AN: Sorry for the tiny chapter but I wanted something to fill in some time. I needed JJ to stress a bit about Emily's birthday gift. I am hoping next chapter will be longer. Until then, enjoy this tidbit.

Chapter 14

The Friday before Emily's birthday, JJ was I her bedroom alone, trying not to stress herself out. It was after school and she had dropped Emily off at her house, making the excuse that her mom needed her to help around the house as an explanation for why she wasn't spending the day with Emily. JJ felt really bad about lying to Emily but she needed the time to try to think of a gift for her girlfriend's birthday.

JJ had, stupidly, avoided thinking about what to get Emily for her birthday for the last two weeks. After the diner incident, JJ had tried to think about what to get Emily but each time she tried to think about it, she would get interrupted. Usually, Emily would suddenly slide in behind her in the hall at school or she'd insist on spending their after school time together. Not that JJ minded spending all her free time with her girlfriend, quite the opposite, JJ loved it. She loved listening to Emily talk about her past most of all.

Emily would tell JJ about her "adventures" in Europe during her mother's assignments. JJ would listen and try to picture Emily running circles around the Eiffel Tower or standing on the banks of the River Thames waiting, sometimes for hours, to see the Tower Bridge lift open.

The drawback of all that time spent together meant that JJ couldn't focus on what to get Emily for her birthday. Which was why, today, she made the decision to take the afternoon to think about what would be a good gift. She only had until 8pm, because she had a date with Emily that night to go see a movie. It would be just the two of them this time, the gang all had separate plans with their dates or their families.

JJ was sitting on her bed, her hands curled into her hair as she wracked her brain for a great gift idea.

Emily was in her bedroom as well, thinking. She was hoping that she was wrong about what she was thinking but she wasn't optimistic.

Today was the first time since they started dating that JJ had ever opted to not spend time together. Emily knew she was probably overreacting but she couldn't help it. There was something about Jennifer that made her want to spend all her time with her.

Her blonde girlfriend was smart, beautiful, funny, sweet and she was all hers. For now at least. Emily knew it was foolish of her to be so concerned but she couldn't stop herself from worrying that JJ was getting ready to break up with her.

Emily sighed, knowing that there wasn't anything she could do about it if JJ decided to end their relationship, Emily was not the type to cling or beg once a relationship ended. She'd be devastated, yes, but she'd eventually get over it...she hoped.

She'd never felt this way about anyone else...not even Gina. Emily knew without a doubt that she was madly, deeply, and truly in love with Jennifer Jareau, and if she lost the beautiful blonde she didn't know if she'd survive it. Especially if it happened so close to her birthday...that would be the ultimate worst birthday gift ever.

Emily flopped down onto her bed in defeat. Her head landed on something stiff and she raised herself up a bit to see what it was. Her eyes landed on a copy of the script for the school play. Emily felt a smile tug on her lips against her will.

Emily had a secret love for acting and singing but she knew in her heart that she would never make a living at it. Emily had no desire for the fame or fortune that came with being a celebrity. She valued her privacy far too much for that, but she did love the feeling she got when she performed. Emily used to visit karaoke clubs in Europe whenever she could since she was 15. Gina hadn't understood Emily's love for singing in public but she'd tolerated it well enough.

Emily picked up the script and gently ran her hand across the cover page. Of its own volition, her mind conjured up an image of JJ dressed as Sandy from the movie, both the good girl version seen throughout most of the movie and the bad girl version at the end. Emily savored the thought because she knew JJ would never have an opportunity to dress like that. JJ hadn't tried out for the play and, once Emily saw who was playing Danny, she couldn't really blame her girlfriend.

Emily opened the script and began reading through the play, learning not only her own lines but those of the characters around her so she would be able to keep up with the dialogue on stage.

After a brief conversation with Olivia, JJ finally thought she had a great idea for what to get Emily for her birthday. It would take a little bit of planning but she was confident she could pull it off.

JJ's eyes caught the time on her alarm clock and she realized she only had an hour until she had to pick up Emily for their date. JJ ran to her bathroom and took a quick shower before getting dressed. For their date, JJ decided to 'be the girl' and wear a black leather miniskirt with a blue satin blouse that matched her eyes. JJ knew she was looking good and she smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

Carefully applied make up and two inch blue heels completed her outfit and JJ hurried out the door to pick up Emily.

JJ's mom smiled as she saw her daughter rush out of the house, she shook her head indulgently. Her daughter was in love and Laura couldn't be happier.

JJ pulled her car up to the curb outside of Emily's house and she cut the engine. She was a little nervous and she didn't know why. After a moment, she got out of the car and walked up to the door.

JJ rang the bell and waited. This was a completely new experience for JJ, she'd never really picked anyone up like this. Usually, she sat in her car and honked the horn as she waited for Olivia and Emily to walk out the door and into her car so she could take them all to school.

JJ was glad that Olivia was spending the evening at Alex's house. She wasn't sure how she'd explain being there to pick up Emily for a date without just telling the truth. She had decided to tell the gang they were together after Emily's birthday and she didn't want to jump the gun. JJ was also happy that Olivia's mom worked late on Fridays so she knew Emily was the only one home.

The door opened and Emily stood there, dumbstruck by JJ's outfit.

JJ looked Emily up and down and she smiled, Emily looked hot and she'd, predictably, chosen to 'be the guy' for tonight. Emily was wearing dark blue jeans that hugged her legs and ass in much the same way JJ longed to, and a blood-red t-shirt underneath a midnight blue mens' cut dress shirt that only had the last four buttons buttoned. Emily capped it off with black ankle boots.

When JJ finally found her voice she said, "Wow, you look...hot."

Emily grinned as she broke free from the mini-trance she was in, "so do you...I almost wish we could stay here instead of going out."

Emily was determined to make it clear to JJ that she deserved to be with her. If JJ had decided to break up with her, Emily was going to change her mind.

JJ looked at Emily and smiled, "almost? Well, how about a compromise?"

"Name your terms Jennifer." Emily answered, willing to play along.

JJ took a moment to think about it as the warm feeling that always accompanied Emily's use of her full name washed over her. "Well...we can't stay here because Olivia and her mom can come home at any moment but...we could always skip the movie and go to Cook's Cliff."

Emily took all of one minute to think about that before a lascivious grin lit up her face, "Deal. Let's go."

They made it into JJ's car and locked the doors but before JJ started the car, she leaned over the center console and pressed her lips against Emily's in a kiss that left little doubt the tonight was going to be a night to remember.

TBC...