Work Text:
JJ jogs up to the hospital’s front desk, out of breath and jittering with nerves. God, she’s so glad she’s finally here. “Hi, I’m here for Emily Prentiss? She was admitted to the ER about two hours ago, but I just got a call that she came out of surgery.”
“Alright, I’ll have a look for you. And your name is…” the receptionist trails off, looking up at her.
“Jennifer Jareau, I'm her wife. I should be listed as her next of kin and emergency contact.”
The receptionist turns to her computer, nails clacking on the keyboard. Once JJ has confirmed her identity by showing her badge, she is given instructions to the hospital’s recovery ward. JJ says her thanks and hurries to the elevators.
When she had gotten the call that Emily had been shot during the apprehension of the unsub they’d been hunting down in Seattle, JJ’s mind had immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario. It had taken Spencer repeating Hotch’s words three times for JJ to grasp that the injury was serious, but not life-threatening. Thank God for that, but JJ couldn't help but feel the universe was still fucking her over, because of course today of all days she was interviewing some professor with Spencer in a town a nearly two-hour drive away from the city.
The silver lining was that, now that the unsub had been found, they could stop the interview and speed back to Seattle. Spencer had taken one look at JJ’s shaking hands and gotten behind the wheel himself, which JJ knew was the right choice, but she’d had a hard time not throttling him for driving the speed limit. The urge subsided a bit when she got to briefly talk to Emily on the phone, right before they took her into surgery to get the bullet taken out of her arm, but the worries and guilt over not being there stayed. In sickness and in health, she’d promised, and JJ wanted nothing more than to be present for her wife, receiving updates in the waiting room and sitting next to her as she woke up.
The elevator dings, and JJ gets out. Though she doesn’t run, she does speed-walk towards the recovery ward. With help from a friendly nurse, she finds her way to Emily’s room. A doctor steps out when she approaches, and she catches his gaze.
“I’m here for Emily Prentiss,” JJ states, eyes flicking to the open door. She can’t see much from this angle.
“Oh, good,” the doctor says. He introduces himself and tells her that the surgery went smoothly. There are a few things he says they’ll keep an eye on, but there is currently nothing to suggest any complications with the bullet wound. “She woke up about ten, fifteen minutes ago.”
JJ breathes out a sigh of relief. “How is she?”
The doctor hesitates.
JJ stares at him. “What? Is something wrong?” If that was the case, he would’ve said so immediately, right? He just said things were fine.
“No, sorry, nothing like that,” the doctor assures her. “She passed all the basic checks, she’s just having a bit of a reaction to coming out of the anesthesia. We see this sometimes, it’s not dangerous or lasting, but she’s experiencing some confusion and light amnesia, as well as-“
A laugh echoes into the hallway.
The doctor gives JJ an amused look. “Well, that. The nurses will keep an eye on the situation, but it should be fine. I’ll be by again later to check up on her before she’ll be transferred to a regular ward.”
It takes JJ a second to compute that… “That was Emily?”
The doctor pats her arm and motions for her to enter the room. JJ cautiously steps around him and peeks past the doorframe, Emily finally fully entering her field of view. JJ pushes down a heavy wave of emotion. Seeing one of her loved ones is a hospital bed is never fun, and it’s even less fun when it’s her wife, who was shot on duty.
Emily is sitting half upright, her eyes closed, head lolled to the side. There’s an IV attached to her right arm, the upper part of her left arm wrapped with pristine white bandages. JJ inches closer until she’s standing by Emily’s side. She gently grabs Emily’s right hand in her own and runs her fingers across its callouses, reminding herself that Emily is alive, right here, right now.
Emily’s eyes sluggishly blink open. There’s a glassy haze to them, and JJ keeps her mouth shut as she allows Emily a moment to catch up.
What she isn’t prepared for, is the massive grin that lights up Emily’s face when she is spotted. “JJ!”
JJ can’t help the snort that escapes her. “Hi, Em.” Emily glances from JJ’s face, down to their joined hands and back up to JJ with a bewildered look. JJ squeezes her hand. “How are you feeling?”
Emily closes her eyes for a second, brows furrowing as if she is taking inventory of her body. “Good,” she says, opening her eyes. She swallows. “Thirsty.”
“You’re probably okay to have some water,” JJ says. This is something she can fix right now. She pulls her hand away from Emily’s, intending to check with a nurse, but the minute she lets go, Emily makes a sad noise.
“Don’t go!”
“Okay,” JJ soothes. “Okay, I’m not going anywhere.” She links her hand back with Emily’s and sits down on the edge of the bed. “See?”
Emily’s smile is back. She stares at JJ for a good minute, entranced, then blinks and looks around. Her gaze falls on the bandages, and she reaches for them, forgetting JJ is still holding her hand. “What happened?”
“You got shot by the unsub,” JJ explains. She keeps a close eye on Emily’s reactions. She doesn’t know whether the information will make Emily panic or try something stupid like- “Em! What are you doing? Get back in bed!”
Emily is halfway on her way to faceplanting right onto the floor – she would’ve fully been there if it hadn’t been for JJ’s quick reaction of grabbing Emily’s good arm. “The unsub! We-”
“Morgan took him into custody,” JJ says, pulling and pushing carefully until Emily is safely back in bed. “Hotch and Spencer are helping to process him. You don’t need to worry about that, he’s not out there anymore. The only thing you need to focus on, is getting better. They had to do surgery to remove the bullet, and you’re going to need some time to recover, baby.” Emily gasps, and JJ tenses. “Are you okay? Does anything hurt?”
“You called me baby,” Emily whispers, eyes wide. There’s a soft, lovesick look on her face.
JJ laughs. “I did. Do you have a problem with that, all of a sudden?”
Emily shakes her head, but she stares at where she’s playing with JJ’s fingers. Her thumb brushes across JJ’s wedding band. “But you’re married?”
Now JJ is the confused one. “Yes? To you, Em.”
Emily’s jaw falls open in shock. She looks at her own empty left hand and splutters. “We’re married? But I- I don’t have-“
“Your ring is probably with the rest of your belongings,” JJ says. She looks around the room and finds the bag of Emily’s personal belongings sitting on a chair. “Do you want me to get it for you?”
“No, that’s okay,” Emily says quickly, tightening her grip. “But you promise?”
“That we’re married? Yes, baby,” JJ laughs. “We had a beautiful ceremony in Rossi’s backyard last year.”
“Wow,” Emily whispers. She stares at JJ. “You’re so pretty.”
JJ is still laughing. “Thank you.”
“I must be very lucky, if I’m married to you,” Emily says, dead serious. “Do I know that?”
“I’m sure you do,” JJ assures. She can’t help herself and presses a light kiss to Emily’s lips. When she leans back, a bright blush is creeping up Emily’s cheeks. JJ is almost tempted to take a picture of this glassy-eyed, rosy-cheeked Emily Prentiss, for the archives, because she can’t remember ever seeing Emily quite like this. Emily can be very silly and soft with JJ, but outside of their home most of that is locked behind a mask. This Emily, lying in the hospital bed, seems like she doesn’t have a care in the world at all.
“I can’t believe that I get to kiss you.”
“It’s all very real,” JJ says. “I promise.”
“Jayje?”
“Yeah?”
“I just want to say I love you very, very much.”
JJ’s heart warms. “I love you too, Em.” Emily sighs and her eyes droop shut. JJ shifts, and Emily’s eyes shoot open again, but JJ shushes her before she can say anything. “Close your eyes, baby. Sleep off the anesthesia, get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up again.”
When Emily’s breathing evens out, JJ sneaks off for a minute to double-check about the amnesia with the doctor, but she’s assured that he thinks it’ll right itself again once the anesthetic has completely left her system.
JJ returns to the room with water for when Emily wakes up and makes herself comfortable in the chair at Emily’s bedside. Her hands itch for something to do, so she takes it upon herself to sort through the plastic bag with Emily’s stuff. The clothes that are still intact, she sets aside, along with the bullet proof vest. Emily’s blouse has been cut to get to the injury site, and parts of it are covered in half-dried blood. JJ swallows, the item in heavy in her hands. If the unsub’s aim had been slightly different, and the bullet had nicked a major artery…
She leaves the blouse in the bag, but fishes out Emily’s service weapon, badge, shoes and… Triumphantly, JJ holds Emily’s wedding ring in the palm of her hand. She slips it into her pocket for safekeeping.
A knock on the doorframe startles her.
“Hey,” Morgan says softly. He lingers by the door until JJ gives him a small smile and motions with her head for him to come in. “How’s she doing?”
“Surgery went great,” JJ says. “She woke up a bit ago, and she’s confused, but doesn’t seem to be in any pain.”
Morgan looks at Emily, who is still sleeping peacefully. “I’m glad. I was scared when I heard the gun go off, but then she started mouthing off at the paramedics and I figured she’d be alright.”
JJ laughs a bit, but finds her eyes drifting to the blood-soaked shirt in the bag.
“She’s okay,” Morgan says.
JJ bites her lip.
“Come here.”
When JJ gets up Morgan sweeps her into a tight hug. She breathes deeply, managing to keep her tears to a minimum as she allows Morgan to comfort her.
“Thanks.” She clears her throat and wipes at her face when she pulls back. “I needed that.”
“Of course,” Morgan says. JJ sits down and Morgan pulls another chair up to Emily’s bedside. “If there’s anything I can do for you guys, just let me know, alright? I can get you her bag from the hotel, grab you dinner, you name it.”
“If you could bring by Emily’s stuff, that’d be great actually.” JJ sighs. “I’m sure they’ll kick me out at some point, but I promised her I’d be here when she wakes up. I don’t really want to leave her if I don’t have to.”
Morgan nods. “Consider it done.” He hangs around for a bit longer, but when Emily stays deeply asleep, he leaves to go to the hotel.
He’s back again within the hour with Emily’s go-bag to find both JJ and Emily in the exact same positions. “Did they say how long they want to keep her here?” he asks, handing the bag over to JJ.
JJ shakes her head. “I think at least overnight, maybe longer. Though knowing Emily, once she’s no longer high out of her mind and thinking a bit more clearly, she’ll likely insist on signing out against medical advice anyway. If it takes you guys a bit to tie up loose ends here, we might fly back with you on the jet.”
“Good to know, but… JJ, what do you mean Emily’s high?”
As if summoned into consciousness by the sound of her name, Emily groans. She clumsily reaches up to rub the sleep out of her eyes, then grimaces when it pulls on her wound. She lowers her hands, staring confusedly at the bandages.
“Em?” JJ asks.
Emily startles, eyes flicking from JJ, then to Morgan, seeming surprised by their presence. “JJ? What happened?”
“You got shot,” JJ says, for the second time that day. “You had surgery, but you’re okay now.”
“Oh, right,” Emily says. It gives JJ some hope – Emily appears less disoriented this time around. “I woke up before?”
JJ nods.
Emily’s eyes widen. “And we’re still married?”
Morgan makes a confused noise, but JJ laughs. “We are, baby.” They usually don’t use pet names around friends and family, but it just slips out. Sue her, her wife got shot. “In fact, look what I found.” She takes Emily’s wedding ring out of her pocket.
“That’s mine?”
“It is,” JJ confirms. She reaches for Emily’s left hand, lifting it just enough to slide the ring into its rightful spot. “There you go.”
“Wow,” Emily says empathetically. She stares at the ring for a good second, then glances up at Morgan. “…Morgan knows we’re married?”
Morgan laughs. “Princess, I was there when you got married.”
“Who invited him?” There is mischief mixed in with Emily’s hazy confusion now, and JJ knows Emily is slowly wading through it and coming back to herself.
Morgan softly punches Emily’s leg. “I can see what you mean now, JJ.”
“Mean what?” Emily asks.
“Don’t worry about it, baby.” JJ grabs the cup of water from where she’d put it aside earlier. “You said you were thirsty, before?”
Emily makes a grabby hand for the cup. “Yes!”
“Slow sips,” JJ instructs as she hands it over.
“How about snacks?” Emily asks, in between exaggeratedly slow sips of water.
JJ presses her lips together and shakes her head in pity. “I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to eat yet. They’ll probably bring by some soup or something, soon.”
Emily pouts. “But what about you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I can grab you some food, JJ,” Morgan says, repeating his earlier offer.
“You don’t need to be ferrying back and forth the whole time,” JJ says. “I’m sure they could use you at the precinct, or else you should maybe take a break. It’s been a long day.”
“Not happening, JJ. I told Hotch I’d be making sure you guys are all alright and set, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. So, I’ll see if I can find a place nearby that does take-away, and I’ll pick up some dinner for you. Grab a couple of snacks. Anything else you need?”
JJ sighs, but shakes her head.
“See you in a bit, then.”
“Wait!” Emily shouts.
Morgan tuns to Emily. “Yeah?”
“I have something important I need to tell you.” Emily beckons him closer and pulls at his sleeve until his face is inches away from hers.
“What is it?” Morgan looks like he’s not sure whether to be concerned or amused.
“Bring Cheetos,” Emily says slowly, utterly serious. “They’re JJ’s favourite.”
Morgan’s body shakes with restrained laughter. “I think I can manage that.”
JJ groans, hiding her face in her hands.
“Now I’m actually leaving,” Morgan says, when Emily has let go of him. He winks at JJ. “Have fun with your stoned wife.”
JJ flips him the bird, laughing when Emily gasps at the gesture. When Morgan is gone, Emily starts scooting to one side of the bed and pats the sliver of empty space.
“Babe, I can’t-“
“Come here,” Emily says, leaving no room for argument. “I need cuddles.”
And, well, who is JJ to say no to that? She carefully climbs up, lying down on top of the blanket and allows Emily to snuggle into her side. When Emily falls back into a light slumber, JJ runs her fingers through Emily’s hair and stares unseeingly at the rise and fall of Emily’s chest. It’s grounding, having Emily in her arms like this.
Morgan pops in briefly whilst Emily is still asleep. He has brought a simple dinner for JJ as well as a full-sized bag of Cheetos, which he hands to her with a big grin. He leaves, after, calling it a night and heading back to the hotel for real this time, but he makes JJ promise to call him if there’s anything else he can do.
When they’re alone again, JJ relaxes further into the bed, knowing that they’re all set and taken care of. She doesn’t touch her food in fear of waking Emily, instead continuing to steadily brush through Emily’s hair. She sends a one-handed update to the team – everyone in Seattle as well as Rossi and Penelope back in Quantico – though she’s sure Morgan must have already told them most of what’s going on.
“Jayje?”
JJ hums lowly. “Hi, baby, you waking up again?”
Emily makes a tired, confused noise. She shifts, stretching her limbs, hissing when she moves her hurt arm. “Fuck.”
“Are you in pain?” JJ pushes herself upright. That’s the first she’s heard Emily complaining since coming out of surgery.
Emily gently lowers her arm, letting it rest on her stomach. “I’m fine, I just wasn’t prepared. What… The unsub shot me, right?”
JJ nods. “You had to get surgery.”
“Yeah, I vaguely remember signing for that when I got to the hospital,” Emily says. She rubs her face with her good hand. “Everything went okay, then? I think you told me so before.”
“Everything went perfect,” JJ assures her. “You just had an unusual reaction coming out of anesthesia.”
Emily frowns. “I did?”
JJ holds up her left hand. Emily just raises a brow. “Anything strike you as interesting?”
“….No? Should it?”
JJ smiles and drops her hand. “Good.”
“No, wait, what was that about?” Emily asks.
“I think I’ll keep that to myself, adoring wife of mine.”
“That’s not fair,” Emily protests. “If I said something I have a right to know!”
JJ bites her lip to keep from smiling. “Maybe it’ll come back to you.” Emily grumbles, but pulls JJ closer, allowing JJ to lay her head down on Emily’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
And JJ has never meant anything more in her life. It’s good to have Emily in one piece, on her way to healing and mostly back to her usual self. Her dear, dear wife.
…
“So, how long do you think it’ll be before they let me sign out of the hospital?”
Her stubborn, idiot of a wife.