Time flew by as the group of young people battled the heavy tasks of impending graduation, exams, difficult classes and more often than not, hanging out with eachother. They would attend parties on some stranger's house, get drunk, end up back at Penelope's and drink even more. They even went to a couple of concerts, went to dinner almost every night, and sometimes had picnics in the cold bite of winter in the middle of a night in the nearest park.

It was still strange to Emily how close they had all gotten once again, being friends with Elle was weird. All she wanted to see was her happy but she wasn't sure how she could be constantly surrounded by Emily and JJ being affectionate. They tried to avoid overdoing it, but Elle had reassured them that she didn't mind. "Emily, it's fine, I swear." The curly hair girled reiterated for the 50th time, shaking her head as she smiled.

Despite the reassurance, Emily tried to keep her affection towards JJ to a minimum. She would hold her hand, kiss her cheek, and sometimes hug her when it felt right, but still she couldn't help but feel guilty every time JJ cast a look in their direction.

What Emily didn't realize is that Elle wasn't completely alone, watching her ex be all over her old best friend.

"Who ya textin'?" JJ skipped over to Elle from across the room, sitting next to her on the couch in Penelope's room during one of their parties. "You got a pretty big smile on your face."

The curly haired girl looked up with wide eyes, her face immediately filling with a heavy blush. "Doesn't matter. You don't know them."

The blonde gasped, jumping into hugging Elle. "Girlllll, who is it? Come on, you have to tell us! We are your best friends!" This shout drew the attention of the rest of the room, including the quiet girl sitting in the corner of the room, Tara. She sat there with a smug smile, watching them carefully.

Elle's gaze flickered over to her, but then returned to JJ as everyone else crawled over to her. "You have someone, Elle? Since when?"

"Listen, guys…" She began, but quickly dropped her voice as Tara stood up from her position.

"I didn't know you were dating anyone. Who is it, Elle?" The quiet girl teased, alarming everyone else. She rarely spoke, much less joked with anyone in the group. Spencer observed her behavior with a raised eyebrow, casting a look to his boyfriend who grinned in response immediately understanding his implication.

Emily jumped next to the two girls on the couch, Elle in between them. She cast her dark eyes down to the contact she was currently texting and bit her lip. "Baby? You guys must be serious, with those pet names."

Elle groaned, setting her phone down and burying her face in her hands. This action allowed JJ to sweep up her phone, looking through the texts for a moment. "I can't wait to be alone with you tonight, I just want to hold you. I know Tar, I miss your sweet kisses." She burst out laughing at the flirting, before it quickly dawned on all of them who exactly "Tar" was.

Penelope turned to her best friend with a gasp. "You guys are dating?" The quiet girl looked down with a slight blush, bringing her hand up to rub the back of her neck.

"Okay, guys, please, stop embarrassing us…" Elle groaned, taking her phone back and burying it in the pocket of the jeans she was wearing. "Yes, we are dating. I don't know, we got to talking at night once Penelope was asleep and got to really know eachother, and I don't know, it kind of just happened. I hate you guys." She chuckled slightly, her eyes turning to look at Tara. They sparkled.

In that moment, Emily no longer felt insecure about being touchy with her girlfriend, she recognized absolute adoration in love in Elle's eyes, knowing she didn't care anymore because she had someone she could be with at night. She reached over to gently touch JJ's hair.

"Wait, let me get this straight- I'm the only one not dating someone else in this room?!" Penelope exclaimed, causing everyone else to break out into laughter. No one else had thought about it that way, and it was quite funny despite the fact that it was probably quite uncomfortable for Pen.

"I hate YOU guys." She huffed, sitting back down on the floor with folded arms.

"But hey, you're talking to that Luke guy, right?" Elle grinned, biting her lip softly as she looked at her friend who immediately blushed as well.

"Yes, yes I am. We'll see where that goes. He's sooo cute, and he's so sweet." The blonde shook her head, leaning back on her palms as she looked at all of her friends.

Emily watched with a soft smile, twirling a strand of JJ's hair around the tip of her finger, admiring her friend group. She absolutely loved every single of them, no matter what had happened or what had been done. She watched as Tara looked at Elle out of the corner of her eye, a smiile fighting her lips. Elle watched Penelope carefully, her eyes folded in her lap, although every once in awhile she glanced over at Tara. She was glad that they were quite so obviously happy together.

She sighed softly, pulling JJ close as Elle got up and went to stand near Tara with a big grin.

Spencer and Derek were standing next to eachother in the corner of the room, both also looking quite happy. Emily loved seeing her best friend so so so happy. He looked so content with his life, and more comfortable than he ever had been. He looked healthier, and had even let his hair grow out even longer- it was just past his his earlobes now. It wasn't just the younger boy that looked happier, Derek also looked happy with a constant smile on his face when his boyfriend was near.

It wasn't just all of them who was happy, Emily was also so happy with JJ. Although it was hard no longer living in the dorm rooms and being forced to move in with JJ, she almost forgot about everything that had happened with her mother- it was just a blip on her radar. Being able to wake up and bless JJ with kisses all across her face, pick her up and carry her into the kitchen to make breakfast together, dance and bake brownies at 3 in the morning, watch movies and fall asleep halfway through, it was her dream life but also nothing she could have ever imagined she would experience.

Although she wouldn't lie, sometimes it was hard. Sometimes she wanted to call her mother and update her about getting a 100 on her hardest exam, she even wanted to tell her about how meeting the Jareaus' went. She wasn't able to, and that hurt deep down, but she knew it was for the best. Her mother didn't know how to be a mother.

It was painful, not having any family. But despite this, she made a family of her own, the people surrounding her in this room. Every one of them was someone special to her and she understood now that family didn't need to be blood and it didnt need to look perfect because their group certainly did not- but despite this, she knew she would never forget them, even after they moved on in their lives after college.

JJ turned to her girlfriend, almost hearing the gears turning in Emily's brain. She leaned forward and softly whispered, "You okay?"

The brunette nodded slightly, leaning forward to place her head on the blonde's shoulder. "More than I've ever been, Jayje. I just love you guys." This caused JJ to smile, wrapping her arms tightly around Emily.

JJ knew how hard it was on Emily, and prayed every night that she could help the brunette in any way she could. She didn't know what it was like to not have a family she could rely on, but she would be the family if she had to. She would be Emily's support, and she had been. She opened her house to Emily and got her a job at the diner, getting extra money for the two every month (although it was no secret JJ had plenty of money saved up) and she did it with no hesitation because she had never loved someone the way she loved Emily. "I love you, Emily." She whispered softly, squeezing Emily's hand.

"Anyway, if you guys will stop being all cute, I have an announcement to make!" Penelope stood up from the floor, holding her can of beer. "It is my birthday this month, so you guys are legally obligated to celebrate with me! I rented out a pool at the nearby hotel, and there will be food and drinks, probably, and you all have to come! It's on my birthday, the 18th! Yes, I am an Aquarius, thank you for asking. Wait, what are you guys?"

Emily chuckled at her friend's excitement for her own birthday. "I'm a Libra, Jayje is a Cancer, I think." She tapped the side of her girlfriend, looking at her, where the blonde nodded.

Elle piped up, "I'm a cancer too!"

"Scorpio here," Tara said softly.

"I'm also a Scorpio, and I think Derek is a…" Spencer began, but was quickly cut off by Derek himself.

"Thanks pretty boy, but I can answer for myself," he teased, causing the boy to blush. "I'm a gemini."

Penelope stared at her friends suspiciously. "Okay, we will discuss this further because I have to know some of your full birth charts. Anyway, promise you guys will come?" All of the people in the room piped up with "Yes!", causing the blonde to break out into a bright smile. "Awww, I love you guys so much!"

"We love you too, Pen!"

--

Emily stood infront of the mirror, analyzing her body in the red and white bathing suit covering anything that didn't need to be seen by the public eye. It was a bad habit of hers, scruitizing every single inch of her body. She knew she was attractive and her body wasn't that bad, but despite it, she had an image of what she should look like put into her head by her mother. A bad taste filled her mouth at the thought of how her mother used to talk to her and she immediately turned away, sighing softly.

"You ready, baby?" JJ walked out from the closet, a one-piece, tight-fighting, black bathing suit hugging her figure. She looked absolutely deliciouis and Emily immediately grinned, moving forward with her hands infront of her to touch her girlfriend's body. "Babeeee, no! Wait…" She arched an eyebrow, looking at the mirror that had been shifted from an upward angle. "Were you doing what I think you were?" She huffed, looking at the brunette who instantly stepped back with an awkward smile. "Sit down, Em. I said sit down." Emily followed the order the second time, taking her seat on their bed. "You are perfect." JJ began, kneeling infront of her girlfriend, slowly kissing up her legs. "Your legs are perfect." She kissed her stomach, holding herself by grabbing her hips. "Your stomach is perfect. Your thighs, your hips." She moved her lips up to Emily's breasts, causing her to gasp slightly. "Your boobs are absolutely incredible." She shifted over to her arms, moving up to her neck, then kissing all over her face. "Every single part of you, Emily Prentiss. You are perfect, no matter what you think, or what anyone has told you. You are so fucking beautiful, Emily." She looked her girlfriend in the eye, smiling as she placed a kiss on her nose.

Emily huffed slightly, although she had a smile planted on her lips. She loved the way JJ's lips felt against her skin, and even more so adored the words being spilled from her mouth. JJ made her feel loved in every single way. "I love you, JJ. Thank you." She clashed their lips together, reaching her hand behind JJ's head to deepen their kiss. She wasn't trying to start anything with the depth of their kiss, but was instead trying to display the absolute passion and love she felt for the woman infront of her.

"I love you, Emmy," JJ gasped slightly as she tried to catch her breath after pulling away from the girl, placing her hands on either side of the brunette's face. "Now, are you ready to go, sexy?" She laughed, pulling away from her and walking towards their bedroom door, but not making it out before Emily caught up and gently smacked her butt.

The two girls slowly made their way to the hotel, Emily struggling to walk in a pair of flip flops that were just a bit too big for her feet, causing JJ to laugh at her as they slapped against the pavement. She was trying to not get frustrated with her girlfriend and how long it was taking because of how cold it was and like the geniuses they were, they only wore their swimsuits. Slowly but surely, they made their way to the entrance of the hotel, JJ shivering from the winter nipping at her skin.

"Looking pretty sexy!" A voice called out, and Emily's stomach immediately lurched, her head turning in the direction of the voice. She had her fist ready, ready to swing at whoever was saying such words to her and her girlfriend. Instead of some creep, she was met with Derek Morgan who was accompanied by Spencer Reid. "Both of ya," he joked, flashing a wink at the two of them.

"Oh, fuck off, Derek, I hate you. I was ready to punch you in the face." Emily chuckled, wrapping an arm around her cold girlfriend who immediately burrowed herself into her. She examined her two friends, realizing they had been smart and wore jackets over their otherwise mostly bare bodies. "Come on,"

The four of them walked in together, checking in at the front desk and running towards the pool, like a group of children. They laughed, Emily pushing Derek as the two of them ran infront of their significant others, leaving the other two behind. "They're like children," Spencer commented with a laugh, looking at the blonde walking beside him. JJ immediately nodded in agreement, a smile breaking out on her lips. "They're cute though." He continued.

The blonde gasped as a joke, staring at him with wide eyes. "Are you hitting on my girlfriend, Spencer Reid? How dare you?" She teased. "I'm gonna have to go and get your boyfriend!" She laughed, slapping his arm and running after the other two. After recovering from the shock for a moment, Spencer quickly ran after her and joined their entire group in the empty pool area. He was glad it was all to themselves, he was quite insecure but had an understanding that his friends would never judge him under any circumstances.

"My babies!" Penelope called from inside the pool, her wet hair pulled up into a tight ponytail on her head. "I'm glad you have arrived! There is pizza over there," She nodded at a table on the side of the room, "and pop in the cooler next to it!"

Emily noted that Elle and Tara were not swimming in the pool, but instead were residing in the hot tub. "Hey, jayje," she whispered softly to her girlfriend, nudging at the two girls. "You get Elle and I'll get Tara, deal? Throw 'em in?" The blonde grinned at Emily, nodding as the two of them slowly made their way over. "Hey, guys. Sorry about this, but." Emily quickly grabbed Tara, picking her up ever so slightly and running over to the pool, throwing her in. At the last moment, however, she lost her grip and fell in beside her, causing everyone else in the room to laugh.

Tara scowled at Emily once she got back up from the water, although Emily could tell she found it humorous. "Very funny, Prentiss." Her gaze turned up to JJ and Elle fighting as JJ tried to get her into the pool, but ended up failing and being pushed in by the curly haired girl. However, Elle quickly jumped in after her with a loud laugh, performing a cannonball.

Spencer and Derek watched their friends from the drink area, smiling as they observed them beginning a splash-fight, casting their glances at one another. Slowly, a dark look took over Derek's face and Spencer immediately shook his head. "Do not. Do not. Do not! I mean it, Derek, don't!" He squeaked, trying to walk away but was easily scooped up by his muscular boyfriend, and thrown in with ease. He swam up from the bottom of the pool, spitting out a load of water. "I'm gonna get you back for that one!"

"You know you love me!"

The group of young adults spent hours in the pool, splashing one another and playing around as every now and then one of them would get out to go to the bathroom or get a bite of pizza, but quickly be pulled back in as soon as they returned- no matter who it was. They were happy, carefree as they celebrated the birthday of Penelope Garcia.

"I'm gonna take you down, Spencer Reid!" JJ exlcamied from the shoulders of her girlfriend, gently gripping her hair to keep herself steady.

"I'd like to see you try." The younger boy grinned, sitting atop Derek, who was holding onto his skinny legs with strong arms. Derek looked at Emily who was trying not to stare up at JJ with doe eyes. However, her admiration was quickly cut short as the two people sitting on top of them began dueling, their arms battling for dominance as they tried to push one another off. "See, you got no chance, blondie." He grinned as with one final push, JJ fell backwards, taking Emily under the water with her. Derek reached up to high five Spencer, but was quickly dropped under water by someone grabbing his legs underneath.

The four of them eventually emerged from the water, spitting it out and wiping their hair back from their foreheads. "Okay, you won, fair and square," JJ laughed, poking at Spencer who was rubbing his water-filled nose. "But we did end up taking you down, sorry." The blonde wrapped an arm around her brunette girlfriend who stood looking at her with proud eyes.

Derek watched them interact with a soft smile, tilting his head. He loved the friendship he had with all of these people, but this was one of those moments where he grew sad, knowing it would come to an end. They weren't going to talk after they graduated in a couple months, except for Spencer, of course. He wanted to embrace the happy moments, but couldn't, knowing they would be strangers in such a short period of time. However, his thoughts were quickly interrupted by Emily jumping on his shoulders with a laugh, pushing him down under.

That's usually how it went, someone would break them out of their depressing thoughts and they would be able to go back to normal and embarace the happy moments instead of simply just wallowing in their own sadness.

The party went by quickly, too quickly for their own wanting, and they all groaned as the pool security kicked them out as the hours went by. It was a good party, and it certainly wouldn't be the last celebration. Or would it be?