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I do not own Criminal Minds
When JJ got back from work that evening the first thing she heard was jazz music. It filled the whole house with smooth sound of saxophones and trumpets. She walked into the living room and found Emily sitting on the floor, both legs outstretched, surrounded by puzzle pieces. A half finished picture of the ocean rested in front of her.
"Are you planning out your use of the rest of your vacation days?" JJ asked.
Emily turned her head and smiled, "it was this or knitting."
"You could have made me a sweater," JJ laughed and sat down next to her, leaning her back against the couch.
"How was your day?" Emily asked as she fit a piece into the puzzle.
"Just the usual, I did some paperwork and a few consults. How was your day?"
"I bought this puzzle," Emily gestured in front of her, "and then I worked on it. Real exciting, I know," she looked over at JJ and grinned.
"Would you like to take a break from it and go out for dinner? There's no way I'm cooking tonight."
"Sounds good to me," Emily said, "after my exhausting day of puzzling, I'm not sure I could bear cooking a meal," she laughed.
JJ stood and then offered Emily a hand, making sure to avoid stepping on the puzzle. Then she handed Emily her cane. "Let me go change."
XXX
A half hour later Emily and JJ walked into a dimly lit Italian restaurant. They followed the waiter to their table and ordered drinks. Emily looked up from her menu and caught her breath. JJ had changed into a low cut light blue shirt and was wearing a beautiful pink lipstick.
JJ looked up, but Emily didn't look away fast enough. JJ knew that Emily had been looking at her, but didn't know why. She smiled at Emily, "do you know what you're getting?"
Emily looked down at the menu quickly, embarrassed to admit she hadn't looked at it yet because she had been too preoccupied watching JJ. "The Penne Rosa," she said quickly, "how about you?"
"I think I will get the Fettuccini Alfredo."
The two of them talked, about work, their lives, and sometimes nothing. The conversation felt so comfortable, so natural. Emily hadn't realized how much she had missed this. She didn't have friends at Interpol. Partially because she traveled so much, each time with different teams, she never worked with anyone long enough to make a connection, and partially because she wouldn't allow herself to.
She had convinced herself that she didn't need people in her life. She didn't need friends, she didn't need a significant other. It was the same thing she had told herself before she joined the BAU. It had always been easier that way. But once she joined the FBI and met her team, she couldn't help but let them into her life. She had never met anyone before that cared for her in that way. A way that went past work hours and work duties.
And with JJ it was more. The way she cared. The way she kept pressing when Emily wouldn't talk to her. Because Emily wanted to. But she couldn't. That didn't come easy for her, it never had. She felt guilty every time JJ tried to make her feel better, everytime JJ tried to help, and she blew her off. But what was any more guilt? It was barely noticeable in the mountain already present.
They ate their food and kept talking. JJ kept finding chances to glance at Emily, she couldn't help but wonder at her beauty. Since the first day she had met Emily she had wondered how any one woman could be so beautiful, intelligent, caring, and complex.
When the bill came JJ picked it up, but Emily put her hand on it. "Let me."
"I've got it," JJ said.
"JJ," Emily said, keeping her hand on the bill, "you have done so much already. Letting me stay with you... I know this isn't much, but let me get the bill."
JJ nodded and held it forward. Emily took it from her and as she did, her fingers brushed JJ's hand. They both felt an electric jolt in their bodies, but neither said a thing. And neither knew the other felt the same.