Emily watched as JJ disappeared into Hotch's office, a worried frown etched across her face. JJ had been a wreck all morning since they had agreed to come talk to Aaron today, to the point Emily had to pull over the car on the way here for JJ to throw up. Mentally this whole ordeal must be exhausting on the younger woman, especially since she seems to have the unfounded fear in her mind of Aaron firing her on the spot. Will had to have gotten to her about this, used it against her to keep her quiet.

"Princess, I thought you and Jayje were taking time off?" the dark haired woman turned to face Derek who was smirking wildly at her "is there something you wanna tell me, you getting a little action babygirl?" he winked and it made Emily smile inwardly but the reality of the situation didn't allow her much of a visible smile

"Morgan" she warned "don't say that around her, and not that it's any of your business but no, I'm not getting any of anything, Jennifer and I are friends"

This added more fuel to Derek Morgan's fire "Jennifer" he imitated in a breathy tone, and that was when Emily realised her mistake
"Damn, okay definitely don't let her hear you say that" her reply changed the mood from playful to one of concern

"Okay Prentiss what the hell is happening, you're being weird and both of you are taking days off- is there something wrong?"

Emily knew it wasn't her story to tell, that was JJ's decision to make whenever she felt comfortable telling the rest of the team, but that didn't mean that she didn't want to tell him. He had always been like a brother to her, someone she could talk to on the rare occasion she felt the need to. But this was different. She couldn't do that to JJ.

"No Derek, things are okay, we just need some time off, to get things together. I promise we're both safe" at least Emily sure hoped so.

Derek wasn't happy with her answer but it was obviously the best he was getting so he accepted it "remember I'm here if you need me Emily" he reassured, and they began some meaningless small talk, that was until a very shaky JJ emerged from Hotch's office. Cutting their conversation short with a brief apology, Emily darted up the few steps and straight to JJ, whose watery blue eyes held nothing but heartbreak
"Please, can we go home Emily?"

"Of course honey, d-do you need me to go in there and talk to him-?" Emily, full of concern and rage that Aaron had clearly upset the younger agent seemed to forget her job would be on the line if she went in all guns blazing, not that it bothered her too much in that moment
"No!" JJ grabbed Emily's wrist tightly desperate for her to stay close, but immediately dropped it and the guilt written all over her face screamed out the thought's going through her mind

You're turning into him JJ. Controlling, rough. An abuser. A victim to a victimiser.

"Please no" she mumbled, hardly loud enough for Emily to here

Emily saw the look, and it didn't take much to tell where JJ's mind had brought her "c'mon Jay, we can go home"
The pair left, with Emily waving a goodbye to Derek, and JJ remaining that stuck in her thoughts to even realise they had made it to the car already.

You need to stay away from Emily, romantically. Even if she did feel the same, you're the liability here, you'd hurt her like he hurt you, he made you that way, ruined you.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Emily asked, not referring to either the talk with Aaron or the incident in the hallway specifically, giving the blonde the option of opening up about whichever topic was easiest

"He gave me the time off, I have as long as I need. He said you could stay with me too, for a week, max" she stated automatically, no feeling in her voice, which frightened Emily. At least if she sounded sad that would be some indication of how she felt, this left JJ unreadable.

"Okay, well that's something. It may not be ideal but we have some time to sort out what you want to do" Emily's attempt at comfort was misguided, but JJ still appreciated it.
The younger agent fell silent again, and it remained that way until the pair got home. Emily had thought it was best to let JJ open up to her, so instead of pushing conversation she went and made them both some coffee.

From the kitchen she could hear JJ sniffling, and that made her even more desperate to find out what had happened with Aaron. She couldn't bare the thought of JJ struggling alone to begin with, never mind when she was right there and ready to help in any way she could.

As she walked back into the kitchen she saw JJ try to hide the fact she'd been crying, not that it made much of a difference

"You don't have to do that" Emily said softly as she offered the woman the cup "it's okay to be upset JJ, you don't have to try be so strong all the time"

"You are" JJ immediately counteracted, which stunned Emily a little, but she just shook her head
"There's a difference between strength and being good at hiding things JJ, I compartmentalise but that isn't strength, it's the opposite"

That earned a confused look from the younger woman and Emily elaborated "I tuck things that hurt me away, ignore them until a time when I'm forced to deal with them- that's if I ever do. But you are so sensitive, you wear your heart on your sleeve.." for a second JJ thought these were bad traits she was listing off about her, Will had always berated her for being so emotional but her thoughts changed as Emily continued
"I wish I had your empathy, your sweet, warm heart" Emily admitted and for the first time since breakfast this morning JJ smiled

"You're a smooth talker Emily Prentiss" the sparkle in Emily's eyes at JJ's compliment wasn't missed by the younger agent who took Emily's hand into her own "thank you for what you said, I really appreciate it- and Em, you're perfect as you are, you don't need to be like me, you make a pretty great you"

Emily blushed a deep red, which JJ adored seeing.
Tell her, kiss her, God JJ do something. Even if you eventually mess things up, it's worth a try.

"Emily, you're so beautiful" her shaking hand moved up to Emily's cheek, and she ran her thumb across her cheek bone softly.
At JJ's words Emily's swallowed thickly "Jay..." she wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but just anything to break the charged silence between them. She wanted to ask JJ to kiss her, but thought that might be too forward, or put pressure on the woman who she wasn't even sure had feelings for her yet "what are we doing?"

"I don't know" JJ admitted honestly, "but I know I've wanted to do it for months now Emily- is it okay if I kiss you?"

"God, yes"

JJ leaned in, and despite the nerves rushing through her, she and Emily shared a wonderful kiss, one that wasn't even remotely similar to any kisses she had ever received in her life. It was soft, and sensual and full of passion.

Admittedly she hadn't kissed another woman before, but this was such an amazing experience, she wished she had experimented in college like she had always felt the urge to.

They pulled apart, JJ smiling widely, but her happiness immediately crashed through the floor at the expression on Emily's face
"W-What's wrong Em?"