She wasn't alone in her hesitation one of her competitors was obviously being coaxed into participating by her rather drunk group of gal pals. Despite the fact there had been an onslaught of victims abducted from said location the bar was busy with patrons. The hotel receptionist had been correct in saying the town was alive for the local rodeo. It was apparently tradition to hold the skeavy wet t-shirt contest the night before the start of the rodeo, some sort of local good luck charm. JJ was convinced it was more a local tourist draw for a seedy bar int he middle of a podunk town.
Nevertheless she was there and the bartender from the night before was eyeing her from his seat at the end of the bar. She still didn't get a good vibe from the out of place tattooed man. The DJ announced a countdown and JJ didn't have a chance to even catch her breath before the needle sharp pain of ice water covered her head and dripped down her blouse. She hadn't planned on the night unfolded as it had and she was suddenly aware she was wearing a nearly sheer white blouse. At the last minute before entering the competition she had made one minor adjustment to her outfit in order to get the upper hand on her competition. As soon as the contestants were drenched it was clear why.
The DJ asked the crowd to applaud for their favorite contestant starting with the brunette on the far side of the bar and working his way down to JJ. When he got to her she did a sassy turn and shook her assets as the crown erupted in applause. She won by a landslide. Her prize was a free bar tab for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately for her they were still on the job and she had already hit her limit. Nevertheless her ploy seemed to have worked as multiple men approached her as she made her way through the crowd and back to Emily. She wrapped the provided towel around her shoulders as she blushed looking at Emily's surprised reaction.
"Jesus Jay! Where the hell is your bra?" Emily asked as she adverted her eyes from the thin fabric that was clinigng to JJ's wet chest and pert nipples. JJ toweled her hair and pulled her bra out of her purse with a devilish grin.
"She's not wearing a bra!?" Derek asked over the comm.
"Hotch said we had to be sure to catch the unsub's eye tonight..." JJ started.
"Not what I had in mind Agent Jareau!"
"Well, assuming he's here I think that should have done the trick," JJ smiled and excused herself to the restroom to redress. She was very well aware of Emily's heavy gaze as the crowd parted ways to let her through.
Upon returning JJ sat next to Emily and leaned in placing her lips close to the brunette's ear and whispered to be sure the rest of the team couldn't hear, "It's only fair don;t you think? I mean I already saw you naked today."
Emily bit her lip at the innuendo, JJ had a point. Emily was actually having a lovely time on their 'date' ignoring the fact that they were actually searching for a serial killer. She was really thinking the young detective had a point, perhaps she would have to ask JJ out on a proper date once they made their way back to DC.
"So what do you think?" JJ asked.
"I think you deserved to win because you were easily the most beautiful woman on that bar," Emily concluded.
"Em, I meant about the unsub. Have you noticed anyone?"
Emily turned scarlet when she realized what she had said. She shook her head and sipped at her beer. "I'm going to get some water, do you want something to drink since it's on the bar anyway?"
JJ knew she shouldn't seeing as she was already a bit buzzed but she agreed to another beer, as part of her act. Emily went to the bar and JJ watched the interaction from the table.
Emily approached the surly bartender and nodded back at the blonde who waved to prove the drink was, in fact, her order. He didn't seem to pleased but he poured the beer and Emily smiled politely as she made her way back.
"What about that guy? He hasn't taken his eyes off of you since we walked in," Emily stated as she nodded across the room at a man sitting at a table alone.
"I don't know, he just doesn't give me the serial killer vibe," JJ sighed as she was beginning to think their operation was a total bust. They made their way to the dance floor as the continued to eye any suspicious characters.
The time passed and the bar patrons started to dwindle after three hours with no obvious suspects Hotch finally decided to call it a night and called the charade off. Although their efforts seemed to prove fruitless Hotch erred on the side of caution and decided to send JJ and Emily to a safe house for the night in case the unsub had plans of following them home as he had done the Jacobsons.
They loaded into their SUV and made their way to the outskirts of town to a small home which Penelope had programmed in the GPS while they were in the bar. It was past midnight as the parked in the driveway and although she wouldn't admit it, JJ was a bit drunk.
Emily came to the passenger door and helped JJ out as they made their way up the drive and into the quaint dwelling. It was simple on the inside as most safe houses are, basic necessities to look as if it was being lived in.
It wasn't much but it would have to do for their ruse. Emily mad ea pot of coffee as JJ showered and changed into an over-sized sweatshirt she had found in the closet.
"That smells like exactly what I need," JJ said as she came into the kitchen.
"Thought it may prevent a hangover," Emily chucked as she poured JJ a mug.
"A hangover would imply I'm drunk!"
"Are you trying to say you aren't?" Emily asked raising a suspicious eyebrow.
JJ opened her mouth then closed it promptly realizing just how much her head was swimming. She simply nodded in agreement and sat down at the table gladly accepting her mug of coffee.
"Well tonight was a total bust," JJ finally said breaking the comfortable silence.
"I don't know maybe not," Emily grinned. "I basically got to see you topless."
"Wow, Em. Glad you;re keeping your head on the case."
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the view," JJ winked in Emily's direction and delighted seeing the rose tint cross the brunette's cheeks. They chatted about the evening and finished a pot of coffee before deciding to try and sleep. Emily had purposely made decaf although she dared not tell JJ. JJ refused to drink decaf regularly, stating she may as well just drink water.
Upon reaching the bedroom they both laughed seeing as there was, of course, one bed.
"Well I guess the universe is trying to tell us something," JJ joked as she slipped into the bed and patted the other side with a sly smile.
"It's fine, I should stay up and keep watch," Emily decided as she felt a familiar tingle deep within her abdomen.
"Nonsense, the boys are keeping a watchful eye outside. Why don't you come lay down with me, Em?"
Emily couldn't resist the way JJ used her nickname and the fact she was sporting a set of rather pouty eyes didn't help either. Emily agreed she needed sleep and laid down next to JJ on top of the covers fully clothed.
"Really?" JJ asked.
"I don't have anything to change in to," Emily admitted.
"Em, just take off your jeans at least. They can't be comfortable. And get under the covers it's chilly," JJ insisted as she happily watched Emily roll her eyes before getting up and slipping out of her skin tight jeans. She slipped her bra off without taking off her shirt, as is the custom with women and finally slipped under the covers. Unlike the king size bed in the hotel room this was a standard and there wasn't much wiggle room between two grown adults. Emily reached over and flipped off the lamp, letting the ambient lighting from the street flicker into the window.
"Goodnight Emily," JJ whispered drowsily. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she felt the weight of JJ's arm come to rest across her stomach. She could feel the blonde's breath on her shoulder as she gently whispered, "Night Jennifer"
For the second night in a row she was going to sleep snuggled impossibly close to the blonde and she wasn't one to complain. Emily wasn't quite sure why she was so comfortable when usually she would feel extremely suffocated in such close proximity to someone else while she slept. She had been so used to sleeping alone it had taken her nearly six months to get used to even Sergio sharing her bed, now she had JJ wrapped around her and everything felt unusually right.
Emily jolted awake when she heard the unmistakable sound of glass breaking. She instinctively reached for her gun which she usually kept on top of her nightstand at home but found the nightstand empty. She nudged JJ quietly and placed her finger to her lips to make sure the blonde stayed silent. JJ's ears perked as she realized what was happening.
Emily took out her phone and turned on the flashlight and sent their pre-arranged distress signal out the window in the direction of the team's surveillance van. She only hoped whomever was on shift could see the light and hadn't fallen asleep. Before she had time to think, the bedroom door swung open and JJ managed to get behind their supposed attacker and place him in a choke hold.
He was larger than her but she had the element of surprise and the right angle. He frantically reached for her as Emily landed a swift knee to his groin, being unable to use her broken hand. He doubled over and managed to yelp, "Guys it's me!"
"Morgan?" Emily asked into the darkness as she stumbled to the lamp and clicked it on.
Morgan laid on the ground holding his crotch letting out a rather large groan.
"What the hell?" Emily exclaimed.
He held up his hand to communicate he couldn't quite make words just yet. Emily smiled at his obvious pain and JJ couldn't help but also laugh at the situation.
"You scared the shit out of us!" she stated as he finally caught his breath.
"I was checking on you guys! I heard glass break," he explained.
"I heard it too," Emily confirmed.
"Well no one's int he house, except you and Chokehold McGee here," he stated rubbing his sore throat.
"Sorry Derek," JJ laughed. "But I mean at least I didn't knee you in the junk!"
Emily blushed and rolled her eyes. The two women laughed at their friend;s expense for a second before he looked from one to another and a perplexed look crossed his face.
"What?" Emily asked trying to decipher his thoughts.
"Why aren't either of you wearing pants?" he smiled as he winked at Emily.
"Damnit Derek! Get your head out of the gutter!" JJ laughed and threw a pillow at him jokingly although she was very aware of what it looked like. One bed, neither of the women wearing much clothing after a night out at the bar. It did seem suggestive.
"Look, this whole charade obviously hasn't been helpful. Why don;t we all just go back to the hotel and come up with a new plan tomorrow. There has to be someone at the bar who has seen something helpful," Emily decided.
"Agreed," Derek said. "We could all use some sleep. I'm going to call Hotch and let him know while you two get dressed."
He left the room and Emily slipped into her pants as JJ changed back into her outfit. Minutes later they joined Derek and Reid in the kitchen. Reid was holding the remains of a beer bottle which appeared to be the culprit of the noise everyone had heard.
"Found this outside, someone must have thrown it out of a car and it smashed into the side of the house."
"Nice to see you too, Reid," Emily said softly. They had barely spoken since the day before and he apparently was still giving her the silent treatment.
"Alright, Hotch said we should just pack it up and call it a night. We'll all go back tot he hotel and regroup in the morning with local PD. We're going to rerun the backgrounds of everyone who works at the bar and go from there, it's not much but it;s more than we've got now," Derek explained.
The women agreed and they locked up the house and headed towards their separate vehicles. JJ insisted on driving seeing as it was rather difficult with Emily's hand in a cast. Emily didn't argue and took her place in the passenger seat.
"I'm beginning to feel like we're never going to catch this asshole," Emily sighed as she gazed out the window.
"We'll catch him, Emily. We always do," JJ reassured as she reached over and patted the brunette's thigh. "And I would be lying if I said I haven't enjoyed our time together. I could get used to this, you know."
Emily looked at her with questioning eyes.
"Us, Emily," JJ whispered to clarify. "I could get used to us"