Short update….just to get the longest meal in the world out the way….think of it as still ch 1.

…

The team were enjoying their food. The beer and wine were going down a treat and the conversations came easy.

"This sea bass is to die for" Tara moaned into her next mouthful.

"Best meal I've had in a long time" Alvez had almost cleared his plate already.

"It's actually unbelievable. Glad you guys got me the burger. They do it exactly the way I like it...like exactly. Its so weird" JJ waved her fork about over each item on her plate and trying to keep the food in her mouth as she spoke.

"That is sooo weird" Tara smirked at Emily. Emily did not look at Tara.

JJ didn't pick up on Tara's obvious insincerity as she immediately joined the 'debate' about soccer with the four men and Emily was just too interested in her plate.

"It's not baseball Reid...It's not about numbers and statistics...It's about facing down the opposition with skill, determination and passion" Rossi was getting even more animated.

"And violent rivalry, strong European beer and tribal chants" Reid quipped.

Rossi just shook his head "If it's not in you….then it's just not in you kid"

The youngest agent leaned out his seat and raised his voice to a whisper shout. "Are you implying I don't have passion...because I can tell you I..." Reid stopped talking when he saw the rest of the men trying to stifle their laughter and JJ looking at him like he was an injured puppy. "Never mind" he said as he calmly sat back down and resumed eating.

Tara was pretending to be reading some important document on her tablet but all the time she was watching JJ pick fries off Emily's plate as if it were her own, as the unit chief just ate her meal and watched her team 'debate'.

She thought back to the start of the meal when everyone was arranging napkins and cutlery and condiments ready to eat. Tara had watched how JJ had grabbed an onion ring from her bowl and opened her bun to add it to the burger, she saw her smile then shrug as she saw there was already one on there. Tara remembered how Emily specifically asked for no fries with JJs order yet she clearly likes them.

This got Tara thinking. She knows how some of her lifelong friends like their steaks and probably could take an educated guess at their favourite meals having dined out, and in, with them many times over the years. She knows that Rossi is eating an amazing carbonara right now, as he is being unusually quiet about it. She already knew Matt loves salmon and Reid likes chicken burgers. But other than the surface details would she know how to order for someone who was just a friend right down to how they like their onion rings and relish? And would one of her friends pick from her plate constantly without even a word about it. Maybe through their need for a private life and the fact they do their utmost not to profile each other it occurred to Tara that the rest of the team are oblivious to something about JJ and Emily's relationship. She just doesn't know what yet.

"Hey guys...the jet will be ready in an hour tops…best get going." Emily relayed her text message to the team and put her phone away.

"Urgh!...I'm stuffed. Can it come pick us up here" Alvez patted his stomach and reclined as much as he could in the restaurant chair.

"I highly doubt there would be an enough square footage for a microlight outside...never mind a jet." Reid looked thoughtful "Even if you removed all the vehicles and pedestrians...by my calculations the wings..."

Alvez cut him off with a stop hand in the air "Just a joke Reid...just a joke"

"Oh!" The beer and wine were making the genius a little light headed. "I'm ready for take-off now"

The team laughed. He wasn't the only one feeling the effects of the lack of sleep and alcohol. Everyone began to tidy their empty plates and cutlery and table debris as much as they thought polite. Rossi paid the bill to everyone's objections.

"You missed a bit there, Em" JJ said as she guided her fork around Emily's plate to gather the last of the Mac'n'Cheese and then ate it with a grin.

"God JJ...you can't still be hungry!" Emily shook her head in disbelief at the blonde.

'Was that genuine disbelief?' There was something gnawing at the back of Tara's brilliant brain. 'Ah!' She thought to herself. A tiny memory from a while ago floated through her mind.

She leaned in to as close to Emily and JJ as she could and lowered her voice a bit. "Random question JJ...but do you like mustard?"

Emily froze.

"Oh no...can't do the mustard." JJ was wiggling her index finger back and forth in the air a little unsteady on her feet. "Makes me gag big time. Even just a hint of it...eww! Emily loves it" her faced screwed up at the thought.

Tara leaned back again in her chair facing Emily and rested her elbow behind her and her head on her up turned hand. "Huh!" She said looking directly at Emily.

Emily caught Tara's eyes for a few moments and then quickly looked away as she gathered her things to get ready to leave.

'Was that shame Tara saw pass over Emily as she looked away..or could it be grief? And does JJ know that Emily is in love with her? And WTF? Brilliant profilers my ass.' All valid thoughts in Tara's book.

'Aw...honey. You and I are gonna have a chat soon' Tara thought to herself as she watched Emily put as much distance between them as she could while they all left the restaurant Ch2