Stand In The Rain

Ten

Baylor had fallen just to the side of the closet door, but Hotch made quick work of moving it to the side so Penelope could get to JJ and the kids, who were still in the corner of the closet.

"It's all over." Penelope told her kindly as she knelt down in the doorway. "You're safe, and so are Hope and Vivian."

Remembering that Hope had been hiding, JJ used her good hand to move the little girl's blanket off her.

"We're safe now, sweet pea." she told her. "Will you sit up? I want you to meet one of my friends."

Immediately interested, Hope sat up and gave Penelope a glance-over before looking back at JJ. "Is that your love? Is that your Emily?"

"No." JJ answered, fighting back a blush at Penelope's raised eyebrows. "That's a different friend. Her name is Penelope."

Hope made to move towards her, but she shrank back again when she saw Derek kneel down next to Penelope.

"It's okay, Hope." the technical analyst told her. "That's my buddy, Derek."

Hope looked to JJ again, her own eyebrows raised. Nobody could blame her for wanting extra reassurance.

"They'll take care of you and Vivian, and they both know your Aunt Elle."

That seemed to sit well with Hope, and when Derek held out a hand to her for a high five, she gave it to him, right away.

"How are you doing, little princess?" he asked her. "You ready to go?"

Hope nodded. "But what about Vivian?"

Penelope spoke directly to her. "If it's alright with you, I'll take her to the hospital."

Hope's eyes widened slightly. "The hospital?"

"So that you and Hope can get checked out," Penelope expounded. "And also so you two can get something to eat."

Hope looked back at JJ yet again. "You're coming, too, right?"

"Of course, and I'll make sure that you and Vivian get back to Aunt Elle, but until then, my friends will take care of you two, okay, sweet pea? If it helps, think of Derek and Penelope like Robin Hood and Maid Marion. You know, heroes."

At the mention of her two new favorite fairytale characters, Hope finally relaxed and let Derek pick her up. She even cooperated with him when he picked up her blanket and draped it over her to 'keep her warm,' although the adults knew it was really to keep her from seeing Baylor. And when Hope asked, her new friend promised to collect her inhaler pouch before they left.

Penelope got JJ to hand Vivian to her, but before the tech analyst could ask the communications liaison if she could walk, Vivian began to cry with hunger. Hotch, who had been directing the Crime Scene Unit to Baylor's body, noticed and he directed Penelope to go outside to the ambulances with Derek and Hope; he would take care of JJ for the time being.

JJ kept her eyes averted and her good hand was holding tightly to the blanket covering her lower half.

"Please don't touch me, Aaron. He took my pants."

Hotch respectfully scooted back and spoke gently to JJ.

"Tell me how I can help. It looks like you're covered in costume blood."

JJ was thrown for a loop.

"Costume blood?" she echoed, giving the dry reddish-brown substance on her arms and legs a quick second look. "This isn't real?"