daylight (jemily)

Chapter Thirty

When they got home JJ could barely make it into the house. She wobbled on her crutches as Emily held her up right.

JJ had a low tolerance for alcohol, either due to her size or the fact that she didn't drink much. Emily knew this, but she didn't mind.

She was much bubblier than usual, even if she wasn't exactly back to her old self. It made Emily happy to see her smiling.

"We should go race car driving," JJ said, as Emily pushed her down onto the couch. "You're drunk, and you also can't drive," Emily reminded her.

"Derek was talking about race car driving," JJ told her, as she took off her jewelry and set it on the coffee table.

"Derek was talking about a movie about race car driving. That's different," Emily said. She was searching the kitchen for a bottle of Advil, knowing that JJ would want it in the morning.

JJ was quiet now, clearly deep in thought. Emily walked back into the living room where JJ was laying. "It's pretty late, you want to go to bed?" she asked, watching JJ's eyes drift away from her.

"We should sleep here. I don't want to walk anymore," JJ mumbled. Emily knew that with her knee and the drinking, getting up the stairs would be hard.

"How about I carry you?" Emily smiled. "You can't carry me," JJ laughed softly.

"Sure I can. I've got huge muscles. I'm basically as strong as Morgan," Emily said, dramatically flexing her arm muscles.

JJ giggled, letting Emily scoop her off the couch bridal style. She had her arms wrapped around Emily's neck as she walked.

JJ continued to giggle the whole way up the stairs. She felt like a little kid.

When they finally got upstairs, Emily set her on the bed. "Never doubt my strength again," she said, helping JJ out of her jeans.

"You're funny," JJ said, one of her hands still tangled in Emily's hair. She let Emily take off her blouse, and slide a pajama shirt over her head.

Emily changed too, and then laid down in bed next to JJ. She looked into her eyes, noticing how far away they seemed. "God, you really are drunk," Emily laughed.

JJ frowned, her fist gripping the bottom of Emily's t-shirt. "I'm not drunk," she murmured.

"Mhm," Emily nodded, tucking a loose strand of JJ's hair behind her ear. "Did you have fun at dinner tonight?"

"I ate lots of fun," JJ yawned, cuddling closer to Emily. "I've gotta go back to work. We have to catch the bad guys, Em!" JJ informed her.

"We'll be back at work soon. We have to wait until your knee is feeling a little better," Emily told her. She kissed JJ's forehead. "Try and get some sleep, alright?"

"Goodnight. Don't let the bed... bite the bugs," she slurred softly as she closed her eyes.

___

The next morning JJ slept in late. Emily didn't wake her, knowing she'd be pretty hungover.

She was on the couch drinking coffee when Hotch called her. She'd remembered what he said last night and answered, not totally sure what to expect.

"Hey, Hotch," she said. "What's up?"

He didn't waste time with small talk, and cut straight to the point. "I want you to come back to work," he said.

Emily was quiet. "I still have time left on my leave. You know that," she told him.

"I do, but we need you, Emily. Tara's a great agent, but she's not an experienced profiler. We're losing time on every case without you guys there," Hotch said.

Emily sighed, crossing her legs under her. "JJ needs me. I love the job, believe me I really do. But I can't put that above her."

"What will it take to get you back? Higher pay? Days off? Give me something to work with," Hotch asked, desperate to have her back on the team as soon as possible.

Emily looked up and saw JJ limping her way down the stairs. "I just- I can't. Not right now. I'm sorry, I have to go. I'll call you later," she said, hanging up the phone.

JJ made her way to the couch, still drowsy from waking up. "Was that Hotch? What does he want?"

Emily pulled JJ into her lap and kissed her temple. "Don't worry about it. Did you sleep okay?"

"Does he want you to go back to work? Is that why he asked to call?" JJ questioned, ignoring her completely.

"I'm not going back to work until you're better. The team can manage without us just fine," Emily said simply. She gently rubbed JJ's back. "Don't worry about me leaving, okay?"

"I'm not," JJ said softly. "You can go back to work if you want to. I'll be fine by myself."

Deep down, JJ was scared of her leaving. She was scared to be alone. Scared that Emily would get hurt, or die. Most of all, she was scared that Emily go back to work and realize she liked it better than she did staying home with her. What if she just decided not to come home?

"I'm not leaving you here alone. Not right now," Emily said. Even if JJ could technically manage on her own for a few days, it would be hard. Getting around the house with Emily's help was difficult enough for her.

"I don't want to be a burden to you. If you want to go back to work, you should," JJ shrugged. She was trying to act as casual as she could about it.

"You're not a burden, you're my wife. I'm happy to stay here with you. There's no where else I'd rather be," Emily told her. She placed a kiss on top of JJ's head. "There's something else I want to talk to you about."

"What is it?" JJ asked, starting to feel nervous. That was an ominous sentence.

"I made you an appointment with a therapist near here. I did a lot of research and she's really good. I'd really like you to try going a few times," said Emily.

JJ was hesitant. She never really liked therapy. She'd always felt uncomfortable talking about all her personal feelings with a complete stranger.

"What will we talk about?" JJ asked, her head still resting on Emily's shoulder.

"I don't know, love," Emily admitted. "I think she'll want to ask you questions about how you feel. You guys will probably talk about some ways to help you feel better."

"You won't leave me there, right?" JJ asked, worriedly.

Emily laughed softly. "No, I promise I won't leave you there," she said. "Does that mean you're willing to try it?"

"I guess," JJ agreed.