A loud buzzing broke the brief silence Jennifer had before falling back into her messy personal life. She slammed the button on her alarm and held her throbbing head. She stretched and took her pre-packed go-bag to the couch. Her phone rang in her pocket while she waited for the bus to arrive. She looked at the text with apprehension at the name. Em P. 'Come on', she thought to herself.
"You ok?" The text read.
"Yeah, I should be asking you that. You're the one who left early."
"Sorry about that. I just thought it'd be awkward bc of you & Elle."
"Don't worry about her. I have to think of myself for a while. But what about us?"
"The kiss was a kiss I don't want it to become something else especially w/ the case & Elle."
Jareau looked above her phone and smiled. 'That could've been worse.' She put her phone back in her pocket, but it soon buzzed again.
"Hey Ellie," JJ greeted.
"Hey, so do you also have a raging headache?"
"Not really, I guess I can handle my liquor. We have work and we're leaving in like two hours, are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, yourself?"
"Mhmm."
"What about you and Emily?" Greenaway inquired.
"We're just friends."
"Well, that's not what she said. You guys have kissed before not drunk."
"I can't do this right now."
"Wait, are you with her?"
"No, but if it makes you feel any better, Em's been weird because of last night. Look, I gotta go."
"See you 'round, Jage."
She ended the call in fury and continued to lug her bag to the bus. As she boarded, JJ spotted Emily in the corner reading a book. She stayed away, sticking near the door next, waiting for the seven stops to pass as quickly as possible. Emily walked at her usual pace, rather than waiting for her peer, and was already at her desk by the time Jareau entered the bullpen. Derek was intently trying to catch up on the work he'd missed. Reid wasn't even in the building yet and Hotch's office was dark, though Elle was sitting by the coffee machine standing next to Garcia, talking. Jennifer slipped into her office and locked the door to focus on her job. She sorted through all of the solved cases, managing who officially closed the cases or whether they had been officially taken by any federal division.
"I need a file cabinet," she mumbled to herself.
A knock interrupted her thoughts as she rested on the desk. She quickly sprung up and unlocked the door.
"We're ready to go," Spencer politely informed.
"Thanks, I'll be there in, like, five."
Reid smiled and left the office, gathering with the others and leaving for the elevator. Elle glanced at her with a smile, waving a little as she followed the others. The blonde woman grabbed her bags from the office before joining Rossi at the elevator.
"Have you told them?" he discreetly asked.
They boarded and JJ continued the conversation. "No, stuff happened and it's all a mess."
"Sorry I couldn't help."
"Ugh, this sucks."
"What?"
"I have to choose a roommate."
"Go with both."
"They'll have to deal with each other," she sighed. "This is such a mess."
"Yes it is, but it could always be worse."
"How?"
"Pfft, I don't know, but it could always be worse."
They departed the elevator to the single landing strip with their jet. Something about the trips made her smile every time, even with the knowledge that she'd be stuck with her potential love interests. Her hands shook a little, but after a few moments, she boarded to a seat in the back mostly apart from the crew. Once the plane took off, they connected with Garcia.
"So, the murder weapon-"
"Is nonexistent, but, from the M.E. report, it seems like the same one from the previous murders."
"It's interesting, the smaller victim's body is cut almost like that of a doctor. Precise and calm. See?" Reid noted, pointing at how the victims were cut up. "And the larger victim's wrists, they're cut down rather than across. Umm… Garcia, can you check the suspects for any medical education in their history?"
"Yup." After a few moments, Garcia cane back, "Well, they all did. But, in different fields. Fendral was an optometrist, Andol is studying for a Ph.D. in plastic surgery, and McCourthin worked as a pharmacist."
"We'll look into Andol first then Fendral, and Finally McCourthin."
"I don't think a schizoid could do this," Emily cut in. "If he has a severe case, he probably wouldn't bother with being this careful. These cuts are very precise, I would say Andol or maybe McCourthin if he took anatomy?"
"Don't discount any of the suspects. Any profession in the medical field requires anatomy as a class. Once we land, Elle and I will go to the coroner, Emily and Derek, go to the first and second crime scenes, talk to their friends or floormates, JJ and Rossi, go to the last crime scene and talk to the landlord. Reid, help Garcia in the precinct," Hotch commanded.
"Alright," Emily agreed.
"We have about an hour and a half before we land."
Reid went to get coffee as Rossi took out a pack of cards. Hotch continued to look over the case on the couch. Emily joined Rossi as Reid took his spot beside her, the others watching from afar.
"I see Reid's graduated to poker," Elle commented.
"Eh, Emily's pretty good," Jareau informed her.
"Actually, poker is more based on luck than skill," Reid broke in as he looked at his cards.
"The skill of a straight face with no tells is what Emily has," she retorted.
"Let's play," Rossi jovially cut in.
Silence fell upon the group as Emily dominated the first and second rounds. Then Rossi got a full house. Though in the fourth round, Reid finally won. With the last hand, Emily got her win back.
"Your tell is how focused you are. When you have a good hand, you tend to focus on mine and Rossi's reactions. When you have bad cards you almost solely look at your hand," Emily informed the younger agent.
Derek smiled and scoffed as he continued to listen to his iPod. Rossi and Reid played another round while Emily escaped to the restroom. In the meantime, JJ had pulled out a book while Elle watched the next round. Time seemed to pass quickly as the plane began to descend to the airport where they gathered their belongings and departed. They piled into a taxi and went to the hotel where Prentiss, Jareau, and Greenaway debated their room arrangements.
"I call a bed!" Elle called, rushing to the free twin.
"Okay, I'll take the other," Jennifer nodded, throwing her bag on the other twin.
"Then I got the futon," the final agent conceded, setting her belongings on the creaky desk.
"Okay, see you two around."
"See ya," Elle nodded to her peer with a single wave.
Emily left next, hitching a ride with Derek as they drove the rental to the dorms. Elle rode with Reid and Hotch to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
A day full of investigating turned up surprisingly nothing. Each suspect seemed just as likely and they only gained a few more due to the bizarre occupants in the apartment complex they visited. Back at home base in the OCSO, the unit brainstormed with their noses deep in the case file and notes. Elle and Reid debated Fendral and Andol's medical knowledge and skill, looking over the future plastic surgeon's handy work on file. Their leader and liaison returned from the stressful and fruitless press meeting.
"Alright, it's time to head out. I'll stay here. Keep your phones on in case I need to contact you," Hotch announced.
"See you 'round," Emily quickly called out as she grabbed her jacket.
JJ followed her while a cab was being hailed. "Where're you going?" she asked.
"Out. Don't wait up," Emily answered. "Bye!"
"What's up with her? She's acting like a teenager?"
"I think she just wants to have fun," Elle shrugged.
"I know you're lying, she wants to get away from me."
Reid audibly sighed to let his presence be known and waited quietly for Derek to come around with the car.
"Let's go to a bar, I need a drink," Rossi suggested.
"I second that," Derek agreed, switching to a bar in the area.
After fifteen minutes, Derek parked outside of a small bar with little foot traffic. The agents all filed out of the van, their nark outfits now stripped to business casual before they went inside. JJ ordered the first round, the others taking their usual orders after.
Emily, on the other hand, had stumbled upon a nightclub. She was on her second starburst bomb after already having two shots of bourbon. She had found a spot in the corner of the bar when a young man approached her. He ordered a martini and regarded her.
"Hey," he casually greeted. "A little formal for clubbing?"
"Came right after work. You're a little dressed up as well," Emily commented.
"I like to dress to impress. I'm Bryson," he introduced, reaching a hand out to her.
"Emily," she nodded in kind.
"Local?"
"Visiting for work. You?"
"Local, I love this club. At least we can chill at a place like this. Coming here always makes me feel better."
"I agree. I must say, I was surprised that this place had multiple floors."
"It's a gem," he smiled. "Would you care to dance?"
"Don't you think people would stare?"
"Let them, I'm sure they'll just think we're allies who stumbled in."
Emily finished her drink and hit the floor. She laughed and jumped to the music. As the lights went down, Emily started to grind against him. He grabbed her hips and ground harder, wrapping one arm around her torso. Emily smiled and turned around, inching closer to kiss him. As he leaned in, Emily pulled away with a brief smile.
"As much as I'd love to stay, I do have to be at work in the morning."
"I wouldn't mind leaving early."
"Good."
"Who's hosting?"
"You are."
"I always do," he proudly admitted.
He took her hand and tore through the club to the cold streets, hailing a cab.
Emily crept into the hotel room, heels in hand as she went to the futon, noticing it was already set for her. She smiled and ditched her work clothes before sliding under the cover. She drifted off to sleep, unaware of the set of blue eyes on her, but the liaison would save her grievances for the morning. She turned away, now looking, through the low light, at her ex. Jareau couldn't understand why it was so difficult for her to choose between, or even to be with, them. She twisted back around to face the wall, deciding to review her options another day.
"Where were you last night?" JJ asked as she and Emily put away the futon.
"Out," she curtly responded. "I just needed to let loose."
"Really? Who was it?"
"Just some local trade," Emily offhandedly explained.
"No name?"
"Well, he told me, but I feel no reason to out him."
JJ sat next to her on the couch, fully turned to read her. "How was he?"
"My God, the best sex with a guy, he even let me peg him."
"Good morning 'Walk-Of-Shame'," Elle cut in.
"Only in shame if I didn't enjoy myself," she remarked.
"And with a boy, you gave me a one-way vibe."
"Who said I had to choose?"
"True, I am a vagitarian myself."
"Tend to be dickphobic, too," JJ begrudgingly joked even with the tension between them. She briskly departed from the conversation to get dressed.
"Breakfast opens in ten minutes. We need to be at the precinct in an hour," she called after her.
They passed by one another on their morning routine, so Elle played some music to fill the awkward silence. Once finished, Jennifer and Prentiss made their way to the breakfast area until JJ tugged her into the ice room.
"You slept with someone?" JJ intently whispered.
"Yeah, of course. It's been a tough case."
"It's been one day. You're not paid to act like a college student. If Hotch found out, he could pull you off the case."
"Says the woman who got back with and had sex with an ex after being apart for three years."
"At least I have the decency to follow my heart and not my hormones."
"Really? How does that work? You were with Elle and when she abandoned you, you kissed me, then you fucked Elle again when she reared her head and left me in the dust. Now suddenly, when you realize that I'm not as pathetic as you, you're jealous while still in a friends-with-benefits relationship with your ex. So I think you're doing exactly what I'm doing."
"You know what?!" Jennifer snapped. She covered her face then continued, "You're right, I need to tell Elle."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know, just not that."
Emily sighed and briefly embraced her friend, then continued to have breakfast. They went through the line, then sat down with Derek. Elle joined ten minutes later along with Rossi. Reid was the last out after Hotch.
In response to his almost deathly silence, Elle teased, "Still not an early bird?"
"Or a night owl either," Emily jibed, elbowing the young doctor.
JJ smiled and continued to drink her coffee, looking over at the mix of energetic and tired faces around her. Slowly making her way back to the hotel room, Emily grabbed another cup of coffee, soon joined by Elle and Reid. They ascended the elevator, reaching their floor, and departed. Once alone, Elle looked at Emily, a dim light in her eyes.
"I see that you won," Elle whispered.
"I won?" Emily asked.
"She chose you."
"I don't know yet. She hasn't said anything. Though, as long as she's happy I'm happy. I don't really care who 'wins' her. Even though she's not a prize to be won, but I th[ink]-"
"Emily, stop. We'll let her think that this was all unknown to me and let her have the autonomy of a regular person."
"What do you mean?"
"Basically, pretend this conversation didn't happen."
JJ stepped off the jet and almost kissed the Virginia ground until she remembered that she had to confront Elle. She trudged to the bullpen with everyone else, her and Derek being the first in to drop their belongings around the office. Emily sat at her desk, while Elle threw her stuff on Spencer's desk. JJ came back out, file in hand, and pulled Elle aside. She opened the file and looked intently at her.
"Keeping it short and to the point. I need to be alone for a while," she informed her to Elle's surprise. "Or I at least need to reorganize myself before I can even consider being in a relationship. This entire thing has been extremely stressful and is giving me flashbacks to high school. I'm sorry, but I have to leave you."
Elle accepted the file, looking through it as she considered her feelings. "I… I understand."
JJ shook her hand then briefly embraced her. She went back to her office and closed the door while Elle recomposed herself before rejoining the group. Reid, the only one paying attention, read her body language but stayed silent while Emily invited her to the conversation. She then drew her gaze back to Derek as Elle kicked her chair. Emily looked at the clock and gathered her things.
"Sergio's gonna miss me. See you tomorrow," Emily playfully sighed as she left. "Bye!" She pulled out her phone and quickly texted Jennifer, "Hey, did you tell her?"
"I did, can we talk?"
"I'm on my way home, but you can drop by if it can't wait."
"Wait, are you on the elevator?"
"Yup."
Emily smirked at her response and flagged down a taxi once she was out of the office. The lights of the city flashed by as the car sped past the buildings skyscrapers. Her lips curved into a smile even when the ride was over and she had to now lug her belongings up to her flat.
Sergio sped towards his owner, rubbing against her ankles when she finally walked in. She leaned down to pet him and continued to place her belongings on her bed. She crouched down to pet him before collapsing and looking up at the ceiling, her cat mewling at her mercilessly before pouncing on her chest and kneading her stomach.
"Do you have to do that right now?"
As the minutes passed, Prentiss stroked the young feline's fur, combing through the sleek black hairs. Finally willing herself to move, she plucked Sergio from her body to pour herself a glass of wine.
When she glanced at the clock that now showed 9:51, she asked her pet, "What do you think, should we wait for her or go to bed?"
Emily set down the glass and changed out of her work clothes to a more comfortable attire. When she returned to the counter, a knock echoed in the apartment. She took the glass and pushed past her loving cat to see Jareau standing, purse on her shoulder and out of uniform.
The first words to escape her thoughts were, "Great, you have wine."
"I always do," Emily assured her. She moved to the side, keeping her leg in front of Sergio as JJ walked in.
"So, this must be Sergio," JJ asked, kneeling down and reaching a hand out for the black cat to inspect.
"Yup, he's really shy when you first come into his territory. He likes to hide in my closet or in the kitchen cupboards."
Once Sergio started to walk to his sleeping spot, the agents gathered in the kitchen, wine glasses filled graciously before they began the conversation.
"How'd she take it?" Emily inquired halfway through their first round.
"Well. Why don't we talk about something else."
"Okay… I didn't know you liked pop."
"I always have. I grew up on a soccer team, almost all of the girls were straight and feminine, so I had to fit in, and with that, I learned to love pop. What about you?"
"I like indie rock and classic pop."
"Wow, with your high school picture, I would have guessed hardcore metal."
"Oh god, they showed you that?"
"Yeah!" JJ answered, holding back her laughter.
"Ugh, I'm going to kill them."
"Your hair was so spiky, like how? And that was your senior picture, too!"
"I was seventeen, ask my young self that."
They laughed for a few minutes, silence falling upon the pair as they sipped their wine.
"So, I recorded Bones for us to watch, this episode, Mayhem on a Cross," Emily said, lowering her voice for the title a bit to make fun of the series announcers.
JJ laughed and nodded, walking over to the couch. She sat on the far side, leaning against the arm as Emily turned on the tv, flipping through the DVR. She sat down next to JJ with her drink. Jareau propped her feet up on Emily's legs while they watched the show.
As the show ended, Emily stretched and pushed her friend's legs off of her lap to clean up. JJ checked the clock and approached her colleague.
"So, leavin' or stayin'?" Emily curiously inquired.
Jennifer pondered her words to Elle and weighed them against her desires. Deciding against the responsible and wary voice in the back of her head, she leaned into Emily, cupping her jaw with a hand, but leaving a small gap for the other to make a decision. Emily quickly closed the gap, pulling JJ in by her chin. Her counterpart kissed back and closed her eyes, moving both of her hands to the back of Emily's neck. Prentiss put her hands in her pockets then ended the kiss, bumping noses with her.
"I'll stay," Jareau confirmed.
"Perfect," Emily breathed, as she trailed her lips up her neck.
She smiled and passionately kissed her again. Her hands came to JJ's rib cage, brushing her thumbs up and down before wrapping them around her lower back. Jennifer leaned back against the counter, keeping Emily close even as she relaxed.