The pretty one
Surprisingly nothing in the way JJ and I operated has changed. We’d still have sleepovers most nights of the week. Though it felt a bit different now, mostly on my part. I didn’t know when or if I was crossing any boundaries and we haven’t exactly talked about that.
I had a day off today, because I had a doctors appointment to follow up on my gunshot wound. Everything was good. The evening wasn’t any different than most of them. JJ was coming over and I was listening to true crime with Emily while waiting for her.
We heard the door open and close, JJ came in, „Hey,” she said locking the door behind her.
„Hey, how was work?” I asked.
„Work was good,” JJ said sitting between us, „There was a fire though.”
I looked to Emily, „Did you start it?”
„What? No, what kind of question is that?” Emily asked.
„A valid one,” JJ said, „But no. Someone left water boiling on the first floor and we had to evacuate. It was nothing.”
„And surprisingly it wasn’t you this time,” Emily told me.
„Thank god. Hotch would literally disown me,” I said.
„You mean fire you?” JJ asked.
„Yes. That is what I meant,” I said, „So how’s it going with Caroline?”
It’s been a few weeks since Jennifer and Caroline met. Everyone on the team has already met her, but I never had the time to. I’m a busy girl. But I didn’t want her to think I wasn’t happy for her, because I was.
She scratched her forehead, „You know, normal I guess. It’s good.”
„Good,” I nodded, „That’s great.”
„This is so fucking painful to watch,” Emily said, „I’m out,” with that she got up and went to her room.
„What’s with her?” JJ asked.
I shrugged, „She’s complicated sometimes.”
„Oh, I almost forgot,” JJ said, „I noticed your coffee supply was almost empty so I got you some,” she said placing it in my kitchen cabinet.
„Respectfully? I am in love with you,” I said.
She chuckled, „I know, lover girl.”
„Look who’s getting cocky now,” I smiled.
„That side of me is reserved only for you,” she said sitting back next to me.
„I am honored then,” I said putting my hand on her knee.
She leaned on my side with her head on my shoulder, „I wanna watch Hamilton tonight.”
„We watched it twice last week,” I said.
„So?” She asked and I just nodded.
There was no point arguing so I just put it on and we watched. We both knew almost the whole thing by heart by now so we were singing along. Emily joined after the first few minutes when she heard us.
That week went by and we didn’t have even one case. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it’s definitely boring. We had no paperwork left, yet we were still on the clock so all we had to do was just hanging out in the office.
Days like that are cool, but not when there’s so many of them. I love these people, but that doesn’t mean I need to see them all the time. I’ll never refuse a night out though. That’s what we planned for tonight.
We went to a bar and found a booth to sit in. Everyone was there already picking drinks. There was one extra person though, one that I didn’t expect. JJ brought her girlfriend. Emily and I sat opposite from them and she looked at me.
„Okay, I see the resemblance,” Caroline said.
„Sorry?” I asked.
„You and Emily,” she said, „You almost look like twins.”
„I’m the pretty one though, right?” I asked with a smirk.
She smiled, „I’m Caroline,” she said sticking her hand out, „And you must be Maya.”
„Agent Prentiss,” I said shaking her hand.
„Oh, okay,” she smiled and sat back down.
Everyone shot me weird looks after that and it felt kind of awkward. JJ seemed to be the only one who wasn’t phased by that.
I got up from the table and went over to a bar to order drinks and shots. I was waiting for them when Emily joined me.
„Dude,” she laughed, „Agent Prentiss?”
„Shut up,” I said.
„No, seriously. What was that?” She kept laughing.
„I don’t know, man,” I chuckled, „It came out before I had a chance to think.”
„Are we jealous?” She asked.
„You are. Because I’m the pretty one,” I said.
„In your dreams,” she said.
„I’m not jealous. I’m just maybe not thrilled about it because I know how JJ deserves to be treated. And that girl didn’t even stand up to shake my hand,” I said.
„Yeah, you’re definitely not jealous. You’re just in denial,” she said.
„Whatever,” I said taking my drinks and going back to the rest of my friends.
We drank a lot that night. It was a really fun night. We danced, we talked, we laughed. Penelope is the funniest person on earth when she’s drunk.
Spencer showed me a lot of cool magic tricks. They’re so much more fun when I’m drunk. Then I saw Derek eyeing girls a few tables from us and I got my game ready. Most of my game is just looks if I’m being honest. Some good genes run in the Prentiss family.
„I’m taking that blonde home tonight,” he said pointing at a girl.
„Not if I do it first,” I said already getting up.
„Or you can sit this one out,” JJ said quickly.
„I could, but why would I?” I asked.
„Cut him some slack for one night,” JJ said, „You’re gonna shatter his ego again.”
„Yeah, that’s definitely the reason,” I heard Emily say and shot her a quick look.
„He needs to learn the hard way,” I said.
I saw the girl go outside so I followed.
„Having fun?” I asked with a light smile.
„Now I am,” she replied.
I nodded understandingly, „Maya,” I said.
„Alex,” she said.
„So, Alex. You going home already?” I asked.
„That was the plan. Unless you can give me a reason not to,” she smiled.
„Oh, I can’t do that. Sorry,” I said.
„Oh,” she said, „Okay then.”
„I can give you one to take me with you though. Does that work?” I asked.
„You know what? I don’t really need a reason for that,” she smiled.
„After you then,” I smiled.
What I wasn’t expecting is that we would spend the whole night talking instead of just sleeping together.
Turns out we had a lot in common. Our childhoods were similar and our personalities were almost the same. She’s a doctor. She told me all about the stuff she sees at work and I told her about mine.
We talked family, friends, past. Everything. It felt kind of natural. She wasn’t even concerned about my jokes because hers were almost as unhinged as mine. We exchanged our numbers and agreed to see each other again, but I wasn’t sure I was gonna do it yet.
Next morning I went back home and saw Emily watching tv on the couch so I got us both a can of coke and joined her.
„For you,” I said giving her one.
„Thanks,” she said taking it, „How was your night?”
„It was cool,” I said.
„Cool? You never said cool after spending a night with a girl,” she said.
„Yeah, that’s cause we didn’t sleep together,” she said.
I told her all about it. What we did and what we talked about. She was really invested in this for some reason.
„So are you gonna call her?” Emily asked.
I shrugged, „We’ll see.”
„Why wouldn’t you?” She asked.
„I don’t know. I mean I- I don’t know,” I said.
„Denial,” she said.
„I’m not in denial. Will you get of my back for god’s sake?” I asked.
„Then what stops you from seeing her again?” She asked, “I’m serious, Maya. I’m not just teasing you right now.”
“Then what are you saying?” I asked.
“You refuse to get close to people because you’re scared of getting hurt,” she said, “But what you’re doing right now will hurt you even more.”
“It’s too fucking early for this,” I said rubbing my eyes.
“Then go to bed like a normal person, but this conversation is not over,” she said, “And JJ is in your bed.”
“Oh. Okay, cool,” I said, “I’ll go in a minute.”
I watched tv with her for about an hour before I got tired since I didn’t sleep at all last night. We didn’t have work today so the plan was to sleep as long as I could.
I went to my bathroom and took a quick shower. I changed into a shirt and went to my room. I indeed saw JJ sleeping on my bed. It’s kinda weird that she came to my apartment after she was out in a bar with her girlfriend. And I wasn’t even home. I wasn’t complaining.
I got in beside her and laid down, trying not to wake her up. I pulled the comforter up over us and closed my eyes. She instinctively moved closer to me and I wrapped my arm around her waist.
„Hey,” she whispered.
„Hey,” I whispered back, „Sorry. Go back to sleep.”
„Okay,” she whispered, „I missed you.”
„Me too,” I whispered kissing her head.
She sat up and looked at me. I could feel her staring so I opened my eyes.
“What?” I whispered.
“You just got back?” She asked.
“Yeah,” I said, “And I hate myself for it already because I just messed up my sleep schedule even more.”
She chuckled, “How was, you know, your night?”
“Not what I expected, that’s for sure. We spent the whole time talking,” I said.
“Oh, so you like her?” She asked.
I could swear she looked almost disappointed.
I shrugged, “She’s cool. Can we go to sleep? I’m sure that if I don’t go to sleep right now I’ll pass out anyway.”
“You’re so dramatic sometimes,” she said smiling, “Goodnight, Maya.”
“Goodnight, beautiful,” I mumbled before falling asleep.
Week after that was really busy for all of us. We had two back to back cases, we didn’t even come home between them. I did text Alex the other day. At first I just did it so Emily would stop hovering over me all the time, but I actually enjoy talking to her now.
We started seeing each other more and more the few days following our last case.
Emily and I just got back from work and Alex came over. We ordered some food, but I still had a few files to fill so I was a bit busy.
„Hey, Maya?” Alex said.
„Yeah? What’s up?” I asked.
„I was thinking if maybe we could go out tonight or something?” She asked, „Or watch a movie.”
„I’d love to, but I’m kinda busy here,” I said, „Tomorrow?”
„Okay,” she nodded.
„I’ll happily watch a movie,” Emily said, “What are we watching?”
“Horror movie?” Alex asked.
“Perfect,” Emily said already picking one.
They put the movie on and I moved to the table so I could focus on my work. Ten minutes into the movie JJ showed up. She got in using a key I gave her a while ago and walked into the living room.
“Hey,” she said, “I was in the neighborhood, thought I’d stop by for a moment.”
“What were you doing in the neighborhood?” Emily asked.
“Well, I had to be in the neighborhood to get here so,” she shrugged.
I chuckled, “That’s a good point. Hey, how are you?”
“Good. What are we watching?” She asked.
“A horror movie,” Alex said.
“Oh, forgive my manners,” JJ said sticking her hand out, “I’m Jennifer.”
“Alex,” she said shaking JJ’s hand.
JJ sat on the couch next to Emily, “I don’t like horror movies,” she said and looked to me, “Are you coming?”
I looked up, “Uh, yeah,” I said putting my files away and sat next to her.
“I thought you were busy,” Emily said.
“I was. I’m not anymore,” I said and got comfortable on the couch.
“How shocking,” she said.
We watched the movie. JJ was covering her eyes for almost half of it. It was really cute if you ask me.
When the movie was done JJ got herself a bottle of water from my fridge and was now searching through my closet, one that is in the living room. We watched her for a couple minutes confused.
“What exactly are you looking for?” I asked after a while.
“My shirt, the one I sleep in,” she said.
“It’s in the bathroom,” Emily said, “I was doing laundry earlier.”
“Cool,” she said smiling, “Thanks.”
She closed the closet and disappeared in the bathroom. I followed her with my eyes and turned my attention back to Emily and Alex.
“So you two are pretty close, huh?” Alex asked.
I shrugged, “Not really. We just kinda have a symbiotic relationship.”
“Oh, okay,” she said, “Well, I’m gonna get going. It’s getting pretty late.”
“Alright,” I said getting up and we both walked to the door.
“It was nice seeing you again,” she said smiling, “Wanna do it again sometime soon?”
“Sure,” I smiled, “I’ll call you.”
We hugged and Alex left. I went back to the living room to clean up a little.
“Symbiotic relationship? Really?” Emily asked, “You couldn’t find a better word?”
“It’s the most fitting one,” I said gathering the dishes, “She feels better, it helps her heal and it helps me sleep better. Beneficial for both parties.”
“Okay,” she said helping me.
“Okay,” I said.
We finished cleaning up and we both went to our rooms. I got in bed and saw JJ still awake. I smiled and laid down next to her.
“I wanted to wait for you,” she said.
“Because you wanted my company or were you freaked out because of the movie?” I asked with a smile.
“Both?” She smiled, “The first one more though.”
“That I can accept,” I smiled.
“Goodnight,” she said cuddling into me.
“Goodnight, Jayje,” I said.
„I think so, yeah,” Alex said.
I didn’t respond because I got a text message so I focused on that.
Jayje
Are you busy rn?
Maya
What do you need?
Jayje
You? I mean I’m alone in my apartment and I’m kinda paranoid, because I watched a stupid movie, doesn’t matter.
Maya
You have zero common sense
Jayje
That is your problem, not mine
Maya
That makes perfect sense, weirdly enough
Jayje
That being said, wanna hang out?
Maya
I can pick you up in 10, but Alex and Emily are here
Jayje
Cool, I’m waiting
I packed the files in my bag and put it away. I threw a hoodie on and found my car keys ready to leave.
„You going somewhere?” Emily asked.
„Oh, yeah. I’ll be back in like twenty. I’m going to get JJ,” I said.
„I thought you were busy,” Alex said.
„Yeah, but I can finish those files in the office tomorrow,” I shrugged.
I went to get JJ and we stopped to get some coffee on the way. We drove around for a while before going back to mine. We got in and sat with Emily and Alex. We were laughing on the way in so they looked at us weird.
„What?” Emily asked with a smile.
„She’s laughing at me because I watched Split and now I’m paranoid,” JJ said.
Emily laughed, „That was certainly a choice. Maybe just not a good one.”
„Why wasn’t it a good choice,” Alex asked.
„Because she was held hostage herself not that long ago,” I chuckled.
„Not to mention our friend was kidnapped by literally someone with three personalities,” Emily said.
„Oh my god,” JJ said, „I didn’t think about that.”
„That is disturbing,” Alex said.
„Day like any other,” I shrugged and went to the kitchen to get something to drink.
„True,” Emily said.
„Oh, I would’ve forgotten,” I said, „Pretty girl I got something for you.”
„Yeah?” JJ and Alex said at the same time and looked at each other.
„Well, that was awkward,” Emily said.
„Yeah, thanks for that,” I said and took a bag of cheetos from a cabinet.
I went to sit back on the couch and handed it to JJ, „I got you these.”
„Respectfully? I am in love with you,” she said.
I chuckled, „Sure you are.”
„And here I thought math was confusing,” Emily said.
„We can watch that movie now,” I said placing my hand on Alex’s knee.
„Hamilton?” JJ asked.
„JJ I swear to god, if I hear Hamilton coming out of your mouth one more time, someone is gonna die,” Emily said.
„You’re a bully,” JJ said.
„And she’s also lying. She loves that musical and she knows it,” I said.
„Will you put it on or not?” Emily asked.
„I’ve never seen it,” Alex said.
„Okay, we’re definitely watching it then,” I said.
And we did. For the millionth time now. Three of us sang the whole thing and Alex was just watching us smiling. When it was done JJ got up, took a bottle of water from the fridge and went to my room.
„Goodnight to you to, JJ!” Emily yelled sarcastically.
„Night!” She yelled back.
„Goodnight?” Alex asked.
„She went to bed, but we’re not going yet,” I said.
„And this is normal?” Alex asked.
„Well, it’s after midnight, so I’d say it’s a normal time to go to bed as well as it is a normal time to still be up,” I said.
„That’s not exactly what I meant, but I’ll take it,” Alex said.
„Good for you,” Emily said.
Few days went by and we were all back at work. I was hanging out with Penelope in her bat cave to avoid paperwork for as long as I could.
After some time everyone else joined us and we were all bothering Garcia together. She loves us though so it’s okay.
„So Hotch is gone for a few days,” Morgan said.
„Yeah, did he leave you guys instructions too or just me?” JJ asked.
„He left them for everyone,” Rossi said.
„Yeah. Mine just says Maya no,” I said.
„What does that mean?” Spencer asked.
I shrugged, „It says below to apply it to every situation.”
JJ chuckled, „He has so much faith in you, it’s honestly inspiring.”
„Right?” I chuckled.
„Okay, but what possibly could you do?” Spencer asked.
„Murder,” Derek said.
„Just because I catch them doesn’t mean I am one,” I said.
„First of all don’t joke about murder,” Emily said with a straight face, „I was murdered once and it offends me.”
„You heard her? It offends her so don’t joke about it,” I said.
„Or what?” Derek asked.
I smiled, „You answer that yourself.”
We hang out for a while longer and then went to do our files. When everyone was done we all went home.
As soon as I got to my apartment I took a shower and went to bed. JJ did the same. She took one of my shirts she always sleeps in and got in beside me.
I moved so I was laying on my back and she laid almost on top of me. I wrapped my arm around her and closed my eyes.