Title: Red Rivers Run
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairings: Jennifer "JJ" Jareau/Emily Prentiss
Characters: Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, Emily Prentiss
Rating: T
Length: 963
Content Notes: Mention of Rape, Suicide, Blood
Summary: Emily takes care of JJ after a case ends badly.


JJ's face was covered in blood. Their unsub was a woman who had been killing rapists like the one who had assaulted her younger sister. The guy had never been caught, and after seeing him again, she went into a rage. After killing her sister's abuser, she kept going. She was stuck in the past and couldn't move forward. JJ had been trying to talk the unsub down so she could be disarmed when the woman turned the gun on herself and pulled the trigger. JJ was hit with the blood spray.

JJ stood frozen, staring at the remains of a traumatized woman. The remains of another woman she couldn't save from taking her own life. She didn't notice the rest of the team around her, the room they were in turning into the bathroom of her childhood home. Her sister lied in the bathtub, surrounded by her own blood. She could have done something to prevent this. Why didn't she see the signs? She should have seen the signs.

Emily moves to stand in front of JJ, cutting off her view of the unsub's body. She knows where JJ's mind went. She doesn't need to see any more than she already has. Emily tells Hotch she's taking JJ home. He agrees, knowing that she is the only one who can help JJ. There is nothing more for them to do here anyway. The rest of them will wait for the police to arrive to finish with the scene.

Emily gently squeezes JJ's shoulders to let her know of her presence. She looks into JJ's eyes and tells her she is taking her home. She waits until JJ nods her acceptance before leading her out to one of the FBI-issued SUVs the team took to the scene. The rest of the team will take the other one back to Quantico. Emily and JJ will bring this car back in the morning. Emily drives home with one hand, the other firmly resting on JJ's thigh. Her voice fills the car as she constantly reassures JJ she is right here with her. She smiles when JJ reaches for her free hand and holds it between both of hers. Through their clasped hands, Emily can feel JJ relaxing and is relieved.

By the time they get home, JJ is starting to come back to herself, but she still isn't in a place to talk yet. Emily walks with JJ to the bathroom and turns on the shower. She helps JJ out of her clothes and under the spray. She leaves with the reminder she is there when JJ is ready.

JJ stands under the scalding water, eager to cleanse herself of the case. After thoroughly washing her hair, she scrubs every bit of her skin, watching as the blood drains away. She keeps scrubbing, even after the water runs clear, leaving her skin red and raw. JJ finally steps out of the shower when the water turns cold.

She wraps herself in a towel and hurries to their bedroom. She puts on a pair of pajama pants and an old punk band shirt of Emily's. She holds the shirt up to her nose and breathes in Emily's scent. JJ stole the shirt from Emily a long time ago when she stayed over after a girl's night. She loves Emily's scent, so when it starts to fade, she gives it back to Emily to wear. Thankful that the shirt still smells like her favorite person, JJ grabs a book from a nightstand and leaves the bedroom to be with her.

Emily is reading on the couch in the living room when JJ sits down next to her. She's glad the shower helped. JJ was in there for a while, and she was starting to worry her thoughts were starting to spiral again. If JJ's state of mind had worsened, she would have just gone to bed. Now that JJ is here with her and ready for her company, Emily knows she's not terribly affected by the case. She will still talk to her about it, but that can wait for later. Right now, JJ just needs to be encompassed in her presence. Emily closes her book and places it on the coffee table. She picks up a blanket and wraps it around JJ. She presses a kiss to the side of JJ's head and heads for the kitchen.

Emily puts the kettle on and walks over to the cabinet containing their drinkware. She pulls down their favorite mugs. JJ's is pale blue and has a field of flowers and butterflies printed on it. Emily's is black and has cat ears poking up from the lip. Slightly protruding from one side is a cat's face that looks exactly like a grumpy Sergio. Both Emily and JJ had wanted to cheer each other up after a tough case dealing with children and difficult families. They had a good laugh when they gifted each other mugs that seemed like they were made just for them at the same time.

Emily puts a soothing herbal blend into each of their mugs and adds the hot water. She adds an additional spoonful of honey than they usually like as well. They could both use a little sweetness right now. She walks back into the living room and places the mugs onto the coffee table. Emily smiles at JJ, sinking into the cushions with her back against the arm of the couch. JJ sits between her legs and curls up against her, moving the blanket to cover them both. Emily picks up the French book they have been reading together and opens it to where they left off. As Emily's voice fills the room, they are both grateful they still have each other.