Knock knock.

Emily grabbed her gun, and then grudgingly and nervously got off her couch to get the door. Who and why would anyone be at her apartment at this time of night?

"JJ?" Emily questioned as she put her gun down on the entryway table then opened the door to see the blonde woman standing there.

"I have chocolate and merlot." JJ showed off the two items with a smile. "Care to let me in?"

Emily did, with only a little bit of hesitation.

JJ didn't know exactly what was going on, but based off her work experience, and knowing how bad something must be for it to affect the brunette like this, she had a hunch. Emily came to work the day before looking like actual death. Her skin was paler than usual, the bags under her eyes more pronounced, and she wasn't focused at all. All the BAU members noticed, but no one mentioned it because they all knew Emily would respond with an "I'm fine," and get irritated if anyone intruded further. She spent the rest of the day doing paperwork, and left without saying goodbye to anyone. This morning, Emily's demeanor hadn't changed at all. Well, if anything, she was even more stubborn about completing all her desk work without having the inconvenience of talking with her team members. Morgan attempted to strike up a casual conversation to no avail. Reid rambled on about some new book he had read until Emily asked him to let her focus. JJ knew better than to approach her at a time like this, and simply offered her a slight smile and nod before heading back to her office. Emily once again, left at the end of the day with minimal human interaction. JJ wasn't about to let her keep going like this. She knew there was very little chance of Emily opening up to her. God forbid anyone see that woman be "weak." But, if Emily was this hurt, so was JJ, and she needed the brunette to know without a doubt that she cared.

"Hey," JJ said as she walked down the hallway to Emily's living room.

Emily followed after double checking the locks and picking her gun up to take back to its easily accessible spot.

"Hi," Emily replied with a bit of questioning in her voice. "So, you just decided to show up at my door with wine and chocolate out of the blue? Jayje, could you be any more direct?" Emily laughed.

God, JJ thought, it was good to hear that again.

"Well, I knew if I called you'd tell me you wanted to be alone, so I skipped that step and just came here in the first place." Her tone changed from light to gently serious. "Look Emily, I'm not expecting you to want to talk. You don't have to open up to me. But damnit, anyone with eyes can see that you're hurting. I needed to come here to let you know that you are not alone in whatever it is you're going through, and I don't want you to think you have to handle it all by yourself. I don't want you to handle it all by yourself. I'm here for you and I care about you and I love you and I hope you know that." JJ's voice started to break as Emily's smile faded.

Emily fiercely loved JJ and would do anything to protect her. JJ knew that even though she had never said it. What JJ didn't know was that Emily had never heard those words spoken to her before and that she never had anyone make the effort to be there for her. Emily lived a lonely life. Everyone knew that. But because she was so strong and stubborn, no one knew that her entire life was filled with abandonment which caused her to genuinely feel that no one in the world could ever love her. Perhaps more due to the sudden, overwhelming emotions of having a friend there for her when she truly needed one rather than her shitty situation, Emily broke down. She cried harder when JJ wrapped her arms around her torso, holding her securely. Emily had never cried in front of anyone. Her tears continued to spill as the reality hit her that someone was there to hold her. She'd wanted that for so long.

Emily had her arms around JJ's neck and cried all of her past and current hurt into her shoulder. JJ didn't falter and held her as firmly as she could while the two stood in the middle of Emily's living room. They didn't exchange a word until Emily's breathing and heart rate relaxed back down to her heightened normal.

JJ smiled at Emily, wiped a stray tear from under her left eye, and said "Thank you for trusting me."

Emily sighed. "God I'm sorry. You must think I'm a lunatic seeing me lose it like that."

"Em you know I don't think that all. I'm honestly honored that you let me be here. I meant every word I said. Now, how about you go get changed into something a little more cozy than your business clothes, and we can relax with some wine for a little?" JJ suggested.

Emily really wanted to feel her closeness again, but not wanting to seem too eager and definitely not admitting it, she agreed by nodding and went upstairs to change into her most comfortable sweats.