A/N: This was sitting on my hard-drive and thought I'd post it. It's set during the start of Season 4, after New York. As with most of my stories it's not really case-centred at all, mostly stuff "behind-the-scenes." This story involves Cooper (Lo-Fi/Mayhem) and in this story he's a single widower with a young son. So keep that in mind. Please read and review.
And FYI, this was probably my first story so it's not my best work.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.
The team was at the local bar for a Drive-By Truckers gig, winding down after closing a case. Emily and JJ had gone to the bar to order drinks for the group and were waiting for their turn. She felt the buzzing of her phone in her pocket. Emily pulled it out and opened up her cell. "I'll be back in a second," she said, tapping JJ on the arm. "Everything ok?" JJ asked. Emily nodded. "Cooper. Save me a spot." JJ nodded as she headed back to the table where the rest were sitting. Hotch looked up and watched as Emily walked out the door and answered her phone. Morgan looked over and tapped JJ on the shoulder. "Where's Emily?" JJ smiled. "She got a call," she said.
"Hello," she said. She could barely hear his voice. "Hang on. Let me get outside!" she shouted down the phone. "That's better," she said, closing the door to the bar. "Hey," he said. Emily smiled. They'd talked a few times on the phone since they met in New York. Emily paused for a moment, her heart beating faster. "What's going on?" she asked."Uh, just thought I'd call. I'm in DC for the week and took a shot that you'd be in town." Emily smiled and blushed. "Uh, well I'm out with the team. We're at a bar just around the corner from the office. I could probably leave early and meet up for a coffee?" she suggested. "Sure, or I could just walk across the street?" he asked.
Emily looked up and glanced around the streets. Then she saw him, making his way through the cars and over to where she stood. As she put her phone back in her pocket she tried to calm herself. "Hey," he said to her, smiling. "Hey," she replied. "How are you Cooper?" Emily leant forward and gently kissed Cooper on the cheek. He put his hand on her hip, kissed her back, and smiled, then put his hands back in his pockets.
"So, how are you?" she asked him. It had only been almost ten months since he'd been shot in New York. He nodded and looked up from his feet, shifting his gaze to meet hers. "I'm doing good." Emily nodded and looked concerned. "So, uh, what's going on?" she asked. Cooper paused and looked back down at his feet. "I'm in DC for a week. I've got some family stuff. I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner with me sometime this week?" Cooper asked. Emily raised her eyebrows and nodded.
"Uh, sure," she replied, with a furrowed brow. "Great!" Cooper said. "Well, we're off rotation this weekend so I'll be free tomorrow night." Cooper nodded. "Ok, I'll pick you up at seven," he said. Emily nodded, still confused. "Alright. Uh, ok," she said. "Great, well I need to get back to my hotel. I'll see you tomorrow night." Cooper said, smiling. He started to walk away then turned and smiled. Emily watched him as he walked away and smiled as she walked back into the bar.
She walked over to where the others were standing and stood in the spot next to JJ. "Everything alright?" she asked. Emily nodded and held up her phone. "Dinner tomorrow!" she shouted. JJ raised her eyebrows and looked over at Morgan. Gradually a smile crept across her face. "What?" Emily asked, looking at both of them. JJ shook her head and pointed to the stage. Emily grinned and turned to face the band. Hotch looked over at the girls and frowned.