Work Text:
I stare out at the road; trees are passing by so fast it’s all a blur of lush green.
We stop for dinner before returning to the hotel. Mechanical failure; we can’t fly home ‘til the morning.
As soon as we get back to our room, I change and excuse myself to bed with the half-pretext of a headache.
As if I can fool a profiler.
I lie down with my back to her, hiding the tears that won’t stop now that they’ve started flowing. I hate to admit it, but I was terrified in that prison. Not so much for myself, but for Meg. She can’t lose me too.
Soon, my silent tears turn to loud embarrassing sobs. I try to muffle them into the pillow, but it’s futile. My whole body is shaking, and I’m gasping for air, unable to catch my breath. I feel the mattress dip behind me and Jennifer puts her hand on my back, rubbing circles and telling me it’s okay, to let it all out.
I turn around, instinctively seeking comfort, and she wraps her arms around me.
“Distract me?” I ask once I’m calmer.
She tells me stories about her son and the team before I joined the BAU. I let myself drift off, feeling so safe in her arms. Protected, cared for. I never want to leave the safety that is Jennifer Jareau.