Disclaimer: I own nothing.

This chapter came to me when re-watching the Season 2, Episode 7 'North Mammon' where we see a photo of JJ from her high school days, standing with her arms around her two fellow soccer playing friends.

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Walking down the Main Street holding her son's hand, JJ looked around at everything. It was coming up fifteen years since she'd left East Allegheny and nothing had changed. The shops were all the same, she was passing the same people in the street and even the soccer field on which she'd played so many games still had the fading paint on the scoreboard.

Stepping into the General Store, she looked toward the counter where Old Man Jeffrey was still manning the till. He'd been creaking with age when she'd left, and it was remarkable that he was still standing.

Letting Henry roam the store with a warning to keep his hands to himself, JJ collected up a few things that her mother needed. Her shopping is interrupted by an incredulous voice. 'Jennifer Jareau?'

Turning to the voice, she pulled the newcomer into a hug. 'Antonia Kaufman as I live and breathe. You still live here Toni?!'

The brunette shrugged her shoulders as she explained. 'Sheridan got married and moved away. Raymond died in a car crash soon after you left. So I'm the only one left to continue Kaufman family tradition aren't I?'

'So you're working as an accountant? You always were good at numbers,' said JJ.

'How about yourself?' asked Toni. 'What have you done since you busted out of this place?'

'I'm working at the FBI in the Behavioural Analysis Unit,' laughing lightly at Toni's bemused expression. 'What in the devil do you do there?'

'Well, I ...' But before any further explanation can be offered, Henry has made his way back to his mother and pulled on her pant leg.

Toni sees the little blonde haired child and goes all gooey. 'Aw. Is this your kid Jen? What's your name sweetheart?' asked Toni, bending down to his level.

Henry looked up at his mother enquiringly as JJ explains to Toni that Henry is deaf. Well used to the pitying reaction, JJ is pleasantly shocked to see surprise cross Toni's face, before she turns back to her son, concentration evident on her face. Biting the inside of her mouth, Toni waved her hand in greeting to Henry. Pointing her finger at JJ, Toni then pointed at herself and gestured her hand backward, before pointing to the ground.

Ever intuitive, Henry signed to his mother. 'You and her were here together some time ago?'

Talking and signing at the same time, JJ answers Henry's question. 'Yes that's right. Toni and I grew up together. We played soccer together. You know the photo at home with Mummy in the blue shirts. Well this is Antonia – she's the one on the left.'

'What about the other one?' asked Henry, looking serious.

Slightly ashamed that she had no idea what her high school best friends have been up to since she left, JJ turned to Toni. 'Where's Pheebs these days?'

'You won't believe it but Phoebe Ballantyne we all know and love is now married with four kids.'

Jaw dropping, JJ couldn't believe it. 'Seriously? Our party up, party down girl got herself tied down?!'

Nodding with a grin Toni added. 'It gets better. She married Walter Tovey.'

'Big Wally's kid? Mr Geek himself?' asked JJ in disbelief.

'Yep. Though he turned out okay,' said Toni with a wink. 'They live out on the Tovey farm. Big Wally hasn't been the same since his heart attack a couple of year back, so they're out there.'

Fed up with adults talking above him, Henry tapped his mother's side and asked if he could have a candy bar. 'Nuh uh. Granny's got dinner cooking, so we don't want to spoil that,' said his mother. Crossing his arms over his chest, Henry stood next to JJ, cranky face firmly on.

Turning back to Toni, JJ excused herself. 'I need to get home quick because Mum needs a few things. But we really should catch up for dinner one night.'

Nodding enthusiastically, Toni agreed. 'How long you here for?'

'Until Sunday.'

'I'll give Phoebe a call and see if we can't organise something for Thursday or Friday night,' suggested Toni.

'You're on,' agreed JJ, giving Toni a hug before grabbing the last thing she needed, sorted out the bill at the counter, rounded up Henry and headed back to her parents' place.

Ushering Henry in the front door, JJ found it hard to believe that very little had changed since she'd gone. She was thankful more than ever she'd gotten out.

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That Friday night found JJ pulling on her jeans, shirt and boots s she prepared for an outing with her two long lost best friends. Kissing Henry good bye, and warning her mother that he didn't need any more sugar, JJ headed out to town in her father's pickup truck.

Entering the pub, JJ grabs a beer before she heads toward where Toni is currently nursing a beer of her own in the corner. They make small talk until the third member of their party arrives through the door. Toni grins as she reaches out an arm. 'Jen, meet Phoebe Tovey nee Ballantyne. One time party girl, and now a flustered mother of four.'

Lightly slapping Toni on her shoulder, Phoebe leans forward to give Jen a hug and kiss. 'Good to see you Blondie.'

What ensues is a dinner full of memories, much laughter and much drinking. When her phone rings, JJ is laughing out loud as she takes the call. 'I take it that your dinner is going well?' said a deep baritone voice amusedly.

'Hey Dave,' said JJ warmly. 'Scuse me a second girls.'

Leaving the table, JJ moves aside a little as she continues her conversation, arms crossed over her body as she continues to laugh into the phone. When she returns to the table ten minutes later, both Phoebe and Toni pounced. 'So is this your mystery man?'

Flushing, JJ tried her best to avoid this topic of conversation. 'That was David Rossi. He was just calling...'

'Just calling hey?' said Toni suggestively.

'He asked about Henry too,' said JJ defensively.

'Oh even better,' responded Phoebe, slapping the table. 'This man likes your kid. What are you waiting for girly?'

'How about we talk about something else,' said JJ trying to distract her friends. 'Pheebs. How old are your kids?'

'Fleur's twelve, Tora's ten, Ewan's six and baby Leila is just a month short of two years old,' said Phoebe. 'But the distraction isn't going to work my dear. Just who is this Dave?'

As both Phoebe and Toni leaned forward in sync, JJ gave up with a sigh and proceeded to regale them both about her history and relationship with David Rossi. Needless to say, their 'catch up' that night went well into the early hours of the morning as all shared stories, men and a fair few drinks.