Emily groaned as she lowered herself onto the couch, she was bored, so, so bored. On their last case the brunette agent had twisted her ankle chasing after an unsub and even though the doctor had said it was a relatively minor sprain and she could be back in the field in a month, Hotch had insisted she take time off to heal and if she got a doctors approval when the month she could come back to work but he didn't want her in the field for at least six weeks with a doctors note. Even with her constant insisting that she would be fine to work from the office it had been decided, it didn't help that JJ had backed up Hotch and not herself. Sighing at the memory she reached for the remote and switched on a movie. JJ had been able to take the first few days off to be with her but then she had to return to work and now two weeks into her month off Emily could do nothing but sit around the house all day waiting for the blonde to come home.
JJ fumbled with her keys as she unlocked the door to her home, she was excited to give the brunette the present she had brought for her, she felt bad that Emily was sitting home all day alone, she couldn't even be active because of her ankle,
"Hey babe, I'm home," JJ called out, letting her partner know she was in the house,
"Hey sweetheart," Emily replied as JJ entered the living room and crashed on the couch next to her. Leaning over she gave the blonde a quick kiss and pulled back feeling Jennifer vibrate with anticipation,
"What's going on babe?" Emily questioned, raising an eyebrow carefully,
"I got you something," the blonde responded bouncing in her seat, the brunette rolled her eyes lovingly as the other agent reached into her bag and pulled something out, dropping the item into her lap, Emily couldn't help but smile, it was a toy cat that looked similar to Sergio.
"Awe thanks babe, but won't Sergio get jealous," Emily joked a little,
"I think he's fine with it," Jennifer responded, rolling her eyes as she pointed out the cat that was curled up in the corner completely unbothered by his humans interactions.
"Well in that case I love it! Thank you, Jen," Emily said smiling.
"You're welcome baby, I'm glad you like it, so what are we watching?" JJ asked, listening to Emily's answer as the woman reached over to cuddle into her side, cat tucked safely under her arm.
Two days later JJ awoke to her phone ringing, groaning slightly she pulled the phone up to her ear,
"Agent Jareau," the blonde groaned inwardly as Hotch informed her of the case and that they needed to be on the airstrip within the hour. As she hung up, JJ couldn't help but look over at Emily sadly, she didn't know how long she was going to be away, hopefully it would be a quick case, but either way she would miss her incredibly. Glancing over at the toy cat, which was sitting dutifully on the nightstand, the blonde got an idea, picking out the perfume she wore the most she sprayed a little onto the toy before hugging it close to herself, if she couldn't be here to hold Em, at least there would be something that smelled like her. After she had showered and thrown her things into her go bag, she woke the brunette up gently,
"Hey Em, I've got to go there's a case," she told her softly, Emily just blinked back at her blearily,
"I'll get my things," she murmured, still half asleep,
"No baby, remember your ankle, you have to stay here, I'm sure I'll be back soon, and I'll call you yeah,"
"Oh yeah, alright, stay safe please," Emily said reaching out to hug the blonde tightly,
"I will, I'll call you on the plane," JJ said hugging her back just as tightly. The two held each other for a minute longer when JJ said she really had to go and Emily waved from her place in the bed, listening to JJ move out of the bedroom and then out of the house and finally she heard the car leave the driveway. Then she cried. Emily honestly didn't know why, it wasn't like they hadn't been separated before, maybe it was not knowing how long they were going to be apart or the fact that she still couldn't do a lot due to her ankle, which meant she had less ways to distract herself, whatever it was Emily didn't stop crying until she fell asleep.
JJ had called once she was on the plane like she had promised, but after that Emily didn't hear from her again for eight hours, she tried not to worry she knew what it was like when they worked a case, it was hard to find a moment to breathe, let alone call someone. She had made herself some toast for breakfast but only ate half and she skipped lunch all together, she didn't mean to, but she really wasn't hungry, and it was hard to focus on doing things she needed to. After what was to have supposed to been lunch, Emily had grabbed the toy cat from her nightstand, smile softly when she noticed it smelled like her favourite person. The small act comforted her, and she carried the toy around with her the rest of the day, and when Garcia had popped by to drop off some dinner for her, she managed to eat it all. Before she headed off to bed JJ had rung again and Emily's racing mind was calmed by the sound of her voice, that day she figured this separation wouldn't be that bad.
Of course, with Emily's luck, that was not entirely accurate. On the second day JJ only called once and on the third she had only managed to send texts. The brunette had tried to not let it bother her as she attempted to go about her days, though over the course of three days it had become harder to cook and feed herself, resigning to only toast and apples, Garcia's workload had increased is well so she couldn't quickly visit to make sure Emily had something to eat again. Emily hadn't stopped carrying the cat since picking it up, although the scent of her favourite person was starting to fade, Emily couldn't bring herself to put the toy down, she needed that closeness with something, being injured sucked enough, being injured, and alone sucked even more. Emily began to hate that her love language was physically contact, yet she hated having close contact with anyone but JJ, she would take a pat on the back or a brief hug from one of her teammates but anything more than that she would have to be drunk, like really drunk.
Day four Emily didn't eat. At all. Her focus kept drifting and self-care flew out the window. She had pulled out some of JJ's clothes to wear, hoping it would satisfy the itch, of not being held by the person she loved. The toy cat remained in her arms, and she moved from the bed to the couch and back to the bed. JJ had managed to call her that day, but it had been briefing, cut short by a development in the case. The brunette had hoped this would mean the blonde would be returning home soon but later that evening she got a text saying that it was a dead end, and they were back to square one. Emily rolled her eyes angrily, becoming annoyed and pinging at the rubber band that sat around her wrist. Her wrist was red by the time she realised what she had been doing and then it really hit her how she didn't have JJ there to stop her from hurting herself, she cried herself to sleep that night.
On the fifth day things were better, realising that she was probably relying a bit too much on JJ's presence she managed to make herself some toast for breakfast… and lunch… and dinner. But it was fine because at least she ate. She forced herself to shower and she dressed herself back in the blonde's clothes, she called Garcia and talked to her for a while and JJ called before she went to bed that night, it hadn't been great, but she was pleased that the day had gone slightly better.
Day six and Emily woke up to a wet bed. Her heart sank and her little-self ran to the front of her mind, desperate to come out, to be small and have someone take over. Trying to shake it off the brunette stripped the sheets and put them and her pyjamas in the washer, it was fine she could manage it. She took a shower got herself dresses, in JJ's clothes again, and ate some toast. Her mind was incredibly foggy, but so what? She had it under control, everything was under control. She moved to the kitchen to take some painkillers for her head, fighting her little side this hard always gave her a headache, but still she was fine. She sat on the floor playing with her cat, not wanting to get out any of her little toys without her mama there, she had to play with what she had. Walking on the line between headspaces was always risky, it was hard for the brunette to judge situations and be safe in her actions. That's why she didn't remember to put on oven clothes when she attempted to warm up a frozen pizza. Recoiling quickly the brunette hissed in pain, tears pricked into the corner of her eyes, and she fought not to let them fall, the pain distracted her so much that she didn't realise the pain and anxiety loosened er bladder. It took a moment to work out what was happening but when she did, Emily felt herself die inside. She had wet herself, alone, in JJ's clothes. This was not good, this couldn't be happening. Dropping to the ground she sat in the puddle of urine her hand burnt and in pain. This wasn't good.
Later that afternoon, Emily got a text from JJ, 'Case solved, be home by nine can't wait to see you baby.' Reading the message twice over, Emily couldn't believe it, JJ was coming home, her mama was coming home. Then the reality hit her, she was still sitting in the puddle of urine the pizza was probably burnt like her hand was, she still hadn't taken care of that. All of this was enough to spur the brunette into action and she scrambled to her feet ready to take care of the house. She moved around quickly tripping over her feet, she made a list of what she had to do in her head, she stripped and threw her wet clothes in the washing machine and quickly cleaned up the puddle on the floor, she pulled on some more of JJ's clothes knowing she still needed the comfort. When she checked her watch, she realised it was eight thirty, the brunette didn't know how it took her two hours just to sort out her accident but then time always is different when she is in between headspaces. Anxiety rising, the agent quickly pulled the burnt pizza out the oven and threw it away in the trash outside, knowing that JJ would most defiantly see it if she put it in the kitchen trash, she then ran her hand under cold water, not really knowing what else to do, before throwing herself onto the couch and attempting to look causal, glancing at the phone again she had five minutes to spare, it was fine, everything was fine.
JJ arrived just a few minutes after nine and when she got into the house she dropped her stuff with a huge sigh, it had been a long tiring case. She passed by the kitchen and smelled cleaning chemicals, a little surprised the blonde moved on, wanting to find her girlfriend. She saw her on the couch and sat down next to her,
"Hey baby," she said gently, Emily jumped her anxiety still high, before turning to beam at the blonde,
"I'm so happy your home!" the brunette exclaimed,
"Me too hun," JJ said sighing slightly, the brunette frowned,
"Tough case?" the blonde nodded, "tell me about it hun." JJ sighed again taking the other agent into her arms before launching into a long rant about the case, Emily hung onto every word, upset that her girlfriend had had such a bad time but so thankful she could hear her talking in person again. It took round about an hour for the blonde to finish her story and when she did, she sighed in relief, it felt good to have it out in the open. Glancing down she saw Emily struggling to stay awake against her chest, it was then that JJ noticed that the brunette was wearing her clothes, she smiles softly at how cute her girlfriend was before gently pushing her away, Emily whined instantly, missing the contact,
"I'm tired baby, let's go to bed," JJ said gently running her hand through soft brown locks. Emily nodded in agreement and followed JJ into the bedroom quickly changing before collapsing under the covers. For the first time in six days, the brunette let go of the toy cat choosing instead to hug her real life girlfriend wanting to absorb as much love and comfort that the blonde was willing to give her. It didn't take long for the two of them to fall asleep, both exhausted from the chaos of their last few days, but finally comfortable and safe in each other's arms.
When JJ's alarm went of the next morning Emily moaned. "Baby I've got to head into the office to do some paperwork," JJ said gently attempting to extract herself from the brunette and climb out of bed. At those words Prentiss shot up and clutched onto the blonde so tightly that tan skin became white under her grip.
"No, no you just got back," Emily whined trying to pull the other agent back towards her,
"Sweetheart, I have to go I'll be back this afternoon," JJ tried to tell her gently, however the other woman was not having it,
"No, don't go, please don't go. Please don't leave me again not yet!" the brunette proclaimed desperate, trying to get close to the younger woman, in an attempt to get her to stay. Tears pricked into her eyes and began to fall steadily, she needed JJ they had spent to long apart, her hand hurt from the burn, her ankle was still difficult to walk on and her anxiety was high from having to accidents alone,
"mama, please." Emily whispered desperately. Seeing the tears and hearing the pain in Emily's voice JJ knew she couldn't leave, she had a feeling something had happened when she was away, but she wasn't sure what it was. Scooping the brunette up into her arms she pulled her into her lap and held her close,
"I won't leave you baby, not today," she told her gently reaching for her phone. After a quick phone call to Hotch where she tried to explain without going into too much detail, he gave her the day off, the blonde suspected he had heard Emily crying in the background, either way she was grateful to the man. When she put her phone down, she grabbed onto her baby's hands and the brunette let out a sharp cry,
"Mama hurts," the little cry, fully slipping into her younger headspace,
"What hurts love bug?" the blonde asked worriedly, Emily held up her hand, on the side there was an angry red burn that hadn't been treated properly,
"Oh pumpkin," the blonde sighed out,
"I'm s-sorry," Emily whispered her lower lip wobbling dangerously, a sign she was going to break out into full blown sobs,
"Oh sweetheart, baby it's okay you have nothing to be sorry for, but that looks like an angry burn, will you let me have a look and treat it," JJ said softly attempting to reassure her girl. Emily nodded and let herself be picked up and carried to the bathroom where she was placed on the counter, JJ turned around to get the first aid kit before inspecting the burn closely,
"How did this happen love bug?" the blonde asked gently,
"Oven," Prentiss murmured quietly, it was so soft that JJ had to strain to hear it,
"Oh no that's not nice," Jennifer spoke as she made quick work of sorting out the little's hand. When she was done, she dressed Emily in her little clothes and put her in a pull up, having a feeling that the brunette was a little smaller than usual.
JJ had been right, most of the communication the blonde got from her girl was babbles, she wanted to be carried everywhere, which wasn't surprising because of her ankle, but all she wanted to do all day was cuddle and watch children's television with her mama, she wouldn't play with any of her toys. Normally Jennifer wouldn't want her girl to be looking at a screen all day but seeing how clingy and hurt her little was, she made an acceptation. She was just happy that by the end of the day Em seemed her lot more content and calm. In the evening, the brunette requested a bath together which the mentally older agent happily agreed to,
"Mama, I peed in your clothes," the confession came when they were in the tub together,
"Sorry baby?" the blonde questioned confused,
"I wore your clothes because I missed you and I needed a hug, but my mind was foggy and I peed your clothes, I'm really, really sorry," Emily said fidgeting anxiously in the water. Grabbing the washcloth, the blonde gently began cleaning the other,
"That's alright baby, I'm not upset about that, you washed them, right?" A nod, "So there's no problem, it was all sorted an accident is an accident I would never be mad at you for that," the blonde reassured her. Emily nodded but still seemed a little nervous. Lifting her girl from the tub she wrapped her in a warm fluffy towel and led her into the bedroom,
"Was that your only accident love bug?" JJ asked softly, moving to dress Em and herself in pyjamas.
"No, I wet the bed to," the brunette confessed, pinging at the rubber band on her wrist anxiously, seeing the action, JJ moved to hold her littles hands giving them a squeeze before placing kisses on each knuckle,
"That's alright sweetheart, accidents happen that's why they are called accidents," the blonde laughed slightly before kissing the brunette on the top of her head and moving to finish dressing the two of them.
Once Emily had finished two bottles of milk, she got a second because she had had a hard few days, the two snuggled down in bed,
"Mama?"
"Yes pumpkin,"
"Thank you for the kitty toy, he was my lifeline while you were away," Emily told her caregiver sleepily,
"I'm glad you had him then baby," the blonde whispered,
"Smelt like you, like safety," the brunette mumbled as her eyes grew heavy, Jareau smiled softly glad that her plan worked,
"That's great love bug, I'm glad. Let's try and get some sleep now okay," the blonde said pulling her baby close to her and stroking gently through soft dark locks of hair,
"Alright mama, I love you," the brunette whispered
"I love you to baby so much forever," JJ whispered back, she reached over to turn of the light and as she settled down to sleep a little voice spoke a once more,
"His name is Bigotes."