A/N: As always, thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it so much. This chapter is sad for me.

CHAPTER 26

Stephanie sat at Emily's apartment alone eating the dinner she had cooked for them. Despite being hurt and angry, she packed of the leftovers and labeled them before putting them in the fridge for Emily.

She was feeling sorry for not going to see Emily. Regardless if their relationship was going to work out or not, she still cared deeply for the brunette. She grabbed her keys and headed to the hospital.

"Emily Prentiss?" She asked at the nursing station.

"What's your relation?" The nurse asked.

"I'm her girlfriend," Stephanie replied.

The nurse gave her an odd look. She had seen a blonde in the room with Emily, but she was fairly certain this wasn't the same woman.

"Oh, um, yeah, of course. Room 112," the nurse replied.

"Thanks," Stephanie said and headed off down the hall.

When Stephanie arrived at Emily's room, she stopped in her tracks at the door.

Inside Emily's room, JJ was still sitting with by Emily's bed and holding her hand. JJ's head was lying on the bed, and the two of them were sleeping.

Stephanie took a deep breath to fight back the tears and planned to leave before JJ woke and turned around to see her standing there. JJ immediately let go of Emily's hand.

"Oh, Stephanie. I, uh, I'm glad you came. I can go if you want to stay," JJ said, feeling embarrassed and guilty for what Stephanie saw.

"No, stay," Stephanie said. "I just wanted to make sure she was okay and had everything she needed. She very clearly does." The comment stung JJ a little even though Stephanie didn't speak it with any bitterness, just sadness.

JJ looked down, unsure of what to say.

"Just tell her I stopped by and that I'll see her tomorrow when she comes home," Stephanie said before turning to leave.

JJ nodded. After Stephanie was gone, JJ realized in all the commotion with Emily, she had never texted Will that the case was over. He was planning on flying up the next day.

Case is over, but I'm at the hospital tonight with Emily. She'll be okay, but it's probably not a good time for a visit tomorrow. - JJ

Glad you're safe. Why isn't Emily's girlfriend staying with her at the hospital instead? I guess we can reschedule. - Will

It's a long story. I'll call you tomorrow. - JJ

#

The following morning, Emily was cleared to go home, and JJ helped her get packed up and into her car. She hadn't told her anything about Stephanie yet, but she knew she needed to before Emily got home, especially if Stephanie was waiting for her.

When they arrived at the parking garage, JJ stopped Emily before she got out of the car.

"Before you go in, uh, when I went to get your clothes last night, Stephanie was at your place," JJ said. "I think she had planned to surprise you with dinner."

"Oh," Emily whispered. "So she knows?"

JJ nodded. "She was, uh, concerned about you."

"She was angry," Emily said flatly without ever looking up at JJ.

"Em, you know it's not easy dating one of us," JJ said sympathetically. Will complained all the time about the dangers of her job.

Emily rolled her eyes.

"She came by last night, too, but you were sleeping," JJ said.

"And yet, you were the one who stayed with me all night," Emily said bitterly.

JJ was silent. She didn't know how to respond to that.

"She's here, isn't she?" Emily asked.

"She said she would see you when you got home, so I'm guessing so," JJ said.

"JJ, you don't need to go in with me, I can handle it," Emily said. "I don't want her to yell at you again."

"It'll be fine," JJ said. "We were okay last night. Let me just make sure someone is there with you; then I'll go."

"Fine," Emily said.

Emily and JJ came through the door and saw Stephanie lying on the couch. She looked like she had been awake all night and crying. When she heard them come in, she sat up.

JJ recognized her presence would not be welcome. "I'm going to go. Call if you need anything, Em."

"I will, thanks," Emily replied and watched JJ leave before sitting down at the opposite end of the couch where Stephanie was.

Emily sighed. "So, I guess we need to talk."

"No, Emily," Stephanie said. "I need to talk, and you need to listen."

Emily nodded.

"I can't do this anymore," Stephanie said quickly. "Worrying about you. Fighting about me worrying about you. Watching you pull away from me. It's not working...for either of us. And I'm sorry, and it makes me sad because I could have loved you, Emily Prentiss. But I can't do this anymore. I've been here before, and I promised I'd never do it again."

"I'm sorry," was all Emily could manage to say behind the tears forming.

"No, you're not," Stephanie told her. "It's your job. It's important, and I get it. But even if I could overlook all of that, I'd still know that I'll never be the number one priority in your life."

"That's not true, Steph," Emily pleaded. "Eventually, things will change. I can request a transfer, or ask for..."

"No, Emily," Stephanie stopped her. "You don't understand. I don't mean your job."

Emily looked at her curiously.

"I'm talking about JJ," Stephanie said.

Emily opened her mouth to disagree, but nothing could come out. Stephanie shot her a look that told her not to even attempt to lie to her.

"Listen, Em," Stephanie continued. "This. Us. It was good. But we want different things. I'm sorry, but I'm leaving."

With that, Stephanie grabbed the bag of the few items she kept at Emily's. She had packed it when she returned from the hospital the night before and cried all night about her decision. The truth was, she did love Emily, but she also knew Emily loved JJ, and no one would change that.

Emily laid on the couch and finally let the tears fall after Stephanie had gone. She, too, loved Stephanie, but not the way she loved JJ. Stephanie was right about that.

That evening, after several hours of napping on the couch and crying, Emily got a text from JJ.

How did it go with Stephanie? How are you feeling? - JJ

Can you come over? - Em

#