I See you, Y/N. (Emily Prentiss X Reader)

-65- Baby steps

TW: slight ED,
        Self doubt
        Mention of Drugs
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Emily's POV

"I'm very proud of you." I whisper in Y/N's ear as I collect the Styrofoam packaging with her lunch, which she pushed away halfway through.

Considering that it was the first time we ate together with the Team in a long time and her whole body was shaking with nervousness, she did a great job.

She looks up at me gratefully and when I've disposed of the boxes and sink back into the chair next to her, she takes my hand under the table and intertwines our fingers.
I stroke her hand with my thumb and move a little closer to her as Tara Lifts herself up and stands in front of us, the remote control in her hand.

"Guys, I'm sorry to have to end this lunch hour again, but as we discussed briefly this morning, there's a case waiting for us."
She presses the remote control and on the screen behind her an image of a high school appears. 

Y/N looks around a little uncertainly, then makes a move to get up, "I'll leave you alone," she murmurs quietly, but I pull her back to her seat.

She looks at me confused, but lets her hand fall back onto my thigh together with mine.
"Y/N." Tara now addresses her, as if she knew exactly what was going on in her head.
"We all know that you're not allowed to work yet...but if you want to..."
Tara points to the Screen behind her,
"in that case we could use your help and since this is a favor for an old colleague, the boss could turn a blind eye."
Y/N looks from Tara to JJ, who is smiling happily at her, and then to me.
The expression on her face is hard to read.
I squeeze her hand lovingly, then I lean forward and look at her.
"Only if you want to, Angel.
If it's too soon or too much for you, that's perfectly fine. None of us expect you to join in. But we thought it might make you happy." 

She bites her lower lip, lets her gaze wander searchingly over the friendly faces of her colleagues, then she looks at me again.
"If you really want me there..." she lifts her shoulders and when everyone starts cheering, she laughs a little relieved and her y/e/c eyes search mine.

"We love having you on board, dearest.
You know that."
I lean forward and place a kiss on her cheek, then I entwine our fingers more tightly again and we turn to Tara, who explains the case to us.

An old friend of hers runs a high school where strange things are happening.
He is not sure whether this is about doping or other drugs, he just knows that something is wrong.

"Y/N, since you are the closest in age to the high school students, our suggestion would be that we smuggle you in there for a few days."
Tara explains and when she notices Y/N's anxious expression, JJ jumps in.
"Of course not alone, honey.
I'll come with you as a trainee Teacher and will basically always be by your side."
JJ winks at her and I notice that Y/N next to me breathes a sigh of relief, but her whole body still seems to be tense as she listens to Tara.

Tara explains the procedure, explains what JJ and Y/N should pay attention to and what the rest of us have to do in the background.

"As you can see, we are not dealing with a typical case here. No one has died or been kidnapped and we just want to make sure it stays that way. Drugs and teenagers are never a good combination, especially not when there is something bigger behind it." Tara sits down again and looks around, then leans back in her chair contentedly when Rossi speaks.