Chapter Text
Bar - Washington D.C.
JJ didn’t call it a date.
Skye didn’t either.
But as they sat across from each other in a quiet bar just a few blocks from the convention center, their drinks in hand, the atmosphere felt charged with something neither of them was willing to name.
“You always drink whiskey?” JJ asked, swirling the amber liquid in her glass.
Skye raised an eyebrow, sipping her own drink. “You judging?”
“Not at all. Just making mental notes.”
“Mental notes for what?”
JJ shrugged. “Future reference.”
Skye huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “You’re something else, Jareau.”
JJ leaned forward slightly, resting her forearms on the table. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever met a doctor who’s as bad at letting people take care of her as you are.”
Skye smirked. “And I don’t think I’ve ever met an FBI agent who’s as bad at minding her own business as you are.”
JJ chuckled. “Guilty.”
For a moment, silence stretched between them—not awkward, not uncomfortable, just… charged. Skye studied JJ like she was trying to figure something out, and JJ let her.
Eventually, Skye broke the quiet. “So, what’s your deal, Jareau?”
JJ raised an eyebrow. “My deal?”
“Yeah.” Skye leaned back, fingers tapping against her glass. “You nearly got blown up today, tackled a suspect, and still had time to worry about a stubborn trauma surgeon’s minor head injury. What’s your deal?”
JJ considered her for a moment. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Skye smirked. “You could.”
JJ exhaled, taking another sip of her drink. “I guess… I don’t know how to turn it off. The job. The instincts. It’s not something you just shut down.”
Skye nodded, her expression shifting slightly—like she understood that feeling all too well. “Yeah. I get that.”
JJ studied her. “You ever thought about walking away? Leaving medicine?”
Skye scoffed. “And do what?”
JJ shrugged. “I don’t know. Something that doesn’t involve getting covered in blood every day?”
Skye smirked. “I think that ship sailed a long time ago.”
JJ hummed, her gaze lingering on Skye’s face. “Yeah. I know the feeling.”
Skye met her eyes then—really met them. The teasing edge from before softened, replaced by something quieter, something real.
Neither of them spoke for a long moment.
Then, Skye exhaled and smirked again, effortlessly slipping back into her usual dry humor. “So, tell me, Agent Jareau—do all your post-case interrogations include alcohol, or am I just special?”
JJ grinned, twirling her glass between her fingers. “You’re definitely special.”
Skye held her gaze, something flickering behind her sharp green eyes. She didn’t respond right away, just took a slow sip of her drink, studying JJ over the rim of her glass.
“You meant that?” Skye said after a moment.
JJ raised an eyebrow. “Meant what?”
“That I’m special.”
JJ smirked, but there was a flicker of something more in her eyes. “I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
Skye studied her for a beat, then exhaled, swirling her drink. “You know,” she said, “I tried not to think about you after Seattle.”
JJ blinked at the sudden confession. “Tried?”
Skye let out a soft huff of laughter, shaking her head. “Failed. Miserably.”
JJ’s smirk softened into something more genuine. “Good to know I wasn’t the only one.”
At that, Skye’s lips quirked upward. “You too, huh?”
JJ leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. “I might’ve thought about a certain cold, brilliant trauma surgeon a few times.”
Skye scoffed, feigning disbelief. “Just a few?”
JJ grinned. “Okay, more than a few.”
The teasing fell away, leaving only the weight of the unspoken between them.
JJ had spent months trying to ignore the pull of that memory—of green eyes steadying her through pain, of calm hands patching her up.
Now, sitting here, she wasn’t sure why she ever fought it.
Skye exhaled, shaking her head with a smirk. “Addison and Amelia are going to be unbearable when they find out.”
JJ chuckled. “Morgan and Emily already are. ”
Skye groaned. “Fantastic.”
JJ tilted her head. “Let me guess—your friends have been giving you hell about me too?”
Skye rolled her eyes. “You have no idea. Apparently, I’m ‘bad at feelings, ’ and they’ve taken it upon themselves to fix that.”
JJ laughed. “Morgan thinks I’m just in denial.”
Skye smirked. “Are you?”
JJ exhaled, meeting her gaze. “Not anymore.”
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
JJ wasn’t sure who leaned in first. Maybe it was her. Maybe it was Skye. Maybe it didn’t matter.
Because the next thing she knew, Skye’s lips brushed against hers—soft, hesitant, like she was giving JJ the chance to pull away.
JJ didn’t.
She leaned in, deepening the kiss, her hand sliding to rest against Skye’s jaw. Skye responded instantly, her fingers brushing against JJ’s wrist, her body tilting just a little closer.
The kiss wasn’t desperate. It wasn’t rushed.
It was slow. Deliberate. Like they had all the time in the world.
By the time they pulled away, JJ’s breath was uneven, and Skye’s lips were curved into the smallest, most self-satisfied smirk.
JJ rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “You look insufferably smug right now.”
Skye smirked. “Can you blame me?”
JJ chuckled, shaking her head. She reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone and handing it over. “Give me your number.”
Skye arched an eyebrow. “So demanding.”
JJ smirked. “Shut up and put it in.”
Skye huffed a laugh but took the phone, tapping in her number before handing it back. JJ saved it without hesitation.
“Now,” JJ said, pocketing her phone, “since we’ve already established that our friends are insufferable, any ideas on how to survive the inevitable teasing?”
Skye pretended to consider it. “Murder?”
JJ snorted. “Tempting.”
Skye smirked, tapping her fingers against her glass. “Or… we could just give them something to really talk about.”
JJ arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Skye leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was telling a secret. “Start showing up together. Give them the satisfaction of being right. But make them suffer by refusing to give details.”
JJ chuckled, tilting her head. “You’re devious.”
Skye shrugged, her smirk never fading. “I prefer strategic. ”
JJ hummed. “You know, I think I’m starting to like you, Dr. Knight.”
Skye’s eyes glinted with amusement. “I think that was obvious since we kissed for about five minutes ago.”
JJ laughed, shaking her head. “Come on, let’s get out of here before I decide to kiss you again in public.”
Skye stood, throwing a few bills on the table. “Would that be so bad?”
JJ smirked, grabbing Skye’s hand as they headed for the door. “Not even a little.”
JJ and Skye stepped out of the bar into the cool night air, their hands still loosely linked. Neither of them seemed in a hurry to let go.
“So,” Skye said, shoving her hands into her pockets, “where to now, Agent Jareau?”
JJ hummed, tilting her head. “Depends. You in a hurry to go home?”
Skye considered her for a moment, then shook her head. “Not particularly.”
JJ grinned. “Good answer.”
They started walking, the silence between them easy. JJ wasn’t sure where they were going—maybe nowhere in particular. All she knew was that she wasn’t ready for this night to end.
Skye broke the quiet first. “So, about that kiss…”
“What about it?”
Skye’s smirk deepened. “Not bad.”
JJ scoffed. “Not bad?”
Skye shrugged, feigning indifference. “I’ve had worse.”
JJ rolled her eyes. “And here I thought you might actually be nice for once.”
Skye chuckled. “You like that I’m not nice.”
JJ sighed, shaking her head with a smile. “Unfortunately.”
Skye nudged her shoulder playfully. “Relax, Jareau. It was a damn good kiss.”
JJ smirked. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
Skye laughed. “Trust me, I know.”
JJ shook her head, biting back a smile. “You’re impossible.”
Skye grinned. “And yet, here you are.”
JJ couldn’t argue with that.
They wandered for a while, the tension between them shifting from playful to something quieter. JJ had spent months trying to push this feeling away, convincing herself that whatever had sparked between them in Seattle was fleeting. A moment, nothing more.
But sitting across from Skye at that bar, listening to her deadpan humor, watching the way her eyes softened just slightly when she let her guard down—JJ had realized she’d been lying to herself.
She liked Skye.
Maybe more than she wanted to admit.
Skye glanced over at her, studying her face. “You’re thinking too hard.”
JJ exhaled, smiling slightly. “You always this observant?”
Skye smirked. “Only with people who matter.”
JJ’s stomach flipped.
She swallowed, suddenly feeling like she was seventeen again, standing on the edge of something she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
But she was older now. She knew better.
And for once, she wasn’t going to run.
JJ stopped walking, turning to face Skye fully. Skye raised an eyebrow, but before she could say anything, JJ reached out, curling her fingers gently around Skye’s wrist.
Skye stilled.
JJ took a breath. “Just so we’re clear—I meant it. When I said I’ve been thinking about you.”
Something flickered in Skye’s eyes—something vulnerable, something JJ wasn’t sure many people got to see.
Skye didn’t look away. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “Me too.”
JJ felt her heartbeat in her throat. “Good.”
She leaned in, closing the space between them. Skye met her halfway, their lips pressing together in a kiss that was softer than before but just as certain.
JJ’s hands found Skye’s jacket, pulling her in just a little closer. Skye let out a quiet hum against her lips, her hands settling on JJ’s waist.
This wasn’t a mistake.
It wasn’t a fleeting moment.
It was something real.
When they pulled apart, Skye exhaled, her forehead resting lightly against JJ’s. “I should warn you,” she murmured, “I’m kind of a pain in the ass.”
JJ smiled, her fingers playing with the edge of Skye’s jacket. “Yeah,” she said, “I figured.”
Skye chuckled. “And you’re still here?”
“I must have terrible judgment.”
“Lucky me.”
A pause. Then—
“Walk me back to my hotel?” Skye asked.
JJ smirked. “You sure you can handle being in close quarters with me for that long?”
Skye rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll survive.”
They started walking, their hands brushing as they moved. Neither of them grabbed for the other, but neither of them pulled away, either.
“So,” JJ said after a few moments of comfortable silence. “How bad was the teasing from your friends?”
Skye groaned. “ Unbearable. Addison was the worst—kept calling me ‘lovesick.’ ”
JJ snorted. “And what did you say?”
Skye smirked. “Denied everything, obviously.”
JJ raised an eyebrow. “Obviously.”
Skye huffed a laugh, shaking her head. “And you?”
JJ sighed. “Morgan’s been giving me hell for months. Emily too, but she’s more subtle about it.”
Skye laughed. “That sounds fun.”
“ Absolutely .” JJ rolls her eyes.
They reached Skye’s hotel sooner than JJ would have liked.
Skye hesitated at the entrance, turning to face her. “So… I guess this is where I say goodnight.”
JJ nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
Neither of them moved.
Then, after a beat, JJ smirked. “Or you could kiss me again.”
Skye huffed a laugh. “That an order, Agent Jareau?”
JJ tilted her head. “Just a suggestion.”
Skye pretended to consider it, but JJ could already see the answer in her eyes.
Then, without another word, Skye reached out, catching JJ’s jacket and tugging her forward.
The kiss was different this time—less hesitant, more certain.
JJ smiled into it, sliding her hands up Skye’s arms, fingers curling around the lapels of her coat.
When they finally pulled back, JJ exhaled, pressing their foreheads together.
JJ grinned. “So, was that a ‘yes’ to my suggestion?”
Skye chuckled. “You really are impossible.”
“And yet, here you are,” JJ quipped, echoing Skye’s words from earlier.
Skye shook her head with a smirk before reaching into her jacket pocket, pulling out her phone. “Alright, before you make me do something ridiculous, like send a handwritten letter, let’s exchange numbers.”
JJ rolled her eyes but took out her phone, holding it out. Skye grabbed it and handed hers over in return. They each typed quickly before swapping back.
JJ glanced at the name Skye had put in for herself: Dr. Pain in the Ass .
JJ snorted. “Really?”
Skye shrugged, eyes twinkling. “Just managing expectations.”
JJ smirked, then nodded toward Skye’s phone. “And what did I get?”
Skye held it up with a smug expression: Agent Terrible Judgment.
“Okay, that’s fair.” JJ laughed. “Just so you know, if you text me something boring, I’ll be very disappointed.”
Skye smirked, typing something before JJ’s phone buzzed in her pocket. “There. First test.”
JJ pulled out her phone, glancing at the message.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: Try not to miss me too much, Jareau.
JJ snorted, shaking her head. “Cocky.”
“Accurate,” Skye corrected.
JJ rolled her eyes, but there was no real exasperation behind it. Instead, she let her gaze linger on Skye for a moment before tucking her phone away.
“So,” JJ said, shifting slightly. “When are you heading back to Seattle?”
Skye hesitated, running a hand through her hair. “Tomorrow afternoon. I have a shift first thing in the morning after.”
JJ nodded slowly, pressing her lips together. “Right.”
Skye studied her. “Disappointed?”
JJ shrugged, playing it casual. “Just means I’ll have to find a reason to visit Seattle.”
Something flickered in Skye’s eyes—something JJ couldn’t quite place, but whatever it was, it made her stomach flip.
“Well,” Skye said after a pause, voice softer now. “Let me know if you do.”
JJ smiled. “I will.”
Neither of them moved right away. Then, with one last glance, Skye took a step back. “Goodnight, Terrible Judgment.”
JJ tilted her head. “Goodnight, Dr. Pain in the Ass.”
JJ turned, walking away with a satisfied little smile on her lips.
While Skye stood there, watching her go, and realized she was smiling like a teenager on their first date.
✦✦✦✦
The Next Morning
Skye groaned as her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. She barely cracked one eye open, glaring at the offensive glow of the screen before reaching for it blindly.
Agent Terrible Judgment: Where’s your room?
Skye squinted at the message, brain still catching up. She smirks a little when she realized it was JJ.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: Miss me already? Or are you just naturally this stalker-y?
Agent Terrible Judgment: I brought breakfast. Thought we could eat together before you leave.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: I didn't take you to be the clingy type, Jareau.
The reply was almost immediate.
Agent Terrible Judgment: And I didn’t take you for someone who sleeps in this late, but here we are.
Skye huffed a quiet laugh before glancing at the time—8:07 a.m. She was usually up at six, but last night had thrown her off. It’s not everyday you got to be bombed.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: Give me five minutes. Room 1025.
JJ’s response came quickly.
Agent Terrible Judgment: Five minutes? That’s ambitious. I’ll give you ten.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: Wanna bet?
Agent Terrible Judgment: It’s illegal.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: You're just afraid to lose.
Agent Terrible Judgment: Sure, bet it is. Whoever wins gets the bragging rights. Deal?
Dr. Pain in the Ass: Sure. See u in five!
Skye rolled her eyes, tossing her phone onto the bed before dragging herself up. True to her word, she was ready in just five minutes, dressed in dark jeans and a fitted black sweater, hair in a low bun.
When Skye opened the door, the blonde was standing there, looking smug as ever, with a brown paper bag and two coffee cups in her hands.
JJ grinned. “Wow. You actually made it in five minutes. I was expecting to wait.”
Skye crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. “What can I say? I live to exceed expectations.”
JJ smirked. “Good to know.”
Skye’s eyes flickered to the bag in JJ’s hands. “So, what did you bring?”
JJ held up the bag. “Breakfast sandwiches. And coffee, because I’m not a monster.”
Skye stepped back, holding the door open. “Guess you’re not as terrible as I thought.”
JJ walked in, setting the food down on the small table by the window. “Don’t let that get out. I have a reputation to maintain.”
Skye grabbed one of the coffee cups, taking a sip. “I’m assuming this is black coffee?”
“Like I said, I pay attention.”
“And why exactly are you here, Jareau? Couldn’t resist seeing me one last time before I leave?”
JJ hummed, unwrapping her sandwich. “Something like that.”
Skye raised an eyebrow. “Wow. No denial?”
JJ took a bite of her food, chewing thoughtfully. “Figured I should get to know you a little more before you disappear back to Seattle.”
Skye smirked. “Disappointed we didn’t have a full interrogation last night?”
JJ pointed at her with her sandwich. “Exactly. You’re still a mystery, and I don’t like unfinished business.”
Skye chuckled, shaking her head as she sat down across from JJ. “You’re relentless.” JJ only replied with a grin.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments, the early morning light filtering through the window.
Eventually, Skye leaned back, sipping her coffee. “Alright, Jareau. You want to get to know me? You get one question. Anything you want.”
“Anything?”
“Within reason.”
JJ tapped her fingers against the table, pretending to think. Then, after a beat, she met Skye’s gaze. “What made you become a doctor?”
For a split second, something flickered in Skye’s expression—something JJ might’ve missed if she weren’t paying such close attention. The teasing edge in her eyes dulled just slightly.
Skye exhaled, glancing out the window. “My mom died when I was a baby,” Skye said finally, her voice measured. “I don’t remember her. And my dad..." She hesitated, then shrugged, as if dismissing whatever thought had crossed her mind. “Let’s just say he wasn’t exactly the nurturing type.”
JJ’s expression softened; she could tell Skye had smoothed out the edges of the story, keeping the worst parts tucked away. But JJ knew how to read between the lines.
Skye continued, her voice quieter now. “When I was a kid, I got really sick. No one took me to the hospital; no one was there. I don’t remember much, just that I felt awful. And then, out of nowhere, this doctor helped me.” She let out a small breath, as if the memory still carried weight. “He didn’t have to. I wasn’t his problem. But he did. And I guess... I never forgot that. So, I figured maybe I could do the same for someone else.”
JJ’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup. She wanted to ask more, wanted to know what Skye had left unsaid, but she knew better than to push. Instead, she said, “Sounds like he changed your life.”
Skye smirked faintly. “Yeah, well. Turns out, I don’t do well with owing people, so I figured I’d pay it forward instead.”
JJ chuckled at that, shaking her head. She leaned back, taking a sip of her coffee. “Alright. Your turn.”
Skye raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so now I get to interrogate you ?”
JJ shrugged. “Seems fair.”
Skye tilted her head. “Alright, Jareau. Why the FBI?”
“That's a question I got a lot.”
“And I'm sure you have the practiced answer.”
“I do . But since I like you a bit more than others, I'll tell you the real answer.”
“Oh my, what a wonderful privilege you have given me.” Skye said in a mocked tone.
JJ laughed, leaning back in her chair. “Funny enough, it wasn’t really the plan.”
Skye raised an eyebrow. “No childhood dream of chasing bad guys?”
JJ laughed. “Not exactly. I was in college, studying communications. One of my guest professors was David Rossi—”
Skye blinked. “David Rossi? BAU legend, best-selling author, that Rossi?”
JJ smirked. “The very same. He was a guest professor when I was in college. After class, he pulled me aside and told me I had a gift for communication. Said I could do something with it—help people. Suggested I consider the FBI.”
Skye huffed a quiet laugh. “What, he saw some hidden profiling talent in you?”
JJ shook her head. “Not even close. He said I had a way with people. That my communication skills could help save lives.” She smiled slightly. “I thought he was crazy, but... I listened. Applied to the Academy. Ended up in the Bureau.”
Skye narrowed her eyes slightly. “But you didn’t join as a profiler.”
“Nope. I started at the media and communications division. Then climbed up the ladder a bit and became BAU’s liaison. I was happy there. I liked my job as the BAU’s liaison—handling press, negotiating with police departments, making sure the team had what they needed.”
JJ leaned back in the chair, reminiscing about her past. “I didn’t think about being a profiler. Didn’t want to be one.” She let out a soft chuckle. “But, well, things change.”
Skye studied her for a moment, as if weighing whether to push further. But then she smirked, choosing a different route. “So, basically, you had no intention of being a profiler, but now you’re one of the best in the BAU?”
JJ rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Rossi would.”
JJ huffed a quiet laugh. “Alright, maybe.”
Skye tilted her head, considering her. “So, Rossi told you that you had a gift. Do you think he was right?”
JJ was quiet for a second before she nodded. “Yeah. I think he was.”
Skye leaned back, tapping a finger against the table. “Alright. One last question.”
“Oh? We’re still going?”
Skye tilted her head. “Do you regret it?”
“What? The FBI?”
Skye nodded.
JJ considered the question, then exhaled. “No. I don’t regret it. But sometimes I miss when it was simpler.”
Skye hummed, nodding slightly. “Yeah. I get that.”
They fell into easy conversation after that, the teasing coming naturally, the silences never awkward.
By the time they’d finished their coffee, Skye sighed, checking her phone. “I should probably get going. My flight’s in a couple of hours.”
JJ nodded, but there was something reluctant in the way she did it.
They stood, Skye grabbing her jacket. Before she could reach the door, JJ tilted her head. “So, you gonna text me when you land?”
Skye smirked. “What, still worried about me?”
JJ shrugged, playing it casual. “Just managing expectations.”
Skye chuckled, but there was warmth in her eyes. “Yeah. I’ll text you.”
JJ smiled. “Good.”
Skye hesitated for a beat before stepping forward and pressing a soft, quick kiss to JJ’s cheek. “Try not to miss me too much,” she murmured, voice low and teasing.
JJ smirked. “No promises.”
Skye pulled back, eyes twinkling. “See you around, Agent Jareau.”
And with that, she was gone.
JJ stood there for a moment, hands in her pockets, watching until she disappeared down the hallway. Then, finally, she exhaled, shaking her head with a small smile.
She had no idea when she’d see Skye again.
But she knows she will.
It's just a matter of time.