Survivor, emily prentiss

𝟎𝟎𝟒, 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤

emily's pov

"Okay my pretties, I'm thinking 7:00. How does that sound?" Penelope spoke eagerly. For weeks she's been begging for a girl's night, but with Henry at home JJ has been too busy. Luckily, Henry was spending the night at Will's mom's which meant JJ was all ours.

"Seven is good." JJ replied. "What about Claire?"

Just then, as if she sensed it the younger blonde walked in with four coffees in her hand. "What about me?" She questioned, handing each of us a cup.

"Oh you are a peach, Claire Evans." Penelope grinned, sipping her half caf, extra shot, venti, two pump non fat, hold the whip, extra caramel macchiato. "We are having ladies night, you in?"

Claire's face lit up at the invite. "I'd love to. Where are we going?"

"Just downtown for a drink." I take a sip of my drink, savoring the flavor.

"Are you even old enough to drink, Evans?" Morgan piped in, who just so happened to be walking by.

Claire's cheeks turned pink and she playfully rolled her eyes.

"Leave her alone, Derek." JJ teased. We were all quite protective of Claire, but when it was just us, Morgan loved to pick on her.

I watch as the younger agent forms a tight lipped smile. "Claire's a big girl, she can handle him." I chimed in, locking eyes with her.

She looked to the floor flustered. I could tell that sometimes she felt like the odd man out when she was with us, and her age played a large part in that. Although no one ever gave her reason to, she'd almost become non-verbal when uncomfortable.

"I uh, I'm actually supposed to see my mom tonight. But next time." She smiled, walking back over to her desk. I watched her movements, trying to figure her out. Claire didn't talk much about her personal life, but I do know her parents live up in Michigan. She was lying, but I wasn't sure why.

~

claire's pov

After work I stopped by the sushi place near my house and bought a few salmon rolls for dinner before heading home. Truthfully, neither of my parents were in town, I just didn't want to bombard on ladies night. Although Penelope is always inviting me to hangout with her and the team outside of work, I feel like a kid around them. Aside from Emily, Spencer is really the only one I'm close with at work, and I'm pretty sure that's only because we're close in age. I know Derek is just playing around, honestly I don't mind it. But every so often I worry that's how they really feel.

Once I get home, I eat my dinner and get into pyjamas. About an hour later I hear a knock on my door. To my surprise, it's a certain raven-haired bombshell.

"Emily?" I give her a confused look when I notice her - still in work clothes, but her hair is done and she's wearing more makeup.

She looks me up and down and shakes her head. "You can't wear hello kitty pyjamas to a bar." She pushes through and lets herself in.

I slightly chew on my lip. "Em, I told you I can't—"

"Oh come on, you know we want you there." She holds onto my shoulders. Unsure of what to say, I shrug.

"Look, if we had a problem with it, Penelope wouldn't have asked you." She pushed a piece of hair out of my face. "Okay? Please come."

I can't help but smile at her pout and I roll my eyes and nod. "Fine."

Emily smiles widely and pulls me in the direction of my bedroom. "Great! Let me find something for you to wear."

~

emily's pov

I knew once we pulled Claire out of her comfort zone she'd have a blast. Four shots in and she's already giddy. Of course, she's overall a happy person who is always with a smile on her face, but I couldn't help but admire her drunken glow. She was laughing and enjoying herself, and I was glad JJ and Penelope were here to experience it.

"Another one, are you kidding?" Penelope's jaw dropped as the waitress brought over a tequila sunrise. Occasionally the girls and I receive a few free drinks when we go out, but with Claire the drinks were flooding in non-stop.

"What do you expect? She's young and pretty." JJ chuckled.

"Another round of shots!" Claire shouted with her hands in the air. "Why don't you finish the two drinks you have here before we order another round." I suggest, placing my hand on her back and bringing her arms back down to her sides.

She sighs and plays with the straw of her cocktail, sipping ever so quickly. "My gosh, she's scaring me." JJ watched as the 5'4 agent downed her fifth drink. Claire couldn't help but giggle, and I did too. Penelope on the other hand was hammered. We had to write JJ's phone number on her arm in case she ran off again.

I took a sip of my cosmopolitan, my first and only drink of the night. JJ usually drank the least of us, but with an extra person I knew JJ's hands would be full. She herself couldn't keep track of three drunk women.

Claire wobbled back and forth in her seat. I pushed the plate of fries in her direction, hoping she'd eat. If there was one thing I had learnt about drunk Claire Evans, it's that she's stubborn. You can't tell her what to do, but push her in the right direction and pray she figures it out on her own.

By the time her and Garcia were flirting with the bartender I knew it was time to call it a night. Even though JJ didn't drink much, she still didn't feel safe driving, so I drove Penelope and her home. Claire laid in the backseat of my car, singing along to the radio as I drove as carefully as ever. I didn't want to risk getting into an accident with a drunk FBI agent in my back seat.

I pulled into the parking lot of her apartment and helped her out of the car. "Emily Prentiss you are such a gentleman" She slurred, wrapping her arm around me to keep her on her feet.

"You had a lot to drink tonight, huh?" I ask. "How are you feeling?"

"Never better!" She giggled, accidentally tugging on my hair. Once we reached her apartment I helped her dig in her purse until we found her keys. She immediately went to the kitchen and roamed the fridge.

I sighed to myself and watched her with amusement. Not long after she slid down to the kitchen floor and pouted. "I have no food."

I shake my head with a grin at her whining and walk over, looking in her cabinets. She wasn't wrong, almost everything was empty except a hot sauce bottle, and a box of mac and cheese. "What if I make you some of this?" I suggested, holding the box up.

~

Trying to get Claire into bed was the most difficult thing I had ever done. She just wouldn't stay still. Every so often she would grab my hand and lock our fingers together. She was very touchy, but I didn't mind. I actually kinda liked it.

"Let's get you into pyjamas." I say, grabbing the pink pyjama pants she was wearing earlier and a white t-shirt. I help her slip the pants on under her dress and watch her struggle to unzip the back. "Let me." I slide the zipper down and raise her arms up, forcing her into the shirt. When we were done she wrapped her arms around my neck and I was taken aback. "Time for bed." I reluctantly pull her arms off me and help her under the covers. I was trying really hard to keep my mind on autopilot, but Claire was making it difficult.

After I tucked her in, I turned the lights off and picked up the dress, folding it at the edge of the bed. "Goodnight Claire. I'll stop by tomorrow, okay?" All I got in response was soft snoring, but I was just happy she fell sleep. I clean up the leftover mac and cheese and tidy the kitchen before heading back out to my car and heading home.