Chapter 11

The gang was sitting at their tables in Melinda's that night after the movies. They usually stopped at the local dinner after the movies. It made it possible to have fun debates over the movie they'd seen. This time around the movie was My Best Friend's Girl. It was the guys' turn to pick the movie. The girls had wanted to see The Duchess but they'd given in to the raunchy movie choice because it was the guys turn after all. That only meant that next time, it would be ladies' choice and they'd all agreed to see the period piece next time. Well...everyone but Emily who had remained silent. She didn't want to admit that she much preferred the guys' choice when it came to movies. She liked funny, raunchy, slightly over the top movies more than dramas, especially dramas set in the past. But, one look at JJ's face when she saw that The Duchess was still playing and Emily knew enough to keep her mouth shut.

The movie was funny and everything they had expected from seeing the movie poster featuring Dane Cook and Jason Biggs...the only saving grace as far as the girls were concerned was the addition of Kate Hudson, who'd been in a few of the movies they all loved.

Now, here they were at their favorite diner, and really the only one in town worth eating at that didn't charge an arm and a leg. The owner, Melinda Warner, was Derek's aunt and that usually meant that the gang could sometimes get away with not having to pay for their food.

Morgan never sought out the on the house' treatment because he knew this diner was his aunt's dream, but he never turned it down either. It only happened when they managed to catch Melinda in the diner. Other times, they happily paid for their food.

Melinda had converted a section near the back windows into a table big enough to fit Morgan and all his friends, a few years ago. It was reserved for them and the whole town knew it so it was usually empty.

The gang was sitting there now, each sitting next to their girlfriend or boyfriend and just laughing as they replayed moments from the movie.

Morgan noticed that Emily was just smiling and not saying anything so he turned to her, he was sitting next to her and he said in a low voice, "hey, Emily, you okay?"

Emily came out of her musings about how much she liked being a part of this group of friends to look at Morgan, the concern on his face was evident and it warmed Emily to know it was genuine. "what? Yeah Morgan, I'm fine, why?"

Morgan shrugged, "no reason really. You've been really quiet and I wanted to make sure you're okay."

Emily flashed him a smile, "thanks Morgan, but yeah I'm fine. Just lost in thought."

"Happy thoughts?" Derek asked, suddenly curious. Emily was a very private person sometimes and if she was in a sharing mood, he wasn't about to pass it up.

Emily spared a glance at their friends then turned back to the curious boy, "yeah, very happy thoughts." Emily wasn't ready to reveal her happy thoughts, since most of them revolved around a certain blue eyed blonde who she'd spent a few hours that afternoon kissing.

When Derek realized that Emily wasn't going to say more on the subject he wisely let it go. His years of friendship with the nine girls that he'd grown to love like sisters (with the exception of Garcia whom he loved in a deeper way) had taught him when to let a conversation go and when to push. This was one of the let it go moments and he wisely did just that. "OK, sounds good to me...but if you ever need someone to talk to, you know get a guy's perspective or anything, I'm here for you."

Emily was thankful that Derek hadn't pushed the issue and she smiled at him, "thanks Morgan, I'll remember that."

Olivia suddenly noticed that Emily and Morgan were whispering with each other and they had smiles on their faces...the scene, to an outside observer, looked almost intimate. Almost like they were a couple and sharing secret moments. Olivia knew her cousin was gay but...Derek was hot and he was single and she didn't want to think of the possibility that Emily might be swayed by curiosity to see when it would be like with a guy...with Derek. Olivia had better, different plans for both Derek and Emily and this wasn't it.

Olivia spoke up, "hey, is this a private discussion or would you two like to share with the class?"

Derek and Emily turned to face their friends, who had stopped their discussion of the movie when Olivia had spoken up and were now looking at them.

Derek noticed a look on Garcia's face that almost seemed like jealousy but he knew better. They'd had a very long talk this afternoon after the fair and he'd reassured his girlfriend that she was the only girl he was interested in. She had accepted it and they'd had a fun time together.

Emily saw the look in JJ's eyes and her heart sank a little. There was a look in them that reminded Emily that her girlfriend had a very prominent jealousy streak. She hoped that JJ knew by now though, that no one could steal her away.

Derek answered first, "private joke."

Emily looked at JJ and then turned to Garcia who was the only one who knew about them and she saw twin looks of suspicion and jealousy. It hit her then like a ton of bricks...she suddenly knew that Garcia and Morgan were dating. She couldn't believe it. Now she understood more clearly what Garcia had been talking about earlier when she'd said it was easier to be open about who you're with if it's not a secret.

Emily stood up then and said, "I'll be right back. Um, Garcia can I talk to you for a minute?"

Garcia looked confused but she nodded and stood up, curious. The others just looked confused and when JJ stood up to join them, Emily rested her hand on her girlfriend's arm casually and whispered, "later, ok?"

JJ nodded, knowing there was something she wanted to talk to their computer whiz friend about that was private. She also knew that Emily would tell her later anyway, they had promised each other no more secrets.

JJ sat back down and watched as Emily and Garcia walked away in the direction of the restrooms.

Olivia couldn't take it anymore and turned to JJ, "What was that all about? What's going on with you and Emily?"

JJ turned to her dark haired friend and grinned, "I don't know what you're talking about Liv. We're all just friends. What's with you though? You've never acted like this."

The whole gang was now listening, wanting to hear Liv's answer. Their friend was never this intrusive. She never intruded in private conversations and she never put one of them on the spot like that. This was unfamiliar behavior and if anyone could get Liv to explain herself, other than Alex, it was JJ. The girl had some kind of magic voodoo type powers to make anyone tell her the truth.

Liv looked around the table, looking for some support but found none. She turned to Alex and saw that even her girlfriend was wondering what was going on with her. And Alex knew about Liv's matchmaking plans. Alex often indulged her girlfriend's cupid tendencies but she'd never acted like this and even she was curious now.

Liv opened her mouth to answer but no words came to her. She knew she couldn't say the truth because she didn't want JJ and Morgan to know she was trying to play cupid, but she couldn't think of any other excuse.

In the restroom, Emily made sure they were alone before she turned to the blonde computer whiz and said, "so, you're dating Morgan, am I right?"

Garcia's eyes widened as she did a great impression of a deer caught in the high beams. She didn't know what to say. She didn't want to lie but she and Morgan had never talked about what they would say if one of their friends actually guessed the truth.

Emily waited a few moments then she sighed, "come on Garcia, you already know about me and JJ, so I'll make this easy for you. If I am right about you and Morgan...just keep on breathing, ok?" Emily tried to inject some humor into the situation. She could tell that her friend didn't know what to say and that she didn't want to 'out' Morgan as well.

Garcia chuckled at Emily's words and finally took a breath and said, "um...you're not wrong."

Emily grinned big, "I knew it! That is so great. How long have you two been together?"

Garcia smiled and relaxed, happy to have someone to finally talk to about her relationship with Derek. "it'll be a year next month."

Emily couldn't stop smiling. She was really happy for Garcia and Morgan. Emily knew that, being in love, she wanted everyone around her to be in love too and now it seemed like all of her new friends were in love and she liked that feeling.

After a few more minutes of talking, with Garcia explaining about her grandmother and why they were keeping their relationship a secret, they left the restroom and headed back to the table.

Olivia saw Emily and Garcia approaching and she hit upon the perfect distraction. She changed the subject to avoid answering JJ's question by looking up at Emily then saying, "I'm just excited about Emily's birthday, it's almost here!"

The whole group turned to look at Emily for confirmation and Emily suddenly wished she had told JJ earlier about her birthday.

"Hey, Emily is it true your birthday's coming up?" Elle asked, being the first one to recover from the surprise.

Emily turned to Elle but she addressed the whole gang as she took her seat next to JJ, "um, yeah it's true. It's on the 12th."

Everyone started talking at once, maki9ng plans for a party and asking Emily what she wanted and why she hadn't told them sooner.

Emily answered as best as she could and while she tried to squash the party idea, she quickly learned that wasn't possible. Emily turned to JJ and saw a flicker of hurt pass through the blonde's eyes a second before JJ stood up and walked out of the diner.

The gang stopped talking then and watched as their 'fearless leader' basically walked out. Emily sighed and said, "I'll be right back."

Emily got up and walked after JJ, hoping whatever was wrong was something that could be fixed.

TBC...

AN: Sorry for the long delay. Working through some writer's block and working on other fics as well. I used the DOB that Reid gave for Prentiss on the show. October 12. Emily knows about Garcia & Morgan and Garcia knows about Emily & JJ...hmmm...seems they each have some insurance to keep their secrets...hehehe...

And yes, the owner of Melinda's (Melinda Warner) is the character from SVU...the M.E. I made her Derek's aunt to further my agenda of total AU and making people related. hehehe

Enjoy!

~Acathla