Return to Mt Horizon

5

Emily's pov
"So he had sex with her before killing her? So this is about Shelby? It was probably someone in her life. Maybe her step-dad" Morgan said when the team met that afternoon. "What happened to him?" Garcia asked. Hotch nodded at her, allowing her to find him. I looked at JJ. She was just sitting there.

Reid was making a geological profile while Penelope found something. "He had a heart attack and she went back to help take care of him, poor girl." Normally JJ looked like she had empathy for the victims, but she didn't do that for Shelby. "Shortly after, the cops were called and she told them about his abuse and he was taken in."

"Shelby was brought back to Horizon and her sister, Jess, joined her soon after. Walt was brought in and there was a trial but it, oh god. It was dropped when her mother claimed Shelby was crazy. Neither girl came forward to testify and there was no evidence. He is alive and living with her mother in Seattle."

"I want Rossi and Morgan to bring them both in. Where's the sister?" Hotch asked. "She moved to California after graduating from Horizon. She has a husband and 2-year-old son." JJ reacted but not externally. I saw the way her eyes shined when she heard this. That's the JJ I know. Not the one that doesn't have empathy for Shelby.

Everyone split up and I pulled her aside. "What's up?" She asked. "What's up with you? I saw you in there and you looked empty. Like you felt nothing for Shelby. That's never happened before." JJ shook her head and laughed. "I don't feel nothing. But it's just too much. And everyone is telling me like I look like her and it's just all weird."

I didn't know what to say so I just hugged her. "I'm sorry it's been hard for you. But I am here for you whenever you need anything." She pulled back and smiled. "Thank you. I know. It's just been a hard couple days." Reid knocked on the door and told us Hotch wanted us. JJ put on a smile and left.

"They can't be here today and its getting dark so we are going to go back and get some rest, possibly learn more about Jess and Shelby." Hotch stated. We got all our stuff together and left for the car. JJ looked at the board with the victims on it and froze. "Jay, ready?" I asked, pulling her out of it. She smiled and followed me to the car.

JJ's pov
When we got back to Horizon, I joined Rossi in the dining hall. "Everything alright kid?" He asked. I nodded and got my food. "It's just strange. Everyone is looking at me like I'm someone else and I don't like it." It was the truth. The team looked at me like JJ but everyone here looked at me like Shelby.

"Once we get back to Virginia, I'm sure it'll go back to normal. If you need anything let me know. I got you kid." I smiled and started eating. I looked up and saw my old friends coming through the door. Rossi must have as well because he said we should head back. I nodded and walked to the cabin.

When everyone got back, we finally started unpacking. "Has anyone figured out what Shelby looked like? Everyone seems to be tripping when they see our blondie." Penelope said, she had unpacked earlier and was on her laptop.

"Go ahead Garcia. I'm assuming you have the search going already. She smiled. "You know me so well, I already have a photo. But I thought it would be fun to see it first together. Catch our reactions." Emily laughed and sat on my bed. "Let's do it Pen."

She set up her computer, the picture would show when she hit the spacebar. The team crowded around, making sure they could see her screen. This was terrible. Once they saw this, there was nothing I could do. Someone was going to put the pieces together. "Shelby Merrick coming up in three, two, one." She hit the spacebar and everyone gasped.

"Woah. Kid she looked just like you." Rossi said. I just stared at the screen. It was a picture of me on a walk. I was so young, it was when Horizon was my safe place. "This is weird." Emily said. I couldn't respond, I didn't know what to say. "I think we should all just get ready." Hotch said, shutting the computer.

We obliged. I still felt sick, like really sick. Emily grabbed my hand and looked at me. "You look a little green Jay. Derek can you grab her some water." As she looked towards Derek I grabbed my face and ran towards the bathroom. "Shit." Emily said. I heard her come in behind me and close the door.

Emily held my hair back as I got rid of all the food in my stomach. I felt like Juliette. "You're okay. I got you. You'll be okay." She whispered. Her fingers brushed though my hair and I relaxed into her. "Sorry. That was just a lot." I smiled when she got me a water bottle. "I assumed. That was crazy. I now understand everyone's reactions." She laughed.

"I'm gonna get some air. I just need to get out of here right now." Emily nodded and offered to come with me. "No. I just need time. Thank you though." I smiled. She looked at me like I was crazy but nodded. I left without saying anything to the team, I needed out. There was one place I knew to go.

It was dark, past the student's curfew so it was empty. The team was getting into bed, I assume the Cliffhangers were doing the same, so no one could bother me. I went to the bear statue, the one I cried on when I was a kid, after the time I saved that girl. No one ever knew I came out here.

I crawled up and curled up in my little spot, I just needed a cigarette and it would be like I was 15 again. Someone must've heard my thoughts because a hand appeared from behind the bear. "Want a cigarette?"