The planets bend between us

Chapter 4

"EMILY PRENTISS!"

Emily turned around to find Penelope Garcia running to her in the bullpen. The profiler prepared herself for the storm.

Morgan, Reid, and JJ also looked up to watch the interaction.

Once the tech analyst reached Emily, she squealed, "I heard from a little birdy that you're in love!"

The brunette groaned and turned to Morgan, who lowered his head. "Oh, don't look away, little birdy! Are you kidding me, Morgan? You told Garcia!"

"Chocolate Thunder and I don't keep any secrets from each other! Don't blame him. He wouldn't tell me anything about him. So... what's his name? What's he like?" Garcia fluttered her eyes and pouted her lips.

Emily prayed that they were going to be called by Hotch to work on a case. She would normally not say anything. She didn't want to get personal. But everyone was watching. And by everyone, she meant JJ.

"I would say her name, but I know you'd look her up, so I'll refrain for now. And she's... interesting."

She watched everyone's reactions. Spencer looked awkward. Garcia was smirking. And JJ. JJ looked startled.

"What's happening down here?" Rossi called out from his office. "I heard Garcia yelling."

"Emily has a girlfriend!" Penelope cheering, barely being able to keep herself together.

Rossi raised his eyebrows but did not look surprised. "Good for you."

"I do not have a girlfriend. I met someone. That's all."

The bantering was interrupted when Hotch stepped outside his office. "Rossi and I have been called to Boston to help on a case. Could you all handle yourselves for a few days?"

Emily, along with the others nodded earnestly.

"Good. Wheels ups in twenty, Dave."

Rossi nodded and followed him to his office.

"Emily," JJ called out lightly. When the brunette finally faced the blonde, she asked, "Can you read something over with me? It's about a case. Follow me to my office?"

Emily gulped. She was already worried things would get awkward. She let the liaison lead her to her office and she closed the door.

"Is there something wrong?" Emily asked her colleague, not knowing what was going on.

JJ sat on her desk and crossed her arms. "Nothing's wrong, Em. But you could've told me, you know. And you didn't."

Emily was speechless. "I didn't mean to offend you, Jayje. I didn't tell anyone. It's not something I tell people."

"I know you're a private person," JJ muttered. "But we're friends. Close friends, I think. But you didn't even think to tell me this?"

She was obviously hurt, and the profiler had no idea why. "I uh... Do you have a problem with me being..."

"No!" JJ yelled out, looking embarrassed. A little softer, she added, "No. Of course not. Em, I don't care about that. I don't think it's a big deal."

Emily furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Then why are you angry with me?"

"I'm not. I just... nevermind. I actually did call you in here because of a letter we received. A woman from Maryland. She's been stalked for years. And she thinks she is going to be killed." JJ passed the letter to Emily.

The profiler skimmed the letter and looked up to find worry in JJ's eyes. "I understand your fear, Jay. But we don't normally solve stalking cases. We haven't even been invited by the police.

JJ groaned. "Emily, I know. But do you trust me?"

Emily debated her options. "I do, you know I do. We won't have Hotch or Rossi on this case."

"We won't need them," JJ argued fiercely.