CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

7x01 It Takes A Village

"Are you ready?" JJ asked, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend from behind. Emily stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. How did a week already pass? Thanks to Derek, they had made a huge break in the Ian Doyle case and Emily had been moved to a maximum security WITSEC building in DC for the duration of the investigation. It had been a month since their 48 hours in Paris. JJ had insisted on visitation despite the risk. Emily agreed with her. Seeing JJ was worth the risk of blowing her cover.

But somehow the week flew by even faster than the 48 hours and today was the day she got to see her team again. She should be excited - and relieved - and happy. But Emily had been stalling. She had barely slept a wink the previous night and had spent over two hours getting ready that morning. JJ watched patiently, keeping a close eye on her. The arms around Emily's waist tightened and she felt JJ kiss her shoulder quickly before resting her chin on it. They held eye contact through the mirror.

"Yeah," Emily finally answered. She swallowed thickly. It wasn't very convincing. This was not going to be an easy day.

"Everything is going to be okay."

"They're gonna hate me," Emily whispered.

"No. They won't. They're going to be shocked and emotional and maybe even a little upset, but they're not gonna hate you. They couldn't."

Emily dropped her eyes from JJ's. "And I'll be there the whole time," JJ added, placing a quick kiss on Emily's neck. She squeezed her a little tighter, then let go. "Come on. We can't be late."

Emily grabbed hold of JJ's hand as soon as they got out of the car. JJ was her sanctuary. She took solace in the warmth of JJ's hand. They boarded the elevator alone and Emily took a big breath in. JJ glanced at her. She was still punishing herself. The guilt was written all over her face. JJ squeezed her hand and Emily's eyes came up to meet hers. They held eye contact for a moment and JJ gave her her best comforting smile. Emily nodded faintly. This was the moment. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Hand in hand, they made their way to the conference room. Emily was already feeling emotional just being back in the building.

They heard Hotch's voice from within the room.

"As I said, I take full responsibility for the decision. If anyone has any issues, they should be directed toward me."

"Any issues? Yeah, I got issues." It was Derek.

Then they rounded the corner and walked into the conference room. Emily felt all eyes on her. She held onto JJ's hand for dear life. Emily looked away from them. Even JJ was looking at her. It was all too much. She released JJ's hand to pull everyone in for hugs. Derek was the only one who didn't hug her back. A shocked look was still plastered on his face.

JJ glanced at David Rossi. He was the only one who remained stoic. She'd seen him glance down at their clasped hands. No one else seemed to notice that detail. It was as if he wasn't at all surprised. He caught her staring and smiled faintly.

"We need him to talk, and he'll talk to me!" Emily insisted impatiently.

"Prentiss, are you sure you want to do this?" Hotch asked, lowering his voice. He looked unsure.

"Yes. If I don't, Declan may pay for it," Emily said forcefully. Then she dropped her voice to match Hotch's, "I've already done so much to protect him, Hotch. I won't stop now."

Hotch nodded his head and Emily let out a breath. She could feel JJ's eyes on her but she remained silent. It made Emily feel seen. JJ's silent loyalty spoke volumes. Hotch nodded diplomatically. Emily paused briefly outside the interrogation room. This was a pivotal moment. She straightened her back and turned the handle. Ian locked eyes with her quickly and smirked softly.

"Of course…" He said, voice laced with disdain. Emily Prentiss had officially risen from the dead.

Hours later and Emily found herself walking across a tarmac with her arm wrapped around Ian's in a vice grip. She wasn't letting him out of her grasp. He was her ticket to being able to come home. It was a surreal moment - standing next to Ian and staring into the face of the boy they had once raised together.

Declan looked so much older. He was taller and he had lost some of his boyhood innocence, but his eyes were the same. His hair was the same beautiful shade of gold. Emily was surprised by the overwhelming feel of love that swelled in her chest. Declan looked at them in confusion. Had he completely forgotten them?

And then there was a commotion and a series of gunshots and Emily found herself cradling the boy she once loved like a son as he watched his father die in front of him. There was a moment - a moment of recognition. Declan remembered his father. But she wasn't sure he remembered her. It made her feel haunted.

JJ watched as Emily cradled the boy in her arms. Seeing how protective her girlfriend was of children never ceased to make her heart flutter. The blonde boy was crying in shock and terror. Emily rubbed a comforting hand up and down his back. JJ could see it was tearing Emily apart to see him suffer. She loved him. She really loved that boy.

JJ gave them space. There was something stirring inside her. It was that same feeling she had back in Paris. A feeling she didn't have a label for. 'Love' didn't seem to quite describe it.

JJ knocked gently on Rossi's open office door. He was busy writing something when he looked up.

"JJ! What can I do for you?" He asked. JJ paused awkwardly before closing the door behind her. David gave her his full attention. She had been wrestling with something since Emily and she walked into the conference room together.

"It was you who asked me to come back and take Emily's position…" JJ stated.

"Yes, I remember that," Rossi replied playfully.

"I saw you this morning... You were the only one who wasn't surprised. You knew."

"No. But I had a hunch…"

"That was one hell of a hunch," JJ huffed, doubtfully.

"Give me a little credit Jennifer, I was a founding member of the BAU."

JJ softened. She believed Dave was telling her the truth. She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. Dave could see she was doubting herself. He stood, and rounded his desk.

"I know what you're thinking, and you shouldn't. You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else on this team. Don't you ever doubt that kid."

JJ nodded and began to turn towards the door.

"Emily is a lucky woman." JJ spun on her heels. Rossi smirked at JJ's culpable face. "I actually had a hunch about that one too."

JJ smiled shyly and dropped her eyes.

"So, I'll have you know, I will be having this same conversation with Emily later, but I feel an obligation to ask - Are you happy? Is she good to you?"

JJ's smile turned into a grin. She felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Yeah… she's," JJ met Rossi's eyes, "- she's incredible, Dave. She's everything. I've never felt this way before." JJ broke eye contact, sheepishly. Rossi smiled knowingly.

"I don't think Declan recognized me," Emily whispered, vulnerably. They were sitting on the couch together. The TV was on in the background but neither of them were paying any attention to it. Both were preoccupied with each other. It had been like that ever since Emily had returned to DC - they were making up for lost time. JJ was running her fingers through Emily's hair absentmindedly, doing her best to comfort her.

"He loved you, Em. Nothing will ever change that."

"He was so young when I last saw him. I don't know what I expected..."

"We can have that, Emily," JJ whispered. She was nervous. They had never talked about children before. "If that's something you want."

The image of JJ's child flashed through Emily's mind. A deep longing filled her chest. JJ's child. It was a beautiful thought. And once she thought about it, Emily couldn't stop the feeling of hope growing in her heart. Emily smiled faintly. Yes. That was something she wanted. She wanted to live in a world where JJ's child existed.

JJ saw in Emily's eyes that she couldn't form the words, but she knew what her answer was. JJ leaned in and kissed her reverently.