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The first time the BAU met John was on their way home from a grueling case. It happened to everyone, getting too personally involved. This one had been Emily's turn, and she hadn't slept for the better part of a week. Exhaustion in all its forms settled into her bones, and a weight pressed onto her chest. The lights on the jet seemed dimmer, the dull buzz of her friends' conversations felt all-consuming, and Emily felt like shoving her fingers in her ears and crying. She was far past caring what her coworkers thought of her, so along with her soft blue blanket, she'd pulled her teddy bear out of her go-bag, curling into a ball in the back of the jet.
Usually, she hid the stuffed animal in her go-bag or hotel room, but she needed the comfort John offered, and there was no replacement. JJ took a seat across from her with a gentle smile, wrapping herself in her own blue blanket. Emily returned the smile, the weight in her chest easing the tiniest bit with the company. The safety of her best friend finally allowed her body to relax into the couch, sleep overtaking her.
John made his second appearance on the jet after another difficult case, this time wrapped in Emily's arms as she sat beside JJ, curled around the bear. She managed to keep up with the conversation, but her mind wandered to the crime scene photos and victims.
At least no one had acknowledged Emily's comfort animal. Sure, being an adult with a stuffed animal was generally considered childish, but she'd never been able to shake the connection.
As expected, John's exposure on the jet earned Emily some teasing from her friend, but at least Derek waited until one of their nights out at a bar to pull out the jokes.
"No bear tonight, Emily?" He grinned.
"His name is John, I'll have you know." Emily tossed a balled-up napkin in his direction. "He's busy tonight."
"Aww, is he keeping your bed warm?" Derek chuckled.
"Oh, always. He's the only man I allow in my bed." Emily's sly smirk earned her a hearty laugh.
"Alright, jokes aside. What's with the bear?" He asked, leaning across the table.
"Did you know that about 40% of adults still sleep with comfort items?" Spencer sat up straighter, eyebrows raised.
"What he said. I think my dad gave him to me when I was little." Emily shrugged, watching as Derek's smile faded. "It's fine, Morgan. I don't even remember my dad. The bear is just sentimental."
"Still, Prentiss. I can handle being told to shut my damn mouth when I'm being an asshole." Derek shook his head.
"Is this an all-the-time thing or just right now, because I'd like to reserve the right." Emily tilted her head to the side, smile widening. "And do you have to be an asshole, or can I just use my discretion?"
"Oh, laugh it up, Prentiss." Derek grinned along with her. "By the way, the bear is cute."
"If you're hitting on me, Morgan, you're barking up the wrong tree." Emily leaned back in her seat, sipping at her drink.
"I'm a profiler. I know." Derek deadpanned. "Besides, bro code."
"Wait, bro code? Who?" Emily almost spat out her drink.
"Sworn to secrecy." He held his hands up as he backed away to join Penelope on the dance floor.
"Derek! What the fuck?" Emily called after him, watching as he twirled Penelope around, still laughing lightly.
If everyone knew she was a lesbian, who on the team would he be stepping out of the way for? Spencer was far too awkward to talk to his crush without constant stammering, Hotch was married, and Rossi was a million years old and a hundred wives in. Penelope would have asked her out weeks ago, and that left JJ.
Jennifer Jareau, who, until now, had shown no interest in women. Jennifer Jareau, who was currently flirting her way into free drinks from a group of guys at the bar. Jennifer Jareau, who was all gentle touches and pretty smiles? Yeah, Derek was definitely fucking with her.
Three months passed before Emily found out that Derek had not been fucking with her. JJ's lingering hands and soft smiles were reserved for Emily. JJ didn't bring anyone else on the team tea when they were upset, and she didn't spend Saturday nights on anyone else's couch, sharing blankets and snacks.
Emily's eyes raked over JJ's face, drawing patterns on the blonde's shoulder with her fingers as they lay in bed, legs tangled together and skin glowing in the early morning light. JJ's sleepy grin, her messy hair, her arm thrown over Emily's waist. She brushed Emily's hair away from her face, pulling Emily closer.
"What's going on in that pretty head?" JJ kissed Emily's forehead as if she was trying to press her lips to each and every thought.
"Nothing." Emily interlaced her fingers with JJ's. "Just you."
"Me?" JJ's free hand traced Emily's jawline, eyes fixed on her lips. "What about me?"
"Just how pretty you are." Emily grinned, kissing JJ soundly. "And how we could have done this so much sooner if I'd seen your very obvious attempts at flirting."
"Well, you're so fucking cocky, I was expecting you to be the aggressor." JJ teased, laughing at the way Emily's nose scrunched up. "I was waiting for you to ask me out."
"I hate that term." Emily buried her face in JJ's chest.
"What, cocky or aggressor?" JJ giggled, running her hand over Emily's bare back.
"Both." Emily relaxed into JJ's touch, humming as the blonde's fingers buried themselves in Emily's hair, nails scratching gently against her scalp. "Can we just go back to sleep for a little while?"
"I think that sounds nice." JJ held Emily close until she felt the brunette's body relax into the bed, breath evening out as she drifted off.
The next time Emily sought comfort on the jet, overwhelmed and exhausted, she left John in her go-bag, instead foregoing the usual 'maintain a professional atmosphere' when she lifted the armrest between her seat and JJ's, pulling a blanket over both of them. She wrapped herself around JJ, curling into her. The whirring of the jet was forgotten as she rested her head on her girlfriend's chest, listening to the dull thumping of her heartbeat. Emily felt the weight on her chest lift as JJ took some of it on for her. Dull nails scratched against Emily's scalp as she melted into the embrace. Kisses were pressed to the top of her head, and Emily was safe, Emily was loved.
The conversation around them continued, the jet engine whirred on, and Emily fell asleep in JJ's arms.
John didn't make appearances on the jet anymore, and he didn't even come on cases. Emily could sleep without him, a lifelong dependency broken. He still lived in her bed and kept her company when JJ didn't, but he had a much warmer, prettier, and comfier replacement.
"Baby, are you sure you're okay with putting John away?" JJ frowned, holding the old, worn stuffed bear in her arms. She'd grown pretty fond of John, too. "I really don't mind sharing you."
"I haven't really slept with him in a long time. You're moving in now, and I don't need him if I have you." Emily shrugged, taking her stuffed animal from her girlfriend. She gave it a tight hug before she carefully placed him in the storage tub. "Hey, have you seen those videos of the people who restore childhood stuffed animals? I've never been able to part with him long enough to send him away, but maybe I'll do that. He'll last long enough to be there for our kids."
"Oh, our kids, huh?" JJ wrapped her arms around Emily's neck. "How many of these kids will we have?"
"As many as you'll let me," Emily replied easily. She'd have ten kids with JJ if she could, fill their house with the noise and love hers had always lacked. "Our kids are going to have siblings, and one or two will play soccer, maybe football, and they'll all have your brain."
"As long as they get your smile, I'm happy. Give me a number, Prentiss. How many kids are you trying to talk me into?"
"Four. Maybe five." Emily pulled JJ in closer. "Or more if we can. As many as we can."
"Three." JJ insisted. "Three is your cap."
"Oh, c'mon! We can carry two each, and they'll be so cute." Emily stuck out her bottom lip in a pout.
"Have you thought about how expensive these children will be? It's not like you're knocking me up anytime soon." JJ teased.
"Are you sure about that?" Emily's smirk was filled with suggestion. "Maybe we could try it out."
"We'll never really know until we try, will we?" JJ giggled, leaning up to kiss the brunette.
"I guess we'd better test that theory." Emily scooped JJ into her arms, laughing at the squeal she let out before wrapping her legs around Emily's waist. "If any woman could, it'd be me."
They hadn't intended to throw a housewarming party. Emily had been living in her apartment for years, and they had each needed to donate some of their belongings to make everything fit into the space. They didn't need gifts, the team had already seen Emily’s apartment, and JJ had practically lived there for months by the time they made it official. Penelope Garcia had stumbled upon the information by chance, popping over to JJ's apartment with a bottle of wine and plans to watch a terrible rom-com while Penelope talked about whatever issue needed attention. It was fairly standard: Penelope ensuring JJ was at her own apartment before dropping by without asking.
This time, though, when JJ swung open the door, she was in exercise clothes, a tank top and a pair of leggings, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, a headband keeping her shorter, more stubborn bangs out of her face. She usually only dressed like this to go running or to deep clean, and judging by her bare feet and the lack of a towel thrown over her shoulder, she was doing neither.
"Hey! You're either going to have to help or follow me around while you talk." JJ ushered her friend inside with a bright smile. "Emily's bringing the U-Haul by in a few hours, and I'm nowhere near finished."
"Wha-Whe-Who?" Penelope stammered, greeted by an entryway lined with cardboard boxes, labelled in messy black ink. "Emily? U-Haul?"
"Yes?" JJ frowned, her brow furrowing as she paused. "I'm moving. I told you last week."
"You said your lease was almost up." Penelope shook her head lightly, a smile spreading across her lips. "Why was Emily dragged into this?"
"I'm moving in with Emily." JJ shrugged. "I thought I said that."
"Oh, no, Peaches." Penelope's low laugh rumbled through her chest. "I'd certainly remember hearing about that."
"Oh." JJ's brow furrowed. She'd been sure she told her best friend… "Well, I'm moving, and I'm running behind."
"Good thing I brought reinforcements, then!" Penelope held up a bottle of wine with a grin.
Thus, a housewarming party was planned, despite JJ and Emily's protests, and the entire team was invited. Luckily, since Penelope had roped the couple into this without their consent, she did all of the preparation and swore she'd handle the cleanup. Even more luckily, Penelope hadn't managed to talk JJ into decorating the apartment for the party. Still, the team was spread across Emily's living room and kitchen, chatting idly as they snacked and sipped on glasses of wine and whiskey.
Emily had managed to find refuge in their bedroom, retrieving the storage tote she'd packed John in and pulling him out. Normally, she'd be sinking into JJ's arms at a moment like this, where her heart rate spiked for no apparent reason and her breathing refused to even out, but her girlfriend was entertaining their guests, so John would have to do. Emily buried her face between his ears and inhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing. Sure, John had been her main source of comfort for over thirty years now, but JJ was so much better. JJ, who would run a hand through her hair and kiss her forehead right about now. JJ, who would tell her it was okay to be anxious. JJ, who would wrap her up in an embrace and hold on tight until Emily was ready for her to let go. John was a poor substitute for her girlfriend.
"Baby?" The noise of the party got louder as JJ slipped through the door, then quieted again when the door shut behind her. "You okay?"
"Just a little overwhelmed," Emily admitted quietly, tucking John back into his box. "I didn't want to interrupt your conversation with Hotch and Dave."
"You can always interrupt my conversations." JJ rolled her eyes playfully, pressing a kiss to Emily's hairline before wrapping her in a hug. "Did John help any?"
"A little. Not much." Emily relaxed into her girlfriend's arms. "He's not you."
"High praise." JJ teased, her fingers threading through Emily's hair, nails scratching at her scalp. "I beat out the bear."
"You're the new bear." Emily giggled lightly. "I'll start calling you John."
"I don't need another J in my name." Emily could feel the laughter in JJ's chest, buzzing under her ear. "Two is plenty."
"Aw, you don't want to be Jennifer John Jareau?" Emily joked. "Tragic."
"That name is tragic, I agree." JJ deadpanned. "You feeling better?"
"Much." Emily nodded. "We should entertain our guests."
"Penelope's entertaining her guests in our apartment. We can hide for as long as you need to." JJ insisted. "We don't have to rush back."
"I know. I'm not worried." Emily smiled, leaning back to meet her girlfriend's eyes. "I love you."
"I love you, too." JJ kissed Emily slowly, their bodies pressed together. "Now come on. Spencer was saying something about science magic."
"Not on my white carpets." Emily whined, following her girlfriend into the living room.