the Missing Piece (Jemily x Reader)

-8- the start of something

JJ's POV

The front door opens and Emily enters the apartment.
She looks angry as she walks into the living room, her hands are clenched into fists and her mouth is pressed into a thin line.
"Are you okay, Birdie?" I ask and take a few steps towards her.
Emily nods silently and lets me hug her.
As I gently press her to me, I can clearly feel her body relaxing under my touch.

It warms my heart every time I feel the calming effect I have on her.
That I am the one who can calm and hold the strong and independent Emily Prentiss.

"I met Katy." She whispers leaning on my shoulder and sounds a little worried.
"Does she already know? That Y/N is gone?"
I ask, shocked, but Emily shakes her head.
"But she's on her way to her apartment.
We should maybe distract Y/N a bit.
I think it could happen..."

"Em? Are you okay?" Y/N has appeared behind us unnoticed and sounds genuinely worried.
Emily breaks away from my hug and we both turn to Y/N.
Emily smiles lovingly now and tries to hide her worry.
"Of course, Sweetheart. I'm fine.
I brought your things."
She says happily and points into the hallway.
"Have you met Katy?" Y/N asks, playing nervously with her fingers.
Emily nods and takes a few steps towards her.
Y/N turns pale and looks at Emily in horror.
"Only in the hallway on the way back.
She has no idea that I was in the apartment or that you're here.
She doesn't even know that you're gone yet," Emily explains, raising her hands reassuringly.

Y/N's breathing is shallow and panic spreads across her face, her fingers become more frantic and she bites her lower lip.
Her thoughts seem to race and her whole body stiffens, but then she meets Emily's gaze, stops and Emily grabs her shaking hands.

"It's all good. You don't need to be afraid. You're safe with us." Emily says in a reassuring tone while she continues to hold her hands.
Y/N nods slowly and absentmindedly intertwines her fingers with Emily's while she tries to breathe calmly.
"Do you want to eat something first?
Y/N and I cooked." I suggest and walk over to them, hoping to focus on something more relaxed.

Emily is about to answer when we hear a loud bang, probably from a door slamming, followed by an angry scream.

Y/N jumps visibly and all the color drains from her face.
She makes herself small and all the panic is back, making her collapse.
Her body seems to be struggling with the decision whether to fight or flee and for a moment I fear that she will run outside, back to the hell she knows so well.

Before Emily and I can say anything, Y/N scurries away, disappears into the hallway and shortly afterwards we hear the bathroom door close.

I breathe a sigh of relief.
She is hiding, not running away.

We both turn our gaze to the apartment door, hear the loud, stomping footsteps in the hallway outside followed by Katy's voice.

"Y/N. Where are you?"
She tries not to sound angry, probably to keep up appearances, but the undertone is almost like a growl.
"Darling, please check on Y/N and stay in the bathroom."
Emily says in a serious voice, she straightens up and looks like she's at work: professional, strong and energized.
I just nod silently, stroke her upper arm encouragingly and disappear towards the bathroom.

I knock on the door and listen.

Silence.

"Y/N, it's me. I'm coming in now, okay?"
I ask quietly, pause for a moment and then slowly open the door.
I scurry into the room and close the door behind me before looking around.
"Y/N, are you there?"
I ask and see a slight movement behind the shower curtain.
A shaky hand pulls the curtain aside and Y/N's pale face appears.
She looks at me with big, frightened eyes, worry written all over her face.
"Hey, Y/N. Everything is fine. Please don't worry..."