Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Emily sliced open the tape on the last box from her old classroom, still in search of a box of staples she was sure she'd packed. Her flags, a folded-up map of France, the antique globe she'd bought at a yard sale… No staples to be found. She sighed, folding the flaps back into place as she stared at the things she'd planned to hang. Her classroom was never well-decorated, but she always displayed three things: A map, French and Spanish flags, and labels of common items in the languages she taught (yellow for Spanish, blue for French). School wasn't in session, and it was too late in the evening for anyone to be in the office to show her where the supplies were kept. 

Emily surrendered to the fact that she'd be returning in the morning to finish the things she should've been able to do in the two hours she'd spent sorting through boxes. At least she knew where her things were, she supposed, as she slid a teacher's textbook into her messenger bag. She could look through the district's curriculum in her new apartment with the same number of unpacked boxes in her eyeline. 

Her keyring jingled as she fished it out of the bottom of her purse, echoing through the empty hall. She locked the door, the ugly fluorescent light flickering above the lockers.

"You must be the new foreign language teacher." A voice from behind Emily startled her, and she turned around with her keys between her fingers, hand clenched into a fist. 

"Jesus, you scared me." Emily breathed out, pressing her back to the wall. "Yes, I am. Emily Prentiss."

"Jennifer Jareau, but everyone calls me JJ." The blonde held out a hand for her to shake, a smile on her lips. Her bright blue eyes raked over Emily's figure, taking stock of her new coworker. "I teach English right there, across the hall from you."

"It's nice to meet you. I didn't think anyone else would be here so late." Emily smiled, her cheeks flushing. Jennifer Jareau looked more like a PE teacher with her tight, gray tank top and leggings, defined biceps showing as she shook Emily's hand. Long, blonde hair was pulled into a French braid, a pair of pale pink sneakers squeaking as she stepped back. "Well, late in the day, and early in the year. School doesn't start for a month and a half."

"Neither did I." Jennifer laughed. "I tend to go a little overboard with the decorations, so I start pretty early. Are you getting unpacked?"

"Sort of. I didn't have staples." Emily sighed. "Or tape, so nothing's going on the walls tonight. I figured I'd just start going through the curriculum at home."

"Oh, I have plenty of those!" JJ exclaimed. "Here, come in. You don't have to use it now, but I can save you from a supply run."

"Oh. You really don't have to." Emily followed JJ into her classroom, stopping in the doorway. She hadn't been kidding; her decorations were extensive. A book with pages curled into loops that cascaded further than they should hung from fishing wire above JJ's desk, a corner plastered in torn-out pages from novels had bookshelves pushed into it, and a cushioned armchair between them. Books were hung open, some with words written over their text, reading "Your story is welcome here." Fake vines were framing the whiteboard, hung over bookshelves, and pinned to the ceiling, intertwined with fairy lights that lined the tops of the walls. There were bulletin boards, one with a beige background and the words "Books We've Read" over rows of twine with clothespins on them, another with torn-out pages that each held a letter of "Blackout Poetry" posted over black paper. Instead of thirty traditional desks, there were five, and the rest of the seating was reupholstered couches, armchairs, camping chairs, beanbags, and pillows on the floor. 

"Whoa." Emily laughed. "This is impressive. How did you do all of this?"

"Oh, this is years in the making." JJ shrugged. "The bulletin boards are new, but everything else is left over."

"How long did it take?" Emily asked, spotting a few lamps scattered across the room. "And how did you afford it?"

"Four years, I think." JJ hummed, handing over three boxes of staples and five rolls of tape. "And everything in here is a DIY project of some sort. Almost all of the furniture was free, and I fixed it up. It was the cheapest version of a very expensive project."

"You did all of this?" Emily stared at the blonde, searching for any clue that she was kidding. 

"Yeah. I love stuff like this." JJ nodded. "The flexible seating was a passion project. The book chandelier was for my place, but it fits better in here. I thrift everything . Even the paper stuff from the bulletin boards is reused. It's called Better than Paper, and you can use it a million times. The computer science teacher, Penelope Garcia, and I share materials. I didn't buy anything this year, other than old books that were falling apart for the blackout poetry board."

"I didn't know people really did this stuff." Emily shook her head lightly. 

"They don't." JJ chuckled. "I just didn't have any more space in my apartment."

"Insane. You're amazing." Emily finally looked back at her coworker, flushing at the smug grin on the blonde's lips.

"In more ways than one, Prentiss." She teased, collecting an oversized purse from the chair behind her desk. "I'm on my way out, too. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Will I see you?"

"Probably." Emily nodded. "I'll, um, see you then."

"See you."

Emily unlocked the door to her classroom, holding her cup of coffee between her forearm and chest, a huge reusable water bottle in her hand, two books tucked under her other arm as she awkwardly angled her body to maneuver the key into the lock. Her sunglasses threatened to fall off her head, her work bag dangerously close to sliding down her arm. She refused to make a second trip up the stairs, and she was struggling to pay for her lazy decision. 

"Need a hand?" JJ's voice appeared behind her, and Emily's coffee tumbler clattered to the ground. Her books went next, then her sunglasses, and suddenly, Emily was only holding a water bottle. "I'm so sorry! I did it again."

"Don't worry about it." Emily laughed as she crouched to gather the papers that had been tucked into the books strewn across the laminate floor. 

"No, I should come with an alarm or something." JJ sighed, stacking Emily's books and hauling the messenger bag over her shoulder. 

"I think an alarm would be worse than your voice." Emily grinned, sliding her sunglasses into her purse. "It's fine, really. Thank you."

"You're too nice, you know that?" JJ stood, holding out a hand to help the brunette off the ground. 

"Oh, just wait until the kids come back. They'll disagree." Emily located the key to her classroom again. "But I'm glad you think so."

"You can't possibly be a mean teacher." JJ scoffed. "You're just a female teacher with rules."

"You forget, Jennifer. They're the same thing." Emily swung open the door, her shoulders slumping as she remembered just how messy she'd left the room the night before. "I'm stricter than I seem."

"That doesn't make you mean either." JJ frowned. "Where'd you teach last?"

"A private school in Connecticut." Emily grimaced. "If I ever decide to go back, kill me."

"You're not mean, you just taught a bunch of rich kids." JJ sat on Emily's desk, swinging her legs as the brunette moved through the room. "You'll be fine."

"You say that now." Emily fished the staples and tape JJ had given her out of her bag. "I love teaching. I'm good at it. I like kids, and I love my subject. I just don't know if they like me back."

"Emily Prentiss, if these kids call you a bitch behind your back, I will be concerned for their health." JJ insisted. "I can guarantee you, you won't be the mean teacher here. We've already got someone in that spot, and if you can beat her, I'll sell all of the furniture in my classroom and give you the profit."

"Thanks." Emily smiled, opening the box that sat on the desk furthest from hers. "How much more decorating can you possibly do in that showroom?"

"None. I finished thirty minutes ago. I wanted to see if you needed help." JJ shrugged. "Four hands work faster than two."

"Oh." Emily paused, a French flag in her hands. "You don't have to."

"I know," JJ replied easily. "I want to, though."

"You want to help me unpack?" Emily raised an eyebrow. "Did you get hit in the head?"

"Emily, you're nice. You're funny." JJ rolled her eyes teasingly. "I want to hang out with you. I like decorating classrooms. Honestly, I don't see any downsides here."

"If you're sure." Emily sighed. "That would be great."

"Yes!" JJ hopped off the desk. "Tell me what to do."

"Well, I have binder clips and thumbtacks on my desk. Will you help me hang these?" Emily smiled.

"Binder clips? Why binder clips?" JJ asked, collecting the boxes. 

"It's disrespectful to damage a country's flag. Piercing it, even with a thumbtack, is damage," Emily answered, holding up the fabric to find a proper place for it. "My mother's a diplomat, so I guess it was drilled into me. You respect the flag. It's a representation of someone's country."

"Yeah, you're not a mean teacher." JJ shook her head. "I don't think most people think about that."

"They should," Emily replied simply. "You know you're not supposed to damage the American flag. You hang it at the front of the room, and you don't let it touch the ground. Why wouldn't you treat other countries' flags the same?"

"Because most people don't care about the American flag either, sweetheart." JJ chuckled. "You're cute when you're all respectful."

"Shut up." Emily grinned despite herself, securing binder clips to the corners of the French flag. 

"You'll learn soon." JJ teased. "I don't do that."

The pair sat in JJ's classroom, snacking on the stash of Cheetos JJ kept hidden in the bottom drawer of her desk. JJ spoke animatedly about the couch they currently inhabited, pointing out mistakes in the refurbishing Emily never would've seen. Her loose, white tee hung off one shoulder, a pale blue sports bra peeking out from underneath it. Emily let her eyes wander the room instead of JJ's body, and they caught on a small, pink, purple, and blue flag in a mug among a hundred pens. 

"You have a pride flag in your classroom?" Emily asked, the words escaping her before they processed in her mind.

"Yeah. Why?" JJ's head tilted slightly to one side like a puppy's. 

"Maybe it's the private school career talking, but I could never. It could've gotten me fired." Emily mused. 

"That's illegal, Emily." JJ narrowed her eyes. "Why would they do that?"

"They couldn't fire me for being gay, but they'd have found a reason." Emily met bright blue eyes sparkling with rage. "What?"

"That's awful." JJ shook her head. "No union, huh?"

"Are you kidding? That'd get you fired even faster." Emily scoffed. "No union."

"Yeah, they could try that here, but it wouldn't go down well." JJ leaned back into the couch, holding her fingers, stained orange from cheese dust, away from her shirt. "And if the kids liked you? They're looking at lawsuits and media coverage. It's not worth it."

"Have I told you I love this place? I love this place." Emily smiled. "School hasn't even started, and I love this place."

"Well, we've only got a week now." JJ sighed heavily. "Are you ready for your first round of public school freshmen?"

"No." Emily laughed, taking her book from the coffee table in front of them. "My lesson plans almost are, though."

"Are you going to make them pick out French or Spanish names?" JJ laughed. 

"God, no." Emily scrunched up her nose. "That's just weird. They have names. Some of them are French or Spanish already."

"Do you pronounce them with an accent?" 

"Depends on the name, depends on the kid." Emily nodded. "If their name's supposed to have an accent, like Maria or Guadalupe, I'll use it. If they ask me not to, I won't. Your name doesn't change if you visit another country. People might not be able to pronounce it the 'American way,' but your name is your name."

"I love having a cultured foreign language teacher." JJ giggled. 

"You're a dork." Emily nudged JJ's foot with her own, laughing right along with her. 

Chapter Text

Emily gripped the strap of her bag tightly as she stepped into the teacher's lounge, a low hum of conversation surrounding her. JJ had agreed to meet her here on the first day of school and introduce her to more of their coworkers. Students were already wandering the halls, staring at Emily as she passed, and she did her best to look like she belonged. Her heels clicking through the hallway drew more attention than she'd expected, and she could feel eyes on her until she finally shut the door.

"Emily!" JJ called, standing beside the coffee maker with a blonde woman in a dark green plaid overall dress, gold buttons running up the front, with a plain shirt of the same color under it. Emily smiled, her shoulders loosening as she crossed the room. 

"Wow, you clean up nice." Emily teased. Until now, she'd only seen JJ in workout wear and oversized tees, but today, she wore a white dress with tiny blue flowers scattered across it, a square neckline, and puffy sleeves. Her pale blue shoes matched the color in the pattern exactly, and her hair was pulled into a half-up ponytail, wavy as it flowed down her back. 

"So do you." JJ chuckled. Emily's usual jeans and plain tee were replaced with a white button-down underneath a black vest with white pinstripes and a matching pair of slacks, a belt with a silver buckle threaded through the loops. 

"You didn't tell me she was smoking hot!" The blonde beside JJ insisted, smacking her arm playfully. "I would've pushed the dress code limit a little."

"Penelope Garcia, meet Emily Prentiss." JJ motioned to the brunette with one hand, the other holding a half-full mug that read "YOU'RE*" in bolded Times New Roman. 

"I've heard so much about you!" Penelope shook Emily's hand enthusiastically. "I'm so glad you ended up neighboring with JJ. We needed another girl."

"She's talking about our friend group," JJ explained. "We hang out after work sometimes. Hotch is there, but I don't think Spence or Dave are here yet." 

Emily followed JJ's pointed finger to a man in a white button-down and a pair of black slacks, with a red tie around his neck. He sat beside a woman, neither of them speaking as they drank their coffee. 

"He's less foreboding outside of school hours," Penelope added. 

"Good to know." Emily laughed. 

"Actually, Dave and Spence are probably in their classrooms. The first bell is going to ring soon." JJ frowned at her phone before she pocketed it. "We'll see you later, Pen."

"That's so lame." Penelope sighed. "See you at lunch!"

Emily followed JJ out and through the halls, moments away from asking why they hadn't turned down the hallway to the stairs, when she saw the elevator. 

"You never told me about this!" She exclaimed, her mouth wide as JJ turned a key to turn it on. 

"You're cute when you're out of breath." JJ teased, stepping through the now-open doors. "It's my first-day-of-school gift."

"Jennifer Jareau, you're evil." Emily followed the blonde, leaning against the cool metal wall. "I hope you know that."

"I showed you now, didn't I?" JJ giggled. "I could've held out for months."

"Evil," Emily repeated. 

"You love it." JJ settled right beside Emily, their arms touching as they climbed. "The key to the teacher's lounge runs it. Happy first day of school."

"I hate you." Emily's frown lasted for all of a second, a smile creeping across her lips at the sound of JJ's laughter. 

"Sure you do, Prentiss." The elevator doors slid open, and JJ stepped out. 

"Be quiet. You're a heathen." Emily rolled her eyes without a shred of malice. 

"And proud of it." JJ stopped in front of her classroom. "I'll see you at break."

"If I let you in." Emily unlocked her door, allowing a few early students into the room. "Menace."

As if it had been summoned, the first bell echoed through the halls, and JJ burst out laughing. 

Emily loved this school.

"Alright, make sure to get your syllabus signed before Friday!" Emily announced as the room filled with the sounds of kids gathering backpacks and clambering out of their desks to head off to break. "Have a good day."

A few 'Bye, Ms. Prentiss's were called over shoulders as the students filtered out into the halls. The door clicked shut, and Emily leaned against her desk, exhaling a steady stream of tension. There wasn't much time during morning break, only fifteen minutes between the first set of two classes and the second. 

"Knock, knock." JJ stepped into the deserted classroom, holding a small container of blueberries. "I've already heard some good things about you, Prentiss."

"How could you possibly have heard about me before we even started break?" Emly laughed.

"A few of the kids in your first period are in my second." JJ held out the Tupperware, offering Emily a bit of her snack. "I've heard a lot about the 'hot French teacher'."

"Oh, god." Emily grimaced. "Already?"

"Oh, yeah. You've got stellar reviews." JJ chuckled. 

"I'd rather go back to being the bitchy teacher." Emily sighed, taking a blueberry. 

"Unfortunately, that won't change the 'hot teacher' title." JJ shook her head. "Makes it worse."

"Gross, Jennifer." Emily wrinkled her nose at her coworker.

"Welcome to high school, sweetheart." JJ shrugged. "You are hot, and you teach teenagers."

"So are you, and I haven't heard anything about you." Emily frowned.

"You will. We shut it down when we hear it, we ignore it, and we move on. You can't change how they perceive you." JJ waved a hand dismissively. 

"I guess not." Emily relented, checking the schedule she had written on her whiteboard. "How's your morning so far?"

"I think my second period is going to be a handful, but I can handle it. You?" JJ asked, perching atop the brunette's desk. 

"How long has it been since I told you I love this place?" Emily joked, locating the pile of syllabi for her Spanish class. "Because I love this place."

"I think you made it a whole twenty-four hours this time." JJ grinned. "I'm glad you like it here. I like having you here."

"You're stuck with me, Jareau." Emily teased. 

"Good. I like it that way." JJ hummed, popping another blueberry into her mouth.

Emily followed JJ into the parking lot obediently, past the students who were watching them leave together and whispering, past the principal, who frowned at JJ as they passed, and through the back doors, late summer sunlight warming their skin. 

"Yes! You brought her!" Penelope cheered. 

She stood among a group of four men. One, whom Emily recognized as Hotch, laughed, a smile softening the sharp seriousness she'd seen earlier. An older man with a goatee smiled beside him, obviously proud of whatever joke he'd just told to make Hotch laugh. A bald, muscular Black guy in a pair of black athletic shorts and a maroon tee had his hands in his pockets as he studied Emily. The man to Penelope's left looked more like a student than a teacher, tall and skinny with light brown hair that flopped into his eyes. He wore jeans and a white button-down shirt with a gray sweater vest over it.

"I told you I would." JJ looped her arm in Emily's, a smile on her lips. "Emily Prentiss, this is Aaron Hotchner - we all call him Hotch. He teaches government. Derek Morgan is a PE teacher, but he coaches the football team, too. Dr. Spencer Reid teaches chemistry, and David Rossi teaches Italian." JJ motioned to each person as she introduced them, the older men shaking Emily's hand while the younger one waved awkwardly. "Emily's our new French and Spanish teacher. Dave, you're going to love her."

"I, um, I speak Italian, too." Emily smiled. 

"You're a polyglot?" The younger man, Spencer, asked. "That's impressive. Did you know it's estimated that more than half of the world is bilingual or higher, and that only thirteen percent speak three or more languages? Polyglots account for only three percent of the population."

"I actually did." Emily nodded. "I speak seven languages. English, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Russian, but my Russian is a little rough."

"She's smart and gorgeous?" Penelope placed a hand over her heart. "I might just fall in love with you."

"Back off my work wife." JJ teased. "You have Morgan."

"C'mon, babygirl, you know I don't share." Derek joked, draping an arm over Penelope's shoulders. 

"Boo, you're boring." Penelope giggled. "Come on, we've got to get going if we want to make it back before lunch is over."

"Where are we going?" Emily murmured, turning to JJ as the group departed.

"There's a taco truck down the street." JJ led Emily out of the parking lot, arm still looped around the brunette's. "It's a first day of school tradition. We go there every year."

"And I'm invited to your yearly tradition?" Emily felt her cheeks flush as JJ's body pressed against hers. 

"You're one of us now, sweetheart. You have a standing invitation to all group hangouts." JJ confirmed. "This was a proposal, by the way. Will you work marry me, Emily Prentiss?"

"You're ridiculous." Emily laughed, shaking her head.

"That's not a no." JJ sing-songed. 

"It's not a no, Jennifer." Emily smiled. "What does being your work wife entail?"

"We visit each other during passing periods, eat lunch together, help each other with lesson plans. I'll be your ride-or-die, baby." JJ bumped her hip against Emily's. "We're already work wives. I'm just making it official."

"Sure, Jareau." Emily's body warmed from the inside out. "I'll work marry you."

"Pen, she said yes!" JJ shouted. 

Emily blushed as their coworker squealed, hurrying to the back of the group to match their slower pace. Penelope spoke more quickly than Emily could comprehend, still too focused on being called JJ's wife in any context. The men paused to wait for them, and as her fellow teachers chatted, Emily's mind zeroed in on the way JJ's hand rested on her bicep, her melodic laugh right ringing through Emily's ears. Following this conversation seemed pointless when she could watch the way JJ's face lit up at the sight of the taco truck.

"C'mon, I'm buying." JJ tugged Emily forward, happily greeting the man working in the window. "What do you want?"

"Jennifer, you don't have to do that." Emily allowed herself to be led anyway. 

"Order, or I'll order for you, Prentiss." JJ insisted, already fishing her wallet out of her purse. Emily obeyed, sighing as she greeted the cashier in Spanish. JJ followed with her best attempt at proper pronunciation, and while Emily normally would have cringed at that awful of an accent, with JJ, she chuckled, covering her mouth when that earned her a sharp glare. "Not everyone is a diplomat's daughter, Emily."

"I'm not making fun of you." Emily held her free hand up in mock surrender. "You're cute."

"Yeah, yeah." JJ rolled her eyes dramatically, opening her phone's camera. "We need a picture of your first annual taco party."

"Yes, selfie!" Penelope agreed. "Everyone in. You, too, Doctor."

Emily pressed closer to JJ, smiling into a camera as it captured their group of seven. Derek grinned with his arm around a beaming Penelope, while Spencer held up a peace sign. The older men on either side of him smiled stiffly, awkwardly shoved into a selfie with their younger friends and coworkers.

Emily sat beside JJ at the plastic fold-out table in front of the truck, her thigh pressed against the blonde's as they ate, chatting idly about first-day jitters, returning students, and the celebratory bar hangout, which was apparently also a tradition, on Friday. They asked her questions, including her casually in their conversation, and Emily wondered if this is what having friends felt like: comfortable, warm, and safe.

Everyone grumbled as the end of lunch period approached, gathering up greasy napkins and empty paper plates as they prepared to return to work. JJ looped her arm in Emily's again, and they walked back together, stomachs full and nerves settled.

"Hey, I have a question for you." Emily poked her head through the doorway of JJ's classroom, finding the blonde sprawled out on a couch in the library corner, laptop in her lap and a bag of chips at her side. "Actually, two questions."

"I probably have two answers for you." JJ dusted off her hands, setting aside her computer and sitting upright, patting the seat beside her. "Join me."

"It's about the grading system. I don't know how to change the total points. It looks like it defaults to ten, but I need it to be five." Emily opened her laptop as she crossed the room. 

"Oh, easy. Click here, then 'adjust', and enter your new total." JJ demonstrated, typing a number into the box she'd pulled up. "Out of ten. You're grading on the first day?"

"No, just figuring out how it works." Emily shrugged. "I'll have to know how it works by the end of the week. I should probably know how it works already, but I assumed it'd be the same as the one we used at my last school."

"Fair enough." JJ nodded, offering Emily the bag of chips. "Second question?"

"Do you have a grocery store in here?" Emily laughed, taking the offered snack. "Where do you get all of this?"

"Chips are in the back of my bottom desk drawer. I have granola bars in my filing cabinet, and fruit in my lunchbox." JJ smiled. 

"You have a whole stash," Emily noted. "Good to know."

"I've got secret stashes of all kinds of things, Prentiss." JJ held up a chip. "This is the tip of the iceberg."

"I have no doubt." Emily chuckled. "What are you working on?"

"I'm giving them a short writing assignment tomorrow." JJ turned her screen toward Emily, opened to a PowerPoint. Every slide was a different prompt, decorated in a different theme. This one had seashells littered across it, and JJ clicked on the text box. "We do one every day at the beginning of the period. They write as much as they can for ten minutes before we start instruction."

"Do you actually read it?" Emily asked.

"Not really. I don't really care if they follow the prompt. I just want them to write something." JJ shrugged. "It's there for the kids that don't know what to write, but I've had a few creative writers who just work on their current projects. I always read theirs if they let me. I've been promised signed copies by a few of them."

"Have you gotten one yet?"

"One. I have one." JJ held up a finger as she stood, rushing to her desk. "This is one of my most prized possessions. I show it off at every opportunity. There are a few copies in my library, but this one's mine."

JJ turned to the dedication page, where a signature was written just underneath the words 'To the ones who believed in me before I did.'

"I taught a published author." JJ's smile was soft. "And the book is really good. I'm proud of her. She was a smart kid, but she didn't apply herself. She got written off a lot, but in those ten minutes, she wrote like she'd never see a pencil again. She showed me an early version of the first page, and I knew I'd have one of these someday."

"You're a good teacher." Emily watched as JJ's smile grew, a flush covering her cheeks. 

"Why do you say that?" JJ chuckled, setting the book on the couch beside her. 

"You care. Not about their grades or their success, but about them. I can tell." Emily rested her hand on JJ's thigh. "They can, too."

"You're a sap." JJ waved a hand dismissively, picking her computer up and placing it in her lap. 

"You work married me, Jareau. You're stuck with me." Emily teased, picking her own laptop back up. "Can I stay in here with you?"

"Always, Prentiss." 

They settled in, the quiet sound of typing filling the room as they worked.

Chapter Text

Emily took another bite of her sandwich, red pen in her right hand as she corrected the worksheet she'd assigned to her French class. The student had drawn a line from the word ' lit ' to the picture of a book instead of the bed, and she marked it incorrect, scribbling the correct word beside the image. At least they'd only confused lit and livre , so they only had two wrong answers, Emily supposed as she set it in the pile of graded papers. 

Her phone buzzed before she could follow the first line the student had drawn from word to picture, and she picked it up, grateful for an excuse to stop staring at homework.

Penelope Garcia (Work): What time are we meeting on Friday????? And where?????

Aaron Hotchner (Work): We usually go to McKeene's.

Derek Morgan (Work): Idk what time, but yeah, McKeene's

Penelope Garcia (Work): JJ?? We need your planning expertise.

Me: She's in her classroom. Hold on, I'll ask her.

Emily smiled as she stood from her desk, having been delivered a valid reason to knock on JJ's door. She'd been debating it minutes ago, but hadn't been interested in inventing a convincing explanation for the visit. She abandoned her half-eaten sandwich and crossed the hallway, opening the door to JJ's classroom. 

"Hey, Jennifer, have you-" Emily looked up from her phone to find a small group of students gathered on the floor in the center of the room, all turned toward her. "I mean… Miss Jareau. Check your phone."

"Okay. Come sit." JJ chuckled, shaking her head. "They know I have a first name, Prentiss."

"Knowing about it and hearing it are two different things." Emily flushed as she dropped into a chair beside JJ's desk. 

"They call me JJ. Miss Jareau isn't necessary, Prentiss." JJ smiled as she opened the group chat and typed out a reply. "You're fine."

Jennifer: Eight at McKeene's, just like every other year?

Penelope Garcia (Work): Perfect! 

"Why are there students in your classroom during lunch?" Emily asked, settling in with a sigh. 

"It's comfortable in here." JJ shrugged. "They're quiet."

"You don't take a break?" Emily frowned, stealing a Cheeto from the bag on JJ's desk.

"You literally have red ink on your hand. You were grading in there." JJ rolled her eyes teasingly. "I am taking a break. I'm eating and I'm not working. They're just sitting."

"Fair enough." Emily's smile widened as JJ tilted the bag toward her, a silent offer to share. "Did you solve the planning crisis?"

"I always do." JJ giggled. "Are you getting the visit you needed?"

"Who said I needed a visit?" Emily tilted her head, furrowing her brow. 

"'I'll ask her'? You know I would've replied eventually. You missed me." JJ teased. "You don't need an excuse to come see me."

"But I have one anyway." Emily melted, her shoulders slumping as JJ's warm presence enveloped her. "And maybe I missed you a little bit."

"You're cute." JJ grinned, curling up in her seat, tucking her legs underneath herself. "I missed you, too."

Emily expected her lunch period in JJ's classroom to be a one-time thing, a single afternoon spent at the blonde's desk, a comfortable half-hour in each other's presence. The next day, Emily sifted through her pile of graded papers, locating the Spanish assignment she needed to enter into the gradebook. Her usual turkey sandwich sat on her desk, still wrapped, as she busied herself with the work she was already ahead of. This worksheet didn't need to be entered until the next day, but she opened the gradebook on her computer anyway. 

"Emily, come sit with me." JJ poked her head through the door of the classroom, a gentle smile on her lips. "The kids thought it was cool that you hung out with us yesterday."

"They didn't even talk to me." Emily laughed, picking up her lunch as she stood to follow the blonde.

"You're just that cool, sweetheart." JJ winked, holding the door open for Emily.

"You're such a dork." Emily shook her head, ducking into JJ's empty classroom.

"You love it." JJ plopped onto the couch, leaning her back against the armrest. "You were working through lunch again."

"Not much. Just a little." Emily shrugged. "The assignment is graded. I was just entering it into the gradebook."

"That's work. Lunches are for eating and hanging out with your work wife." JJ insisted. "I'll drag you in here every day if I have to."

"You can't leave students alone in your room," Emily argued. "You can't babysit all of us at the same time."

"Watch me." JJ narrowed her eyes at the brunette. "I'll find a way."

"That, I believe." Emily chuckled lowly, unwrapping her sandwich and offering half of it to her coworker. 

"You'd better." JJ nodded, taking the food happily. "You want some apples?"

"Sure." Emily agreed, leaning into the sofa. 

JJ opened a cabinet behind her desk and retrieved a pale pink lunchbox that matched the plaid sweater vest she wore over an oversized white button-up. JJ always managed to keep the perfect balance between fun and professionalism, with her clothes, her attitude, her everything. Her patchwork jeans looked like a paint spill, white, then baby pink, then blush sewn together in flowing curves. Her white sneakers were scuffed and dirty, worn-in and loved. 

The door swung open, and a pair of students walked in, immediately registering Emily's presence.

"Miss Prentiss!" One of them smiled widely, taking a seat on the cushion beside the coffee table in front of the couch. "We didn't think you'd come back. I mean, JJ said you would, but still."

"JJ can be pretty convincing." Emily chuckled, the name feeling more foreign than any language she spoke. 

"You've literally never called me that." JJ cringed, her nose scrunching up adorably. 

"I guess I haven't." Emily shrugged. She was used to Miss Jareau, Jennifer, even Jen, but she'd never called her coworker JJ . It felt more intimate, somehow, even if it was the name everyone else used for her. "I don't know why."

"Don't." JJ handed Emily a sandwich bag of sliced apples. "You call me Jennifer."

"Now?" Emily felt the blush covering her cheeks, and she hated that there were children who could see her shy away from JJ's affection.

"Always." JJ nodded firmly. "Don't worry, I won't tell them what I call you ." The unspoken 'sweetheart' hung in the air between them, and Emily might die. "Miss No-first-names."

Right. Emily. JJ called her Emily, of course. 

"We know your first names." One of the girls piped up. "They're on your school emails."

"That's true." Emily took a bite of an apple slice, swallowing down her childish crush along with it. 

"Miss Prentiss is a little more formal." JJ shrugged. "She's the only person who calls me Jennifer. If either of you tries it, I'll make you run suicides at practice." 

"Practice?" Emily asked, taking a slice from JJ's bag now that her apples were gone. 

"Soccer. I coach the girls' team." JJ answered. "I should make you come to the games."

"Oh my god, will you?" The other girl gasped, sitting up straighter. "That'd be really cool. You've lived in like, Spain and Italy, right? Soccer is huge there."

"I did, and it is." Emily chuckled. "We'll see."

"Oh, you're coming." JJ grinned, turning to the students. "She's coming."

"Yes!" The girls cheered, and Emily couldn't help but laugh, accepting her fate.

Lunches in JJ's classroom became a daily occurance, Emily being retrieved from her classroom, always with an assignment in front of her to grade or enter into the gradebook, and a frown on her lips until JJ's bright voice pulled her away from the work she didn't need to be doing on her unpaid break. She stopped expecting to finish anything before the blonde appeared, all smiles and warm invitation as she summoned Emily into the room across the hall. The visit was inevitable, and Emily looked forward to it.

Today, she didn't wait for her coworker to scold her for attempting to spend her lunch period working. She took her brown paper bag into JJ's classroom the moment the last student filtered out and crossed the hall, opening the door without knocking. They'd long since moved past that formality.

"I didn't even have to come get you!" JJ gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "You came all on your own!"

"I came for the food." Emily rolled her eyes jokingly. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Oh, but I am. You're in my classroom at lunch, completely unprompted. I've finally won you over." JJ giggled. 

"You won me over before the school year started, Jennifer." Emily took her usual spot on the couch, placing one sandwich on the cushion beside her and unwrapping another. "Are Hannah and Sierra coming?"

"Every day, without fail." JJ nodded. "I think they're bringing Riley today, too. Why? Is our lunchtime routine special now? Do you love it?"

"I could just go back to my own room and eat both of these on my own." Emily held up the extra sandwich she'd specifically packed for JJ. "You'll have an extra person to replace me."

"Don't make me revoke snack privileges, Emily." JJ pointed a finger at her friend, an eyebrow raised. "I'll do it."

"You won't. You'd just follow me." Emily smirked. "Our lunchtime routine is special to you."

"I have no problem admitting it." JJ settled in beside Emily. "You make good sandwiches."

"Thank you, I try," Emily chuckled. 

"Of course, sweetheart." 

Two weeks into the school year, the group of students who spent their lunch with Emily and JJ had grown to four. Hannah and Sierra had invited their friend Riley, and Kyle joined them a few days later. The kids talked amongst themselves, immersed in conversations about how Katie liked Liam and why Finn and John were fighting. Emily and JJ half-listened while they ate, sitting on the couch in comfortable silence as they shared food - Emily's sandwiches and JJ's fruit. There was a steady comfort to this, their wordless communication as Emily took from JJ's container and JJ took from Emily's. 

"We should decorate your classroom." JJ had decided on the third Tuesday of the year. "I've run out of things to do in here. I need an outlet, Prentiss."

"That outlet just so happens to be my classroom, huh?" Emily hummed. "The one you've called boring a million times."

"One, it is boring. You have a globe, two flags, and labels on everything. That's not decoration." JJ held up a piece of cut-up strawberry like it was damning evidence. "Two, I've decorated everyone else's room that'll let me. Hotch let me put up vintage political posters, Morgan let me hang his awards and put his trophies in a case, Rossi let me hang a single flag, Reid's classroom overhaul was years ago, but he won't let me do it again, and Garcia's room has more going on than mine does. You're the last one."

"What are you going to do?" Emily sighed. "It can't be…"

"It won't be like mine." JJ finished for her. "I know it's not your style."

"I do like it." Emily bit the inside of her lip. "It's beautiful. It's very you."

"Thank you." JJ smiled, pulling out her phone. "I was thinking some more simple touches. Just a little bit of flair." 

Emily laughed at the Pinterest board JJ had already made. "You've already decided you're doing this, haven't you?"

"C'mon, please?" JJ giggled, pointing to a picture with a framed map on a wall. "We could put pins in all of the places you've lived. It'd be cool."

"Jennifer…" Emily trailed off, finding a photo of a grandfather wall clock. "This is too nice for my apartment ."

"I'm not going to put one of those in your classroom," JJ promised. "It's in there for the style. Nothing in there is exact either. I go to garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. There's no guarantee I can even find anything on there."

"You can do it-" Emily began.

"Yes!" JJ gasped, grabbing her phone and searching for local garage sales.

"On one condition." She finished, holding up a finger. "You don't spend a dime. I pay for everything."

"Emily," JJ groaned, separating every syllable of the other woman's name. "I'm the one who decided your classroom needed a makeover."

"It's my classroom, Jennifer." Emily shook her head. "You are aware of what my mother does for a living, aren't you?"

"So what?" JJ scoffed. "I want to do it, I pay for it."

"I will lock you out of my classroom for the rest of your life, Jennifer Jareau. No way." Emily insisted. "That's the condition. You have free rein as long as none of it comes out of your pocket."

"Are you going to come thrifting with me?" JJ arched a brow.

"Are you going to stop arguing if I say yes?" Emily fired back. "Because I have no problem following you around a garage sale as long as you promise to behave when I pull out my wallet."

"As long as I do all of the talking, you've got a deal." JJ held out her hand, and Emily shook it with a smile.

"Deal."

Emily hadn't anticipated JJ's thrifting outfit being her cause of death, but it just might be. Her jean shorts had daisies embroidered in the back pocket, and they were short, ending just below her ass, leaving long, muscular legs on display. Her cropped black racerback tank left a flat plane of stomach showing, and the sage green of her oversized short-sleeved button-up she let hang off her shoulder only made the skin of her arms look more tan, glowing in the late summer sun. If Emily didn't know any better, she might think this was an assassination attempt. 

She stood outside the door of her apartment complex, frozen in place as she stared at the blonde, leaning against her car. How was she supposed to look at things to decorate her classroom when JJ looked like that?

"Emily, come on!" JJ laughed, waving the brunette over. "We're losing daylight. You can check me out when we get there."

"I wasn't-I don't-" Emily stammered, rushing to the blonde with a redness to her cheeks that she was most certainly going to blame on the heat. "You look good."

"Thank you, sweetheart." JJ chuckled, opening the door for Emily. "You do, too, as always."

Emily rolled her eyes. Her old, oversized band tee and jean shorts were nowhere near flattering. She'd dressed lazily in preparation for a day spent in the heat. 

"Don't do that. You're gorgeous." JJ insisted. "I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true."

"You would." Emily buckled her seatbelt as she awkwardly avoided eye contact. 

"I wouldn't." JJ started the car, leaning back as she studied the other woman. "Em."

"It's fine, Jennifer." Emily sighed. "We're redecorating a classroom, not rebuilding my self-esteem."

"Emily, you've got to be kidding me." JJ took the brunette's hand. "You do know I think you're beautiful, right?"

"If I say yes, are we done talking about this?" Emily stared at their interlaced fingers, JJ's calloused hand holding hers. 

"Fine, okay." JJ frowned. "I do think you're beautiful, though. Just for the record."

"Thanks." Emily pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying at a scabbed-over bit of skin.

"Don't do that." JJ brushed her thumb over Emily's lips, her finger lingering just a moment longer than it needed to. "Don't hurt yourself."

"Sorry," Emily mumbled, a well-enforced habit. 

"You have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart," JJ spoke like every word was a prayer, begging for Emily to believe her. "Let's go shopping, yeah?"

"Let's go." Emily breathed out the words, something in her stomach dropping when JJ pulled her hand away to shift the car into gear, and leaping again when JJ tangled their fingers together once they were on the road.

JJ studied a vintage-looking wall clock, the numbers written in Roman numerals. The mechanisms seemed to work, and it read the correct time. She watched it tick away the seconds, smiling to herself when the minute hand moved. 

"What do you think of this?" She asked, placing a hand on Emily's shoulder. It was set in wood, simple, elegant, and perfectly Emily. 

"I really like that. Does it work?" Emily asked, hovering close to the blonde as she watched the second hand move. 

"The time is right and it's ticking, so I'm pretty sure it does." JJ nodded, carefully lifting it from the plastic fold-out table it rested upon. "Do you want it?"

"I trust your eye, my interior designer." Emily grinned. 

"Now who's a dork?" JJ teased, tucking the clock under her arm gently. "How free is free rein?"

"Go crazy." Emily chuckled. "I'm going to look at the books."

"Ooh, let me know if you find anything." JJ's eyes lit up at the mention of the box of novels at the end of the table. 

"I will. Have fun." Emily stepped back, watching as JJ returned to scouring the items.

JJ haggled the price of the clock from twenty dollars to five, and Emily handed over the bill with wide eyes as the blonde twirled her hair innocently at the man running the garage sale. All JJ had to do was bat her eyelashes, and the price was quartered. 

"Pleasure doing business." JJ tangled her fingers with Emily's as soon as the money was exchanged. "C'mon, sweetheart."

The man balked as the two walked away hand-in-hand, JJ giggling the whole way to the car. She tucked the new-old clock into the trunk before climbing into the driver's seat, dissolving into another fit of laughter at the look on Emily's face. 

"You're insane, woman." Emily shook her head. 

"The price on the sticker says ten. He tried to double it because I'm a pretty, blonde woman." JJ patted Emily's thigh. "So I halved it because I'm smarter than I look. I'd have taken it for ten, but he tried to pull one over on us."

"I've never seen a man so shocked and emasculated." Emily stared at JJ with wide eyes. 

"Give me an hour." JJ winked, pulling away from the curb.

They hit two more garage sales, two thrift stores, and a flea market before they returned to Emily's apartment, JJ's trunk and backseat littered with an eclectic array of items that she swore would go well together once they were up on walls and set up properly. 

"Do you want to come in? I'll cook you dinner as a thank you." Emily offered, turning toward JJ as they sat in the parking lot.

"Sweetheart, you paid for everything. What are you thanking me for?" JJ asked. 

"Finding it. Driving me. Redecorating my classroom." Emily listed off. "Take your pick. Come in."

"I'd love to, but my mom's coming into town tonight." JJ scrunched up her nose. "I've got to wash the antique off of myself before she gets in."

"Ah. Right, you did mention that." Emily nodded. "Maybe another time?"

"Definitely another time," JJ agreed, leaning across the center console to press a kiss to Emily's cheek. "I'll see you on Monday."

"Monday." Emily smiled, her cheeks heating up. "Thank you, Jennifer."

"Anytime, Em."

Chapter Text

After two more weekend thrifting trips and a coffee-and-donut-fueled Saturday, Emily's classroom was finished. A new map hung beside her new, vintage desk with red pushpins in every place she'd lived, like JJ had suggested. Europe and the Middle East were littered with red spehres in capital cities and the French Alps, notably the only place she'd lived that wasn't a bustling metropolis. Even back in the states, the East Coast only had pins in DC, New York City, and Baltimore. JJ had offered a different color to identify the places Emily had visited, but there were too many to count, and Emily didn't think the map would be visible underneath the sea of pale blue. 

The clock was above the center of the whiteboard in the center of the Spanish alphabet. Framed quotes in Latin, French, Greek, and Spanish littered the walls, Descartes, Proust, Sappho, and Cervantes all written in loopy cursive. The new bookshelf held copies of classic novels in each language she taught, along with their translations. 

Every touch felt distinctly Emily, even though JJ had picked out most everything. They sat together, admiring their (JJ's) work, chairs pulled up to either side of a student's desk with tacos from the truck down the street and glass bottles of Coke between them. 

"See? It's so much comfier now." JJ nudged Emily's calf with her scuffed white sneaker. 

"I love it, Jennifer." Emily smiled, the quiet music playing in the background softening the atmosphere, a gentle warmth filling the air. "Thank you."

"You paid for everything." JJ dismissed her easily, shaking her head. "I was just free entertainment."

"Seriously, Jen, I couldn't have done this on my own." Emily insisted. "You, on the other hand, did most of this on your own. You're the best."

"I really am, aren't I?" JJ smirked, leaning back in her seat. 

"Oh, don't let it go to your head." Emily rolled her eyes, a grin on her lips. 

"Too late."

"Wow, it looks different in here." One of Emily's first-period students stopped in the doorway. "What happened?"

"Miss Jareau happened." Emily chuckled, leaning against her desk. "Is that good or bad?"

"It's awesome," He replied, slinging the strap of his backpack over the back of his chair. "Why'd JJ redo your classroom?"

"Have you ever tried saying no to that woman?" Emily arched a brow. The kid shook his head vehemently. "Exactly. She's a force of nature."

"True," He agreed, taking his seat.

Rumors spread through high schools like fire through the Library of Alexandria. By first break, half of the student body was whispering about the two teachers in the Languages building. 

"Did you hear? Miss Prentiss and JJ are dating!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. JJ redecorated Miss Prentiss's classroom, and they eat lunch together every day. One of my friends found an Instagram post, and they went on a date, like at a bar or something."

"No way!"

Emily sat beside JJ on the couch in the blonde's classroom in their usual lunchtime seating arrangement. JJ talked animatedly about some reality show she'd been binge-watching, laughing as she told Emily about a challenge they'd completed for some sort of in-game prize. Emily listened intently as she ate, taking grapes from a shared sandwich bag resting on the couch between them. 

Earlier and much more dramatically than usual, the four students who spent their lunches in JJ's classroom burst through the door with purpose.

"I can't believe we didn't know you were dating!" Hannah exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. 

"What?" JJ's eyes widened as Emily choked on her food. "What do you mean?"

"The entire school is talking about it!" Hannah plopped onto a pillow on the floor. "You two. Dating. Together."

"But we aren't!" Emily coughed, gladly accepting her water bottle as JJ handed it to her, a gentle hand rubbing circles on her back. "Who said we are?"

"I don't know where it started." Sierra piped up. "But I've heard it at least five times today. That JJ redecorated your room, and you guys always eat lunch together and visit each other on breaks. Someone said they saw you guys at a thrift store together."

"JJ redecorates everyone's room." Emily cleared her throat. "We hang out because we're friends. Outside of work, too."

"You call her Jennifer ," Riley argued.

"That's my name." JJ insisted. "We're not together."

"You call her sweetheart. There are quotes from Sappho in Miss Prentiss's room and a bi flag in yours. You're always together." Hannah counted off reasons on her fingers. "You're dating."

"No, honey, we're not." JJ sighed heavily. "I call everyone 'sweetheart' or 'honey'. I redecorate everyone's classroom. We met a month before school started, and we became friends . Nothing more."

"You're serious?" Kyle asked, eyes wide. "You're really not together."

"No, we're not. We're friends." Emily chewed the inside of her bottom lip. "And if we were , it wouldn't be any of your business because you are our students and we are at work. Keeping our personal lives personal is in the handbook."

"Seriously, where did this come from?" JJ took in a deep breath. 

"I don't know where it started," Riley repeated. "I just know it's all over the school. Everyone's talking about it."

"Okay." Emily huffed, burying her face in her hands. "Okay, alright. Okay. That's great." She scrubbed at her face, lifting her head. "Thank you for being honest. I have to go."

"E-" JJ cut herself off. "Prentiss, hold on."

"It's fine, I promise. I just have to check my email." Emily's shoulders slumped. "It's fine."

"Guys, you're not in trouble." JJ began, carefully sealing the sandwich bags on the cushion beside her. "But I need you guys to find somewhere else to eat today, just for today."

"Is this bad? Like, can you get in trouble for a bullshit rumor?" Kyle asked.

"One, language." JJ suppressed a grin at that. "Two, legally, no. It's not against the rules for two teachers to date, and similar rumors have spread about other teachers."

"Yeah, we know. Garcia and Morgan." Hannah nodded. "But Miss Garcia said that one's true."

"It is, yeah." JJ nodded. "They didn't get in trouble. It's fine."

That was only halfway true. Garcia and Morgan were in a straight relationship. She and Emily were both women. They couldn't get in trouble officially , but there were ways around write-ups and firings that they could face. The principal could work her way around a paper trail if she wanted to, and nothing was stopping her from digging for another reason to fire Emily.

"If you did, though, it'd be illegal, right?" Sierra asked. 

"Kind of. It's hard to explain, guys." JJ sighed. "I promise you, nothing bad will happen. Don't worry about us, okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, I didn't mean…" Hannah trailed off, staring down at the patterned rug. "I'm sorry."

"You got caught up in a rumor, and you got excited. I get it." JJ smiled softly. "You learned a valuable lesson today, and I'm glad it was in a safe space. We're not upset with you. We just have to figure out how to address this, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." Riley fidgeted, her voice quiet. "You know that it'll be different, right? I mean, Mr. Morgan's a man and Miss Garcia's a woman. I've heard of people being fired for being gay before."

"Trust me, sweetheart." JJ met her eye. "Nobody's getting fired."

"We'd start a protest," Hannah announced. "And write to the news and stuff. Post about it."

"Thank you, honey, but that's not going to happen. I grew up in a small town in rural Pennsylvania. I can handle a homophobic administrator." JJ insisted. "Go eat your lunch. Don't worry about us. That's not your job. Trust us to handle it, alright?"

They mumbled their agreements as they trudged out of the room, and JJ followed them, trying the door to Emily's classroom.

"Prentiss, let me in." She called, knocking on the polished wood. "Don't make me break in."

Emily opened the door, running a hand through her hair as she led JJ to her desk silently, turning her laptop toward the blonde. 

Miss Prentiss,

Please meet me in my office following dismissal. I have been made aware of an issue that requires immediate attention. Please ensure none of your students linger after the final bell, as I consider this an urgent matter. 

Sincerely,
Principal Erin Strauss

"Really?" JJ scoffed, crossing her arms as she leaned her hip against the desk. "Bullshit. Let me check mine." A matching email resided in JJ's inbox, the bolded letters of the unread message glaring at her. "Forward this to Hotch and then your reply. It might be nothing, but looping in our union rep can't hurt."

Emily nodded as she typed out her reply, biting at the already torn skin of her bottom lip. 

Principal Strauss,

I will be in your office as soon as I can, although I have not been made aware of any current issues regarding myself or my students. What is the purpose of this meeting? I might be able to propose solutions to this issue, which, considering its pertinence, may allow us to take action sooner rather than later.

Sincerely,
Emily Prentiss

Emily showed the message to her coworker before she sent it, steeling herself before she clicked the blue button, as if it would detonate a bomb. She knew this meeting would be the beginning of the end. Strauss would find a reason to fire her, and Emily would find a reason to be okay with it.

Miss Prentiss, 

I do not believe this topic is appropriate to discuss over email. I will inform you of the issue in my office immediately following dismissal.

Sincerely,
Principal Erin Strauss

"She's good." Emily shook her head. "She's not leaving a paper trail."

"Great." JJ deadpanned. "We'll document everything and loop Hotch in every step of the way. It'll be fine."

"Sure it will." Emily offered a tight smile. She loved this school, these kids, her classroom, her coworkers, and her new life, and she was going to lose it all over a stupid rumor. 

"Emily, no." JJ placed a gentle hand on the brunette's shoulder. "It's going to be fine."

"Jen, you're tenured. You're safe." Emily sighed, shutting her laptop and shoving it aside. "I'm not. They can fire me."

"Em, sweetheart." JJ frowned, her eyebrows stitched together as concern colored her features. "They won't. I won't let them."

"Jennifer, I appreciate the sentiment, but you have no say in the matter." Emily shrugged. "It is what it is. You can't change it."

"I'll write to the media. Local, statewide, national. Hannah's ready to organize a protest already. They will not fire you." JJ insisted. "They can't."

"They can." Emily gathered a pile of papers, standing to place one on each desk. "It's happened before. I've been fired for just being gay, Jen."

"Yeah, from religious private schools," JJ argued. "It's illegal. It's discrimination. They can't do that here."

"That's never stopped anyone." Emily's voice shook, and she hated it. 

"Em, look at me." JJ pleaded. "You aren't going anywhere. I'm not the only person on your side. Pen, Hotch, Spence, Derek, and Dave have your back, too. Your students love you."

"Jennifer, I really appreciate the support, but I'll be fine." A hot tear streamed down her cheek before she could slot her mask into place, and she turned away, wiping at her cheek. "I'll figure it out. I always do."

"It's a bad decision in every sense of the word. They'd have to hire two teachers to take the place of one." JJ pointed out. "You are not getting fired."

"I could be, though, Jen." Emily despised the waver in her voice, tears falling without permission. Thick, unbreakable dread covered her like a plastic sheet over a dead body. 

"But you're not." JJ crossed the room to pull Emily into a tight hug. "You're not."

Emily inhaled sharply through her nose, stiffening in surprise as JJ held her close. JJ didn't pull back. She waited until Emily melted into the embrace, burying her face in JJ's neck as she leeched strength from the other woman, clinging to the blonde like she was the lifesaver keeping her from drowning.

"I have you, I've got you," JJ murmured, smoothing her hand over Emily's back. "I've got you, sweetheart."

They remained tangled together until Emily's tears ran dry. Even then, Emily rested her forehead against the side of JJ's neck, slumping against her. She sighed shakily, sure that mascara painted her cheeks and stained the white fabric of JJ's cardigan. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, threatening to fall closed and stay that way, exhaustion overtaking her to replace the flood of emotion.

"I'm sorry," Emily whispered, sniffling as she extracted herself from JJ's arms. "I shouldn't have… I freaked out. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, sweetheart." JJ wiped Emily's cheek with her sleeve, smudging the black streaks coloring her pale skin. "You're allowed to fall apart."

"I just like it here. A lot." Emily exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders and shaking her head like she was about to enter a prize fight. "But it's fine. It'll be fine. Whatever happens, I'll figure it out. I always do."

"I know you will." JJ's smile was gentle, her fingers feather-light as she brushed Emily's hair out of her face. "I'll still be here, though. You don't need to be taken care of, but you're allowed to want it."

"Thank you, Jen." Emily leaned into the touch.

"Ride-or-die, baby." JJ grinned.

JJ waved goodbye to her students as they filtered out of her classroom, standing in front of her door to hold it open, meeting Emily's eye across the hallway. She winked, which was the exact opposite of helpful as they were about to be scolded for 'dating', and the simple gesture set Emily's skin on fire. 

"We're too old to be getting called to the principal's office over things like this," JJ whispered, her shoulder brushing against Emily's.

"We're too old to be getting called to the principal's office, period," Emily grumbled. "Let's get it over with."

"Agreed." JJ nodded, following her friend down the hall.

The sound of Emily's heels against the linoleum flooring felt like the ticking of a time bomb, and JJ's knuckles rapping against Strauss's door was the explosion. Hotch sat in a stiff, uncomfortable plastic chair in the main office, a show of support and likely intimidation tactic. He nodded to the pair before the principal appeared, spotting him instantly. Her mouth set into a thin line as she ushered JJ and Emily inside.

"You wanted to speak with us?" JJ crossed her legs as she leaned back in her seat. 

"Yes, I did," Strauss confirmed. "I've heard a rumor."

"We're here about a rumor." JJ's tone was flat, her eyebrows raised. "Really, Erin?"

"Yes, really, Ms. Jareau." Strauss bit back. "It's travelled through the student body rather quickly. I'm sure the two of you have been made aware by now."

"I'm not sure we have. Enlighten us." JJ's smile was bitter and sharp, her voice sickly sweet with an edge. 

"Miss Prentiss, has a rumor that regards either of you been brought to your attention?" Strauss turned her focus to Emily. "Perhaps one that would call for a meeting in my office?"

"Nothing that would require your attention, ma'am." Emily glanced at JJ, her easy confidence settling. "If you would tell us what it is, we could tell you if we've heard it. We hear rumors all day. This is a high school."

"It's interesting you mention an 'us', Miss Prentiss." Strauss smiled, confident in having gained the edge she'd been looking for, something to hold over their heads.

"I don't believe it is, Erin." JJ shot back. "There are three of us in this meeting. Two of us have been called in, seemingly without cause. What other word would you use to refer to yourself and another person? You're reaching."

"Miss Jareau." Strauss gritted her teeth. "I suggest you mind your tone."

"I suggest you get to it." JJ crossed her arms. "What do you want from us?"

"The students have been discussing a… personal relationship between the two of you." Strauss folded her hands atop her desk.

"Our friendship does extend beyond work hours, yes." JJ nodded. 

"A romantic relationship, Miss Jareau." Strauss sighed. "Is this a rumor either of you has heard?"

"Yes, we have." JJ refrained from rolling her eyes. "What about it? It's just a rumor. Kids talk. They create drama where there isn't any."

"They do, yes, but this is a rather serious allegation, is it not?" Strauss huffed, losing control of the conversation rapidly.

"No, it isn't," Emily replied tentatively. "Ma'am, if Miss Jareau and I were involved in a romantic relationship, which we aren't, there is no school policy against teachers dating each other. There are no grounds for disciplinary action."

"Exactly. " JJ pointed at Emily, a proud smile on her lips. "Let me be completely clear. You've called us in here over an unsubstantiated claim that we are involved in a permitted romantic relationship after hours . You intended to intimidate us into ending said relationship."

"Miss Jareau-"

"No, I'm not finished." JJ cut Strauss off. "I've heard countless true rumors regarding Miss Garcia and Mr. Morgan's relationship, and they have never been called into a meeting to discuss it. Let's think, Erin. What's different about Emily and me? It's not Emily's lack of tenure. Penelope was far from tenure when she and Derek started dating. Could it be that Emily and I are both women? Is it because this 'romantic relationship' would be a queer one? That's certainly what it looks like."

"Miss Jareau, that's entirely inappropriate!" Strauss growled.

"No, Erin. This," JJ gestured between the three of them. "Is the beginning of a discrimination suit, should this behavior continue. Now, either I call my union rep in here to start documenting, or we leave, and you back off. Which would you prefer?"

"You're free to go." Strauss ground out.

Emily leaped out of the chair like it was on fire, hurrying out of the office and through the halls, her heels clicking rapidly as she sped toward her classroom. Strauss hadn't fired her this time , but Emily wasn't going to give her a reason. She locked the door behind herself, resting her back against it, head tipping back against the polished wood.

"Hey, Em?" The quiet knock startled Emily out of her moment of calm. "You good?"

"Fine. Just need a minute." Emily schooled her tone, measured evenness muffled by the door between them. "Don't worry about me."

"I'll still worry about you," JJ replied. "I'll talk to you later, though. Have a good night, Em."

Chapter Text

Something shifted, small and unnamed. Emily sat further away at lunch. When the students were around, she called JJ 'Miss Jareau'. She didn't pop in for visits over their shorter breaks. JJ noticed, pausing for a moment every time Emily used her last name instead of her first, or even the nickname everyone, even the students, called her. 

When they walked to the taco truck at lunch on Tuesday, though, JJ looped her arm in Emily's, Emily told JJ her accent (which is still awful) was adorable, and JJ replied with "And yours is insanely hot, sweetheart." They fell into an old routine, their shoulders touching while they ate at the fold-out table, Emily stealing a bite of one of JJ's tacos and JJ taking one of Emily's in return. 

The students noticed the change, and the rumor died quickly, replaced with one that they'd broken up. JJ laughed when the group of kids informed her over lunch, and Emily rolled her eyes. Strauss's ammunition was gone, and they settled into a new dynamic: professional, polite, and friendly at work, and warm, comfortable, and edging on something more when they weren't. 

Emily sat on the floor of JJ's classroom after the end of a long school day, piles of papers splayed across the coffee table. JJ's desk was a messier version of the same stacks of assignments and quizzes as they worked, JJ's music playing quietly through the speakers on the overhead projector. 

"I hate progress reports," JJ grumbled, digging through her desk drawer for a snack. 

"I know." Emily chuckled, setting aside the final test in a pile. "You've said that fifteen times in the last hour."

"Be quiet, Prentiss. You know you hate them, too." JJ rolled her eyes, throwing a chocolate bar at the brunette. 

"I do." Emily smiled just before the candy hit the side of her head. "Ow!"

"Sorry." JJ suppressed a laugh, unwrapping her own treat. "Do you want to come over tonight? I work faster with you." 

"You want me to be your body double." Emily corrected. 

"Leave my ADHD out of this." JJ pouted dramatically. "Come over and hang out with me."

"I still owe you dinner." Emily mused. "You could come to mine, and I'll cook for you."

"You really do know the way to my heart." JJ held a hand to her chest, leaning back in her chair. "Food and quality time."

"No, it's food, bullying, and physical touch." Emily teased. "But the quality time helps."

"I object to the idea that I enjoy your evil sense of humor." JJ giggled. "But the rest of that was right."

"I'm always right." Emily grinned.

"Keep dreaming, sweetheart." JJ laughed.

Emily walked through her apartment for the hundredth time, checking that every part of it was clean. She'd been to JJ's apartment before while they were redecorating the classroom, but JJ had never been to hers. It was small, and she didn't have many things, so the eight times she'd reassessed its appearance were useless. There hadn't been much to do, and there was nothing else she could fix to make her bare-bones apartment look any less empty. 

Dinner was already made, in the oven to keep warm. Wine was opened, the table was set, and an extra blanket had been pulled out of her closet and set on the couch for when JJ inevitably told Emily her apartment was too cold. 

This wasn't a date. This was Emily's best friend coming over to work. Emily was making dinner to thank her for her help. 

It was not a date.

Still, Emily fixed her hair in the mirror, frowning at the oversized Yale crewneck tucked into the loose jeans she'd decided fit between lazy and casual. Her grown-out bangs fell free from her messy bun, framing her face, and Emily tried, again, to tuck them in with the rest of her hair, and failed. 

The knock on her front door startled her, pulling her attention away from her reflection as she scrambled to answer it. 

"Hey." JJ smiled, wavy hair falling down her back, released from the braid it had been pulled into all day. She'd changed into a pair of leggings and a T-shirt, her halfway zipped sweatshirt threatening to fall off her shoulder. 

"Hi." Emily stepped to the side, something she couldn't name sliding into place in her brain, the tightness in her jaw loosening. 

"Your apartment is about as well-decorated as your classroom was." JJ teased. "Smells better in here, though."

"Yeah, dinner's in the oven so it stays warm." Emily shrugged. "I'm a minimalist, Jareau. You know that."

"You certainly are." JJ chuckled, shaking her head. "It's nice, though. Comfy."

"You have that effect on a room." Emily led the blonde into the kitchen. "It's just spaghetti. Nothing fancy."

"I'll marry you if you keep making me pasta. That's a threat." JJ leaned against the counter, watching as Emily moved the food to the table. 

"I made you a salad, too. You and your vegetables." Emily rolled her eyes jokingly. 

"You're my favorite person in the entire world." JJ breathed out. "Garlic bread? Em, I think your definition of fancy is different than mine."

"It's pasta, a salad from a bag, and bread with butter and garlic." Emily raised an eyebrow. "Not fancy."

"You do know I eat frozen meals for dinner and snacks the rest of the day, right?" JJ dropped into a seat at the dining room table. "This is very nice, sweetheart. Thank you."

"I don't understand how you can live on that shit." Emily scrunched up her nose in a grimace. 

"I can't cook." JJ shrugged. "I've boiled water for so long that there was no more water in the pot when I remembered it was on the stove."

"Jennifer." Emily's mouth dropped open. "You're joking."

"I mean, I was nine, but I'm not kidding." JJ chuckled. "I cannot be trusted in the kitchen."

"You have to come over more often. You need real food." Emily brought over the bottle of wine, pouring a glass for JJ. "You don't eat enough."

"I eat!" JJ insisted. "But I'm not opposed to eating like this more often."

"You eat like a seven-year-old." Emily smiled as JJ buried her face in her hands. "And we trust you to mold the minds of the next generation."

"Mean!" JJ's head fell back as she laughed, unfiltered and free. "Would it kill you to be nice to me for ten minutes?"

"Cooking took longer than ten minutes, and that was very nice of me." Emily took the seat across from the blonde's. "I have to balance it out somehow. We can't have it going to your head."

"We could." JJ rolled her eyes. "I'd just be insufferable."

"Exactly." Emily deadpanned. "Your ego doesn't need any help from me."

"Pick on me all you want. You cooked for me." JJ grinned. "You like me."

"You're alright."

After they'd eaten and Emily had packed leftovers into containers for JJ to take home, they settled on the couch, papers strewn about the coffee table and cushions. JJ's playlist filled the air, the quiet sound of typing mixing with the soft music. This, unlike the JJ's presence in Emily's apartment, they were used to. Emily had watched JJ squint at students' handwriting a thousand times, laugh at interesting literary analyses a thousand times. 

"What does this say?" JJ leaned over, pointing at an illegible word in the middle of a messily handwritten paragraph.

"Population?" Emily guessed, looking up at JJ hopefully. 

"This is an essay on Of Mice and Men ." JJ chuckled.

"They're really off topic, then." Emily shrugged. 

"You're a dork." JJ rolled her eyes before underlining the word in red pen and scribbling three question marks in the margin. 

They worked in peaceful quiet, save for JJ's occasional grumble at the sheer number of ungraded assignments she had left.

"Okay, I think if I try to read another one of these, I'll go blind." JJ's stack of student essays slapped loudly against the coffee table as she sighed, scooting closer to Emily to peek over her shoulder. "Whatcha doin'?"

"Grading vocabulary quizzes." Emily tilted the papers so that JJ could see. "Do you want to put on a movie or something?"

"That sounds nice." JJ hummed. "Are you done working?"

"I'm going to forget which language I'm speaking soon." Emily chuckled. She turned her head to face JJ, and... She hadn't expected her to be so close . Emily could feel JJ's breath on her skin, their noses nearly touching as JJ lingered, her gaze flitting between Emily's lips and her eyes. "Oh."

The noise had escaped her, earning a sweet smile from the blonde as she tilted her head, studying the other woman carefully. 

"Hi," JJ murmured, moving fractionally closer. The words were warm against Emily's lips. She waited, ready for Emily to jerk away and spiral into a panic. "Tell me to stop."

"I-" Emily's brain searched for words that weren't kiss me or please . She knew seven languages, and none of them could supply her with the words to describe how badly she wanted this, how deeply she needed it.

She pressed her lips to JJ's instead, tentative and slow. JJ inhaled sharply through her nose, a quiet gasp as her hand moved to cup Emily's cheek. A million cliches about first kisses and falling in love washed over her at once - the world narrowed to one point, JJ's mouth against hers, butterflies set aflight in her stomach, sparks fired off underneath her skin where JJ's hand rested. 

"Whoa." JJ exhaled. She laughed breathily before she dove back in, urgency and desire bleeding through her movements. 

Emily couldn't bring herself to move her hands, scared to shatter the perfection of this moment, even as JJ's tongue licked into her mouth, the blonde kissing her like she needed Emily to live. She pulled at Emily's hips until she was straddling JJ's lap, cold hands sneaking under Emily's sweatshirt to rest against hot skin. 

"Jen." Emily managed to pull back, breathing heavily as her body screamed at her to do the exact opposite. "Jennifer."

"Emily." JJ's fingers trailed over Emily's cheekbone as she tucked a loose strand of deep brown hair behind her ear. 

"We can't." The two words Emily's mind had lost in her avalanche of feelings resurfaced, and they landed like stones thrown through a glass window.

"Em, please." JJ rested her forehead against the brunette's. "Don't do this. Don't shut me out."

"Jen, I can't." Emily's voice caught as her throat tried to keep them in. "We work together, and -"

"And what, Emily?"JJ huffed. "Give me one good reason as to why we shouldn't do this."

"We got called in because the kids thought we were dating." Emily stood carefully. 

"So what? We handled it. We could handle it again." JJ insisted. "You did this then, too. You pulled away. You shut me out."

"I didn't, I just-" Emily's hands shook. 

"You did, Emily!" JJ's voice rose. Emily had never seen JJ angry . "You did. You locked yourself in your office. We went back to me dragging you out of your classroom for lunch."

"At work, I pulled back." Emily could taste the copper of blood from where she'd torn the skin of her bottom lip. "I had to."

"We're not at work, Emily." JJ sighed heavily. 

"That doesn't change the fact that we will be tomorrow." Emily crossed her arms over her stomach. "What then? If the kids, or the teachers, or whoever, found out that we were actually together, and Strauss started looking for reasons to fire me?"

"That won't happen!" JJ scoffed. "God, did you ever consider that it could just be good ?"

"Did you consider that it wouldn't?" Emily fired back. "You're an optimist, and I love that about you, but we have to be realistic."

"You're assuming the worst will happen. You're not being realistic, you're being pessimistic." JJ argued. "Yes, Strauss called us in. I also threatened her with a discrimination suit, and Hotch waited outside the door for us to show her we wouldn't go down without a fight."

"She'd figure it out. Trust me." Emily let out a humorless laugh. 

"No, she wouldn't. She doesn't even have the power to fire you." JJ rolled her eyes sharply. "This isn't a private catholic school. It's up to the school board, not her. She can say whatever the hell she wants, but she can't do anything."

"You don't think a school administrator's opinion will hold more weight than a newly hired teacher with a series of firings on her record?" 

"I think you have too many people in your corner. I think four kids offered to set up a protest when they realized their homophobic principal could cause problems for their favorite teacher. I think you're running away from something good because you're scared, and I think that's unfair to both of us." JJ's voice rose in volume as she spoke, moving a step closer with each sentence until she was pressed against Emily, a hand cupping her cheek. "I think I'm in love with you, Em. I think you feel the same."

"It's not that simple, Jennifer." Emily leaned into the touch, a tear falling down her cheek. "I wish it was."

"Maybe not for you." JJ pressed her lips to Emily's, a wordless surrender. "But it is to me. I wish you could see that."

JJ gathered her papers from Emily's coffee table, silence engulfing them as she packed up her things. 

"Jennifer, I'm sorry." Emily followed the blonde to the front door.

"Me, too." JJ smiled sadly, kissing Emily's cheek. "I'll see you around."

Chapter Text

The next day, Emily locked the door to her classroom and finished grading the vocabulary quizzes she hadn't been able to return to the night before. She knew JJ's usual interruption wouldn't come this time. JJ's classroom was closed, too, she realized, when the group of four who ate there came knocking on her door.

"Can we have lunch in here today?" Hannah asked. Emily nodded slowly, opening the door further. She'd never considered her room to be a replacement for the cozy couches and armchairs in JJ's.

"Sure." She returned to her desk as the students entered tentatively. 

"Is something wrong with JJ?" Riley asked, her voice quiet.

"You'd have to ask her." Emily forced a smile. 

"But her room's always open." The girl frowned. "And you're always in there."

"Today, it isn't, and I'm not." Emily scribbled a score in red pen on a quiz before she set it aside. 

Emily started arriving at school long before she was supposed to, gathering the copies she had to make and the terrible cup of coffee she needed to survive the day before hiding away in her classroom. She only used the teachers' lounge during her planning period, never during breaks, when she risked running into JJ's friends.

The whispered rumors that once announced their 'relationship' now declared them 'exes,' and Emily didn't bother to correct them. 

On Monday, JJ's classroom was open for lunch again. She sat at her desk, headphones over her ears, instead of on the couch, facing the empty space on the cushions beside her. She forced smiles when students asked if she was okay, watching their bubbly and bright teacher turn dim and quiet. "I'm fine," she'd tell them, repeating the phrase until it lost all meaning.

"Did you and Miss Prentiss break up?" Hannah had whispered the words at lunch, after a full week of JJ's withdrawal.

"No." JJ sighed. "One, we were never together, and two, our personal lives aren't up for discussion."

"But you guys are both so sad." Sierra's brow furrowed.

"We're fine." JJ's tone was sharp, final. "We aren't going to talk about it."

"But, JJ, you're-"

"No." JJ snapped, the thread holding the seams of her together breaking. "I am your teacher, not your friend. My personal life isn't classroom discussion."

Neither of them addressed the shift. JJ and Emily avoided eye contact in the hallways and sat at different tables during meetings. Emily left the group chat Penelope had created at the beginning of the school year. The hallway became a yellow line dividing them, with DO NOT CROSS written across it in bold, black letters. 

"My sweetest, loveliest JJ." Penelope sighed, handing JJ a drink before taking a seat across from her at the sticky bar table. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"I'm fine." JJ insisted, spotting a pair of men playing darts in the corner. "Want to watch me make some grown men cry?"

"Jennifer Jareau, you cannot run from your feelings forever!" Penelope huffed, following her friend to the dartboard."

"I'm not running from my feelings. I'm fine." JJ downed her entire drink in one go. "I can write that down if you need a reminder."

"You're impossible." Penelope groaned.

Emily hadn't spoken to any of JJ's friends since that night , and she planned to keep it that way. The kiss JJ left on Emily's cheek before she walked out of her apartment was a goodbye, a finality Emily respected.

Staying away from most of the group was easy. She was rarely in the teachers' lounge, and most of everyone's classrooms were scattered across campus, far from hers. None of them taught the same subject, and only one of them was in her department.

It was nearly two weeks before Rossi walked into her classroom during lunch.

"I've been thinking." He announced.

"That sounds dangerous." Emily clicked her pen shut, turning her attention to the older man.

"I used to take the kids on a yearly trip to the museum on Ellis Island. It's a three-hour train ride, and a lot of them take my class because their families immigrated here, and most of them arrived on Ellis Island. I have a feeling yours is similar." He explained, pulling a chair up to her desk. "I want to do it again."

"That does sound like a good idea." She nodded. "Why are you asking me?"

"Well, it's a long day, and I was thinking that we might be able to talk the school board into making it into an overnight trip." He grinned. "I'd need a female teacher, and your kids would like it, too."

"I don't think the school board would appreciate it if I were the female teacher to chaperone an overnight trip." Emily rolled her eyes sharply. "But that's a nice try."

"You're not the only gay teacher here, Emily." Rossi insisted. "When JJ had an honors class, she took her graduating class on a yearly trip to see Shakespeare in the Park right before the school year started. Penelope was a chaperone on that trip every year. Things are different here."

"Right. Different ." Emily's jaw tightened.

This isn't a private catholic school.  

"We wouldn't be the only staff chaperones. I'll rope some others in, too." He promised. 

"I'll do it on one condition." Emily's gaze landed on a framed Sappho quote in the back of her classroom. "Jareau doesn't come."

"Fine by me." He shrugged.

Chapter Text

Emily took to staying late in the afternoons to avoid running into JJ in the halls after school, and with her early mornings and working lunches, she found herself ahead on work. With lesson plans made, assignments graded, and the gradebook updated, she was out of things to do. Instead, she took to planning their field trip. Rossi received five emails a night - all of which he replied to the next morning, during 'normal people working hours'. Emily booked the hotel rooms, the tours (one of the museum on Ellis Island and one of both Ellis and Liberty Islands), and the buses, and made the room assignments with the help of Penelope Garcia, the self-proclaimed knower-of-all-things, to make sure all of the couples were separated.

David was in charge of arranging chaperones, vetting parents, and coercing their coworkers to spend a night in New York City with a large group of ninth-graders. She'd known she'd regret leaving David in charge of roping staff members into an overnight field trip, and when she read the two names he'd managed to talk into a grueling night away, Penelope Garcia and Derek Morgan, she regretted it more than she'd expected to.

"Penelope, it is five-fifteen in the morning. I'm going to kill you." JJ groaned, putting the call on speaker and dropping her phone onto the pillow beside her head. 

"I know, I know." Penelope sighed, her voice hoarse, flat, and void of her usual cheer. "I'm so sorry, but I have to ask you for the biggest favor in the history of favors."

"No," JJ whined. "Whatever it is, no."

"Jayje, you know how I'm supposed to chaperone David and Emily's class trip today?" Penelope's voice rose about three octaves. "I'm like sick. Like, slept on the bathroom floor sick. Can't even stomach water sick."

"You're not asking…" JJ's eyes flew open. 

"It has to be a female teacher, and I don't know who else to call! No one else would even consider taking this on last minute, and if I don't find a replacement, their entire trip gets canceled." Penelope's voice wavered through the speaker of JJ's phone. "I'm sorry, I know you two are… Well, actually, I don't know what you two are, but I know it's not good, but I don't want to blow up the entire trip. Think of the children, Jayje."

" Fuck . Okay." JJ exhaled heavily. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine. Derek can go on the trip. I don't need a babysitter." JJ knew Penelope's boyfriend was hovering beside her, offering Reid up as a sacrifice to go in his place so that he could stay and take care of his girlfriend. "I just can't make it."

"I'll go." JJ's jaw tightened, her heart hammering in her chest. "What time do I have to be there? Can you forward me the itinerary? Oh, god, I'm sharing a room with Emily, aren't I?"

"Um, five-thirty-five, yes, and yes," Penelope replied. "I'm so sorry."

"Okay." JJ's stomach turned. "Yeah, okay."

"I owe you a million." Penelope slumped against the bathroom wall. "Thank you so, so, so much."

"Yeah." JJ scrubbed a hand over her face. "Feel better. I have to pack a bag, I guess. Love you."

"I love you, too, my savior." Penelope hung up the phone, ready to take another nap on the bathroom floor.

JJ threw her phone across the room.

Emily was twenty minutes early, and she spent that time triple-checking her schedule and bookings. She spoke to the two bus drivers as she waited for her coworkers to arrive. She pulled her coat more tightly around herself in the crisp, early morning air, watching her breath turn to fog. 

Rossi arrived first, loading his bag under the bus before he joined her, chuckling as she handed him a clipboard with the itinerary, roster, and room assignments clipped to it. 

"You're organized." He grinned, flipping through the pages. 

"I try." Emily shrugged. 

When Derek arrived without Penelope, exactly on time, she felt panic rise in her chest. They lived together, so they always drove in together, and Penelope was going to be late if she didn't show up soon. Emily directed him to load his bag onto the bus, checking her watch again to ensure they were running on schedule, and, save for Penelope, they were, and they had been all morning. 

When the parent chaperones started trickling in, Emily checked the time again. Five forty-eight. Penelope was definitely late now, and Emily was edging on a panic attack. Penelope was always 'fashionably late' to their nights out, but never to school functions.

"Hi! I'm so sorry, Pen called like thirty minutes ago. I got here as quickly as I could." JJ rushed over, breathlessly juggling a thermos of coffee, a backpack, a jacket draped over her arm, and a duffel bag. "I'm late, I know. I'm sorry."

"Jennifer." Emily blinked hard as if the blonde would disappear if she looked away. "What…"

"Pen's sick," Derek explained, stepping between the women as Rossi led JJ toward the buses. 

"So JJ is here?" Emily ran a hand through her hair, inhaling deeply.

" JJ is here because this whole trip would be canceled if Penelope didn't find a replacement." Derek raised his eyebrows, his shoulders squaring protectively, challenging her to say one more thing about his friend. 

"I didn't mean it like that." Emily sighed heavily. Right. JJ's friends, not hers. "I'm surprised. That's all."

"I get it. Derek nodded slowly. "Listen, we all know something's going on with you two, but we're stuck together until tomorrow afternoon, so you'd better figure it out."

Figure it out. The words felt like a punch to Emily's stomach, knocking the air from her lungs. She didn't know she was supposed how to figure it out with JJ. Emily had started all of this - kissed JJ like an idiot, shut her out like an idiot, and avoided her like an idiot.

"I know." Emily forced a smile. "It'll be fine."

She watched from afar, leaning against her parked car as she watched Dave help JJ get her things sorted, taking the coffee and jacket so that she could load her bag under the bus. JJ's hair was wet, pulled into a French braid, and she'd thrown on a pair of black jeans and a white turtleneck, an outfit that would usually be accompanied by a cardigan or open button-down shirt. 

"Jen, your necklace is tucked in," Emily called, the sound of her own voice surprising her as JJ turned around quickly. The gold necklace JJ never took off was hidden beneath the high collar of her shirt, and Emily knew JJ hated it to be covered. She reached for the charm absent-mindedly when she was nervous, and Emily had witnessed many moments of panic when JJ didn't feel the little golden heart resting above her collarbone. 

"Oh." JJ's hand flew to her chest, feeling the jewelry beneath the fabric. "Thanks, Em."

They smiled awkwardly for a moment, an unspoken truce settling between them before the silence was broken by the chattering of the first students arriving.

JJ rode on a different bus from Emily, joining Rossi's class, and Emily ended up at the back of the bus with her students. She'd jumped at the idea of separating from the other teachers, attempting to suppress her happiness at the moment of reprieve and sit beside a parent volunteer instead. There were a few copies of her 'learning' foreign language books in her bag, ready to give them out when someone's phone ran low on battery, or if they lost cell reception and the kids decided they couldn't possibly live without some form of entertainment. 

Apparently, she'd underestimated the novelty of books written in the languages she taught to honors students, and her bag was empty in less than ten minutes. She was left with Hannah, Riley, and Sierra, three of her former lunchtime students, in the seat across from her, asking questions about the worn copy of Swann's Way she'd brought for herself.

"Can you translate, like, as you read?" Hannah asked excitedly. "How long did it take for you to learn to do that?"

"I can. I learned French at the same time as English, so I couldn't tell you when I learned to translate." Emily chuckled at her enthusiasm."Why? Do you want to be a translator?"

"No, but my great-grandma only speaks French." Hannah thumbed through a copy of Le Petit Prince , one side of each page written in French and the other in English. "My mom translates for us, but I can kind of understand her."

"I didn't know that." Emily smiled softly. "That explains your accent, though. French is a hard language to learn, and the accent is difficult for English speakers."

"I don't think my accent is much better than anyone else's, but thanks." Hannah laughed. 

"It is. You're in the honors class, where people study." Emily cringed at the memory of her third-period students. "Trust me, your accent is pretty good."

"Thanks, Miss P." Hannah's eyes lit up as she settled into her seat, pressed against Riley, and read aloud quietly in French.

When they'd managed to load all of the kids onto the train, the teachers gathered around a table with the itinerary laid out between them. Emily handed JJ the clipboard she hadn't had time to give her before they loaded onto the buses, and JJ flipped through the pages as her coworkers talked.

"Em, you do know Riley and Hannah are dating, right?" JJ tapped her finger against the paper. "They're roomed together."

"What? Since when?" Emily gasped, her eyes widening. 

"Three weeks ago." JJ smiled lightly, crossing Riley's name off the list. "What if you switched her and Cassidy?"

"That works." Emily nodded. "You know, Riley might help to balance Hannah out."

"And vice versa," JJ agreed. "Opposites attract, I guess."

Emily smiled softly, something warm settling in her chest, a feeling she'd missed in their time apart. JJ felt like a sort of safety, and Emily couldn't erase it if she tried. 

"Okay, now to the fun stuff," Emily announced. "Everyone has a group of students highlighted on their roster. Those are the kids you're in charge of keeping track of. We'll stay together, but you and your assigned parent volunteer will make sure everyone in your group is present. We'll divide everyone up when we get on the ferry.  I tried to give you students who are also in your classes. Um, except for you, Jen. You have Pen's list."

"You and I have a lot of overlap. I have most of these kids, too." JJ scanned the list. "Are the parents in the same groups as their kids?"

"Yeah. They'll be looking for their own kids anyway, so I put them together." Emily set her clipboard on the table. "They'll be on a buddy system as well, so any kids you don't have in your classes should be paired with someone who is."

"Damn, this is thorough." Derek raised his eyebrows. "We're color-coded?"

"Would you like letters or numbers instead?" Emily deadpanned. "Call them teams if you want to, tell them if anyone separates from the group, they lose or something."

"Do you have a prize for the winner?" Derek chuckled. "You have plans for everything else."

"No, but the built-in punishment for the loser should be enough." Emily shrugged. "If you wander off on purpose, you get sent to Strauss's office on Monday."

"That'd keep me from wandering off," JJ mumbled. "You should lose classmate buddy privileges, too. Your teacher becomes your buddy for the rest of the trip."

"I like that." Emily nodded. "I don't think they'll want to be stuck with one of us instead of their friends."

"That might not be a punishment for some of them." Rossi pointed out. "There are some kids who wouldn't be opposed to spending the rest of the trip with the 'hot teachers.'"

"God, I hate that they call us that." Emily groaned. "We'll stick them with you, then, old timer."

"That should be the overall punishment," JJ added, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "The Italian grandpa treatment."

"No ganging up on the old man." Rossi shot the two women a playful glare.

"No promises." JJ sing-songed, her eyes flicking to Emily. She hadn't seen Emily smile in what felt like decades, and it felt like sunshine after a blizzard. "Em's awful when she gets on a roll."

"Jen just says that because I'm funnier than her." Emily teased, falling into an old routine, their comfortable dynamic.

"Mean!" JJ giggled, rolling up her papers to smack Emily's shoulder with them. 

"No, correct." Emily laughed, catching the papers before they connected with her arm again. 

"Evil." JJ rolled her eyes, amusement bleeding through her pretend annoyance.

Luckily, the students remained in their groups, taking the 'competition' Derek announced on the ferry very seriously, even though the prize was just bragging rights. Herding them through the museum and into the cafe was much easier than Emily had expected, and they ended up in the cafe, seated and eating, before Emily's scheduled meal break. 

"Hey." JJ took the empty seat across from Emily, exhaling heavily as her shoulders slumped.

"Hi." Emily nearly dropped her fork. "I thought you'd sit with Morgan and Rossi."

"Morgan is at a table with the football boys talking about plays, which would be entertaining if they didn't look at me like I was insane any time I made a suggestion." JJ rolled her eyes jokingly. "And Rossi is telling stories about his parents, which would be interesting if I hadn't heard all of them a million times."

"Fair enough." Emily nodded. 

"So are we just… Pretending nothing happened?" JJ leaned forward, lowering her volume as she gave a voice to their unspoken agreement. 

"Do you have a better idea?" Emily sighed, setting her fork down, her appetite fading. "You don't have to sit with me. You barely have to talk to me."

"That's not what I meant and you know it." JJ's eyes met Emily's, sharp and unavoidable. "We're sharing a hotel room. At some point, we will be alone together. Are we going to talk about…"

"Maybe." Emily picked at her cuticles underneath the table. "When we aren't surrounded by children."

"So tonight, when everyone's in their rooms?" JJ asked, her face lighting up. 

"Yeah, Jen. Once the kids are settled, we'll talk."

JJ and Emily still stayed as far away from each other as possible for the rest of the afternoon. When they took the ferry to Liberty Island, Emily sat on the outskirts of the group, keeping an eye on everyone at once, while JJ stood against the railing, taking pictures of the students who wanted them with the Statue of Liberty in the background. They rode on separate buses to the restaurant. They sat at different tables. They kept as much distance as they could until they arrived at the hotel.

"Okay, let's get this done quickly. Rossi and I are going to check in, and you two will separate the boys and girls." Emily read over her clipboard again, as if anything would have changed in the past hour that she hadn't written down herself. "Start giving out room assignments."

The kids separated into trios as Derek and JJ read their names off the list. Emily distributed room keys among the girls while JJ wrote down room numbers. Almost every student ended up with at least one of their friends, and Emily listened to their giggles and plans to stay up all night.

"Do not go upstairs without us. We're all on the same floor. I need to make sure everyone knows where they belong." Emily announced. She stopped beside JJ, glancing over her shoulder at the blonde's clipboard. "Everyone's got a key, right?"

"Looks like it." JJ nodded. "We'll see when we get up there."

"Let's wait until the boys are all upstairs. It'll be a traffic jam if all of us try to go up at once." Emily watched as Derek and Rossi led their group away. 

"You think we'll have anyone sneak out tonight?" JJ asked. 

"I doubt they have the energy." Emily shook her head. "Besides, with three to a room, I don't think we'll have to worry much about 'fraternization'. Girls might try to sneak into each other's rooms to have bigger sleepovers, but I think they're just as tired as we are."

"Right. I haven't done an overnight field trip in a long time." JJ smiled. "I forget how little they want to do the things we expect them to do."

"Trust me, they want to do that, too, but they're too smart to try it on a field trip." Emily laughed. "Let's go up. I need to be in a room without a thousand children in it."

By the time they managed to get everyone settled and reminded them of room checks at nine, it was eight-thirty. When they finally made it into their own room, Emily flopped across a bed with a contented sigh, not even bothering to lie down properly, leaving her legs dangling over the edge of the mattress. 

"Okay. Let's talk." JJ sat at the edge of the other bed, kicking off her sneakers. 

"Okay." Emily sat up, fiddling with the sleeves of her shirt. Picking at her nails in front of JJ always earned a gentle correction, and she didn't think she could handle the way JJ's eyebrows stitched together, a frown on her lips.

"I miss you," JJ murmured, contorting herself into an awkward pretzeled position. 

"I miss you, too." Emily breathed out the words like a prayer. "But I don't know how to do this."

"Do what, sweetheart?" JJ asked, her brow furrowed. 

"Be just friends." Emily bit the inside of her bottom lip, picking at a recently healed-over patch of skin. "I don't know how not to be in love with you. I don't know how not to look for you in every room. I don't know how not to hope you'll knock on my door every day. I don't know how not to want you."

"Then why are you holding back?" JJ melted, quietly resigned. "Please, Em. Help me understand."

"I love my job, and I love my classes, but I'd be fine without them. I've been fired before, and I'd learn to live with it." Emily stared down at the carpeted hotel floor. "I don't know if I could live without you."

"We haven't spoken in months." JJ sighed. "You're losing me right now."

"I know." Emily's voice broke as she buried her face in her hands. "It's fucking killing me."

"Why, then?" JJ moved from her bed to Emily's, sitting cross-legged, facing the brunette. "Because you're still hiding from me. You're letting me go, and it's killing me, too."

"Because I don't know how to love someone without waiting for the other shoe to drop." Emily wiped away hot tears. "Because we could be amazing. We could be perfect, and sometimes, that's not enough. What happens then? When I really can't live without you, and everything falls apart."

"You could learn." JJ's hand trailed lightly over Emily's forearm. "We could be happy. It doesn't have to crash and burn."

"You deserve more than a doomsday prepper of a girlfriend." Emily shook her head. "You don't deserve someone who's so scared to lose you that they push you away."

"Em, if you're calling a breakup 'doomsday,' I deserve exactly that." JJ chuckled lightly, tangling her fingers with Emily's. "I deserve to be loved so much it's scary, because god, Em, I'm terrified of how much I want you. I've never loved anyone like this. I don't know what to do with myself."

"Jennifer…" Emily's gaze fixed on JJ's fingers, intertwined with her own. 

"I love it when you call me that." JJ cupped Emily's cheek, turning the brunette's head until their eyes met. 

"Can I kiss you?" Emily murmured, inching forward slowly, studying JJ's face.

"God, finally." JJ breathed out, pressing her lips to Emily's.

Their last first kiss had been tentative, shy, and afraid, but this was different. JJ left a promise on Emily's lips, every bit of emotion sealed into a kiss. Emily settled her hands on JJ's waist, taking in handfuls of JJ's shirt to keep her close. Emily's eyes were still shut when she pulled away, resting her forehead against JJ's. 

"I'm still scared," She whispered, her nose brushing against JJ's. "But I can't lose you again."

"You're not allowed to run, Prentiss." JJ kissed her sweetly. "You're stuck with me now."

"Good. I like it that way." Emily repeated the phrase JJ had used so many months ago. "We have to leave in five minutes to do bed checks, though, so we probably shouldn't…"

"Buzzkill." JJ rolled her eyes, shoving Emily flat on the bed. "We can make out for five minutes. We're not having sex on a field trip with parent volunteers on the other side of the wall, though."

"Mm, but we can make out." Emily chuckled, wrapping her arms around JJ's neck. "You're still a menace."

"You still love it." JJ teased, cupping Emily's cheek as she kissed her, running her tongue over the seam of Emily's lips. 

"No, Jen, we have to go soon." Emily gasped as she pulled back, groaning at JJ's dramatic frown. "You can't be that cute when I'm trying to be responsible."

"It's payback, sweetheart," JJ smirked, tracing the line of Emily's jaw. 

"I like it when you call me that." Emily's cheeks flushed as she echoed JJ's sentiment. 

"C'mon, sweetheart , you wanted to be all responsible." JJ stood from the bed, hauling Emily up by her hand. "Let's do room checks."

"And then we can come back and kiss some more." Emily nodded, wrapping her arms around JJ's neck. "God, I missed touching you."

"If you don't get out now, I will not be responsible for my actions." JJ pressed her lips to Emily's. "I can't help it when you're this pretty."

They didn't make it to room checks until nine-fifteen. 

Chapter Text

Emily centered her belt buckle, then moved it to the right, then centered it, then moved it to the right, then centered it… She pulled her sleeves down, then scrunched them up to her elbows, unbuttoned and rebuttoned the fourth button of her shirt, pushed her hair over her shoulders and then behind them, and turned to each side, frowning at her reflection in the mirror. 

Was this too close to a work outfit? Black slacks, black heels, and this deep red button-down were all staples in her school wardrobe, but with the shirt halfway unbuttoned to reveal a silky black cami, it felt more casual. Maybe she should change - attempt to dig a dress out of the back of her closet, but she hated skirts, and these pants looked good on her. She could change her shirt, but it had taken her ten tries to settle on this outfit. JJ did call her slacks 'hot', and she did say the color of this shirt looked amazing on her. 

She huffed as she collected her purse instead of continuing to critique her outfit, and remembered she needed a coat. Damn it , JJ was supposed to be here any minute, and Emily thought she was ready thirty seconds ago, but she rushed into her bedroom, sifting through her closet and grumbling to herself. 

A knock at the door forced Emily to make a quick decision, and she pulled her long, black coat off its hanger, draping it over her arm as she hurried to the door. 

"Hi." She smiled, breathless as she attempted to hide the anxiety forming a knot in her chest. 

"You look gorgeous, sweetheart." JJ kissed Emily sweetly, pulling her closer by her belt loops. 

"It's not too much like a work outfit, right?" Emily asked, stepping back and shoving her hands in her pockets.

"It wouldn't matter even if it was." JJ smiled. "But if you're worried about it, no. You look perfect."

"Thanks, Jen." Emily's cheeks flushed as she pulled on her coat, admiring JJ's baby blue dress, the flared skirt fluttering down her thighs, the bell sleeves cinched just above her wrist, then flowing out again. Her golden heart necklace rested in the dip of her collarbone, above the sweetheart neckline, and Emily almost didn't want to leave the apartment.  "Are you going to tell me where we're going now?"

"No." JJ cupped Emily's face, pressing her lips to the brunette's. "You'll see when we get there."

"You're a menace." Emily dropped her head against JJ's shoulder to hide her smile. "Will you let me pay for myself, at least?"

"Absolutely not." JJ shook her head firmly. "Let me take care of my girl."

" Your girl, " Emily repeated, her blush spread to the tips of her ears.

"I might have a little bit of a possessive streak." JJ held two fingers up in front of her face, pinched close together as she stared through the small gap with one eye, the other squeezed shut. "In a healthy, mostly-bragging kind of way."

"You're a dork," Emily chuckled, ducking out the front door. "Let's go." 

JJ followed obediently, wrapping an arm around Emily's waist as they walked down the hallway, warmth bubbling in her chest as Emily leaned into her, her head resting against JJ's shoulder. 

"You look pretty, too, by the way." Emily lifted her head suddenly. 

"Thank you, sweetheart." JJ pulled Emily closer.

"Jennifer, this is too expensive. Let me pay, please." Emily frowned at the menu. "I don't mind. You know that."

"I'm paying, Em." JJ shook her head. "I picked the place. You can pay next time."

"You only say that because I promised to cook for you next time." Emily rolled her eyes. "That doesn't count, for the record. I get to pay the next time we go out."

"Deal." JJ nodded. "But let me tonight."

"Alright." Emily relented. "You're too good to me."

"I'm exactly as good to you as you deserve, sweetheart." JJ took Emily's hand across the table without looking up from the menu. "Don't order something that costs less just because you feel bad. Eat what you want."

"Jennifer." Emily sighed. "I'm not going to spend all of your money."

"It's not all of my money." JJ set her menu down on the table. "Is this freaking you out a little bit?"

"I'm used to being the one who pays for everything." Emily shrugged sheepishly. "I feel guilty when other people pay."

"Will you trust me when I say that I want to buy you dinner, and I want you to enjoy it?" JJ asked, squeezing Emily's hand. "I chose the place, a particularly nice place, with higher prices than you anticipated. I'm not putting a bill like that on you."

"And I get to pay next time?" Emily's shoulders loosened slightly. "And you'll do the same thing?"

"If it makes you feel better, sweetheart." JJ kissed the back of Emily's hand. "Will you let me spoil you a little bit? Please?"

"Okay." Emily exhaled slowly. "Mostly because I can't argue with you when you're being all cute."

"I will never stop being cute if it makes you agree with me." JJ grinned. 

"I'm sure the novelty will wear off." Emily rolled her eyes.

Emily hugged JJ's arm as they walked, huddling close in the crisp fall air. Her coat was buttoned, but the cold bled through the thick fabric, and JJ was impossibly warm. Emily was capable of walking herself to her front door, but JJ had insisted, and who was Emily to turn down more time with Jennifer Jareau?

When they finally entered her building, Emily held on tighter, as if JJ would pull away now that Emily wasn't leeching off of her body heat. The blonde just chuckled, happy to have Emily pressed closely, comfortable and sweet. They approached Emily's door, and she sighed, digging through her purse for her keys. 

"Text me when you get home?" Emily stuck her key into the lock before turning back to JJ, placing her hands on the blonde's waist. 

"I'll be texting you all night." JJ pulled Emily in for a lingering kiss. "But yes, I'll let you know when I'm home."

"Good. Drive safe." Emily nodded, hovering close. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." JJ kissed Emily one more time.

Emily clicked through her laptop, checking the projector before she moved on to gathering worksheets for her third-period class, filling her break with idle tasks to keep her hands busy and her mind off of the pretty teacher across the hallway. 

"Hi." JJ leaned against the closed door to Emily's classroom. "I brought you a snack."

"What do you have for me?" Emily set a paper on another desk, smiling brightly. 

"Strawberries today." JJ held out a small container with a paper towel lining the bottom. "You never eat breakfast. I should bring you something more substantial."

"You hardly eat any meals, Jen." Emily teased as she accepted the offered food. "I'll eat breakfast when you do."

"Then we should have breakfast tomorrow." JJ decided. "At that coffee shop down the street."

"An hour before we have to be here?" Emily asked, snapping open the lid of the container.

"Perfect. You're coming for lunch, right?" JJ grinned. 

"I brought you a sandwich and everything." Emily was glad for the desk between them, a physical barrier to keep her from kissing that adorable smile off JJ's face. "Go back to work, Jennifer. You're distracting."

"I'm a very pretty distraction, though." JJ winked, turning on her heel anyway. "I'll see you in a couple hours."

Emily collected her lunchbox, tucking the latest file folder of ungraded assignments into her desk drawer. She closed an unneeded tab on her laptop before shutting it, double, and then triple-checking that everything was in its place. She hadn't been to JJ's room for lunch in months, and her usual routine was set - work, eat while she worked, and then work some more. She'd had the lock-up down to a science before they stopped eating together, and now she was back to square one and a lingering feeling of something left unfinished.

"Emily, you're taking forever." JJ clicked the lock shut behind her. "Come on, I'm hungry. And lonely."

"I was just locking up." Emily frowned, eyes raking over her desk again. "I'm missing something."

"Your phone left out in the middle of the desk?" JJ supplied, picking up Emily's cell. "Or is it something else?"

"No, that was it." Emily's shoulders loosened. "Thank you."

"Anytime, sweetheart." JJ glanced at the locked door before stealing a quick kiss. "Okay, let's move.  We're barely going to beat the kids, and I really want to see their reaction when you're back in my room."

"Right, the kids." Emily nodded, blinking away the shock in her widened eyes. "Let's go."

They crossed the hall, JJ directing Emily to the couch as she returned to her desk, opening drawers to retrieve various snacks, a bag of chips, a few containers of fruit, and a couple of cans of soda. She loaded everything into her arms, dropping the chips into Emily's lap before she sat down. While Emily had lost her grasp on her locking-up routine, this was ingrained in her. She opened the bag, leaning it against the back of the couch, unwrapping JJ's sandwich and leaving it beside that. JJ set out the containers, one of blueberries, one of carrots, and one of apple slices. JJ cracked open one can and handed it to Emily before moving on to her own. 

"Miss P, you're back!" Riley gasped, rushing through the door to take her usual seat on a cushion beside the coffee table. 

"Really? You guys made up or whatever?" Hannah asked, flinching when Riley smacked her shoulder. "Right. Inappropriate."

"Told you they'd be good for each other." JJ tipped her can toward Emily.

"I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult." Hannah furrowed her brow as she set out her cafeteria lunch. 

"Both," Riley answered for her teachers, a soft smile on her lips. 

"Ah, the chaos." Emily chuckled. "I missed this."

Emily opened the door to the small cafe on the corner of the same street as the school, the warm scent of coffee and pastries filling her lungs. She'd foregone her usual crappy instant coffee in favor of a better cup here, and after the late night she'd had on the phone with JJ, giggling like little kids, she really needed this caffiene. She ordered with a very perky barista before she scanned the room for JJ, finding the blonde at a table in the corner, a half-full mug in front of her that she was likely ignoring in favor of the book she was very intently focused on. Emily added an extra pastry to her order. 

Emily slid into the chair across from JJ's, leaving the metal stand with a piece of paper with a number printed across it clipped to the top of it at the end of the table as she pulled her own book from her bag. JJ didn't even look up until Emily set the hardcover on the table. 

"Oh, Em." JJ tucked her thumb between the pages she'd been reading, closing her book. "I'm sorry, I didn't…"

"You're cute when you read." Emily leaned across the table to press a quick kiss to JJ's lips. "Are you at a good part?"

"Yeah, I think they're about to kiss." JJ's cheeks flushed as she tucked a bookmark into the novel. "I'm sorry, hi."

"I have my own." Emily tapped the cover of her book. "We can read together. Read the good part, Jen."

"I knew I asked you out for a reason." JJ sighed contentedly. "Did you order?"

"Yeah. Did you eat?" Emily asked, finding her place on the page she'd left off on.

"No. I waited for you." JJ shrugged. "I'll be back."

"No, I got it. Your strawberry Danish is on its way." Emily caught sight of a barista holding a cup of coffee and two small plates. "Right now, it seems."

"Have I told you lately how great you are?" JJ flipped her book shut once more. "Because you're amazing."

"Not this morning, but it was implied." Emily chuckled. "Have I told you you look beautiful?"

"Every day." JJ smiled, reaching across the table to tangle her fingers with Emily's. "I actually had a question for you."

"What's up?" Emily paused to thank the young woman who placed her coffee on the table before returning her gaze to JJ, her blue eyes sparkling.

"I mean, we've been going out for a couple of weeks." JJ began. "But I haven't officially asked you to be my girlfriend."

"So you're asking now?" Emily set the warm mug back on the table. 

"I'm asking now." JJ nodded. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"I don't know, I mean, you didn't even notice me come in…" Emily grinned. 

"You're a pain in the ass, you know that?" JJ rolled her eyes, laughing brightly. 

"Yes, Jennifer, I'll be your girlfriend." Emily felt warmth settle in her chest as JJ leaned across the table to kiss her, giggling as they pulled away. 

"So, girlfriend , do you want to come over and watch that god-awful reality show you hate at my place tonight?" JJ picked up her pastry, humming happily with the first bite. "I'll let you cook and everything."

"If I get to make sure you have three full meals, I'll do whatever you want." Emily raised an eyebrow at the blonde. "If we agree that this counts as breakfast."

"In the loosest definition of the word, yes, this is breakfast." JJ tangled her fingers with Emily's over the table. "I love it when you cook for me."

"I love to cook for you." Emily ran her thumb over the back of JJ's hand. "Because I don't trust you with anything in a kitchen that isn't a microwave."

"You trust me with a knife! I cut up fruit for you every day." JJ frowned. 

"Right. I don't trust you with an open flame. Is that better?" Emily shook her head lightly.

"Or an oven." JJ took a sip of her coffee. "I'm sure I could cook if I really tried. I just haven't."

"Yeah, I think that's a recipe for disaster." Emily grimaced. "No pun intended."

"You're so mean to me." JJ huffed dramatically. "See if I share my snacks with you."

"You will." Emily grinned. "You wouldn't let your girlfriend starve."

"Try me, sweetheart."

Emily was half-asleep, draped over JJ as they lay in the blonde's bed, a trashy reality show playing in the background. Emily had cooked, JJ had done the dishes, and after a few hours on the couch, JJ had offered Emily her run of the closet if she stayed the night. She could feel the vibrations of JJ's yawn travel through her chest, humming underneath Emily's ear. JJ's hand ran idly through Emily's hair as they both pretended to watch the TV show neither of them cared much about.

"Jenn'fer." Emily tucked her face into JJ's neck, sighing contentedly. "You still watchin'?"

"Not really." JJ felt around for the remote, clicking the power button once she'd located it. "You sleeping?"

"Almost." Emily took in a handful of JJ's shirt, holding it tightly. 

"Why do you do that?" JJ asked, running a gentle finger over Emily's knuckles. "You find something to grab, like if you let go, I'll disappear."

"You're like a dream." Emily pressed her lips to the skin of JJ's neck. "Just making sure you'll be here when I wake up."

"I will be, sweetheart." JJ kissed the top of Emily's head. "Sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

Emily's grumbled response was either in a foreign language or unintelligible, and JJ couldn't tell the difference.

Emily woke up to a cold pillow under her cheek in a bed that smelled like her girlfriend, the dull glow of the streetlights streaming through the blinds. She rubbed her eyes, shoving the duvet aside as she stood up. 

"Jennifer, where'd you go?" She called, shivering in the cold of JJ's apartment. 

"Hey, sweetheart, what are you doing up?" JJ wrapped her arms around Emily's waist, kissing her forehead sweetly. "It's early."

"Dunno. Woke up and you were gone." Emily buried her face in JJ's neck. "It's not as comfy without you."

"I'm sorry, I was just getting a glass of water." JJ pulled back, smoothing her hands over Emily's arms. "Let's go back to bed, okay, pretty girl?"

"Mhm, bed." Emily smiled sleepily, following JJ back into the bedroom.

The week before the start of winter break, the school put on a spirit week with different dress-up themes for every day. On Monday, the theme was tame - "Wacky Sock Day." There were a few kids in knee-high socks with silly patterns, a lot of mismatched pairs, and someone who wore fuzzy socks that went up to their thighs and a pair of shorts. Emily thought that kid might freeze to death. Of course, JJ played along, wearing one gray knee-high sock with little pencils and papers on it and another blue one with clouds and pigs with wings. 

Tuesday was "Color Wars", where every grade was assigned a color to wear, and JJ came to school dressed head-to-toe in green, the freshman's assigned color. She even brought Emily a green tie to wear with her usual button-down and blazer, and if it had been anyone else, Emily would have vehemently disagreed, but it was JJ, and she was so excited. Emily very reluctantly wore the tie. 

Emily stayed at JJ's apartment on Tuesday night, so she was sent to work wearing baby pink slacks for "On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink," a theme day most of the students only knew through the phrase. JJ complained to Emily that no one watched good movies anymore, so they watched Mean Girls on JJ's couch that night.

Emily had slept at her own apartment, and she was sure JJ would have something planned for Thursday's "Twin Day," but she didn't know what. Pairs of students roamed the halls in matching clothes, and Emily was pouring a cup of coffee in the teachers' lounge when she caught sight of her girlfriend.

"Oh my god." She laughed as JJ retrieved her mug. "Jennifer, really?"

JJ grinned, holding her arms out as she spun, displaying her best inverse Emily outfit. Instead of loose black slacks and a blazer, JJ wore white, and she'd replaced the maroon button-down with a light blue one. Her hair was even pulled into a claw clip, white stilettos completing the look. 

"What, you don't like it?" JJ teased, taking the coffee pot from her girlfriend's hands. 

"You're ridiculous." Emily shook her head lightly, noticing the little gold hoops in her ears that matched the silver ones Emily wore. "And insanely detailed."

"You love it." JJ tugged on the hem of Emily's blazer. "And you're insanely predictable. I knew you'd wear the red shirt today."

"Menace." Emily chuckled. "You missed something, though."

"Oh, yeah?" JJ raised an eyebrow, cocking her head to the side. "Tell me what I forgot."

"The belt." Emily resisted the urge to pull JJ against her by her belt loops. 

"I didn't like the black one with the outfit." JJ shrugged. "Penelope's bringing me a white one."

"My most beautiful friends!" Penelope's cheery voice filled the room. "I have a gift for you, beloved blondie."

"Thanks, Pen!" JJ winked at Emily as she took the belt from her friend. "Am I missing anything now, sweetheart?"

"You're still a menace." Emily sighed. 

"I win!" JJ laughed gleefully as she threaded the belt through the loops of her slacks. "Told you I could get her to dress up, Pen."

"You're in on it?" Emily frowned. "You two are evil."

"You're cute when you're trying to be mad." JJ teased. "I'll buy you lunch."

"I'm not wearing pajamas to work." Emily insisted.

"That was my bet, sweetheart. Your lunch is paid for by my winnings." JJ slipped out of the teachers' lounge before Emily could argue.

Emily inhaled sharply as she woke to a cold bed. JJ was always up earlier in the mornings, but Emily was cold without her. She dug an oversized tee out of JJ's dresser drawer before she trudged into the kitchen, inhaling the warm scent of coffee. 

"Morning." JJ kissed Emily sweetly. "Sleep well?"

"Until I woke up all cold." Emily pouted dramatically. "And not with my gorgeous, naked girlfriend in bed where she was when I fell asleep."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." JJ lifted Emily's chin to kiss her again. "We can go back to bed if you want."

"You gonna stay and let me sleep on you?" Emily asked, taking in handfuls of JJ's - no, her shirt. JJ wore Emily's oversized button-up, mostly unbuttoned, the sleeves undone and scrunched up to her elbows, and nothing else. "And don't change."

"I'm comfy in this." JJ agreed easily. "C'mon, sleepyhead. My girl needs her beauty sleep."

"Not nice," Emily grumbled, following JJ back into her bedroom.

"Not for your face, pretty girl, for your attitude." JJ teased, climbing underneath the covers and holding out her arms. "You're going to be all grumpy if I don't let you sleep in."

"Only because you tried to take my pillow." Emily draped herself over her girlfriend, tucking her head underneath JJ's chin. "G'night."

"Goodnight, crazy lady." JJ pressed a kiss to Emily's hair, putting on a movie with the volume low. She waited until she was sure Emily had fallen asleep before she whispered, "I love you," into the quiet of the bedroom.

"I cannot believe I let you talk me into this." Emily gripped the railing of the skating rink, slowly hobbling along while JJ skated backward in front of her, taunting her with her coordination and balance. The blonde giggled, holding out her hands for Emily to take.

"It helps if you stand upright." She teased, pulling Emily along as she circled the rink. "I'm going to turn around. Watch my feet."

"No, don't let go!" Emily's arms flailed as she attempted to keep upright without JJ's steady support. JJ caught her, standing beside her with an arm around her waist. "Why won't you let me watch from the benches?"

"Because you're overthinking it." JJ chuckled. "Watch my feet. I've got you." 

JJ circled the rink again, keeping Emily steady as the brunette's gaze remained focused on how JJ's skates moved against the ice. She frowned as she tried to run through the motions in her head - push, glide, push, glide. 

"See how my back foot is angled a little? You need something to push off of." JJ moved fluidly until she was behind Emily, hands on her waist. "Back foot angled, push."

Emily obeyed, wobbling in JJ's hold as she moved on her own for the first time. She repeated it with her other foot, then switched back, then again, and she was inching forward, awkwardly relying on her girlfriend to keep from falling.

"There you go! Just like that, sweetheart." JJ cheered, loosening her grip slightly. "Keep going, you've got it."

Emily moved a little faster, gaining confidence, actually moving now as she focused on the way her feet moved. JJ followed closely, her hands moving further away from Emily's waist until the brunette was skating on her own, shakily and slowly. 

"Jen, I'm skating!" Emily laughed, doing her best not to stare down at the ice.

"You are!" JJ smiled, allowing Emily to gain a little distance. "See, I told you you could do it!" 

Emily would have rolled her eyes if she weren't so afraid of falling. She settled for holding her hand out, grinning when JJ took it, tangling their fingers together. 

"Yeah, yeah. You're always right." Emily managed to slow to a stop, turning into JJ's arms. "I love you."

JJ's eyes widened as she cupped Emily's cheeks with gloved hands. When they first got together, they'd danced around it, but they'd never strung the three words together, not out loud, not while the other could hear them. 

"I love you, too." She smiled so wide her cheeks hurt. "I love you, Emily."

Emily laughed as she wrapped her arms around JJ's neck, their lips cold as they kissed, bundled up in coats and hats and gloves on a pop-up ice-skating rink in the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art. Perfect . JJ's hands warmed Emily's cheeks as they stood, mostly relying on JJ's balance to keep them upright. 

Until JJ's right skate slipped, her left one following, and both of them tumbled to the ice, Emily tucking a hand under JJ's head to keep her from hitting it. They stilled for a moment, staring at one another, checking if they were hurt, and then JJ burst into a fit of giggles, lying prone on the ice. Emily followed, her head dropping onto JJ's shoulder as they laughed too hard to stand back up.

Chapter Text

Emily tucked her hands into her pockets, rushing through the harsh winter cold to get to the Languages building before she lost feeling in her toes through her thick socks and heavy boots. She'd spent the first half of her winter break with JJ, visiting Christmas markets, watching Hallmark movies, and living in a little bubble of romance. JJ had flown home to Pennsylvania for Christmas and stayed through the new year, and they hadn't seen each other since the morning JJ left, despite Emily's many offers to drive her to and from the airport.

She sighed happily as she stepped through the doors, the heating blessedly replacing the sharp bite of icy winds. The building was completely empty, the sound of Emily's boots clomping through the halls filling the silence as she made her way to her classroom, tugging off her gloves as she walked. She wasn't too much earlier than she was supposed to be, which was a shocking improvement, according to JJ, who was adamant that Emily should stick to her contracted working hours. 

Emily's key turned in the lock of her classroom door, and she reached for the light switch, only to find it turned on, and the room she'd expected to be empty held a blonde woman sitting patiently at a student's desk in the front row.

"Miss Prentiss, it's good to see you." Strauss's smile was tight, bordering on a grimace.

"Mrs. Strauss." Emily froze in the doorway, studying the principal. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I've been notified of another rumor circulating about you." Strauss folded her hands in her lap. 

"School hasn't even started yet. Where could you have heard a rumor?" Emily shrugged off her coat, shaking off her surprise at the principal waiting in her classroom.

"The internet is readily available to our students and staff members." Strauss's smile reached her eyes, the first time Emily had ever seen her seem genuinely happy. "I've heard that you and Miss Jareau are engaged in a romantic relationship."

Right. Emily and JJ had prepared for this. They'd kept their relationship under wraps, which had been easier than anticipated, considering they'd acted like partners before they'd ever started dating. They'd practiced things they should say if Strauss decided to confront them again, but those had been for a formal meeting in the principal's office, not an ambush in Emily's office.

"My contracted hours haven't begun yet. We can continue this conversation another time." Emily set her bag down and sat in her chair, fishing for her phone in her coat pocket. "In your office with Miss Jareau and our union rep present."

"Miss Prentiss, this is -"

"I'm not clocked in. This meeting is unpaid; therefore not mandatory. Is that all?" Emily opened her phone to JJ's contact, her finger hovering over the call button as Strauss huffed, heels clicking angrily as she rushed out of the room. 

"Meet me in my office at seven-fifteen." The door shut heavily, and Emily melted into her seat. 

"Hey, sweetheart, what's up?" JJ's voice flowed through the speaker of Emily's phone. 

"Strauss wants to see us in her office. We're out now, I guess." Emily ran a hand through her hair. "Which is fine. It's fine."

"We've been to HR. We're above board." JJ sighed. 

"She tried to catch me alone. She knows you're better at this than I am." Emily took in a deep breath. "But we've been through this. She left. Well, I kind of kicked her out of my classroom, but she's gone."

"Em, you kicked her out?" JJ gasped. "My very own Emily 'Authority Issues' Prentiss kicked her boss out of her classroom? I'm so proud."

"You owe me coffee just for calling me that." Emily decided. "And because you're proud of me."

"Sure, I'll buy you coffee." JJ chuckled. "I'm heading out now. I love you."

"Love you, too." Emily waited until her phone beeped with the end of the call before she dropped it onto the desk, burying her face in her hands.

"Here, sweetheart. You okay?" JJ set a cup of coffee on the desk in front of her. 

"Stressed, but fine." Emily nodded slowly. "Nothing bad is going to happen. It'll be uncomfortable, but fine."

"Exactly." JJ smiled. "I thought you'd be freaking out."

"Oh, trust me, I am." Emily laughed breathily. "Last time, I wasn't prepared. I didn't know how this worked. Now, I do. I know that if she recommends my dismissal, it'll end badly for her, not for me. You've got this."

"You do, too." JJ leaned against the edge of Emily's desk. "You'll do great."

"Yes, a great job of shutting up and letting her dig her own grave." Emily rolled her eyes. "You're the mastermind. I'm just a pretty face."

"We did need eye candy to pull this off." JJ teased. 

"I knew my job was important." Emily grinned.

JJ crossed her legs, sitting up straight in her seat. With her shoulders squared, she maintained eye contact with the principal as she waited for the meeting to begin, refusing to give this woman a shred of power over her. Emily picked at her nails, watching her girlfriend stare down their boss, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. Without looking away, JJ placed her hand over Emily's, a wordless instruction. Don't do that.  

"So." Strauss broke eye contact first, setting her phone screen-side-up on her desk. "I've received a photo that has been circulating among both students and staff."

"Interesting." JJ's tone suggested the exact opposite, flat and bored. "What is this photo of?"

"The two of you. In a… compromised position." Strauss clicked through her phone, and Emily's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing as she turned to look at her girlfriend. They were smart, they knew they were going to be seen by students at some point, and they'd never risk kids seeing… anything like that.

Strauss showed the two of them a picture taken at the skating rink at the National Gallery of Art, JJ lying on her back with Emily on top of her. Oh. They'd fallen, and then fallen again into a fit of giggles that made it difficult to stand up properly, but they obviously weren't doing anything inappropriate. The picture showed Emily laughing gleefully with her gloved hands planted on JJ's shoulders, and JJ with her head thrown back, arms wrapped around Emily's waist. 

"This is what you call a compromising position? The two of us, in a very public place, lying on the ice." JJ arched a brow. "I'd hardly even call that proof of a romantic relationship."

"But this is." Strauss swiped to another photo, this one of Emily with her arms wrapped around JJ's neck as they kissed, JJ's hands cupping the brunette's cheeks. 

"Yes, it is." JJ nodded, biting the inside of her lip to suppress a smile. She'd have to ask Penelope for those photos later. "We've filed with HR and signed the required paperwork."

"And you didn't consider it necessary to inform your direct superior?" Strauss asked. "Or even your own friends, seeing as Miss Garcia seemed especially shocked by this information."

"Why would we be required to inform anyone of our relationship?" JJ asked. "We didn't want our interactions to be watched like a telenovela. You know that schools are particularly fond of drama. We weren't interested in being considered a source of entertainment."

"Nothing has changed between us professionally," Emily added. "We filed the paperwork in November, and it's January. No one caught on for over a month and a half."

"There was a rumor about a potential romantic relationship between the two of you beginning in August." Strauss frowned. "Less than a month into the school year."

"An unsubstantiated rumor." JJ corrected her pointedly. "At the time, we were not engaged in a romantic relationship. Now that we are, no one has said a word."

"Either way, this brings your behavior to my attention." Strauss folded her hands in her lap. "It seems the two of you are behind locked doors together rather often."

"Talking. Working." JJ nodded. "We share students. We discuss teaching strategies."

"Daily?" Strauss asked. "You two rely on each other that much."

"Not daily, but often." JJ shrugged. "Emily keeps her door locked during breaks to prep for her next classes. Student worksheets and PowerPoint presentations are always ready at the beginning of third and fifth periods."

"Jen brings breakfast into my room during the morning break and a snack in the afternoon. We talk." Emily picked at her cuticles. 

"Besides, what do you think we manage to get up to in less than fifteen minutes?" JJ resisted the urge to add, I'm good, but I'm not that good. "With students on the other side of the door and cameras in every classroom."

"If you're so worried about our behavior while we're behind locked doors, why haven't you checked the cameras?" Emily furrowed her brow. "Unless you have, and you haven't found anything, and you're trying to push us to confess to inappropriate conduct during school hours."

"I haven't checked the cameras. They automatically delete the footage after every week. There would be no record before the beginning of winter break." Strauss sighed. "I will, however, be monitoring them in the coming weeks."

"You'll be bored, but be my guest." JJ shrugged. "Are you finished? There isn't much time before the first bell, and I'm sure you'd prefer if we were on time for our classes."

"That's all for now." Strauss nodded. "I'd recommend you remain professional while in public as well, considering your behavior reflects upon this school, even if you aren't at work."

"That's a nice recommendation, but as I'm sure you're aware, you have no control over our behavior outside of school hours. Have a good day, Erin." JJ's smile didn't reach her eyes, but Emily wanted to kiss it off her face all the same. 

"Oh, the two of you are in ultra-trouble!" JJ's shoulders dropped as the hurried footfalls of one Penelope Garcia approached. "You've been having a secret, sapphic love affair that I was not informed of?"

"Pen…" JJ crossed her arms over her stomach. "I'm sorry. It was mostly because of Strauss."

"My most gorgeous peaches, how long has this been going on?" Penelope tapped her foot, looking between Emily and JJ.

"Since the field trip," JJ mumbled. "But it's not like we were being all that secretive. We were acting like we did before, and everyone thought we were dating then, so…"

"And everyone was wrong, hence the lack of a second accusation." Penelope narrowed her eyes at the couple, watching as Emily's hand moved to rest on the small of JJ's back, a frown on her lips. "Besides, you couldn't have waited one more week? I lost to Spencer of all people!"

"You lost?" JJ chuckled, shaking her head. "You're mad because Spence won a bet?"

"Mostly, yes." Penelope nodded curtly. "I'm also so very happy for the two of you. It's about dang time."

"Ha-ha, so funny." JJ rolled her eyes. "We're going to work now."

"I'm so totally putting together a party for this!" Penelope called after them.

"Goodbye, Penelope." JJ grinned.

JJ curled into a ball at one end of the couch, still aching for a kiss from her girlfriend after the useless meeting they'd had that morning. Emily's eyes raked over her, desperate to be wrapped in her arms. Their lunch was spread out between them, but neither made a move to touch it, caught in an intense battle against themselves. 

"I love you, you know," Emily murmured, wrapping her arms around herself, a poor replacement for the real thing. 

"I love you, too." JJ smiled softly, resting her head against the back of the couch. "Your place or mine?"

"Will I wake up to you in my shirt again if you stay at mine?" Emily teased. "If so, mine. Always mine. You're so pretty in my clothes."

"Will you make me dinner?" JJ narrowed her eyes at her girlfriend jokingly. 

"I always do." Emily chuckled. "I should just clear out a drawer for you." 

"Mhm, you should." JJ's smile widened. "I'll clear one out for you, too. We hardly spend any time apart."

"I don't want to. I sleep better when I'm with you." Emily shrugged. "You're a very comfy pillow."

"So I've been told." JJ laughed. "I don't want to be alone tonight. I miss you, and you're right there."

"I know. I do, too." Emily sighed. "I'm very ready to go home. You've ruined me. I need physical contact."

"Oh, I've ruined you." JJ rolled her eyes. "You're twice as clingy as I am."

"I don't even like hugs with anyone else." Emily stuck her bottom lip out in a dramatic pout. "I'm touch-starved. I need you to cuddle with me."

"You're ridiculous." JJ shook her head lightly. "We can cuddle on the couch after work. I'm never opposed to having you in my lap."

"I love you." Emily grinned lopsidedly. "You're my favorite."

"I'd better be." JJ picked up her sandwich, something in the pit of her stomach settling at the assurance of a night spent together. "Eat. We don't have long before -"

The classroom door burst open, and four students rushed in, buzzing with excitement as they took their seats on the floor. 

"Listen, I know it's none of our business, but please tell me you're actually dating this time." Hannah pleaded. "There's a picture this time. It has to be real."

"Yes, we're together." JJ chuckled. "Don't go telling people we told you."

"Yessss!" Hannah cheered. "Finally, finally, finally. We thought you'd never get it together."

"Hannah!" Riley hissed. "Inappropriate."

"Right. Yeah." Hannah nodded. "Forget I said that."

"You two." JJ laughed, smiling at Emily's light blush. 

Chapter Text

Emily buried her face in JJ's neck, wrapped tightly around her on the couch in the blonde's apartment. The AC hummed loudly in the background, keeping the temperature bearable enough for Emily to drape herself over JJ's lap, humming as JJ's fingers ran through her hair, nails gently scratching at her scalp. Winter had long since faded, springtime beginning to give way to summer as the end of the school year crept up on them. 

"Em, you awake?" JJ asked, her voice low. Emily nodded, barely awake enough to understand the question. "You falling asleep?"

"Comfy," Emily mumbled into JJ's neck. "D'you wanna move?"

"No, sweetheart, you stay." JJ pressed a kiss to the bare skin of Emily's shoulder, the tank top she'd stolen leaving plenty of space for JJ's lips. "Just wondering."

"You're thinking too loud," Emily grumbled. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, go to sleep." JJ shook her head. "I love you."

"You're making me get up." Emily sighed, lifting her head so that she could meet JJ's eyes. "Talk to me, Jen."

"I was just thinking about how we spend all our time together." JJ ran her hands up and down Emily's sides. "And you're never at your apartment anymore. We're always here."

"Mhm, and this is just occurring to you?" Emily raised her eyebrows, brushing JJ's hair out of her face. "Do you want me to spend more time at my place?"

"No! No, I want you here." JJ insisted. "I'm just saying… We practically live together, right?"

"Right," Emily replied, dragging out the word with a furrowed brow. 

"And we split chores and stuff already," JJ added.

"Jennifer, what's this about?" Emily cupped the blonde's cheek, running a gentle thumb over her skin. 

"We should move in together." JJ leaned into the touch, turning to press a kiss to Emily's palm. "You're paying rent for an apartment you don't live in. Most of your stuff is here, you're always here. It just makes sense."

"You want me to move in?" Emily's face broke into a wide grin, kissing JJ soundly. "Jen, you could've just said that."

"Forgive me for being a little bit nervous." JJ rolled her eyes, giggling as Emily kissed her again, then again, and again. "Obviously, I didn't need to be."

"You didn't." Emily rested her forehead against the blonde's. "Of course I'll move in with you."

"Yeah?" JJ smiled softly.

"Definitely." Emily nodded. "Why would I ever say no?"

"I dunno." JJ shrugged. "Just because I'm ready doesn't mean you are."

"I'm very ready," Emily promised, sealing it with another kiss. "Now, I was just about to take a very cozy nap. I'm going to get back to that."

"You're such a dork." JJ laughed, wrapping her arms around Emily's waist as the brunette buried her face in JJ's neck once more.

"Your dork." Emily's lips brushed against JJ's skin. "Yours."

"Mine." JJ agreed.

Emily sat beside JJ on the bench, watching the soccer team run across the field. JJ had dragged her out, insisting she go to the final game of the season, and Emily had reluctantly agreed, throwing on a school shirt and a pair of shorts. Sure, Emily had lived in a few countries that were particularly fond of soccer, but she'd never paid attention to a sport. JJ was whispering the rules in her ear, and maybe sitting in the heat was worth that. 

"You're really cute when you're all confused." JJ teased. "Ball goes in goal, we score."

"I know that , Jennifer." Emily rolled her eyes. "And I'm not cute."

"I disagree wholeheartedly, but I don't have time to argue with you right now." JJ patted Emily's knee before she stood, calling a player off the field to trade with another on the bench.

JJ's team was good . Emily didn't have to understand the rules to know that. Their school was winning the championship game by a landslide, and Emily found herself cheering just as loudly as her girlfriend, who giggled every time she asked a question. What's a penalty kick? Is the goalie supposed to be using her hands? What's a yellow card?  

"Less than two minutes, sweetheart." JJ grinned, watching as Emily's face lit up. "And then we take the girls to pizza."

"Aw, c'mon." Emily pouted dramatically. "I didn't know I was being roped into an afterparty, too."

"Why do you think I made you come to the last game? I haven't tried to bring you to any of the others all season." JJ chuckled. 

"Because it's the championship game and Hannah begged me to come." Emily's shoulders slumped. "You call me evil, but I think you're underestimating yourself."

"I choose to take that as a compliment." JJ shrugged. 

When the referee blew his whistle to announce the end of the game, the girls on the bench ran out onto the field to celebrate with their teammates while JJ cheered loudly, hopping up and dragging Emily with her. Emily clapped along with her until JJ jogged out to congratulate the kids, announcing their pizza party and earning a second celebration. She laughed, loud and free, and Emily's chest felt too small for her heart. 

"Let's go, sweetheart. We've got a pizza party to get to!" JJ announced, hauling a duffel bag of equipment over her shoulder. 

"Since the game is over, you're not technically working anymore, right?" Emily asked, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. 

"Not technically , no." JJ grinned. "Why?"

"I really want to kiss you right now." Emily's hands found their place on JJ's hips. "I think I might die if I don't."

"You're insane, you know that?" JJ shook her head lightly, making no move to pull away. "The kids are still here. They're leaving, but they're here."

"I'm finding it very difficult to care about that." Emily shrugged. "Do you want me to stop?"

"You're making it really hard to say no." JJ tilted her head to one side, gaze fixed on Emily's lips. "Kiss me."

So Emily did. She pressed her lips to JJ's, managing to find an angle where JJ's baseball cap wasn't in the way. Maybe it was a little bit unprofessional, and maybe they should've waited until they were in the car, but Emily's focus was on JJ's lips against hers, her hand threaded through the baby hairs at the nape of Emily's neck, keeping her close for the moment they allowed themselves, a celebration of their own. There was whooping from near the exits, the kids clearly plenty entertained by their teachers' public display of affection, but JJ just laughed, entranced by her girlfriend. 

"Congratulations, coach." Emily pressed one last quick kiss to JJ's lips. 

"I'll say." JJ hummed, smiling brightly as Emily pulled away, tangling their fingers together. 

"Don't we have a pizza party to get to?" Emily grinned, tugging her girlfriend along on her way to the parking lot. 

"You're still evil." JJ followed happily, shooting a grin at Strauss, who watched them with a deep frown. "I kind of love pissing her off."

"Now who's insane?" Emily teased.

"Emily Elizabeth Prentiss, it is the last day of school. We cannot be late." JJ laughed, her head falling back against Emily's shoulder as the brunette pushed aside the fabric of the shirt JJ had stolen from her to trail kisses down her neck. "I mean it."

"Mhm, sure." Emily smiled against JJ's skin, hands gripping her hips. "Shouldn't have worn my shirt, then."

"Emily!" JJ squirmed out of her girlfriend's grasp, attempting to refocus on her makeup. "We're getting dressed, not undressed. Go put your clothes on."

"Buzzkill." Emily teased, leaving one last kiss on JJ's neck before she disappeared into the closet. "I can't steal your clothes back! They don't fit!"

"Yours fit. Put them on." JJ smiled, shaking her head. "Come on, it's six-thirty-five!"

"Fine, fine. Clothes on." Emily pulled a shirt off its hanger, throwing it on along with a pair of slacks, paying little attention to the clothes she was wearing. She slipped on her heels, threaded her belt through its loops, and ran her hands through her hair before she moved back into the bathroom.

"Em." JJ froze, eyes dragging over her girlfriend's figure in the mirror. "The first date shirt, really?"

"Oh." Emily looked down at her outfit. "I guess so."

"You're a menace." JJ dropped her lipstick on the counter, pulling Emily in for a kiss by the collar of her shirt. "I love you in this shirt."

"I thought we had to be on time for the last day of school." Emily chuckled, threading her fingers through JJ's hair. 

"We can be a little bit late." JJ conceded, pushing Emily toward the bed. "Quick, though."

"Yes, ma'am." Emily grinned.

Emily and JJ rushed into the building fifteen minutes after they were supposed to arrive, breathless as they hurried toward the elevator. JJ sighed heavily, leaning against the cold metal wall. 

"This is your fault." She insisted. 

"Mine? I'm not the one who shoved me into bed when she saw me in this shirt." Emily chuckled. 

"You got me all worked up before you even put on the shirt." JJ crossed her arms over her chest. "I blame you."

"I'll take that." Emily shrugged. "So worth it, though."

"You're awful." JJ laughed. "I'll get you for this."

"Oh, I can't wait." Emily winked, stepping backwards out of the elevator. 

"Behave. We're at work now." JJ chuckled, following Emily down the hallway. 

"I'll do my best." Emily's tone was the opposite of convincing, and JJ shot her a glare before she ducked into her classroom.

When the final bell rang and all of the students poured into the halls, Emily stood in her doorway, smiling at her girlfriend across the raging river of kids on their way to summer break. JJ leaned against the doorframe, her hands shoved in her pockets as she smiled right back. JJ's bag was already slung over her shoulder as she waited for the chaos to dissipate. Emily ducked back into her classroom to gather her things, tucking her laptop into her bag and collecting a pile of books to put back on the shelves. JJ came in soon after her, moving about the room to pick up abandoned papers and pencils. They worked silently together, cleaning up the classroom for the end of the school year.

"Ready to go?" JJ asked, retrieving her backpack from Emily's desk chair. 

"Let's get out of here." Emily nodded, threading their fingers together as they exited the school for the last time that year.

JJ flopped across the bed, still wearing a too-short dress and a pair of heels, head fuzzy from the alcohol and body buzzing from Emily. The brunette was giggly and relaxed, lying on her back next to her girlfriend, her feet hanging off the edge of the bed with her combat boots still on. Neither of them cared to move, lazing in a tipsy haze after another one of Penelope's bar parties.

"Emmy," JJ mumbled, muffled by her face in the comforter. "We have to change."

"Jenny." Emily giggled, rolling onto her side. "I'm comfy now."

"Nuh-uh. Pajamas." JJ grunted as she climbed off the bed, kicking her heels off haphazardly. "Need help, please."

"Fine." Emily sighed, standing behind her girlfriend as she unzipped her dress. "I'm wearing your shirt, though."

"Trade." JJ shrugged, pulling one of Emily's oldest, softest shirts out of the dresser and tugging it over her head. She hummed happily, trudging into the bathroom to take off her makeup. 

Emily followed suit, leaning against the counter as she wiped mascara from under her eyes. They moved fluidly around each other, JJ reaching around Emily to snag her toothpaste, Emily reaching underneath JJ's arm to retrieve her face wash. JJ's shoulders slumped as she finished, leaving her toothbrush on the counter instead of putting it away. She'd deal with that in the morning. Right now, she was tired, and Emily was sitting on the counter, waiting for her to get into bed. 

JJ climbed underneath the covers, reaching for the remote on her nightstand to turn the fan on high. Emily curled into her side, snuggling close. JJ smiled, wrapping her arms around the brunette as her eyes fluttered shut, sleep taking her easily.

Emily woke again to an empty bed, a regular occurrence considering JJ's insane ability to wake up early no matter what time she fell asleep. The sheets were cold, so Emily was sure she'd been in bed by herself for a while. She grumbled as she sat up, throwing the sheet off her legs before she crawled out of bed, making her way into the living room. As always, she found JJ on the couch, bare feet kicked up on the coffee table with a cup of coffee dangerously near them. She had a book in her lap and a pair of glasses perched on her nose, hair mussed and shirt sliding off her shoulder. 

Emily tucked her finger between the pages as she took the book from JJ's hands and climbed into her lap, her knees bracketing the blonde's hips. She handed the book back to her girlfriend before she buried her face in her neck, humming contentedly. JJ hooked her chin over Emily's shoulder and continued to read, one hand holding the book while the other ran up and down Emily's back, pausing occasionally to turn the page. Emily always woke up slowly, and she preferred to do so wrapped around her girlfriend. 

"Whatcha readin'?" Emily asked, forehead resting against JJ's shoulder. 

" One Last Stop . Queer romance." JJ answered. "It's my favorite book."

"Mhm, the one you have the limited edition of." Emily nodded. "I still need to read it."

"You'd like it." JJ pressed a kiss to Emily's shoulder. "It's by my favorite author."

"You and your gay books." Emily teased. 

"You and your gay self." JJ poked at Emily's side, laughing as Emily squirmed away from the touch. "Not all of us can read classics all the time and be fully entertained."

"Some of 'em are boring." Emily nodded. "Some are good, though. You like Les Misérables. "

"I do." JJ hummed. "We should go see the musical someday. It's not on Broadway anymore, but it tours."

"I'll see when it's in the district next." Emily agreed easily. "We should go to New York by ourselves now that we're on break."

"Sounds like fun. You wanna kiss at the top of the Empire State Building?" JJ grinned lopsidedly. 

"I don't want to go anywhere near the top of the Empire State Building, thanks." Emily chuckled. "You have fun up there."

"You're scared of heights?" JJ gasped. "I can't believe I didn't know that."

"I'm not scared of heights, I'm scared of falling," Emily grumbled. "I went to the top of the Washington Monument once, and I could've sworn it was swaying."

"Oh, sweetheart." JJ cooed, peppering the side of Emily's face with kisses. "I'd never let you fall."

"You're such a sap." Emily giggled, wrinkling up her nose. "Still, we should do something over the break."

"We should. We could go to New York or Baltimore. I don't know, we're close to a lot of cities." JJ mused. 

"We could go to Europe." Emily offered. "My family has a house in the Alps."

"Sweetheart, that's the kind of trip you plan for months in advance." JJ frowned. "Save up for, budget, that kind of thing."

"I can buy the tickets." Emily shrugged. 

"No, you won't." JJ shook her head. "That's way too much, sweetheart."

"But what if I just wanted to visit my grandfather's very remote cabin in the Alps with my beautiful girlfriend?" Emily pouted dramatically. "And show her where I spent my summers when I was little?"

"Em, sweetheart, my love, do you remember how worried you were about me paying on the first date?" JJ arched a brow. "This is that times a hundred."

"Mm, probably more like three or four." Emily mused. "It's so pretty, Jen. You'd love it. There are these fields of wildflowers that are so pretty. The cabin's in the forest, and there's this little creek I used to play in. It's a bit of a drive, but there's a cute little town we could visit."

"Maybe next summer, sweetheart. I'm not letting you spend a fortune on plane tickets." JJ insisted. 

"C'mon, baby." Emily cupped JJ's cheeks, kissing her languidly. "Let me take you away."

"You've never called me that." JJ's eyes widened, her hands gripping Emily's hips tightly. 

"You know you want to go, baby." Emily grinned. "You'd look so pretty surrounded by flowers."

"Emily, this isn't fair," JJ whined. "It's too expensive."

"I did mention it's a very remote cabin, right? In the middle of the forest? With no one around for miles?" Emily smirked. "Let me spoil you."

JJ groaned, leaning her head against the back of the couch. "Only if you let me pay for food and stuff."

"Whatever you want, baby ." Emily pressed her lips to JJ's. "I'm filing that one away."

"No, you're not, you're going to use it right now. Bed, woman." JJ smacked Emily's ass, grinning when Emily yelped. "Move."

Emily rolled down the window, inhaling the smell of the forest, humming happily as JJ looked around excitedly, a wide smile on her lips. The narrow road leading up to the cabin wasn't paved, just worn in from years of driving over the same ground. Emily was almost surprised she'd driven here without help from the GPS, which hadn't been useful considering the streets didn't have names and the cabin didn't have an address. She drove up the driveway, pulling the parking brake into place before she turned off the car, watching as JJ practically jumped out of the car, buzzing with excitement. 

"Come on, show me around." She held out her hand, and Emily tucked herself under her arm instead. "You came here every summer?"

"Most of them, yeah." Emily smiled, locating the lockbox her mother had installed after her grandfather passed. They'd had to replace the doorknob, the lock rusted into place from lack of use. Being so far out of town, there was no way anyone could break in without being heard. The only thing that had changed was the addition of sheets draped over the furniture to collect the dust, and Emily felt something in her chest clench. 

"You okay, sweetheart?" JJ squeezed Emily's arm.

"Yeah. I guess I forgot he wasn't going to come to the door, you know?" Emily smiled sadly. "He was always so happy to see us. He snuck me sugar I wasn't supposed to have and told my mother it was important that a young girl be allowed to get dirty every once in a while. I didn't have to be ladylike here. It was perfect."

"I wish I could've met him." JJ pressed a kiss to Emily's cheek, resting her forehead against the brunette's temple.

"He would have loved you." Emily chuckled. "He was a romantic. My mother married for status, but he married for love, and he always wanted me to do the same. When I was sixteen, he told me never to settle for anything less than the love of my life."

"That's sweet." JJ grinned. "I think we'd have gotten along."

"Oh, almost too well." Emily shook her head lightly. "It'd be nice to see, though. He was pretty great."

"If he had a hand in raising you, he must've been." JJ cupped Emily's cheek, turning her head to press a gentle kiss to her lips. "Now, show me this house."

"Right. I mean, obviously, that's the living room, this is the kitchen."

JJ lay on her back on the picnic blanket, watching the clouds float by. They'd found a spot where the wildflowers had grown short enough to sit on, on the edge of a field of colorful flowers. Emily had packed a basket of food, and JJ had located a blanket and the basket in a hall closet. The little path that led here was twisty and long, but they laughed the whole way, fingers intertwined as they walked. 

"This is so perfect." JJ sighed, reaching up to pull Emily down to her, kissing her sweetly. "I almost don't want to leave."

"We'll retire here, then." Emily brushed her nose against JJ's, eyes fluttering shut as she hovered over her, one hand on her cheek. "When we're old and gray."

"Mm, you'd look good with gray hair." JJ ran a hand through Emily's hair. "I'll stick to the blonde for as long as possible, though."

"You'll look pretty no matter what, Jen." Emily hummed. "I don't think you could ever be unattractive. It's against the laws of nature."

"You're biased." JJ laughed, shifting until her head lay in Emily's lap. "But thank you, sweetheart."

"I'm correct." Emily insisted, tangling her fingers with JJ, their hands resting on the blonde's chest. "You don't have a moratorium on being right."

"That's where you're wrong." JJ teased. "I'm always right. It's the laws of nature."

"You're a dork." Emily chuckled. "I'm so in love with you."

"I'm in love with you, too." JJ smiled, her gaze moving back to the sky, pointing up at a fluffy white cloud. "Look, that one's a heart."

Emily tugged JJ along the cobblestone walking path through the village nearest the cabin, a tiny little town that rarely had tourists, and JJ huddled close to her girlfriend's side, very aware of the eyes of the townspeople focused on them. Emily didn't seem to mind, pulling JJ into a small bakery. Emily translated menu items and described the ones she knew JJ wouldn't be familiar with, and the man behind the counter grinned at them. 

"Americans?" He asked, his French accent thick. Emily replied in rapid French, falling into light conversation while JJ watched, eyebrows raised. She'd heard Emily speak French a million times, but she'd never seen her engage in a fast-paced conversation.

"He asked if you've ever had a French baguette." Emily squeezed her girlfriend's hand. "I'm assuming that'll be a no."

"No, I haven't." JJ smiled sheepishly. "Get me whatever, you know what I like."

"That I do." Emily nodded, returning to her conversation with the shopkeeper. He gathered a wide assortment of baked goods, and Emily attempted to pull out her wallet, only to be shot a glare. 

"We agreed." JJ frowned. 

"I know, I know." Emily sighed. "I'll translate."

"Nice try, sweetheart." JJ chuckled. 

The man gave them a 'tourist discount,' and Emily pulled JJ out of the bakery with a bright smile on her lips. There was a tiny grocery store down the street that Emily led her to, and JJ followed along, listening contentedly as Emily told her about the dairy not far out of town and the little farm she'd visited once with her grandfather, stories of a childhood JJ seldom heard about. 

"You're quiet." Emily paused, gathering a few vegetables for that night's dinner.

"I'm just having a nice time listening to you." JJ shrugged, pressing a kiss to Emily's cheek. "I like your stories."

"Mhm, that's not it." Emily narrowed her eyes. "Jennifer Jareau doesn't go silent for no reason."

"Just taking everything in." JJ smiled softly. "Vacation looks good on you."

"I'll take the compliment." Emily shook her head lightly. "You're sure that's it?"

"You've been everywhere, sweetheart. You seem more at home here than… Well, home." JJ kissed her girlfriend's forehead sweetly. "I don't know, it's just… different. Good different, but different."

"You're my home, Jennifer." Emily deposited the vegetables in their basket before she wrapped her arms around JJ's waist. "Everything's just a little bit freer here. No students to run into, no city noise, no work. It's almost magical."

"You're such a sap." JJ teased, kissing Emily's lips. "Get your groceries, pretty girl. Everyone's staring at the strange Americans."

"Mm, but then I get to speak French at them and freak them out." Emily grinned. "That's half the fun."

"You're ridiculous." JJ laughed.

Emily collapsed on their couch, abandoning their suitcases in the middle of the entryway to their apartment. JJ rolled her eyes at her girlfriend, dropping her backpack beside the rest of their luggage before joining her. Emily curled into her side, humming contentedly. 

"It's only six," Emily grumbled. "It feels like the middle of the night."

"You slept through most of the flight." JJ giggled. "How are you still tired?"

"I'm always tired. I always want more sleep." Emily flopped onto her back, sprawled across the couch with her legs in her girlfriend's lap. "How are you not tired?"

"I slept on the plane." JJ patted Emily's calf before sliding out from underneath her. "If I go to bed now, I'll be up at two in the morning."

"You're always up at ungodly hours. Come to bed with me anyway." Emily pouted. "I'm dying. I want to sleep for ten years." 

"So dramatic." JJ shook her head. "Order food first. I'm going to start unpacking."

"Fine, but we're having Chinese." Emily frowned as she fished her phone out of her pocket, refusing to sit up. 

"Sounds good. Don't go to sleep." JJ pointed a finger at the brunette before she gathered their bags and hauled them into the bedroom. 

JJ managed to keep Emily from climbing into bed until eleven, bribing her with fantasy movies and a promise to stay in bed until she woke up. Emily wrapped around the blonde like a vine, humming contentedly once she was settled, her head tucked underneath JJ's chin and their limbs tangled together. JJ ran her fingers through soft black hair as Emily fought to stay awake.

"You've been whining about how tired you are for hours, and now you won't go to sleep." JJ chuckled, her laugh vibrating underneath Emily's ear. "I will never understand you, crazy woman."

"I'm just happy," Emily mumbled, snuggling impossibly closer. "Just want to be here for a second."

"You're so cute." JJ smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of Emily's head. "Sleep, sweetheart. I'll be right here when you wake up."

"M'kay." Emily relented. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

The first day of school was rapidly approaching, and though Emily was dreading the end of her and JJ's blissful summer, she dreaded JJ's need to decorate both of their classrooms even more. They were at their third thrift store of the day, and luckily, JJ had veered off into the clothing section and was admiring a dress instead of a new piece of furniture to refurbish, a task that left a section of their living room covered with a tarp and windows wide open in the summer heat. Emily followed her dutifully, tasked with carrying the lighter items because JJ insisted she wasn't allowed to hold the heavy ones when they were together. JJ gasped as she fished a hanger off the rod, holding it up in front of Emily's torso. 

"We're getting this." She insisted, draping it over her arm. 

"Jennifer, I don't need another blazer." Emily reached for the hanger, but JJ turned away. "Seriously, Jen, I don't need it."

"All of your blazers are black." JJ had already moved down the aisle to look at a dress. 

"I like them." Emily frowned. "I don't need more."

"Sweetheart, variety is the spice of life." JJ grinned, kissing Emily's cheek. "Besides, this red looks good on you."

"You just want to talk me into wearing it on twin day to match you." Emily narrowed her eyes, losing a fight against a smile threatening to spread across her lips. "I see your tricks."

"Can't a girl buy her girlfriend something she looks good in?" JJ pulled Emily closer by her waist. "You can wear it for the first day of school."

"I'm not a kid. I don't need a new outfit for the first day of school." Emily's resolve was cracking, like it always did when JJ looked at her like she was the most perfect thing that had ever existed, which was always. 

"It's a good brand at a good price. Do you like the color?" JJ pressed a kiss to Emily's forehead. 

"I do, yes." Emily sighed. 

"Perfect, we're getting it." JJ decided, smiling brightly as she draped a dress over her arm. "Be glad it isn't a couch."

"Trust me, I am." Emily laughed, tucking herself into JJ's side as the blonde continued shopping.

Emily chuckled as JJ unlocked the door to the Languages building, arms crossed over her chest. JJ had a backpack filled with new things to hang on the walls and a bag slung over her shoulder, heavy with used books for her library. Emily's messenger bag held the few things she'd allowed JJ to purchase for her classroom, and she grinned as her girlfriend turned around.

"What are you laughing at?" JJ giggled, holding the door open with her foot.

"This is how we met." Emily patted her bag. "Setting up our classrooms during the summer."

"It is." JJ smiled, following the brunette to the elevators. "I looked like a hot mess."

"You looked hot ." Emily shook her head. "Your arms in that tank top? I should've just kissed you right there."

"Mm, you do love my muscles." JJ teased. "I like that we're doing this together."

"We've come full circle." Emily nodded, cupping JJ's cheek. "From strangers across the hall to this."

"I'm very glad I ran into you." JJ hummed. 

"Me, too." Emily kissed JJ slowly, resting their foreheads together when it ended, lingering close. "I couldn't imagine my life without you."

"You'll never have to." JJ pressed their lips together once more, smiling as she pulled away, tugging Emily down the hall by her hand. "Now come on, we've got classrooms to decorate."