her fathers daughter - criminal minds

Chapter 31: finally free

Jessica didn't come home till very late that night to ensure Spencer wouldn't be waiting up. Then the next morning she left for work early. When she got there hotch ushered her into his office.

"Look if this about me and my dad arguing in front of everyone yesterday then-"

"It's not. Although that mustn't happen again"

Jess then picked up on the hint of concern in his voice"Is everything okay Hotch?"

"No it's not." He hesitated and she motioned for him to continue "take a seat agent green"

"No not until you tell me what's going on. Spit it out"

"... they found elliot."

"They've arrested him?" She held her breath ready to hear that one three letter word in response.

"Not exactly." She frowned at him in confusion. "He was involved in a car accident. He's in hospital" She exhaled and slowly sat herself down on the couch that hotch had previously offered.

"Umm... h- h- how bad is it?" He voice quivering as her eyes darted around the room finally landing on hotch's face.

"He's on a ventilator. Jessica, They said he's not doing good."

They sat in silence for a minute while she was lost in thought. "So what do I do know?"

"The divorce hasn't been finalised yet. So technically..."

"I'm still leagally his wife. The hospital needs me to make the decisions, don't they?" He nodded

"I've already cleared you and Reid for the day. Go to the hospital. Make sure you take everything one step at a time and call me if you need anything"

"Thanks but my dad doesn't have to come with me. I'll go alone"

"Green, I don't think tha-"

"Hotch I said it's fine. It started with just me and elliot and that's so how our story ends alright" hotch looked unsure as jessica composed herself. Eventually she left and got in her car however as soon as the car door shut and she was alone. She couldn't move she felt paralysed, overwhelmed with emotion. She didn't know whether she wanted to laugh cry or scream, probably all three.

She sat in silence for a long time until he phone rang and she answered it. "Hello?"

"Darlin' Where are you I thought you said you were on your way into work half an hour ago?" His voice immediately giving her more comfort with each word, it was that stupid English accent that made her fold every. damn. Time.

"Oh- umm hotch gave me the day off"

"What for? Are you okay?"

"Mhm." She tried to hide the emotions in her voice the best she could. "But listen I really have to go, my phone is about to die"

"No wait jess-" she quickly hung up on him as she really didn't want to worry him.

—
Ethan's pov:

When Ethan tried to call Jess back but when she didn't answer he knew he needed to figure out what was going on. So he went straight to hotch's office but when he got there the door was slightly ajar and he heard Spencer's voice inside, they were talking about jessica. He listened closer and in minutes he heard enough to burst in. "The fuckers in hospital?" Ethan's voice filled with rage.

"Agent brooks." hotch gave him a stern warning look.

"Where's jessica now?" He looked desperately between the two men. "Where is she?" Ethan tried his best to sound calm but he was riddled with concern.