The morning came faster than Emily's ability to sleep. She smiled softly hearing Jennifer's alarm go off. Of course the blonde would try to be awake before her, it wasn't enough the Jareau had the home field advantage too. Her limbs ached, groaning after yesterdays jump from the bridge. She paid careful attention to their complaints, taking the time to stretch as she heard the blonde's bedroom door open. A gentle knock pulled her from her vulnerable position.

"I'm already up," the brunette hummed and was met with a harmony of dissatisfaction.

"I was hoping to at least have the coffee ready before you got up," The blonde spoke as she peaked her head within the door, "You want the shower first?"

Emily shrugged, the sheets pillowing around her hips,"Whatever you want, I know we have a lot of preparing to do for today,"

"Not really, my Mom lives for the cooking. She won't let me take it away from her let alone you," The blonde giggled and somehow managed to play Emily's heart strings without even trying, "So shower first? and I'll get the coffee ready." Jennifer posed it as a question yet shut the door behind her, not waiting for Emily's reply.

Emily sighed and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Today was going to be hard. Especially after yesterday. How could she possibly keep her distance when everything JJ said and did insisted on bringing them closer together. Her thoughts steadily warmed up their pace from walking to jogging to running through her brain. The possibilities were endless; some more debilitating than others. Her walk to the bathroom offered no release, photos of JJ winking at her as they lined up and down the wall of the hall. Just as the noise become deafening everything fell silent and a smile crept across her face. JJ had laid out three towels for Emily, the blonde knowing exactly how Emily liked to dry off. One towel on the floor, one for the hair, one for the body. Moment's like these bring a fierce blush to the agents face, especially in private. It was so intimate the ways in which she and JJ knew each other. observed each other. admired each other. The soft blush turned scarlet, the heat of the moment and the shower warming up Emily's chest. She hummed softly, letting the rivulets of water wash away her worries and take her down stream to some more pleasurable thoughts. Today is today and tomorrow is tomorrow. What will be will be and for now, Emily let her guilt circle the drain.

JJ heard the water turn on and simultaneously hit the brew button. It should take the coffee about 20 minutes and thats about how long JJ assumed it would take her friend to come downstairs. She danced around her mother in the kitchen, preparing a small breakfast that were more applicable to Emily's diet than the cinnamon rolls Sandy had made; the aroma is actually what had woken JJ up. It was just like old times, except now the blonde felt she wasn't so alone, like this could actually be a home again. She smiled to herself.

"Now why are you smiling miss Jennifer," Sandy inspected her daughter, wiping her hand on her apron.

"Just excited for today," Jenn smiled again. The coffee beeped and JJ heard footsteps coming down the stairs, her smiling growing to reveal her teeth.

"You know," Sandy squinted, folding her hands across her chest, "I couldn't even get you to smile with your teeth for picture day for 12 years! and here you are grinning like fool." JJ scoffed and pointed a teaspoon at her mother accusingly.

"I was wondering why JJ wasn't smiling in any of the pictures in the hall." JJ dropped the spoon, spooked by the brunette silently padding into the kitchen.

"I was too smiling," JJ picked up her weapon of choice and pointed it at Emily, holding it close to her as if to peer through a scope, "Tell me my pictures look pretty or I swear."

Emily held her hands up, "You know I think your beauty goes beyond this world. Inside and out." Mrs. Jareau let out a whistle and Emily felt a fierce heat crawl up her chest as her cheeks tinted pink. Of course this was normally how she spoke to Jen in private, not in front of the woman's mother.

"That's what I thought," Jenn quipped not at all disturbed by her mother's flickering eyes. Emily on the other hand felt her chest pound in time with the laughter that rumbled from Mrs. Jareau. Jenn always had a way of making the brunette agent forget all sense of boundaries. A limitless love is what Emily was filled with and its constant expansion threatened at anytime to find its way out.

JJ could see the hidden panic break through the surface on Emily's expression and put her hand on the small of the other woman's back. She felt Emily tense under her fingertips and pressed her thumb a little harder into a dimple she knew Emily had on her back. "Have a seat," JJ prompted, "Here's your coffee. I'm gonna go shower"

"Thanks Jay," Emily tucked a stray black hair behind her ear, and sipped the coffee. Her eyes followed the blonde out of the room. The silence that fell upon the kitchen was comfortable enough that Emily didn't feel the need to speak as Mrs. Jareau whipped around the kitchen.

The air of peace was shattered by the click of the lock on the front door. Emily's head calmly swiveled out of habit, the sound traveling straight to the instinctual side or her brain.

"Hey mom!" The only Jareau son came crashing in the door, child strapped to his chest and wife in two. They were the nuclear family; well groomed hair, steely blue eyes and a child so cute his cheeks could generate enough heat to melt ice. Emily prepared to introduce herself but Jason Jareau had already pulled her into a hug. "Emily! It's so nice to finally meet Jens work wife!" The brunette stiffened, managing to finish the hug before coughing awkwardly.

"It's nice to meet you too, although I hardly doubt I'm the work wife. That would be Penelope," she scratched the back of her hand, offering a shy smile, "this must be your actual wife."

The conversation carried on as such until Jennifer came down, the collar of her shirt soaked by the dripping blonde hair falling down her back. "Jason!" She practically shrieked using her quads to launch herself into her brothers arms. Emily admired the similarities between them, glad that JJ was back. The blonde hair, almost translucent blue eyes and slim physique were obviously dominant traits in the genetics of the family and Emily couldn't help wondering what JJs hair color would look like with a dash of brown- on a much, much smaller head. She shook the thoughts away when JJ interrupted her inner monologue, "Hey Em, the rest of the family is about to start pouring in," she adjusted the tag poking out of Emily's shirt, "Wanna go outside and grab a drink? There's not much to be done in here." The blonde didn't wait for a reply, grabbing the brunette by the hand and leading her to the patio outside. The lawn was spread out before them, a stone pathway leading them to the fire pit surrounded by simple lawn chairs. A cooler sat between the chairs.

Emily thought the scene looked foreign; the combination of the fine stone patio with folded camping chairs and a clearly worn cooler. Her mother would never...but it made Emily smile. She took a seat next to the cooler, JJ sitting on the other side. The blonde kicked her feet up onto the edge of the pit, wiggling her toes in front of the freshly born fire. "Can I offer you something to drink Miss Prentiss?" She popped the lid revealing dozens of beers and sodas.

"I'll have a beer," Prentiss grabbed one from the cooler, not quite ready to kick her feet up like her friend. The top twisted off and she took a small sip. Jareau rolled her eyes, popping open a can for herself and taking a large swig. The brunette raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips.

"Don't mind me," Jareau shrugged, wiggling into her chair, "I'm just here to actually relax for a change." Emily felt a twinge of guilt and JJ immediately sensed the end of the flirtatious vibe, "I'm sorry," she took a sip of her beer, "You know what I meant. And we're here with family. You're family."

Emily smiled at JJ's reassurance, clinking her glass to the blonde's metal can. "Cheers," She bit her lip hesitantly then tilted her head back, downing the entire bottle, foam gathering around the corner of her mouth. JJ started clapping, giggling, spurring the brunette on to finish the beer. Emily her a faint holler from Jason as she finished the drink, laughing, as JJ patted her on the back triumphantly.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Jason hooted, walking out from the sliding door, "I knew I'd like her Jenn." He pulled up a chair next to the girls, rubbing the infant hanging from his stomach as though it were his own beer belly.

The empty bottle clinked against the pavement as Emily set it down, reaching for another before replying, "Thanks Jason, as a civil servant, I simply do what I can." She settled further into her chair, crossing her legs to idly dangle one foot in front of the fire.

JJ grinned, "Shut up," She swirled the can, pointing it at her brother, " And You, no judgement allowed tonight. We are going to have fun! Isn't that right?" The blonde cooed, waggling her finger at the infant hanging from Jason's chest. Emily adored watching JJ with children and tonight was no exception, Jennifer actively playing with the array of children running around the back yard made the brunette feel at ease.

The party carried on, face after face introducing themselves to Emily then disappearing among the crowd. She had no idea how this many people could be related and if she hadn't seen Jennifer's eyes or nose or chin appearing on each friendly face then she wouldn't had believed they were all a family. Not to mention they way the treated each other let alone her. It was new and Emily could feel herself getting caught up in the whir of it all; the small collection of beers at her feet adding to her excitement. Emily was in mid-conversation with JJ's aunt from her mother's side, or her dad's side, she couldn't tell both parents dawning the same angelic features they had passed onto Jennifer, when the blonde herself appeared before them.

"Can I steal her for a second?" JJ eased her way into the conversation physically, wrapping an arm around the brunettes and placing herself between the two. The action alone made Emily adjust her posture. JJ squeezed her arm, "There's someone I want you to meet." The two excused themselves, Emily letting herself be led to the front yard by her friend.

By now the sun had begun to set, the glow of the evening being provided by the fire and the hanging lights around JJ's patio. They weaved through couple after couple, it not being lost on either of the two how much they themselves appeared as though they were together among the crowd. Yet, Emily didn't feel the need to pull away as she often did when a certain tension revealed itself in their relationship. The alcohol streaming lazily through her veins and granting her the ease to hold on just a little tighter to JJ's bicep, their arms still linked from before. "Where are we going?" They walked along the side of the house, the sounds and lights of the party fading the closer they got to the front.

"Just to the porch, It's were Mimi is," JJ now dawning a red solo cup, took a healthy sip, "She's going to love you."

Emily wondered how much the blonde had had to drink. She watched JJ carefully, taking in the blonde's easy saunter and the flush starting to creep up her neck. A smile twitched on Emily's face; JJ had to be buzzed. "I'm excited to meet Mimi, that's your grandmother right?"

"She's 91 this year," JJ cheered her glass into the air, the liquid sloshing a little out the side, "Tough as nails. I'll probably go before she does." JJ seemed to ponder at the thought for a moment, then she shrugged and sipped her drink haphazardly. What appeared to be pink punch dribbled down the sides of her mouth and she sputtered, pulling the cup away while giggling. Emily suddenly pulled away, trying to doge JJ's spray.

"Jayje! I knew you were drunk! And now you're going to leave me for dead in front of Mimi aren't you?!" Emily punched her softly in the arm though she was laughing along with the other woman. JJ's stomach danced gleefully as she laughed and Emily felt entranced.

"Mayyyyyyybe," The blonde drew out the syllables, leaning in as the breath slowly left her mouth. She seemed to be swaying, somehow swirling, even though she was completely still. The feelings flowing through her freely seemingly creating the notion of movement in stillness like a Van Gogh.

Emily knew she couldn't really feel JJ's exhale on her lips, but the idea made her shudder inside. "You wouldn't dare," She challenged the blonde, poking a finger into her shoulder. Her lips curled into a smile once she saw the spark in JJ's eyes. She knew her friend wouldn't dare step down. Then suddenly, the flare was gone and JJ how somehow gotten closer though her intensity seemed to take a new form.

"I would never, ever leave you for dead Emily. In any form of the meaning." JJ's voice seemed to shake with sincerity and her lips trembled into a small smile. She quickly peered down, breaking eye contact. So unlike the herself.

"I know," was all Emily could utter. And she felt like she really did know. She leaned her forehead softly against JJ's for what seemed like a second when the two jerked apart, hearing a voice in the distance call JJ's name inquisitively. Emily smoothed her shirt and JJ just laughed. She ruffled up the brunettes shirt again, trying not to let her hands linger on the body that lay beneath the cloth.

"Let's go, that was Mimi, she's on the porch. Probably heard us laughing like maniacs." Together they walked, though more separated than before, arms feeling lonely at each other's respective sides. Emily let her hand find it's way to JJ's back as they walked up the front porch steps, just in case. They were immediately greeted by the sight of Jennifer's grandmother, nursing a glass of her own.

"Ladies, I thought I heard two hens clucking by the side of the house!" She did not rise to greet them but she lifted her arms to the blonde, wrapping her in a massive hug. The elder woman did the same to Emily, and Emily being as relaxed as she was, didn't hesitate. "Oh what a good hug," Mimi's face somehow became more wrinkled as she smiled up at the brunette, "You didn't tell me she was such a good hugger Jenny." Emily raised an eyebrow at the name "Jenny" but didn't say anything. She'll store that away for a later date.

"Mimi, she doesn't just hug anyone, so consider yourself lucky."

The grandmother all but clapped in delight, "Come sit. Drink." She beckoned to the chairs right next to her rocking chair and the small table holding a mason jar filled with strawberries and liquor. The strawberries, saturated with alcohol, released a soft pink tinge into the water making it glow sweetly in the dim lighting of the porch. She quickly emptied her own glass, with a swift swallow, and filled it back up for one of the girls. "Its my own recipe but don't tell anyone," she handed JJ the glass.

"Mimi, we are both federal agents, remember?" JJ spoke lightheartedly, comfortably and her tone held no real weight. The two sat down, Emily on one side of Mimi and JJ on the other.

"Oh I don't forget a thing," Mimi nodded her head affirmatively, "Until I drink this that is." She grinned smugly, and gently nudged the glass in JJ's hand. The blonde relented, tipping the glass and letting it slide down her throat. She immediately started coughing, her cheeks turning bright red.

Mimi laughed wickedly. "That means it's working!" She clapped JJ gently on the back. Emily's eyes all but bulged out of her head. The Jareau family really was something. "Your turn!" She refilled the glass in JJ's hand, "Well go ahead, give it to her Jenny." Mimi eyed Emily and it made the brunette paranoid. JJ, blue eyes glassy from the coughing, smiled reassuringly at the other woman. Emily hesitantly reached for the glass, bringing it up to her lips. "No, it's not meant to be sipped, it is meant to be thrown back." JJ bit back a laugh and shrugged.

"For you mimi," Emily pulled the glass back from her lips and raised it into the air before throwing it back. She shivered almost immediately, the liquor touching her tongue and searing her throat on the way down. "Wow," she coughed into her elbow, unintentionally slamming the glass down on the small table beside them. "You made this?" Mimi nodded proudly, letting the warmth spreading through each of their bodies do the talking. Emily felt as if her insides were being sanitized but JJ seemed to be vibrating cheerfully in her chair. She studied her carefully, admiring the drunken flush that found it's place on the blonde's face. Emily knew she was staring but she couldn't stop. JJ felt the brunettes stare and matched her intently. A wicked smile spread across the blondes face; one that caused Emily's insides to twist even further.

"Do you mind if I step inside for a moment? I'll be right back." JJ got up to excuse herself and Emily's jaw dropped. "I'll be right back I promise." Before Emily could detest, the younger woman leaned in to peck her cheek. It was so fast that Emily barely even noticed herself rubbing the spot even after JJ had turned to walk away. Mimi chuckled carefully and Emily ripped her hand away, tucking it into her lap. What just happened. She was pulled out of her reverie by the eldest woman's voice.

"How long have you known Jenny?" Mimi rocked slowly, nursing another drink. Emily had no idea when Mimi had poured it.

"Well," Emily brushed a stray bang aside and sat up a little straighter, "We've been working together for about four years now." This Emily could do. Small talk was her forte. The small surge of confidence she felt was ripped from her chest by Mimi's sudden response.

"Well thats nice and all but how long have you been in love with her?"

The brunette coughed, clearing her throat, desperate to buy herself some time, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Mimi smiled at her comfortingly and offered her another drink, "Drink child. It will help." The liquid poured noisily into the glass, emphasizing the now dead silence between them. Mimi thrust the glass into Emily's open hand. "Go ahead," Mimi folded her leathery palms together, "Then we'll share a smoke and talk."

Emily felt as though she was frozen but there she was watching herself bring the glass up to her lips and then it was gone; her body on fire once again. She wasn't ready to talk. Who was this woman to ask Emily questions she had been grappling with since meeting JJ.

The silence went on longer, neither woman giving in to the other. The strike of a match spoke for them, lighting what appeared to be a thin cigarette between Mimi's lips. She inhaled a singular puff, hiding the smoke in her lungs as her shaking hands brought the item up to Emily's lips. Emily, not one to say no to the indulgence of a cigarette especially when drunk, wrapped her lips around the butt of the cigarette. She drew a lazy pull, frowning at the unfamiliar taste and scent in her lungs. It was nicotine. But there was something else. She choked, coughing out the smoke.

"Is this a joint?!" Emily pulled her head away, waving at the smoke with her hand. Mimi cackled deviously, taking a longer pull and allowing the smoke to leak from her mouth.

"Why, yes I believe it is officer," Mimi ashed the joint into a tray and offered it to the brunette who shook her head, "Now you can't say no to a 90 year old woman. Do you know how much time I have left?" The bluntness of her question struck Emily.

"But my job," Emily held her hands up in defense, though she couldn't deny the excitement building in the pit of her stomach. It had been a long time since she smoked, and frankly, she only remembered doing it at first to piss off her mother. But the first hit began to sink into her already clouded mind and she pursed her lips before reaching her hand out, taking the joint from Mimi.

Mimi held her fists up, cheering with joy, "All I ask when you're with me is that we live together in truth." She crossed her legs, "And enjoy ourselves of course." Emily inhaled the smoke as Mimi talked, the end of the joint sizzling in agreement. The second hit went right to her head, causing her to blink slowly. It was kind of nice. She laid her head back, blowing the smoke up to kiss the stars. Mimi smiled, "Glad to see you finally relaxing."

Emily laughed sheepishly, giving the joint back to Mimi whom rested it on the ashtray to lull into a gentle glow. "It's so easy and so hard for me to relax here," She admitted, "I mean your family is wonderful, beautiful, perfect even." She spoke with her hands, fully animated by the mixing of substances, "But when I'm with JJ, sometimes I-" She stopped, running her hands through her hair. What was she even doing. This was JJ's grandmother she was talking to.

"You have to keep your guard up," Mimi nodded thoughtfully, "But that doesn't stop her does it?"

Emily laughed and shook her head, "She always finds her way in. Even when I feel like theres just nothing inside of me, she always find something worthy of compassion."

"I've known JJ her whole life you know," Mimi rocked gently, the motion furthering Emily's state of relaxation, "And I can tell she loves you too."

Emily shook her head, "Not the way I love her. Not the way I want her." The admission sat heavily in the air.

Mimi laughed aloud, "I wish I was your age again. So blind to the ways of the heart." She shrugged, "I mean she didn't kiss old Mimi's cheek on the way out did she?"The brunette blushed furiously, her hand instinctively shooting up to cup her cheek. "Don't be stupid Emily. Life is too short." With that Mimi nestled back into her chair, closing both eyes and humming softly.

"That's all you have to say? Life is too short?"

"I'm older than you've ever been and let me tell you something, love is found in the quiet moments of unreserved truth. In a kiss on the cheek even when you're simply going away for just a moment. Even though you'll be right back."

Emily let out a rush of air, her heart pounding feverishly in her chest. Where the hell was JJ.

"Go to her," Mimi urged her, resting her palm on Emily's back as if to push her from the chair Her fingers dug into the brunettes back. I that moment, the physical touch granted her the strength to move.

"Thank you Mimi," She sprung up with a purpose, feet momentarily lagging behind the furious thoughts racing in her head. All she could think of was JJ, this boost of confidence from Mimi and the liquor being exactly what she needed to set her free from the torturous cycle of what if. Mimi whooped lightly, clapping her hands as Emily brushed passed her, disappearing into the house- the screen door bouncing shut behind her as if cheering with Mimi.

The inside of the house was dim, lit solely by various lights from the party outside and a string of light peaking from beneath JJ's bedroom door. Emily walked carefully down the hall, brushing her fingers along the wall for guidance and to remind her that all of this was in fact truly happening. Her fingertips paused on a picture of JJ in high school. The door sprung open, flushing the hall with light. There stood JJ, the illuminating brightness appearing almost like a halo. Emily felt as though she might faint.

"Emily!" JJ squealed, running to wrap the brunette into a hug. Their bodies crashed together and Emily felt the breath leaving her body. JJ wriggled in closer, ducking her head into Emily's shoulder. "How was Mimi?" She all but whispered, her breath ghosting across Emily's neck. The brunette shivered. JJ laughed. JJ always laughed; the blonde dangerously aware of the affect her striking appearing had on people.

Emily placed her arms on JJ's shoulders and pushed, laughter bubbling up between them when JJ gripped tighter. "JJ, come on, I gotta tell you something," JJ nuzzled in for a second longer than allowed herself to be pushed away. She pouted, batting her lashes. Emily all but melted. "I- I was talking to Mimi,"

A grin broke out on JJ's face, "And?" Emily frowned at the face JJ was dawning, like the blonde knew already what Emily was about to say.

"And, you set me up." Emily rose her brows inquisitively, crossing her arms and dropping her hip dramatically. JJ, caught off guard, scoffed. Her gaze met Emily's, the growing silence between them adding to the intensity of the moment. Emily watched JJ's gaze crawl from her brows, to her nose, to finally rest on her lips. The brunette knew this moment all too well. When JJ would simply stare and wait. It happened often enough but this time, Emily wasn't going to allow herself to let the moment slip. "I think," she got closer to JJ, dangerously close, their heaving chests almost touching, "you left me alone with Mimi, on purpose." She poked JJ's chest, the blonde falling back a little before reattaching back to the brunette.

"And what if I did?" JJ all but whispered, the coarseness of her usually feminine voice striking Emily deep in her groin. It was too much. Emily surged forward, capturing the blonde's lips in her own.

It wasn't beautiful, like Emily had dreamt it always would be. It was so much more. It was all consuming, hungry, as if they had known each other, known they wanted each other their whole lives. JJ whimpered immediately opening her mouth to the brunettes advances. Emily's tongue slipped in for but a second, slowly snaking it's way around JJ's mouth before she pulled away. She was breathing shallowly, almost quaking,"JJ, I'm- "

JJ threw herself around Emily, clasping her hands around the older woman's neck. "I know. I know. I know. Just kiss me again. Please."