JJ crept out from under the covers, careful to keep the bed from shaking. Emily laid fast asleep beside her, the brunette's arm draped over her pillow. It was just after midnight and JJ was wide awake, her marathon of sleep from the last 24 hours finally catching up with her. Her girlfriend, on the other hand, had been awake for much of that period, ensuring that JJ had everything she needed. The blonde smiled, gazing at Emily. How did I get so lucky?
Quietly, JJ tiptoed through across the hardwood floor, wrapping herself in a robe as she softly closed the door behind her. Garcia was propped up on the couch, World of Warcraft on her laptop screen.
Penelope's head snapped up, whispering into her headset hurriedly, "QOD out, boys. Catch you later." The computer was shut and tossed aside in one fine movement. "JJ? Are you okay? Can I get you anything?"
JJ smiled sadly, wishing that everyone would stop making such a big deal out of her injuries. "No thank. I just can't sleep. I didn't want to wake up Emily. "
Garcia nodded, patting the empty space on the beige leather couch. "That girl has gone through the ringer on this one."
"I know. She didn't even sleep last night, she was so worried." Studying Garcia's faced, JJ grinned. "I'm guessing she told you?"
"Told, guessed, what's the difference?" Penelope beamed. "I'd hug you if it wouldn't break you in half!"
JJ smiled, leaning into her best friend. "I would have told you, you know."
"I know." Garcia bobbed her head. "But you haven't exactly had time. Don't sorry, you're forgiven." She winked.
JJ breathed a breath of relief. "Good. Besides Emily, you're my best friend, Pen. I didn't want you to think-"
The analyst interrupted her. "Peaches, don't you worry. I'm always going to be here for you, and 95% of the time I'll have alcohol or food to boot.. You're never getting rid of me."
"Is that a promise?"
Garcia shrugged, her eyes twinkling. "Promise, threat. Same thing."
JJ brightened and flipped on the television, keeping the volume low. "I'm glad you came." She said, yawning.
Penelope smiled back before covering them both with a blanket. Together, they zoned out to reruns of Modern Family.
"Bye, Pen. Thanks again," JJ called, standing in the doorway of Emily's apartment.
Garcia waved as she pulled out of the parking lot, being sure to flip off the security guard at the gate for giving her a hard time the night before.
Emily encased her arms around JJ, closing the door. "Finally, I've got you all to myself." She mumbled into the crook of JJ's neck.
Jennifer smiled, feeling goosebumps travel across her spine. "And what are you going to do about it, Emily Prentiss?" She asked, shifting so their lips were only centimeters apart.
"Absolutely nothing." The brunette teased, sliding a hand under JJ's shirt and pulling her body into her own. "But I can sure as hell make you wish I would."
JJ glared at her girlfriend, the feeling between her legs growing stronger. Since telling JJ she loved her, Emily had refused to do anything more than make out. JJ admitted it would be rather difficult with both if their bodies in the condition they were, but damn it- Emily made JJ crave it, her dream still vividly remembered.
The blonde cupped Emily's jaw. Emily moaned as JJ's tongue rolled into her's, her hands settling on Emily's ass. The kiss became more urgent, each woman hungry for one another.
Emily pulled back, breaking the trance. "Jennifer," she panted, massaging her back. "I want you. I want you more than I want almost anything."
JJ brushed her lips against the curve of the brunette's collar bone, "Then don't stop."
Emily trembled, lifting her chin slightly to meet JJ's tongue. "Jen… Jen, baby, we can't." She moaned, lost in her senses.
"Give me one reason." JJ had Emily pinned against the wall now, her shirt dropping to the floor. "I want you, Emily. I need you."
Emily opened her eyes, overwhelmed with longing. "You know what I want more? A long, happy life with you. For you to never be in pain like you were last night. To be the woman of our dreams, Jennifer."
JJ's lips stopped exploring, her azure eyes locking with Emily's.
"I want our first time to be special. I want it to be one of those moments you look back on in twenty years and remember every detail, it was so damn good. You're worth waiting for, Jen."
JJ melted, permitting defeat. "God, Emily. Where did you come from?" Their lips met once more, but this time with more tenderness than unrestrained passion. "I love you."
Emily pressed her forehead against JJ's. "I promise, it will be worth the wait."
"Come on, Em, we're going to be late!" JJ called from the kitchen.
Emily stood at the bathroom sink, staring at herself in the mirror. She desperately wanted to rid her body of its ugly bandage, to ditch the sling that had found itself a home on her arm. It had been two and a half weeks since Emily was shot, but it felt like more of an eternity.
"Emily!" JJ beckoned. "We've got to go. Traffic is going to be a nightmare."
The brunette slipped the black piece of fabric over her head, wincing as she positioned her arm in the sling. "I don't see why I even have to go." Emily muttered, grabbing the car keys from the counter.
JJ lightly pressed her lips to Emily's check. "Because they have to check your stitches, silly."
It was the first time Emily was seeing a doctor since being back in DC, and she had a feeling that they were going to order a precautionary MRI to be safe. She hated enclosed spaces, and the prospect of being stuck in a loud, plastic tube wasn't Emily's idea of a fun afternoon.
The drive to the hospital went smoothly, which was good considering they were already fifteen minutes late. Emily checked in right as they called her name.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry but only family can accompany patients back here. Friends have to wait outside" A nurse sneered at JJ, who had followed Emily through the double doors.
Emily instinctively took JJ's hand. "She is family. This is my girlfriend." Smiling, she added. "I was shot protecting her. So really, its her fault I'm here. If that doesn't get her a ticket to watch them poking around my bullet hole, then I, going to cancel the show."
The nurse reddened. "Of course. I'm sorry, Ms. Prentiss. Right this way."
JJ gazed lovingly at Emily, overcome by her feelings. Emily never failed to defend her, to take up for her or to protect her against the world. JJ knew she was a strong, independent woman- but having someone love her so fiercely… it was a feeling like no other.
"Hello there, Agent Prentiss. I'm Doctor Marlowe." A petite red headed woman walked in the exam room. "Mind if I take a look?" She asked, motioning to Emily's shoulder.
The air was silent as Doctor Marlowe unwrapped the bandages and examined the bloody stitches. Emily tested her range of motion, grimacing as the woman directed the movements.
"Well, it looks like it's healing well enough." Marlowe said, jotting down a note on her clipboard. "Go ahead and start using smaller bandages. A 3x3 gauze pad should work just fine with some medical tape."
"What about the sling?" Emily asked, silently pleading to ditch it.
Marlowe nodded. "You can try going without it if you want to. From the X-rays they sent over. It doesn't look like there were any fractures or tears to worry about. So just use it when you feel it's necessary."
JJ cut in, "What about work? How long before she's cleared for the field?"
The doctor bit her lip. "I'm going to leave that one up to you, Emily. Just no lifting anything over 10 pounds for another 4-6 weeks. And no gunfights." She winked.
"Any other questions, Agent?" Marlowe asked, preparing to exit the room
"Nope, that does it for me." Emily smiled, surprised. It would be good to be off desk duty when she went back to work.
JJ sank back into her chair, the realization hitting her that Emily would soon be returning to the BAU. "Me either." She said quietly, fear taking hold of her stomach. It was one thing for Emily to be chasing bad guys when they were in it together, but JJ knew she was going to be out on leave for at least another week. Things were finally starting to go right in her life; she finally had Emily. What would she do if JJ ever lost her?