TITLE: Criminal Minds – "Behind the Mask"

AUTHOR: D M Harper

SUMMARY: Agent Prentiss finally discloses her true feelings to Agent Jareau, but not in the manner she'd originally hoped for.

RATING: For Mature Readers.

DISCLAIMER: This story was conjured up for reading entertainment only. No money has exchanged hands or bank accounts. There is no profit gained, just fancy flights of imagination. There is no intention to infringe on the copyright of CBS Television Studios or creator Jeff Davis. This writing does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will, hence you have no one to whine to except yourself or a parent if you are caught, now bugger off!

Chapter 1

FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Media and Law Enforcement Liaison, Jennifer Jareau strolled into the office of Behavioural Analysis Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner after being granted entry. The five foot seven, attractive, blue eyed and long haired blonde closed the door and smiled at the handsome, forty two year old, black haired man sitting behind the desk.

"What can I do for you J.J.?" Hotchner asked casually.

"I've filled out my request for vacation Hotch," answered the thirty one year old.

He grimaced briefly then inquired, "So you are serious about taking such a long break?"

"I am. I owe it to Will and Henry, and personally, I know I need the time to rejuvenate. The past twelve months have been hectic and it will be good for Will to spend some time back in New Orleans with his family."

Hotchner dropped his boss mask and voiced his concern, "Is everything okay between you and Will Jennifer?"

Jennifer scrunched up her face, "Let's just say things have been a little strained at home lately."

Knowing how hard it was to maintain a relationship, let alone a family while being part of the BAU, Aaron Hotchner sympathised with the younger Agent. "You better pass over the paperwork for me to sign before I come up with a valid reason for not allowing you to leave us for three months."

Grinning, Jennifer handed the sheet of paper to her superior, "Thanks Hotch, I really appreciate this."

Picking up a silver ballpoint pen, the Unit Chief put his signature to the application then said, "I'll contact Section Chief Strauss and discuss a replacement for you by day's end."

"Sounds good to me and unlike last time, I won't be going into labour and stranding them mid-orientation."

Hotchner nodded at the memory with a grin, "That would be a nice bonus J.J."

Jennifer's smile widened, "Thanks again. Are you coming to drinks tonight?"

"I plan to, but I may be a little late. I've a few things I need to complete here first."

"Okay, I'll leave you to it. I've got several files to read before I call it a day."

Hotchner picked up his phone as Jennifer exited his office.

-0-

Supervisory Special Agent Emily Prentiss followed the young blonde's movements as she made her way towards her office. The woman sighed heavily when her friend and colleague closed the door without looking her way. For the past two years, Emily missed the closeness she previously shared with Jennifer and regretted advising her to chase after Will Lamontagne, a former New Orleans detective now stationed at DC Metro.

It wasn't until Jennifer announced she was pregnant during a case in New York, that Emily realised how much she had lost. Since joining the BAU three years previously, she had successfully harboured her strong attraction to the blonde without detection. Never one to divulge much about her private life, Emily chastised herself for still dreaming that Jennifer Jareau would one day reciprocate her feelings.

Running a hand through the side of her long jet black hair, Emily stood up from her desk and ventured into Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia's office. Opening the door, she was confronted with the sight of her thirty four year old friend's fingers flying across the keyboard at an alarming speed.

Emily jumped when the blonde inquired, "What brings the lovely Miss Prentiss to my hallowed lair?"

"How did you know it was me?"

"Perfume sugar. You're wearing Red Door which, by the way, is your favourite," explained the brightly attired blonde.

Emily laughed lightly and sat beside Garcia, "You are just too good."

"Practice, now what do you need?"

"Has J.J. seemed a little stand-offish to you lately?"

"If you mean, have I spent any time with her? Then the answer is no, she is always too busy."

"She hasn't been to drinks with the team for weeks and I'm worried about her."

"So are Morgan and Reid, but I just think she is tired sweetie."

Emily pouted, "She doesn't talk to me outside of work hours anymore."

"Oh sugar, give her time to adjust to motherhood."

Emily rolled her eyes, "It's been a year Garcia."

The bespectacled, self-confessed computer geek turned to face her friend, "You still carrying around that torch for her?"

"Yes ... I mean ... no. I have to move on and face facts. She and I are never going to happen."

Leaning over, the bubbly blonde hugged Emily firmly, "It doesn't look like it honey."

"Thanks for the chat in reality. I better get back to my paperwork."

Releasing her hold, Garcia nodded, "Remember I'm here for you."

Emily stood up, "I appreciate it and will see you later."

-0-

Penelope's phone rang and she answered, "This is the office of the All Knowing All Seeing Goddess, how can I assist you?"

"Hey Garcia, it's me Jennifer."

"Hey beautiful what's up?"

"I need a favour."

"Sure my little ray of sunshine."

"Will and I are taking a vacation with Henry and I need someone to collect the mail and water the plants while we are gone."

"Consider it done oh Blonde Goddess."

Jennifer chuckled at her son's godmother, "Thanks, we'll be gone for three months."

"Three months!" exclaimed a shocked Analyst. "That's a long time honey."

"I know, but we really do need the time away."

"It's okay and I didn't mean to sound disappointed. When do you leave?"

"Not until the end of next week."

"Is all well with you and Will?"

"Yes, we are just fine but need a vacation."

"Okay, but you have seemed a little distant and distracted lately."

"I know and I'm sorry for being a poor best friend."

"So tell me what's really going on?"

"Will asked that I spend less time socialising with the Team."

"Why?"

"He thinks Emily is in love with me and I tend to encourage her when we are together."

"Oh my," blurted out Garcia.

"I explained we were just close friends and I loved him."

Garcia moved the conversation to a conclusion before she revealed too much, "That's good honey, got to go."

"I'll talk to you later about details."

"Sure thing," replied Garcia before she hung up without delay. "Oh shit," she muttered before lowering her head and tapping it on the edge of the desk several times.

-0-

Emily was on her second beer when Jennifer and Will approached the Team's table. She politely greeted them then collected the two empty pitchers off the table and headed for the bar.

Returning to the table a few minutes later with two fresh ewers, she disregarded all integrity and lied, "Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone, but I'm done for the night, bye." She hastily exited the bar and climbed into her car. Even though she was resigned to the fact a romantic relationship with Jennifer was never going to happen, it still broke her heart to see the blonde happy with Will. Wiping away her free falling tears, Emily drove home to her empty apartment and cried herself to sleep.

-0-

The following morning, Emily was called into Quantico at a ridiculous hour. A new case had been presented to the Unit via Section Chief Strauss, and after a quick briefing by Jennifer and Hotch, the Team made their way to the airstrip.

Emily was reading through her copy of the files linking the disappearance of four women and subsequent discovery of three bodies when the Agency jet took off. Each victim had been taken from their homes within a month of each other and their badly beaten corpses dumped at different locations. The fourth missing woman, Rose Western had been abducted at eight o'clock that morning. Emily's perusal and thoughts were interrupted when Jennifer sat down beside her once the plane had levelled off to cruising altitude.

The blonde leaned in and asked quietly, "Can we talk?"

Emily put down the folders, "Sure, what's on your mind?"

"I just wanted you to know that Will and I are taking Henry on a three month holiday starting next week."

As the daughter of an Ambassador, Emily was well versed in the art of hiding her emotions from an early age and those lessons came in handy as she replied, "That's great, you'll have fun."

Smiling, Jennifer responded, "That's the general plan."

"Well I'm happy for you."

"I also want to apologise for not being a very good friend lately."

"It's understandable J.J., you have different priorities now."

"I do and I'm glad you understand."

Emily couldn't help herself; she needed to know the truth once and for all, "Are you really happy Jennifer?"

The smile on the blonde's face said it all and Emily's heart tore apart, "Yes Emily, I truly am."

"That's good to know," responded the older Agent without a trace of the resentment or hurt she was experiencing internally.

Jennifer's face softened, "I hope you find a man who will love you like you deserve Emily."

"That's not going to happen."

Blonde eyebrows rose in confusion, "Why not?"

"I'm not looking for a man to fulfil my dreams and desires."

"Oh Em, you can't give up hope."

"I haven't. I want to find someone, settle down and have children."

Jennifer's brows knotted further, "But you just said."

Emily interrupted, "J.J., I'm gay."

Misunderstanding turned to surprise, "Oh wow, I never suspected."

"Sorry to shock you, but I don't go around advertising my private life."

"I know you don't and thank you for confiding in me."

"It's a new year and a new start."

"Yes it is."

For the remainder of the flight, Emily immersed herself in the files and had a strong profile of the UNSUB by the time Jenifer introduced the Team to the local authorities. Within twenty-four hours, the unknown subject had been identified, apprehended and a terrified Rose Western located and reunited with her family.

Emily salvaged the rest of her Sunday by crawling into bed and sleeping until her alarm sounded at six the following morning.

-o-