AN: I'm now on Facebook as Stormofimagination Fanfiction and Twiiter as ThisCMWriterGal, so hit me up guys!

There was no way to make this hell any worse. As the already plastic press smile once again plastered itself to her face as she and Morgan were greeted by her parents, she could feel the dark eyes of her boyfriend glittering behind her as she hugged her mother and father. She tried to feel something, some genuine happiness to see her parents, but she didn't want to pretend this; she wanted this to be real, to be meeting her parents in Pittsburgh, to be having the team fly in, not for a undercover job, but because she wanted to be really getting married. And not married to anyone, but to Derek.

But this was all an act. All a bittersweet performance for the freak show they were hunting down. The thought brought tears to her eyes, but she rapidly blinked them away. If this unsub was really watching them, any sign that something was wrong would trigger him, maybe even send him on a spree. So she swallowed back the lump in her throat and forced another smile, grateful when her mother ushered them all inside, making it marginally more covered.

As JJ's mother puttered around, bringing them coffee and tea, JJ and Morgan sat on the loveseat across from her father. Morgan had comfortably slung his arm around JJ's shoulders, and JJ leaned against Morgan's chest, relaxing despite the fact they were on a case.

"So, how long have you two known each other?" JJ's father asked, and JJ looked up at Morgan, smiling.

"well, we've known each other since we got to the BAU, so..." JJ said, frowning and chewing her lip, trying to do the math as to just how long they had known each other, knowing the number off the top of her head, but trying to make it seem more realistic.

"Going on fourteen years, but we've been together for a little over two." Morgan said, and JJ couldn't hold back a chuckle, for once finally feeling like she didn't have to act like she was enjoying herself.

"Way to make me feel like I'm getting old, babe." JJ said, rolling her eyes. "I try to deny I've been working that long. I'm almost 37." Morgan laughed.

"You're not old, blondie." He said, leaning down and kissing the top of JJ's nose, making her giggle. "You're just you."

JJ's father chuckled. "Well, good to see that you two are comfortable around each other." he said, smiling. "I haven't heard JJ laugh like that for a long time. She's always so serious."

JJ couldn't fight the blush, which only deepened at Morgan's words. "That's alright, sir, because I'm usually not serious, so I try and lighten her up." he said, smiling. "We tend to be a silly couple."

JJ's father smiled. "No need for the sir." he said. "JJ's not in high school anymore, and you two are getting married. Peter is fine." he held his hand out, and Morgan shook it heartily. JJ swore she could've seen a wink pass between the two of them, but shook her head, assuming she was imagining it.

"Oh, yay, we're all cooperating in time to get you guys settled in." JJ's mother said, smiling, her hands on her hips. "Obviously, I'm Anna, by the way, or mom. Mom is always good." This time she visibly winked at JJ, causing her dying blush to flare back up. "Derek, you and Jennifer will crash in the loft. It's fully set up with bed and blankets, so it's not all dust and mildew."

JJ smiled. "Thanks, mom." she said. "I need to get some rest, so I think I'm going to head up to bed." she kissed both her parent's cheeks in turn, then went up the stairs and ladder to the loft, where her heart sunk. There was only one double bed, so there wasn't room for her and Derek to have the space they needed after a fight. So, with a sigh, she pulled the extra blankets out of the dresser, thankful the loft had no windows. Making up a bed on the floor, she curled up and closed her eyes.

Just as she was about to fall asleep,she heard someone come upstairs, and heard a familiar sigh that could only be Derek. His strong arms gently lifted her up and cradled her close to his chest,setting her on the bed and tucking her in before changing into pajamas.

"I'm not angry with you, baby, but if space is what you want, that's what I'll give you." Derek said softly, kissing her forehead and laying down on the bed she had made up on the floor. JJ's heart throbbed at the tender tone in his voice.

"Derek.." JJ whispered, and knew, despite the darkness, that he had sat up. "Come stay with me." She heard as he stood up and slipped into bed next to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.