Thank you for all of the reviews! I would love to hear more of what you think!
I do not own Criminal Minds
"Here's to the weekend," Emily raised her glass.
"Thank god," JJ took a gulp of wine and leaned back into the couch, "I don't know how much more paperwork I could handle."
"Now's the time to relax–until you get called back in."
JJ groaned, "don't even say that."
Emily laughed and took a sip of her wine.
"Honestly, Em, I'm so glad you could come visit. You don't even know how much we've all missed you."
"I've missed everyone too," Emily smiled, "but some more than others..."
"What?"
"More wine?" Emily stood and filled their glasses again. They drank and laughed and told stories. Emily felt so warm inside.
"You know I dated Mark for over two months while I was in London? Longest relationship I've had since I left college." Emily's words were beginning to slur.
"And I can't even remember the last time I talked to someone just for the hell of it let alone dated," JJ laughed.
"I guess our jobs aren't the best for relationships. But a girl can try; got your eye on anyone special?"
"Oh, well," JJ fumbled, the alcohol interrupting her usual ability to come up with an easy cover.
Emily raised a brow, "so there is someone!"
"No, well, not exactly."
"Secret crush?"
JJ was suddenly at a loss for words and took another sip of wine to gain time.
"So secret you won't even tell me?" Emily feigned hurt.
"It's nothing," JJ shook her head, "I don't have a 'secret crush'."
"Well if there were to be a secret crush, maybe you should make it not so secret. I can't imagine anyone turning you down, JJ. Anyone would be lucky to be with you," Emily said the last sentence with a seriousness she hadn't had since they started drinking. Then she began to laugh, "you're funny, beautiful, and pretty badass."
By then JJ's cheeks were flushed a bright pink but Emily hadn't noticed. "You never did tell me what happened with Mark," JJ said, trying to change the subject.
"Eh," Emily waved her hand, "the usual."
"The usual? Did you not just hear the whole 'JJ hasn't dated in years' conversation we had about two seconds ago?"
"Here's my only advice to having a relationship; it really helps if you like the person you're dating," Emily slurred.
"You didn't like Mark?"
Emily shrugged, "we were friends, I liked him like that. But it was never anything more than that for me."
"Then why did you date him?" JJ asked.
"He loved me, and I thought that could be enough." Emily locked eyes with JJ and gave her a small smile, but JJ couldn't help but see the sadness beneath. They held their gaze, saying nothing. JJ wanted to reach out and take Emily's hand, but wouldn't let herself.
Then Emily stood up suddenly, "time for more wine."
Emily poured them both more to drink and sat back down. Their conversation stayed lighthearted for the rest of the night. JJ told her stories about the team and at some point Emily decided it was time to dance. Maybe it was the alcohol, but she turned on the radio and the first station that came up was Jazz. She took JJ's hand. She pulled her up from the couch and rested a hand on her hip.
JJ's right hand was in Emily's and she was very aware of Emily's hand on her hip. But three steps in both of them remembered that Emily's leg wasn't up for dancing when she stumbled and they both tumbled onto the couch.
"Are you okay?" JJ asked, concerned.
Emily broke into laughter, rolling onto her back. Then JJ began to laugh. Neither of them knew why they were laughing, or what had been so funny, but the laughter was contagious. They were both on the couch, their bodies close.
"I've missed this," Emily said between gasps for air, "I've missed you."
"Same," JJ reached out and touched Emily's hand. It was warm and soft and sent an electric jolt through JJ's body. She quickly pulled her hand away.
They continued to talk late into the night. More stories and more laughter.
JJ never wanted it to end.