Chapter Text
Chris glanced over at her partner while she poured the two cups of coffee. Street had been pacing the floor for the past hour, and there was still no news on JJ or the baby.
Both teams were all gathered in the waiting room, and there was no way anyone was leaving. Rossi and Garcia were the only ones absent, thanks to him being injured and in another room recovering from surgery while she watched over him.
Chris thought everyone seemed to be in a bit of shock since the ambush and JJ's abduction. She understood as she was feeling it herself. No one saw this coming.
Chris had met JJ years ago while working a mutual case, but through Street and the past almost year, she had gotten to know the agent a lot better. At first, she had been a bit uneasy about the relationship between the two, but that was only because of Chris' own feelings for Street that she did a pretty good job of keeping at bay.
It was clear after a while, however, that JJ was good for Street. The officer was happy with her, like he deserved, and Chris was happy for him. She had since put her own feelings aside, and truthfully, she really liked JJ and would even consider her a friend.
She didn't want anything to happen to her or the baby, but she had the sinking feeling that it wasn't all going to be okay… not after the scene from the warehouse. Chris knew it wouldn't be easy for any of the agents or officers to get those images out of their heads.
JJ had been in bad shape. There was so much blood, and the sight of Street holding her tortured and unconscious body in his arms was pretty haunting.
Chris honestly wasn't sure if JJ would be able to survive that, and she knew the baby most likely wouldn't. That thought hurt her heart as she knew how excited Street had been to become a father. She didn't know what he would do if he lost JJ too.
Shaking her head at the grim train of thought, she grabbed the two coffees and made her way over to where Street was pacing on the white tiles. She set her own cup down on the small table beside of Street's empty chair, then reached up behind him to place her free hand on his shoulder, halting him in his tracks.
"Street…"
He stared down at the floor for a moment before finally turning around to face her.
She let her hand drop from his shoulder, but as soon as she saw the fear in his eyes, she reached forward and pulled him into a hug. She kept her arms wrapped tightly around him, feeling his body shaking against her. It didn't take long before he returned the embrace, clinging onto her as if his life depended on it.
Chris didn't know how long they stood like that. In any other case it probably would've been considered too long, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She wasn't one for a lot of physical contact, but seeing her friend in the state he was in, she didn't hesitate this time. If there was anyway she could provide him even the smallest bit of comfort, she was damn sure going to try.
After a while Chris could feel Street start to sag against her, as if he was barely able to hold himself up any longer. Keeping an arm around his shoulders, she led him back to his chair and took the one beside of him while handing him his cup of coffee.
She took the chance to really look at his features, and she could tell he was exhausted. He would have to be after everything he had been through.
20-Squad had been pulling a double shift when the BAU was ambushed. After that, they didn't stop until JJ had been found. Chris knew everyone was tired, but Street had the emotional stress of it being his fiancé and baby in the line of fire.
She watched as he gripped the Styrofoam cup, his hands shaking to the point where she wondered how the coffee hadn't yet spilled onto the floor… the same floor Street's gaze was currently fixed upon.
He was pale and his eyes had taken on a haunted look. Just the thought of what could possibly be running through his mind made Chris sick to her stomach. Knowing there wasn't anything she could possibly say to ease his pain or fear, she averted her gaze and began surveying the room.
The two teams had taken up residence in the area adjacent from the entrance to the waiting room. Most of them sat with their backs to the wall, courtesy of their jobs, so that they could clearly see the entrance but also the doors that any doctor or nurse would use to bring any updates.
The large waiting room wasn't too busy, the teams the majority of the occupants, but there was still a few glances cast their way. Of course, Chris knew that was due to the fact that the large group was all armed and some still clad in their tactical gear.
Street's pacing had undoubtably caught the eye of a few civilians as well, several appearing a bit annoyed by the constant movement. Chris could care less about their inconveniences, as she was more concerned about her partner working himself into a mental breakdown. In hindsight, giving him caffeine might not have been the way to go, but he hadn't really touched it anyway.
Chris turned her attention from the civilians to the agents and officers. Hondo was over towards the corner on the phone, presumably speaking to Hicks. Deacon, Tan, and Luca were all sitting beside of each other, Deacon's head bowed as if he was praying while the other two sat silently.
The BAU was a little more antsy. Reid was by himself, not quite able to sit still while drinking what Chris thought to be his third cup of coffee within the hour. Alvez and Matt were closest to the entrance, Alvez anxiously tapping his foot against the floor and wringing his hands together while Matt alternated between texting someone and surveying the room. Even Tara, though the least familiar with JJ, wasn't unfazed by the dire situation. She was staring at the TV mounted to the wall, but it was obvious her attention was elsewhere.
Aside from Street, however, Hotch appeared to be taking this the hardest. He was standing near the door to what Chris assumed was the hall leading to the operating rooms, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he stared a hole in the tile flooring. Chris had never seen him in such a daze… granted she didn't usually spend a lot of time around him, but still, the man was known for his composure.
It was clear how much everyone cared about JJ, how much love everyone had for the blonde. Chris never doubted that, but then another thought crossed her mind. Everyone from the two teams were here, but what about JJ's family?
Chris knew JJ wasn't all that close with her family. She had heard that from Street, but she didn't know the details or to what extent. Though she was friends with the agent, they didn't get too personal in their conversations, so a lot of what she did know about her came from the comments Street would make here or there.
Taking a drink of her rapidly cooling coffee, she let her eyes focus on her partner again. Aside from his shaking, he hadn't moved since being guided to his seat, and Chris wasn't sure if that was better or worse than the pacing.
JJ's family wasn't really any of Chris' business, but her curiosity got the best of her and she couldn't help but ask. "Street, has JJ's family been notified about this?"
If it was possible, Street's features appeared to darken even further upon Chris' inquisition. He shook his head. "No, and she wouldn't want them to."
"Do you mind me asking what the deal is there? I'm sorry, it's none of my business. You don't have to answer that."
"No, it's okay. JJ won't mind you knowing, but keep it between us." He continued after receiving a nod from Chris and taking a deep breath. "JJ lost her sister at an early age, and her father left shortly after that. Her mom was left to raise her and her brother on her own, but things became really strained between her and JJ. When JJ graduated and left Pennsylvania to go college, her mom was upset, didn't want her to leave. Her brother thought JJ was abandoning them like their dad did. Neither of them were happy with her career choice either." He shook his head, obviously disapproving of JJ's family.
"JJ promised herself that she would never go back to her hometown, not after everything that happened there, but her brother, Michael, stayed and even has a family of his own. He and his mom both, however, refuse to come to Quantico."
Chris could tell it bothered him knowing what all JJ had dealt with due to her family, but she also thought that maybe talking right now was the best thing for him. "Doesn't JJ have a niece?"
"Yeah, but she's only been able to see her a few times. Her sister-in-law doesn't really agree with Michael's choices, and has even brought JJ's niece down to visit before. She keeps her updated through pictures, but besides an occasional phone call over the holidays, that's really the only contact JJ has with her family anymore." His voice was low and grim, his eyes sad, and he kept his hands wrapped tightly around the small coffee cup. Chris was pretty sure she'd see that thing break at any moment.
"I'm sorry that she's been through all of that." It was the truth. No one should have to suffer at the hands of their own family, but she had seen it all too often, her own family not exactly immune.
"She doesn't deserve it, any of it." He continued to stare down at his boots, never once lifting his head.
Chris couldn't be sure right now if he was referring to what they had just discussed or the current nightmare they found themselves in. "She's a fighter, Street, you know that… and while she may not have had the ideal family growing up, she has one now. She has her team, and 20-Squad, but most importantly, she has you… and I know she's going to fight like hell to make it back to you."
"What if it isn't enough?" It was a hoarse whisper that tore through Chris' heart, and she found that she had no idea how to respond… because truthfully, she couldn't be sure that it would be.
She continued to sit with Street for another hour without any updates, but then Hondo approached them, and Chris could tell he wanted to speak to Street. She stood from her chair, squeezing Street's shoulder, then made her way back to the coffee.
What she had said about JJ gaining a family applied to Street too… and Chris was a part of that family. She had no idea how this was going to turn out for JJ or Street. She could hope and pray, but right now they were in a holding pattern. She did, however, know one thing for damn sure… no matter what happened or what it took, she would be there to support her family.