a while "You sure you're not just saying that trying to get lucky?" I smirked. Emily rolled her eyes walking over to me before helping me off the couch "Come on blackbird, you smell."

Emily helped me into the bathroom and turned on the shower "It always takes a few minutes to warm up..." She trailed off watching me struggle to unbutton my top "Hey let me help you," I watched her reach around my waist. I looked up shyly, watching in the mirror as she moved to undo my top. Emily wasn't much taller than me, but in this moment I felt tiny in her arms. I made an effort to focus on her trying to avoid catching a glimpse at myself in the mirror. A shiver ran up my spine feeling Emily's warm breath against my neck, shrugging off my top before turning around to face her. I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck as she continued to hold me, softly running her fingers up and down my back. With Emily's body against mine I was once again reminded of the strength she held, the kind of strength you can't see with your eyes. I didn't know it was possible for someone to make me feel so safe as I did when I was with her, but I'm glad I found out. Reaching up I held her chin in my palm, Emily looked concerned and acted as if she was going to speak "sh..." was all I got out before leaning into her a bit more, hiding my face into her neck once again. I felt Emily's hand run through my hair "I love you..." My voice was soft, lightly breaking the few moments of silence. I felt Emily let out a relaxed sigh "I love you too bird."