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BITTERSWEET
:: xlvii. | calm before

Jj had just walked out of Hotch's office, an argument between her, Strauss, and Hotch. Jennifer purposely skipped her flight last night. Apparently, the higher ups were furious and she needed to be on that next flight which was that night.

As she walked down the steps, three members turned the other way; acting as if they didn't see anything. No one on that team was ever subtle about it but that's what made it funny.

Jj approached Emily, Penelope, and Spencer whose backs were turned.

"I know it was stupid guys, but I have my reasons." She told them.

Emily turned around in her chair with the others, "No said anything. No judgment here."

"Do what you got to do, jj." Penelope rested a hand on jj's shoulder, "But come back to us in one piece."

Jj hugged them before retreating to the elevator. Since as of the day before, she was no longer necessarily allowed to be there until her work across the world is completed. It's just proper procedure in the FBI.

There was a lot on her plate that she had to get done before her flight. For example, talking to Vanessa, her mom, Henry, etc. She didn't feel overwhelmed but she still felt like now wasn't a good time to leave. She knew if she pulled that same stunt again, it would cost her the BAU which she couldn't afford because she loves her team and being there. She can't imagine herself in a different profession.

She was meant to be an agent, an FBI agent.

• • •

Mia had just gotten to the apartment where Cole's been staying. After hearing about the fight, she wanted to go check in on her girlfriend in person and well, Cole wasn't responding to any of her messages.

After knocking on the door, an older woman answered. She was definitely not familiar to Mia.

"Um, hi. I came to see Cole? This is the right apartment, right?"

"Yes." The woman moved to side, letting Mia in, "She's in her room down the hall, pass the kitchen."

With a nod of gratitude, Mia was then on her way to Cole's room. Once getting to the door, she knocked on it before opening it. She notice Cole laying on the bed with headphones as she stepped in, closing the door behind her.

Cole soon sat up and when she saw Mia, she took the headphones off. She placed them down next to her as Mia walked up to her.

Mia climbed, straddling Cole as Cole wrapped her arms around her. The two shared a hug as Mia sat on Cole's lap in a straddle position.

"Sorry for not replying." Cole mumbled into Mia's shirt.

The two stayed hugging.

Mia's arms were wrapped around Cole's neck, "Your face got fucked up, so it's understandable." She spoke softly, "Want to tell me what happened?"

Mia pulled away, now sitting next to her girlfriend. She sat quietly, waiting for Cole to say something —- anything.

Cole deeply sighed, "You probably know I got into a fight with those who will not be named. But after we got pulled apart, something took over when they talked about my dad." She finally admitted to someone.

"What did they say?"

Cole abruptly stood up with a lie, "I don't remember."

Mia knows her all too well to know that Cole could only act like that through great significance. What was said, she knew cole just wasn't quite ready to deep dive into it yet.

Mia opened her arms, "Come here, babe. Lay with me."

Cole rejoined Mia on the bed, laying with her. Mia's head was resting on Cole's chest as Cole's arm was around her. Cole felt at peace. She could stay in that position forever. She could already feel being with Mia or being with a girl in general was different, she felt more secure with herself.

• • •

Jennifer just finished packing her one bag. Now, it was only a matter of time before she left to the airport. She felt ready, but she still didn't want to leave. She knew there was a possibility to missing a lot of memories. She was just scared that it would be Henry's first steps or word, maybe somethings with Vanessa as well.

As her thoughts wandered around in her head, Vanessa walked into the bedroom. She found jj sitting on the bed, probably thinking. Vanessa approached her, sitting down next to the blonde.

"You know, everything's going to be ok." Vanessa reassured her girlfriend, "We'll call when you can, Will can come by to help. And I don't want you to feel pressured to tell your mom." She shrugged, "When you're ready, I'll be around. Also, there's no obligation. We live how we want too."

Jj nodded, "I appreciate that, but I do want her to know . . . just not right now."

"My lips are sealed."

Jennifer leaned her way, pressing her forehead against Vanessa's, "I love you."

Vanessa took no time into saying it back, "I love you too."

Those three words were always so important to her. The last time she said them were a long time ago and she always wondered if she would even get the chance to say them in a romantic type of manner again.

With a kiss on the forehead, a quick hug from her mom and Cole, a kiss on the cheek for her Henry, jj was out the door to the airport. She took her car.

The couple of months were going to go by quick —— at least jennifer hoped.

a/n:
their first i love you 💗