A/N two in one day (kinda)! I was getting a bit antsy to write more, so here I am!

-Nightshade

I don't own Criminal Minds!

What a Difference a Day Makes

Chapter Eighteen

Emily had went to the psychiatric evaluation on her own, toting a bag of clothes and insisting that she would change while she was out. She wanted to be able to pick me up and take me out like a real date, and one of the downsides of both of us living together is that it was near impossible to surprise each other for something like this. I had teased her slightly about her insistence, but truthfully I was flattered and intrigued that she was going to such extreme measures all for me. I was currently tearing into my closet as if it contained the secret to all happiness buried within. My bedroom had become a post-hurricane department store, with clothing and shoes covering every spare surface. I suddenly heard a knock on the door which sent me into panic mode.

"I'll be there in a second!" I called towards the door, trying to pick something to wear; Emily was like half an hour early!

"It's Penelope, your resident minder of children and fashion consultant!" the voice yelled from outside of the door, lifting a huge weight off my shoulders. Penelope had promised to babysit Henry as long as I told her "the scoop" on our date. I dashed to the door and threw it open, ushering her into the apartment while Henry announced her arrival at the top of his lungs.

"AUNT PENNNNY!" he yelled, drawing out her name as he ran from his room and into the foyer to give her a hug. I was so frazzled that I was almost about to give her one too.

"Penelope you're a lifesaver!" I gushed, desperately in need of the help. She gave me a saucy smile before replying.

"One of the many names I answer to sweets! Now why aren't you ready yet?" she queried, settling Henry before waltzing me into my room. "Holy mother of destruction! What did you do here, have a fight with your closet?" she gasped, taking in the state of disarray.

"I may be slightly nervous." I admitted, knowing that it goes without saying.

"You're preaching to the choir here sugarplum, but tell me this, you've known Emily for years, and you two are practically living together, why all the jitters?" she asked calmly while slowly sifting through the clothes and picking up possible outfits.

"Because this makes it all real! And she's being all secretive and I want it to be special!" I exclaimed while throwing my arms up in frustration.

"Aww Jayje, it will be special, no matter what you're wearing! You have nothing to worry about! Besides it's not like she's going to be paying attention to what the clothes look like when she's ripping them off of you tonight!" she gave me a devious grin and waggled her eyebrows suggestively as I jokingly swiped at her arm.

"Oh come on! I'm not going to sleep with her on our first date!" I exclaimed while blushing like a fool. Penelope gave me a mischievous look before turning back to the pile of clothes in her arms. She picked up one article from the pile and passed it to me, motioning for me to get changed. Trusting in her choice, I slipped the dress over my head before looking at it in the mirror. It was fancy, but not too fancy, made from royal blue fabric with an elegant white scrolling pattern, with short, fluttery sleeves, slight cinching to accentuate my slender waist, and a knee-length loose skirt. I walked out into the main bedroom area for Penelope to comment on.

"See, this is one of the many reasons you keep me around!" she exclaimed, grabbing a pair of black kitten heels and a necklace and passing them to me. "Now you finish getting prettied up, and I'll make sure that the little jumping bean out there's ready to go." She excused herself while I applied finishing touches to my simple hairdo and minimal makeup. I had just kissed Henry goodbye and sent him off with Penny, when seemingly moments later the doorbell rang again. Thinking that it was the technical analyst returning after forgetting something, I opened the door and was shocked speechless by who stood behind it. Emily looked like a goddess, her soft, ebony hair was worn straight and down, framing her elegant smiling face like it was the finest work of art. I slowly trailed my eyes down her lithe figure, shamelessly checking her out, the plunging v-neck of her vibrant red dress, yes a dress, the way it clung to her every curve like it was worshipping her, and the way it was cut off at the knee, showing off her scars with pride. I finally reeled my mind back in, reminding myself that she was standing patiently outside of my apartment. A quick look at her face revealed her eyes roaming my body the same way I had just done to hers. Instead of feeling exposed and fidgety as I had whenever Will had done it, I felt wanted, loved even. She offered her hand and I accepted it gratefully, only momentarily enjoying the fiery sensations that danced across my palm where it came into contact with hers. We chatted amicably as she led me down to her car, holding the car door open for me as I got in.

"So I see that chivalry isn't dead." I exclaimed as she slid into the driver's seat beside me.

"Of course not! I was raised by diplomats, being polite was ingrained into me!" she exclaimed, and the statement coaxed a smile to my face. She used to be unable to mention her parents, especially her mother, at all, and now she was able to do it without wincing or getting sad and distant. Every little step forward for her was cause for me to celebrate. We arrived at what looked like a pretty expensive restaurant, and Emily led us in, muttering something to the maître d' before we were lead to a table. After ordering our meals I got a chance to look around, taking in the simple yet elegant décor and the high, airy ceilings which made the place look even more fancy.

"So I guess this means that you have your old job back." I ventured, while sampling the delicious food that had been placed in front of me.

"Of course! I'm perfectly, one-hundred percent sane." She confirmed with a smile.

"I don't know, we did all see that photograph of you in high school, are you sure about the sanity thing?" I teased, noticing her blush as she remembered the picture.

"It was a phase, I was immature back then!" she defended, her innocent smile morphing into a mischievous grin as she shoved me under the table with her leg.

"Hmm… playing footsies, you sure about the maturity comment as well!" we were both trying to contain our laughter so we didn't draw too much unwanted attention to ourselves.

"I'll have to get you back for that comment Jayje." She purred, manipulating the words so they sounded almost like music, melodious and flowing. I quirked an eyebrow under her suddenly sultry gaze.

"Get me back how?" I was about to continue when I felt her warm, smooth bare legs press against mine underneath the table, distracting me completely.

"I'm sure I'll find a way." She husked, and just the sound of her voice sent goosebumps tingling across my body. I took a gulp of the wine in front of me in hope that it would combat the dryness in my throat, and I felt my cheeks blush beet red. She took notice of my plight, and instead pressed onward. "What's wrong Jen, am I too much for you?" she was totally enjoying having me in the palm of her hand.

"Oh, if you knew what you're doing to me, God Em." I managed to get out in a voice that was halfway between a choke and a moan. She got up from the table, the delicious warmth of her legs vanishing, and I suppressed a groan of disappointment. Emily took my hand, leading me away from the table with the empty plates of food. I was slightly confused now.

"Wait, don't we have to pay for that?" I protested; a feeble protest at that.

"I happen to know the owner, I can pay him later, plus he owes me a favor or two." Her lips were nearly touching my ear as she whispered; the hushed words making my knees grow weak. We were back in the car in no time, Emily with one hand on the wheel, and the other tracing lazy circles on my thigh, tracking little trails of fire as they went. Under my haze of lust, I had barely realized when we were back at the apartment. The elevator doors had hardly shut before I was pinned against a wall, Emily's hands on my waist and her lips hot on mine. We arrived at her floor, struggling to unlock the door to her apartment between kisses.

"Henry?" she gasped, suddenly remembering.

"At Penelope's, all night." I panted heavily before I began kissing down her jaw, tracing the smooth curve of the elegant bone as she opened the door. We stumbled a few more feet into her apartment before my ankle hit a box, one of the many unopened that Em had moved around in her apartment to clear room for my things, sending me pitching backwards and taking Emily down as well. The floor greeted my head with a dull thud, and I lay dazed for a few milliseconds before a tentative laugh bubbled up from my chest.

"You always have been clumsy, is your head okay?" Emily chuckled from her spot on the floor next to me.

"Besides killing the mood and wounding my pride? It's a little bump, all I need is ice and I'm fine." I rubbed the sore spot on the back of my head, while Emily got up, returning seconds later with an icepack. She helped me to my feet, and I held the freezing object to the back of my head gingerly as I surveyed the mess we'd made. The box I had tripped on had tipped over, and the contents, a wooden box, an envelope, and some other miscellaneous items, had spilled onto the floor. Emily bent down, picking up the large white envelope labeled with her mother's name. The atmosphere in the room had sobered completely, as she tentatively opened the envelope and pulled out a set of papers with black print writing that danced and marched in front of my vision like ants in a row. I was feeling a bit dizzy, maybe I should sit down. I guided a silent Emily over to the couch; her eyes were still glued to the paper.

"What is it Em?" I asked, rubbing her shoulder which had suddenly tensed up. She looked up with a haunted gaze.

"It's my mother's will."

A/N Hmm… where can this go? I apologize for it, but you guys will have to wait a week to find out! Your feedback makes my day!

-Nightshade