Two Years Later…
"I can't believe I agreed to this," JJ moaned. "What the hell was I thinking?"
"We can always cancel this flight and book one headed to Vegas," Garcia offered. "I bet I can even snag us first class seats. Do you know how drunk we could get in first class?"
"Don't tempt me," JJ snorted. "I might just have to call your bluff."
"No bluff," Garcia promised. "Say the word and it's done."
JJ sighed and gave her friend a grateful smile as they stood in line, waiting to board a flight headed to California.
"That's ok," she smiled halfheartedly. "We promised Rossi we'd be their and that's a promise we need to keep."
Garcia nodded, clearly relived that she wouldn't be letting down her former teammate and informal father figure. Although, JJ was secretly surprised Rossi had even thought to invite her. After what she had done to the man he practically considered a son, he still treated her with every ounce of kindness and respect as when they were close friends. He still called for updates on Henry, he still sent her updates on how he was doing with his new fiancé, he still cared and she would never be able to fathom why as long as she lived.
"So how long do you think this marriage will last?" Garcia asked suddenly, interrupting JJ's inner monolouge.
"That's a good question," JJ shrugged. "He seems pretty serious about her. I mean, they did date for almost four years."
"Half of those years were spent sleeping together," Garcia snorted. "Now that it's official, I'm a little concerned for the former Lothario."
"Well don't be," a new voice spoke up behind them. "Dave and Strauss are very much in love and he's serious about spending the rest of his life with her."
Both JJ and Garcia whirled around to stare at their new addition, none other than the tall, dark and handsome Aaron Hotchner. He had a single, black duffel bag slung over his shoulder, his hand tucked casually into his jeans pocket.
"Sir?" Garcia squeaked. "But-I mean-what?"
"Relax," Hotch chuckled. "I'm not your boss anymore, you can call me Aaron."
"Aaron," she repeated, trying it out.
Hotch rolled his eyes playfully and turned towards JJ, embracing her in an awkward one armed hug. She forced a stiff smile onto her face and wrapped an arm around his wast. Garcia winced at the sudden awkwardness in the air and cleared her throat, something she always did when she was nervous.
"It's good to see you," JJ lied.
"You too," Hotch replied politely. "Both of you. I take it you'll be attending Rossi and Erin's wedding?"
Garcia nodded enthusiastically, clearly seeing an opportunity to change the subject. For the next five minutes, JJ stood back and allowed Hotch and Garcia exchange information and updates, listen to Hotch brag about Jack and Garcia tell him how horrible it was working for Cyber Crime. She nodded and made small noises in the back of her throat when necessary but otherwise remained quiet.
"Well, I'm going to go sit down," Hotch announced after Garcia finished her story of how she was planning revenge on another technical analyst who had dared to question her methods. "Good seeing you both."
"I bet it was," a new voice piped up snarkily. "By all means, don't stop on my account."
Hotch's face paled and JJ's eyes widened but if Emily noticed, she didn't show it. She stared icily back at them, arms folded and foot tapping. JJ opened her mouth but no words came out.
"Emily," Hotch was the first one to speak. "I-"
"Don't talk to me," she ordered. "I wouldn't want to break up this wonderful circle of sunshine you've all got going on here."
"Emily-" JJ tried but Prentiss cut her off with a stony glare.
"You don't get to talk to me either," she snapped. "In fact, nobody talks to me, about me, or for me the duration of this trip or heads will roll. I'm here to support Rossi, nothing else. Got it?"
Before any of them had a chance to respond, she turned on her heel and stalked towards the waiting area. Throwing her bag on the floor, she leaned back in her chair and pulled out her phone.
"What happened to her?" Garcia whispered, her throat catching in her voice.
Hotch and JJ exchanged a guilty look Garcia narrowed her eyes at the two of them. Crossing her arms she glowered at the pair.
"Now listen up you two," Garcia ordered, "I have always been on your side because I know you didn't mean to do what you did. I've stuck up for you and I've lost friends and ruined the most important relationship of my life because of it."
"Garcia-" Hotch began.
"I'm not finished!" she hissed. "If another incident happens again, I'll knock your heads off myself. I don't care if you're drunk or not-you will be on your own. I love Emily to death and because I defended you she now sees me as an enemy. If you make me regret this-"
"You won't," JJ sighed. "Garcia, I've told you over and over that you don't have to do this. We can deal with what she throws at us because we deserve it. We're horrible people."
"No," Garcia disagreed. "You made a horrible mistake. Theirs a difference."
"Like hell their is," a deep voice rumbled. "You guys fucked up, simple as that, pardon the pun."
It was Garcia's turn to pale as she found herself face to face with her former lover, Derek Morgan. Her expression immediately softened and instinctively, she reached out to pull him into a hug. He simply stared at her arm until she dropped it. JJ winced. That was cold.
"Don't be angry with her because of something we did," Hotch cut in. "You want to be pissed at someone, be pissed at me."
"Oh am I," Morgan growled. "Believe me. I can't believe either of you have the nerve to show your face."
"We promised Rossi we'd come," JJ interrupted. "We're not here to hurt anybody."
"I've heard that before," he snorted. "And now that I think about it, so has Emily."
With a final glare at all of them, he turned around and made his way to the brunette in question. Garcia's heart twisted as she stared longingly at the way Emily and Morgan embraced, huge smiles gracing their faces. Neither of them spared the trio any more glances.
"Told you this was a bad idea," JJ muttered.