Champagne Mistakes Part 2 of 2.

JJ came awake slowly, drifting into awareness piece by piece. She realized that she wasn't in her own bed, the pillows beneath her head were too plush and the blankets too soft to be her own. She realized she was naked and that she wasn't alone and that her head throbbed like never before.

Letting out a groan she stretched, enjoying the gentle pull of muscles that hadn't ached quite like this in a very long while.

It must have been some night because she hadn't felt like this since college.

It came back to her in flashes. Going out to the bar with the team for Garcia's birthday. Champagne. Dancing. Kisses and caresses. She remembered being led by the hand to the bedroom and the feel of skin sliding against skin, lips and tongues and warm breath She remembered falling asleep in a tangle of arms and legs and waking up again in the middle of the night with arms around her, a body pressed against her back. One hand cupped her breast, the other was between her legs, kneading her center, one finger gently stroking. Almost lazily. Warm breath against her neck, a faint brush of a kiss. A quiet murmer against her skin, words she couldn't quite understand and she came with a sigh, a name expelled from her lips.

Emily.

Oh, god, she slept with Emily.

She couldn't bring herself to regret it though. It shouldn't have happened but it did. They were both mature, rational adults. They could deal with this without upsetting the dynamic of the team or their friendship. There was no reason last night should have any lasting implications.

She felt Emily shift beside her and glanced up in time to see the brunette's eyes flutter open.

"Morning," JJ said softly.

Emily blinked at her, her gaze unfocused for a moment. When it cleared she offered a faint smile. "Good morning."

It was then that JJ became aware of their somewhat awkward position. Emily was lying on her back and JJ was curled up against her side one arm around her waist, head against her shoulder, their legs twisted together. She didn't really want to move though. It felt quite comfortable right where she was and Emily didn't seem bothered by her closeness, so she remained where she was.

"So, I guess we need to talk about this, huh?" Emily asked softly.

"I don't really see what there is to say," JJ said. "We both had a little to much to drink last night, got a little carried away. It happens."

"Oh." Emily was silent for a moment. "Okay."

"I know, it's a little weird," JJ admitted. "But it doesn't have to be a big deal. It was good. No, it was amazing. Can't we just leave it at that?"

Emily nodded. "If that's the way you want it."

They lay there in silence for awhile until, finally, JJ's pounding head got the better of her. "Do you have any asprin. My head is killing me. And, would you mind if I took a shower?"

"There should be a bottle of aspring in the cabinet above the sink. And, no, I don't mind. You can even borrow something of mine to wear, if you'd like."

JJ nodded. "Thanks, Em," she said as she slipped out of the bed and headed for the door. She stopped just before stepping out into the hallway and turned. "Want to join me?"

Emily nearly bit her lip right through at JJ's question. The thought of her in the shower, hair damp and slicked back, droplets of water coursing down her body....

She forcibly expelled the image from her mind and shook her head. "I'm actually kind of hungry. I think I'll go downstairs and make us some breakfast. Waffles sound all right to you?"

"You cook?"

Emily scoffed. "I was thinking more along the lines of toaster waffles. You know, L'eggo my eggo."

JJ grinned. "My favorite." And then she was gone.

Emily let out a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart and compose herself. She'd just had the most amazing night with a woman who was beautiful, intelligent, warm, funny and kind and it had been shrugged off as a one off. She knew that she should be greatful that JJ wasn't freaking out right now but all she could feel was hurt that the best sex of her life had just been written of as a drunken event.

When she heard the water come on in the bathroom she slipped from the bed, pulled on her robe and headed downstairs.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't stop last night from replaying in her mind and she couldn't figure out what was worse, the fantasy she used to carry when she thought there was no chance of finding out what it would be like to be with JJ or knowing what it really felt like but also knowing that it would never happen again.

JJ stood under the shower stream, letting the warmth of the water sooth her aching muscles. A part of her was dissapointed that Emily had declined her invitation, even though she knew that it was probably a good idea. Last night had been wonderful, but the night was over. This was the next morning.

Even knowing this, she couldn't help but replay the night in her head. A memory floated into her consciousness, one that had escaped her when she'd woken. In the early hours of the morning, when she'd woken up in Emily's arms with the other woman's fingers inside her, she'd climaxed then rolled to face Emily, their lips meeting in a slow, languishing kiss. The alcohol haze had long since worn off but still she remembered pushing Emily back by her shoulders and coming up to straddle her, pinning her in place with her weight and gazing down into her eyes, watching the dark brown orbs grow black with desire and glaze over as slid a finger inside her she brought her closer and closer to the edge. She leaned down to kiss her, swallowing the other woman's cries as she came but the words, though muffled and faint, were distinct.

"Oh. God. I love you, JJ."

Emily didn't even notice that JJ had entered the kitchen until the blond woman wrapped her arms around her waist from behind and dropped a kiss onto the side of her neck.

"The nights over, JJ. It's morning now," she said softly, trying to keep the hurt and sadness out of her voice.

"So what if it is?"

"JJ." Emily shrugged out of the other woman's arms and turned to face her. Fresh from her shower, JJ stood before in a pair of her sweats and a loose fitting t-shirt. Not to be deterrred, JJ put her hands on Emily's waist and pulled her in again.

"What if I want to keep doing this, every night? Every morning."

"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's not nice to tease?"

"You certainly didn't have any objections to teasing me last night."

"JJ.

"I heard what you said last night, Emily."

Emily froze. She didn't need to ask what JJ meant. They'd been half asleep. She hadn't meant to say it and she certainly hadn't expected JJ to hear, or remember.

She opened her mouth, to protest or deny or explain she wasn't quite sure but the need to say anything was cut off as JJ leaned in closer and said softly, "Last night was the best sex I have ever had. The way you made me feel..."she trailed off and offered a grin when she couldn't find the words. "There's something here, Emily. More than just the alcohol. More than just two friends finding comfort in each other. I think we both know that it's too early in the game for me to say I love you but I care about you and I respect you and I'd really like to see where this takes us."

Emily was silent for a long moment, trying to take it all in. "It would be difficult."

"We'll work through it."

"There's work to consider."

"We'll be discreet."

"And your family."

"They've never really understood me, but they'll be thrilled I've found someone who makes me happy."

Emily met JJ's eyes for the first time since she'd come downstairs. "You really mean it?"

"I really mean it."

She couldn't help the grin as she dipped her head to capture JJ's lips.

FIN

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