CHAPTER TWO
2x18 Jones
Emily watched as Detective William LaMontange Jr. stared at JJ. It wasn't nearly as enjoyable to watch someone else observe her as it was to do so herself. But it was worse to see JJ's reaction to his advances. She seemed pleased. Smitten even. Emily shook her head - she had absolutely no right to stand in the way of JJ's happiness. After all, that's all she really wanted - for JJ to be happy. Even if it meant destroying herself. It suddenly struck her how much she cared for this woman whom she'd met mere months ago. Enough to suffer for her. She cursed her own intensity. Why couldn't she just be more easygoing? Why was everything so serious with her? Emily didn't want to think about why seeing JJ with Will was so painful. She knew - but she wasn't ready to confront it head on. It probably wasn't love. Not yet. But maybe.
JJ smiled at all the right times. She laughed at his jokes, and blushed at his compliments. And it even felt good - to be noticed - to be sought after. But it wasn't… right. It wasn't enough. It wasn't… JJ didn't even know. She couldn't figure out why. That was the worst part of it all.
Will left her side to go talk to Derek. Emily sauntered up to her with raised eyebrows, "He's tall…"
JJ looked at her bashfully and rolled her eyes, "Like that's a skill set."
Emily laughed and it brought a smile to JJ's face. She was so glad that they were becoming such good friends. It was nice to have another woman on the team, but that wasn't all it was. She felt like she'd never made friends with anyone as quickly as with Emily. What did her high school coach tell her once…? Nothing builds bonds between people like shared suffering. JJ liked her job. But the BAU definitely had to witness more than their fair share of suffering. It was true - the BAU was her family. And Emily was included in that.
"That accent doesn't do anything for you?" Emily continued.
JJ smiled, "Okay, maybe a little."
Emily's laugh made her feel warm. JJ watched as she walked away before turning her head to look over at Will. Then down at her hands.