She cradled his head in her lap, the faint light from the single bulb letting her see his face. Some of it was hidden in shadow, but she could see the cut along his forehead, the skin starting to turn black and purple. His breathing was steady, though, and she was fairly certain he was going to be okay.
Looking up, she took in the basement they were in, the chains locked on their ankles, and she wondered if it really mattered anyway.
But those thoughts didn't help either of them. So she pushed them away and focused on the man with her, her fingers running through his soft hair. She felt as though there were entire books that could be written on the things she didn't know about him, but she knew the important things. He was a good man. A good father. A leader. A righter of wrongs. The hero and all of those other ideals that made you feel safe whenever they were around. He was someone she would want her own son to look up to, to turn to for advice. Because he would always do what was right, even if it hurt like hell.
She admired and respected him more than any other man in her life.
He stirred slightly, unconsciously reaching for her hand, and she entwined their fingers.
"JJ?" he whispered.
She smiled, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on his temple. "I'm right here," she replied.
"He has us, doesn't he?"
"They'll find us, Hotch. You know they will."
He nodded slowly, wincing at the movement. Holding on to him with one hand, JJ let her other fingers continue to move through his hair. And because they were alone, and scared, she rocked him gently, breathing the song that she sang to her son every night, hoping that it would comfort them the way it did Henry. And Hotch relaxed against her, holding on with everything he had.
i baby i've been here before
i've seen this room and i've walked this floor
i used to live alone before i knew you
i've seen your flag on the marble arch
but love is not a victory march
it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.../i