Emily is sick and JJ jumps right in to take care of her. The outcome is a surprise for both of them. Jemily of course. No Will or Henry. Enjoy!
Jennifer Jareau was walking towards the small plane of the FBI on Elko National Airport. The BAU had just finished a case in a small town in Nevada and the team had a hopefully free weekend in sight. The wind blew strongly across the runway, causing JJ to shiver. A few raindrops fell from the dark clouds and she quickly entered the jet.
At first she thought she was alone, which would've been no surprise as she was early today, but then she saw Emily on the couch in the back of the plane. The brunette sat with her head leaned against the backrest, her eyes closed. She looked exhausted and tired, but it was the unusual rosy touch on her cheeks that caught JJ's attention.
"Hey, you okay?" she asked as she approached the couch. Emily opened her eyes and immediately regretted her decision. The bright light in the cabin caused her headache to increase and made her feel nauseous. She quickly shut her eyes to regain control over her body again.
"Em, what's wrong?" JJ asked with worry in her voice. Even though she couldn't see her, the brunette felt her concerned gaze on her.
"I'm okay" she muttered without opening her eyes. If she was honest with herself, she was far away from being okay. She hadn't felt well since yesterday, but she'd brushed it off as exhaustion and a lack of sleep. Now she had to admit it was probably worse than tiredness, her stomach clenched uncomfortably and her head felt so heavy she had trouble keeping it upright. She jerked when she suddenly felt a hand on her forehead.
"You've got fever" JJ stated and pulled her hand away.
"'m fine JJ" Emily mumbled, eyes still closed. The blonde sighed, she was used to this dance. The rest of the team entered the BAU jet and Hotch walked over to the female agent who was still standing in the middle of the gangway. He handed JJ the case files for the report and showed her some additional notes from the local police officer, then he spotted the brunette woman on the couch.
"Emily, are you alright?" Her eyes snapped open when the unit chief addressed her.
"I'm fine" Emily repeated her earlier statement and hastily sat up. Her stomach lurched violently at the sudden movement, but she pressed her lips together and put on a brave face. Hotch didn't look very convinced, but he didn't say anything. Before he returned to his seat, he glanced over at the media liaison who smiled and nodded at his silent question. Hotch knew that Emily usually was too proud to admit she needed help, especially in front of her boss, and during the years working with her he had learned not to pressure her. But with JJ, it had always been different. Since the day the daughter of Ambassador Prentiss had joined the team, there had been a connection between the two women and Hotch knew about the younger agent's ability to say the right things at the right time.
JJ hadn't moved, she was still watching the older woman on the couch. Emily had her hands clenched to fists as she was begging her body mentally. Her breathing was shallow as the nausea hit her in waves.
"It's just you and me now, so tell me how you're really doing" the blonde said and sat down beside her.
"I'm not fine" Emily mumbled, too exhausted to pretend anymore.
"I figured that myself. I need you to be a little more specific. Headache?" A nod. "Nauseous?" Another nod. "You are not pregnant, are you?" A slap against her shoulder. JJ suppressed a laugh, at least she was still able to strike back.
"Maybe it's just a stomach bug" A load groan escaped the brunette's mouth. "Hey, it's not the end of the world and besides, it's not like you can blame your body for this. You are clearly overworked, it's a wonder your immune system hasn't given up on you sooner, considering the amount of stress you're going through on a daily base"
"JJ, please" Emily moaned. If it had been under different circumstances, JJ would've been incredible aroused by that sound, but now she just blushed and stopped her little lecture.
"Sorry" she whispered and leaned over to brush a strand of dark hair out of her face. Emily shivered at the touch of the cold fingers on her hot skin. The blonde pulled a blanket from underneath the seat and placed it over her.
"Try to sleep until we're in D.C." JJ made an attempt to stand up, but Emily quickly grabbed her hand. The blonde looked at her questioningly and she blushed, not really knowing how to explain her action. She was exhausted and the world was spinning in front of her eyes, but she didn't want the blonde media liaison to leave. JJ had something around her that made her feel better.
JJ mustered her for a moment, then leaned back so Emily could place her head in her lap. The brunette suddenly felt awful for taking advantage of her friend like this and hesitated, but JJ carefully pulled her down. Emily curled up on the couch again and snuggled into the soft fabric of the blanket.
Shortly before landing, Hotch walked over to the women on the couch again. Emily was still asleep in JJ's lap, breaths deep and regular. Although the brunette looked peaceful, the younger woman watched her with concern. Emily was the perfect example for what a little virus could do to a person who never allowed herself to rest or take personal time. She glanced up to her boss who looked at her questioningly.
"She's burning up and completely out of it. She practically held me back from leaving her alone earlier, you know that's not like her. She rarely shows when she's not feeling well, even with me, and that's what has me worried. Although she's still too proud to admit she's sick"
"Jen?" Emily stirred in her lap.
"Take care of her" the unit chief told her before returning to is seat as they were about to land in Quantico.
"Jennifer" Emily murmured again. She blinked twice to adapt to the light and was greeted by a pair of blue eyes looking at her.
"Hey beautiful" JJ smiled, the term of endearment slipping easily from her mouth. It was true, Emily Prentiss was a beautiful woman with her dark silky hair and her pale skin that made her big brown eyes stand out even more. In addition to her athletic but feminine figure and the smile that melted JJ's heart every time, she was in fact one of the most beautiful women the blonde had met in her life. But her outward appearance was only one reason why JJ adored the older woman. It was her passion and her dedication that she put into everything, the way she always put everyone else first.
"Where?" the brunette asked, her voice thick of sleep and JJ snapped out of her thoughts.
"We're almost there, just about to land" she answered the question before feeling her forehead again. It felt like touching an open fire and Emily shivered again because of the temperature difference. JJ gave her a concerned look.
"It's really nothing, probably just a lack of sleep" Emily protested and sat up.
"It's definitely more than that. You need to get checked out, Emily. Don't try to tell me you're magically cured after three hours of sleep, your forehead is way too hot for you to play that role. You're going straight to the hospital, no arguing on that point" During JJ's speech, Emily had become quiet and her skin had turned a shade paler if that was even possible.
"No hospitals" she whispered, barely audible. JJ's heart clenched at the sound of her voice, small and lost, and her features immediately softened.
"Emily, I know you're not a fan of hospitals and I wouldn't take you if it wasn't necessary, I'm just worried about you. They'll give you something to make you feel better and then we'll go home so you can get some sleep, okay?" the blonde said and comfortingly rubbed her arm.
"We?" the older woman asked, both anxious and hopeful.
"I'm gonna stay with you and be your personal weekend nurse" JJ smiled. Emily turned bright red as images of the blonde in a very short and very sexy white nursing uniform popped into her mind. Luckily, her feverish cheeks seemed to cover the additional blush.
"JJ, uhm… you don't have to do that" she stuttered.
"I know, but I want to. Unless you're uncomfortable with me staying at your apartment…"
"Of course not!" Emily exclaimed loudly, causing Reid to look up from his book. "I mean, I… I mean…" JJ chuckled and gave her arm a light squeeze. The jet rocked slightly as the wheels touched the ground.
"Are you ready?" JJ asked and offered her friend a hand. Emily nodded and let JJ help her up. The sudden change of position left her extremely dizzy and she had to lean onto the younger woman to keep from falling.
"Sorry" she mumbled weakly. The blonde offered her a reassuring smile and wrapped her arm around her waist.
"I've got you" she whispered.
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So far for chapter 1. To be continued…