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Laughter filled the room as the five of you opened the third bottle of the night, a much needed girl’s night after three months of endless cases. You listened intently as Tara regaled the story of a failed conquest from several months ago. “It was just awful. I mean, he couldn’t even find it!” You chuckled as Penelope and JJ fell backwards with a matching heady laugh, clutching at their stomachs as Tara gestured wildly. Although you tried to keep your focus on them, you couldn’t help but allow your mind to wander to the silver-haired woman beside you. As her thigh pressed against yours, your chest tightened, and the mere contact sent you spiraling. Your heart almost jumped out of your throat when a manicured hand gripped your knee, followed by a laugh that set your nerves on fire. Taking a deep breath, you brought your wine glass up for another sip when the hand squeezed your knee, causing you to choke and tip the remnants down your shirt.
“Oh shoot, are you alright?” Her hand moved from your knee to pat your back and move in a circular motion. Not trusting your voice, you nodded and pointed towards the bathroom, quickly jumping up and sprinting over, locking the door behind you. You grabbed a handful of toilet paper, dabbing at the growing stain on your shirt. “Typical. I can face down serial killers but a bit of physical contact and I become an idiot?” You scoff at yourself, dabbing pointlessly as the stain has decided it’s here to stay. A knock on the door makes you jump, and as you pull it open, you're met by the soft smile of Emily Prentiss holding out a fresh shirt. “Thought you could use this,” she breathed, her dark eyes boring into yours, making your heart thump just a little faster.
“Thanks, I’ll get it back to you tomorrow.” Heat rose to your cheeks as her fingers brushed against yours in the exchange, the wide smile on her face causing the heat to bloom in your chest. “Don’t worry about that. Get it back to me whenever.” She winks at you, turning on her heel to return to the others, leaving you stuttering and short of breath. You lean back against the door once you close it, closing your eyes and breathing deeply in an attempt to calm the war raging inside you. Your crush on the older woman had been an issue since you joined the team, quickly captivated by her quick wit, sharp features, dark smoldering eyes, and her dedication to the BAU. Only a year had passed since you joined the team, but you felt just as important to the group as everyone else. They had opened you with welcome arms, quickly inviting you to girls' night and Rossi’s infamous pasta nights.
After a few minutes, your heart had returned to its usual pace, allowing you to quickly change into the shirt Emily had handed you. You smiled as her scent washed over you; the shirt clinging more than you were used to. As you rejoined the group, you couldn’t help but watch from the doorway, a grin taking over your face as the group of women were sprawled out, cackling, and an extra bottle open on the table. “OH! There she is, quick c’mere!” Penelope waved at you frantically, dragging you onto the sofa between her and Emily. “What’d I miss?” You asked, glancing around at the eyes that were focused on you, each wearing a smirk with a glimmer of curiosity dancing in their eyes.
“You’re up, hot stuff.” Tara answered, leaning back on her elbows.
Ah, right. Before your accident, the girls had been sharing their worst experiences, and now it was your turn.
Fuck.
No one ever made a guide to tell your co-workers that you’ve had no experience. “Uh, well…” you started, racking your brain for a funny bit you’d seen in a movie that maybe they hadn’t seen. Very unlikely. “C’mon, you must have something!” JJ exclaims, leaning forward on her knees, her bright smile that was usually a comfort, now filling you with dread. You were sure your face was growing paler by the second, your friends staring at you with equal curiosity. “I guess I haven’t had any.” You shrug, hoping– praying– that they’ll accept it and move on. Tara snorts and shuffles forward, staring you down with an intensity that makes you shudder. “You’re seriously telling us, you’ve never had a bad lay? Ever ?” She asks, her voice growing higher with each word.
You look around at the four women and grimace when your eyes land on Penelope. The others might let it go, but not her. Unfortunately, the blonde didn’t know when to let something go, and the slightest whiff of gossip had her on the hunt like a bloodhound. Your heart picks up speed, the look in the tech analyst’s eyes sends a chill down your spine, telling you there was no getting out of it. With a resigned sigh, you hang your head before quickly mumbling “I’ve never slept with anybody, so I can’t really say.” Four quiet “Oh’s”, come back at you, each with varying levels of sympathy. “But it’s fine, I’m sure it’ll happen soon.” Your gaze falls to your lap, watching your nail scrape against a loose piece of skin that has been hanging from your thumb for the past week.
It’s now only a matter of time until the entire bureau knows.
You jump as a hand squeezes your knee with understanding, looking up to meet Emily’s comforting eyes. “You don’t need to be embarrassed, there are plenty of people your age that are still looking for the right person to try it with-“ Emily starts.
”OH! What’s your type? Maybe we can find someone for you! So… tall? Short? Cute or rugged?” Penelope means well, she always does, but the bombardment of questions is too much for anyone. As she rambles you prepare yourself to get up and leave, consequences be damned, but the hand on your knee tightens. “Garcia, that’s enough! Let her breathe.” Emily snaps, shooting the blonde a look that could strike fear in the heart of serial killers. An awkward hush settles over the room, the not-so-subtle glances between Tara and JJ making your skin prickle with nerves.
”I think I might head out for the night, early morning and everything…” You trail off, not glancing at the others as you rise from the couch and immediately missing the weight of Emily’s hand on your leg. The girls stay quiet as you collect your things, not quite sure what to say to make things right. “Hang on, I’ll come with you.” Emily announces, quickly grabbing her things before joining you at the front door. “Have a nice night, ladies!” She quips before pushing you out the door, pulling it shut behind her.
Your heart clenches at the warm smile on her face. “You didn’t have to do that, Emily.” The older woman merely shrugs as she slips her hand into yours and leads you down the stairs. Despite the night chill, your skin feels alight, warmed by the hand clasping yours. “How about a walk?” The question barely registers before she’s tugging you down the street; sending your heart into a frenzy as she laces your fingers together.
A calm silence surrounds you, the only noise coming from the crunch of leaves beneath your boots. You weren’t sure where you were heading, but quite frankly, you didn’t care; all too happy to continue with Emily so close to you. Almost thirty minutes had passed when Emily broke the silence. “I’m sorry about Penelope. She can get a bit…” she trailed off, giving you a look that says please tell me you get what I mean.
Nudging her lightly with your shoulder, you offer her a smile. “It’s okay. She meant no harm. Besides, I think it worked out rather well.” Your feet stop moving as you hear the words that slipped past your lips. “That is- I mean-” Emily lets out a low chuckle as you scramble to string a sentence together.
“It did work out quite nicely, didn’t it?” She squeezes your hand lightly, coming to stand in front of you, your entwined hands hanging in the space between.
God, please never let this moment end.
Lips parting in awe, your eyes flit across her silver hair that glows under the lamplight, slowly dropping to her molten eyes that leave you feeling weak. Finally, you risk a glance at her lips, curved up into her signature smirk. Plump and so inviting. You were so distracted that you missed the step she’d taken towards you, closing the distance. It wasn’t until her free hand reached up to cup your face, her thumb gently grazing your cheek, that you noticed how close she was. Those dark eyes boring into your own, with matching parted lips as she admired you up close.
“Emily…” you whisper, “please don’t-”
“Don’t what?” her head tilts in confusion.
“I don’t want you to do anything out of… pity.” Your voice shakes as you use the last of your resolve to pull away, instantly missing the warmth. The uncertainty on her face melts at your words, replaced by a comforting smile. “This isn’t pity. What I feel for you is most definitely not pity,” she says confidently, stepping back into your space. “You are my first thought when I wake in the morning, and my last, before I go to sleep. You have haunted me every waking moment since you showed up in my office three years ago.”
Emily’s confession sits heavily in your chest, your heart swelling enough to burst. “And in all those years, you’ve never mentioned a partner or date, so I figured I’d wait it out and let you come to me. But I don’t want to wait anymore.” When the reality of her words hit you, you can’t help but laugh. A wide grin covers your face, small chuckles erupting in your chest. “Seriously? I pour my heart out to you, and you’re laughing?!” Emily sports a matching grin, your infectious laughter taking over her.
“I’m sorry! It’s just that, I really like you too.” The words weren’t as eloquent as you’d have liked, but it was straight to the point; enough to sober you both, the laughter dying down until only smiles remained. “Can I kiss you?” The older woman asks, her hands already running up your arms. “Please,” is all you can manage.
Instinctively, you lean in as she cradles your face, eyes fluttering close as her lips gently brush across yours. Sighing softly, you move your lips tentatively, encouraged by the low moan it coaxes from Emily. Embracing the moment, you slide your hands around her waist, pulling her flush against you. Eventually, Emily’s lips leave yours, both of your chests heaving in the crisp autumn night. “You’re a natural.” She shivers, delivering one more quick peck to your lips.
“Just think what I can do with a bit of practice,” you remark smugly, before pulling her back in.