Emily thought after keeping secrets her whole career at the BAU, that this one, too, would be easy to keep. But it turned out, it was not at all. It isn't the first time she wishes she could share freely about her life outside of work, just as JJ and Garcia do. However, it is the first time she says anything about it.

They are hanging out at her house, eating a leisurely breakfast after Garcia's botched Black Friday attempt at holiday shopping. It's the painting of the pink heart that stops Emily short. The message under it that causes her to stop, and think. Garcia has made herself completely at home, and is currently bellowing, "Who am I? I'm Jean Veljean!" from Emily's shower.

JJ smirks, sipping her coffee, and for some reason, it brings to mind that case. Emily remembers being hotter than hot and talking to JJ about it. About how "at least they had something fun to look at," in Detective LaMontagne.

Emily had done what she could to help JJ realize she didn't have to live her life in secret. She could be proud of who she loved. Now, Emily took a deep breath... She hopes that, maybe, JJ will do the same for her. Emily is tired of secrets.

"In Paris...there's something you don't know..." Emily hedged.

JJ rested her chin on her hand and waited, not pushing. She was definitely interested, though.

"I...met someone... I met a woman," she clarified and waited for the reaction she felt sure was coming. In Europe no one cared about whom one loved. But here in the States everything was different.

"Yeah?" JJ asked, seeming not repulsed, but impressed. "What's her name? What's she like?"

"Her name was Christiane and she was...amazing... But she fell in love with Pascale...not with me...and when I left, I...I couldn't tell her the whole relationship had been a lie."

"Did you love her?" JJ asked seriously.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you love her?" JJ pressed, speaking the words more deliberately this time.

"Yes."

"Then it wasn't a lie," JJ said, reaching out to cover Emily's hand. "If you want...I bet Garcia can track her down for you..." JJ grinned slyly.

They both tried to keep their laughter in check as Garcia - with some kind of sixth sense - burst into Roxette's It Must Have Been Love. Against her will, tears filled Emily's eyes as Garcia sang a decades-old song that, somehow explained her feelings perfectly. She remembered the presence of the only person who dared love her when she lived the reclusive life of an artist in France.

Wordlessly, JJ got up and embraced Emily from behind.

"Why doesn't this matter to you?" she managed, letting the tears come, since JJ wasn't observing them directly.

"I guess I had a good example set by someone I love. And I can't think of anything I'd care less about..." JJ said, mirroring the words Will had spoken about a friend, who had died keeping his secret.

"Thank you," Emily managed, unable to say more.

"Hey...you did the same for me... The least I can do is return the favor..." JJ reassured, pressing a kiss to the top of Emily's head.