Penelope Garcia's apartment was decorated wonderfully for the holiday season, and the first thing Emily Prentiss noticed was the extremely oversized tree that barely fit into the small space.

Penelope handed her a bright, festive mug that was full of hot, spiced apple cider and she accepted it graciously. Emily greeted Reid warmly, who was the only other member of the team who'd arrived already.

Rossi arrived next and not long after that it was Morgan. Emily began easy chit chat with Morgan, as they waited for Hotch and JJ to arrive.

As the doorbell rang, Emily's eyes darted to door to see who would be arriving now, and when she saw JJ, she felt something shift in her mind.

Long ago she'd learned to suppress her feelings for JJ. She kept contact with her at work to a minimal amount, only talking to her when it was absolutely necessary. After a while, it felt like the silly crush was gone. Her way of dismissing her feelings has seemed to work.

For a little while, least.

JJ's hair was up in a way that made it look elegant while still being a bit messy, and she wore mostly dark blue which accented her eyes in a way Emily thought only supermodels could achieve. JJ smiled widely as she took her cider from Penelope, and suddenly, Emily stopped listening to whatever Morgan was saying.

Emily averted her eyes from JJ and was grateful when Hotch arrived at last so that they could begin the exchange of gifts, and her mind could move on from JJ.

But soon even that was over and Emily found it harder to avoid JJ throughout the night.

After refilling her cider, Emily relaxed against the doorway. She took note of the fact that the song playing on the radio was All I Want for Christmas Is You, and realized how ironically true the lyrics were at this moment. But then she felt a small touch on the back of her shoulder and shivered, then saw that it was JJ who had come around the corner and joined her. Emily's pulse instantly sped up.

"Look up," JJ whispered, and so Emily did.

There was a sprig of mistletoe hanging.

Emily suddenly was not happy with Penelope.

Emily looked away again, but then felt soft lips against her own and thought her heart would explode from beating so hard when she realized it was JJ kissing her.

JJ pulled away with a soft smile spread across her face. Emily was speechless as she stared at JJ, set down her cider on a table, and then pulled JJ in by the waist into a much deeper kiss. JJ seemed shocked, and as their lips combined, and they were so lost in each other that they didn't notice that the rest of the team had grown quiet.

JJ pulled away with a gasp when she needed to breathe and found herself staring in the dark eyes of the woman she'd been in love with for longer than she'd ever care to admit.

"It's about time something happened between you two," Rossi said with a chuckle.

"That's for sure. Even I noticed," Hotch replied, sharing a smile.

Emily turned back to JJ and they both laughed, each pulling the other into a hug where it felt like they melted in to each other.

"Merry Christmas, JJ." Emily whispered.

"Merry Christmas, Emily."