8 months prior
"JJ!" I turned at the familiar sound of Logan calling my name. "Wait up!" I pause on my way back to my dorm, waiting for him to catch up. "Any news?" he asks, knowing full well I had just returned from the mailroom after checking it yet again, as I had been doing almost religiously for the last week. All I could do was smile at him – there had been a letter this time. His eyes widened and a grin threatened to crack his face in two. "Well? Did you get it or not?"
"I was gunna open it later, then tell you guys tonight when everybody's together for our last big hurrah. Can you wait?" I almost laughed out loud right then – Logan was definitely not known for his patience. Nothing like Dayan though, he never would have let me walk away without telling him. As bad as Logan can be, I'm definitely glad Dayan wasn't the one who caught up to me – Logan would at least let me walk away without forcing me to open the letter right then and there.
Looking at Logan, I see his face contort into a pout. "C'mon you can tell me, I promise not to say anything to the other guys…" I shake my head, a smile brightening my face yet again as he gently nudges me with his shoulder. I start walking towards his house, him following closely on my right.
"You know I can't do that. RJ would never forgive me if I told someone else before him, even you." I guess you could call RJ my closest friend of sorts. He's the guy I've always found there whenever I needed him – whether I wanted him there or not. Especially after the first fiasco with Peter, he's the one who really understood what I was going through and didn't judge me for everything that happened after. RJ…RJ gets me. And he knows that whenever something big happens, I come to him first. Telling Logan what's in the letter currently stowed in the bottom of my bag before RJ wouldn't be right. And thankfully for me, Logan knows this.
"Fine, fine, I guess I can wait a couple more hours. Just promise me one thing, ok?" I look at him sideways, studying his face, looking for what he could be thinking. "Don't get too drunk tonight. No matter what happens. Please?" I sigh, letting out a deep breath of air.
"I promise. Tonight's a celebration. Either I'll be leaving for the chance of a lifetime, or I'll be living with you guys for an entire year, free to make your lives a living hell. No downside, right? Besides, you know I don't drink that much to begin with." He shot me a look that said what both of us were thinking – I didn't drink, unless something really big happened. And if it happened to be really big and really disappointing, I drank a lot more. And not getting this internship – not getting the chance to work for the FBI and the Behavioral Analysis Unit for an entire semester – would be a huge, huge, let down.
"I'll do my best. That's all I can promise. Are you finally going to drink tonight?" Logan also had this annoying moral code where he refused to drink before he turned 21, and then when he did come of age, he barely drank anyway, despite all of our best efforts to 'find his limit,' so to speak.
He smiled at me as he unlocked the door to his house. "Tonight's a cause for celebration whether or not you get what you want. It's the last night we'll all be together again for a whole three months, I think it's about time I found a drink I actually like. Besides, I'm tired of taking care of those guys every damn weekend. I think it's about time they took care of me. I'll see you tonight?" I laughed out loud then. He most definitely deserved a weekend of the guys having to take care of him, myself included.
"Of course. Whether or not the news is good, I'll be there." I waved goodbye as he walked inside, and then headed back towards my house, both hoping and dreading what was inside the envelope burning a hole through my bag. Unlocking my own door, I headed downstairs towards my room, heart beating faster now that I would have enough privacy to actually read the message.
I've always hated these types of things – wanting to know desperately what will happen next but not wanting to know all at the same time for fear of failure. And that's exactly how I felt with the letter in my hands, staring me down, begging me to open it. I knew I would have to, and a large part of me wanted to, but at the same time I was afraid of what could be written, afraid it would dash my every hope and dream. These types of moments don't happen all that often either. I remember only a few times before, the most recent being my acceptance to graduate school to study for the very thing I know faced. And each time I felt the same indecision I was feeling now.
I let out a deep breath and tried to focus. If I got in, if it really happened for me, my whole life would be changed. I'd be spending five months trying out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and could easily be disappointed. Not that I thought I would be. Working for the FBI has been my dream as long as I can remember. Studying the minds of criminals, trying to figure out what they will do next – it intrigues me. But the position I'm interested in is so much more. I would actually get the chance to warn the public about a predator using my own set of skills and knowledge – well, mine and the team's that is – and potentially save lives. I couldn't ask for more.
I'd also be leaving my friends – my family – for five whole months, with absolutely no opportunity to visit. Sure, I could still call, but nothing would beat our daily routines and our rowdy weekends. Nothing would beat nights remembered only through videos found the next day or holes in the walls that hadn't been there the night before. Or late nights talking with RJ and playing pranks with Logan on Dayan. Or catching Peter's eye and ending up together in his bed or in the shower yet again. I'd have to get my own place too, complete with all the appliances I currently took advantage of through the school. Not that any of that truly mattered in the face of what could potentially give me everything I ever wanted from life.
"Nothing for it now." I turned the letter over and in one smooth motion ripped open the top, pulling out the small slip of paper inside. Sighing, I unfolded the paper and started to read, heart beating faster with every second that passed and every word I read.
Jennifer Jareau…congratulations…internship…accepted…five months…Quantico…Behavioral Analysis Unit…August through January…Aaron Hotchner.
I fell back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling, relief washing over me completely. I actually did it, I actually got into the FBI. Looking at the letter I read it again, reminding myself that this was really happening. Shaking my head in disbelief and relief I sat up again, staring at the wall across from me. Quantico, Virginia. Five months at Quantico, Virginia, under one Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and the BAU. And for the few minutes I have left alone, life truly is as close to perfect as its ever been.
"Let me in you asshole." I stood standing outside of Logan's house – in the cold I might add – with Anthony grinning at me on the other side of the door. He finally came to the door after I had been standing there for a good five minutes, had rung the doorbell at least six times, and now wouldn't let me in. Typical. "Fine. I'll leave then and you won't know what the letter I got today said." Turning, I started walking back towards my own house.
"Aww, c'mon, you're no fun." I turned back and simply looked at Anthony who was half-hanging out the front door. "Well? Are you coming in or not?" Shaking my head I stalked back to the door and shoved past Anthony into the warm house.
"Asshole." I headed for the stairs knowing full well everyone else was downstairs just waiting for the celebration to begin, Anthony on my heels. "You know I hate it when you do that." And boy, did Anthony like to do that. Every time I see him on the other side of the door I know I'm not getting in, regardless of how good of friends we are. There have actually been a few times where I've walked away or called one of the other guys to let me in simply because he found it hilarious to make me wait or beg. And begging, that just wasn't me and never would be.
As I expected, everyone else was gathered downstairs watching TV and talking. Talking which promptly stopped once I got all the way down the stairs. Clearly Logan had opened his big mouth and told everybody I received the letter this morning, which in turn led to every one of them staring me down waiting for me to speak like I was some kind of dog. "What?" I said almost innocently, with a bewildered look on my face. A look they knew well no doubt, and a look that wouldn't fool a single one of them.
"JJ." I turned as RJ spoke and found an expectant look crossing his face. And a hopeful one as well. He wanted me to get this internship almost as badly as I myself wanted it and must be dying to know whether I did or not. We had spent more than a few nights talking about what it would be like if I got to spend four months in Virginia and what I wanted from it. And a few night talking about how much we would miss each other and our long talks.
"Oh, this?" I asked pulling the letter from my pocket. "Here. You can read it if you're so interested." I started handing it to him then pulled back just as he reached for it. "But only if Anthony apologizes for making me stand outside for the last, oh, eight minutes." I turned pointedly to Anthony, a smirk on my face, waiting for what had better be a good apology.
"Seriously? Fine, fine…" Kneeling down in front of me he grabbed my hands and kissed the back of each of them. "JJ, I sincerely apologize for locking you out in the freezing cold for an entire eight minutes. If you can only forgive me, I promise to be your humble servant for the remainder of the night, no matter what you might desire." I looked over Anthony's head at Logan, who was nearly doubled over with laughter, and rolled my eyes.
"I'll hold you to that. Being my servant that is. Tonight's gunna be a loooong night Anthony, you'd better be ready. Here." I finally handed the letter to RJ, who eagerly reached for it, searching my face for any clue as to what it might say. He unfolded it, read the first line to himself, then repeated it out loud with a huge grin on his face before jumping up and hugging me tightly.
"You did it! Yeah, girl!" Everyone was congratulating me and trying to hug me all at once while I simply laughed and let them. Peter was the last to get a hold of me and we looked at each other for a moment, expectation written all over both of our faces. He enveloped me in a huge hug and whispered in my ear. "I'm so proud of you Jayj, I told you that you had nothing to worry about." Pulling back he looked at me again before continuing. "Let's celebrate tonight, I'll find you later?" Knowing full well what he meant, I nodded. And smiled. Tonight would definitely be a night to remember.
September – 3 months later
My first day at the BAU was like walking into a mall on Black Friday. Chaos. People everywhere. Hurried movement, ringing phones, files flapping and printers going. I knew I had to report to Aaron Hotchner, but wasn't completely sure where to find him in this maze. And maze it was, I had to duck through a dozen people just to get out of the doorway and a dozen more before I made it across the room. Not one stopped when I tried to ask for directions, as minor as they were. I knew Agent Hotchner would have to have an office, so heading in the direction of the offices I tried avoiding hitting anybody by accident. Until I walked straight into a tall brunette, and promptly bounced back and onto the ground.
"Shit! I'm sorry, here let me help you up." A hand reached out in front of my face and I grabbed a hold of it, still trying to recover from my hard landing. Getting to my feet I brushed myself off.
"Sorry about that, I'm a little lost…" And then I was staring into the most amazing set of deep brown eyes I had ever seen and literally stopped mid-sentence simply to stare.
"It's no problem, really. I should have been watching where I was going." She smiled at me and I somehow managed to catch myself before my eyes – and thoughts – latched on to those amazing deep red lips. "You're lost? Maybe I can help. Who are you looking for?"
"Um, Aaron Hotchner? I'm supposed to be reporting for duty and I can't seem to find his office." She smiled again, this time deeper, if that was possible. I could lose myself in that smile…
"You're the new intern, right? Hotch said to expect you today. I guess we'll be working together for the next few months. I'm Emily. Emily Prentiss." She extended her hand again. No ring – a good sign.
"Yeah, I'm the new intern. Jennifer Jareau." I grabbed her hand. "JJ." And smiled back at her. "Nice to meet you."
"Hotch's office is right up there." She pointed at an office on the second floor. No wonder I couldn't find it. Second floor my ass. "He should be here by now. If not, come find me, my desk is right over there." She pointed to a small cubicle just across the room. "I'll be there all day." Smiling, she walked away. I turned and watched her walk away before heading up to the office she pointed to. Working with her for the next few months was definitely going to be interesting. Or torture. It all depended on how fast I fell for her. Which I could already feel myself doing.
"Crap."