Hi all. I really wasn't planning on writing but after last night's episode I just couldn't quite resist. Not sure how this will play out. I'm a couple chapters ahead but still figuring it all out. Hope you Enjoy! Comments and constructive criticism are always LOVE :)

Title: Second Chances
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairing: JJ/ Emily
Warnings or Spoilers: Will deal with everything up until present US airings. So through Season 7, episode 6 : Epilogue
Rating: PG for now, although knowing me later chapters will probably get a boost in rating.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I don't profit from anything. Such is life.

Emily Prentiss doubled over gasping for air and wiped her face across her upper arm in an attempt to stop the droplets of sweat from their path into her eyes. It didn't really work, just pushed around a bit of the moisture, but at least she wasn't blinded in the immediate present. If she could just catch her breath, righten her world again then things would be ok. She could dry her face. She could shower. She could sleep. God did she miss sleep.

Her breathing beginning to slow, Emily straightened herself and forced 3 deep breaths. She caught her reflection in the full-length mirrors in front of her and breathed out a huffed laugh at the sight. Chest heaving, hands on her hips, face flushed, she looked like she had just run a marathon instead of…she leaned over to see the display on the treadmill…8.3 miles. She shook her head, momentarily forgetting that there were no longer bangs to move out of her eyesight or straighten into place. 8.3 miles in an hour and 16 minutes. Not her best, but definitely not bad for an old girl.

Emily smiled to herself as she began to stretch her legs. So, maybe she wasn't old but in comparison to some of the members of her team…Reid was the youngest and just the idea of him getting anywhere near a treadmill made Emily giggle. She and Morgan had routinely worked out together, but something told her in an endurance race she would have him beat. Muscles that cut were used to a strict diet and short reps with a lot of weight. Emily leaned over her other leg as she contemplated the other young member of their team. She and JJ and run together previously, and while it was true that Emily had longer strides and a body more suited to running, JJ had kept up. Emily remembered being impressed by not just the blonde's speed and endurance but her strength. It shouldn't have been surprising she had been a high school, and then college athlete, but for some reason Emily had always had this picture of JJ as frail, soft, everything feminine and kind. To be in the gym with her, or on the track, and see her natural grace, understated muscles, and rounded hips that held so much strength… Something about it was very sexy.

At that thought Emily bit her lip to cover the guilty smile she knew she wore. Not that anyone was around to notice. She grabbed her towel and wiped off the grips of the machine, checking her watch. 12:30 am. On a Wednesday. Yes, they had a late start the next day because of the case they had just finished but the brunette knew she would still wake up at 6:30 even if she didn't have to be in until noon. Personal habits were not easily broken in her line of work. In fact, sometimes it was all that kept you sane. She turned out the lights in her condo's small gym area and headed back up to the 5th floor.

Exiting the stair well Emily made the quick left that led to her apartment but stopped short when she saw a figure slumped in her doorway. Her pulse quickened for a brief moment until she recognized the small frame curled up in her door jam. Looking at the sleeping blonde Emily's pulse continued to pound at her throat but it was the dull excitement she was used to whenever JJ was in her presence. She had gotten used to it, and was trained at ignoring its effects on her. At first, she was tempted to let the other woman sleep. She just seemed so peaceful and Emily took a moment to appreciate it before she squatted in front of her, with a light touch to her shoulder.

"JJ?" She said, just above a whisper. JJ stirred briefly but made no outward movements of waking.

With a slight shake Emily tried again. "Jen? Sweetie?"

This time JJ did wake with a little moan and tilt of her head towards Emily's hand. When she finally opened her eyes she was greeted with a radiant Emily Prentiss, crouched less than a foot from her face, laughing gently.

JJ smiled sheepishly. "Hey. I came to see you."

Emily continued to laugh quietly. "Yeah, I can see that."

"I – you weren't home. I must have fallen asleep waiting."

"Oh, Honey, you must be exhausted. Why didn't you call me? It's not exactly safe for you to be sleeping in a hallway in the middle of the night. Or didn't they teach that in those profiling the bad guy classes?"

JJ gave Emily a withering glance. The brunette was saved only by the humor that hung in her eyes and the touch of concern that JJ saw there. "I did call. No answer AGENT Prentiss. Plus, I have my hardware."

As if on cue, Emily's phone chirped at her side alerting her to a missed call, and possibly some messages. She winced, biting her tongue through her teeth and stood offering JJ a hand up.

"Sorry. I forgot my gym's in the basement and this building was built in the 50's. No radio waves getting down there."

JJ accepted the offered hand and was pulled to her feet by her friend. She couldn't help but notice the way Emily was dressed in a skin tight tank top and lycra pants and how her muscles tightened just so with the slight exertion. She unabashadly let her eyes linger on her friends lithe frame. Eyes caressing strong shoulders, across her full breasts, and finally up full lips and a sharp nose to her caring brown eyes. Emily caught JJ's look and met her gaze, eyes softening as they held JJ's blue. It was Emily who broke the intimate look and let go of her friends hand, suddenly very busy looking for her keys in the gym bag at her side.

"I must look a mess. Here, lets get you inside and onto the nice comfy sofa." She briefly looked up with a close-lipped smile, which JJ met with one of her own and a nod for good measure, letting all the unspoken exchanges slide for the moment.

Emily rushed though the door opening, entering, and dropping her bag in what seemed like one fluid movement. JJ just followed behind and enjoyed the sight of a seemingly flustered Emily Prentiss tidying an already very tidy space. It was so rare that one got to see her this way.

Emily flipped on the lights and headed down the hall, calling over her shoulder as she went, "I'm just going to take a quick shower. I'll be out in like 2 minutes, promise. Make yourself at home"

JJ's smile dropped as she stood alone in her friends apartment. "Ok, sure" She said to no one in particular because there was no one around to hear it.