the girl beside me - jemily

ten.

- e m i l y ' s    p o v - 

All of our heads turned when JJ walked through the glass doors of the BAU.

She had on a white turtleneck, most likely covering the bruises that ceased to fade. My head tilted to the side, my eyes following her blank face as she walked to her desk. 

I glanced over to the rest of us, signaling to stop looking. JJ's eyes looked up at me as I gave her a smile, which was not returned.

Hotch had been standing by the railing, watching her entrance. He swiftly walked down the stairs, making his way over to my desk.

As he leaned down, his fingertips touching the wood, he spoke in a low voice. "Is she alright?"

I gave a mere shrug of my shoulders, looking back up at him. "She won't accept my calls." I had been calling her the past few days, all of which had gone to voicemail.

I was worried, but I decided to just keep that in the back of my head and focus on my work, as it seemed like she had been doing. 

Spencer looked over to me, a concerned look spread across his face.

He looked back over to JJ with a glance, trying to ask what was up with her. Again, I gave a shrug. That seemed to satisfy Spencer for the time being, but I could tell that the entire team was on pins and needles.

I didn't blame them, though. I was also nervous. You'd think that after rescuing hundreds from hostage situations, you would know how to support someone who had been in one.

- a few hours later - 

I glanced over to the kitchen, seeing that JJ was making coffee. Seeing this as my chance, I stood up from my desk.

Upon my arrival, she turned to leave. But before she could, I had taken her arm and pulled her into the empty mailroom.

 She rolled her eyes, reaching for the doorknob, which was then shielded by me.

"JJ, what is up with you today?" My voice sounded concerned.

She scoffed, looking around the room. "Why do you even care?"

"We're all worried about you." 

This only seemed to anger her. "Well maybe don't be. I'm fine."

I put a hand on her arm, right below her shoulder. "JJ, you were abducted and held hostage for days. Part of me thinks you aren't fine."

She looked down and I could tell that I was right. "They cleared me..." I heard her mumble.

"What do you mean?" I watched as she brought her head back up, and I saw the tears welling in her eyes.

"They cleared me to go back to work after a week." Her voice was trembling. "A week, Emily."

The sudden change in emotion from her took me off guard. I walked forward, hugging her, feeling her heartbeat against me as she melted into my arms.

"I'm sorry..." She began.

"It's not your fault." 

As we came apart, JJ wiped her face with her sleeve, trying to rebuild her composure. Before she grabbed the doors handle, she looked back at me.

"Thanks, Em." I gave her a small smile as she walked out of the room, adjusting her hair.

I walked out after her, Spencer giving me an intriguing look. My eyes widened as I jerked my hand in front of my throat, trying to tell him to stop asking.

He put his hands up jokingly as he swiveled around his chair. As I sat down, I set my head on my arm to prop it up.

Flipping through papers, I picked up my pen to get to work.

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sorry this took so long to put out! i was a little stuck on the plot, but i'll hopefully have the next few chapters out soon!