A/N: I don't own any of the Criminal Minds characters, plot, etc. all belong to CBS
"I want to be the girl who makes your bad days better, and the one that makes you say 'my life has changed since I met her'." Beyonce
Prentiss POV
Twisting my wet hair into the towel after a long, steamy shower, I notice the telltale sound of my phone buzzing loudly on the marble counter. Wrapping my fluffy robe around me, I step closer to read the contact displayed on the steamed up screen, and I see its a call from Hotch. Immediately, I answer in my most sultry purr "Hello Princess" and I fight to hold in the laughter as he sputters on the other end of the line, his discomfort clear across the phone line despite being on separate continents.
"Its Hotch and I have question for you, a proposition, Prentiss." Hotch finally manages to say with some of his normal restraint back in his voice.
Smiling to the phone I answer, "I know, Hotch, but you know me...I love a good tease." I reply, smirking as I walk into my bedroom and flop onto the bed, still wrapped in my robe "So what is it?"
"As you most likely know, Jades internship with the BAU is ending this Friday. I was wondering if you'd be able to make it State-side to attend the celebration we are planning at Rossi's."
"What day did you say the party will be?" I ask, pulling the phone back and glancing at the screen, tapping in order to gain access the calendar app.
"As long as we don't have a case that interferes with it, we plan on Friday the 18th after work. Unless Saturday works better for you, I'm sure I can convince the team to do Saturday without giving it away."
"Giving it away?"
"Yes, this is going to be a surprise for Jade as well as the rest of the team. Jade hasn't told anyone about your relationship, so just the three of us know. If I need to change the date to Saturday to better accommodate you, I will have to be creative to keep the surprise."
"Luckily for you, barring any huge emergency change of plans, Friday the 18th will work for me. Now how is this surprise going to work? Am I going to explode out of a giant cake? Do I need my sequined showgirl outfit?"
Hotch laughs briefly, a warm deep rumble that I didn't realize I missed, before he replies, "No, nothing quite that tacky. I was planning something simple, you arrive last, making a grand and dramatic entrance at Rossi's. That's all. I'll let you and Jade decide what all else is revealed."
"That actually sounds like a good plan. Make sure Rossi has some of my favorite California Cabernet and you have yourself a deal." I reply, pausing to type in my calendar app to save the date of the party, then I open my email and fire off a quick email to Clyde and our bosses about my plans.
Hotch and I chat a short while longer, catching each other up on a few bits of gossip,he tells me Cruz is nagging him about the teams "creative bending of the law" on a few recent cases and I tell him about Clyde being an insufferable ass, before I remind him of the time difference. I continue to get ready for work and head out the door just slightly behind schedule.
All week long, anytime I talk to Jade or even when we are texting back and forth, I struggle to keep the secret. Jade keeps asking about when I can make it back in the States, or when she can come visit me in London and it kills me to be so vague. I miss my girlfriend dearly and can't wait to see her, and get to congratulate her in person for finishing her vigorous internship at the BAU. Being so far apart from someone so important never bothered me before, but the distance is proving to be quite a strain.
Finally, Friday comes and I board the plane as I confirm with Hotch our plans for the party. The team is just wrapping their case and getting on the jet. We should land on our respective air strips at approximately the same time.
"Hotch, is the door code and hidden key in the same spot? I want to freshen up before arriving at Rossi's" I text my former boss and dear friend.
"It should be the same. Jack is with the nanny until after the party." Comes his quick reply.
"Good, I wouldn't want him to see me in the sequined get up. Don't want to scar the poor boy ;) " I type back and tuck the phone away without waiting for whatever reply Hotch may come up with.
Despite my bravado and sassy text messages, for some reason I feel quite nervous in my first class plane seat, awaiting departure. I stare out the window and let my thoughts race away from me. The BAU loves me, we are a family. I might not work with them anymore, but we are a family all the same, that bond didn't break when I "died" for a year, it hasn't waned since. All the same, I haven't come out to them and I don't know why I hide the most important part of my identity from them. Jade has made many good points about not being afraid of who I am, not fearing rejection, but I guess we grew up in different worlds. I was expected to date and marry a young wealthy man and have 2.3 children. I hid my preferences, my primary attractions, from my real family that it only feels natural to keep the secret from anyone I am close to. My secrecy has kept me safe so far. If I give away this most private detail, it leaves me vulnerable in a way I don't know if I can handle. I agreed to come to this party because part of my mind knows this is the right thing to do, embrace my identity and who I am, celebrate myself as well as my girlfriend and her accomplishments, but now that I am aboard the plane, I don't know if I can do it.
The stewardess comes around and I ask for a glass of wine, which she rushes off to fetch for me. God I love first class. As I wait, I worry about how Reid will react. He was hurt the most when I hid my "death" from the team, will he be hurt when I come out? When he learns that I am in love with his ex-girlfriend? What about Rossi? He is an old Catholic man, traditional to the core. Will he look at me differently now that he knows about me? Will he treat Jade differently when he knows about her? This is a crazy idea, I should never have agreed to it. As the stewardess hands me the glass of wine, I nod and smile my thanks and I see her assessing my mood.
"Would you like the bottle, ma'am?" She asks kindly, eyes narrowing in concern.
"No, this should be fine. I just have a big event I have to get to and it always makes me nervous to go to those big state events." I tell her a half-truth. She nods in understanding and shuffles to the next person seated behind me.
I sip the wine, a fine French Syrah, dry and peppery, and my tension eases. I was thinking crazy earlier I'm not sure what came over me. They all love me. Hotch knows his team very well, plus, most importantly, he is my dear friend, he would never invite me as a surprise if he thought it would go poorly. If he thought his team would be judgmental little homophobic shits, he wouldn't want to surprise them with a lesbian and bisexual coming out party. Plus, tonight is going to mostly be about Jade and her internship ending, I won't be the center of attention. I won't have to answer questions or feel awkward stares all night unless I pull the attention away from Jade. And I never want to do that, she deserves all the attention and glory in the world, my girlfriend is amazing.
The plane finally lands, waking me from my 6 hour nap. Stretching and groaning as I bring the large seat upright, I grab my carry-on bag and my cross-body purse and head out of Dulles. Exiting the busy airport, hit by the muggy midsummer DC air, I grab an Uber to Hotch's place and smile in the backseat as I relax on the familiar route. Lifting the small stone in the middle of his front flower patch, I discretely flip the realistic looking flap and slide the key out of its base and head to the door. Swiftly I enter the code from muscle memory, some things you never forget. I head up to his master bathroom and take a quick shower. Air travel, no matter the quality of the plane or my fellow passengers, always leaves me feeling grimy. I blow dry my hair and dress in my comfortable and chic white pants suit, with a grey tank beneath it. Finished primping, I relax on his couch and finally pull out my phone and chuckle at the 3 texts Hotch sent ensuring that I do not show up in sequins or embarrass him in any way. I snap a quick selfie on his couch, feet kicked up on the coffee table and broad smile on my face and send it to him with the message "Is this approved attire, Sir?"
"Looks fabulous, as always"
"You guys ready for me or do I have time to nap on the couch?"
"Get your feet off the furniture, but hang out a bit. JJ and Will are still on their way, they had to drop off Henry at a babysitters for the night. I'll let you know when we are ready"
"Make meee :P"
Hotch replies with a selfie of his own, a very stern and serious face, eyebrows knitted together, mouth in an angry scowl. That look would intimidate so many others, criminals and law enforcement alike, but it just made me chuckle as I settled into the couch and got comfortable.
"Give me a call and I'll be on the way. Is it alright if I bring the Subaru in your driveway? Or should I call a cab?"
"Subaru is fine, just don't drive like a madwoman. Keys are hanging in the foyer"
"You are no fun. Partypooper."
About 30 minutes later, just when I was starting to doze off, my phone rings, jerking me awake. "Hotch?" I answer, hoping I don't sound like he woke me up.
"Yes. I'm in the wine cellar, is your wine the 2012 O'Shaughnessy Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or the 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon?"
"Rossi has a 1992 Screaming Eagle Cab Sav?" I ask, shocked, fully awake, eager to hear more.
"Yes, well, he has five bottles, technically."
"Fuck, Aaron. Those are around $20,000 a bottle. I wish I was that kind of rich. Nearly a hundred fucking grand sitting there in just five bottles of wine."
"So which one should I chill for you?" His amusement clear in his rich voice.
"The Screaming Eagle. If Rossi gives you any shit, I am on my way. I am prepared to beg and grovel." I say practically salivating at the thought. That is one of the most rare wines of a fine vineyard in Napa Valley. I have been dreaming of tasting one of their wines ever since I heard of the vineyard and their rave reviews.
"Of course, that is what I thought. A deal is a deal. See you soon, and remember, don't drive like a madwoman."
"I'll be the one covered in sequins and cake" I reply, smiling and hanging up the phone as I gather my things to head over to Rossi's for the first time in years.
I get out of Hotch's Subaru and text him "I'm here, is everyone ready?"
"Out back, like usual"
Tucking my phone in my back pocket, I walk around the mansion, pausing just out of sight to adjust my pants suit and take a deep breath. Listening carefully I can just barely make out the conversation, the BAU chatting happily and laughing merrily, carefree. They have so few moments like this, it warms my heart to be part of it. One more deep breath, and I walk around the back of the mansion to see everyone gathered in a small group, glancing my way as soon as I turn the corner.
Laughter and cheers erupt in greeting and utter surprise, Hotch nudges Jade and she breaks out in a sprint for me, grinning from ear to ear. My gorgeous young girlfriend is wearing a navy sundress with white polka dots and I don't think she has ever looked more beautiful. The adoration in her eyes as she rushes across the patio to me melts my heart and I grin widely in return, opening my arms to catch her, embrace her. Pulling her close, I instinctively place a kiss on the top of her head.
As we hug tightly, I look up, taking in the faces of every single one of the BAU and guessing their thoughts. Hotch, of course, was smiling happily and winked at me, his hands tucking into his front pockets. Morgan, smiling broadly and dimples flashing looks puzzled by Jade's reaction, but happy to see me. Reid, oh, Reid looks confused. Happy to see me, of course, but slightly hurt by Jades embrace and my returning kiss to her head. Confused, why does Jade seem to know me so well, why do we look so close. I give him a quick, reassuring nod and my gaze moves to JJ and Will. JJ's head is cocked to the side. Her eyes are scrutinizing how close Jade and I are hugging, how intimate we appear, adding things up, little conversations she and I have had and I'm sure whatever Jade had told her, piecing everything together and then straightening and smiling warmly, broadly. Garcia looks stunned. Her eyes and her index finger keeps bouncing between Jade and myself, mouth wide. I can't help but laugh as I place another kiss atop Jades head as my gaze pans to the elusive Alex Blake. I don't know her well, but she seems to be happy for the scene unfolding before her. Finally, I look to the gracious host, David Rossi. I can't for the life of me read his expression. He is standing nearly identically to Hotch, open with his hands tucked in his front pockets, but I cannot tell if he is happy, sad, confused or is that hurt?
Looking down to Jade, I step back only enough to see her beautiful face, her green eyes bright with tears of joy, smile stretching across her face.
"Surprise, Princess" I whisper, angling my face down to kiss her properly as my left hand raises to cup her cheek and jaw.
Jade kisses me back, eagerly, her arms wrapping around my back, pulling me close once again, her soft lips warm and longingly meeting mine. Our kiss is interrupted by Derek Morgan's wolf-whistle and "day-um", ending our reunion kiss far too soon.
"Hello! Everyone, yes I've been dating Jade for a while now and couldn't keep it secret any longer!" I offer, smiling broadly and Jade turns to face the BAU, her arm still tucked around me and I wrap an arm around her, holding her close.
Garcia finally finds her voice. "Wait a hot second. The mysterious "Em" is Emily Prentiss? OUR Emily Prentiss? How? When? I am officially mad at BOTH of you!"
"Yes, um, when you all invited me to the wine bar after Spence...and we made out in the back of the bar." Jade answers, smiling, wiping the happy tears from her face. "Em wasn't out to you guys, so I didn't want to out her, its a very personal decision, and I wanted to let her do it in her own way. I didn't think she was going to be so very dramatic, but yep... We are an item."
"Actually, Hotch is the one responsible for this outing." I reply, chuckling and looking over to Hotch who blushes and raises his hands, feigning innocence.
"Hotch...?" JJ asks, shocked and almost hurt, "Hotch knew?!"
"Well, I accidentally drunk dialed him instead of Jade one night a few weeks ago. By the time it registered in my wine-brain, it was too late" I reply awkwardly, making a bit of a face as they all chuckle and Hotch blushes deeper, and I look down to Jade, seeing a bit of a blush on her cheeks as well. I decide to steer away from that particular conversation. "Hotch called me at the beginning of this week, asking if it would be possible to surprise Jade tonight. Of course I arranged my schedule. Clyde will probably be bitching about this trip for months, but it is worth every second. To see Jade and to see you guys too. I've missed you all so very much!" I announce, stepping out from Jade's grasp to greet every single BAU member. I wrapped my hand around hers as we walked up to them, squeezing her smaller hand gently.
I had absolutely nothing to worry about on the plane. Everyone is overjoyed. As I knew they would be, deep down. I have been so used to hiding my true self that I had nearly convinced myself that my closest friends and family would be shocked and hurt to know the truth when in reality they were more hurt to know we kept it a secret for so long. I spoke to everyone as Jade and I made a little lap around to everyone.
Hotch gave me a tight hug, smiling broadly as he offered, "Congratulations, you two are perfect for each other."
"Thanks, Hotch, I think so too. Thanks for inviting me, you are the best friend and former boss a woman could ask for." I smile and step back, Jades hand finding my own almost immediately.
"No thanks are needed, Emily. I knew if I were in your position I would want to be here, so I made it happen."
"How did you do it?" Rossi asks, striding down from his back door, bottle of wine in hand, approaching Jade, Hotch and I but his eyes were only shooting daggers at me.
Shrugging, feigning innocence, I smile to the older agent. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, Rossi." I look over to Hotch and we share a discrete wink before Rossi makes it to our little group.
"I mean, why is one of my most expensive bottles of wine in my fridge, chilling? How did you do it?" Rossi explains, showing the bottle. It looks as good as I've always imagined.
Reigning in my desire to open the bottle, feeling my fingers twitching, I smirk. "A good Interpol agent never reveals her sources. Or her tricks."
"And a good friend does not snitch from the wine cellar."
"And an even better friend does the snitching for a good friend" I reply, indicating to Hotch with my free hand.
"The only way I could get her to agree to coming today was if I promised her favorite wine would be available" Hotch offers, pulling the attention away from me.
"So my best friend steals a bottle of my wine? Do you know how much this is worth, Aaron?" Rossi replies, heated and just a bit angry. His Italian temper flaring somewhat.
"I am lead to believe it is around $20,000 a bottle." He admits tightly. Jade sucks in a breath at hearing the large sum, and I squeeze her hand gently again. Aaron continues, using his most persuasive tone "but you still have four in the wine cellar, surely you can bare to part with one."
"You two are lucky I love both of you. Aye-yi-yi, with friends like you, what do I need with another wife? You'll run me into the poor house yet." Rossi, exasperated, throws his free hand in the air. It is clear he is fine with me drinking the wine, but he has to be cranky about it first.
"Isn't that what friends are for, spending your riches?" I say with a wink, reaching for the debated bottle of wine at last.
Rossi pulls the bottle back and turns to head into the house, "The pasta is about ready, if you crazy people want to eat my food and drink my wine, come and get it!" He announces, loud enough that his voice travels to everyone gathered in his back yard.
We follow him, forming a small circle around the dining room table as he serves the food, telling us about the pasta and wine pairings and the history of the dish. As we are all served and the wine of our choice poured, we settle into the seats. Well, everyone sits down except Rossi.
"I would like to propose a toast to our guest of honor, Jade Bennett. Congratulations on surviving an internship with the BAU. We are a tough group and you did great, kiddo. And congratulations with Emily. She is a fabulous woman, I am very happy for you both."
"Here here!" and "Cheers to that" are shouted by everyone, including myself, as we raise our glasses to Jade.
"To Jade!" Rossi toasts.
"To Jade!"
I look to my left and see a very deeply blushing Jade, raise her own glass. "Thanks everyone! It's been an honor to work with you. Lets eat, I'm famished!"
With that we lower our glasses, drink and dig into the delicious pasta dish that Rossi is clearly very proud of. I am a hopeless cook, but I think it tastes wonderful. Not nearly as delicious as the Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, but close. Oh my, that wine. If I had trouble with self-control I could easily drink all five bottles tonight, its that good. But I don't want Rossi to actually hate me, so I pace myself, only drinking two modest glasses with the dinner. Casual conversation continues as we eat, but mostly everyone is just commenting on how delicious everything is, as always when we come to Rossi's for dinner.
After we finish eating, we head back outside, where it is finally cooling off. JJ and Jade set up the sound system to play some fun instrumental version of modern pop songs. We chat more, mingling as we continue to drink our wine.
"Hey, Reid, lets go sit for a minute. We need to catch up." I say, guiding my friend to the wooden deck chairs off to the side. Initially, Reid looks hurt, but he nods as he sits next to me.
"So, first, let me apologize." I say, taking his hand with his very long, thin fingers and squeezing once before I let it go. "I want to apologize for not telling you about my sexuality. I've hidden it from nearly everyone in my life for as long as I can remember. I don't even know how to share it with people I'm not dating. Don't think it is anything against you, or anyone at the BAU. I don't tell anyone. It is a defense mechanism. Growing up queer, I've always felt safer keeping it secret."
"You don't need to apologize for that. People have not been kind to queer individuals. I understand keeping part of your life private and secret. Some things need to be secret, if only to keep yourself intact, for your own peace of mind. I think we all have our own secrets on this team."
"Thank you, Reid. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. Acceptance is something I have always desired but never felt worthy of." I admit, looking at the young genius, feeling vulnerable for the second time today.
"Emily, you are always worthy of acceptance. You are amazing. Who you love makes you who you are, makes you amazing."
"Thanks" I smile briefly, before I continue, there is more I need to clear with him before I can end this conversation "Second thing I want to apologize for is who I am dating. I know you care about Jade, very much. I know we started dating very soon after you two split up. That was not my intention. I didn't want to get involved with her, initially. She is just so amazing, I couldn't help getting wrapped up in her charm, her allure. I couldn't help finding my mind drifting to her at every idle moment, dreaming of her every night."
"Emily, don't apologize for that either. I broke up with her. I couldn't give her the kind of intimacy she desired. She is a very physical person, I just couldn't be there for her in the way she needed. I still care for her, but I am very happy for you two, you seem to make each other very happy. I would rather you give her what she needs than see her unhappy and unsatisfied with me."
"I doubt she was unhappy with you. Don't sell yourself short. You are a wonderful guy."
"Thanks, I know that, but I meant in the way it matters between partners. I can't be that guy for her." Spencer reveals, now he looks just as vulnerable as I felt minutes ago. "I can't give her what she wanted physically or sexually. Touching and intimacy scares me most of the time."
"You will be that guy for the right lady, when she comes along. And she will, Reid. Don't stop looking. Not everyone craves as much intimacy as that and there is nothing wrong with the way you are. You are perfect too."
"Thanks. I've missed you. I could always talk to you about things and not worry about being judged. You always accept me as I am, and I will always accept you as you are."
"You can call me anytime, Reid. I'm always here for you. Just because we are separated by the Atlantic most of the time does not diminish our friendship, not in the least."
"I'll take you up on that when I date someone new. You'll have to tell me how to talk to a normal woman."
"I don't know why you think I'd be the expert on that" I say with a chuckle, tipping my head back slightly, looking up at the stars as they emerge in the dusk.
Reid chuckles too, rolling his eyes.
After a few minutes of sitting, listening to the group having fun, conversing and dancing, I look over to Reid "So, are we good, Reid? I don't want any hard feelings between us. I know I've hurt you before and I don't want to do that ever again."
"Of course we are good. I wouldn't have come over here with you if we weren't good." Reid smiles as we rise from the deck chairs and return to the party. I continue making my rounds, chatting with everyone privately. Morgan and Hotch as about Interpol and how things are going overseas and I briefly fill them in on the sleeper cell of domestic terrorists we took down over the last few months and the men are impressed, proud of my success.
Jade POV
Finally, Em finishes chatting with everyone, answering whatever questions they have or just catching up and returns to my side. She slips her hand around mine and tugs me close.
"May I have this dance, Princess?" Em whispers in my ear, her teeth nipping my earlobe gently, wrapping her arm around me and we start to dance. I stifle the moan as her lips and teeth terrorize my earlobe and neck as we dance, I am eager for her touch again, not caring that we are in full view of the BAU, let them watch for all I care. I just want her touching me, caressing me.
At the end of the song, I raise on my tip-toe to place another kiss on her warm and tender lips, tasting the expensive red wine on them. "Is that really a $20,000 bottle of wine?" I ask, eyes wide, licking my lips.
"Oh yeah, its quite expensive. And delicious. I have no idea how he got five bottles. Normally you need to be on the wait list for months or years before you can buy anything from Screaming Eagle."
"Wine snobs." I reply, snorting as I shake my head, my long wavy hair shifting across my back and wrapping around my shoulders as I move.
"It is one of the only vineyards which achieves perfect scores on several wines. I don't know if I'd dish $20,000 on a bottle, but it is rare and valuable." Em replies, pulling me up into a spin before tugging me back close.
"You and Rossi are part of a different world. I don't think I could justify spending that much on anything other than a car or house."
"Princess, I am a diplomats daughter, I was raised with money and the finer things, but, as an adult, I've never had the kind of cash to drop that kind of money on a bottle of wine. I don't know if I've spent that much total on wine in my lifetime. Okay, maybe, but just barely." Em says and leans in for another kiss as we keep dancing along to the music JJ and I picked out.
"May I have this dance?" Hotch cuts in, pulling Em away from me with a grin as a new song begins.
I don't have long to stand by myself, Reid approaches me seconds later, "You look so happy, Jade. Congratulations."
"Thanks, Spence. I'm sorry I didn't say anything, she wanted to come out to you guys on her own. Want to dance?"
"Sure" Spencer replies, tentatively placing his hands around my waist as we turn to face each other and I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck. We rotate slowly, looking into each others eyes and it feels as natural as breathing.
"I didn't know you could dance" I tell him after a minute of slowly dancing, smiling at each other.
"I can't, well, I've never really danced with a woman."
"Spence, come on. You must have. Didn't you go to dances? Or to any clubs when you were in college?"
"Clubs don't let 15 year olds in, Jade."
"Oh, right. I always forget what kind of huge prodigy you were."
"Dancing is mostly just physics and mathematics, applied. Matching the rotation to the same ratio as the beats per minute for the music seems to be doing well."
I laugh at his analysis. "Spence, I think it is more just moving and letting the rhythm guide you. Also, don't ever describe dancing like that on a date, you'll scare her off. Save that til after the wedding." I tease gently.
Spencer smirks down, eyes bright. "Thanks for the advice."
We dance smoothly, chatting about anything that comes to mind. I am so glad Spencer and I are able to remain friends since the breakup, he really is a great guy.
"Do you want another drink? I'm thirsty." I explain as the song ends.
"I think I'm good, its getting late and I really should be heading home soon." Spencer replies as we part. I look around and see Blake also preparing to leave and I glance at my watch, oh my, its nearly midnight! Where has the time gone?
"Jade, congratulations! You have successfully completed the internship, I am so happy for you!" Blake says as she approaches.
"Thanks, Alex, I don't think I could have done it without your gentle guidance. You have been a great mentor and inspiration."
"Oh thank you, dear! I like helping young people achieve their dreams, that is part of the reason I am an adjunct professor and teach as many classes as I can."
"It has been a pleasure, I can't believe my dreams are finally coming true! I am such a lucky lady."
"You are lucky and a very dedicated and hard working lady. Don't ever forget all the hard work that brought you here. I must be heading home, James is getting in town early tomorrow and I want to be rested for him."
"Oooh, have a wonderful time with your husband!"
Blake leaves and she and Reid walk around the house, chatting together. I head to the table and pour myself one last glass of wine, emptying the bottle of White Zinfandel that JJ and I had been sharing. I see Em chatting with Morgan and Garcia, laughing about something Garcia said, and I wander over.
"Jade! How could you keep it a secret this whole time?" Garcia demands with a big smile on her face.
"Easy, I just didn't say her last name or where she lived. You never asked her occupation." I say, evasively, sipping from the wine glass as I sidle close to Em.
"But weren't you dying to say something?"
"Of course, but coming out is a huge personal thing, I couldn't imagine taking that away from someone I care so much about. Especially since she has some other secrets and I don't want to figure out just what way Em would torture me, for telling her secrets."
Morgan and Garcia share a look that said 'girl has a good point. Prentiss could torture or kill us all in a dozen different ways.'
"Guys! I am not that cruel!" Em laughs, pulling me close and kissing my temple once more.
"Who knows what Clyde and Interpol have been making you do these last few years." Morgan points out, tipping his beer bottle back, draining it.
"Not torturing and killing my family, that's for damn sure. I'd do anything to protect you guys, you know that."
"But do we?" Morgan laughs, dimples flashing, clearly teasing my girlfriend and we all join in the laughter.
"Prentiss, we love you, for sure, but we all know what you did, what you do, who you are. We wouldn't be good friends if we didn't tease you sometimes too." Garcia says, stepping close as she continues "But I think its time to go before we do annoy you to the point of torture."
"Goodnight, I will be leaving soon too, my flight leaves at 4am and so I have...one hour until I have to leave? I brought Hotch's Subaru so I think we have to do some carpooling." Emily replies, smiling at our friends, a touch of sadness creeping into her eyes.
"It was so nice to see you! Don't stay away this long again!" Garcia says, pulling Em into her signature tight embrace.
"It was great seeing everyone too! I promise I will have more than 12 hours in The States next time I visit."
"Bye, Prentiss. Congrats on catching such a babe." Morgan says with a wink to me as he gives Em a quick hug as well.
"Thanks, keep her in line, and keep her safe, you hear me?" Em says, looking tender and lovingly at me.
"Loud and clear. We will all take care of her, she is all of ours to protect."
Morgan and Garcia leave, followed by JJ and Will a few minutes later. Soon it is just Prentiss, Hotch, Rossi and I standing on the patio, chatting. Hotch stifles a yawn and Prentiss laughs.
"Hey, don't fall asleep, you are my ride to the airport!" Prentiss says, jabbing him in the ribs with a finger.
"I am not going to fall asleep. When do we need to leave to make your flight?"
"Um, 15-20 minutes?" Em says, glancing at her watch, frowning slightly.
"That isn't long enough!" I say, pouting, "you just got here, Em!"
"I know, Princess, I know. I promise I will be able to stay longer next time." Em says tenderly, running her fingers through my hair and smiling down to me. Instantly my heart flutters, seeing the longing in her gaze. I blush a bit at her use of my pet name in front of Hotch and Rossi, but they don't seem to notice.
Em and I walk around to the side of the house for a minute of privacy before we head our separate ways and she flies back across the ocean. As soon as we are hidden from view, Em pulls me close, our lips meeting hungrily. We kiss passionately, lips parting and tongues dancing together. Her hands rove downward, grasping my ass firmly and pulling me close as we kiss. My heart races as I moan into her kiss, my skin alive, lightening jolts at her touch, hungry for more. We make out like teenagers, passionate, and I feel her back me up, until my back presses against the rough stucco of Rossi's house, her hands move around my hips, up to my breasts, groping gently. My own hands reach up, into her raven dark, straight hair, lacing into the roots at the nape of her neck, holding her close. Her lips move to my neck, caressing where she nipped earlier in the night. I'm not sure how long we kiss and caress in the dark, but too soon a deep, male voice sounds, a simple clearing of a throat that has me releasing my hold in her hair and Prentiss removing her hands from my chest, stepping back quickly.
"Enjoying yourself ladies?" Hotch says, voice deep and low, as we readjust our clothing and smooth our hair.
"Sorry Hotch."
"Yeah, sorry boss." We reply at the same time and I think we are both blushing, in the dark.
"No need to apologize, its not work hours. You might want to apologize to Rossi, though, I think he prefers those flowers to not be trampled." Hotch says with a pointed look to the flowerbed that is indeed trampled a bit.
"Of course, and I bet these flowers also cost more than my entire car." I reply, biting my lip.
We walk around the house and see Hotch's SUV parked behind my car, the only two vehicles left in the large circular drive. As we approach the vehicles, Em pulls me close for one more kiss before we must leave. Breaking the kiss, we turn to see Rossi walk out the front door to join us and say goodbye himself.
"Thank you for hosting another wonderful dinner, Rossi. It has been way too long since I've seen you, or this magnificent house."
"My pleasure. I love to cook and it is certainly easier to cook Italian food for a party than it is to cook for just one."
"And thank you again for not being pissed about me drinking the Screaming Eagle Cab Sav. It was delicious. Better than the food, I wager." Em says with a wink.
"You are the only one I know who could get away with drinking $20,000 of wine in one night and say it is better than homemade Italian food." I reply, smiling at her.
"Or I am the only one with the balls to say it like it is. I like fine wine. Good pasta is fine, but good wine is divine."
"Alright, get on out of here, I don't want you to miss your flight and somehow end up blaming that on me!" Rossi says with a shooing motion of his arms.
"Bye, Rossi! It's been a pleasure!" Em replies with a wave as she finally steps out of my grasp and to the passenger side of the SUV.
"Bye. See you Monday." Hotch replies with a nod. "Goodnight Jade, and congratulations, again."
I stand in the drive, watching Hotch and Prentiss drive off into the night, staring until the rear lights fade into the distance, and for a few seconds after. Shaking my head, I finally turn away to say my goodnight to Rossi.
"Thanks for hosting another great dinner. It was amazing, no matter what Em says. I thought it tasted great."
"You're welcome, Tesoro*, I made the best for you. You really earned it, completing an internship with the BAU is no joke. This work isn't for anyone and you more than proved yourself. I was honored when Hotch had the idea to have a congratulatory dinner for you."
"Thanks, don't make me blush. It was just an internship. Everyone is an intern these days."
"But you earned it the old fashioned way, not the Monica way."
"Great topical reference, old man."
"Hey, if you are going to be making digs at me, after ruining my azaleas, you might not be invited to the next dinner."
"Even if it is in my honor?"
"Especially then."
"Fine, old man, see if I care. Anyone can boil some noodles and heat a jar of Ragu." I say, sticking out my tongue at him.
"Do not ever use store-bought sauce. At least tell me you use canned sauce." Rossi says, pulling me into another hug. "Really, congratulations Tesoro*, you did great. And congratulations on finding a wonderful girlfriend, I hope you two are very happy."
"Thank you. She is amazing, I am so lucky to have had the chance to meet her. She is so special and beautiful."
"Just don't get jealous if she always likes me best." Rossi says with a wink.
"She won't like you better, even with an endless supply of expensive wine. You can't buy her affection. I can give her something better than a $20,000 bottle of wine."
"Oh? Better than the wine? Is it?"
"Give Em a call and see" I say with a wink, and a smirk, eyelashes batting, pulling my keys from the convenient pocket in the sundress. "Goodnight Rossi and thank you again for the great dinner."
"Goodnight. Drive safe, see you Monday." Rossi says, turning carefully and walking back to his front door.
* Tesoro = treasure, darling, sweetheart
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." Henry David Thoreau
