At 3:30 the next afternoon JJ is released from the hospital with strict instructions to lay off the salt, monitor her b.p. every 2 hours, and stay in bed except for showering or going to the little agents room. JJ watches her wife drive them home. She smiles.

"Emily, we're not going to be attacked, you know that right?"

Emily frowns. "What do you mean?" as she checks the mirrors again.

JJ giggles. "You don't check the mirrors or your blind spots that much on a high speed chase." She reaches over and pats Emily's leg. "Honey, just…drive normally."

Emily sighs, resisting the urge to check her blind spots again. "Yeah, well…if we get hit by a rogue moped or something it's all your fault."

JJ grins. "I'll risk it, nutcase."

Emily just grins, knowing she has called her wife the same thing on several occasions. "Damn…you must be rubbing off on me."

"You should be so lucky," JJ agrees cheekily.

Both women chuckle, each feeling a bit of weight ease off their shoulders. Fifteen minutes later they are being waved through the gates of their community. JJ lifts an eyebrow as she sees a van from Acme Medical Supplies leaving their neighborhood.

"Medical supplies?" she questions.

"What?" Emily asks innocently. TOO innocently.

JJ sighs. "What have you done?"

"Why do you assume I did something? Could be for one of the neighbors or something," Emily points out.

JJ rolls her eyes. "If it was, you'd be speculating if it's one of our friends and concerned that something is wrong. The fact that you pretended not to hear what I said tells me you are still trying to come up with an explanation."

"Oh you think you know me so well."

JJ laughs. "Yes, yes, I do."

Emily grins. "Damn. I might have ordered a couple of things that will help our peace of mind while you are on bed rest."

"Such as?" an amused JJ presses.

"Blood pressure monitor with alarm, heart monitor with alarm, and, um, an ultrasound."

"An ultrasound? Are you kidding me?" JJ confirms, laughing.

"No! Dr. Manton is coming to check on you in 5 days. If you were going to her she'd need these things so I just thought I'd have them here for her," Emily justifies.

"And so you can check on the babies whenever the urge strikes you?"

Emily shrugs as she pulls into the driveway. "Uh, well, probably." She puts the Lexus in park and turns to her wife. "Jen, I just want everything to help keep you and the twins safe."

JJ brings a hand up and strokes her wife's face. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too. Come on: let's get you inside."

Emily hops out and hurries around to help JJ out of the SUV. The blonde takes a deep breath as she stands. Emily studies her a second.

"I'm okay, Emily. Just stiff."

Emily offers her wife her arm and JJ gratefully takes it. As they get inside they are greeted by two happy children.

"MOMMY!"

They run at JJ but Emily steps in front and intercepts them. "Whoa! Guys, Mommy is really hurting and because of the babies she can't have medicine. Maybe once I get her settled in bed you can cuddle with her."

"That make her feel more better?" Henry asks.

JJ smiles and answers. "Definitely, Little Man."

"Okay." Henry looks at Rocky. "Let's get books, Rock."

"Um'kay. We read Mommy."

The two run off into the playroom to get books to "read" to their Mommy. Emily looks at Francesca.

"Everything delivered okay?"

"Si, cara. All is set up in your bedroom."

"Thanks, Francesca."

"No problem." She walks over and gives JJ a kiss on the cheek. "Rest, cara. I will be up soon with a smoothie that will help you without hurting the bambinos."

JJ smiles. "Thank you, Francesca."

She gives the nanny a kiss on the cheek then allows Emily to help her upstairs. When they get to the bedroom, JJ smiles at the machines. She shakes her head.

"Thank you for all this, sweetheart."

Emily gives her a quick kiss. "No thanks needed. Now, let me help you get changed and- -"

"Uh, any chance I can shower first? Don't get me wrong, I loved the sponge bath you gave me but a full shower would really be appreciated."

Emily smiles and nods. "Of course. I'll get you some clean pajamas. Do you need help undressing?"

"You just like getting me naked," JJ teases.

Emily winks. "Damn right."

JJ giggles. "Let me try. I'll call you if I need help."

Emily nods and goes into her wife's closet to find a clean, soft pair of pajamas. JJ walks into the bathroom and starts to strip for the shower. As she removes her shirt (having forgone a bra for the drive home) she pauses to stare at herself in the mirror. The angry cuts above her breasts make her shiver. She runs her hand over her stomach.

"Oh, my sweet babies…if he'd cut lower…" she shivers at the thought.

She hears Henry and Rocky arrive in the bedroom so she turns from the mirror and quickly finishes stripping. Soon she is letting out a sigh of relief as the warm water cascades over her body. Though she'd only been captive a few hours and he hadn't done anything sexual to her she still feels dirty. She quickly puts her favorite melon body wash on a poof and washes all over. Twice. She then washes her hair, wishing her wife were there to do it for her. When that is done, she just stands in the water, letting it help some of her aches and pains.

"Jen? You okay?" Emily asks nervously.

JJ eases the door open. "Yes. Why?"

"You've been in there 15 minutes. Just worried."

"Oh!" JJ says in surprise. "I guess I lost track of time. I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Take your time, baby. Just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Just fine, baby. Promise," JJ assures her wife.

After she dries off, JJ applies the topical antibiotics with a mild pain relievers on her various cuts. She then puts on her fresh pajamas and takes a deep breath. Time to forget the horror of those hours she spent with Krieger. Time to remember the most important job in her life: mother. She goes out and sees Emily sitting with Henry and Rocky. Rocky scrambles up.

"You dere!" she points to beside Henry.

JJ smiles and scoots to the center of the bed. Rocky then cuddles up on her right side. JJ smiles and hugs both her kids.

"You two make me so happy."

"We love you, Mommy."

"Si! Love Mommy!" Rocky agrees.

"So, what book shall we read first?"

Rocky holds up "Baby on the Way". It had recently become a favorite of both children as they await the birth of their siblings. JJ smiles.

"Perfect."

JJ starts to read. Emily just sits on the other side of Henry, listening to her wife but watching the happy faces of her son and daughter.

At dinner time that night Francesca is feeding the children as Emily prepares a dinner for JJ. Someone knocks on the door and Emily glances at Francesca.

"I'll get it." She walks out and looks through the peep hole. She frowns in confusion as she unlocks and opens the door. "Why in the world did you knock? Normally you just come in."

Garcia stands on the doorstep wringing her hands nervously. Stephanie stands just behind her. "Does she hate me?"

Emily thinks a second. "Does who hate you?"

"Jayje. Does she hate me?"

"Why would she hate you?" Emily asks, baffled.

"I'm the reason he got her."

Emily rolls her eyes. "Penelope Garcia, it is not your fault. Had you walked out that door with her you'd have been hurt or worse."

"Good luck getting her to believe that," Stephanie states.

Emily opens the door wider. "Both of you in here for dinner."

Stephanie smiles and gives Garcia a gentle push to get her to step into the house. Emily takes the tech's hand.

"Stephanie, grab a plate. Francesca made spaghetti and meatballs."

"Yum!" Stephanie says and hurries into the kitchen.

Emily leads Garcia over to the counter where JJ's dinner awaits. She lifts up the tray and hands it to the nervous blonde.

"Go feed your best friend."

"Oh, Emily, I don't think- -"

"Penelope. Go."

"Oh, okay. But if I make her mad and her blood pressure spikes I am SO pointing out you made me do this under duress."

Emily smiles. "I'll risk it. Go."

Garcia slowly turns and climbs the steps. She pauses a moment outside the bedroom then steps in. She looks at her best friend dozing in the bed. She tries to speak but her mouth is too dry. Luckily JJ had smelled the gourmet masterpiece that is Francesca's spaghetti and meatballs. She slowly opens her eyes as she takes a big whiff.

"Mmm. Smells good."

"Ummm…good," Garcia says cautiously.

JJ finally notices who carries the tray. She smiles. "Hey, Pen. So you going to feed me or just tease me with that food?"

Garcia brings the tray in as JJ sits up and uses a couple pillows to give her back support. Garcia puts the tray across JJ's lap and helps her get situated. JJ studies her best friend. As Garcia goes to step back, JJ grabs her hand. Their eyes lock.

"I am so glad you didn't walk out that door with me, Pen. He'd have…he'd have found a reason to stop us in the parking lot and I don't even want to think what he'd have done to you."

Garcia bursts into tears. "But…But…But…"

"No 'buts', Pen. He was going to take me no matter who stood in his way. Look what he did to Nora. Imagine what he'd have done to you. You were a real threat to him; Nora was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Are you sure? I mean really? You can cuss me if you want," Garcia offers.

JJ smiles. "No cussing needed. The things you did helped the team find me. I owe you, Garcia. If you had walked out the door he'd have hurt you and then where would I be?"

"Yeah…well…I don't know. I just…I hear you but it may take my heart a few days to believe it."

JJ grins and nods. "Understandable. Anytime you need reassurance call me. I'll remind you that I don't hate you and that I owe my rescue to what you did to help the team find me. You're my hero."

Garcia finally gives her friend a small smile. "Yeah, well…maybe."

"Why don't you go down and fix a tray for yourself and bring it back up here to keep me company."

"Really?"

"Really."

Garcia smiles and nods. "Okay. Thanks, Jayje."

She starts to the door and stops as Emily steps in, Garcia's dinner tray already prepared. "I figured you'd need this," the brunette states.

The bottle-redhead grins. "Damn right I do. Thanks, Princess."

Garcia sits on the bed and Emily helps her get settled and the tray on her lap. She then exits giving the two bestie's some time for themselves.

That night after using the equipment to check JJ's vital sighs, Emily insists on using the ultrasound just once to check on the babies. As she brings the transducer over JJ's stomach she chuckles.

"Good news: Lucas isn't flipping us off anymore."

JJ giggles. "Good. Guess he forgives us."

The two women watch the babies shifting and moving on the monitor. Both are looking healthy and happy. Reluctantly Emily eventually turns off the equipment and helps JJ get cleaned up and settled. When she crawls into bed she smiles when JJ cuddles up to her.

"I love you, Jen. Thank you for doing whatever you did to keep the babies safe."

JJ rubs Emily's stomach. "I was so scared he'd hurt them."

And JJ finally cracks. Tears pour down her cheeks and she sobs into Emily's shoulder while the taller woman just holds her and whispers words of comfort. After a few minutes, the tears subside. JJ takes a deep breath.

"Thank you, Emily. I needed that cry and I needed your reassurance."

Emily hugs her closer. "You have that and anything else you need, Jennifer. I know the doc said if we get to week 34 the babies will be fine if they are born. But I say you let your body decide when to have them. If we can wait longer let's do that. Let's give them the best start in life possible."

JJ nods. "I will. And then we can schedule a C-Section. There are chances for complications with both birth types but I think I'll feel better knowing Dr. Manton will be ready to pull them out if complications arise."

Emily's heart trips at the thought of "complications" arising. But for JJ she just nods and kisses her wife's forehead. "Then let's do it that way."

JJ closes her eyes and slips off to sleep, safe in her wife's arms. Emily stares at the ceiling a little longer, thanking God, the doctors, her team and everyone else who had a role in bringing her wife and the twins home safe even if JJ is hurting.

"Everything is fine, Emily, go to sleep," she coaches herself, and soon she, too, slips off into dreamland.

Monday around 11 a.m. JJ is napping once more. She feels a hand stroke over her brow and a sad sigh. Her eyes flutter open.

"Mom?"

"Oh, Jenny…"

JJ sits up and winces as Sandy pulls her into a hug. She sees her father standing just beyond her mother and holds out a hand to him. He takes it, unshed tears in his eyes.

"I'm fine. So are the babies. I swear. Just sore. And my arm is throbbing as that wound heals. But last check my heart and blood pressure readings were fine. I swear," JJ assures them.

Sandy sits back and stares into her daughter's eyes. "Emily told us all that. Still scares the heck out of us what could have happened."

Alan steps forward and squeezes his wife's shoulder. "Actually, this morning she claimed to be 'scared as shit' and told me I'd better 'put the fucking pedal to the metal' to get us here."

JJ laughs as Sandy blushes. JJ kisses her mom's cheek. "So sorry I made you cuss, oh angelic Sandy."

Sandy swats her hand away and glares at her husband. "You two were always so much alike and always a burr in my butt."

JJ grins. "We just like to keep you on your toes."

"Your job does that well enough, young lady," Sandy playfully scolds her daughter.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that for a while. I'm on bed rest until, as Emily says, the nesters fly the coop." Alan and Sandy grin. "And then until maternity leave is over."

"Do you get double for the twins?" Alan asks.

"Afraid not. But if I need more time goodness knows I have enough comp days and vacation days I haven't used. I'll be fine."

"Good," Alan says. "I thought I was going to have to have a man to man talk with Hotch on your behalf."

JJ laughs. "Right. Like you could get through his hard head if he had his mind made up."

Sandy and Alan both start to chuckle. JJ blushes and winces.

"He's in the doorway, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is," Hotch answers her.

JJ slowly turns her head. "Uh, hi, sir. Lovely day, isn't it?"

Hotch grins. "It was until I was insulted by one of my agents."

JJ shrugs. "Oh, please, like you don't know you have a hard head."

"She's got you there, Aaron," Rossi says, stepping past Hotch into the room.

JJ grins. "So is everyone here?"

"Morgan and Reid are visiting Gideon. Then Morgan's job is to get Reid out of the hospital," Rossi answers.

"He still hasn't been home?"

"Nope. So, when I leave here, I go there and hopefully the genius will see that means Jason isn't alone," Rossi answers.

JJ nods. "Good. Is Gideon better?"

"Yes," Hotch answers. "Tube came out yesterday and his lungs are getting better every time they test them. He should be fine in no time."

"Thank goodness. He saved me from torture a couple times."

"According to him you did the same for him. Sounds like you worked very well together to give us time to get to you," Hotch notes.

JJ shrugs. "We were both just trying to stay alive and keep the other one okay, too. I still can't believe Krieger stewed on his anger for so long."

"From what we can tell, the relationship was all in his head," Hotch tells her. "Most likely the fact that he never had a chance to make her his girlfriend played a part in the depth of his fury. Truth is, nothing you could have said or done back then would have changed what happened this week."

"Part of me knows that. But all of me knows that you claiming to have ordered me around is what really gave you the chance to save us. Thanks, Hotch."

Hotch nods. "Anytime, JJ."

As the group in the bedroom continues to talk, Emily is watching a movie with the kids. When someone knocks on the door she rolls her eyes, wondering if Garcia was in need of reassurance again. She goes to the door and is once more surprised by who she sees on the other side. She opens the door.

"Nora? Hi!"

"Um, hi. Your dad, uh, our dad, told me where you live when he was here visiting in case I wanted to come see him. I hope you don't mind that I stopped by to check on Agent Jareau and, uh, see if you're pissed at me that she got hurt," the cadet spews out all in one breath.

Emily reaches out and takes her hand. "I don't hate you. I'm just happy all he did was clobber you. And JJ and the twins are okay. Why don't you come in and meet your niece and nephew?"

Nora blushes. "Oh, um, no. I mean, I don't want to intrude. And, uh, well, I kinda figured…I mean, do you really want to explain who I am?"

Emily chuckles. "Nora they are 3 and 1. They call Garcia aunt and the guys uncles. They don't exactly understand the familial aspect of the titles. And someday they may ask and by then we'll have figured out a way to tell them."

"Oh. And, um, are you…sure about me? I mean, I kinda thought you'd want a full background on me or something before trusting me around your kids."

Emily laughs. "Father's people already did that. And, to be honest, Morgan ran you again when we started getting the menacing calls last week. I probably know more about you than you would have ever wanted."

Nora blushes. "Oh. Um, gee. Wow, I guess."

"So, I ask again, want to come in to meet your niece and nephew? And enjoy the second half of Aladdin?"

Nora smiles. "That, um, sounds pretty perfect, actually."

Emily steps aside so Nora can step in. The younger brunette takes in the foyer and the pictures on the walls. She smiles as she sees the various scenes of family fun.

"These are great."

"Thanks. All Jen's influence. The houses I grew up in were more…impersonal."

"That sucks."

"Yeah, it did. No place ever felt like home like this place has." They walk into the living room and Emily pauses the movies. "Hey, kids, want to meet your aunt?"

Henry studies the newcomer carefully. "What aunt?"

Emily chuckles. "This one, Champ." She puts her arm around Nora's shoulder. "This is your aunt Nora. Nora, this is Henry and Rocky."

"Hi," Rocky says, waving.

Nora smiles. "Hi, Rocky."

"Why we no meet before?" Henry asks skeptically.

Emily rolls her eyes. "Henry…"

Nora laughs. "It's okay." She looks at her nephew. "I lived really far away. But I recently came to this area for school and am finally getting to meet you. Is that okay?"

Henry studies her a minute. "I guess. Did you know my Daddy's an angel?"

Nora squats down to look him in the eyes. "Yes, I did. That makes me very sad. When I was your age I didn't have a dad either. It was tough."

"I gots his star at night. And his candle. Maybe you can gets a star and candle, too," Henry suggests innocently.

Nora just smiles. "I think that sounds like a great idea. I'll do both those things." She looks at Rocky. "So, do you think I could join you two to watch Aladdin? It's one of my favorite movies."

Rocky nods. "Um'kay."

Henry climbs back up on the couch and pats the cushion between him and his sister. "You sits here, Aunt Nora."

Nora smiles. "Thanks." She sits down and smiles up at Emily. "Um, am I stealing your seat?"

Emily shakes her head. "Nope. Looks like I need to get an extra juice and make a big bowl of popcorn. Right kids?"

"YEAH!" Henry cheers.

Rocky throws her arms in the air. "SCORE!"

Nora laughs and shakes her head. "Your kids are great, Emily."

Emily nods. "I definitely have to agree with that."

Emily runs the movie again then starts out of the room. She pauses and glances back as Henry starts to tell Nora all she has missed so far. Nora listens intently, giving her nephew her full attention. Emily walks on out.

Things are definitely looking up.

A/N: So there ends this wild ride. Started to outline #71 and, well, that muse is fighting with another muse. See, the second muse has come up with an idea for Part 4 of the After the Fall series. Just what I need again: battling muses. Will be interesting to see which one wins. See y'all eventually with one or the other. :o)