Title: Curious Mixture

Summary: AU: Jennifer JJ Jareau and Emily Prentiss tale in progress. JJ and Emily find themselves at a crossroads in their relationship after so many promises broken and wishes unfulfilled…

Author: Cherokee62

Rating: T (will change to M as story progresses)

Spoilers: Seasons 1 thru 12 basically

Word Count: 2471

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, nor do I make any profit in my parody of them. If I did own them, I would not be writing Jemily Femslash, JJ and Emily would have been a happy couple years ago, the first FBI agents to marry and Will would have graciously donated his sperm to make Henry and went away until JJ and Emily decided they wanted another child. These characters are (sadly) owned by CBS Corp.

Chapter 10

Sitting close to JJ on the side of the couch, Emily gave her arms a quick rub, "Is it me or is it cold in here?

"A little, but it's nice in front of the fire. How are you for wood?"

Nodding absently, Emily shivered, "We have plenty. It is colder in here, isn't it? That makes no sense; let me check the thermostat." She got up and fiddled with the controls then picked up her phone. "It says it's sixty degrees in here. I usually keep it at seventy-two, but I turned it up when we came in." She dialed and tapped on the thermostat as if it were simply stuck. She frowned when she got a busy signal, hit end and dialed again. "Prentiss again. Yeah, sorry. I know it must sound crazy but my heat seems to be acting up and -" Emily listened, her frown deepening, "Is that really necessary? Alright. Yes, I understand. Well if you think it's a needed precaution then yes, I'll take the extra wood."

She hung up and JJ lifted her brow in question.

"They're lowering the main boilers to take the extra strain off of the units. Seems the extra usage is causing issues; some of the tenants are turning their thermostats up instead if using their fireplaces."

"He's getting you more wood then?"

"Yeah, though it may get pretty chilly in here if he can't get everyone to comply."

"Just how chilly are we talking?" JJ shivered, she hadn't considered heat being an issue.

Emily shrugged, "It's already sixty in here, not sure how much lower they can go." She rubbed her hands together, "But we'll be fine. I have plenty of throws and blankets we can use, and I have hoodies if you want to put on another layer."

JJ shivered and nodded, "Might as well before it gets much colder."

An hour later JJ was dishing up the stew when the lights flickered again. She looked up and frowned; it was darker now so no light was coming in from the windows and Emily had closed the curtains. As she carried the steaming bowls into the living room, the lights flickered brightly and went out.

Emily stood and took the food, setting it on the coffee table. She had left some of the candles burning and with the fireplace, there was enough light to see, once her eyes adjusted.

"I was hoping we would make it through the night. Damn."

"It's not so bad, with the fireplace and the candles, we have plenty of light. And besides, it makes it downright cozy in here." JJ said, her hand lightly resting on Emily's arm.

"Not the light that really concerns me, it's the heat. It's already chilly in here. No electricity means the thermostat's not going to work, so no heat."

"So we stay close to the fire. C'mon, let's eat while it's still hot. I'm sure they'll get the generator going again soon.

As they ate and chatted the room slowly chilled. Emily had built a fairly large fire, so the living room was warm and comfortable. It wasn't until JJ got up to take the dishes back into the kitchen that she noticed the dramatic change in temperature between the rooms.

"Wow, the kitchen is freezing! I think we may have lost the heat, Em."

Emily got up, her face etched with concern and went over to the thermostat.

"Damn," she exclaimed as she tapped the controls hard with her index finger. "It's down below forty degrees. Can that be right?"

"If it's totally off, I guess so. All I know is you can feel the difference when you move away from the fire."

Emily looked as if she were seeing her apartment for the first time and found it lacking. "I knew it would get colder but hell, this is downright cold! We should probably get some blankets and pillows and move everything in here. It's only going to get colder as the night wears on."

Without a word, JJ got up and moved toward the stairs, flashlight in hand.

"Where do you keep the linens?"

"Closet in the guest room. Top of the stairs, to the left." Emily watched as JJ began to climb the stairs, "I'll throw more wood on the fire."

JJ looked back over her shoulder and nodded, the light from the fire reflecting in her eyes. Emily gave a small moan and closed her eyes. "Lord..." she mumbled. "This is so gonna suck."

JJ came back down, arms ladened with a pile of blankets and two pillows. She dropped them unceremoniously on the couch and turned to Emily.

"We can put the leftovers out on the patio. It's colder out there than your fridge, and we don't want to open that too much with the electricity off."

"The patio? Gross." Emily whined.

JJ stopped and gave her a look, "Seriously? When I was in college, we lived by the window-sill fridge all winter until I could afford a dorm size refrigerator. I thought you went away to college?"

"I did, but I lived off campus."

"Of course you did." JJ murmured. "It's perfectly safe and colder than your fridge right now. Trust me." JJ added when she saw Emily's skeptical look.

Soon they sat huddled close together, bundled up under layers of blankets and throws, doing their best to keep warm. The fireplace was roaring but the cold from the rest of the apartment was pushing back hard. JJ shivered and shimmied a little closer to Emily for warmth.

"Jesus, I feel like I'm sitting outside."

Emily nodded and picked up her phone. "I'm going to check and see if there is any word on when we can expect the power to be restored."

Nodding, JJ glanced at her own phone, "Go ahead, Jay. I know we need to conserve the batteries, but if you don't call him you'll go crazy. My call will only last a moment and I'll turn it right back off."

JJ bit her lip, not sure, then nodded. "I'll make it fast."

"Take as long as he needs."

JJ turned her phone on and dialed.

"Hey, how's he doing?"

"He's fine, but he's getting worried about you." Marie answered. "I tried to explain but you can only distract a five-year-old for so long."

"Don't I know it," JJ laughed. "Is he still awake?"

"Right here giving me those big blues. Hold on."

"Mommy?" Came the small, tentative voice on the phone.

"Hey Buddy!"

"Mommy, where you'se at? It snowed a lot and me and Donny played in it, den we played here, den daddy called, den I wanna go home. Where you at Mommy?"

"Oh baby, I know you want to go home. Remember I told you earlier that I was stuck because of all the snow? I can't get to Marie's to get you."

"Un huh. I 'member. But you said daddy was comin' but he no comin eider. He said you comin'."

Why would he..." JJ closed her eyes and sighed. "I can't honey. This is like when I have to work and daddy has to work. You get to have a sleepover with Donny. You like when you get to do that, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." Henry gave a big dramatic sigh that pulled a small smile from JJ. "Will you tell me our bedtime story still?"

"Sure thing buddy. Give the phone to Marie and you run up and get into bed, OK? She'll bring the phone to you and I'll tell you your story."

"OK. Night mommy! Love you!"

He handed the phone over and ran out the room. Marie chuckled as she got back on the line.

"Still there JJ?"

"Yup. Would you mind taking the phone up to him so I can tell him his bedtime story?"

"Sure. So where's Will? I expected to see him tonight. You two rarely are M.I.A. the same night."

"I guess he got stuck in the city. I'm trying to save my cell's battery so I'm not going to call him again. I spoke to him earlier and he said he was going to try to get home."

"Hmm, well when he called he sounded a little less than sober if you don't mind me saying."

JJ sighed, "Well, I suppose once he realized he wasn't driving home he relaxed." Before Marie could say anything more JJ asked, "Is Henry ready?"

"Yeah, here he is."

JJ began to tell Henry his favorite bedtime story. It was the same one she told him every night since he was born. When she was home, she would sit next to him and read it to him, as he looked at the colorful pictures. Lately, he had begun to ask for her to read it to him over the phone when she was out of town, on the rare occasions that she was able to call home. He refused to let Will read it to him though, it was their thing.

Emily sat quietly next to JJ and listened as she told Henry his story. Her heart beat wildly in her chest and she took a deep breath to slow it. This was a rare glance at a different JJ. JJ the mom. She supposed on some level it should make JJ less appealing, less sexy, but instead it just made Emily fall deeper in love. She so wanted JJ. She wanted this JJ. The whole deal; kid, house, marriage; everything that came with wanting and loving this amazing woman.

When JJ hung up the phone, she sat a moment and just stared into the fire. She sighed and glanced sideways at Emily. Surprised to see her staring back, JJ gave an embarrassed laugh.

"He misses me when neither of us is home."

"Boy loves his mother, nothing wrong with that JJ."

JJ smiled and lowered her head slightly, "He's my heart, the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll never regret having him."

Emily reached over and took JJ's hand, "And nor should you; he's a treasure."

"He's my treasure." JJ stared into the fire and spoke her fear, "I'm afraid I'm not a very good mother to him, and one day I'll lose him."

"Nonsense!" Emily turned to JJ, honestly shocked by the admission. "How could you even think that? Henry is one loved little boy!"

"Loved? Oh yes, he's loved, but he's also alone so often. I mean, is it fair for me to put my career first? Shouldn't all I want is to be his mother, to marry his father?"

"Henry is so young, Jay. He adores you, not blames you." Emily squeezed her hand, "This is the life he knows, the only life he has ever known. You are there when he needs you, in person or on the phone. His father is there, usually, when he needs him. The kid is happy Jay, happy! As for the arrangement between you and Will; I'm not even sure Henry even realizes or understands."

"Maybe not, but others do, and they talk. Will does."

"Fuck other people! It's your life, not theirs. As for Will; has he ever asked you to marry him?"

JJ nodded absentmindedly, no pleasure on her face at the acknowledgment.

"He wants me to but...Oh, I don't know!" JJ threw her hands up, "Something makes me avoid the subject whenever it comes up. It feels like he only asks when he wants to prove how dedicated he is to the relationship and point out my hesitation as an excuse for any problems we may be having."

Emily wanted to shake her and beg her not to ever marry Will, but she knew she had no right so she just sat there and let JJ vent.

"I don't even know why I keep saying no. He's a good father, a good provider. He adores Henry and well, Henry is definitely a daddy's boy." JJ gave a sad smile.

"Good father and provider, huh?" Emily asked. JJ nodded, not looking up at Emily. "What about partner?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is he a good partner, to you? A good man, a good boyfriend, lover, confidant; you know; partner." Emily turned her body to face JJ, "Do you love him JJ? Are you in lovewith him?"

"Well, yeah. Of course, he is. I mean, he treats me well. We get along."

"You get along."

"Don't give me that look, Prentiss. It's been five years and in that time we've had a child. All that giddy romance crap was out the door as soon as I got myself pregnant."

"Got yourself pregnant? I was of the understanding he was present at the time?"

JJ cut her a look and huffed, "You know what I mean. Once we had Henry and Will decided to quit N.O.P.D to move here, things changed. A little at a time, but they changed. I think he was angry for a while I didn't move to New Orleans; I know I was angry he assumed I would. But we still care for each other, I still care for him."

"Are you in love with him, Jay?"

JJ gave a frustrated grunt, "Was I ever?" She ran her hand through her hair and scowled, "I love him, OK? He's a good man. A kind, decent man who loves his son. What more could I ask for?"

"Passion." Emily quietly responded. "That feeling your heart is going to explode when they look at you. That funny feeling in the pit of your stomach when they smile at you or touch your hand." Emily smiled sadly and turned back toward the fire. "A nice home, that's great. But what good is it without passion" She leaned forward to poke at the fire and glanced back at JJ. "Don't you ever feel those things, Jen?"

"Sometimes," JJ whispered, her eyes running over Emily's profile. "Never for him though."

Emily sat back and looked at her, "For who then?"

JJ lifted her hand and cupped Emily's cheek. She stared into her dark brown eyes, her mind whirling; "You."

Emily gasped as the one word and the soft touch stopped her breathing and she simply stared into JJ's brilliant blue eyes.

"I stop breathing when you brush against me. Butterflies go crazy in my stomach when you walk in the room." JJ paused, her eyes moving over Emily's face, taking in every inch, she felt that familiar dizziness sweep over her. "I can't think when you smile at me."

She leaned forward, slowly, hesitantly; giving Emily time to move away if she chose. She stopped just millimeters from Emily's ruby red lips and breathed deeply.

"Only you, Emily. Only you," she whispered and closed the gap, pressing her lips to Emily's.