JJ giggles throughout the plane ride. First, it's because Emily trips in her chair and falls onto her. She laughs as Emily scrambles back up, the blankets tangled with their arms and legs. The second time is when she starts to guess the words Emily is reading based on the way her lip moves. JJ is completely inaccurate, but ends up making Emily laugh, too. Next, it's when Reid gives her a look, a knowing look. Despite her past of being secretive and careful with her sexuality, somehow, on this plane, she doesn't care what they see. She just wants to soak up every ounce of Emily.

"Everyone, I know we just finished a case, but we're going to be back in time for the Commemoration." Hotch is standing, towering over his sleepy, giggling mess of a team, a stern look on his face. "I appreciate you all for coming, as it's very important to the Bureau. Remember, it starts at eight o'clock." He sits back down, looking out the window.

JJ groans. "I totally forgot about that."

Reid smiles. "I think it'll be fun. We get commemorated, we dance-"

"Oh, like you dance." JJ laughs.

"Some people do." Reid looks between JJ and Emily, a small smirk on his face. JJ rolls her eyes playfully before finally falling asleep.

JJ examines herself in the mirror. She usually feels a burst of confidence when dressed up, but since the divorce, she feels pangs of insecurity. She runs her hands down her form-fitting black dress, moving the creases slightly.

She wets her fingers under the faucet and pats down the flyaway hairs. She checks her lip gloss for the fourth time. Why am I so nervous, I'm never like this, she thinks, stepping into her heels, and the doorbell rings.

JJ almost jumps. She takes one last look at her figure in the mirror, taking shaky breaths, then opens the door.

"JJ," Emily says, her eyes glancing down JJ's body. "You look amazing."

JJ blushes, then takes in the sight of Emily. She wears a stunning red dress. Red has always been her color. It hugs her waist and chest before swaying gently outside her knees. It looks perfect. She looks perfect.

"So do you," JJ says. "You're beautiful." She chokes out the last words and gulps. Emily just smiles and reaches out her hand. JJ takes it, hesitantly, and the two leave for the Commemoration.

The car ride feels hours-long. JJ stays completely silent in the passenger seat, sitting up straight and subtly checking her makeup in the mirror. She rolls her hands over each other again and again in her lap. She tries not to pick at her cuticles.

The FBI lobby is decorated beautifully. Warm, orange stream-lights wash the room in a soft glow. A huge banner hangs that says "FBI Commemoration" in calligraphy. Everyone in the room is dressed to the nines. Reid stands in the corner, wearing a plaid suit, nursing a glass of what looks like champagne, but is probably apple cider. He has never been one to drink much. Penelope dances in the middle of the room with Morgan, both of them laughing gleefully. Hotch watches and smiles gently.

JJ glances at Emily, who waves to her friends. She's so bright, JJ thinks she can see her glow. She watches her face in slow-motion, staring at the way her eyes crinkle with her smile, noting the lines that curl beside her mouth. Her eyes sparkle, her cheeks blush, and her skin is so smooth, JJ wants to brush against it with her fingers.

Hotch crosses to Emily, welcoming her with a nod, and extends his hand."May I?"

Emily looks to JJ and shrugs, then is whisked away by Hotch. JJ feels sharp jealousy in her heart, despite knowing the dance is completely platonic. There is something inside her that wants Emily all to herself.

JJ sighs and looks around the room awkwardly. It seems like no one has noticed her. Emily dances closely to Hotch, her arm around his shoulders. He's holding her other hand. They both smile at each other, the distance between their faces only inches. JJ crosses her arms and walks into the hall toward the bathroom, not wanting to subject herself to watching Emily dance with men. She doesn't care when her team dances with people usually; Emily is just. . . different.

JJ leans against the wall, tears forming in her eyes. She quickly blinks them away and swallows the lump in her throat. She looks left and right in the empty hall. She has been in the building late before, but this time feels off. She's in a fancy dress and she's tearing up over two people dancing. This is so high school, she thinks, and laughs sadly.

JJ hears the door click open and turns.

"JJ? You okay?" Emily walks closer to her, her heels clicking on the floor.

"Yeah," JJ says. "It's just kind of hot in there, that's all."

Emily looks at JJ's shoes, then glides her eyes back up to hers. She swallows. "JJ," she says, then stops. JJ nods at her to continue. "Do you want to dance with me?"

JJ blinks. "Like, out there?" She points toward the crowded room.

"No, I was thinking here. We can hear the door open and stop if someone comes."

JJ looks around, then smiles at Emily. JJ gasps softly when Emily places a hand on her waist, then takes her hand. They lace their fingers together, warmth passing between them. JJ takes a step closer to Emily, draping her arm over her shoulders.

"I've never danced with a woman before," JJ whispers.

"I'll walk you through it."

The music is muffled, traveling through the walls. Their heels click on the floor as they move. The air is chilly, and the lights in the hall are blaring and white. And yet, it's perfect. JJ leans in closer to Emily, their heartbeats pounding off each other. JJ looks up to meet Emily's eyes, and she's right there. Inches away. She can feel Emily's shallow breaths on her nose. They hold eye contact for a few moments until JJ can't stand it anymore and drops her head to Emily's shoulder.

Emily exhales, relaxed, and wraps her arm tighter around JJ's waist. JJ pulls her even closer. The pair dances, all alone, until the last second they have together passes. Then they walk back into the lobby for the Commemoration, two minutes apart, making sure no one will ever know they were together.