"You actually got us a reservation here?!" JJ asked excitedly as they pulled up to one of her favorite restaurants.
"Yeah. My mom is practically best friends with the owner, so I called him up to see if we could get in tonight." Emily answered.
"Wait, your mom has friends?" JJ asked. Emily chuckled before answering her question.
"I thought the same thing, too, when I found out she does. And here I thought everyone hated her."
"I mean, have you ever met the guy?" JJ asked.
"I've only met him a few times. Him and my mom seem close." Emily answered. But then she started thinking.
"Do you think they are dating or anything? I mean, your dad passed away a couple years ago. Would she date this soon?" JJ asked.
"I don't know. It's not like her and my dad were close. They barely spoke to each other the last year he was alive, so it's possible." Emily answered. "Anyway, let's not talk about my mom. I'm fine with literally anything else." Emily said with a chuckle.
"Well let's go in before we miss our reservation and then talk." JJ suggested. Emily agreed, so that's exactly what they did. Their table was right near the fireplace. "This spot is beautiful. I mean, you can really see the beauty in the architecture here." JJ said, admiring the walls and ceiling.
"It really is gorgeous. The ceiling was inspired by the renaissance era, and in each square or section is actually a painting of the night sky. Some have clouds, some are just stars, some are both. The ones with the stars are actually little lights that light up at night time to show off the paintings. However, people don't pay any mind to it or even know that's what's there." Emily said.
"How have I not noticed that before?" JJ asked, now looking up at the ceiling.
"It's not really that noticable when the lights are fully on like they are now. But if there's a performer with the lights dimmed, then that's when it's more prominant. Luckily, there's going to be a pianist here in about half an hour, so we'll be able to actually see the ceiling." Emily explained.
"For real?!" JJ asked excitedly. Emily nodded her head with a smile.
"I didn't know you liked architecture this much." Emily said.
"Ever since I took an art history class and learned about the many different eras of art and architecture, I've been obsessed with many different architectures and even go out during cases and just walk around the city to see what I can find. I know, it's stupid-"
"It's not stupid. I actually learned something new about you, and it's actually something we have in common. This may shock you, but before I changed my major to cognitive science, I was actually an art history major. I actually spent a little bit of time touring Europe and seeing the architectures there and visiting art museums. Of course, my favorite architecture was the gothic ones. I don't think that's changed for me actually. What about you? What's your favorite type of architecture?" Emily asked.
"I would have to say victorian. There's also gothic victorian architecture that are really beautiful." JJ answered.
"Nice. We should plan a trip to Europe to see the different architectures there, and maybe we could bring Garcia along as well!" Emily said excitedly.
"We definitely should! I-"
"Hello, my name is Kinsley, and I will be your server today. So sorry it's taken so long. What can I get you to drink?" Kinsley asked.
"I think we will get a bottle of the Domaine Leroy Musigny Grande Cru and some water." Emily said.
"Okay, and were you ready to order, or did you need some more time?" she asked. Emily looked at JJ.
"I think we're ready to order." JJ said. Kinsley nodded and waited for them to order their food. "I think I will get the Pasta alla Carbanara." JJ ordered.
"I will get the Paccheri al Forno." Emily ordered. Kinsley nodded and took their menus before walking away.
"So when you lived in Italy, did your mom ever cook Italian food?" JJ asked.
"She never cooked. It was either the maid that cooked, or we ordered takeout. Honestly, I wish my mom paid a little bit more attention to me when I was growing up instead of caring more about her job. I get that it's important, but I never had that bond with my mom or dad that all of my friends had with their parents. I think I had more of bond with the maid than my actual parents because she looked out for me. She let me bake cookies with her or help out cooking. I'm sorry, this conversation turned deep real quick." Emily said, apologizing.
"No, it's okay. I rarely get to see this side of you, so it's nice in a way." JJ said.
"That's because I don't really like showing this side." Emily said.
"I know. But, it's still nice seeing this side of you. So is the maid still living?" JJ asked.
"Unfortunately no. Our house in Italy got broken into, and she was one of four that were shot and killed. Luckily my dad knew how to shoot a gun, and he shot the gunman before he could get to me. I was in the study room when this all happened, so I never saw their bodies. But I can still hear the gunshots and shouting. My mom and dad decided to get me out of the house until they could find another one. So we stayed in at one of their friends house. When we walked past where they were shot, my mom held me close to her in hopes that I didn't see the blood stains, but I did. I went to therapy for months after that because I had a little PTSD from it. The littlest noises would make me freak out. I'm rambling aren't I? I'm sorry. I-"
"Em, it's okay. I'm glad that you're telling me this. It's allowing me to get to know you on a more personal level than the others. But if there's ever a topic that you're uncomfortable talking about, then let me know. I won't force you to talk about anything you don't want to. Plus, if you were to go through anything like that ever again, especially with our job, then I know what signs to look out for and why you're experiencing them. It's good to get this out to others that aren't a therapist." JJ said. She reached across the table and grabbed Emily's hand gently. Emily gave her a soft smile before looking down at their hands. "Is that incident the reason why you decided to join the FBI?" JJ asked.
"Sort of. The soul purpose was so I can find the guy who shot four people in the household so I can get answers. I did find him, but it turns out he died of natural causes around the same time my dad died." Emily said. "What about you? What secrets don't I already know about?" Emily asked, desperate to change the topic.
"Well, Miss Pennsylvania Petite over here did karate from the age of three until sophomore year, and I was the state champion four years in a row. I was also a four season athlete. Starting in seventh grade I did soccer, karate, and dance in the Fall, figure skating, karate, and dance in Winter, softball, karate, and dance in Spring, and competitive cheerleading in Summer." JJ answered.
"How the fuck did you have time to do anything?!" Emily asked, very shocked at how many sports JJ was in.
"Well, I took advantage of study halls to do homework on the days that I was really booked. I eventually found a routine that worked for me. Did I lose sleep? Yeah, but what high schooler hasn't? But like I said, I only did karate up until my sophomore year. So take that out, and it freed up some time for me to sleep." JJ said.
"That's still a lot Jayje. I knew you were athletic, but I didn't know you were THAT athletic." Emily said.
"It kept me busy." JJ said.
"Yeah, I'd say." Emily said. Shortly after she said that, their food finally arrived along with the bottle of wine. As they began to dig into their food, the lights dimmed as the pianist stepped up to the piano and began playing. "Look up at the ceiling." Emily whispered to JJ. JJ did so, and she was so amazed by the ceiling. Emily thought she was just the cutest and looked so beautiful in the dim light.
"It's so amazing!" JJ exclaimed in a hushed voice. JJ and Emily made small talk the rest of the time that they ate their food. After finishing, they sat and listened to the pianist for a little bit longer. They decided to leave, and Emily paid the entire check after JJ protested that she at least paid half of it. Emily paid because she wanted to be chivalrous.
After walking out of the restaurant, they went to Emily's car and drove around for a bit. "So is there anything that at least Garcia doesn't know about you?" JJ asked, finding herself wanting to know even more about Emily.
"You're going to laugh." Emily said.
"No I'm not!" JJ said.
"Yes you are!" Emily said.
"No I'm not! Please tell me?" JJ asked.
"This makes me sound like the cliche rich kid, but I took piano lessons from four until I graduated high school. I even auditioned at Julliard because I wanted to further my career in piano. I was very fortunate enough to be accepted into the jazz studies program. However, that's when my dad began getting really sick, so I decided to give up my music career since auditions were over for most schools. I took a gap year to be with him and my mom. When he was doing better, I applied to Yale and was accepted.As I said before, I was an art history major before switching majors to cognitive science." Emily said.
"Have you ever thought about playing in front of audience again?" JJ asked.
"I have, but I don't think I'll be as good as I once was." Emily said.
"You have a piano at your apartment, right?" JJ asked. Emily nodded her head. "Well, I most definitely want to hear you play. I mean, you did get into Julliard, so you can't be that bad." JJ said which caused EMily to chuckle. Emily went to her apartment building, and they walked up to Emily's apartment. Once inside they took their shoes off before walking over to the piano.
"This is a piece that I recently memorized. The song I'm playing is actually the same song I played for my Julliard audition. Well, one of the songs. However, this arrangement is far more complicated than what I played at the audition. I really hope I don't mess up." Emily said before taking a deep breath. She then began playing Spain by Chick Corea; the arrangement by Jacob Koller. JJ sat there in awe of Emily. She always found those who played piano or a musical instrument in general more attractive. The fact that Emily could play piano just made her more attractive to JJ. JJ began staring at Emily and started to memorize every feature like her concentrated face when playing, the way her head moved, her knee bouncing everytime she would lift her foot and press a pedal down, etc. JJ snapped out of her trance when Emily was done and began talking again.
"I'm still rusty at playing."
"Em, if that's you when you're rusty, then you will sure as hell be playing out of this world when you're back to your normal musician self." JJ said. Emily just chuckled at her. "I'm serious. You are seriously talented. The fact you are able to have that memorized and play it as well as you do says a lot about how great of a musician you are. Why don't you play at Giovanni's?" JJ asked.
"Because of our work schedule. Plus I wouldn't even know what to play." Emily explained.
"Tell you what. If we don't have a case Saturday, then you are playing there. I will be in audience as your number one fan." JJ said.
"That's if he'll let me." Emily said.
"Ask him tomorrow morning and let me know." JJ said. Emily reluctantly agreed to it. JJ looked at the time and realized she should probably get home. "I should probably be getting home so I can go to sleep since we have to be in early tomorrow." JJ said.
"Shit, you're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept you out this long." Emily said.
"It's not your fault. Plus, I got to see you in your element, which is music." JJ said. Emily softly smiled and looked at the floor with her cheeks turning a little pink from blushing. Just as they were about to walk out the door, JJ stopped and turned towards Emily. She started leaning in for a kiss, but Emily stopped her even though she really wanted to kiss her.
"JJ, wait. You're going through a divorce right now, so I don't want to rush anything. I don't want you to regret anything." Emily said.
"I guess you're right." JJ said, a little sad Emily rejected her. However, she was glad she did because then she didn't know where it would have led to. The car ride back to JJ's house was silent, but it was a comfortable silence. JJ grabbed Emily's free hand and interlaced their fingers as she drew patterns on the back of Emily's hand with her free one. When Emily parked her car in front of JJ's house, JJ didn't want to get out. She just wanted to be with Emily.
"Tonight was nice." Emily said.
"It really was. We should do this again." JJ said.
"Well, we could do something Saturday before I possibly play at Giovanni's. You get to choose what we do." Emily said.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." JJ said.
"See you tomorrow." Emily said and kissed JJ on the cheek. JJ smiled and blushed before Emily walked her up to the front door. JJ opened the door before looking back at Emily one last time. She smiled and walked in.
"So how'd it go?" Will asked. JJ jumped as she kind of forgot about him the entire time she was with Emily.
"It actually went really well. We have another date Saturday if we don't have a case." JJ said.
"Wow. You're really getting into character now. Just don't have sex with her." Will said.
"You're not at liberty to tell me what I can and can't do with her. If I want to have sex with her, then I will. I'm too invested now. So if it happens, then it happens. But just for your information, I was going to kiss her, but she rejected me because we're going through a "divorce" right now. So I don't think we will be having sex for a long while." JJ said.
"I thought you didn't like her like that?" Will asked.
"I don't. But what if I did? What would you do then? Actually divorce me?" JJ asked.
"Maybe." he answered.
"Well if it happens later down the road, just remember that you're the one that dared me to do this. I can't help if I end up falling in love with her. I mean, she's kind of amazing." JJ said. Will scoffed and went to their room. JJ went to the bathroom and removed her dress and makeup. She took a shower and couldn't go to sleep. She decided to watch a movie, but as she was, she began to crave Emily's attention. It was late at night, but she knew Emily would be up. Just to be sure, she ended up texting her. After it was confirmed that she was up, JJ called her.
"Well this is a surprise considering you're always in bed by now." Emily said.
"I know, but I couldn't sleep. I'm currently watching a cheesy Hallmark movie." JJ said with a chuckle.
"I love Hallmark! My favorite are most definitely the Christmas ones." Emily said excitedly.
"I didn't peg you for the Hallmark loving type." JJ said with a surprised tone.
"A former gothic girl can love Hallmark." Emily said.
"They're just all the same basically. I mean, the cute guy always falls in love with the other girl. Why can't they have a plot twist? Literally anything would work for it." JJ said.
"They're cheesy, but that's why people love them." Emily said.
"Action and thriller movies are where it's at. At least they're different." JJ said.
"True." Emily said. They ended up carrying on a conversation for over an hour before JJ fell asleep mid-sentence. Emily hung up the phone and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
A/N
Hey guys! I hope you like this chapter!