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BITTERSWEET
:: xxxvii. | little white light

Another week passed and they had lead after lead. They would pursue one, dead end, then pursue another one. It was the same cycle, it was like nothing solid was sticking hard enough.

Though they were down an agent, jareau still helped from the sidelines of her apartment. When Henry was taking his scheduled nap, she would look through files and things of that such. If there was something, she would call Hotch. Although she loved being home with Henry, Will coming by every so often, three weeks was plenty of time off.

However, she knew Hotch would want her to stay the whole standard which is one month or more. For some reason she just couldn't. So jareau, packed a little bag for Henry and then the files. She carried him to the black suv and strapped him in his little baby seat before getting in on the driver's side. She then drove to the BAU in hopes of helping from there and so the team could see baby Henry.

Once she made it, she carried two bags on her back and Henry on her arm in his little baby seat. She took the elevator to the sixth floor and then walked through the double glass doors. Immediately she was recognized by everyone.

"Jj, what are you doing here?"

She made it to her desk with Henry as Spencer followed, "Couldn't stay at home anymore knowing that there's so much more to do to help Vanessa and Cole."

"Jj — " Hotch was suddenly nearby, "You're back already?"

"Just until this case is wrapped." She faced him, "Is that ok?"

"Definitely." Hotch then noticed Henry, "How's the little guy?"

"Stubborn." She lightly chuckled, "But a real charmer."

"So, like me?" Morgan came up from behind.

Just when they were all laughing and playing with Henry a bit, that's when Emily approached them. Her expression was quite serious.

"Guys . . . we got something."

They all saw the look on her face.

"What Emily?"

She gestured for all them to follow her to the conference room where everyone else was waiting. She told them what she found out and that someone is dead — someone relevant but not too relevant. Emily continued to inform them on the information she received that this deceased was a drug dealer and that he tangled with the Reigns family in the past, specifically Vanessa.

After hearing those words, something clicked in jj's mind. She remembered Vanessa telling her about drugs and how she use to use them. So she filled the team in with her knowledge of that because maybe something in that time could help this case.

• • •

It was late at night in New Jersey and the girls were getting tired of just sitting around. Though Vanessa was tired of it, she just couldn't stop thinking of all the losses. She knew she wasn't supposed to be on her phone cause anyone could track it but she just missed everything. Her now shot up home, Savannah and Jonah, the team, just everything. As she swiped through pictures, a family one with Miguel popped up.

Tears began to surface in her eyes as she stared at the man who fucked up her life forever. She was too angry and sad to close out of it. She hated looking at his smile now because when she looked at it, she saw right through it. As she continued to hatefully stare at it, Cole walked into the bedroom.

"Mom, didn't you make me give you my phone?" Then she saw the tears, "Mom, you ok?"

Vanessa quickly wiped her eyes, "Yes." She stood up and headed to Cole, "Ready to get out for the night?"

She knew something was up but played along anyway for her mom's sake, "Yeah. I think I might just walk around a bit."

"I'm going to go dancing." Vanessa spoke as she began down the steps in front of Cole.

Cole sped down next to her mom, "You're serious?"

"Why not?" Vanessa simply shrugged, "I'll use my fake name."

"Which is Jasmine." She reminded her, "And mine is Ryan."

Vanessa hummed after stepping off the last step.

Her and Cole stayed in the house for another ten minutes before leaving out. They just couldn't stay cooped up in there anymore. It had been over a month now and they just needed a change of scenery for once. In those ten minutes, Vanessa changed into something more flattering.

Then the two were off to the town, in the city. Cole headed her separate way and Vanessa walked to the club.

Once she entered the big room with flashing lights and loud music, she looked around a bit before making her way to the bar. She sat on an empty stool, her back towards the dance floor. She then waved down a bartender. One soon approached her with a pen in his right ear and a smile that can charm anyone.

"What can I get for you, love?"

And she knew exactly what she wanted which was a margarita on the rocks. He gave her a light nod before going to the other side to began making her drink as she watched.

• • •

As many dove into Vanessa's past to see the connection with this dealer, Savannah Charles just walked into the BAU with Mia. Of course the only one who recognized them was jj who noticed from the glass windows of the conference room.

"I'll be right back guys. Keep an eye on Henry for me." She mentioned before walking out the room to Savannah and Mia who waited at the double glass doors.

The team watched as she left out and noticed the two at the doors. Some of them were curious, one shrugged it off, and two knew exactly who they were. However, those who were curious asked and so, Hotch filled them in.

Jj's arms were by her side when she approached the two, "Not to sound rude, what are you two doing here?"

"Cole hasn't been to school in a month and she's not at her house." Mia spoke worriedly.

"Neither is Vanessa. I even went to her job and they haven't heard from her either." Savannah chimed in, "Do you know anything, agent?"

Jj glanced back behind her at the conference room, specifically making eye contact with Hotch. He knew what that meant, so he exited the conference room and makes his way down to them. However, he then moved this conversation to his office.

"We can tell you that they are safe." Hotch began, "And honestly that's all we know."

"You don't know where they are?" Mia questioned.

"No, we don't. That's the point of witness protection. Until this case closes, they remain safe that is not here." Hotch clarified.

Savannah shook her head, "I don't understand why they didn't say anything."

"It was a quick call and it needed to be done immediately for their safety." Jennifer told her.

Savannah nodded understandingly and soon jj showed them out, while Hotch rejoined the team in the conference room. Just as they were heading out, Savannah told Mia she would meet her in the lobby because she wanted to speak to Jennifer alone.

Savannah took a deep breath, "I don't want this to come off as hostile but I know about you. I wasn't there when she left but you were." She briefly paused, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want to hear it from you. She said the door was closed, however, that only meant her end. What about yours?"

"You want me to be honest?"

"We're both adults, that I would at least expect." Savanah said.

"Ok, then. Since you're trying not to be hostile, I'll try not to be as blunt." Jj continued, "I love Vanessa and I'm aware that I might have already lost my chance but I'm gonna profile you for a second. If you really believe in what you two have then you wouldn't have asked me that or feel so threaten by me. Therefore I can say, you know Vanessa has feelings for me still and when she gets back you think she might change her mind."

Savannah lightly chuckled, "Cute. You think you know me."

"I do."

"Then tell me this — " Savannah whispered, "Would Vanessa really be in a relationship with someone who just gave birth to someone else's kid? Call me crazy, but I don't think she wants to mother someone's kid while they're out on a case."

Jennifer's jaw clenched, she was growing angry and Savannah noticed. She watched as Savannah turned on her heels and headed towards the elevator. Once those doors closed, Jennifer returned back to the conference room.

• • •

Vanessa was on her third drink of the night and as she drank it, one of her favorite songs came on which was Tell Me by Groove Theory. She chugged the last of her drink and then began to make her way to the dance floor. She felt as if she was in a trance almost, her headspace was definitely different.

Her body just started moving and swaying back and forth to the music. Her arms were in the air as she twirled around and as she danced her worries away, she hadn't noticed that she caught the eye of a very important man.

He watched her as he swirled his drink around. His eye wandered all over her body, practically undressing her. It was definitely clear to say that he liked what he saw and he wanted to know more. So he took one more sip of his drink before standing up and started walking onto the dance floor.

Her back was turned when he put his hand on her waist, "I think you look really good tonight. The dress perfectly fits you."

Vanessa turned to face him, "And who might you be?"

"Can I say Prince Charming?"

"You can say it, but that's not who you're going to be." Vanessa slurred a bit.

"Be? Who will I be then?"

"The weirdo who decided to talk to me." She smiled, "It's jasmine by the way." She used her fake name.

"Hernandez." He leaned in, "How about i be the owner of this club. And I noticed you because you're new."

"Good eye."

He lightly hummed, "I might say."

The two continued to chat a bit as they danced then he asked if she wanted to go to one of the back rooms. She thought about it and concluded that if she agreed, her persona would be saying yes not Vanessa because as long as they're in New Jersey, Vanessa and Cole Reigns do not exist, Jasmine and Ryan Green do.

a/n:
&& the plot thickens