Emily has been avoiding JJ. It's not like she wanted too, Emily just wasn't ready to face the truth. That she might lose her best friend. She had only just come to terms with her feelings about JJ and the more she tried to ignore them, the more she found herself wanting to be around her. She often found herself staring at JJ, wanting to make her laugh. But JJ was straight, wasn't she?
Now JJ isn't blind. She could see that Emily was avoiding her, she just didn't know why. Everytime she wanted to confront her about it, Hotch or Rossi would come in and never got the chance. Thankfully, Rossi said that they should all celebrate the new years together, and everyone agreed. She wasn't going to let this go to waste. She was going to find out why Emily was avoiding her.
—-
At the party, JJ found herself talking to hotch, He was asking if she was okay, seeming that she looked a little bothered. She tried to wave it off but everytime she looked over to Emily she was talking to Spencer who seemed to be going on one of his fact rants. They haven't talked once this week and every time she went to approach Emily, she would find a way to be talking to anyone else. Frankly, JJ was a little annoyed. Annoyed that Emily couldn't just tell her what was bothering her.
Emily knew this was wrong. She knew she should just go speak to JJ. She could see how annoyed JJ was getting and the guilt started eating her alive. Spencer was going on about one of his rants about why people celebrate the new year but she wasn't really listening. All she could think about was JJ. God she really needed some air. She quickly made an excuse with Spence and headed straight towards the balcony.
It was 10 til Midnight and everyone seemed to be getting ready. Hotch was getting his son ready for the fireworks, Morgan and Reid seemed to be talking about something, and Emily guessed that JJ was with Rossi. But she was wrong. She couldn’t see JJ coming up behind her on the balcony.
“Why are you avoiding me?” JJ demanded. Emily jumped but eventually sighed and turned around to look at JJ, ready to make an excuse. But Emily forgot JJ knew her better than anyone and could see.
“No. Don’t play dumb with me, Prentiss. I know you’re avoiding me. You were perfectly fine having a conversation with everyone in the team but me. So tell me why.” Emily knew she was screwed when JJ used her last name. It was something JJ barely did but when she did, Emily knew she was in trouble.
5 minutes till new years and this is the conversation she was having. Emily was scared, which she hated being more than anything else, and JJ was mad. Mad at her. That thought would have tasted bitter on her tongue if she said it allowed. Did JJ care about their friendship this much? That the thought of Emily avoiding her made her this upset?
When JJ saw the face Emily made, she changed her tactic, she tried going in soft.
“Em, it's almost the new year, I don't want to spend it like this. Mad at you? Can you please just tell me what's wron-” No. Emily couldn’t take it when JJ spoke so softly at her. It made her snap.
“I'm in love with you!” She practically screamed it. The silence after it was so loud. Emily could only hear herself think. All the thoughts in her head, screaming at her to get out of there, begging her to clear it up and run. God she was always running.
“Em..” God JJ stop speaking like that. I know, okay. I don’t want you to let me down slowly, I don't want- “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Why do you think?
The countdown for the new year started.
“I knew you didn't love me, okay! I thought that maybe if I waited long enough, I could either get over it or.. Or you could love me too even if it happened in a few years. but I think I'm just delusional,” Emily laughed but it had no humor in it.
“5!”
“4!”
“3!”
“Why not this year?” Emily looked shocked at JJ as the words came out of her mouth but before she could respond..
“2!”
“1!”
JJ pushed her lips against Emily's and waited for Emily to push her off. Emily let herself believe for a second and kissed back. It was heartfelt, like two hearts combined to one. After a bit JJ pulled back and immediately looked at Emily. She smiled at Emily's dumbfounded expression.
“W-what..” Emily didn’t stutter. Emily didn’t lose words. But JJ always had a way to change Emily's mind about things.
“Emily Elizabeth Prentiss, Will you be my Girlfriend for this New Year?”
“I’d be dumb to say no”
“Well.. you did think I was straight.” JJ joked
“Took you guys long enough” Emily and JJ immediately jumped at Morgan's voice and turned around to see the whole team looking at them.
Hotch looked like he needed to talk to us but ultimately proud, Penelope looked like she was going to explode and beg for all the details later, Reid didn’t look all that surprised, seeming that Emily told him everything beforehand, and Morgan had a teasing look on his face. They both knew they were going to get an earful from everyone.
Yeah, who knows if this year will be tough, but at least they have their family. JJ grabbed Emily’s hand and dragged her inside. For now, Life is good.
Happy New Year everyone!