be my mistake. (emily prentiss)

ii

i didn't call the next day. in fact, i didn't call for a few days. me and jade didn't talk again until i came home to see her standing outside my apartment, a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

she turned around when she heard me footsteps, "hey!"

"uh, hey. what are you doing here?" i ask her, not matching her enthusiasm.

her excited expression falters, and she looks down at the ground for a split second before looking up at me, holding up the flowers in her hand, "i, uh, i haven't heard from you in a few days, so i thought i'd come by with flowers. i'm realizing now that was probably a weird idea, i'm sorry. i'll just leave these here and-"

"wait, jade." i said, grabbing her free hand, "it wasn't a weird idea, it's actually very sweet."

jade's hands are soft, but they're not jennifer's gentle, delicate hands; so soft, but so strong.

"really?" she questions.

i nod, "yes, really. but, just for future reference: don't wait outside my apartment, just wait 'till i give you a sign."

she nods, looking down once again, "yes, got it, sorry."

i can't help but feel guilty as i look at her: fidgeting and insecure. this is another major difference; jennifer is sweet, but badass. jade is far too meek and mild. jj would have never let me talk to her like that, and i never would have tried it.

and hell, i was going to call her eventually. i do get lonesome sometimes. fuck, i'm using jade, and i know it's wrong; but i just can't stop.

"do you wanna come inside?" i ask her as i unlock the door.

she smiles once more, "yeah, i'd like that."

she follows me inside. she's talking, but i'm not paying attention.

"em?" she says.

i turn to her, "yeah?"

"i asked you how your day was."

"oh. it was fine, i guess."

"anything exciting happen?" she asks.

"well, uh..." i say, reaching for the bottle of wine on my table, "no, not really. just solving crimes and stuff."

jade nods, "well, that's great. i mean, your work. you literally save lives."

i begin to pour the wine, "yup, i guess so."

she nods once more, but doesn't say anything. i can tell she doesn't know what else to say, so i break the silence.

"you want some wine?"

she smiles, "yeah, that would be great."