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The air was warm, the kind of comfortable warmth that only a close-knit group of friends and family could create. Tara and Rebecca's wedding had been everything they’d hoped for—beautiful, intimate, full of laughter and love. The team had gathered in small pockets around the room, some on the dance floor, some chatting at tables, others milling around the bar.
Emily Prentiss had slipped to the corner of the bar, tucked away in her usual spot of solitude. She liked the quiet moments, the space to collect her thoughts, especially in a setting like this. The noise of the wedding—the music, the chatter, the clinking of glasses—was comforting, but there was always a part of Emily that appreciated stepping back and observing.
Her gaze, though, had been stolen by one person.
JJ. Emily’s eyes tracked JJ across the room, watching her laugh with some of the others, her smile bright and contagious. There was something about the way she carried herself tonight, something so effortlessly beautiful in the way she moved and spoke. Emily couldn’t tear her eyes away. She’d never been good at hiding how she felt, but tonight, it was particularly hard to ignore the way her heart ached just looking at JJ.
Emily didn’t know how long she’d been staring, but she felt a presence beside her. Tara.
"You’re doing that thing again," Tara said, her voice light but knowing.
Emily blinked and quickly averted her eyes, though she didn’t even bother to pretend she hadn’t been caught. She turned her head slowly, giving Tara a small, sheepish smile. "What thing?"
Tara’s gaze followed Emily’s, locking onto JJ across the room. She didn’t have to say a word for Emily to know exactly what she was referring to.
“JJ, huh?” Tara said with a raised eyebrow, her tone playful but insightful. “You know, it’s kind of obvious when you look at her like that.”
Emily’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t want to discuss this now, not in the middle of a wedding, not when everything felt complicated and raw. But Tara wasn’t one to let things go, especially not with Emily.
“Look at her, Emily,” Tara said softly. “You’re looking at her the way I look at Rebecca. I see it. The way you two look at each other—it’s different from how you look at anyone else.”
Emily’s chest tightened, and her pulse quickened. She opened her mouth, ready to deny it, but the words didn’t come. Tara’s words were too accurate, too real.
“I—” Emily began, but Tara cut her off gently, her voice low.
“I’m not saying you have to do anything about it,” Tara continued. “But you can’t pretend you don’t feel something. Not after everything.”
Emily swallowed hard, turning her gaze back to JJ, who was now dancing with a few people, her body relaxed, eyes sparkling with the joy that was so uniquely JJ.
It was true. She did look at JJ differently. More than just admiration. There was something more in the way she felt when JJ was near. The pull was undeniable. But how could Emily even entertain the idea? JJ had been through so much, losing Will, raising Henry on her own... the timing seemed impossible.
“I don’t know,” Emily murmured, shaking her head slightly. “JJ’s been through so much already. I don’t want to add more weight to her shoulders.”
Tara placed a hand on Emily’s arm, her touch grounding. “You’re not a burden to her, Emily. And you don’t know unless you’re honest with her. Just... think about it.”
Before Emily could respond, Tara’s attention shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. Emily turned to look and saw JJ walking toward them. She was swaying just a little, her steps a bit unsteady, likely tipsy from a few too many celebratory drinks. She made her way toward Emily with a grin on her face, her eyes half-lidded and clearly cheerful.
Before Emily could say anything, JJ reached her and, without warning, threw her arms around Emily’s neck, burying her head in the crook of Emily’s shoulder. The action was so natural, so carefree, as if they had done this a hundred times. Emily’s body stiffened for only a moment before her arms instinctively wrapped around JJ’s lower back, pulling her in a little closer.
JJ’s warm breath fanned against the skin of Emily’s neck, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them. JJ stayed like that for a long second, the softness of her touch and her weight against Emily making her heart beat faster, but in the most tender way.
Emily could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, unsure of what to say or do. She glanced at Tara, who was watching them with an amused smile. When Emily met her eyes, Tara’s smile widened, and she raised an eyebrow, her gaze full of unspoken words.
Tara simply mouthed, “I told you so.”
Emily’s heart did a little flip in her chest, but the warmth of JJ’s embrace anchored her. She hadn’t expected this, didn’t know how to navigate it, but the closeness between them felt right. There was an intimacy in this moment that she hadn’t anticipated, and it made her wonder how much JJ knew—how much JJ felt—about the connection they shared.
JJ lifted her head from Emily’s shoulder, her eyes a little hazy but full of affection. “You okay?” she asked, her voice soft, a little teasing. “I didn’t knock you over, did I?”
Emily chuckled softly, her arms still around JJ’s waist, the closeness between them undeniable. “I’m fine,” she replied, her voice quieter than usual. “You?”
JJ nodded, her smile still present. “Yeah... just celebrating. It’s a good night, right?”
Emily couldn’t help but smile back. “Yeah. It is.”
For a brief, fleeting moment, the world outside the two of them seemed to vanish. It was just Emily and JJ, wrapped in the unspoken weight of what they hadn’t said yet, but what was clear in every small action, every shared glance.
As JJ pulled back, still grinning, she swayed slightly and gave Emily a playful wink. “I’ll let you get back to your drink... but I might need a dance later,” she teased before walking off, her movements slow but graceful, almost as if she were floating.
Emily watched her go, her mind racing, her heart a little out of control. She hadn’t expected tonight to go this way—hadn’t expected JJ to feel like this so suddenly. But here they were, both of them standing on the edge of something that could be more, something that felt like it was meant to happen.
Tara watched the exchange with a knowing smile, her arms crossed. “Well,” she said with a soft laugh, “I think that answers your question.”
Emily turned to Tara, her heart still fluttering. “You really think so?”
Tara raised her glass, her eyes twinkling. “I know so.”
And as Emily looked back at JJ, the smile on her face couldn’t help but grow. Maybe she didn’t have all the answers yet. Maybe she didn’t need to. But in that moment, she knew one thing for sure: whatever happened next, she wasn’t alone in this. And neither was JJ.
The next few moments passed in a blur. The hum of conversation, the soft clinking of glasses, the distant sounds of the wedding guests continuing to enjoy the night—it all felt distant. Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that the space between her and JJ had closed just a little bit more.
And then, just as the next song began to play, the unmistakable beat of “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry started blaring through the speakers, filling the room with a fun, playful energy. Emily didn’t have time to process what was happening before a warm, giggly voice broke through her thoughts.
"Em! Get over here!" JJ was suddenly at her side, practically bouncing on her feet, her blonde hair swishing as she turned to Emily, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Before Emily could say a word, JJ grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the dance floor with surprising enthusiasm. "Come on, I can’t dance to this song alone!" she said with a laugh, practically dragging Emily along with her.
“JJ, I—” Emily started, but before she could protest, JJ spun around to face her with a grin so wide it could’ve lit up the whole room.
“You have to dance with me, Em,” JJ insisted, her voice bubbly and tipsy, the confidence of someone who had clearly had a couple of drinks to loosen up. “I’m dying to sing this song. It’s like... destiny!”
Emily couldn’t help but smile, the lighthearted energy infectious. She was trying to resist, really she was, but JJ’s excitement was impossible to ignore, and her hand was already holding Emily’s arm with surprising strength. There was something about this side of JJ—this free, spontaneous side—that made Emily’s heart flutter in a way she wasn’t prepared for.
“Okay, okay,” Emily laughed, her own grin spreading. “You’re impossible to say no to.”
And just like that, she found herself on the dance floor, surrounded by a handful of the team and wedding guests, the upbeat song filling the air.
JJ twirled once, her giggles spilling out as she dragged Emily along with her, pulling her into the rhythm of the song. Emily, despite herself, couldn’t help but laugh along. There was something so carefree about the moment. JJ was singing along to the lyrics, clearly having the time of her life, and Emily couldn’t help but watch her, caught up in the joy of it all.
JJ looked over at her, her face flushed from the excitement and the alcohol, but her eyes held something deeper—something Emily recognised. “Come on, Em, you’re not even trying! Move those hips!” JJ teased, and Emily’s laughter bubbled up, an easy, natural sound.
“You’re the one with the moves,” Emily teased back, her body moving a little more now as the music pushed them both to dance.
JJ’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, I’m just getting started.”
And she wasn’t kidding. JJ grabbed Emily’s hands and spun her around, pulling her into a playful twirl. The music and laughter created a bubble around them, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room. Emily’s heart was pounding now, her body following the rhythm effortlessly, her eyes never leaving JJ. She was glowing—happy, carefree, alive—and Emily couldn’t stop the way her chest ached at the sight of her.
As the song continued, JJ took Emily’s hand and started to pull her closer. There was a flirtatious, teasing energy in the air, and Emily felt herself responding, the lines between friendship and something more beginning to blur with every shared glance and every laugh.
JJ leaned in close, her voice teasing in Emily’s ear as she sang the lyrics to the song, “I kissed a girl, and I liked it…”
Emily’s breath caught, and for just a second, JJ’s words felt like a challenge, or maybe an invitation. But then, as if she realized how close she had gotten, JJ pulled back, her playful grin turning sheepish.
“Oops,” JJ giggled, looking down for a brief moment. But when she looked back up at Emily, her eyes softened. “Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away there. But... come on, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about how much fun it would be to kiss someone in a moment like this?”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. Her mind raced, but the words didn’t come. JJ’s gaze was so open, so raw in that moment, and there was something so unspoken in it that made Emily feel exposed.
Tara’s words echoed in her mind. You two look at each other the way Rebecca and I do.
And now, standing here on the dance floor with JJ, Emily felt it more than ever before. It wasn’t just playful teasing. There was an energy between them, something undeniable. Something more.
JJ tilted her head, her voice softer now. “Em? You okay?”
Emily blinked, her gaze locking with JJ’s, and in that moment, the world seemed to pause. “Yeah,” Emily replied, her voice low, almost a whisper. “I’m fine.”
JJ smiled, her eyes a little distant now. “Good. Because you’re kinda... incredible, you know that?” The sincerity in JJ’s voice hit Emily like a wave. The words lingered between them, unspoken feelings swirling around the space, pulsing with each beat of the song. Emily wanted to say something, anything—something about how she felt, something about how JJ made her feel—but the words stuck in her throat.
Instead, Emily just gave her a small, meaningful smile, and let her fingers brush JJ’s, just for a moment. JJ didn’t pull away. Instead, she took a step closer, as though the space between them was growing smaller and smaller with every passing second.
Tara’s knowing smile flashed in Emily’s mind again. I told you so.
For the first time in a long time, Emily didn’t feel the need to resist the pull she’d felt for so long. There was something in the air tonight—something in the way JJ looked at her, in the way they connected, in the way their bodies moved together without hesitation.
The song shifted, but neither of them moved. Emily and JJ stood there, closer than they had been before, neither willing to break the silence that felt like an unspoken promise.
Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was just time. But something had shifted between them, something Emily wasn’t sure she was ready to face—but she knew, deep down, that it wasn’t something she could avoid much longer.
And maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t supposed to.
As the next song started to play, Emily let herself be swept away by the moment. The night wasn’t over yet, and neither was this strange, beautiful connection they were building.
The beat of the song shifted again, this time settling into something slower, more intimate. The soft guitar strums of Ed Sheeran’s “Give Me Love” began to fill the air, its mellow rhythm pulling everyone into a more relaxed mood. The change in pace shifted the energy around the room—no longer a bubbly, carefree atmosphere, but one that invited closeness, vulnerability, and tenderness.
Emily felt it immediately. JJ, who had been swaying beside her, turned slowly, her head to Emily’s chest as the first notes of the song washed over them. The shift in the atmosphere seemed to make her more grounded, more at ease. Emily instinctively wrapped her arms around JJ’s waist, pulling her a little closer as the music began to dictate their movements.
They moved slowly at first, Emily’s hand resting lightly on the small of JJ’s back. There was a vulnerability to the moment, an unspoken tension that made Emily’s pulse quicken. She wasn’t sure why this song felt so much more significant than the others, but it did. Maybe it was the way JJ felt so natural against her, the warmth of her body, the smell of her perfume mixing with the soft scent of the room. Or maybe it was the lyrics themselves—the raw honesty of the song that seemed to reflect how Emily was feeling right now.
The gentle sway of the dance made time feel suspended.
As Emily looked down at JJ, she realised just how close they were. The warmth of JJ’s body pressed against hers felt different this time—not just friendly warmth, but something else entirely. Something her heart couldn’t ignore.
JJ, still humming along to the song, turned her head just slightly. Her soft, blonde hair brushed against Emily’s shoulder, and the action caused Emily’s breath to hitch for a moment. And then, as if time slowed, JJ’s eyes flicked upward, meeting Emily’s gaze.
For a heartbeat, everything seemed to stop. The world around them faded out, leaving just the two of them, the dimmed lights, and the soft hum of “Give Me Love” as the soundtrack to their shared moment. JJ’s blue eyes locked onto Emily’s with a softness that made Emily’s chest tighten, a quiet vulnerability radiating from her. And that was when Emily felt it—the full weight of JJ’s presence in her arms. Every small detail about her—the curve of her cheek, the way the moonlight caught in her eyes, the way her lips parted slightly as she sang the lyrics to the song, the soft, almost imperceptible blush on her cheeks—all of it. It was too much for Emily to ignore any longer. The words slipped out before Emily could stop them. She hadn’t meant to say anything at all, but there they were, raw and honest. “You’re so gorgeous, Jayje.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and sincere. Emily’s heart was pounding in her chest now, the warmth of JJ’s body against hers making it impossible to ignore the way her body was reacting. The confession had been simple—nothing grand or dramatic—but it was the truth. JJ was gorgeous. In every sense of the word. And Emily felt a rush of emotions that she hadn’t expected to feel—things she hadn’t let herself think about, let alone say aloud.
JJ’s breath caught for just a second, and Emily saw her cheeks flush a shade deeper, her lips curving into a shy smile. But instead of pulling away or awkwardly shifting, JJ leaned into Emily’s embrace, her hand gently resting on the back of Emily’s neck, drawing her in even closer. JJ’s face was tilted up to Emily’s, and Emily’s gaze had settled on the soft curve of JJ’s lips as the two of them swayed together, lost in the music. There was something different in the air, something that neither of them had said aloud but that both of them could feel. The way JJ's presence seemed to fill every space around them. The way her eyes never left Emily’s, speaking volumes without a single word. And then JJ did something that made Emily’s breath catch in her throat. Her hand, which had been resting gently on Emily’s neck, slid up to cup the side of Emily’s face. The touch was so gentle, so intimate, like a quiet request, a soft invitation. JJ’s thumb brushed lightly against Emily’s cheek, and Emily’s heart skipped a beat. The touch was tender, but there was something else—something almost daring about it. Something that said now.
For a second, Emily felt like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. Her body stiffened, unsure, wanting to pull back, but also wanting to lean in. She had no idea what JJ was thinking, but she knew she was feeling the same pull, the same undeniable need.
And then, as though the decision had already been made for her, JJ’s other hand slid down Emily’s arm to gently grasp her wrist, pulling Emily closer still. JJ’s face was inches away now, their breath mingling in the quiet space between them. The softness of JJ’s eyes, the slight curve of her smile—it all seemed to draw Emily in.
“Em,” JJ whispered, her voice soft, almost hesitant, like she was giving Emily a chance to back out if she wanted. “Is this okay?” Emily didn’t answer with words. She couldn’t. Instead, she let her eyes flutter closed, a slow exhale escaping her lips, as if everything inside her was telling her that this moment had been waiting to happen. And as she leaned in just slightly, JJ closed the distance, her lips gently brushing against Emily’s. It was brief. Just a soft, hesitant meeting of lips—barely more than a whisper—but it sent a jolt of warmth through Emily’s chest, her heart pounding harder than before. It felt right in a way Emily hadn’t expected. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t dramatic. But it was real. And it was everything. But JJ didn’t pull away. Instead, she deepened the kiss just slightly, her fingers threading through Emily’s hair, pulling her closer still. This time, Emily let herself melt into it, her lips parting as she responded, as if some part of her had been waiting for this, too. JJ kissed her slowly, like she had all the time in the world, as though this moment was something she had been building up to—like she had always known this was where they were headed. Emily’s heart raced as she felt JJ’s warmth, the gentle pressure of her body against hers, and the soft, intoxicating taste of her lips.
The world around them seemed to blur, leaving only the two of them. The music seemed to fade into the background, a perfect soundtrack to this moment that felt too surreal, too important. Emily’s hands found their way to JJ’s waist, pulling her just a little closer, as if trying to feel more of her—trying to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
When they finally pulled apart, it wasn’t because either of them wanted to. But the need for air was too strong, the rush of emotions overwhelming. They both stood there for a long moment, eyes locked, chests rising and falling in sync as they tried to catch their breath.
JJ’s face was flushed, her lips swollen from the kiss, her eyes wide with something Emily couldn’t quite place—something both playful and vulnerable, and so very real. JJ let out a shaky laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind Emily’s ear.
“I’ve been waiting to do that for a while,” JJ admitted, her voice hushed but full of warmth.
Emily’s pulse was still racing, her chest tight, and yet she managed a soft laugh, her own eyes still searching JJ’s face. “Yeah, me too.”
There was an almost giddy sense of relief in JJ’s smile as she reached up to touch Emily’s face once more, her fingertips brushing the curve of her jaw. It was a simple, tender touch—nothing rushed, nothing forced. Just a quiet connection that said everything neither of them had been able to voice until now. Emily’s heart was still thumping, but there was a new warmth in her chest, a quiet certainty settling in. She didn’t know what this meant or what would happen next, but at that moment, with JJ in her arms and the world softly fading around them, everything felt just a little bit clearer. JJ leaned in again, but this time, it wasn’t to kiss her. It was to rest her forehead gently against Emily’s, her breath still a little uneven, but her voice steady and full of something deeper. “We’ll figure it out, Em,” JJ whispered. “I don’t know what’s next, but I know... I’m glad we finally did this.”
Emily’s heart swelled, and she pulled back just enough to look into JJ’s eyes—eyes that were full of honesty, full of a warmth that was almost too much to handle.
“Me too,” Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper. Before either of them could say anything else, the sound of a loud, joyous squeal broke through their bubble.
“Oh my God, you two!” Penelope’s voice was unmistakable, high-pitched and filled with excitement. Within seconds, the whole team and Rebecca descended upon them like a wave, surrounding them in a boisterous, overwhelming group hug.
Tara, tipsy from a few drinks and clearly riding the wave of excitement, was the first to throw her arms around them. “YES, EMILY, I TOLD YOU!” she practically yelled, squeezing Emily and JJ so tightly that it felt like her ribs were about to crack. “Yay the gays!” Penelope’s squeal echoed through the room again, and she practically jumped into the hug, her arms flailing around like she was about to lift them both off the ground. “This is the best thing that has ever happened!” she exclaimed, squeezing them both, her voice wobbling with happiness. “I’m so happy for you guys!” Emily’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and JJ let out a breathless laugh, still a little stunned by the sudden outpouring of love from their friends. The hug was warm, chaotic, and full of so much joy that it felt like the world was somehow brighter in that moment. They were surrounded by the people they trusted most—people who had seen their struggles, their pain, and now, this new chapter of something beautiful. And then, Tara, still riding the high of the evening (and the drinks), shouted in her tipsy, giddy voice, “We’re having another wedding soon, people! You heard it here first!” The room erupted with laughter, everyone buzzing with excitement at Tara’s proclamation. Emily’s heart skipped, but her laughter blended with JJ’s as they pulled apart just enough to exchange a look—both of them still processing what had just happened. It was sweet, it was chaotic, but it felt right. Luke, who had been watching from the side, leaned over to Tyler with a grin, shaking his head. “I told you,” he said, his voice low but filled with amusement. “I knew they were gonna get there eventually.” Tyler let out a laugh and slapped Luke on the back. “Yeah, well, I owe you fifty bucks. You were right.” “Hey, I’m just glad I get to be the one who gets to witness this next wedding,” Luke teased, grinning as he nudged Tyler with his elbow. “You should’ve bet me that it was gonna happen tonight.” Rossi, who had been watching the whole exchange with a knowing smile, just chuckled from his seat, his glass of whiskey in hand. “I’m just waiting for the vows,” he said with a wink, clearly enjoying the chaos and happiness of the moment. “It’s gonna be a good one.” Penelope, ever the romantic, was practically bouncing on her toes. “Okay, okay, but seriously,” she said, still glowing from the sheer excitement of the moment, “I need to be in charge of the decor. And maybe the playlist? I mean, who else would give you guys the perfect first dance song, huh?” JJ couldn’t stop smiling; the happiness she was feeling bubbled over. “We’ll have to keep that in mind,” she said with a grin, her voice filled with playful affection. “But no promises on the playlist, Garcia.”
Penelope gasped dramatically, putting her hands over her heart. “I’m offended, JJ. But I’ll let it slide because you two are adorable.”
Emily couldn’t stop smiling, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. The teasing, the jokes, and the chaos were all just a part of the family they had built together. This team—this group of people who had been through so much—were all here, cheering them on, supporting them in a way that made Emily feel like she was finally home.
And as the group hug broke apart, with everyone laughing and joking about the wedding plans, Emily found herself looking at JJ again. JJ met her gaze with that same quiet affection, the same playful glint in her eyes. There were still so many things they didn’t know, so many things they hadn’t said yet, but in that moment, surrounded by their team and their friends, Emily knew one thing for sure.
This was just the beginning.
And whatever came next, they were in it together.
Tara, still grinning, clinked her glass in the air. “Okay, folks! We’ve got some planning to do!” She raised her voice dramatically, as if she were the wedding planner herself. “But first, we celebrate our favourite couple of the night!”
The room burst into laughter and cheers, and Emily and JJ couldn’t help but join in, laughing along with their friends, the weight of everything suddenly feeling just a little bit lighter. They didn’t know what the future held, but tonight, at least, they had each other.
And that was enough.