AN: Small chapter...mostly filler but with some important information ( I think). Wasn't going to post this yet but someone offered the right "incentive" and so here it is. Enjoy! Will work on next chapter this weekend. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed...trust me when I say that every single review makes me so giddy. (and I am not normally prone to giddy) so keep the reviews, the opinions, the guesses coming! Enjoy the new chapter! ~Acathla

Chapter 6

JJ pulled up to the curb outside of Emily's house and cut the engine. They had spent another hour at Cook's Cliff just enjoying the time together and stealing a few more kisses. JJ turned to Emily and smiled, "so um...I'll see you tomorrow?"

Emily nodded. The gang was going to meet up at the school before going to the traveling fair that had made camp two towns over. It was going to be a fun day and Emily was excited.

JJ took a breath before she said, "um...there's something I need to ask you...a favor of sorts."

"What?" Emily knew there was very little the beautiful girl could ask for that she wouldn't give.

"The gang only knows me as JJ...and I like that you're the only one who calls me Jennifer...but...do you think you could go back to calling me JJ in front of our friends?" JJ asked, holding her breath as she waited for Emily's answer.

Emily thought about JJ's request and while it would be a challenge now to not use the blond's real name she also didn't want to share that information with anyone else. "not a problem Jennifer...around our friends I'll only call you JJ...as long as I can still call you Jennifer when were alone?"

"You'd better. Thanks Emily."

Emily grabbed JJ's hand and lifted it to her lips. "you're very welcome Jennifer." Emily paused a moment as a thought struck her and she tried to think of a way to ask the question that popped into her head. "Um, Jennifer...about the gang...um, did you want to tell them yet about...you know...us?"

JJ took a minute to think about that. She hoped that Emily would understand why she wanted to keep their new...relationship a secret for the time being. "Um...would you be okay with maybe not telling them about us for a little bit? It's just that, you and me, it's still very new and I just...I don't want to share that with the gang yet."

Emily slowly nodded, she thought she understood where JJ was coming from, "do they not know that you're..." Emily trailed off, realizing that she didn't know if JJ was really gay or just curious. She hoped JJ would fill in the blank without her having to come right out and ask her.

JJ's brow crinkled as she thought about what Emily was asking. She suddenly understood and rushed to reassure the brunette, "oh, yeah. Emily the gang knows I'm gay. Heck, even my family knows I'm gay. That's not the reason why I wanna keep us a secret. I just...I like having something that I don't have to share with the entire town, you know?"

Emily let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding at JJ's words. Emily wasn't used to the dynamics of a small town but she knew what it was like to not be able to have any secrets. Her mother's bodyguards and network of spies in Europe had ensured that Emily never got away with anything. The only exception being the "incident" in Rome, but her mother had still found out when she'd been notified by the local authorities. Emily knew that while it would be hard to go back to acting like just a friend around the gang, the rewards for when they were alone and she could act on her feelings would be worth it.

"I think I understand Jennifer, and don't worry. We'll tell the gang about us when you're ready. I can keep a secret." Emily said, wanting to reassure the blond that she could trust her.

JJ smiled, happy that Emily understood and was being so nice about it. JJ leaned forward and kissed Emily, knowing it would be their last kiss until they were alone again.

Emily pulled away after a few minutes and smiled at JJ. By silent agreement, the girls knew it was time for Emily to leave the car and get inside the house.

Reluctantly, Emily got out of the car and walked up the path to the front door. She turned at the door and blew a kiss to JJ, who was waiting at the curb until Emily entered her house.

JJ blew a kiss back and waited for Emily to go inside. Once the dark haired girl was out of sight, JJ turned the car on and slowly drove away, smiling at the turn of events that had led to the change in her friendship with Emily.

Idly, JJ wondered if this was the epic event that she'd been expecting since the end of summer vacation. Falling in love certainly qualified as epic in JJ's book...if it was truly love and not just lust. Something told JJ that what she was feeling for Emily, what she knew that feeling would eventually blossom into was definitely and truly love. All she had to do now was make sure that Emily felt the same way.

JJ made it back home and slipped inside, undetected. Her parents were in the living room watching television and she knew that Mark was already in bed. It was late, but thankfully, it was still before her curfew. JJ carefully slipped up the stairs and made it to her bedroom without having to face her mother. She knew that her mom was going to want to talk about the new development with Emily and JJ wasn't up for that tonight. JJ quickly slipped into her pajamas and slid into bed. She was tired and was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Dreams of a certain dark haired, dark eyed beauty haunted her sleep in the best possible way...with nary a crime lab in sight.

TBC...

AN2: There it is. Lotta secrets in the gang huh? Garcia & Morgan and now Emily & JJ...hmmm...and what about that "incident" in Rome? What happened? Any guesses? (hint: this is AU which means canon may or may not be followed). hehehe Anyone wanna take bets on how long the girls can keep their secret? lol Hope y'all liked it.

~Acathla