A/N: I hope you guys cry :)
Chapter 33
Emily POV
The team took turns spending the night with me for the next few months. It was usually JJ, Garcia, or Reid who stayed with me, but others were there as well. They helped me stay in check so that I didn't fall off the edge.
I gained my team's trust back. I slowly bounced back into a tight rhythm. I was back to badass Emily Prentiss. I was back to feeling like myself. In fact, I felt like I was an even better profiler than I was before. My insight had changed. I was less reckless and more thoughtful. I continued to have flashbacks, but I was able to fight through it. But, to be honest, that was mostly due to the shrink.
My therapist, Dr. Srinivasan, was more helpful than I cared to admit. Not only did I learn that my coping mechanisms weren't really helping me 'cope,' she taught me how to move past the darkness. She became one of my most trusted confidants. Even surprising myself, I told her about my abortion, my father, and my relationship with Ian (of course leaving out most information).
Dr. S chuckled when I told her that I was thinking about getting a second cat. "I think that's a great idea, Emily," She said. "But what does JJ think about that?"
I furrowed my eyebrows at her. Without fail, Dr. Srinivasan always thought that JJ was more than what I had told her. "I don't think it matters what she thinks."
"Emily… you should tell her how you feel. You're in such a better place now. And from what you have told me, it sounds like she really cares about you. I think you could be in a relationship if that's what you want."
I sighed and rubbed my temples anxiously. "But JJ doesn't want that."
"How do you know if you haven't asked yet? Please consider it. You deserve to be happy with her."
I wanted to tell her 'no' again, but instead, I nodded. I learned that generally, Dr. S was right about these kinds of things.
JJ POV
"So, you're staying with Em tonight?" Pen asked as she sat down across from me as we took our lunch break. I nodded and she added, "You finally going to tell her how you feel about her?"
I groaned and replied, "Pen… it's so complicated. She's finally in a good place. I don't want to mess that up."
Penelope rolled her eyes. "And what if telling her that you are in love with her makes her that much happier?"
I glared at the woman for making so much sense.
Emily POV
Making JJ dinner was just one of the things that I did to try to thank her for being there for me. She spent most of her free time with me, and the food was a way of payment. Besides, I realized that JJ couldn't cook for the life of her. Being the youngest child, she never had to make the food as her siblings did.
"Oh my god, Em," JJ moaned as she rested her head on my shoulder as I cooked the meat and vegetables. "It smells so good!"
I smirked and laughed. "You really could make it, Jen, if you tried." I put the cover on the pot and turned around, waiting for the food to cook.
"I know, but then I wouldn't have you cooking for me. Besides, I don't want to die this young by poisoning myself." She stared at me with this longing look. A look that I could comprehend. And then she leaned in and kissed me.
My lips wanted to continue the kiss, but I still stopped. I knew I couldn't let it continue, even if I wanted it to.
"JJ… we can't," I whispered, leaning my forehead against hers.
"Why?" She asked, sounding frustrated.
"Because of Will?"
"No!" She yelled, jumping away from me. Her hand covered her mouth like she was horrified. "No, Emily! And I broke up with Will such a long time ago. I should've said- I thought you knew."
I shook my head, slightly overwhelmed by the news. "I didn't- I didn't know. Jen…" I stopped talking once I saw tears fall down her cheeks.
I brushed her tears with my hand and she whispered, "I was so horrible to you. I... I used you. I didn't understand that when I wanted to sleep with you, that I wanted more. I told myself that it was a phase. That it was just to relieve stress. But I fell in love with you. I want to be with you."
A laugh escaped my mouth as I cupped her face, my body now totally pressed up against hers. I couldn't believe that this was happening. That she could even have the same feelings as me.
I kissed her nose and then her mouth. I savored every second my lips lingered on hers. Every second we shared a breath. Every second our hearts beat together in rhythm. Every second we spent loving each other just a little bit more.
I hope this isn't incredibly abrupt. Just to be awesome (like I always am), I am going to post the epilogue now as well. It's super short, but I hope you guys like it.
Thank you so much for reading. You guys are the best.