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In the beginning, not everyone liked Emily Prentiss. They mistrusted her motives, questioned why she was even hired on so suddenly, and gave her strange looks. That was the first day the grey-haired woman figured out that Hotch's team was huge on trust, despite knowing previously that that was how teams operated. She was older than most of her peers and was described as distant to everyone around her. She was certain that her coworkers respected her because she was often asked her opinions on sensitive cases beyond the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Moreover, she was awarded the position of Section Chief, so that must've meant more than respect---it meant the team had finally begun to trust her. They had liked her. That was enough, she mused.
That was enough for Emily to flourish in the current environment she found herself in. No more looking behind her back, no more questioning people's identity, their motives. She felt like she could allow herself a couple of spaces to breathe. Everyone talked to her, wanted her in on their daily plans, and volunteered to partner with her in undercover cases if need be. However, she also found that there was one member of the team who remained cautious of her--didn't trust her as much as the others did.
That someone happened to be a blonde. Jennifer Jareau, Communication Liaison.
Emily didn't think much of it until she noticed that JJ--who granted the older woman permission to use her nickname--would linger her eyes on her during the briefings. While she was on the topic of it, she thought it odd that the team allowed the liaison to profile alongside them.
Another thing that slightly bothered her was that JJ would talk to her during their long waits on the plane. If the blonde did not like her, didn't trust her, then why in the world would she seek out conversations with the mysterious woman who was suddenly encroaching on their workspace? Not any of it made any sense to her.
So, one day she decided to test a theory she had formulated once before she retired to bed: Jennifer Jareau did not like her but remained cordial because she felt the need she had to be.
"This ought to clear up some things," Emily whispered to herself while rubbing at her chin. Her chair creaked when she leaned back, contemplating JJ. She absently wondered what made her want to talk to someone as guarded as her. The older woman rested her head in her hand, blowing out her cheeks. She didn't know why this particular person was bothering her as much as it did. People came and went, tried to kill her, and she still didn't pay any mind. She often compartmentalized the bigger issues that she didn't want to confront just yet, but this was a certain persistent bother that she couldn't seem to shake. She shook her head and gathered the documents she received earlier that day from the aforementioned person.
Just when she went back into her thoughts, considering reasons behind these unreasonable actions, and finalizing the plan, the blonde came strutting in. Emily straightened her back and pushed aside the skewed papers. The blonde eyed her curiously, knowing she caught the older woman off guard when she came in. She simply smiled.
Emily flitted her eyes to her coworker, staring at her, questioning gaze in her eyes, "What do you have for me?"
"Nothing yet," JJ responded kindly. "The unsub has been surprisingly quiet the past few days."
"All right," Emily said, realizing she had taken a considerable amount of time before speaking. She leaned back in her chair and moderately spread her legs.
A few minutes passed.
"JJ, listen to me. I want you to know that you do not have to act like you like me." Emily's dark brown eyes pierced JJ's blue eyes.
"I know."
"Okay..." the grey-haired woman said, slowly. "I'm serious. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt because my coworker doesn't like me. Do you hear how silly that sounds?"
"Hmm," JJ hummed, slowly walking towards her boss. "You really have no idea, Emily."
Emily felt offended. Is she making fun of her abilities to do her job efficiently?
"I'll have you kn--"
JJ had reached the older woman, stood in front of her desk, leaned down and pecked her cheek. The woman stared at her with obvious confusion. She stared back at her warmly, a small smile playing at her lips. Suddenly, she withdrew from her boss's space, collected the documents that were on the desk, and retreated towards the door.
"What..." Emily was at a loss for words. That did not happen to her. At all. "What was that?"
JJ's smile broke out into a grin. "I like you. I thought that was obvious, you fool."
"No!" Emily gasped, pointing an accusing finger at her like she was a child. "There was no indication! This whole time I thought that you wanted nothing to do with me, much less wanting to be friends!"
JJ snickered. "Now you know, Emily Prentiss."
Emily stared again, smiling softly at the blonde. She truly was blinded if she hadn't seen that revelation come forth. JJ is attracted to Emily. Emily, who was distant, sometimes cold to her peers. Emily, who had so many mental and physical scars? Emily, who found that trust didn't come easy to her? Emily, who was finally happy--relieved, even-- to hear that someone had liked Emily Prentiss herself.
That was more than enough for Emily.
"Goodnight, boss," JJ murmured. She cast her head down before adding, "You have lipstick on your face."
Emily looked dumbfounded. She patted her cheek, and sure enough was the imprint. Rouge pink. A heated blush covered her cheeks.
Emily found she likes JJ, too.