So, I have a question for you guys...I started this as a sort of prequel to the story I actually wanted to write. I was wondering if you guys would rather I do a time jump, or just start a whole new story? I have a little bit more to cover before I start the one I originally wanted (with Em and JJ together) so that will be a whole new one regardless. Its kind of up to you guys, what would you rather? I hope that makes sense...it sounds odd now that I read it...

JJ glanced down into the bullpen for the fifth time that morning. She had been the first to arrive, and Emily – living the furthest away – was usually the last. JJ didn't want to admit to herself how much she had missed the brunette after only being away from her for a few hours. It felt extremely pathetic, but also made her grin like an idiot. A fact Garcia had been quick to note when she arrived fifteen minutes ago. Morgan had also greeted her with a cheeky smirk to which JJ only responded by throwing a pen at his head. She looked up fearful as Gideon caught her and stared with a look of confusion at her. Sheepishly, she had retreated to her office, rather than wait in the bullpen as she had wanted. Gideon had been acting oddly, it was only to be expected, after what he went through, but it threw JJ on edge a little. Gideon was already someone who was hard to gage, now it was even worse. Not to mention, he was the only one – that JJ knew off – who knew nothing about her feelings, or relationship with Emily. That was partly what freaked JJ out. She wasn't sure if she and Emily were technically dating, or in a relationship, or if she was supposed to refer to her as her girlfriend. JJ was just confused, happy and confused.

"JJ?" Hotch greeted her with a knock on her open door. "Will we be ready in the conference room soon?"

"Um..yeah, I have everything set up. Ready when you guys are."

"Okay sounds good. JJ?" He paused before leaving.

"Yeah?"

"Did you and Prentiss sort everything out?"

"You could say that." JJ said with a small smile. "Hotch is this going to be..."

"JJ, as long as it doesn't effect your work, the two of you have my full support."

"Thanks Hotch." JJ said with a sincere smile.

"Conference room in ten."

"Sounds good." JJ gathered her things and made her way to the conference room with one last glance down at the bullpen. Emily was running in, slightly flustered. JJ smiled as she dropped her bag, snapped some retort back to Morgan, shucked her coat and straightened her hair with her fingers. Whatever Morgan said caused her to smack him in the back of his head as they headed up to the debriefing. JJ quickly looked away and headed into the room. Taking her spot at the head of the table, JJ set out files for everyone and got the computer ready.

JJ felt it the second Emily entered the room. She could feel her eyes on her, and it made her smile. Taking a deep breath, needing to keep it professional, JJ got straight to business. "We've got three bodies." She began. Turning to look at the team for the first time, JJ finally caught Emily's eye. She gave her a brief smile and pressed on.

Emily worked very hard to contain her grin. She was spending a little too much time watching JJ rather than listening to what were the details of their next case. A look from Morgan brought her back to reality. When the team cleared the room, Emily lingered wanting to speak with JJ.

"Hi." She said softly when they were alone.

"Hi." JJ returned warmly as she closed the distance between them. "How are you?" She asked.

"Good, how are you?"

"Disappointed we have a case, but otherwise, pretty damn good."

Emily grinned and tentatively reached out to lace their fingers together. "Well, we'll just have to make do."

"Yup."

A knock on the door caused the two women to jump away from each other. "Wheels up in five ladies." Hotch said.

"Shit." Emily cursed.

"What?" JJ asked. "Hotch doesn't care."

"I doubt that very much."

"Why?"

"I don't think he is exactly the biggest fan of me. And I don't really blame him."

"Emily..."

"No, its fine. I've got to get my stuff, I'll see you on the plane." Hurriedly, Emily left the conference room and headed down to the bullpen. Ever since Strauss had told her that she would have to help end Hotch's career Emily had been on edge. Strauss had called her during their cases more than once wanting some sort of update. Emily had stalled her as much as she could, but she knew that couldn't last much longer. As much as Emily loved her job, and as much as she wanted to stay, she respected Hotch, and she wasn't about to help end someone's career like that. Emily had been contemplating what to do about it for days and she had yet to come to any sort of conclusion that had an outcome she liked.

Emily hurried to the plane and sat herself down in the empty seat next to Morgan and across from JJ. She didn't make eye contact with either of them, instead focused on her file and what Hotch was saying.

Emily was avoiding her and JJ was pissed. She had thought their date had gone wonderfully, JJ couldn't remember having a better time with a woman, but Emily would barely look at her. It couldn't just be her trying to keep things professional. JJ was going to have to play dirty. Pulling out her cell phone she called Garcia.

"Hey Pen, can you do me a little favor?"

"Sure buttercup, what can I do ya for?"

"Can you possibly make a slight problem with our rooms?" JJ asked while bitting her lip.

"Jayje, are you asking me to get you and a certain raven haired profiler in a room together so you can get you hanky panky on?" Garcia asked with a chuckle.

This is what JJ had been afraid of. "No!" She said forcefully. "I just need Emily in a forced enclosed space where she can't run away and avoid me."

"Oh, well that I can do! Over and out my love."

JJ hung up and hoped she wasn't going to regret this. Morgan walked into the room frustrated. "Hey, you okay?" She asked.

"This case sucks, and Prentiss is being all weird. Did you screw up your date?"

"What!" JJ yelled.

"Did you make her mad or something?"

"NO!" JJ yelled louder. "We had an amazing time thank you very much."

"Then what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know!" JJ moaned and dropped her head into her arms.

Morgan took pity on her and rubbed her back slightly. "Sorry JJ, I didn't mean to..."

"Its fine. I just...I don't know how to do this Morgan. I'm not really a relationship kind of girl, its stressful and confusing."

"Yeah pretty much." Morgan said with a laugh.

"Well what the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Well, Prentiss is a tough one, she doesn't really talk about herself much. You're gonna have to force it out of her."

"How?" JJ asked. Morgan wriggled his eyebrows suggestively. JJ frowned and hit him as Reid walked in.

"We've got a suspect, why did you hit him?"

"No reason." Morgan said as he pulled Reid out of the room with one last grin toward JJ.

JJ was regretting calling Garcia. She stared at the king sized bed in the middle of the room and wanted to shoot herself in the foot. She pulled out her phone and texted Garcia angrily.

What did you do?

Whatever you do mean my love?

Penelope, I will hurt you.

I did what you asked buttercup. Have a wonderful night!

This is not what I asked!

Goodnight Jayje, I'm turning my phone off now.

JJ internally groaned and dropped her bag on the floor.

"Oh." Emily said as she came up behind her and realized their predicament.

"Yeah, apparently this is the only room they have left. Some weird mixup." JJ said with clenched teeth. She was going to kill Garcia when they got home.

"Well...what can we do right?" Emily said nervously. "Do you mind if I shower first? I really want to wash this mud off."

"No, go ahead." JJ dug some pjs out of her bag as Emily headed into the bathroom. They had a good suspect in custody and Emily had been forced to tackle him and had gotten covered in mud. They were holding him overnight as their was nothing they could do for the time being and a night in jail was their hope of shaking him up. Emily hadn't had a chance to clean off yet. She had gotten some odd looks from the hotel workers which had JJ glaring at them until they backed off.

Sighing, she climbed into the bed and turned the tv on, flicking through the channels and resting on the news coverage of their case. Emily stepped out of the bathroom moments later in very small shorts, and form fitting t-shirt, towel drying her hair. JJ subconsciously licked her lips. "These reporters are idiots." She said chucking the remote gently down onto the bed.

Emily grinned at her and sat down on the opposite edge, still drying out her hair. "What did they say?"

"Its not so much what they said, but how they're saying it. I'm gonna have to do some damage control tomorrow."

"Well, lucky for us, your good at it." Emily said giving her a soft smile. JJ watched as she draped the towel over a chair and reached out for a brush.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome." Emily said, giving her a warm smile.

JJ decided it was now or never, Morgan was right, Emily was someone who needed to be pushed if she was going to open up. She wouldn't just offer the information up herself. "Em? Are we okay?"

"What?"

JJ turned her body so it was facing Emily's and noticed the brunette shift back slightly. Frowning, she spoke a little more harshly than she had intended to. "You've barley looked at me. I know we want to keep things professional at work, but there is keeping things professional and there is flat out avoidance and that is what you're doing." JJ paused and softened her voice. "From what you said, I thought we had a good time last night."

"We did."

"Well, then...I'm confused."

Emily sighed and set her hairbrush down. JJ watched as she tucked her legs under the blankets and gathered her thoughts before answering JJ. "I...I can't really talk about it. I want to, but I don't think I should until I've figured it out."

"Em..."

"Its not about you JJ, well, not really."

"That doesn't really instill much confidence in me."

Emily let out a small laugh and then adorably bit her lip. "I know, I'm sorry. JJ, I had a fantastic time and I want to do it again, what's bothering me is something else entirely."

"Well, maybe I can help."

"I don't think so."

"Why not?" JJ asked somewhat angrily.

"I...its something I have to work out myself JJ. I'm sorry." Emily turned on her side and lay down, turning her back to JJ. Angrily, JJ shut out the light and did the same.