Phoenix Rising

Part III: Rising from the Ashes

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Pairing: JJ/Emily

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. I just like writing about it.

Summary: While walking along snowy streets, a stranger helps to open Emily's eyes to get her into the holiday spirits.

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The moment JJ felt Emily's soft lips on her own, something inside of her snapped. She felt the tension that had stretched her so thin, like a rubber band, release at the supple meeting of lips. Emily's own fear and nervous also seemed to just melt away when she finally pressed her lips to the blonde's. When no slap came, Emily pressed a little firmer against JJ, placing only enough pressure on her mouth so that JJ would not mistake this. This was no accident or stumble, for the first time that night, Emily got something right.

As much as her heart begged her not to, Emily knew she must pull away and explain herself. Slowly, she extracted her mouth from JJ's, taking in the sight of the blonde. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, her cheeks tinged with blush.

Emily reached out, cupping JJ's cheek in her hand, smoothing her thumb over her cheekbone. "JJ… Honey, open your eyes." She watched in confusion as the blonde clamped her eyes shut tighter, "What's wrong, sweetie?" The brunette's other hand slid into JJ's hand in her lap, holding on like a lifeline. "JJ, look at me. Look at me."

JJ's eyes remained closed, but she finally spoke. "I can't open my eyes. If I do and I don't see how I feel reflected in your eyes then I don't know what I'm going to do."

Emily didn't know if she should laugh or kiss her again after hearing her excuse so she decided on both. She chuckled softly before pressing her lips to JJ's again. She registered the blonde's shock for only a second before JJ kissed her back. This time, Emily didn't pull away when she felt the blonde kiss her, she felt emboldened and parted her lips. She ran her tongue lightly over the blonde's bottom lip and smiled into the kiss when she felt JJ shiver. JJ was shocked at how forward Emily was acting, but she enjoyed it. A bold Emily was a sexy Emily. JJ let the kiss deepen, wrapping her arms around the brunette's neck, pulling her in. Emily slipped an arm around her waist; the blonde was practically in her lap now. The kiss was becoming very heated now; JJ was forcing the brunette back onto the sofa, half laying on top of her. Emily moaned as JJ's fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her face even closer. Emily was trying as hard as she might to resist the urge to continue their impromptu make out session, but she still hadn't explained herself properly.

"JJ." Kiss. "I need to..." More kisses. "Talk to you." Even more kisses were exchanged as JJ ignored her. Laughing, Emily placed her hands on the sides of the blonde's face, slowly pushing her away. "JJ, I promise, just lemme say what I need to and then we can continue."

JJ reached up, brushing her tangled hair from her face, "You promise?"

Emily nodded, resisting the urge to laugh again. "God, you're cute."

JJ blushed, scooting back off of the brunette, smiling apologetically. "So, um, you wanted to talk?"

Emily sat up, straightening out her shirt as she addressed the blonde. She took JJ's hands in her own. "JJ, I came here tonight to confess something to you." She blushed. "In case you haven't figured it out by now, I have feelings for you. Very strong, romantic feelings for you."

JJ nodded, giving Emily's hands a slight squeeze, letting her know it was okay to go on.

"I want to be with you," Emily whispered, her dark eyes locking on to clouded blue ones. "All day, every day. No matter what we're doing, I don't care if we're about to raid an unsub's place, I wanna be there with you. You're all I think about, Jennifer, and I can't stop myself. I should've told you sooner... but I was so afraid of losing you as a friend, I didn't want to risk it by opening my big mouth."

JJ wanted to slap herself. "You mean, I wasted all that time with Will when I could've been with you?"

"I'm sorry JJ, I saw the way you two acted around each other. I didn't want my stupid crush to come in between your happiness," Emily explained, thinking of all that lost time.

"Oh, Emily... I feel the same for you, you're such an incredible person, I never thought a woman of your intelligence and caliber would fall for me..." JJ felt tears stinging in her eyes at the brunette's admission. "I'm glad you finally told me."

Emily smiled ruefully. "Well, I kind of had a promise to keep."

The two sat in silence, just content to study the others' features, now knowing that all those longing looks really meant something. Emily's hand caressed the side of JJ's face, rubbing her thumb gently over her rosy lips.

"You are so beautiful," Emily whispered, pressing a light kiss on the blonde's lips.

JJ smiled, squeezing the brunette's hand. She reached up, brushing a lock of dark hair behind her ear. "You're amazing, Emily Prentiss." She leaned forward, pressing another kiss to Emily's cheek. "Do you want to spend the holidays with me?" JJ asked shyly.

Emily smiled, radiating happiness. "I would love too, Ms. Jareau." She kissed JJ again.

JJ smiled, an attractive blush rising to her cheeks as she bit her lip, asking, "Can we go back to making out now?" Emily's hearty laughter was her only reply.

That was last night, and now JJ just smiles and cuddles up closer to the slumbering brunette beside her. She gently reaches up, brushing the hair from Emily's face before running her fingertips lightly over her soft skin. A swift hand suddenly grabs her wrist, stilling her caress.

"That tickles," Emily mumbles, peaking open one eye. She meets cool blue eyes and feels a smile threatening on her lips.

JJ smiles sheepishly, trying to pull her hand out of the brunette's light grip, and it tightens. Emily instead, pulls JJ's whole body over her, cuddling up close as she asks, "Why are we up so early?"

"It's almost 10 sleepyhead," JJ explains, stifling a giggle.

"Oh."

The blonde lets out a chuckle, pushing some loose hair behind her ears so she can see Emily better. "Why don't we get up, eat some breakfast, then go to your place to grab your gifts?" JJ requests, "Then we can come back here for the holiday?"

It was Emily's turn to laugh now, "I see you've forgotten."

JJ cocks her head to the side, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"We're snowed in," Emily explains, and now JJ remembers how just before crawling into bed last night, the two women chanced a look outside to see the snow. The snow that made driving impossible and very likely, improbable.

"Looks like we're stuck here then," JJ grins wickedly.

"Oh I'm sure we'll survive, we are FBI agents after all. I'm sure we can think of something to keep us busy." The words were filled with love and promise and new beginnings.