Fresh off of a new case, the team returned to a ghost town of an office in the early morning hours. The five agents approached the bullpen from the horrendously creaky elevator, duffle bags, and carry-ons in tow. They quickly found their desks, Morgan and Emily leading the pack while Hotch fell to the rear, intently talking to his wife over the phone. Reid had already been relaxed in his desk when the crew joined him, Jareau finding a spot on the neat faux wood, her legs playfully swinging off the edge. Emily dropped her duffle on the ground once she got to her desk and rested her head in her hands. As he passed, Morgan nudged her chair with his foot, earning an impish strike to the leg, before placing his belongings on his chair and flipping through the new manila folders on his desk. He then turned his attention from the new folders to Emily's barren inbox. Jennifer glanced at her colleague as well, pushing Morgan to put it in the black basket. He smirked and crept towards Prentiss to carefully set the folders on her desk.
"Put it back, Morgan," Emily groaned in immediate protest.
He sighed in defeat and took them back, "Man's gotta try."
Emily sat up a little and stretched, fixing her hair. "You always do, but I got eyes in the back of my head." At that, Morgan smirked and sat at his desk. After a short moment, he stood back up, pacing as he skimmed the files. Prentiss looked up and gawked, "How can he just do that? It's practically criminal."
Jareau sat in Reid's chair and rolled over to Emily, bumping into her like a dodgem which made the older woman chuckle. Emily sighed and scooted closer to her colleague before pushing her away by the bottom of her chair. JJ hopped up as Reid came back, allowing him to rifle through the drawers.
"Who wants to see some physics magic?" he giddily asked as he placed a small black cylinder and cap on the top.
"Yeah, I'm in," Emily shrugged, approaching Reid's desk.
"Let's see what you got, Spence," Jennifer jibed.
Morgan peaked over his desk at the geek group and smirked, scoffing a little. Reid told the girls to turn around and began mixing the substances. He twirled them back around, his eyes transfixed on the chemical reaction taking place before their eyes.
After a few seconds Morgan piped in, "It's not working, Reid."
"Shh shh shh, watch," he squeaked with excitement.
The ladies glanced at one another while they waited for the rocket to go. Emily shrugged and drew her attention back to Reid. As she opened her mouth, the rocket shot up which made Morgan jump out of his chair and Jennifer latch onto Emily's wrist. It hit the ceiling hard and bounced back down onto Prentiss's neat desk. She laughed and removed the bottle, tossing it back at Reid.
"At least it didn't hit me," she joked.
"Nice job, Spence," their liaison smiled, rubbing Reid's shoulder.
He smiled as he replaced the items in the drawer and locked them up. "It's getting late, I'm going home. See you guys in the morning."
"Is it past your bedtime?" Morgan joked. Reid didn't answer, he only smiled and left, gathering his belongings and waving at his colleagues. Morgan yawned and stood up. "I'm gonna check on Garcia," he said walking to the lobby to make a call.
"Oh, can you ask her if she wants to drink with us?" Jen asked, as Emily went back to her desk and mumbled something in agreement.
"Sure thing," Morgan nodded while he put the phone to his ear, "Hey, baby-girl, you awake?"
He heard fumbling as Garcia teasingly answered, "I'm always here for my chocolate thunder."
Morgan smirked and continued, "Just checking up on you and to tell you that we're back. Oh, Prentiss and JJ are going out and wondered-"
"I would love to join my girls, like Charlie's Angels. And of course, I'm Lucy Liu. Tell them I'll be there in fifteen."
Morgan shook his head, a grand smile plastered across his face, "See you tomorrow, Baby-girl."
"Buh-bye, Dark Star." she signed off.
Morgan turned around and informed his teammates before leaving the office with the other young ladies. They waited for Garcia to show up in her small car while he took the bus, mere minutes passing before the bubblegum pop hacker with pink tips arrived with her equally bright demeanor. Prentiss got the back seat while her blonde colleagues took control of the radio, Jennifer succeeding when she chose a pop station which earned her weird looks.
"What?" she asked defensively.
"Nothing," the others answered in unison.
She switched it to one of Garcia's pre-saved stations, smiling as she watched her colleagues rock out to the alternative station. They followed her into the establishment, finding a spot for the night while Prentiss went to get their first round of shots. Once she returned, they all cheered to another closed case and downed the vodka. Jennifer drummed on the table as she and Prentiss bought two more shots before Emily went to get a new poison for the night.
"Hey, beauty, are all of those for you?" a young man asked in a thick South African accent.
Emily smiled and chuckled lightly, placing the three drinks back down on the counter. "Don't you have a girlfriend to say sorry to?"
"How'd you… know that I was supposed to say sorry to someone?" he tried to smoothly recover.
"Who do you need to say sorry to?" Emily sighed.
"Just this girl I met, I wanted to apologize for not asking for her name. I'm Andrew, and you are?"
JJ walked up to her co-worker and wrapped an arm around her waist, "Hey babe. Need help?"
"No, I'm good, this is Andrew," Emily casually introduced.
"Hi Andrew," Jareau greeted, reaching a hand out to give him a firm handshake.
"Mm...," he huffed with a smile before moving onto another lady.
They began back towards the table with their drinks, laughing at the situation, "Thank you, girls," Emily began, "Nice job, JJ, how' you do it?"
"I guess he's afraid of a real woman," Jennifer joked, placing a glass of water in front of Garcia.
As the bar closed, Garcia drove them home for the night, Jennifer choosing to crash at Emily's place for the night. They drunkenly stumbled up the stairs to her small apartment, fumbling with their shoes and keys for a second before finally getting into the safe confines of Prentiss's flat.
"Thanks for letting me crash at your place," Jareau said, following Emily through the narrow hallway.
"You know, no problem, Jay. It's not much but-"
"No, no, this is a really nice place you've got and, pfft, only five minutes away must be nice."
"It's usually ten when I take the bus but thank you," she commented, turning off the alarm.
Emily closed and locked the door behind Jennifer before showing her around. "You can sleep on the futon, I'm in the next room if you need anything, the bathroom's over there," Emily directed to the rooms. "I usually leave by seven."
She helped her unfold the futon and gave her some pillows before getting ready for bed. Jennifer went to the bathroom and pulled her hair into a ponytail, removing her makeup and brushing her teeth with the spare toothbrush before finally settling into the flimsy mattress to sleep off the booze.
In her alcohol-riddled thoughts, she struggled with her all too common night terrors, fighting through another moment of sleep paralysis before forcing herself to calm down and wake up. She shot up, her body aching from struggling against her muscles, as she glanced at the notification on her phone from Penelope. Without anything else to do, she texted her friend back and subsequently turned her phone off. Jennifer looked at the smooth white ceiling, trying to make out the cracks and warps above her. As the minutes slowly ticked by, she gave in and went to Emily's room. The brunette was awake and on her phone too, texting her mom a quick message. She looked, feeling her colleague's eyes on her, and closed her phone.
"You okay, JJ?" she asked, sitting up in the bed.
"Yeah...well, I'm having trouble sleeping."
"Bad dream?"
"Yeah, is it normal?" she asked, still standing in the doorway.
"I don't know, but I get them all the time especially in a new environment," she admitted, adjusting her eyes to the darkness, she leaned closer to her, "Are sure it was just a bad dream?"
Jen mulled over her thoughts for a moment before giving in and confessing, "Do you ever feel like, with each case, you lose just a little bit yourself?"
"Well, I guess, but I also feel like I find out a little more about myself, too. You okay to sleep?"
"Yeah, but can I sleep with you?"
"Oh, um… sure," Emily agreed, scooting over.
Jareau blindly walked over to the other side of the bed and tucked herself in, placing her body on the edge of the mattress. Prentiss turned around and smiled at her, reaching over to kindly place her hand on her friend's shoulder, retracting her arm, and closing her eyes to sleep again.
Jennifer watched her, noting the way she took silent breaths, her chest gently expanding and contracting as she tried to calm herself into slumber. She regarded her hair, the black tendrils pouring over the pillow like spilled ink in the darkness. Things she hadn't noticed before all of the times they had roomed together over the past few years. Jennifer glanced at her lips, the slight stain of lipstick still smeared across her pink skin before dragging her eyes back up to her other features. She wanted to reach out and touch her pristine skin. Instead, Emily rested her hand on top of hers and closed her eyes.
Heat rose to Jennifer's cheeks, her head pounding as she scooted closer, a peck just barely connecting with Emily's lips. The other agent opened her eyes and looked into her friend's blue irises. She pulled back, nudging her away by her clavicle.
"Sorry, I… I'm sorry," JJ apologized before turning around to sleep.
Emily blushed slightly, and turned away, soon falling asleep, too.
The morning rolled by slowly, Jennifer being the first to rise and clean up the living room. She went through Emily's bathroom cabinet for some basic makeup to wear, choosing a natural look, with a light blue shadow. She looked in the mirror and thought of her actions the night before. The brazen side of her, her mother, pushed forward and chastised her by comparing her actions with those of a college student. Her tender, more nurturing side tried to beat off that mindset but lost as her feelings were once again pushed back into the woodwork.
Jareau ducked her head so she wouldn't have to look at herself in the mirror, then left the bathroom, choosing to take the bus to the office where she could buy some breakfast. Inline, she glanced at the television where some sitcom was playing, watching it until she could order.
Now waiting to get breakfast, she spotted Prentiss in line, too. The brunette was busy texting, so the young liaison quickly moved to an open spot between a skinny and an older average man. She politely smiled at them and leaned against the bar while the various customers were served. She studied the customers, wondering which of them had dark secrets, who was discovering themselves through late-night mistakes or early morning walks of shame?
Too distracted by her thoughts, Jennifer failed to notice her colleague trying to grab her attention at a table until her phone buzzed. She glanced up and reluctantly joined her, trying so hard to avoid any mention of the night before.
"Hey, you okay, you left pretty early."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't want to bother you.."
"You could never bother me," Emily stated. "You're not trying to avoid me, right?" she questioned. "I hope it doesn't have to do with that thing last night when you kissed me?"
"Well, kinda… yeah," JJ whispered.
"It's okay, Jage, I'm okay if you're, like, gay or bi."
JJ looked back down and began to fiddle with her purse when her name was called. She quickly grabbed her bagel and coffee, going back to their table.
"Please don't tell anyone. I could get fired," she reminded her.
She suddenly stood up and flicked around on her heels towards their office. All she wanted was to read over gruesome files, somehow that was more soothing than dealing with any sort of emotion with a colleague. The truth behind her nerves was that she just despised having to deal with HR, especially with their jobs on the line.
She unlocked the door to her office and sat at her desk, flipping through the files, enveloping herself in the manilla folders. She heard the door click and the lock turn as Emily joined her, having followed her as soon as she got her drink.
Jennifer quietly sighed and opened up a folder on her desk. Emily leaned against the door, regarding her friend in her distraught state before finding a spot in the seat across from her. She pulled the manila folder down, revealing a very flush Jareau.
"JJ, are you okay?" she gently inquired.
The liaison looked down and closed the folder. "Yeah," she lied with a shrug, slowly getting up to walk around her office.
Emily got out of her chair and stopped her, hands lightly gripping her shoulders. She looked into the younger woman's eyes- which refused to meet her own- and warily embraced her. She felt her heart beat rapidly in her chest at their contact, now more aware of herself than she was when they initially kissed.
As Jennifer pulled away, Emily quickly brought her colleague into a kiss, fingers hooked under her lapel to keep her close. Jen closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her neck, Emily pulled away, looking into her eyes. Jareau leaned back in and trapped Emily's lips with hers once again.
A knock on the door forced the two apart. Jennifer quickly fixed up her jacket and Emily before unlocking and opening the door where their boss stood. Emily stood in front of the desk and turned to look at him.
"Am I interrupting something?" Hotch innocently asked seeing all of the folders on her desk.
"No, we just finished talking," she reasoned. "Did you need something?"
"Yes, have you chosen a case yet?"
"No, sorry there are three serious cases, I'll work on narrowing it down."
"Good. Prentiss, what are you doing?"
"I was helping her, she wanted a profiler's eyes on the cases."
"And?"
"Well, we hadn't had the chance to look at them yet."
"Then I'll let you two get back to work," he nodded, closing the door behind himself.
Back in their moment of solitude, Jennifer turned back to her colleague. "That was too close, Em."
"Yeah I saw, I was here standing awkwardly as you and Hotch talked," she sighed as JJ rolled her eyes. She placed her hands on the blonde's arms. "Hey, it's okay. Come here." She pulled her into another hug, keeping a keen ear for any further interruptions.
Jennifer skittishly pulled away and walked over to her desk, leaning against it. She pressed her hands on the mahogany and hung her head as she loomed over the cases, trying to focus on the excuse she gave Hotch.
She sighed and held back her strained sadness. "We need time to think this through. I don't even know what I'm doing. I can't do it again. The last one broke my heart. I just need time and a friend. I'm still sorry."
"That's what I want, JJ," Emily lied.
"Can you sit down, and help me with the cases?"
"Sure," she agreed, sitting in the padded green chair. She opened up a few remaining files and sorted the probable serial killer cases from the coincidences. She pointed to one of the middle-aged women who were being slaughtered in the same manner and posed alike. "The press hasn't covered it too much, so keeping the public calm should be easy. There've been four murders in the same month. It can't be a coincidence because of the way they have been posed."
"Any others you think are good?"
"Not yet. You?"
"Twelve women over the year with the same weapon and in the same area."
"Can I see?"
"Sure," she replied, giving the manila folder to the brunette. Their hands touched as they swapped the case file. Jennifer whipped her hand away and looked at a new file. Emily stood up and paced around the room, pouring over the facts. "I'm going to the restroom. Can you pull out the best three?"
"Sure," Emily replied.
JJ left, leaving Prentiss to her own devices. As the minutes passed, she read through a few more cases and plucked out three. The year-long case, the four-monther, and the three double murders. They were all quite interesting and ones that the local authorities would not be able to handle without the help of a federal profiler.
With the time alone, she began to think about their brief moments of intimacy, her heart throbbing at the mixed affirmation and rejection she instantly got during their conversation. It wasn't like she hadn't tested the waters before, when she was younger she did anything to irk her mother, even making out with the Princess of Sweden at a stupid party so long ago.
JJ entered, closing the door behind herself. "What did you choose?"
"These three," she began. "Your year case, my four-month murders, and three sets of double murders where a set of women were killed in a similar fashion. They were living together and in one case they were a couple." Emily sat down as the blonde walked around reading the selected cases.
JJ pondered her decision for a few seconds and stated, "The double murder case seems relevant, I can send the others to our sister groups. I'll get the papers signed and filed, then hand it over to Hotch. Thanks, Emily."
Prentiss smiled and walked out of the office. She solemnly sat at her desk, not noticing that Morgan was intently watching her. He cleared his throat and continued working on the files.
"So, you okay, Prentiss?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, you were in there with JJ for a good while even when Hotch walked in."
"It's fine. There's nothing wrong."
"Could something be wrong?"
"No, everything's fine, Morgan," Emily unsuccessfully tried to clear up. She slid the files onto her desk and crooked her left eyebrow. "There's an awful lot of files on my desk."
"It was like that when I got here. I swear," he promised, crossing his heart.
"Fine, but if I find out…" Emily began, making a cutting motion with her thumb across her neck, Gravedigger style. "JJ just wanted help from me on a case."
"I could've helped."
"Yeah, but, we take the same bus and I'm a girl."
"Wow feminista, calm down. I know I know. I have a penis-"
"Before you finish that thought, I love and respect men. And you're black, so you have it hard enough in the southern states we go to."
He nodded at her words and took his pencil to mark up a paper. He smirked and scoffed. "What's goin' on Prentiss?"
"Nothing. I swear."
"Well, Garcia, JJ, and me were going to the Trip Night-"
"I'd love to join in."
"Awesome, we'll leave at, like, 6:00."
"Okay," Emily answered, getting back to her paperwork.
After a good three hours, of the enthralling adventures of bureaucracy, Hotchner entered the bullpen with a few agents who all filed into his office, leaving the door slightly ajar. A young woman was sitting in the chair opposite of him. She had straight brown hair matched with tan skin and a territorial glint in her eye as she glanced at Emily, soon returning her attention to Aaron.
"Who's that?" Emily asked Derek.
"Hmm? Oh," he looked around to peer into Hotchner's office. "Can't tell."
Emily focused back on her work and continued to sort and sign through the many files on her desk. Derek drank from his cup, leaning across to Reid who was asleep on the job. After gulping down his hot coffee, he took a sip from his water bottle and tapped on Prentiss's desk to which she looked over, confused. Morgan spat the water at Spencer, laughing as he sprung up. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. Derek took another sip from the water and spat it at him again. JJ stopped in her tracks.
"Really, Derek?" she scolded.
"Sorry Jage," he chuckled.
"Don't worry Spencer, it'll dry up after a while," Emily comforted.
"We're meeting up in five," JJ informed them.
Emily shrugged and finished the papers she was working on, then gathered her belongings to join Reid and Morgan in the conference room. She sat next to Garcia and Reid with Morgan and Rossi across from her. JJ entered the room with Hotch at her heels. They stood there waiting as a guest entered. JJ had a slightly scared smile on her lips, a great departure from Hotch's stone face. Rossi looked between them then peered around to look down the hallway. He settled back into his chair as the brunette in Hotchner's office entered the conference room.
"Oh my god," Morgan began, a smile spreading across his stoic features.
Garcia rushed to her feet and hugged her tightly, Reid following her step. Laughter filled the room quickly as their guest brushed away slight tears from her eyes. They let go and sat in their original spots. The brunette standing at attention by Aaron's side.
She cleared her throat and stood tall, holding her hands, and spoke in a confident voice. "Well, it's great to see everyone again. I do see two new faces, so I'll introduce myself. I'm Agent Elle Greenaway. I was part of this team until two years ago."
Hotchner looked at her and then back out to the crowd. "We have called upon Agent Greenaway for our latest case. Garcia?"
"Oh, yes." She stood up, the other three taking their places at the table. Garcia began her PowerPoint. "So my lovelies, we have been assigned to three double murder cases. The victims were three sets of women. Alicia Winter and Reni Algeron, Jennifer and Fiona Lee, and a couple, Anna Jessup and Katherine Lupus. The first two sets of women were roommates in college while the last were postgrads." As Garcia said the women's names, their faces, and ages popped up. There was a blonde and a brunette with blue tips, a short-haired redhead and a black-haired woman, an auburn-haired woman, and her girlfriend who had medium blonde curly hair. Emily looked at the women and sighed quietly. "The police have kept the case quiet, but they have three major suspects. There's Max Andol, a 27-year-old with a record of stalking women since college. The next is an older man, Matthew Fendral, a 39-year-old father to two sons. Fendral has been sent to institutes and spent time imprisoned due to his severe schizoid personality disorder. He has been known to walk onto the campus and stalk young women. The last is Philip McCourthin. He is 32 and has a list of drug charges pertaining to a multitude of stimulants including meth and coke. He's been released and imprisoned about three times in the past two months, and was last seen talking with the latest victim, Jessup."
"When did these murders happen?" Morgan asked, looking at his case file.
"On the 3rd of March, the 6th of April, and the 9th of May."
"Where were these?" Elle asked.
"In Orange County, California."
"Were any of the suspects or victims students at the same college?"
"The victims all were, yes. The last victim, Lupus, has a sister there now. The last two were 2014 and 2010. The suspects are Andol in 2009, Fendral in 1998, and McCourthin in 2004. Any other questions? About the people? Okay, the victims," Garcia began, pulling up the crime scenes, "were all killed in their apartments. The smaller woman of the two would be uh… gutted and had her major organs, the heart, stomach, and lungs pulled out while the other would be strangled to unconsciousness and placed in the bathtub, wrists cut." Garcia tried hard to keep her composure. "No fingerprints found."
"We'll be wheels up tomorrow at 0900, get your bags ready, and make room in your schedules," Hotch stated.
"I always enjoy going to California," Emily sarcastically remarked.
Everyone gathered the files and went back to their desks. Emily sat down, working while the others talked with Elle. The ex-agent brought JJ in a strong embrace while the others had short hugs. Elle walked over to Emily and introduced herself.
"You replaced me, right?"
"Uhh… Yes. Emily Prentiss," Prentiss said, shaking Elle's hand.
"Oh, you're Ambassador Prentiss' daughter, right?"
"Yes," she flatly replied.
"Oh, how is she?"
"Currently in Canada for a large conference, so cold but sociable."
JJ walked over, glancing between the two brunettes, a soft grin hiding beneath her features as she gently brushed her hand against Elle's forearm in a quick, but meaningful, gesture.
"We're all going to the Trip Night, you want to join?" she asked.
"Sure," Greenaway answered, momentarily lost in JJ's eyes until Emily cleared her throat
She and Jareau left for the young liaison's office, now trapped alone in bare silence as the seconds ticked by. Without a word, Elle went to close the blinds before they sat across one another. Her eyes searched across her features, recalling the nervous twitching of her eyebrows, the way the corner of her lip flicked up when she was annoyed or stressed.
After silence that rang far too long, she began, "I know that you want to talk."
"We need to."
"I'm better Jen."
"You look better."
"What happened while I was gone? Where's Gideon?"
"Gideon left."
"Where?" she somberly inquired.
"He left for a new life somewhere. He never said, he only left a letter for Reid."
Elle nodded and looked into JJ's eyes. "And David Rossi? Did he run out of money?"
"No, he just felt he needed something to work on rather than his signature." After moments of silence, JJ asked, "Why didn't you say anything? I could have helped… I-"
"I didn't need help. He was just another worthless monster who hurt innocent people. I saw too many of those sick bastards get off because the victim's story didn't move the jury enough."
Jareau placed her hand on Elle's and leaned over, resting her head against the brunette's. "Please, if you're ever hurting, don't hide it. I'm here for you." She kissed the other lightly, pulling away before either's lipstick smeared horribly.
Elle blushed and looked at her, a somber grin on her lips as she got up. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful. Where did you go, you know, after."
"I stayed in Virginia, then back to Seattle. I got a call to join the BAU there but turned it down to work on pedophilia cases with the internet's human trafficking. I was called by your superior to do a trade-off with another agent and accepted. I've been here for a day so far."
"Why didn't you get assigned to our division?"
"No room with Prentiss in my place."
"Oh…"
Elle cupped the blonde's face in her hands and pecked her forehead. "Did anyone ever find out?" she asked, getting a slight shake from her partner. "We could leave, skip out on the Trip?"
Jen scoffed and bit her lip, then suggested, "I can take my break right now?"
"How long is it?"
"An hour."
"Hm, we might have time to go to your place?"
Greenaway left first, then JJ, locking the door behind herself. They went to the elevator, fleeting touches and glances as they made their way down. Elle went to her rental and left to join Jareau in her apartment. Once they made it to her flat, Elle pressed the liaison against the door, standing a breath away from her to regard her seemingly innocent beauty. She looked like an angel, almost untouchable by a sinful hand with her blonde hair down and shockingly blue eyes.
Greenaway leaned in and kissed her again, entrapped by the overarching feeling of being back home. Elle pressed her body against JJ's, then reached her hand between their hips to unzip her ex-partner's skirt. They kicked off their shoes, moving away from their original spot by the door for Jennifer's room. Elle lifted her up, gripping her thighs until JJ wrapped her legs around her waist.
She placed her on the large bed and gently nipped at her neck. JJ sighed with a content smile, biting her lip as little whimpers escaped her mouth. Elle unbuttoned JJ's blouse and unhooked her lacy white bra.
"Did you know I'd be in the area?" she jibed.
Jareau rolled her eyes, "Call it a happy coincidence."
She smiled down at the young liaison's body, muscles quivering and flexing in anticipation. Elle tenderly kissed her, sliding between her legs to grind her thigh into her.
"Jesus, Elle, Fuck."
"You're so cute when you curse."
Jareau's scoff was quickly cut off when her partner tugged her hips harshly against her leg. Her breath halting in her throat as Elle ground against her, JJ wrapped her arms around her neck to pull her down in desperation to kiss her.
"Please," she groaned in slight irritation.
"Please what?" she feigned in ignorance.
"Uh, you know."
"Tell me."
Jennifer jutted up, scaring her peer back as they passionately kissed. Officially distracted, she pulled her hand between her legs, sliding it beneath her underwear. Greenaway nearly slipped off of the bed but took hold of the sheets to push back. She pressed her first and middle fingers into her, the slick mess dripping into her palm before she could really have her fun.
"Am I still good?"
"Yeah," she whispered with a trailing moan. "You're good. So perfectly great."
JJ softly moaned as Elle hooked her fingers to massage her muscles. She lasted a few minutes more before she finally gave in to her climax. She clenched all of her muscles and exhaled swiftly, sucking in a few more breaths before the two began to laugh. Elle kissed JJ and laid down next to her.
"How much time do we have?" Elle asked.
"What time is it?"
"1:36."
"We have plenty of time," Jennifer straddled her then continued, "and if memory serves me right, you can't even last five minutes."
Elle rolled her eyes with a playful grin as she gazed upon her beauty. She propped herself on her elbows and gently kissed her then tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Jareau's hands wandered to Elle's trousers, distracting her with careful nips and pecks over her clavicle while she unsnapped her uniform. When she tried to sit up higher, Greenaway was quickly forced back down by her partner with a slightly shocking force.
"You've been working out," Elle whispered.
"Just a bit," she chuckled.
Holding her hair behind her ear, Jennifer placed soft kisses against her pelvis while she pulled off her sleek black pants. She placed her hand over Elle's breast, moving the bra out of the way. She got back up and kissed her jaw as she traced the gentle outline of her abs down to her underwear, a shot of pleasure vibrating through her core at the warm wetness on her fingertips.
"Maybe less than five," she off-handedly remarked.
She slowly dragged her finger through Elle's center before rubbing her clit with her thumb, teasing her entrance with her middle finger. She started to slowly push in, regarding the woman below her in awe. Greenaway slid her hand to Jareau's shoulder and gently squeezed her muscles. She exhaled with a curse at the tip of her tongue, chuckling after and connecting their lips again. Jareau slid her leg between Elle's to keep them open. The other agent quickly exhaled again and ground her hips against her partner's fingers to urge her against her soft spot.
Jennifer felt her squirm under her, bucking her hips against her to turn the agent into a moaning mess. Elle grabbed her by the jaw and kissed her, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood as she came. She sighed, shaking, and curled into the blonde woman.
After a few moments, she heard her partner chuckle. "Gotta say that I actually kinda missed that."
"Glad I can egg on your fetish." Elle kissed her again. She tucked the stray golden hairs behind her ear and pecked her nose.
JJ took Elle's hand to lead her to the shower.
"Where were you two?" Morgan asked Elle.
"Just catching up."
"Really?"
"Yes, Derek. I mean it's been two years since we've even talked to each other… there's a lot that wasn't said."
"Yeah, so is JJ back?" Emily asked.
"She should be in her office."
"Thanks," she curtly nodded on her way over. Prentiss quickly knocked on the door before walking in without an invitation. "So I'm guessing you and Elle had a quickie at your place?"
"Emily."
"So, what happens with us?" Without an answer, she nodded, "I thought so."
"Em!" she urgently pleaded.
"Please, don't… just don't," Emily whispered back. "It was only a kiss."
JJ silently watched her peer leave. She bit her hand and went back to her desk, looking through the files to line up the next set of cases for all five Quantico BAU teams. She looked at the pile and slapped her palm on the desk, not able to focus on the task at hand. She let out a shuddering sigh and hid her face in her hand before randomly choosing a file. 'What are you doing? Focus, focus, focus Jen. Just… crap. Focus!' She hit her head with the file and dropped it back onto the table. She felt someone take her wrist.
"What's wrong? I haven't seen you this upset since the Pablo Vargas case," Elle whispered.
"I just need some time to think. Some of these cases are a little much… I just need some time."
"Okay."
Elle brushed her thumb against the blonde's hand then left the room, closing the door behind herself. She sat beside Morgan and looked over at Emily to study her possible competitor and cocked her head to the side, looking away when she caught her glances. Prentiss finally stood up and escaped to the bathroom. She looked into the mirror, then back down in jealous shame.
"How long have you been sleeping together?" a harsh voice interrupted.
Emily quickly turned around, shocked by the shattered silence. "What?"
"How long have you been sleeping together?" Elle repeated.
"Never," Emily answered. Elle glared at the newer member for a long while. "We only kissed a few times. That's all. How long have you been sleeping together?"
"Only once, before I left, and again today." Elle victoriously left the room, leaving a seething Emily to herself.
Jennifer approached Rossi's office, too distracted to really work, and after rapping on his door, she was called in. Casually sitting at his desk with his trusty notepad and a pen, he acknowledged her presence once finishing the phrase.
"I need some help," she whispered.
"What's the matter?" he said looking up at her.
"Have you ever been stuck between two people, not knowing who to choose?"
"Not necessarily. Why?"
" The two people I love… they're… they're so similar but they give me different things. The first one is a rule bender and breaker for justice. They're deadly perceptive, even compared to me. But… That old flame burnt out a long time ago. At least I thought it did. The other is new. Not that new, I've known them for a while. They're adventurous but calm. Realistic and such a nerd… I just don't know what to do?"
"Does sound like a predicament. I would go for the newer one. But tell Emily soon. You might lose her."
"I- thank you, Rossi." On her way back, she paused and turned around. "What… what do I tell the other?"
"Be honest, even if she already knows."
Once the sun set and the bullpen was almost empty- save for Elle, Derek, Spence, and JJ- the youth in Quantico started to leave their dwellings to the busy downtown. Garcia came in with four coffees for the team, setting them down on Derek's desk while Prentiss carried in two Bailey's coffees for her and Garcia.
"A true savior," JJ praised as she grabbed a drink.
"I am at your service," Emily joked with a bow.
"More like we are the gods, thus we chose to treat our subjects," Garcia playfully corrected.
Emily laughed and began to sip the warm drink in her hands. JJ looked between the two brunette women as Garcia sat next to her.
"So," her peppy friend whispered. "Which one, which one?"
"How do you already know?"
"Garcia sees all."
JJ sighed and pressed the lip of her cup to her forehead. She smirked and scoffed weakly. "I don't know. Rossi said E. P., but Elle's so great in bed. She bites, Pen."
"You know, it doesn't surprise me that you'd have a biting kink. I would choose after the mission. Just do your best not to kiss or screw either one again."
"Okay, Jennifer snickered.
Garcia lightly elbowed her and switched her conversation to Derek. Jareau looked only at her drink, smiling solemnly. She felt a soft tugging at the bottom of her shirt. Turning around, JJ found a timid Reid looking up at her.
"What's up, Spence?"
"Are you alright? You seem quieter, more reserved, than usual."
She glanced around the room, seeing all eyes on her. She nervously fiddled with the cup sleeve and smiled. "I guess it's been a weird week," she acknowledged. 'Are you alright? Fuck no. I need to talk to them', she thought.
Emily carefully watched her, tuning out of the conversation Reid was having with her and Greenaway to escape her emotions. She sulked to the elevator, wanting to be alone, swiftly let down when Jennifer zipped through the doors as they closed. She refused to meet her gaze, officially done with her need to juggle her and Elle. With the doors closed, Jareau tackled her with a hug, inhaling her perfume deeply until Emily pushed her away.
"Why are you leading me on?" she asked, pressing her hand against her slight ribs.
"I don't know what I should do about us."
"You and Elle?"
"No, us, you and me."
"I mean you made it clear that you wanted to be alone or with Elle. I really don't want to get in between you two. I-I'm sorry."
Once the doors opened, Emily escaped from the building and to the bus stop, no longer interested in going to the bar. Jennifer joins her a few minutes later, resting at the opposite end, Elle not far behind and shoulder checking her potential opponent before settling by her partner's side. She politely tapped on her shoulder and kissed her before leading her to the parking garage. The bus arrived five minutes later, but someone tugged at her blazer as she boarded.
"Trip Night remember?" Garcia cajoled.
"Oh, yeah sorry," Emily recalled. "I'm not feeling all too up to going out tonight."
"Come on, I'll pay for your tab tonight."
Garcia wrapped an arm around Emily's shoulders and led her to the spot where Spencer and Derek were waiting. They all piled into Garcia's tiny vehicle with Emily in the front, their brothers shoved in the too-small back.
"I'm too big to fit into here, Baby-love," Derek bashfully informed.
"That's what he said!" Emily joked.
Spencer glanced around, not knowing what to say as Derek glared at Emily then broke- with Garcia- into laughter.
"So JJ and Elle are already at the bar?" Reid inquired.
"Yeah, that's what Elle texted me. They went to her flat then took a taxi over," Garcia informed them.
"Hey, do you think they're-" Derek began.
"Nope, JJ told me. And besides, Elle's pretty straight."
Emily curiously regarded Garcia, an eyebrow crooked up. She turned on the radio to the rock station and drowned out the other conversations as they made their way to the bar. Once inside, they spotted Elle and JJ in the middle of the room with two shots of liquor. With the crew altogether, Elle and Derek were tasked with getting their first round, leaving Reid to make nerdy jokes to the mass, Jennifer and Elle to stare at one another, and Garcia to watch on with nervous excitement. The young agent continued to blabber about the feasibility of transportation as particles. Emily looked at the bottom of her glass, then to Reid as he then segued to Blasters and Lightsabers
JJ searched for her ex-partner and Derek, who were still at the bar getting vying for the bartender's attention. She glanced at Garcia, earning a head shake. Her eyes then wandered around as Derek and Elle set the drinks down for everyone. Emily scooted out of Elle's way, looking to Morgan for any help, even though he was conversing with the perpetrator.
After the first and second rounds, Elle started the vodka shots. Reid opted out after the first round, choosing club soda while Elle skipped the second, but rejoined with an extra shot of vodka the next round. JJ was leaning on Derek while her ex-partner seemed quite unaffected, talking about all of the 'Fuckers in her department'. She smiled and kissed JJ's hand. She then laughed and kissed Emily and Reid on the cheek to cover her actions. Emily sighed in annoyance but smiled as an old French song came on. She and Garcia looked at each other and started to laugh. They started to sing the french song loudly. And after the first verse, they were standing.
JJ stared at the detective while the others were in utter shock at their memorization of the song. Emily broke down in laughter while Garcia continued with the song for half of another chorus. she took a long swig from her glass as the others applauded.
"Okay, now that we're all drunk enough, let's all play dare, heads or tails," Elle said.
"What?" Derek questioned.
"To the person on your right. Heads you do it, tails you don't. I'll start." Elle took out a penny from her purse and held it in her hand. "Okay, Garcia if I get heads, you must say the entire alphabet backward." She flipped the coin, waiting as it clanked against the table. Tails. She passed the coin to Garcia.
"Okay Reid, the rest of your soda in one sip. So chugging." She flipped the coin. Heads.
They all whooped and howled as Reid sighed and began to chug his club soda. A quarter of the drink spilled onto his collar and shirt.
"Okay, JJ you have to do thirty push-ups before Garcia finishes her beer." He flipped the coin heads.
JJ clambered onto the table and Reid started them off. JJ whipped out the thirty as Garcia started to chug her drink. They all counted and by the time Garcia finished, JJ got to twenty-eight. They all jeered and the coin was passed.
"Okay!" JJ said. "Spence has to kiss Derek. Full-on the lips for at least twenty seconds."
"We're both straight," Morgan said.
"Maybe you're both spaghetti straight."
"Straight until it gets hot," Emily explained.
JJ flipped the coin. Tails. "Darn." She passed the coin to Derek.
"Emily, you have to kiss JJ for a minute. How's that for spaghetti straight?" Elle looked at JJ then to Prentiss. Morgan flipped the coin. Heads.
"Do… do we have to?" Emily asked.
"Why a minute, I only said twenty seconds?" JJ protested.
"Yup and it's my turn, that's why."
Reid carefully studied his watch. Emily gulped and looked at her peer. She placed her hand at the back of JJ's head as she pulled the young woman into a kiss. Jareau placed her hand on Emily's chin and pulled her closer. With a tilt of the head, she deepened the kiss. They stayed like that until Reid called time.
"Wow… how's that for spaghetti straight?" Derek practically whispered.
Emily wiped her mouth and placed her part of the bill on the table as she left the establishment. She hailed a taxi, long gone by the time Jennifer went out to see her. JJ sighed and leaned against the wall, feeling her lips. She felt a tender hand on her shoulder and looked up. Garcia. 'Thank god. I...I can't see anyone else.' She stood up and hugged her before they stumbled back in. Reid drove them back, JJ gazing out of the window while Derek was shoved between her and a sleepy Greenaway. Elle was the first to be dropped off, then JJ, and finally Derek. Reid ended up staying at Garcia's place in turn for being taught the beauty of cult classic movies like Clue and Rocky Horror Picture Show.
JJ took her phone out, flipping it as she decided who to call. 'I should apologize to Elle. But I should tell Emily. No, no. No! Listen to Garcie.' She berated herself.
For Emily, she just turned on the tv, some weird period show on Comedy Central. She stared out the window, only breaking out of her trance as her cat, Sergio, leaped onto her lap. She smiled and lightly stroked him.
Elle gritted her teeth and rolled her eyes as she got ready for bed. She sighed and calmed down figuring it was just the alcohol in her system that put her on edge. She sat on the cot and pulled the covers up to her chin, snuggling into bed.