Chapter 1
Back to school was a stressful time for JJ, having to shop for clothes, stationery, shoes and bags for an eight-year-old and a five-year-old who had more energy than most children was stressful. Henry and Micheal loved playing hide and seek in shops and running away from her when they became bored.
Back-to-school shopping was stressful for Elle because since becoming a lawyer it was hard to find any time off for long enough to take a thirteen-year-old shopping and she’s sure her daughter would prefer to be studying or hanging out with her best friend rather than going shopping with her.
For the first time in a few months, Elle had a full day off work and even though she knew her daughter didn’t care much about fashion she wanted her to have some new clothes and Alya would definitely want more books. Alya was a perfect mix of Elle and her father but Elle wished sometimes that she would be a little more sociable in school like she was but that was something she inherited more of from her father.
Elle picked a pair of low-rise flared jeans out of the hotel closet along with a baby pink almost white coloured blouse, it wasn’t her blouse, it was JJ’s she had accidentally packed it when she was leaving in such a hurry but she had kept it for 14 years because it was one of the only things that reminded her of her ex-lover along with Alya’s middle name being Jennifer.
Elle had moved to New York for a few years after leaving the BAU but once she had finished her bar exams and Ayla was going to start school they moved to Philadelphia that way Alya would be closer to her dad and being in the FBI he wouldn’t have massive amounts of free time to visit plus Elle knew when he had free time he liked to spend it with his mother.
Alya had spent the night at his and Elle had booked one of the nice hotels 20 minutes out, the hotels closer weren’t as nice and she was worried she’d run into any of her old team when getting her morning tea, there was no bad blood between her and the majority of them and there was a few of them she’d picked up contact with over the last few years but there was still a lot they didn’t know about her.
Elle pulled into the driveway, getting out of the black BMW and heading to the door. After knocking twice Alya appeared at the door, a big smile on her face when she saw her mom. The brunette girl wrapped her arms around her mom, “Hi mama.”
“Hi baby girl,” Elle hugged her back, leaning her head down to kiss the top of her daughter’s head, “Where's your dad honey?”
“He’s in the kitchen with Maeve. I’m not ready yet I need to curl my hair,” Alya said as she stepped up the first few steps of the staircase.
“Okay, finish getting ready,” Elle said making her way into the kitchen, “Hey Spence, Maeve,” she smiled at them.
Spencer and Penelope were the only people she kept in contact with from the day she left and in both cases it was because they had spoken to her first, they weren’t the only ones JJ too would text her once a month for a couple of years but it would hurt too much to reply to her. As for Penelope, their deal was if Elle gave her updates on her life she wouldn’t track where she was although Elle is sure she probably had at some point.
Spencer was different though, she trusted him not to tell the others about her life and he held that promise no one in the BAU knew they were still friends after all these years or even that they shared a daughter.
After leaving the BAU, Elle knew she wanted a child at some point in her life but after she babysat for a friend she knew she wanted it to be sooner rather than later. She told Spencer about it one day in a conversation, the conversation lasted a few months but at the end it it, Spencer asked her if he could be her sperm donor and of course, she agreed she’d rather have a friend than a stranger.
Spencer had always wanted to be a dad but part of the reason he’d offered was to stay close to Elle, he liked her some may even say he loved her and maybe if they had a child together it would make them closer but just before he’d met Maeve he realised he needed to stop thinking he and Elle would be together, Elle wasn’t attracted to any men and he couldn’t keep believing he would be an exception. He never would have done anything different though, he loved Alya more than anything even when she was mad at him for not pronouncing her name with the same accent her mom did.
“Hey Elle,” Maeve answered first bouncing over to hug her they had become close, and Elle couldn’t think of a better step mom for her daughter.
“Elle, you’re here early,” Spencer said.
“I’m taking Alya shopping at the mall here, do you want to come? She starts school again soon,” Elle spoke as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
“I know it’s marked on the calendar in case I forgot but you know it’s impossible for me to forget anything but we do want to come you can help with clothes and we can help with books.”
“I think you forget that I’m just as smart as both of you,” Elle laughed.
“I just told you it’s impossible for me to forget,” Spencer grinned.
“So Elle are you here alone?” Maeve folded her arms and leaned against the counter waiting for a response.
“Yes, I’m here alone,” Elle said with a straight face she knew what Maeve was getting at.
“What about Kate?” Maeve raised an eyebrow a gentle smirk playing on her lips.
“We went on 2 dates, I didn’t arrange a 3rd. I’m too busy for that,” Elle said after taking a sip of water.
“Elle,” Spencer sighed, “When was the last time you dated someone for more than two months?”
Elle thought for a minute, “Probably JJ…”
“That was like fourteen years ago,” Maeve’s eyes widened.
“Enough, I don’t need a relationship. I have my fun when Alya is here and then I go back to my job and being a mom,” The brunette rolled her eyes hoping her daughter would come down soon.
Within the next five minutes, Alya was downstairs, her hair curled, light make-up on and an oversized sweater and jeans with some Ugg boots Elle had bought her recently.
“You look gorgeous honey,” Elle ran her fingers through the bottom of her curls.
“Mama, you’re going to ruin it,” Alya whined.
Elle held her hands up causing Alya to giggle, “Are we ready? I want to go before it gets busy.”
“I actually wanted to ask you something,” Alya said with the brightest smile on her face she knew her mom couldn’t say no to.
“Could I stay with Dad and Maeve for like two more nights because when school starts I won’t be able to come as often,” The teenager batted her eyelashes and little and pouted to make sure her mom knew she was going to be sad that she couldn’t see her dad.
Elle sighed, “Honey, I have work.”
“You’re in between cases please just explain the situation and ask if you can have a couple more days off.. you’re a partner Mom you should be able to decide when you want to go,” Alya frowned.
“I’ll try, no promises though,” Elle ran her hand down her back.
——————
Their first stop at the mall was Urban Outfitters since they had a lot of the baggy clothes Alya liked to wear.
“While you try them on honey I’m just going to pop next door and pick up some trousers, show Maeve if you need a second opinion or send me a picture,” Elle told her daughter as she lined up for the fitting rooms.
“Okay mama but don’t be too long I’m not buying anything until you’re back. I love you,” Alya hugged her just before Elle returned the ‘I love you’ and headed out of the shop.
The brunette had been in the shop for at least ten minutes searching for her favourite pair of work trousers she didn’t want to be too much longer but she couldn’t find them anywhere. Just when she was about to look through a rack of trousers when a small boy who couldn’t be any older than five or six ran out from between the clothes and fell over.
Elle’s mother instinct kicked in and helped the little boy up dusting down his knees, luckily the boy didn’t cry he was tough, “Where’s your mommy?”
The small boy pointed to a blonde on the other side of the shop with another boy, perhaps a few years older than this one close by her. Elle had a strange feeling run through her body but she ignored it and walked the boy over to his mom.
“Excuse me?” Elle said.
“Elle?” JJ turned around instantly she thought she recognised a familiar presence before she spoke but hearing her voice had solidified her suspicions it was Elle.
“Jay?” Elle almost gasped. She wasn’t surprised they always wore similar things and this was the closest mall to her she just didn’t expect it.
JJ looked down at Elle holding Micheal’s hand, she didn’t know what to ask first but she went with the most obvious question, “What happened?” her eyes flitting between her ex-lover and her son.
“I had tumble. I fine,” Micheal said letting go of Elle’s hand and quickly hugging JJ before running towards his brother.
“I can’t believe you’re here, how- How have you been?” JJ thought was the appropriate question to ask first.
“A lot better than the last time you saw me,” Elle laughed trying to lighten the mood.
“I saw you on TV once a couple of years back, a lawyer… I never pictured you doing anything else that wasn’t working with the FBI but I actually think that’s fitting for you. I’m proud of you,” JJ smiled.
“And I’m proud of you Jay becoming a profiler.”
“You knew?”
Elle nodded in response.
“You’ve barely changed Elle, You’re so beautiful,” JJ looked her up and down stopping to take in the blouse, “Well at least I know where that went, You kept it all these years?”
“It was an accident taking it but of course I kept it, I needed something to remind me of you, I really missed you,” Elle was staring into JJ’s ocean blue eyes they always hypnotised her.
It took her a minute to snap out of it, “So they are your sons?”
“Yes, Henry he’s eight and Micheal he’s five,” JJ smiled towards her boys, “They’re my entire world.”
“They are beautiful JJ, they look like you in every way.”
“Thank you.”
JJ was interrupted by a voice Elle knew was her daughter’s voice, “Mama, you’ve been fifteen minutes. Dad is no help with clothes and Maeve is just as indecisive as I am.”
“Sorry honey, I’ll be there in a minute,” Elle said as Alya stopped beside her, Alya recognised the woman from pictures both her mom and dad had shown her. The teenager knew JJ was the only woman her mom had truly loved.
“Wow, A husband and kids?-“
Alya cut her off, “She’s just got one kid, me, Maeve is my step-mom. Mama would neverrrr be married to a man,” Alya laughed.
“Thanks for that baby.. but yeah she’s right sorry Alya interrupted you,” Elle raised her eyebrows at her daughter as a sign.
“I’m sorry.. that was rude of me. I’m Alya but it’s spelt A-L-Y-A not I-S-L-A, and you’re Jennifer right,” The girl smiled.
“Yeah, you can call me JJ though. How did you know my name?”
“Of course, I know the infamous blonde woman whose name is my middle name.”
Elle blushed covering her face the last thing she wanted JJ to know was that she’d named Alya after her.
Spencer and Maeve walked into the shop hand in hand, JJ recognised them first, “Today really is a reunion for you Elle.”
Ayla looked confused and turned around, “Dad you were meant to be waiting with my clothes.”
“Dad?” JJ was more shocked in that moment than she had been since seeing Elle, “Spencer is her father? I mean now I’m looking closer I can see it but how did no one know about that? And you and Spencer?” The younger woman really didn’t know where or who to look at but her eyes settled on Elle.
“If it helps no one knows he’s her father, no one knows I have her except Penelope it’s not just you who doesn’t know. Spencer was my sperm donor nothing more,” Elle clarified.
JJ checked her watch, they’d been talking for well over twenty minutes, “How long are you here for?”
“A couple of days hopefully, I need to speak with my partner at the firm.”
“I want to see you before you leave please, just us?” JJ asked.
Elle nodded, “I’ll make it happen,” She took her notepad from her bag and jotted down her number, “Text me and then I’ll let you know.”
“You’ll reply this time?”
“I’ll reply this time,” Elle smiled, linking her arm with Alya’s as they walked out of the shop and back to Urban Outfitters.
“Are you okay Mom?”
“Of course I’m okay that was nothing just two old friends reconnecting,” Elle kept a straight face, she was lying to herself and her daughter but she couldn’t think about that right now.
“I don’t know there was definitely some tension there,” Alya smirked at her mom.
“Be quiet,” Elle rolled her eyes playfully, “Show me these clothes.”
——————
JJ couldn’t concentrate, she knew she’d forgotten many things she needed to get the boys for school but her brain was now occupied with so many thoughts surrounding Elle she couldn’t think about anything she had been this morning.
Elle was here at the mall. Elle was doing good, better than good. Elle had a teenage daughter… with Spencer, which was a big thought on her mind. How didn’t she know a man she worked so closely with every day had a daughter with her ex-girlfriend? Another big thought was: Elle is beautiful, she’s always been beautiful but she’d grown her hair out long again since the last time she saw her, she still dressed similarly but with a more sophisticated edge and her skin was glowing, more mature but she still didn’t look a day over 30.
Once she was back in the car and had strapped the boys in, she typed the number into her phone and sent a quick hi text through to Elle.
——————
Elle couldn’t help but smile when the notification appeared on her front screen while she waited for Alya to try on a pair of jeans. Spencer stood beside her looking over her shoulder, he didn’t say anything but the smile he gave Maeve was telling enough of what he was thinking seeing Elle’s face.
“I’m going to call my office, I won’t be more than 5 minutes,” Elle said walking out of the shop as the phone rang.
“Elle?” Her firm partner, Savanna, asked as she picked up the phone.
“Hi Sav, would you have everything covered if I stayed out here for a couple more days?”
Savanna spun around in her chair looking out of the office window as she twirled a pen in her right hand, “Have you met someone?”
“Can you answer me please?”
“Come on tell me I’m bored without you here.”
“Fine, not exactly. Alya wants to stay to spend time with Spencer but I did run into an ex and she asked to see me later,” Elle bit her lip to hide her smile.
Savanna gasped, “What one? Please tell me it’s Jennifer.”
“Yes it’s JJ,” Elle laughed a little, “I’m rather excited.”
——————
Elle sent JJ a quick message letting her know she could see her tonight and the blonde replied saying she’d find a babysitter, a message which Maeve saw and offered to watch them for as long as they both wanted even if that was all night which made Elle roll her eyes.
JJ had suggested meeting at her house tonight or waiting until the morning and going out for food and drink at a cafe. Elle of course suggested doing both and JJ agreed.
“Mommy, what are you going to wear?” Alya asked hanging over the bannister to speak to her mom downstairs at her dad’s house.
“Come downstairs if you want to speak to me please,” Elle replied sitting on the sofa.
Alya ran down the stairs, “So what are you wearing?”
“Um, this?” Elle pointed at what she was already wearing.
“Mom, come on,” Alya groaned.
“What? It’s a nice outfit and this is JJ’s shirt,” Elle shrugged.
“But she’s seen you in this already today,” Alya paused, “wait… that’s JJ’s shirt? Why do you have it?”
“Because she was my girlfriend once honey,” Elle slightly confused.
“I thought it was a couple of dates kind of thing?”
“No that would have made leaving so much easier if it was,” Elle sighed.
“How serious was it?”
“We were together a few months, we were living together most days we were off work and obviously staying together when we were away for work, I thought I was going to marry her,” Elle laughed a sad laugh but a smile was still on her face, “We did everything together.”
~2005~
Elle walked in the door earlier than she usually would after work, she wasn’t exactly happy that Hotch had sent her home but she couldn’t focus on her work anyway, “Baby, I’m home,” Elle called through the house.
JJ knew today had been hard for Elle, it was the anniversary of her dad’s death. She had the day off and she’d tried to convince Elle to take it off too but the brunette claimed she needed to work to distract herself. JJ had already asked Hotch to send her home early, she wanted to plan something that would comfort her.
“Hi babe,” JJ ran to the door jumping into her arms and hugging her, “How was work?”
“It was okay, I didn’t get much done,” Elle moved JJ’s hair away from her face cupping her cheeks and kissing her.
“Close your eyes,” JJ smiled after the kiss.
“Why?” Elle squinted trying to read JJ’s expressions to find out what she had done.
“Elle just do it,” JJ giggled.
Elle complied shutting her eyes before she felt JJ take her hand and lead her through to the living.
“Okay, open,” JJ said letting go of her hand.
Elle opened her eyes. The living room curtains were shut but the space was lit by two lamps in the corners of the room and a string of fairy lights. There were many blankets and pillows placed on the sofa with multiple DVDs placed on the table along with snacks.
“You did all of this for me?” Elle looked down at JJ her eyes clouded with a few tears.
“I knew today would be hard for you,” JJ frowned, “So let’s unwind and watch some movies, I left pyjamas on your bed.”
~present day~
Elle watched Spencer and Maeve from the kitchen, the way they looked at each other with love and held hands just while talking was sweet, they had so much love for each other, that’s something she missed… something she had but given up the day she left.
Elle was meeting JJ here when she came to drop her boys off with Spencer and Maeve, she was checking her watch every few seconds something she did when she was nervous.
Alya had convinced her to make a quick trip back to the hotel together to pick an outfit and despite her teenage daughter not being super into fashion she sure had an opinion on the options Elle had picked until they agreed on a white tank top with a black bra underneath with a long black skirt, it was definitely a more sexy and less work looking outfit and she would be lying if she didn’t think she looked hot.
The doorbell rang snapping her out of her thoughts, JJ was less than 30 yards from her, “I’ll get it,” Elle said heading to the door.
The brunette took a deep breath before opening the door to her ex-lover holding the hands of her two sons, “Elle,” JJ smiled as the older woman stepped aside to let the three of them enter the house.
“Hey Jay,” Elle took her into a warm embrace once she had let go of her children’s hands.
“You look beautiful, you’ve not changed much in the last fourteen years,” JJ commented.
“Neither have you, You’re just as stunning as the day I met you, maybe more so,” Elle was looking into her bright blue eyes remembering the feeling of transfixion she used to feel when she first opened her eyes in the morning or moments before she closed them when they kissed.
“And you’ve still got your charm that once won me over Greenaway,” JJ laughed before realising Elle’s daughter was watching them from the stairs and her youngest son was pulling on her coat to gain her attention.
Once the boys were settled, Henry watching the TV and Micheal playing with a train set, JJ picked up her bag and wrapped her coat around her, “Are you ready?” Her fingers brushed against Elle’s on the way to the door.
Elle nodded following JJ out of the door.
Alya replayed the whole interaction in her head, she had an eidetic memory so she remembered every word and facial expression between the two women.
The teenager sat beside her dad and step mom on the sofa, “Do I make Mama happy?”
Spencer’s head turned quickly a rather shocked expression on his face, “Of course you do you’re the most important thing in the world to her Lya.”
“I saw how happy she was with JJ, she’s never been that happy with me,” Alya played with the sleeve of her sweater.
“That’s not the same thing and you know that,” Maeve said.
“Do you think Mom loves her?”
“I don’t think she ever stopped,” Spencer pulled his daughter into his arms giving her a side hug.
“Your mom hasn’t had anyone she’s ever introduced to you properly, introducing your partners to your children is a big deal. How many times has she mentioned JJ to you?” Maeve asked.
“A lot, there’s pictures of them up in the house too, Alya admitted.
Spencer and Maeve shared a look before looking back at Alya who continued to speak, “She seems nice though and she makes Nom smile which is the best thing. Do you think they’ll get back together?”
Spencer shrugged while Maeve answered, “Possibly, It might be difficult though because Philadelphia is over 3 hours away not to mention both Elle and JJ have demanding jobs.”
“I want Mama to find someone that loves her like you guys have, I mean as a kid obviously I hoped Mom and Dad would get together but now I understand things I’m glad Dad met you Maeve,” Alya gave her a bright smile, one that matched Elle’s smile completely.
“I’m glad I met Spencer too. I love you both,” Maeve placed a kiss on Spencer’s cheek.
——————
The drive to JJ’s was a little tense and awkward, neither of the women knew what to say to one another. There was so much to catch up on that had happened the last fourteen years and they both wanted to get to know each other again.
“So how’s being a profiler?” Elle started.
“Stressful, lots of nightmares, busy, wishing I didn’t have to leave my boys with babysitters for days at a time but it’s also great helping people, ridding the streets of the bad guys, You know how it is,” JJ glanced over at Elle when she spoke but kept her eyes on the road for the most part.
“What about their father?” Elle started, “If you want to tell me… you don’t have to of course.”
“I will tell you anything you want to know Elle. Their dad died three years ago, he was a cop,” JJ told her.
Elle frowned, “I’m so sorry Jay.”
JJ gave her a sad nod, “How is lawyer life treating you? Is it better than the BAU?”
“It’s treating me nicely, they both have their perks. I miss the thrill of solving cases firsthand hand but I was not in a good place and I certainly don’t miss that. There are times I miss the team though, especially you.”
“They miss you too Elle, we’ve got new people too. You and Emily would be great friends and I think you would get along well with Alex Blake,” JJ pulled into her driveway.
“Nice house Agent Jareau,” Elle smirked as she said her name in a sultry tone, “I can’t believe you work with Alex.”
“Thank you,” JJ laughed, the way Elle spoke still had an effect on her, she’d be lying if she said it didn’t, “You know her?”
“Of course, I’ve followed her work for a long time she’s quite a role model,” Elle’s teeth played with her bottom lip.
The blonde read Elle’s body language, “Oh so you find her attractive huh?” she laughed bumping her shoulder into Elle’s as they walked closer to the door.
“Perhaps,” Elle laughed with her.
“And here I thought younger women were your thing,” JJ rested her back against the front door facing the brunette.
“You aren’t that much younger than me,” Elle rolled her eyes playfully.
“Yeah yeah, take a seat,” She gestured to the sofa, “Wine?”
“Yes please not too much though,” Elle smiled.
“Red is still your favourite?”
Elle nodded walking around the living room, looking at pictures while JJ was in the kitchen. She spotted one of her and the woman at the beach.
~2005~
It was unusual they had a few days off in the middle of summer so when Derek suggested a short beach trip Elle, JJ, Penelope and Spencer agreed although Spencer hated the beach. JJ’s family owned a beach house not too far away, it was the perfect distance in case they were called back in on an emergency.
The blazing sun shone down on both of the couples plus Spencer. Elle read a book as she tanned but JJ wanted to go in the water with her.
“Baby please,” JJ pouted
“Tanning,” Elle replied opening one eye, after finishing her chapter she put the book down and closed her eyes.
“You haven’t topped up your sunscreen,” JJ stated.
“Don’t need to, I won’t burn,” She looked over JJ’s body her skin was turning a light pink, “I think it’s time you used some more.”
“Do it for me?” JJ asked in a flirty tone Elle couldn’t resist.
The older woman sat up grabbing the sunscreen while she glanced to her left at Spencer, “Are you serious?” The genius was wearing a brown pair of suit pants with a shirt and sweater vest.
He scrunched his nose and shrugged, “What?”
“Nevermind,” Elle squeezed the cream into her hands and began messaging it into JJ’s back.
“Thank you,” JJ said with a small moan at the end.
Elle leaned down to whisper in her ear making it look like she was just rubbing sunscreen into her shoulders, “If you’re not careful you’ll turn me on doing that.”
JJ giggled, “Come in the sea with me.”
“You’re lucky you’re pretty,” Elle got up from her crouching position, putting her hand out to pull JJ up from the sand.
“Are you scared of the water?”
“No, I just wanted to relax without getting wet,” Elle said as they walked hand in hand to the sea.
JJ pulled her into the warm water, “But that’s my speciality baby.”
Once they were far enough out that the water was resting around the middle of their chests JJ pulled Elle closer to her wrapping her arms around her neck and placing a kiss on her lips which prompted a short makeout session in the water.
~present~
“That was a good day,” JJ said looking at the picture Elle was holding of them.
“It was, we should go again sometime,” Elle placed the photo back taking her drink from JJ and sitting on the sofa.
“And make out again?” JJ teased.
“I wouldn’t object,” Elle smirked at her.
“Would you be up for going with the team? Derek misses you and I’d love for you to meet Emily and Alex.”
“Possibly, I’d have to think about it and try to get time off work.
My firm is opening an office in DC I know it’s still an hour away but I’ll be closer.”
“I’m surprised you’d move away from the city again.”
“It’s for Alya, I know she misses Spence and Maeve when we are at home and we will still be able to visit her friends in Philadelphia when I have to go back,” Elle sipped on her wine.
“She’s gorgeous by the way, she looks like you. You had her in 2008?”
“Yeah, she was born in May.”
“Was Spencer there?” JJ raised an eyebrow Spencer never took vacation days.
Elle nodded, “He came the day after I gave birth to her, he was meant to be visiting his mom.”
“Honestly I’m surprised I always knew you were good with kids but I didn’t think about you having any,” JJ shrugged.
“We never really spoke about it,” Elle put the glass down and began twisting the rings on her fingers.
“You’re nervous, you don’t need to be,” JJ placed her hand on top of Elle’s.
Elle could have sworn she still felt sparks when they touched but that’s a myth, “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologise, Do you trust me, Elle?”
“Yeah, as much as I can.”
JJ moved closer to her on the sofa, “I’ll never hurt you and I’ll never blame you for leaving.”
“I’ll never forgive myself for leaving you. You were everything I ever wanted JJ. I ruined it,” Elle looked down at the floor.
“Things happen for so many reasons and now we have beautiful children. I never gave up on you Elle I kept tabs on what you’ve been doing or at least tried to.”
“Stalker,” Elle giggled trying to lighten the mood, “I did too JJ, sort of. I’d ask Penelope about you occasionally but never too much, I never wanted to know if you had moved on.”
“Same goes for me, I’m glad you’re not married,” The blonde grinned.
“Jen, If you’re still up for getting coffee in the morning would you like it to be a date?” Elle moved a piece of JJ’s hair from her face.
“Yeah, I think I’d like that,” The blonde cheeks heated up with a pink hue.
“You think?”
“I know I’d like that,” JJ looked towards Elle’s lips.
Elle moved forward initiating their lips meeting in a gentle kiss. Her hand moved the side of the younger woman’s face her thumb tracing her jawline as their tongues collided and the kiss became more passionate.
They hadn’t seen, kissed or touched each other in fourteen years so this meant everything to both of them.
Elle pulled away from the kiss looking into JJ’s ocean eyes once again, they were sparking with happiness this time, “No more until we’ve at least been on that date. Have you got work tomorrow?”
JJ nodded, “I can push it back and go in at 11:30.”
“Sounds good.”
JJ rested her head on Elle’s should breathing in her scent, “Sleepover?”
“Not tonight, tomorrow night, if you’re not away on a case.”
“We shouldn’t be,” JJ ran her hand over Elle’s white tank top, “I like this outfit.”
“I do too,” Elle smiled, “Alya helped me pick out what to wear she said I couldn’t wear what I wore to the mall.”
“Personally I think you looked great in my shirt,” JJ smirked resting her elbow on the top of the sofa while she faced Elle.
“Good, you’re never getting it back,” Elle couldn’t help resting her hand on JJ’s thigh, now she felt her again it was like she craved her, she didn’t want to know what it would be like to be apart ever again.
——————
JJ drove Elle back off to Spencer and Maeve’s at almost 11 pm, the women had spent hours together just talking with movies playing in the back and sharing a few kisses.
As they walked up to the door Elle grabbed her wrist spinning her around to face her while pulling her closer at the same time.
“What?” JJ giggled close to her face.
Elle placed a soft kiss on her lips not even giving her time to return it before she pulled away, “I needed to do that before I went inside.”
“You’ll be seeing me at 7:30 am that’s not long from now,” JJ ran her fingers through Elle’s hair.
“I’ll miss you still,” She said before opening the door.
Henry and Micheal were passed out on a sofa bed the babysitters for the night had set up temporarily for them. Elle watched JJ’s smile when she saw the small boys curled up and sleeping.
“They’re adorable, just like you,” Elle was about to kiss JJ again before they were interrupted by Spencer walking into the living room from the kitchen.
“You’re late,” He laughed.
“We didn’t specify a time,” Elle shrugged.
“I assumed it would be earlier than this. Alya is in bed. You’re both welcome to stay if you don’t want to wake the boys up JJ.”
JJ looked over at Elle waiting for her to make a decision. The brunette nodded, “We will share the spare room.”
——————
The sun shone through the top of the curtain illuminating the room, mixed with the sound of JJ’s alarm was making Elle mad they were both things she despised in the morning however things were made slightly better when she felt the blonde's arms around her.
“Hi,” Elle mumbled turning in her arms, burying her face in JJ’s collarbone.
“Good morning,” JJ kissed her forehead.
“Give me a proper kiss, no one will come in,” Elle said tilting her head up to JJ.
JJ leaned her head down placing her lips on Elle’s. The kiss was only a couple of seconds but it was enough, Elle put her arm around JJ pulling her closer.
“This feels very relationship-y considering we haven’t been on our date,” JJ whispered.
“We had no other option,” Elle smiled.
“I could have taken the boys home or you could have gone back to your hotel,” JJ said placing a kiss on Elle’s shoulder.
“It was more convenient this way, let’s go back to sleep.”
“Let’s not, we have a date and I have work. I need to go home and get ready quickly, can you pick me up from mine?”
Elle nods, “Of course.”
——————
After JJ left Elle stayed in bed for a little while longer, she had a few outfits she kept at Spencer’s because she occasionally stayed when they visited so it wouldn’t take her long to get ready.
A small knock on the door echoed through the room, “Come in,” She said pulling the duvet up to cover her tank top.
Alya slowly opened the bedroom door, “Hi Mama.”
“Hi baby,” Elle smiled at her as she walked closer to the bed climbing into the space JJ once was.
“How was it?” Alya asked cuddling up next to her mom.
Elle smiled wide, “It was really good we talked a lot, shared memories from our relationship, drank some wine,” The brunette laughed.
“Is that all?” Alya wiggled her eyebrows.
“We may have shared a couple of kisses.”
“Interesting and what kind of memories?” Alya rested her head on her hand.
“Just moments from when we worked together,” Elle smiled.
“Just tell me one, I want a story time like when I was little,” Alya’s dimples identical to Elle’s showed as she smiled.
“Okay,” Elle hummed for a minute while she thought of one, “Okay, Jay and I were working on the case and I had gotten injured in the field.. nothing serious just a cut,” Elle traced her cheekbone where the cut once was, “She was at the sheriff's office. Derek told me to call her and let her know I was okay and I was getting a lift to the hospital to have a couple of stitches but I didn’t want to worry her so I left it. Fast forward to once my stitches were complete a different doctor came to put a dressing over the stitches and told me they had phoned my emergency contact,
I had been given painkillers and I was tired so I wasn’t thinking clearly and thought my emergency contact was your dad, can you guess who it was?” Elle laughed.
“JJ?” Alya giggled.
“Mhm, I had changed her to my emergency contact a month after we got together, we had to update our contacts every month at the BAU. She stormed into the hospital her face switching between anger and worry, she didn’t even wait until the doctor allowed her in the room she just flashed her FBI badge and waltzed right in.”
“What did she say to you?” Alya played with the ends of her mom’s hair.
“First she kissed me and watched the doctor finish up and when he left she asked if I was okay and what happened and then the concern faded and the anger appeared asking why no one told her and wanting to know if we had caught the guy and if we hadn’t she’d be doing it herself.”
“Is JJ the love of your life Mom?”
Elle blushed, “I think it’s safe to say she is.”
“What would happen if Dad and Maeve broke up? I don’t want them to ever but if they did would you consider being with Dad?”
“Your dad and Maeve are very unlikely to break up they are married honey,” Elle tried to read her daughter’s facial expressions.
“Hypothetically, I told Dad last night that I always hoped you would get back together when I was a kid.”
“Honey… we wouldn’t get back together, we were never together in the first place. I would have loved for you to have both of your parents together but that wouldn’t be fair to your dad, I would never be able to give him what he wants. Do you remember Jake? I tried dating him when you were about four or five,” Elle asked.
Alya nodded, “I remember him a bit he was always angry.”
Elle gave her a sad smile, “Yeah I want to like him so bad Ly for you to have a father figure in your life that lived closer to us than Spencer was at the time but I couldn’t do it, it would be the same with Spencer too I’m not attracted to them honey, I can’t change that.”
Alya held onto her mom’s hand, “Yeah, I know, it was just a hypothetical. I don’t want you to change Mama I promise. I’m sorry about Jake, did he ever hurt you?”
“No baby, he didn’t physically hurt me,” Elle kissed her forehead, “I need to get ready. Help me choose an outfit?”
Alya nodded and climbed out of the bed at the same time her Elle did.
—————
Elle ordered a cup of tea while JJ ordered an iced coffee with oat milk.
“You still order the same?" Elle smiled at the younger woman.
JJ nodded, “But yours has changed, you used to have black coffee am I right?”
“You’re right, I have it sometimes but I usually save it for court days though when I need an extra boost in the mornings. Tea is fine for today.”
“Well I’m glad all that caffeine is bad for you,” JJ swirled her straw in her drink.
Elle laughs, “Honey there’s caffeine in tea.”
“Obviously I know that… it’s just less.”
“How do you feel about yesterday?”
“Really good,” JJ smiled.
“And this is still something you want us to try?”
“Elle I’m not having second thoughts. I want you and I want this,” JJ reached across the table grasping Elle’s hand.
“Okay, I do too just so you know,” Elle gave her the warmest smile JJ had ever seen.
“Would you be able to drop me off at work after? If it’s too much for today that’s okay,” JJ asked.
Elle sighed, “I’m going to have you to do it at some point so I might as well get it over with today. How are you going to introduce me to your new members? The woman that had a breakdown and left me fourteen years ago?” Elle tried to joke but JJ could still see the pain behind her eyes when she mentioned it.
“I was hoping I could introduce you as my girlfriend?”
“I mean it’s a little soon but when have we ever stuck to timelines very well so why not?” Elle laughs.
“So that’s it? We are dating?”
“Well we are on a date, aren’t we? But yes I’m your girlfriend just to confirm for you.”
“Good,” JJ leaned across the table lightly brushing her lips against Elle’s
——————
Elle bit her lip as she drove JJ into the car park.
“How are you feeling?” JJ rubbed circles against the back of Elle’s hand with her thumb.
Elle shrugged, “Talk about deja vu, it’s like being back in 2005 driving in this car park with you next to me holding my hand however I’m definitely more anxious now than I was then.”
“You don’t have to do this..”
“I want to, for you” Elle reversed into the space before getting out of the car to open the door for JJ and intertwine their fingers.
They rode the elevator to the floor they needed in silence all that could be heard was the sound of Elle’s rings clinking together when she rubbed her hands together.
Just before the doors opened JJ gave Elle a loving kiss and whispered, “You’re going to be okay.”
They stepped out of the elevator and JJ’s hand found Elle’s once again to comfort her.
As soon as they walked through the class doors they were met with the bubbly blonde Penelope who gasped so loud it gained everyone else’s attention.
“Oh my god. Elle! Is it really you?” Penelope said almost knocking JJ over with the force she pulled Elle away from her to hug her.
Elle let out a nervous chuckle as she wrapped her arms around her, “Yeah it’s me Pen.”
Penelope pulled back from the hug placing her hands on Elle’s shoulders and looking her up and down, “I missed you so much. Have you been practising witchcraft because you look exactly the same? How have you not aged? What do you do now? Are you coming back? Wait why are you here with JJ?”
“Pen, give her some space you’re going to overwhelm her,” JJ said when she saw a slight panic rush over her girlfriend’s face, “Are you okay?” JJ’s hand rubbed Elle’s lower back.
“Yeah I’m okay could we maybe sit down?”
JJ and Penelope both nodded at Elle. The brunette saw Spencer heading toward them from the corner of her eye, she briefly turned away from Penelope and raised her eyebrows, “You didn’t tell me you were in today, is Alya okay? Is she with Maeve?”
“Called in last minute I’m not planning on staying long I want to spend time with her while you’re here but yes she and Maeve went to the museum,” Spencer replied his hand running over her hair just before she sat down in the closet chair.
Elle didn’t want to look away from Spencer she knew everyone would be giving her confused looks and maybe even some angry ones.
JJ stood behind the hair a smile on her face, “Em, Alex, Dave… this is Elle she’s my girlfriend she used to be a member of our team.”
Penelope squeaked, “You found each other and got back together! I love, love. I’m so happy,” She hugged JJ tightly.
“Hi,” Elle spoke quietly only looking at the three JJ had just introduced her to.
“You’re the lawyer, I’ve read articles and seen you on TV, you’re quite the powerful woman Elle. I’m Alex,” The woman offered her hand.
Elle's smile lit up hearing the compliment about her work, “Thank you so much, Alex. I’ve heard a lot about you Spence talks about you all the time.”
“So you’ve been in contact with Spencer this whole time and he didn’t let it spill and you didn’t talk to the rest of us once?” Elle heard the voice that belonged to one of her best friends when she was at the bureau, Derek Morgan and he didn’t sound overly thrilled.
“I went through a dark time after I left I needed to work on myself and life got busy and eventually I built up a fear of seeing you or speaking to you in case it dragged me back to that place. I’m sorry Derek I missed you,” Elle frowned.
Derek felt bad for her but he needed to hold this hard shell up at least a little longer, she would be fine after all she had JJ running her fingers through her hair, Spencer standing close by and Penelope staring at her like she hung the moon, “But you kept in contact with pretty boy.”
Elle was looking at Spencer before looking back at Derek, she opened her mouth to reply but was quickly cut off by Spencer, “We had to stay in contact.”
“Why? Why would she have to stay in contact with you and no one else she didn’t even stay in contact with JJ.”
“She doesn’t have to tell you that, it started off that I wouldn't stop talking to her but,” Spencer looked down at Elle, “She can tell you the rest in her own time.”
Emily spoke up sensing a bit of the tension between them all, “Elle, it’s so nice to meet you. I feel like I know you already your JJ’s favourite topic of conversation,” Emily laughs, “but I’m glad you’re here.”
“JJ has told me a lot about you too and your cat,” Elle laughed.
“Oh I have pictures let me show you,” Emily went to the desk that used to be hers and grabbed her phone getting up a picture of the cat to show.
“I wasn’t finished talking,” Derek said, “I want to know why we weren’t good enough for you to talk to but Spencer was.”
Elle sighed, “You know you were good enough, don’t try that. I told you I was in a bad place, Spencer and I kept talking because we have a daughter.”
“You have a daughter? Wait with him? You and pretty boy have a child together? Since when did you have a child?” Derek was taken aback he thought he must have heard her wrong his eyes moving between the two of them.
“Yes Spencer and I have a daughter, her name is Alya she’s thirteen.”
“Was I the only person that didn’t know?” Derek's eyes widened.
“No one knew, I didn’t tell anyone except Alex and Hotch had to know for documents,” Spencer said.
“Thirteen years ago is around the time you left though and you were with JJ?”
“I had Alya a year after I left, If you want to meet her I'm sure she’d like that but we aren’t going to discuss it anymore. Do you have any other questions?”
Hotch stepped out of his office once he saw all the gathering, when he descended the stairs he was taken by surprise to see the brunette woman he had fired over a decade ago, “Elle?”
“Aaron,” Elle gave him a small smile.
“It’s good to see you, We have a small case to consult and then you are free to go,” Hotch said to the team.
“I will see if I can convince Maeve to drop Alya off here or I’ll pick them up, I’ll see you soon,” Elle stood from the chair wrapping her arms around JJ’s waist and leaving a small kiss on her lips.
“Wait Elle,” Hotch said, “I know this isn’t technically allowed but we could use you. It’s a death row case but we believe the victim may not have committed the crimes.”
“I guess I could look into it..” Elle said taking her phone from her bag.
“I will ask Maeve to bring Alya over while we are working,” Spencer said.
“Okay, yeah.” The team including Elle headed into the room with the round table to look over the cases.
——————
Elle’s phone buzzed with a message from Alya saying they were pulling into the car park and that she was nervous.
“Jay, can you come with me to let Alya in,” Elle whispered.
“Hang on,” JJ said and after a couple of minutes she looked up at her, “Okay yeah let’s go.”
“Do you think she’s nervous?” JJ asked once they were in the elevator.
“Very, I really hope she’s not too bad though I don't want her to stress about it. I know everyone will love her.”
“If she’s anything like you she’ll be absolutely fine,” JJ smiles.
The blonde woman used her keycard to open the doors to let Alya and Maeve in. Alya immediately wrapped her arms around her Mom.
“What if they don’t like me because Dad didn’t tell them about me or because they are mad at you for leaving?” Alya played with the material of Elle’s jumper.
“Honey, it’s going to be fine they’ll love you. If they were mad they’d be mad at Spence and I, not you,” Elle placed a kiss on the top of her head.
The team were waiting in the bullpen watching out of the glass door waiting for them. When Alya saw them waiting she squeezed her mom’s hand but she relaxed once she saw her dad was the closest to the door.
JJ entered first the others following behind. Alya let go of Elle’s hand but still stayed close.
“She looks just like you and Spencer!” Penelope said waving at the teenager.
Alya smiled, “Hi, I’m Alya,” She stuttered a bit until she locked eyes with Alex, “Auntie Alex,” the girl left her mom’s side to hug Alex.
“Hi Lya,” Alex pulled Alya into a tight embrace, “I missed you, sweet girl.”
“They’ve met?” Elle mouthed to Spencer.
Spencer nodded, “I took her to a class at the University Alex lectures for, she knew almost every answer she’s so smart.”
“Gets it from her father,” Elle winked at him.
Derek’s face had softened after seeing the teenager, he no longer had any hurt or madness running behind his eyes. He came to stand next to Elle, “She’s gorgeous Elle, I’m sorry about earlier I wanted to be so mad at you for leaving but I just can’t.”
Elle nodded, “I’m sorry for leaving but I didn’t really have much of a choice once Hotch fired me. She is gorgeous she’s so so gorgeous.”
Elle watched the team talking to her daughter making her feel happy and comfortable to be there as JJ slipped her hands around her waist.
“They never stopped loving you and look how much they love her,” JJ left small kisses on Elle’s shoulder.
“I know, I think I’ve missed my family,” Elle turned in JJ’s arms to face her, she held either side of the younger woman’s face as she brought her lips down to hers kissing her hard, “I couldn’t have done this without you.”