FF: Slow Surprise (Criminal Minds) JJ/Emily 10/14 NC-17
Mad as a hornet, JJ stalked off away from the dance toward the schoolhouse. It was closed up for the summer, although they still used it for town meetings if necessary, and JJ made sure to check in once a week to clear out any cobwebs. Tonight, shrouded in darkness, it seemed the perfect escape as she tried to will her temper to cool down but it was no use.
Her sense of justice railed at Strauss' condemnation - How could she judge Emily? What made her so much better than the rest of them? - even as another part of her brain worked through what had really set Strauss off. Emily had kissed that girl. Well, that girl at least had kissed Emily, but Emily certainly hadn't pushed her away, or seemed to mind in the least. Nope... she hadn't minded at all...
“JJ!”
JJ whirled around, leveling an accusing finger directly at Emily. “Don't you talk to me right now.”
“What did Strauss say to you? Hotch just told me he saw you having words-”
“Everyone saw me having words,” JJ exclaimed. “Everyone! They all saw me defending you.”
“Uh... thanks?”
“No, you don't get to thank me. You don't get to say anything. Not after what you did-”
“-Is this about the other night?”
“Yes! No! I don't know,” JJ growled desperately. “It's about the other night, and it's about tonight. I saw you with that girl...” Her voice dropped, the fight ebbing away, replaced by hurt. “She kissed you. I thought you wanted... how could you,” JJ whispered desperately, turning away again for the safety of the schoolhouse shadows. “How could you?”
Emily followed, catching up to her in three long strides, her hand snaking out to grab JJ's arm, pulling her back around. Face to face they stared at each other in the dark, the sound of revelry a distant echo under the pounding of heartbeats. “I thought you wanted...” JJ whispered one more time.
“I want everything,” Emily answered roughly, the leash snapping on her self-control as she pulled JJ to her. This time there was no restraint, no sweet press of lips. One hand on JJ's hip, the other tangled in her hair, Emily held her in an unbreakable embrace, kissing her deeply, lips unmercifully plundering, demanding, claiming what she wanted, what she'd denied herself for so long.
They broke apart, gasping, JJ's fingers curled into Emily's shirt, holding on for dear life. A cheer went up from the dancers as the band kicked into a lively tune. With an unintelligible growl, Emily shifted and tugged JJ with her to the backside of the schoolhouse. Shrouded in shadows and darkness, she pressed her up against the white clapboards and kissed her again. This time JJ didn't pull away, didn't hesitate. She dove in, devouring Emily's mouth like a drowning woman searching for dry land.
Searing hot kiss after kiss, they consumed each other, desperate for more. The dam had broken, all good sense crumbled and swept away beneath a deluge of want, of need. Emily let her hands roam JJ's body freely, pulling up layers of skirt to finally touch soft, warm skin. JJ moaned, her teeth sinking into Emily's bottom lip as she hiked her leg up around the brunette's hip, yanking her closer, bodies grinding together.
Never had JJ wanted so much, never had she known such desire was buried inside her, waiting for release. Waiting for Emily to set her free. Her hands molded over Emily's body, exploring the lines and curves of her, pushing open her shirt until her fingers found skin. She sucked in an unsteady breath as Emily shivered under her touch, skin prickling with goose bumps. A thrill washed through her as she understood she wasn't the only one who needed. Who wanted so much it ached.
JJ leaned up, kissing Emily once more, deeper, softer, the edge of their need a sharp razor momentarily blunted. “Take me home,” JJ whispered roughly, pressing kiss after kiss to Emily's lips, her cheeks, anywhere she could touch. “Take me home… please.”
Unsteadily, Emily nodded, forcing herself to step away. Her heart raced, edged on by the glassy eyed look on JJ's face, her lips already kiss swollen. They waited, straightening clothes, pinning back errant strands of hair, the mutual blushes fading slightly in the cooling night air, and then they walked back toward the dance, a good five feet between them for safety.
Emily went for Hasiba; JJ found Hailey.
“Are you all right,” Hailey asked, giving JJ a curious look. “Aaron said he saw you and Mrs. Strauss having words, and he sent Emily after you but you’ve been gone a while now and…” she stopped abruptly. “Is that a love bite?”
JJ just smiled. “The boys are all right with Sadie?”
“I'll check on them before Aaron and I head home,” Hailey offered, still staring at JJ's neck where her collar didn't quite cover a red mark.
“I'll be out early to get Henry tomorrow,” JJ promised. Behind her, Emily rode up on Hasiba.
“Don’t worry about it, I'll watch him 'til you get back into town.”
“Thanks, Hailey.” JJ turned, her smile only for Emily. One step, a hand extended, and JJ swung up behind Emily in the saddle. Emily tipped her hat at Hailey, smiling softly, and then they were gone, riding off into the night.
Hailey watched them go, laughing to herself. Hotch joined his wife, staring off into the dark. “Was that JJ? And Miss Prentiss?”
“It was indeed.” He made a vaguely displeased noise. Hailey leaned up, kissing Aaron's cheek. “You wanted JJ to be happy.”
“And is she?”
“Ask her tomorrow,” Hailey grinned. “She's pretty busy tonight.”
*
It should have scared her more, but nothing countered JJ's sense that she was exactly where she ought to be. Where she was meant to be. She tightened her grip around Emily's waist, burying her face against the other woman's back, inhaling the scent of leather and clean soap and a hint of lavender as they rode toward the ranch at a steady pace.
One hand on the reins, Emily kept her other on top of JJ's around her waist, a rather absurd and silly grin splitting her face as she rode. She'd loved Matthew, but she'd never been in love with him. When he'd died, Emily had honestly never expected to love anyone, in any form, ever again. Oh, there had been dalliances and affairs, and she'd left a string of broken hearts through most of Europe, but she'd never let anyone in close enough to break her own. Not until she'd rode into Mission Springs, Wyoming and given a mother back her son. And in return, she'd found everything she'd ever been looking for.
Without direction Hasiba meandered toward the barn, patiently waiting for JJ to dismount before craning her neck back to give Emily a baleful look. The brunette smiled as she slid to the ground, giving the Arabian an affectionate scratch. “Give me a minute to brush her down?”
JJ smiled. “Take your time.”
Emily did just that, seeing to Calla and making sure the bay had fresh hay and oats before leading Hasiba into her stall and brushing her down. It was quiet work, and even though JJ was waiting inside the homestead, Emily didn't rush. For once, there was no need. This was no mere clandestine meeting of lovers, no rushed touches and muffled groans of pleasure. This was so much more… something she didn't even have words for. Not yet at least. And while that terrified her, it also settled her. Made her see things more clearly than she'd ever seen them before.
With a fond pat to Hasiba's neck, Emily left the horses to munch on their oats and closed the barn up. Across the yard the light inside the homestead flickered warmly, welcoming her. She hesitated at the door, took a breath, and walked inside.
JJ sat on the bed, biting her lip nervously. She was still in her blue cotton dress, but she'd pulled the pins from her hair, letting it tumble about her shoulders in soft waves. When Emily walked in she stood up, taking a step toward the brunette before stopping.
“JJ?”
“There are things you should know about me.”
“All right…”
JJ took a breath. “I loved my husband.”
Emily's eyes narrowed. “I never thought you didn't.”
“He wasn't the smartest man ever, but he was sweet, and he was good to me. And I'd been alone for so long… I never understood, before now, why I never cared about dating boys. Why I never worried about finding a husband. When Will came along, he was funny and kind and I thought, 'It's now or never JJ. You're not going to do any better than him.' That doesn't make me sound very good does it?”
At that, Emily smiled. She'd known women who'd gotten married for far less. “It makes you sound human.”
“I wanted things when I was younger. I wanted land, a place to call my own. I wanted to travel and see the world. And I wanted to find someone who would kiss me until my knees went weak.” JJ took a breath, took a step closer. “And until I met you I thought I'd just given up on all those dreams. But here you are.” She reached up, her fingers tentatively touching Emily's cheek. “Here you are.” Emily's hand covered JJ's as she leaned into the touch, turning to press a soft kiss to JJ's palm. “I loved my husband…” JJ whispered, “but I had no idea what love was.”
Emily leaned in, pressing a soft, slow kiss to JJ's lips. She knew JJ wanted her to say the words, but now wasn't the time. Not yet… “Close your eyes.” JJ complied, lashes fluttering downward. Emily kissed each eyelid with a feather soft touch.
JJ tried to keep her breathing steady even as her heart raced with each feather soft kiss. Emily's hands slid down, fingers lightly tracing the line of her jaw, the curve of her lips. It was like she was being mapped and memorized by touch and kiss, and with each moment her need grew, frustration building until she was trembling in Emily's arms. “Please,” JJ whispered harshly, not even sure exactly what it was she needed; only certain that she needed it from Emily.
“Shhh,” Emily soothed, kissing her slowly, her tongue expertly sweeping in, light but demanding. “I've got you.”
It was a powerful thing, Emily realized, to hold this woman's heart. To make her tremble with need. She took JJ's hand and led her to the bed, holding her gaze steadily as she reached up and undid button after button before pushing the dress loosely to the floor. Where her hands touched, her mouth followed, tasting, teasing, nipping until JJ moaned in vexation, her hands pushing at Emily’s own clothes.
Control, so tenuous at best, snapped completely as JJ grabbed the back of Emily’s neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. Will had always treated her with a light touch, as if she were a fragile piece of crystal, able to be broken with just a look. No more… There was no waiting, no holding back as JJ poured herself into the kiss, buttons popping off Emily’s shirt as JJ fumbled them and dragged the material down the brunette’s arms. Emily's gun belt hit the floor. A moment was spared to kick off boots and unfasten hooks. And with each new patch of skin revealed there was the delighted grin, a heated stare, a tentative touch until finally Emily pressed JJ back onto the bed, covering her naked body with her own.
JJ may have been a novice, but she wasn't slow to learn, to understand just what brought Emily pleasure. She rolled with Emily, pulling her underneath so that she could take her time. Kissing, tasting, her mouth found the pulse point at Emily’s neck and marked it with teeth and tongue until Emily scraped her nails down JJ's back, growling in pleasure. And then she moved lower. Inch by inch. When her fingers met Emily’s wet folds it was pure instinct and need that drove her on.
“You don't have to-”
But there was no holding back for JJ now, no reason to hesitate. She'd wanted this woman from the moment their eyes met even if she hadn't understood what it meant, where it would lead her. Now, all she could see was Emily. Nothing else mattered in that moment but the woman in front of her.
Emily gasped as JJ slid a finger inside, hips rocking up in encouragement. The grin that split JJ's face was pure wicked delight which only served to draw another shuddering gasp from the brunette. Now it was Emily’s turn to beg, to whisper harsh pleas as JJ touched her, softly at first and then more firmly with Emily’s encouragement until her fingers curled inside, matching a steady, pulsing rhythm to Emily’s body.
“JJ... Yes...” Emily's words morphed into moans, barely cognizant as pleasure burst through with every touch, and then JJ was there, kissing her, dragging her over the edge into oblivion.
JJ's hands didn't stop, the power of bringing this remarkable woman to a trembling climax coursing through her, demanding more from both of them. Emily clutched at JJ’s shoulders, digging in hard enough to leave bruises as she opened herself fully, let herself be taken. Be loved. Again she came, crying out JJ's name with a desperate shuddering cry.
Sprawled out in a mess of limbs, JJ sucked in a breath and then another, not sure if the pounding in her head was her own heartbeat or Emily’s thundering in her chest. Eventually she realized, it just didn't matter. Emily was still trembling underneath her as she pushed herself up, propped on one elbow, and leaned down to kiss the brunette softly. “Are you all right?” Her bemused smile belied the more serious tone to her question.
A huff of laughter, a broad grin, and then JJ was on her back as Emily rolled them both over. “I'm doing just fine, darling.”
“I like the way you say that.”
“I like having someone to say it to.”
JJ blushed under Emily's easy gaze, a move that was utterly charming. “Did I... was it?” She sighed, rolling her eyes. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” Emily whispered. “Just feel.” She traced a finger lightly over JJ’s jaw, down her throat, watching the muscles move as JJ swallowed in anticipation. Emily leaned in, her teeth grazing the shell of JJ’s ear as she spoke. “This is how you make me feel.”
It was like soaring on the wind, the way JJ’s body reacted to the push, the pull, the swell and sudden drop as Emily worked her way across every inch of her body. Places she’d never considered held hidden wells of pleasure: the back of her knee, the top of her hip, the inside of her elbow. Her stomach dipped as Emily nibbled her way up the inside of her thigh; her heart soared with each tender kiss. And when finally, finally, Emily slid her fingers inside, when she used her mouth, it felt like JJ had been flung off the tallest cliff, the pure exhilaration of the fall crashing through her with a joyous shout.
Lying together, after the fall, JJ’s heart continued to thunder even as the rest of her body remained gloriously, blissfully lax. “This is how you feel?”
“Every time I see you. Every time I even think about you,” Emily admitted.
JJ snuggled in closer, comfortable in the silence. “I think… I think I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.”
“Well, I’m here now. And I’m not leaving any time soon.”
“As if I’d let you.”
Laughter filling the room, Emily pulled JJ closer, intent to show her one more time how intent she was on sticking around.
*
The rooster had long informed them that the sun was up and the day had begun, but JJ and Emily lingered in bed still.
“Tell me another,” JJ urged, turning to lie on her stomach, head pillowed on her arms as she gazed over at Emily.
“Hmm… let me think,” Emily drawled, tracing a finger up JJ’s naked back. “St. Petersburg.”
“Russia?”
“My father had a brief assignment there when I was a child. The sun never goes down during the summer, it just lingers at night in this twilight state. I thought it was the most magical thing I’d ever seen.”
JJ watched as the wonder and sentiment of childhood lingered in Emily’s eyes, replacing the normally world weary state. “You’ve been so many places.”
“There’s a lot of world out there to see.”
“I’d like to, someday, maybe.”
“Where do you want to go,” Emily asked, leaning in to kiss JJ lightly. “Anywhere you want to go I’ll take you.”
“Anywhere?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Egypt?”
“Done.”
“Paris?”
“I prefer the countryside, but sure.”
“French Algiers?”
“Sure - no, wait, I’m not allowed back there.”
JJ laughed and dragged Emily down for a lingering kiss, laughter bubbling up between them. “You were banned from an entire country?”
“It was the sultan’s daughter.”
JJ laughed again. “Did you regret it at all?”
“Not for a second,” Emily grinned wolfishly.
“Emily Prentiss, you’re an irascible cad.”
“And you love me for it.”
“Yes,” JJ beamed, “I do.”
The long progress of their slow kisses was interrupted minutes later by the distinct sounds of horse and rider barreling into the front yard. Emily had just enough time to yank on her pants and shirt - terribly wrinkled from a night spent crumpled on the floor - before someone started banging on the front door. She yanked open the front door just enough to glare at Morgan while JJ hurriedly pulled on her dress.
“Is Henry okay?”
“He’s fine,” Morgan assured, “but ya’ll have got to come back to town. Hotch sent me out for you.”
She felt her stomach clench, like a ghost hand had reached in and took hold of her guts. “Someone else was murdered.” Morgan nodded roughly. “Who was it?”
“Miss Penelope’s girl… Beth.”
Prentiss felt her knees waver but she stayed upright and within seconds the shock was replaced with anger. “Give me five minutes. Will you go grab the horses?” He nodded again and took off for the barn. Emily shut the door quietly. Not saying a word she walked to the bed and tugged on socks and her boots. With brutal efficiency she settled her gun belt on her hips, her fingers running over the ammo to make sure every notch was filled with a bullet.
JJ handed Emily her hat. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I know.”
They both knew she was lying.
“Miss Emily? Horses are ready!”
Without another word Emily walked out. JJ took a deep breath and followed.
Part Eleven