Chapter 12

Morgan stood up as the first set of EMT’s approached to
check on JJ.  Being right by the stairs,
they got to her before Jane.

Leaning in the one of the first responders started to ask
her questions.

“Jane,” she said, “Jane first…” JJ hurt, her legs still
didn’t feel right and every breath felt like she was sucking in razors but Jane
was already coughing up blood she was in worse shape.

“JJ honey let them help you.” Emily couldn’t understand why
she wouldn’t accept help.

“Em please…Jane first” the tears in JJ’s eyes convinced her
and she nodded to the young men who immediately moved over to Jane.  Another EMT crew came in not a minute later
and Emily had to convince JJ to let them help her, that Jane was being attended
to.

Emily looked down at the woman she loved and could feel the
rage building in her as the EMT’s assessed the damage and loaded her onto the
stretcher. Her moan of pain when she was moved broke her heart and when they
put the oxygen mask over her face her hands clenched.  They had removed the gloves from her hands
and she could see the swelling of her right hand and discoloration of her
knuckles, and knew some were broken.
Leaning down before they moved her she kissed her tenderly on the forehead.

“I love you Jennifer, you’re going to be okay…. you have to
be” she whispered, looking over at Jane, she saw the EMT’s working at getting
her stabilized before moving her onto the stretcher.  It didn’t take a doctor to see that she was
hurt even worse that Jennifer.  Her heart
broke for Maura as she watched her stand back arms wrapped around her.  She was a little surprised to see Reid with
his arm around her shoulders comforting her.

Maura seemed so lost, shaking her head, she totally
understood.

Turning to Morgan, “Derek I’m going with JJ, I need you to
stay here and try to track Rodriguez down, and…call Garcia please,” looking at
JJ, “let her know what’s going on” voice softening she looked intensely at
Derek realizing that he was right about where they were being held and if not
for him….she didn’t want to think about that right now.

“You got it Princess…hey, she’ll be okay” he said softly.

Patting him on the shoulder, she turned to follow JJ, “I
hope so Derek”