𝐵𝒰𝑅𝑅𝐼𝐸𝒟 𝒮𝐸𝒞𝑅𝐸𝒯𝒮

Chapter 9: Running on Empty

Carefully, she reached for a small piece of toast, something to keep her going until she could grab coffee at work.

"Maybe you should skip that. You're getting fat."

The words his harder than she expected.

JJ froze, toast still in hand.

A second passed. Then another.

Without a work, she set it back on the plate and turned away, swallowing back the humiliation. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

Instead, she quietly wiped down the counter, hoping she could slip away unnoticed. If she hurried, she might still have time to shower.

She had barely taken a step toward the stairs when his voice stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

JJ clenched her jaw, forcing her voice to stay even. "I need to get ready for work."

Will finally looked up from his phone, his eyes narrowing. "Not before you make more food. I'm still hungry."

JJ's fingerd curled into fists at her sides. "I don't have time, Will. I'm already running late—"

"Excuse me?" His tone dropped, dangerously low.

She knew that tone.

Her heart picked up speed.

"I said I don't have time—"

Before she could finish, he was on his feet, stepping closer. JJ instinctively tensed, every muscle in her body bracing for impact.

"You don't tell me what you have time for," he snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. "You do what I say. Now make me my damn food."

JJ lowered her gaze, her stomach twisting with familiar defeat.

There was no way she was making it to work on time.

So she turned back to the stove.
And obeyed.

JJ moved quickly, her hands shaking slightly as she finished making more food.

She placed the last plate in front of Will, her stomach twisting at the sight. The smell of eggs and toast, something she normally loved, now made her nauseous. But she didn't let it show. Instead, she stepped back, waiting.

Waiting for his approval.
Waiting for the moment she could leave.

He ate slowly, taking his time, dragging this out on purpose.

JJ stood frozen, her eyes darting to the clock. She had ten minutes to get to the station. Ten minutes to get ready and to drive through morning traffic.

She'd never make it.

Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal. Hotch was strict, but the team had each other's backs. A late morning wouldn't raise alarms.

But today was different.

They had been keeping an eye on her. Watching her more closely. Emily especially.

If she was late now, they'd know something was wrong.

Finally, Will leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach.

"Now you can go."

JJ turned without hesitation, rushing upstairs to change.

She yanked off her hoodie, wincing as her ribs protested. The bruises were worse today, deep purpled and blues stretching across her skin. Quickly, she grabbed the first long- sleeved shirt she could find, pulling it over her head before slipping into the pair if jeans.