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BITTERSWEET
::  xiv. | afterglow

Once again, Cole was pissed at her mom. She gave this whole speech about the restraining order and why they need it just to only remove it to support her dad in court. Vanessa claims she isn't supporting him but Cole didn't believe her. It wasn't fair that she got to see him and not her. Her mind kept relaying the conversation she had with her mom over and over again. Which is why she was so distracted during her first tutor session with Daniel.

He watched as she was chewing the back of the pen so aggressively. Just before he could ask or say anything, the pin exploded in her mouth. The blue ink was everywhere.

Daniel had a worried yet queasy expression, "Should we take a five?"

Cole nodded, "Yeah." Cole stood up, it was uneasy and she was a bit clumsy. She headed out the library as Daniel watched her head off probably to the bathroom.

It has been ten minutes since Cole went to the bathroom and Daniel was growing more worried. He barley knew the girl but it was clear to see something was wrong or something was bothering her. Anxiously, he stood up and gathered his things as well as her's. Everything was shoved in her bag after he cleaned up his things. Both bags were put over his shoulder, then he began out the library and to the nearest woman's bathroom.

He stood out the women's bathroom a bit hesitant to go in. He's never done this before but he felt like Cole may need him, may need someone. So he pushed the door open and went in, eyes shut closed as if he was afraid to open them.

"Dude! What are you doing in here?" Cole exclaimed.

"I was worried about you." Daniel simply replied back, his tone was calm.

Cole finished whipping her mouth with a wet paper towel. She scrubbed it harshly before realizing the ink wasn't going to come off anytime soon. She sighed tossing the paper in the trash then turned to Daniel, "You wanna get food and finish studying at my house?"

He quickly understood she didn't want to talk about whatever was bothering her, "Uh— yeah. Sure."

The two made their way out the bathroom and to Daniel's car. He suggested a good fast food place they should stop by which Cole wasn't opposed to. So he started his car and began their way to food.

• • •

Vanessa was back at home in bed with morgan. Since she was working the night shift, there was no rush and morgan was off because no cases, so she took it upon herself to ask the agent to spend the night. He gladly said yes and they've been cuddling in bed all day. Not one left.

As derek was on top of her, kissing her lips, his phone began going off. Derek reached for his phone as he continued to kiss Vanessa. He then pulled away to check the messages that were sent. It was Garcia. He scrolled through the groupchat with his free hand and lightly chuckled.

"What?" Vanessa nudged derek.

"Penelope invited all of us to the club tonight and she's begging me to bring you." He placed his phone down back on the nightstand.

"Like I said earlier, I have a night shift today." She reminded him.

"Get someone to cover you." Morgan pouted, "Please?"

"I'll text someone but afterwards." She bit her lip towards the end of her sentence.

Morgan leaned back down and continued kissing Vanessa. He flipped them over and before anything could go any further again, they heard the front door open.

"We'll then, that's our cue." Morgan lightly chuckled as Vanessa groaned and laid her head down on his chest.

Vanessa and Morgan relaxed for a few more minutes before finally getting up and putting some clothes on.

After Vanessa was dressed, she made her way downstairs and found Cole rummaging through the pantry.

"Hey, kid." She greeted her daughter, "What's all the snacks for?"

Cole continued to look through the pantry, "Got a friend upstairs. Study hang."

"Alright then." Vanessa leaned back on the table, "I got plans tonight. You'll be fine?"

"Yeah." Cole mumbled.

Vanessa took one last look at her daughter before retreating back upstairs to Morgan. She sensed Cole was still upset a bit by everything which is why she didn't try to push about the friend. At the end of the day, she trust her daughter and if you don't have trust then you have nothing. That's what Vanessa needed to count on — always.

• • •

Vanessa sat at the table with Penelope, Emily, and Spencer while watching Morgan dance with five other women. Not that she was too bothered, they weren't labeling their relationship yet and Morgan said he wanted to take his time which she thought was fine but watching him dance with all those women . . . she just felt embarrassed.

Spencer glanced up from his glass, "I thought you and Morgan were seeing each other?"

"We're not. We're just hanging out." Vanessa replied as she swirled her drink around.

Jj watched Morgan as she talked with Hotch and Haley. The club was filled with tons of laughter and just when she thought nothing would get anymore interesting, she saw a man approaching Vanessa and that sure got her sole attention.

"Uh, hey. I've been seeing ya!" He tried to speak above the music.

Vanessa glanced up at him, "Do I know you?"

He had a drink in hand, "No but I'd like to get to know you."

An uncontrollable smile spread across Vanessa's lips. She liked the flirting and confidence.

He stuck his hand out as he rose his brows. Vanessa didn't hesitate in taking it. She followed him to the dance floor and they both began to get it down. She really registered what Morgan said and if they aren't together then she had nothing to lose.

Morgan on the other hand, he was growing a bit jealous. Just like him, jj couldn't keep her eyes off Vanessa. They watched as the man pulled Vanessa's waist closer to him, letting her ass hit his bulge. His one hand on her hips as they both swayed to the music. Then she was spun around and was face to face with her dance partner.

He leaned in whispering in her ear, "Want to get out of here?"

Vanessa nodded. He took her hand and guided her out the club. Jj's eyes followed as the two left. She didn't want to seem like that type of friend so she stayed with her team.

Only like five minutes later, everyone decided to call it a night. Morgan asked where Vanessa went and jj took no hesitation in telling him that she left with someone.

The team shared their good nights, then began to head to their cars separately. Jj began walking along the sidewalk and as she walked, she heard noises. They were faint but she recognized the voice — Vanessa.

She ran towards the voice and found Vanessa trying to push off the guy she met at the club. From jj's perspective, it looked like almost attempted assault.

"Hey!" Jj pulled out her badge, "FBI! Get off of her!"

The man was startled and immediately ran away.

"My hero." Vanessa turned her head and looked at jj.

Jj pulled Vanessa by her side and swung her arm over her shoulders. The two began and continued their way to jj's car. Since jj's place was closer, that's where they headed.

• • •

While Vanessa was heading to jj's, Cole and Daniel were still studying. Not just studying though, they were also laughing while eating. They were having a good time and for Cole, she hasn't had a good time like this in a while.

"Wait, wait, wait— I-I lost it. What did Napoleon do again?"

Their laughing too much confused the heartthrob boy. Once everything calmed down, Daniel reached in and moved the strand of hair out of Cole's face. Cole got all shy and adorable.

They both slowly started leaning in and before Cole could grasp what was happening, their lips touched. There goes her first kiss.

As they continued to kiss, Daniel moved the textbooks out the way and food. Cole climbed on the bed, then went and straddled Daniel. Before it could go any further, Daniel pulled away.

"Are you ok with this?" He wanted to make sure she was comfortable with whatever could happen.

"Are you?" Cole retorted.

"What do you mean?" His hand was still on her lower back.

She sighed, "I'm a virgin."

"So was I at one point." He chuckled.

Cole chuckled with him, "True."

The two leaned back in and their lips continued to kiss one another, then cole pulled off her shirt. As things were getting frisky, there was a light buzz of Cole's phone. She had just received a text from her mom saying that she's staying over at jj's for the night.

Not that she saw the text by any chance and she didn't really expect to be having sex either. Not right now and definitely not with one of the cutest guys in school. But Daniel, he wasn't a jerk like all the other guys. At least for her first time she can say the guy was a gentleman and there was consent first.

a/n:
Cole's growing up
fast and what's
happening with jj
&& vanessa?