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BITTERSWEET
::  iv. | wrong place

Jennifer and the team were on the jet heading back to the BAU. It was quite early in the morning, around 5am. They had just wrapped up a case and now they couldn't wait to get into their own beds for their beauty sleep. As jj was leaned back in the chair, she was looking through her messages with Cole. Cole's a funny kid, always sending her jokes. Jj grew quite fond of her real quickly and Cole back.

Jennifer soon turned her phone off and rested her head back as she looked out the plane window. She didn't try to fight, gave in to sleep willingly. About two hours later, the plane landed at the airport in Virginia. Everyone who was asleep eventually awoke and just like the others, began to get off the plane. Everyone all made it into the black suvs and began to drive back to the BAU before they all could go home for a good sleep.

Eventually, the suvs were back and soon everyone parted ways to head home. As jj walked up the steps to her apartment, she pulled her phone out and called Vanessa. The phone rang maybe twice before it was picked up on the other line.

"Vanessa, hi." Jennifer spoke immediately once it was answered.

"Hey, Jennifer. Is this about Cole?" Vanessa asked her routined question because usually, the only time Jennifer calls is about Cole.

"No, actually. Which might be the first." Jenifer approached her door and slid the key in the hole before turning the knob to enter her apartment, "I actually called for you,"

"Oh—!" Vanessa was kind of surprised, "Well now I'm curious."

Jennifer lightly chuckled as she shut the door close behind her, "The girls from my team are having a get together at a friend's tonight, do you want to come?"

Vanessa thought about it for a second then remembered Cole will be with her dad that night, "I'm in. What time should I be ready?"

"Does 8ish sound ok?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. See you then." With that, jj brought the phone from her ear and pressed the red button to end the call.

She tossed her purse on the couch and then made her way to her bedroom. She didn't care much about putting pajamas on because of how tired she still was so she just took off her work clothes and shoes before hopping into bed.

• • •

After that dinner with Miguel, him and Vanessa have been seeing each other in secret for the past two weeks. They've been fooling around and such. At first she wasn't sure if she wanted to do anything but as usual he convinced her and now she's worried that she may want him back, knowing damn well all the pain he caused. She knew it was a risk when she said yes but she missed him all too much.

Vanessa had just sent Cole off to school. When that front door opened and closed, Miguel came out of his hiding spot. They've been keeping it a secret from Cole mostly because they don't want to get her hopes up about something that isn't what it seems.

Miguel hopped on the counter as Vanessa pooped pop tarts into the toaster.

"Hungry?" She questioned him as she then moved to the fridge to take out the orange juice container.

"Sure I am, but I was kind of thinking of something else for breakfast . . . " That hint Miguel threw out was not subtle at all. In fact, it was anything but. Vanessa playfully rolled her eyes, giving him a light push. She chuckled as she threw the rag in the sink and began to exit the kitchen, "So that's a no?"

"Glad you heard me loud and clear!" She exited the kitchen and headed upstairs.

Miguel hopped off the counter and made his way to the front door, "Well, I'll see you tonight to pick up the kid!"

And with that, he left the house.

Once he was gone, Vanessa immediately began looking through her closet and drawers to figure out what she should wear tonight. She isn't really sure if her and Jennifer are friends but for some reason she was nervous about meeting the coworkers that Cole hasn't yet gotten to meet. She wondered about that, why her first? She wasn't exactly meeting everyone but it was still a bit odd to her.

• • •

Cole's second class just ended and now she was going to study hall, the next class-like thing that she usually does to meet up with Mia. Once she approached the double doors to the library, she pulled them open. Her eyes scanned around the library trying to find Mia. Within seconds they landed on her and Cole began to head over to her friend.

She sat in the seat next to Mia. Mia was on her phone, didn't even noticed her friend sat down until she felt eyes staring her down. Mia put her phone down and turned to her friend,

"Like what you see?" Mia joked.

Cole rolled her eyes, "Do you have the homework?"

Mia sighed and rummaged through her bag. She eventually pulled out the homework and gave it cole. As she watched Cole began to copy down the homework, Mia started wondering. Her eyes never left Cole. She was a tad worried about her with everything going on.

"So you texted you were hanging with your dad tonight?" Mia tired to spark conversation.

"Yep." Cole was too focused on the papers in front of her.

"Is that a good idea? From what you told me . . it's just—"

"You don't know him like I do." Cole quickly cut her off.

Mia just nodded and went back on her phone, going back to where they were— quiet and the only sound filled in the air was everyone's breathing.

Soon Cole finished copying the homework down and gave Mia back her paper. Mia just slightly smiled before grabbing the paper and shoving it in her bag. Cole had gotten up and began to exit the library without even saying one word to Mia. By the time Mia looked back, Cole was long gone to her locker for her next class.

She wasn't in a type of mood or anything, she was just a bit to herself that day and she wanted the day to go faster so she could be with her dad already. She was extra excited about that even if it didn't show on the outside. As soon as she closed her locker, she saw her bullies in the distance talking to whom she assumed were their friends. She didn't stick around though, she immediately turned the other way and began to head the long way to class. Sure she should stand up to them, but she wanted to spare herself from something that could ruin her day.

• • •

It was around seven thirty at night and Jennifer had just gotten into her car to go pick up Vanessa so they can head to Penelope's together. The blonde was excited, she was bringing someone into her world and soon showing them around. Besides, she likes to think her and Vanessa are friends — y'know since her and Cole grown quite fond of each other.

It wasn't that far a drive to the Reigns household, maybe twenty minutes max. Jennifer started the car and then she was on her way. To say she was excited would be an understatement. After driving about ten minutes, she soon came to a red light. She was the third car in the lane. She hated how silent it was in the car, so she turned on the radio and as she began to flip through stations, the light finally turned green. Jennifer didn't even noticed until the car behind her started honking. Though it lightly startled her, she quickly looked at the light and continued to drive to Vanessa.

Five minutes later, she parked out front and honked to let Vanessa know she was waiting out front.

Vanessa obviously heard through her super thin walls. And after picking up her purse on the way out, she met jennifer in the suv. She got in on the passenger seat and just smiled at jennifer, the blonde smiled back then put the car back in drive to get going to Penelope's place.

As they drove, it was in silence. Once in awhile they would share awkward glances but it was quick. It was quite easy to sense the awkward tension which was why jennifer began small talk.

"So, where's Cole tonight?" She paid attention to the road.

"She's with her dad. I thought it was about time they get some alone time together." Vanessa calmly replied.

"Hm." The blonde hummed, "You still trust him."

"What do you mean?" Vanessa shot her head towards Jennifer.

Jennifer noticed what she said and immediately took it back, "Nothing. I was thinking of something else." Which was a lie because the FBI has Miguel's file still, meaning they know about Cole and Vanessa. It was one of Gideon's old cases. That hunch she felt a few weeks ago, she followed it. Turns out Miguel is pretty known in the BAU. So to sum it all up, Jennifer knows everything of Vanessa and Cole— at least everything that's in a file.

Soon enough the two reached Penelope's place. Jennifer parked on the curb. They both stepped out and began to head to the building, they walked inside and upstairs to Penelope's apartment. Jennifer knocked on the door as they waited for an answer and soon enough, it was.

"Oh my god, finally!" Penelope exclaimed as she pulled jj in by her arm and Vanessa followed from behind.

• • •

Everyone was gathered in the living room, elle, Penelope, jj, and Vanessa. Penelope poured some wine in a glass and passed it to Vanessa.

"We literally know nothing about you. The only person jj talks about is Cole." Penelope told Vanessa.

"Yeah, where did cole even come from? That's an interesting name for a girl." Elle chimed in.

Vanessa shrugged, "Not sure. I just like the name. I didn't care if I had a boy or girl, they were going to be named Cole anyway. I was just happy cole's dad went with it." She lightly chuckled towards the end.

The ladies let out a chuckle as well, carrying on conversation. They talked about a lot of things. Cole, work, the team, tv shows, shoes, etc. But there was one topic that really peaked their interest and that topic was about Miguel.

"So let me get this straight, you and Miguel have been having fun time in the same house as Cole?" Elle wanted to make sure she was hearing that right.

Penelope glanced somewhere else as she sipped her wine.

"It's not like that. The last thing I want is for Cole to see that. It's just we've been having a good time and I miss him, but I know even though he's good for my heart, he's bad for business." Vanessa elaborated.

"You're not sure if you want to let him back in because you don't want to get hurt again." Penelope understood.

"Exactly." Vanessa nodded, "It's like you guys can read my mind or something."

"Well we are profilers." Jj lightly chuckled.

"So?" Vanessa turned to the girls.

"You don't want to lead him on, so I say it's not the best idea." Elle spoke.

"I disagree!" Penelope loudly spoke, "If it's good in the bag, then you should keep it going." She slightly whispered towards the end.

"Ok—" Jennifer stood up and took the glass out of Penelope's hand, "I think you had enough to drink."

As jj headed into the kitchen and Penelope following her, Vanessa was left alone with Elle. Before they could continue talking, Vanessa's phone was going off in her purse. She turned and dug around until she felt her phone and then pulled it out. It was call from Cole which she took no hesitation in answering.

As she brought the phone up to her hear, she stood up from the chair and went to a random room. From the bed, she noticed it was Penelope's room but she didn't care because her daughter needed her right then.

"Cole, is everything ok?"

"Um, I guess so. I mean, dad went somewhere so I'm like stuck with some dude." The young teen spoke on the other line.

"Is he with you now?"

"Im in the bathroom. I didn't want him listening to the conversation."

"Do you know where your father went?"

"No but he left almost an hour ago. I'm kinda getting worried, mom."

"So he left you there with some random guy and didn't really say when he was coming back?" She cleared everything up.

"Basically."

"I'm coming to get you."

"Mom, I think I'll be fine." Cole tried to reassure her.

"You think?! No, I'm coming to get you. You're father is responsible of you and right now, he's being irresponsible. I'll be there soon." And with that, Vanessa hung up and rejoined the girls out in the living room.

• • •

"Thanks jj, but again you didn't have to." Vanessa spoke from the passenger seat. They were on their way to Miguel's place.

"I care about Cole as if she was my own kid too and if something does happen, I can alert my team immediately."

"You think something will happen?" Vanessa looked at jj. Her voice shifted from confidence to worry in a second.

" . . I don't know. ." Jennifer trialed off.

Vanessa's eyes wandered around the car as she tried her best to calm herself down.

Soon enough, they arrived to Miguel's house. There were a couple of cars parked out front and none were Miguel's, which scared Vanessa because all she could think about was daughter and how many men she's been stuck with.

Vanessa banged on the front door and quickly enough it opened. She was taken to the living room where she found Cole, but it wasn't what she expected . .

"Get down, now!" The man had a gun pointed at Vanessa and in the other hand, cole's neck was tucked in between his arm and bicep.

Vanessa put her hands up in defense as well as jj as they both got down on their knees.

to be continued . . .

a/n:
shits about to go down,
get ready !!