Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Third-Person POV

Hospitals all smelled the same—too clean, too sterile, like they were trying to scrub out the pain along with the blood. JJ had been in plenty of them, but it never got easier.

She shifted in bed, biting back a grimace as pain flared through her shoulder. The bullet had gone straight through—clean exit, minimal damage. That’s what the doctors had said. Lucky , they called it.

She didn’t feel lucky.

The door clicked open. JJ looked up, expecting another nurse, but a woman in deep blue scrubs walked in, her hair pulled back in a way that looked intentional but just slightly undone at the edges, like she had fixed it in a hurry. Her eyes looked sharp, but it didn't quite match her exhausted look.

She glanced at the chart in her hands before looking at JJ. “Jennifer Jareau?”

“JJ,” she corrected out of habit.

The doctor nodded. “Dr. Skylar Knight. Most people called me Dr. Skye.”

Skye. It suited her. Sharp, cool.

“I’ll be checking your wound.” Skye set the chart aside and pulled on a pair of gloves. Her voice was smooth, steady. A little detached, but not unkind.

JJ tried to sit up, but pain shot through her shoulder. She sucked in a sharp breath.

Dr. Knight—or Skye, as her ID badge read—stepped closer without hesitation, reaching for JJ’s arm. Her fingers were cool against JJ’s skin, steady despite how tired she looked.

JJ watched her, taking in the details. The faint shadows under her eyes, the way her brow furrowed slightly as she peeled back the bandage.

“You look tired,” JJ murmured.

Skye didn’t glance up, just kept working. “You got shot. I think you win the bad day contest.”

JJ huffed a small laugh. “Fair point.”

The room was quiet except for the soft sounds of Skye’s movements—gloves against gauze, the rustle of fabric, the snip of medical scissors.

JJ let her gaze linger. The sharp angle of Skye’s jaw, the way she chewed the inside of her cheek in thought, the loose strands of dark hair that had escaped her bun. She was pretty. No, beautiful. Dark lashes, sharp cheekbones, full lips that—

JJ stopped herself there.

She forced herself to focus on something else. “ER doctor?”

“Trauma surgeon,” Skye corrected.

“So you fix people up.”

“Something like that.”

JJ studied her again, but this time for no reason other than curiosity. JJ winced as Skye adjusted the dressing. 

Skye finished wrapping the fresh bandage and finally met JJ’s gaze. “Everything looks fine,” Skye said. “No signs of infection. Try not to get shot again.”

JJ smirked. “I’ll do my best.”

Skye didn’t laugh, but there was something in her expression—something amused. Then she stripped off her gloves and stepped back.

JJ hesitated. The question left her lips before she thought it through. “Are you always this serious, or is it just the exhaustion?”

For a second, it seemed like she might actually think about the answer. But then she just shrugged. “Depends on the day.”

That was it. That was all she said before grabbing the chart and heading for the door.

JJ watched her go, a strange sort of pull settling in her chest.

She ignored it.

✦✦✦✦

Skye's POV

I leaned against the counter in the break room, my eyes flickering between the clock on the wall and the untouched sandwich in front of me. It had been a long day. The operating room had been filled with chaos as usual, the trauma cases flooding in one after the other. As a trauma surgeon, this is my life, and I has grown used to the unpredictability. But it didn’t make the exhaustion any easier to shake off.

My scrubs, a deep blue that matched the hospital's colors, were slightly rumpled, and my hair—usually tied back in a neat, professional bun—was starting to lose its battle against the day. The last hour had been a blur, and the moment I had scrubbed out, my brain had immediately reminded me that it was time for lunch. But the food didn’t interest me much. I only pushed the sandwich around on the plate, lost in thought.

“Hey, Skye, you coming?” Addison's voice broke through my thoughts. She was already standing by the door, an expectant smile on her face.

"Yeah, just a minute," I muttered, glancing up at the clock again.

I was looking forward to the break. Being surrounded by my colleagues—my friends—was often the best part of her day. Meredith, Arizona, Callie, Amelia, and Teddy often joined me in the break room. 

I wasn’t entirely sure when they'd become my family, but they had, and that meant something to me. Today, though, I found myself distracted. My mind kept drifting back to the FBI agent I'd treated earlier that day.

Meredith grinned at me as I joined them. “Tough day?” she asked, her eyes scanning my appearance with a knowing look.

“Same as always,” I said with a shrug, leaning back in my chair. "Long shifts don’t change."

Arizona snorted. “Yeah, you’ve got that tired ‘I’m totally running on empty’ vibe going on.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t disagree. They were right, after all. I was running on fumes. The last case had taken everything out of me.

"Meredith told me you treated an FBI agent today," Addison said as she sat down across from me, folding her arms. "What was she like?"

I took a deep breath, pushing the thought of JJ away. "She was fine. Just a bullet wound. Nothing too crazy."

"Bullet wound?" Teddy leaned over, her brows raised. "That sounds crazy. Was she cute?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my expression neutral. "You guys always go there."

"Oh, come on," Callie chimed in, leaning back in her chair. "FBI agent? Definitely hot, right?"

The others laughed, and I couldn’t help but feel the heat rise to her cheeks. "I don’t know what you're talking about," I said, trying to deflect. "She was just a patient."

Arizona raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, sure."

Amelia leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Come on, Skye. You've been acting a little off since you treated her. Don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on the FBI agent?"

I nearly choked on my sip of water. "What? No. I’m a professional. There’s a line between doctor and patient."

The table erupted into laughter, and I even had to crack a small smile, though I quickly covered it up with a frown. I knew they weren’t going to let it go.

"You’re always so cold, Skye," Callie teased. "People probably think you’re unkind or something, but I know you’re just hiding that soft side."

I shot Callie a playful glare. "I’m not cold."

"Yeah, sure. Just like you're not interested in that FBI agent," Arizona added with a grin.

"I respect the boundaries," Skye insisted, though her voice lacked its usual certainty. "I don't mix work with personal stuff."

Meredith, who had been quiet until now, looked up from her phone and smirked. "You can respect boundaries and still have feelings, Skye."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “I’m not going to cross that line. I don’t mix work with anything personal.”

Teddy gave me a knowing smile. “Maybe you should call her. Just once. Have a drink. I mean, you never know.”

I shake my head firmly. "Nope. Not gonna happen." I grabbed my water bottle, unscrewing the lid and taking a long sip, feeling their teasing eyes on me.

Still, even as I dismissed the idea, I couldn’t help but think about her. The FBI agent. JJ. No matter how many times I told myself it was nothing, it was hard to ignore the way my mind wandered back to her.

But I wasn’t that person. I didn’t mix personal and professional. I respected my role as a doctor. That was all I needed.

Still, the teasing from my friends had left its mark, and I found myself thinking about JJ long after the break ended. Maybe it was just a fleeting thing. It didn’t matter anyway. I was just doing my job. 

✦✦✦✦

Third-Person POV

JJ was discharged a day later.

She had been stitched up, briefed on her recovery, and handed a folder of instructions. All routine. 

And yet, as she stood at the nurses’ station, signing the last bit of paperwork, she found herself looking around. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. 

Maybe Dr. Skye walking down the hall, maybe one last interaction, something that would give her an excuse to ask— 

Ask what? For her number? It was just a crush. A fleeting thing. She didn’t even know Skye, not really. And besides, JJ was leaving. They had wrapped the case, and by tomorrow, she’d be back in D.C. 

Whatever this was, whatever it could’ve been—it didn’t matter. So she pushed the thought aside, signed the last paper, and walked out of the hospital without looking back.

✦✦✦✦

JJ returned to her hotel room, the familiar hum of the fluorescent lights overhead mixing with the soft rustling of her clothes as she packed her things. The soreness in her shoulder was still there, but the stitches had been removed, the bullet wound cleaned and dressed, and she was ready to go home.

She folded her clothes mechanically, not really thinking about the task at hand. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the hospital, to Skye—Dr. Knight.

It was a stupid crush. She knew that. They were both adults, and she'd had her share of fleeting attractions before. But there had been something in Skye’s steady touch, her tired but competent movements, her sharp but not unfriendly gaze.

JJ shook her head, pushing the thought away as she zipped up her bag. She was done.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She walked over, opening it to find the rest of the team, looking a little more frazzled than usual.

"Hey, sorry we're late," Morgan said, stepping inside first, his voice apologetic. "We were still wrapping up the paperwork after catching the UnSub."

"It’s a mess at the precinct," Hotch added, his usual stern expression softening slightly. "You okay?"

JJ smiled faintly, even though her shoulder twinged. "I’m fine. Discharged already. I'm good to go home."

"We should’ve been there to keep you company," Emily said, her voice full of concern. "We're so sorry."

JJ waved her hand dismissively, not wanting them to feel guilty. "It’s okay, really. I got through it. Plus, I’m not alone now." She gestured to the packed bag by the bed. "And I’m ready to head home and enjoy the jet’s beverage."

That earned a chuckle from the team.

"You’ve been counting down the hours for that, haven’t you?" Reid grinned.

JJ shrugged with a playful smile. "A little comfort after a case like this is worth it, right?"

"Absolutely," Rossi said, giving her a knowing nod. "Let’s get you out of here and back on the plane."

The team filed out of the room, Morgan giving her a friendly slap on the back as he passed. She closed the door behind her, taking one last look at the room before she followed them to the car.

Her mind wandered again, just for a second, to Skye and the hospital. She shook her head.

It didn’t matter.

This was just another case, another trip. And she would be back in D.C. soon enough.

But for some reason, the thought of leaving Seattle behind felt harder than it should have.

✦✦✦✦

BAU’s Office - Quantico, VA 

JJ sat at her desk, staring blankly at the open file in front of her. Words blurred together, and for the third time in ten minutes, she caught herself tapping the end of her pen against the paper without actually reading anything.

She sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. It had been a few days since they got back from Seattle, and things had returned to routine—case reports, briefings, paperwork. But her mind kept drifting, slipping back to a hospital room, a sharp gaze and cool hands against her skin.

A throat cleared.

"You good, JJ?" Morgan’s voice pulled her back to the present. He was leaning against the edge of her desk, arms crossed, studying her with an amused expression.

"Yeah," she said quickly. "Just tired."

"Uh-huh," he said, clearly not buying it. "You’ve been looking off all day. Kinda lost in your thoughts."

JJ rolled her eyes. "I’m fine, Morgan."

"Fine?" Emily’s voice chimed in from the next desk over. "Because if you were any more spaced out, we’d have to start calling you Reid."

"Hey!" Reid looked up from his book, offended.

Emily smirked. "You know I love you, genius."

Morgan grinned, turning back to JJ. "So... who’s got you all distracted?"

JJ shot him a look. "What are you talking about?"

"Come on," Emily said, nudging her arm. “It’s not like you to lost on your thoughts. Something on your mind?”

“Or someone ?” Morgan added with a knowing grin.

The rest of the team perked up at that.

"Someone?" Rossi raised an eyebrow.

Hotch, ever the professional, didn’t comment, but even he glanced up from his paperwork with mild curiosity.

JJ sighed, shaking her head. "It’s nothing."

"Oh, it’s definitely something," Emily said, leaning forward. "So spill."

JJ scoffed, shaking her head. “Oh, come on. I’m just—”

“—thinking about a certain someone in Seattle, maybe?” Emily cut in, wiggling her eyebrows.

JJ narrowed her eyes at her, but Emily just grinned wider.

“You have been kind of lost in thought since we got back,” Reid added, looking up from his case files. “Scientifically speaking, when someone exhibits repeated patterns of distraction, it’s usually linked to emotional attachment—”

The blonde held up a hand. “Spare me the profiling, please.”

“Oh no, I think we’re onto something,” Morgan said, smirking. “So who is it, JJ? Who’s got you all dreamy-eyed?”

JJ sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "I was just thinking about the doctor from Seattle."

There was a beat of silence.

And then—

"Wait." Morgan sat up straighter, grinning. "The doctor ?"

“I knew it!” Emily said, slapping the desk. “I knew something was up!”

Rossi smirked. "Well, well. This just got interesting."

Suddenly Garcia appeared out of nowhere, gasping. "JJ, did you get a hospital crush?!"

JJ groaned. "It’s not a crush —" JJ insisted, already regretting saying anything. "She was just... someone who treated me at the hospital."

"She?" Reid caught onto that detail. "So the doctor’s a woman?"

"Yes," she admitted, keeping her expression neutral.

Rossi chuckled. "And apparently, memorable enough to have you zoning out in the middle of paperwork."

JJ groaned. "You guys are ridiculous."

"Oh, honey, you totally  have a crush," Garcia teased. "Who is she? What’s her name? Does she have dreamy eyes? Oh! Did she touch your hand just a little too long while treating you?"

JJ hesitated for half a second too long.

Emily’s eyes lit up. "Oh my God, you know her name. You totally remember it."

JJ sighed, realizing there was no escape. "...Dr. Skye," she finally admitted.

"Skye," Morgan repeated, testing the name. "Sounds cool."

JJ shrugged, trying to downplay it. "It’s nothing. She was just... good at her job."

"And apparently good enough to be stuck in your head," Emily teased.

“I hate you all.”

“Oh, come on, Jayje,” Emily said, laughing. “At least admit she left an impression.”

JJ hesitated, then sighed. “She was… interesting.”

Emily, Derek, and Penelope exchanged glances before both breaking into wide grins.

“Interesting,” Emily echoed, smirking. “That’s FBI code for ‘I can’t stop thinking about her.’”

Rossi chuckled. "You should track her down. See if there’s something there."

JJ shook her head. "It’s nothing. I was in a hospital bed; she was doing her job—that’s all it was."

"Sure," Morgan drawled. "And yet, here you are, zoning out, thinking about her."

JJ opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out. Because they weren’t wrong .

She had been thinking about Skye. More than she should.

The blonde agent groaned again, letting her forehead drop onto her desk.

She was never going to live this down.

Chapter Text

Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital - Seattle

The ER was a mess.

Dr. Skylar Knight moved through the chaos with practiced ease, barely reacting as a gurney nearly clipped her on its way past. Nurses called out vitals, monitors beeped, and the steady hum of controlled urgency filled the space.

She had already been in surgery twice that morning, and it wasn’t even noon. Her scrubs were slightly wrinkled, with a coffee stain on the sleeve from a rushed sip between patients. She barely noticed.

"Dr. Knight?"

She turned to find an intern—one of the newer ones—staring at her, looking completely lost.

She exhaled through her nose. Here we go.

"What?" she asked, her tone clipped.

The intern stammered. "Uh—patient in bed six, I—I wasn’t sure if I should administer—"

"You weren’t sure?" Skye cut in, voice sharp. "So you just stood there?"

The intern paled. "I—I was going to ask—"

Skye didn’t have the patience for hesitation.

"Bed six has a post-op patient with a history of hypotension. You should have already checked the latest BP reading before thinking about administering fluids. What was it?"

The intern swallowed hard. "...Ninety over sixty."

Skye arched an eyebrow. "And?"

"And... that’s low," the intern said weakly.

Skye sighed. "Get a senior resident to sign off on a saline bolus. And next time? Think faster. "

The intern nodded rapidly and scurried off.

Skye pinched the bridge of her nose. She didn’t have time for incompetence today.

"Still scaring the interns, I see."

A familiar voice made her glance up. Addison Montgomery stood nearby, arms crossed, an amused expression on her face.

Skye rolled her eyes. "If they knew what they were doing, I wouldn’t have to."

Addison smirked. "You know, bedside manner is a thing."

"So is competence."

Addison shook her head fondly. “Want to go to a bar tonight with the gang? You’ve been on edge all day; drinks might take some of the edge off.”

“Well, I don’t have a chance saying no, right?”

“Yeah, no chance.” Addison laughs. “See you later, Knight.”

✦✦✦✦

Joe’s Bar - Seattle

The neon glow of the Joe’s sign cast a soft blue hue over the sidewalk as Skye pushed open the heavy wooden door. Inside, the familiar hum of conversation and clinking glasses filled the air. It was a place she had been to more times than she could count—a staple for the overworked, the exhausted, and the emotionally constipated surgeons of Grey Sloan Memorial.

Skye wasn’t much of a drinker, but she had learned long ago that resistance was futile. If Addison said they were going for drinks, they were going for drinks. And if Callie was involved, there was a 95% chance tequila shots would be forced upon her.

She spotted her friends immediately. They had already claimed their usual booth, a half-circle of well-worn leather that had likely absorbed decades’ worth of spilled drinks and bad decisions.

Arizona was animatedly telling a story, Callie was laughing into her beer, and Amelia—already a few drinks in, judging by the way she was slouched against Meredith—lifted her glass in greeting.

“Took you long enough,” Addison said as Skye slid into the booth beside her. “Rough shift?”

Skye sighed, reaching for the drink someone had already ordered for her. “They always are.”

“Oh my God,” Amelia groaned. “That’s the most Skye answer ever. Can you, just once, say something that doesn’t make you sound like a brooding antihero in a medical drama?”

Skye raised an eyebrow. “I am a brooding antihero in a medical drama.”

Callie choked on her beer. Arizona patted her on the back as she coughed.

“I hate that you’re right,” Meredith muttered into her glass.

Addison smirked. “Seriously, though. You’ve been in a mood lately. We figured drinks were necessary before you start scaring off the interns again .”

“I don’t scare them,” Skye defended, taking a sip of her whiskey.

“You terrify them,” Arizona corrected. “I saw one almost pass out when you stared at him for too long.”

Skye shrugged. “That’s not my fault. If you’re going to survive in surgery, you need a backbone.”

“They’re interns, Skye. They still flinch when someone sneezes,” Meredith said.

Amelia smirked. “I think she likes it. Watching them squirm.”

“I do not,” Skye said, exasperated.

Amelia leaned in, a slow grin spreading across her face. “You know what I really think? I think she’s overcompensating because something has her distracted .”

The table went silent for half a second before everyone started talking at once.

“Ohhh, definitely distracted,” Callie said, nodding sagely. “It’s her , isn’t it?”

Skye didn’t react, but the brief flicker in her eyes was enough.

The entire table exploded .

“Knew it!” Arizona whooped.

“I told you it wasn’t just a one-time thing,” Callie grinned, nudging Addison.

“Guys—” Skye attempted, but Amelia cut her off.

“The hot blonde FBI agent! What was her name again?” Amelia tapped her chin, pretending to forget.

“Jennifer Jareau,” Meredith supplied all too quickly.

Skye shot her a look, and Meredith raised her hands in surrender.

“She’s totally into her,” Callie whispered conspiratorially.

“I am not into her,” Skye corrected, exasperated.

“Oh, please,” Addison smirked. “You stitched her up, what? Weeks ago? And yet, here we are, talking about her again .”

“I am not—”

“You’re overcompensating.” Amelia pointed at her. “You’ve been extra Skye lately, and I think I know why.”

Skye sighed, rubbing her temple. “Do I even want to hear this?”

“You miss her,” Amelia declared triumphantly.

Skye rolled her eyes. “I spent—what? An hour with her? That’s hardly enough time to—”

“To completely spiral and brood about someone? No, it’s perfect timing for that, actually,” Meredith quipped.

“She’s been distracted ,” Arizona sang.

“And tense,” Callie added. “Which, let’s be honest, isn’t new for Skye. But this time, there’s a reason.”

“You guys are impossible,” Skye muttered, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

Addison studied her quietly, something more perceptive in her gaze. “You do like her,” she said, softer this time.

For a second, Skye didn’t respond. The teasing had been fun, but Addison’s tone made it feel real . She didn’t deny it. Instead, she downed the rest of her whiskey and set the glass down with finality. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Why not?” Meredith asked.

Skye shrugged. “Because nothing’s going to come of it.”

The table quieted slightly. The humor was still there, but underneath it now was an unspoken understanding.

“Just saying,” Amelia finally spoke, “she was hot. You’re into her. And there is no way that she’s not into you with your whole cool, guarded, and distant act.”

Skye took a deep breath, trying to hide the flush creeping up her neck. “I’m not—” she began again, but this time, her voice faltered. There was a distant look in her eyes. “Just... drop it, okay?”

The playful teasing stopped for a moment as the group exchanged looks, sensing that there was something more beneath the surface.

“Skye,” Meredith said softly, her usual sarcasm replaced with a rare moment of empathy, “are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been... distracted. And not just because of JJ. Something’s bothering you.”

Skye stared down at her bottle, her fingers absently tracing the condensation on the glass. “I’m fine. Just... a little tired, that’s all.”

But the group wasn’t convinced. Amelia shot a look at Addison, who was watching Skye carefully.

“Skye,” Addison said, her voice softer now, “if something’s wrong, you know you can talk to us.”

Skye forced a tight smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She was saved by the ringing of her phone, and she quickly grabbed it, using it as an excuse to step away from the table.

✦✦✦✦

Skye’s Apartment - Seattle

The bathroom was silent except for the faint drip of the faucet. Skye sat on the closed toilet lid, a small, almost surgical blade resting between her fingers.

The night had been fun , but once the laughter had faded, all she was left with was the nagging ache in her chest. It was easier this way—controlling the pain, making it something tangible instead of something that sat heavy and unspoken inside her.

Addison didn’t mean to walk in.

She hadn’t knocked—she never needed to. Her and Skye had been best friends for years, and their houses were as familiar as their own. It was routine. She’d swing by after a long shift, drop onto Skye’s couch, and rant about the latest hospital disaster while Skye handed her a beer.

So when she pushed open Skye’s bathroom door that night, she hadn’t expected—

Blood.

It wasn’t a lot. Just enough to stain the edge of the sink, a thin, red line trailing down Skye’s arm.

Skye flinched violently, nearly dropping the razor blade in her hand.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The only sound was the quiet drip of water from the faucet and the sharp inhale of Addison’s breath as the reality of the moment settled in.

Skye recovered first. Her expression flickered, then locked down into something unreadable, like a mask snapping into place. "Jesus, Addison. You ever heard of knocking?"

Addison barely heard her.

Her gaze was locked on Skye’s wrist—on the fresh cut, thin but deliberate, just below a scattering of faded scars.

Her stomach lurched.

She forced herself to swallow the wave of nausea clawing its way up her throat. Forced herself to breathe, to think, to not make this worse.

"Skye," she said, voice low, careful.

She didn't know what to say. Because this —this was not the Skye she knew. Dr. Skylar Alexandria Knight, the trauma surgeon who never hesitated in an OR, who always had some sarcastic comment ready, who handled pressure like it was nothing.

But this wasn’t Dr. Skye from the OR.

This was Skye , alone in the dim light of her bathroom, bleeding in silence.

Addison swallowed hard, forcing herself to move. She crossed the room slowly, not wanting to startle her. "Let me see."

Skye exhaled sharply, turning away and grabbing a washcloth like this was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "It’s not what it looks like."

"Really?" Addison’s voice came out sharper than she intended. "Because it looks like you just cut yourself."

Skye rolled her eyes. "It’s fine."

"Fine?" Addison repeated, heat rising under her skin. " Fine ?"

Her pulse was hammering in her ears. She had seen self-harm before—had treated patients, stitched wounds, given referrals. But this wasn’t a patient. This was Skye.

And Skye was pretending like this was normal.

Addison took a slow step forward. "How long?"

Skye didn’t answer.

Addison’s stomach twisted. "Skye—"

"I don’t need a lecture," Skye cut in, her voice hard.

Addison bristled. "Well, you’re getting one anyway. What the hell is this?"

Skye didn’t look at her. "I said it’s fine ."

"It’s not fine!" Addison snapped, something breaking open in her chest. "You’re bleeding , Skye. That’s not—" She stopped, exhaling hard. " You know that’s not fine."

Skye’s jaw tensed. She pressed the washcloth harder against her wrist, like she could make the entire moment disappear.

Addison let out a shaky breath, lowering her voice. "Why?"

Skye still wouldn’t look at her.

"Skye."

Silence.

Then, finally—

"You don’t get it." Skye murmured. Her voice was quiet. Tired. 

"Then make me get it."

Skye’s eyes flickered up, sharp, guarded. And then, just like that, the mask cracked. “You want a psychological breakdown of why I do this? Fine.”

Her voice was brittle and sharp, with something dark and self-destructive. She laughed, but it was humorless, empty.

“Mommy dearest died when I was a baby, and Daddy dearest—” She let out a sharp exhale, her grip on the washcloth tightening. “He decided his only child was a good outlet for his rage. And his desires.”

Addison stayed quiet, her throat tight.

Skye huffed, the corner of her mouth twisting into something almost like a smirk. “Then I got older and realized physical pain is a hell of a lot easier to control than the kind that keeps you up at night.” She held up her wrist like it was evidence. “At least this makes sense. At least this is mine.”

Addison felt like the floor had been ripped out from under her.

She opened her mouth—closed it. Because what the fuck was she supposed to say to that?

Skye scoffed at her silence, shaking her head. “That’s what I thought.”

“Skye—”

“No. You wanted the truth, right?” Skye snapped, her voice rising. “There it is. The great Dr. Knight, prodigy, trauma surgeon, the one who always has her shit together? She spent half her childhood trying to survive a man who—”

She cut herself off, exhaling sharply through her nose, like she had said too much.

Addison was still reeling.

She thought back—Skye’s childhood, the things she never talked about, the way she always brushed off questions about her father. The way she hated being touched when she wasn’t expecting it. The way she never let herself get too close to anyone.

And now—this.

Addison felt like she was staring at a puzzle she should’ve figured out a long time ago.

She had known Skye for years , since she moved to Seattle. Had seen her at her best, at her worst. Had watched her stitch people back together without breaking a sweat. Had never once thought—

She felt sick.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides. “Skye, I—”

“No.” Skye’s voice was quieter now, but just as sharp. “Don’t say you’re sorry. Don’t tell me it wasn’t my fault. Don’t—” She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “Just don’t.”

Addison stared at her.

She wanted to scream, to fix this somehow. To drag Skye out of this bathroom and into the safety of something real, something warm.

Instead, she inhaled. Exhaled.

And then, carefully, she moved.

She didn’t speak. Didn’t push. Just stepped closer, reaching out.

Skye tensed—she always did when people got too close—but Addison didn’t let that stop her.

She took Skye’s injured wrist in her hands, slow, gentle. Unwrapped the bloodstained washcloth. Pressed her fingers lightly over the fresh cut, the older scars.

"How long?"

Skye hesitated, then exhaled. "Years."

Addison closed her eyes.

"Don’t freak out," Skye said, softer this time.

Addison opened her eyes, her chest aching. "Too late."

Skye sighed, like this was exhausting, like Addison was exhausting. "It’s not like I do it all the time."

"That doesn’t make it better."

"It kinda does, actually." Skye let out a humorless laugh. "I’ve had worse nights."

"That’s not funny."

Skye didn’t answer.

"Skye—"

"I know what I’m doing, Addison."

The words set something off in Addison—something sharp and angry and terrified . " Do you ?" she snapped. "Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re hurting yourself and pretending it doesn’t matter."

Skye went quiet.

Addison ran a hand through her hair, exhaling harshly. " God , Skye." She gestured vaguely at the sink, at the blood, at the evidence of something she had somehow missed for years. " Why didn’t you tell me? "

Skye shrugged. "What would you have done?"

" Something! " Addison’s voice cracked.

Skye finally met her eyes; her gaze steady, resigned. " Exactly. "

Addison’s breath caught.

Because she got it now.

Why Skye never said anything. Why she had been so careful to hide it.

Because the moment Addison knew , she couldn’t not do something.

And Skye had never wanted to be someone else’s problem.

Addison’s chest ached.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Skye. You are my problem."

Skye’s lips pressed together. "I don’t want to be."

"I don’t care what you want." Addison grabbed her wrist—not hard, not forceful, just enough. Just enough to make Skye feel it. "You are. You always will be."

Skye went still.

"You don’t have to do this alone," Addison said. "You know that, right?"

A lump formed in Skye’s throat.

Because no. She didn’t know that.

She had spent so long making sure no one knew—making sure no one could know.

Because the second someone knew, they started looking at you differently. They started expecting things. Started asking questions.

Skye hated questions.

Skye didn’t say anything and turned her head away from Addison, who exhaled softly, knowing she can't push Skye in this condition.

“I have stitches in my bag,” Addison murmured. “You don’t need them, but I can clean this properly.”

“You’re not my doctor.”

“No,” Addison agreed. “I’m your best friend.”

Addison didn’t push, didn’t press for anything more. She just guided Skye to sit on the closed toilet lid, pulling out supplies from the cabinet under the sink. Silence stretched between them, thick but not entirely unbearable.

Skye stayed silent as Addison worked, dabbing antiseptic along the fresh cut with careful precision. 

She was methodical and efficient—typical Addison. But her hands were shaking. Just barely, but Skye noticed.

She should say something. A joke, maybe. Something to break the suffocating weight in the room.

But she didn’t.

Because she could feel Addison’s pulse through her fingers, the way she was holding onto her wrist—not tight, not demanding, just steady. Like she was grounding herself. Like she was grounding Skye.

The silence stretched.

Addison wrapped the bandage a little too tight, and Skye sucked in a sharp breath.

"Sorry," Addison muttered.

Skye exhaled, glancing at her. "You’re mad at me."

Addison’s jaw clenched. "I’m not mad."

Skye arched an eyebrow.

"Fine." Addison let out a sharp breath. "I am mad. But not at you ."

That caught Skye off guard. "Then who?"

Addison didn’t answer immediately. She finished securing the bandage, then sat back, her hands falling into her lap. She stared at them, like she wasn’t sure what to do with them now.

Then, finally—

"I don’t know," Addison admitted. Her voice was quieter now, like she was unraveling. " Everything . Your father. Myself. Every goddamn time I walked into your apartment and didn’t see this—didn’t see you ."

Skye shifted, uncomfortable. "It’s not your job to—"

"Yes, it is." Addison’s eyes snapped up, sharp, burning. "I’m your best friend, Skye. And I missed this . For years ."

Skye swallowed. Looked away. "I didn’t want you to see."

"Yeah, well," Addison exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Too late."

Silence again.

Skye could feel the weight of everything hanging between them. Addison was really looking at her now. Not the doctor, not the sarcasm, not the mask. Just her .

It made her want to disappear.

Instead, she pushed herself up, brushing past Addison as she reached for the sink. "You don’t have to—"

Addison caught her wrist before she could step away. Not hard. Just enough.

“I did.” Addison didn’t let her finish. “And I will again, every time.”

Skye’s lips pressed together, her jaw tightening. For a second, Addison thought she might snap at her and throw out some dry, sarcastic remark to push her away. But instead, Skye just nodded. A small, barely-there movement.

It felt like something.

Addison sat back on her heels, exhaling sharply. She ran a hand through her hair, then let her head rest against the side of the bathtub.

“Are you gonna tell me you’ll stop?” She asked, voice quiet.

Skye didn’t answer.

Addison nodded, like she expected that. “Yeah. Didn’t think so.”

A beat of silence. Then—

“I don’t know if I can,” Skye admitted. Her voice was small.

Addison closed her eyes for a moment before turning her head to look at her. “Then you tell me when it’s bad. When you want to. When you think you might. You tell me, and I’ll—” She hesitated, swallowing. “I’ll be there.”

Skye let out a breath, looking away. “That’s not fair to you.”

“Fuck fair.” Addison reached out, squeezing Skye’s hand briefly before letting go. “You’re stuck with me.”

Something in Skye’s expression wavered.

They sat there for a while.

“I meant it, you know,” Addison said, finally breaking the silence.

Skye frowned slightly. “Meant what?”

“That you’re my problem.” Addison’s voice was soft but steady. “That you always will be.”

Skye scoffed. “You make it sound like some grand declaration.”

Addison let out a breath of laughter, but there was no humor in it. “It is.”

Skye held her gaze for a long moment before looking away. “...Okay.”

Addison wasn’t sure if that meant Skye believed her. But for now, she’d take it.

She hesitated, then asked, “Do you want me to stay?”

Skye’s first instinct was to say no. To crack a joke, to brush Addison off, to pretend this never happened. But the truth was—

She didn’t want to be alone.

She swallowed hard. “Yeah,” she murmured, barely audible.

Addison heard her anyway.

She nodded once, then moved toward the door. “C’mon,” she said, not looking back. “Let’s get out of here.”

Skye hesitated. “Where?”

“The couch.” Addison shot her a look over her shoulder. “Where else?”

Something in Skye’s chest ached.

She stood, following Addison out of the bathroom. Neither of them spoke, but Addison stayed close—close enough that Skye could feel the warmth of her presence, grounding, steady.

Chapter Text

A Month Later - Washington D.C.

The city buzzed with movement—cars honking, people rushing down sidewalks—all caught up in the rhythm of their own lives. JJ barely noticed any of it. She was focused; her mind locked onto the case in front of them.

They had intel that the UnSub was targeting a medical convention. A high-profile event with thousands of attendees—surgeons, researchers, doctors from across the country. If the UnSub was going to strike, it would be there.

The team had been on edge since landing. The last thing they needed was another mass casualty event.

"Alright, listen up," Hotch’s voice cut through the noise of the briefing room at the local FBI field office. "We have reason to believe the UnSub is planning an attack on the National Medical Innovations Conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Their profile suggests they have a grudge against advancements in modern medicine—failed treatments, perceived corruption, something personal driving this."

JJ barely registered his words at first. Shit, medical conference? Her brain lagged a step behind before it clicked into place. Skye.

She hadn’t thought about her in months. Not actively, at least. But now, just hearing that phrase— medical conference —brought back flashes of blue scrubs, sharp eyes, steady hands.

"Security is tight," Morgan continued. "D.C. Metro PD and private security are already sweeping the building, but if this guy is as meticulous as we think, he’ll have a way in. We need to be there before he makes his move."

"Do we have a list of speakers?" Emily asked, flipping through her file.

"Already compiled." Reid pushed a printed list across the table. "Keynote speakers, panelists, and guests of honor. Cross-referencing with any potential connections to the UnSub."

JJ's eyes scanned the names—some familiar, some not. Then she saw it.

Dr. Skylar Knight, Trauma Surgeon, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital

Her stomach dipped.

She didn’t react outwardly, keeping her posture relaxed, but something in her chest tightened. It wasn’t just that Skye was here—it was the fact that she would be right in the middle of the danger zone.

"Alright," Hotch continued, snapping her back to reality. "We’re splitting up—me and Reid, we’ll cover the lobby. Emily and Rossi, take the east side. JJ, you’re with Morgan. We’ll check out the main auditorium.”

JJ nodded, adjusting the strap of her tactical vest. She took a breath, pushing everything else aside.  

Focus on the case, not on her.

✦✦✦✦

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

The place was massive—high ceilings, sleek lighting, rows of booths showcasing the latest in medical technology. The main hall was packed with doctors, researchers, and the press, all gathered to witness the opening speeches. The main stage was set up for one of the keynote speakers, a trauma surgeon who specialized in high-risk field operations.

JJ walked through the crowd, her earpiece buzzing with updates from her team. They had already started a quiet sweep, looking for anything out of place. But JJ’s attention was elsewhere, her eyes unconsciously scanning the stage near the front of the room.

And then—

There she was.

Skye stood near the podium, flipping through her notes. She wasn’t in scrubs this time. Instead, she wore a fitted blazer over a navy blue blouse, her dark hair neatly pinned back. Even from a distance, JJ could see the sharp focus in her expression, the same intense concentration she’d had at the hospital.

JJ should’ve looked away; she should’ve kept moving, but for a second, she didn’t.

She wasn’t expecting Skye to look up.

But she did.

And their eyes met.

For a moment, nothing else existed. The crowd, the mission, the looming threat—it all faded. JJ wasn’t sure what Skye was thinking, but she saw the flicker of recognition and the brief widening of her eyes before her expression fell into something unreadable.

JJ quickly turned away, pressing a hand to her earpiece. "Anything?"

"Negative so far," Emily’s voice responded. "But we need eyes everywhere. This guy won’t wait long."

"Copy that," JJ said, forcing herself to focus.

But even as she moved through the crowd, her thoughts lingered.

Because for some reason, seeing Skye here felt like something more than just a coincidence.

Morgan was already moving toward the side entrance. “Come on,” he said, voice sharp. “We need to make sure the speakers are safe.”

JJ forced herself to follow, pushing aside whatever this feeling was. This wasn’t about her right now. They had a job to do.

Morgan then nudged her shoulder. “Hey, isn’t that your doctor from Seattle?”

“Yeah. She is one of the guest speakers.”

“Small world.” Morgan smirked. “You gonna say hi?”

JJ shot him a look. “We’re in the middle of a case, Morgan.”

Morgan held up his hands in surrender but didn’t hide his grin. JJ ignored him, shifting her focus back to the task at hand. The BAU was here because they had credible intel that the UnSub was planning to detonate a bomb at this convention, targeting prominent medical professionals. They didn’t have a face yet, just a profile and a growing sense of urgency.

✦✦✦✦

Skye’s POV

Skye stood backstage, adjusting the sleeves of her blazer, a deep breath slipping past her lips. She had been asked to speak at the convention for trauma surgeons, sharing her expertise in high-pressure situations and field surgeries. 

A month ago, she would have said no—she never liked the spotlight, but something had changed. Addison’s words still echoed in her mind: You’re stuck with me.  

It had been a turning point. Skye was slowly starting to let people in, even if it scared the hell out of her.

She glanced down at her phone, checking the message from Addison: “You got this. Don’t let them eat you alive.”

Skye smiled briefly, feeling a flicker of warmth at her best friend's words. Addison had been more present and supportive—it's kinda annoying, but Skye understands that it was from a good place—in recent weeks after she found out about her cutting.

After sending a brief thanks, she locked her phone and exhaled, rolling her shoulders back. She could handle this. It was just a speech—another set of people who needed to hear about the reality of trauma medicine.

Then she glanced up. And froze.

Because there, moving through the crowd with sharp, trained focus, was the FBI agent she treated months ago.

For a second, Skye thought she was imagining it. But no—those unmistakable blue eyes, that focused expression, the way she moved like she was constantly assessing the room—it was her.

Agent Jennifer Jareau, JJ.

The one Skye had patched up while pretending she wasn’t affected by the way JJ had looked at her.

And now?

Now, she was here, looking just as intense, just as put-together, and—if Skye wasn’t mistaken—just as caught off guard.

Their eyes met.

A strange, unspoken current passed between them—recognition, surprise, something else Skye couldn’t quite name.

Then, just as quickly as it happened, JJ turned away, pressing a hand to her earpiece, her expression shifting back to something unreadable.

Skye lingered, watching as JJ moved with purpose, flanked by another agent—tall, muscular, carrying himself like a bodyguard. Skye didn’t know what they were doing here, but the way they moved, the way JJ scanned the room like she was searching for something—it set off alarm bells in her head.

Something was wrong.

And Skye had spent enough time in trauma medicine to trust her instincts.

✦✦✦✦

JJ’s POV

JJ barely had time to process seeing Skye before her earpiece cracked.

"All units, we have an unidentified backpack near the west entrance." Rossi’s voice came through, sharp and clipped. "Bomb squad is en route, but we need to evacuate the area quietly—no panic."

JJ exchanged a glance with Morgan. "We need to move."

Morgan nodded, already scanning the stage. "Let’s go clear the area and evacuate the speakers."

JJ turned back toward the stage, where Skye was still standing, watching them.

Damn it.

She moved toward the backstage entrance, flashing her badge at the event security. “FBI. We need to evacuate the speakers now.”

The security guard hesitated. “Ma’am, we haven’t been given official clearance—”

Morgan didn’t wait. “You have it now. Move.”

JJ pushed past him, heading straight for the speaker’s area. The moment she stepped inside, she spotted Skye.

“Dr. Knight,” JJ called, her voice urgent.

“What’s wrong?”

JJ stopped just in front of her. "We need to get you out of here. Now."

Skye frowned. "Why?"

JJ hesitated for a fraction of a second. "There’s a security threat."

"What kind of threat?"

"The kind where you don’t ask questions and just follow me."

“Bomb threat?”

JJ’s lack of response was answer enough.

Something flickered in Skye’s expression—something sharp, calculating. But to JJ’s relief, she didn’t panic nor argue. Instead, she gave a short nod. "Lead the way."

JJ motioned for her to stay close as they moved toward the emergency exit. Morgan was already directing other attendees away from the main auditorium, the tension in the air rising.

JJ reached for her radio. "I have Dr. Knight. Moving to the secure exit now."

Reid’s voice crackled in her ear. "Bomb Squad says it’s live. They’re trying to disable it now."

Shit.

JJ’s pace quickened, her grip tightening around Skye’s wrist as she guided her through the side corridors of the convention center.

Skye kept up without question, though JJ could feel the tension radiating off her.

"You’re not telling me everything," Skye muttered as they turned a corner.

"No, I’m not," JJ admitted. "And you’re smart enough to know why."

Skye didn’t argue.

They were nearly to the side exit when JJ’s radio crackled again—Hotch’s voice, sharper this time.

"Evacuate faster. Bomb squad says we may be out of time."

And then—

BOOM.

The explosion rocked the building, sending a violent shockwave through the halls. The ground trembled beneath them, and JJ barely had time to react before she was shoving Skye against the wall, shielding her with her own body.

The lights flickered. Screams erupted in the distance.

Smoke filled the air.

JJ coughed, heart pounding. "You okay?"

Skye blinked up at her, eyes wide, a streak of dust on her cheek. "I—yeah. You?"

"Still breathing," JJ muttered, stepping back and assessing their surroundings. The explosion hadn’t been close enough to collapse their section of the building, but debris littered the hallway, and the faint scent of burning plastic filled the air.

JJ pressed a hand to her earpiece. “We have a detonation. Repeat, explosion confirmed. We need medics and evacuation now.”

Static, then Hotch’s voice came through. “Report.”

“We’re fine,” JJ answered, glancing at Skye, who was already checking herself for injuries. “Minimal impact, but there could be more devices.”

Hotch’s voice came through, slightly distorted. "We’re securing casualties now. The UnSub is still unaccounted for."

JJ exhaled sharply. "Copy that."

She turned back to Skye. "We need to keep moving. Are you okay?"

Skye gave a short nod, her gaze sharp and assessing. “Fine. But if there are injuries, I need to—”

“You need to get out of here,” JJ interrupted firmly. “We don’t know if there are secondary devices.”

“I know,” Skye said, jaw clenching. “But if people are hurt, I can’t just—”

Before JJ could argue, her earpiece crackled. “We have casualties,” Emily’s voice came through. “At least a dozen injured.”

Skye looked at JJ. “I’m not leaving.”

JJ cursed under her breath. “Dammit.”

Of course she wasn’t.

“Alright, but you stay with me, doc.”

They moved together, dodging overturned chairs and scattered debris as they made their way back toward the main hall. The bomb had gone off near the entrance, but the full extent of the damage wasn’t clear yet.

When they arrived, Skye’s instincts kicked in immediately. She kneeled beside a wounded man, pressing her hands to a deep gash in his side.

JJ covered her, scanning the area for threats as the rest of the team worked to secure the site.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, but eventually, the chaos settled.

The UnSub was gone.

JJ didn’t realize how tense she had been until she saw Skye finishing up with a patient, blood on her hands, exhaustion lining her features.

JJ exhaled and walked over. “You’re okay?”

Skye huffed out a tired laugh. “You keep asking that.”

“You keep putting yourself in danger.”

A pause. “I could say the same about you.”

The agent smirked slightly. "Guess that makes two of us."

✦✦✦✦

Smoke still hung in the air as the BAU secured the scene. The explosion had caused chaos, but thanks to quick evacuation efforts, there were no fatalities. Injuries, yes—some serious—but Skye and other medical professionals had done everything they could.

JJ remained on high alert as she moved through the wreckage with Morgan, their weapons drawn. The UnSub was still unaccounted for.

“Reid, any movement?” JJ asked through her earpiece.

A pause, then Reid’s voice crackled through. “D.C. Metro PD is tracking a suspect matching our profile near the underground parking garage. He may be attempting to flee.”

“Copy that.” JJ turned to Morgan. “Let’s move.”

They took off toward the parking garage, the dim fluorescent lighting casting long shadows on the concrete floor.

Footsteps echoed ahead.

JJ spotted him first—a man in his late 40s, sweating, frantic. He was clutching a detonator.

“FBI! Drop it!” JJ shouted, gun trained on him.

The UnSub’s eyes darted around, looking for an escape. “You don’t understand! They ruined everything!” he shouted, voice shaking.

“We understand more than you think,” Morgan said. “But this doesn’t have to end like this.”

The UnSub’s grip on the detonator tightened.

JJ’s pulse spiked. “There are people still inside. You detonate anything else, and you’ll be a murderer.”

The man hesitated, his breathing ragged.

Reid’s voice came through JJ’s earpiece. “Stall him. Bomb squad says they’re jamming the signal now.”

JJ took a careful step forward. “It’s over.”

The UnSub let out a choked breath—then made a sudden move toward his jacket pocket.

JJ and Morgan reacted instantly.

Two shots rang out.

The UnSub crumpled to the ground, clutching his wounded shoulder.

JJ rushed forward, kicking the detonator away. Morgan secured the suspect while JJ confirmed that the device was disabled.

“Suspect in custody,” JJ said into her radio.

Hotch’s voice came through. “Good work. Secure the area and report back.”

✦✦✦✦

By the time they got out, the aftermath was controlled chaos. Medics were tending to the wounded, police were securing the perimeter, and the BAU was finalizing reports with D.C. Metro PD.

Skye stood near the paramedics, speaking with a field medic about a patient. Blood stained her sleeves, but her expression was calm, focused.

JJ made her way over, relieved to see her standing. “Dr. Knight.”

“Busy.” She said without looking up, still talking with a paramedic about the injured.

Then JJ saw it.

A thin trail of blood running down from Skye’s hairline.

“Your head is bleeding.”

Skye glanced up, mid-sentence with a paramedic.  “No, it's not.”

JJ folded her arms. “Try again.”

Skye sighed, swiping at the side of her head. When she pulled her fingers away, they came back red. “It’s nothing. Probably just a cut from the blast. I’ll handle it later.”

“Later?” JJ repeated, unimpressed.

Skye arched a brow. “In case you forgot, I’m a trauma surgeon. I think I can handle a minor head wound.”

JJ’s expression didn’t waver. “You know as well as I do that head wounds bleed more than they seem. Let a paramedic check you out.”

Skye huffed out a breath, exasperated. “I have patients to—”

“You’re done.” JJ’s tone softened slightly, but the firmness remained. “You’ve done your part. Now let someone else take care of you for once.”

Before Skye could argue again, Morgan’s voice chimed in from behind them. “Damn, JJ. Didn’t know you played nurse, too.”

JJ shot him a glare.

Emily smirked as she walked up, arms crossed. “What’s next? Holding her hand during stitches?”

“She’s bleeding. Excuse me for caring.”

Morgan grinned. “Nah, it’s cute.”

Skye exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is my actual nightmare.”

JJ rolled her eyes and gestured toward the nearest paramedic. “Just let them check, okay?”

Skye met her gaze, something unreadable passing between them. Then, finally, she sighed. “Fine.”

Morgan clapped JJ on the shoulder. “Look at you, taking care of your doctor.”

JJ muttered something under her breath, but Skye’s faint smirk didn’t go unnoticed.

The rest of the BAU had started wrapping up their reports, but JJ lingered near the edge of the medical station, watching Skye.

“You’re hovering.” Skye said when she caught JJ looking at her.

“I prefer ‘making sure you don’t pass out from undiagnosed head trauma.’ ”

Skye gave her a dry look. “I think I’d notice if I was concussed.”

JJ rocked back on her heels. “Maybe. But humor me.”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope.”

As the medic finished up, JJ crouched beside her. “You really don’t like letting people take care of you, do you?”

Skye exhaled a soft laugh. “Not really.”

JJ smiled. “Well, good news—you’re stuck with me for at least the next few minutes.”

Skye tilted her head. “That so?”

A beat of silence stretched between them, the noise of the emergency response teams fading into the background.

Finally, JJ took a breath. “Come get a coffee with me.”

Skye blinked. “What?”

“Or a drink,” JJ added quickly, shifting slightly. “Or something. You’ve had a long day, and I think we could both use it.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Skye’s face, then something softer. “Are you asking me out, Agent Jareau?”

JJ smirked. “Maybe.”

“Alright. Coffee. Or something stronger. Your call.”

JJ felt a small, unexpected warmth settle in her chest.

“Good,” she said, standing up. “Then it’s a plan.”

As they walked away from the chaos, Morgan and Emily exchanged knowing glances.

“Called it,” Morgan muttered.

Emily smirked. “Oh, definitely.”

“You okay, princess?” Morgan asks Emily.

The woman tilted her head. “Why not?”

“Thought you and blondie had a thing back then.”

Emily scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please."

Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Em. You can’t tell me you never thought about it."

Emily hesitated—a fraction of a second, barely noticeable, but Morgan caught it.

"Not the way you're thinking," Emily finally said, shrugging. "JJ and I… we’re complicated. Always have been."

Morgan studied her for a moment. "Complicated how?"

Emily let out a short breath, glancing over at JJ and Skye, who were still talking, still standing too close. "It’s not like that," she said. "I mean… yeah, maybe at some point, I thought—" She stopped herself, shaking her head. 

"Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that she’s smiling right now. She hasn’t smiled like that in a long time."

Morgan softened slightly. "You ever gonna tell her?"

Emily huffed out a laugh, looking away. "And say what? ‘Hey, JJ, remember that time we danced around something we never talked about? Yeah, well, I might have felt something more, but I buried it like a good little soldier.’ "

Morgan chuckled. "Yeah, probably wouldn’t be your smoothest move."

Emily smirked. "Exactly."

They both turned their attention back to JJ and Skye. JJ had her arms crossed, her head tilted, that mischievous smirk playing on her lips, while Skye—who had spent most of the night looking like she had a stick up her ass—was now laughing, shaking her head at whatever JJ had said.

Emily had seen that look on JJ before.

A part of her tensed.

But she ignored it.

Because whatever had been between her and JJ in the past—whatever almost happened, whatever line had nearly been crossed—it had been years ago. And JJ had made her choice.

Didn’t mean it didn’t sting.

Morgan nudged her shoulder. “You good?”

Emily’s smirk was back in place before he could call her out on anything. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Morgan hummed, watching JJ for a moment before turning to Emily. “You ever regret it?”

Emily glanced at him. “Regret what?”

Morgan gave her a look.

“No.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

She wasn’t sure if that was the truth or just a really well-rehearsed lie.

Either way, it didn’t matter now.

JJ had made her choice.

And Emily?

Emily had learned a long time ago that some things just weren’t meant to be.

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.

Chapter Text

Seattle

Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital was already in full swing by the time Skye stepped inside. The familiar rush of controlled chaos, the scent of antiseptic and coffee, the distant beeping of monitors—it all grounded her in a way she hadn’t realized she needed.

She barely had time to grab a chart before she felt the familiar weight of multiple pairs of eyes on her.

She sighed, bracing herself as she entered the attending lounge to grab coffee. Sure enough, her colleagues were already gathered, watching her like she was a bomb about to go off.

It was Amelia who spoke first. “So, how was the convention?”

Skye raised an eyebrow. “Are we talking about the part where I gave a speech or the part where a bomb went off?”

The tension in the room cracked slightly as Callie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, we heard about that little detail.”

“Emphasis on ‘heard,’ ” Meredith added. “Because someone didn’t call.”

“I texted,” Skye countered, pouring coffee into a mug.

Addison scoffed, crossing her arms. “Yeah. A single text. ‘I’m fine’ ” She fixed Skye with a look. “What part of that was supposed to be reassuring?”

Skye exhaled. “The ‘I’m fine’ part?”

Arizona sighed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

“You’re not wrong,” Skye admitted, taking a sip of her coffee.

Addison wasn’t amused. “Skylar Alexandria Knight—”

“Oh, full name? That’s serious.”

Addison ignored her. “You were at a medical convention that was literally bombed, and you didn’t think maybe, just maybe, we’d want to hear your voice instead of getting a lazy text?”

Skye winced slightly at the use of her full name. “Okay, when you say it like that, it does sound bad.”

“It was bad,” Meredith pointed out. “We saw the news. People were injured. Some died.”

Skye sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I know. And yeah, it was a mess. But I was helping with the wounded, and then the FBI handled the whole thing.”

Callie studied her. “Of course you did. That’s not the point.”

“The point is, we were worried.” Amelia said.

Skye let out a breath. “I know.”

“Next time, you call.” Addison folded her arms. 

Skye held up a hand in surrender. “Fine. I’ll call.”

She knew the conversation was over when Addison gave her one last pointed look before sighing and grabbing her own coffee. The others slowly followed suit, though Arizona still shook her head at Skye like she was a particularly difficult surgical case.

“Alright, enough of the intervention,” Callie said, stretching. “We actually have work to do.”

Skye raised her coffee cup in mock salute. “Glad to see someone remembers we’re doctors.”

Addison rolled her eyes but didn’t argue as everyone started heading out for their respective cases.

BAU’s Office - Quantico, VA 

Quantico, BAU Headquarters

JJ took a deep breath before stepping into the bullpen, already bracing herself for what was coming. She knew— knew —that the teasing was inevitable. The BAU was many things: brilliant, relentless, highly skilled at reading people. But most of all, they were nosy as hell.

And JJ had not been subtle.

She had barely crossed the threshold when she heard it.

“ Well, well, well. ”

JJ exhaled through her nose before turning toward the source. Morgan, sitting on the edge of her desk, arms crossed and grinning like a man who had way too much ammunition.

Beside him, Emily looked just as smug, sipping her coffee like she had all the time in the world.

JJ set her bag down, rolling her eyes. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Oh, this is gonna be fun,” Morgan said, shaking his head. “I mean, I knew something was up in Seattle, but then D.C. happened, and suddenly, our girl is distracted .”

Emily smirked. “Completely and utterly distracted.”

JJ shot them both a look. “I was not distracted.”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because I distinctly remember you ignoring your own coffee order because you were too busy checking your phone.”

Morgan chuckled. “And let’s not forget the way she went full protective mode when a certain doctor refused medical attention.”

JJ huffed. “I was just making sure she was okay.”

Morgan grinned. “Oh, we know.”

Emily smirked. “And so does everyone else.”

JJ frowned slightly at that. “Wait—”

Just then, a voice cut in.

“So, who’s Dr. Skye Knight?”

JJ turned slowly, finding Garcia leaning against her desk, looking far too interested.

JJ sighed. “Oh, God.”

Garcia gasped. “ Oh my God. It’s real. You are seeing someone.”

“Technically,” Reid chimed in, looking up from his tablet, “we don’t have confirmation she’s seeing her. Just that she’s interested. ”

“Oh, please,” Emily said, smirking at JJ. “Morgan and I already confirmed that part.”

JJ groaned, rubbing her temples. “You told them?”

Morgan shrugged. “I mean, they were gonna find out anyway.”

Garcia clapped her hands together. “Okay, so spill. Who is she? Where did you meet? What does she do? How hot is she? ”

Rossi strolled in just then, raising an eyebrow at the commotion. “We talking about JJ’s mystery doctor?”

JJ shot Morgan and Emily a look. “Seriously?”

“What?” Morgan grinned. “We talk. ”

Rossi smirked, taking a sip of his coffee. “I’m just saying, if she’s got you this flustered, she must be something. ”

JJ exhaled slowly, shaking her head. “You guys are impossible.”

Garcia beamed. “And yet, you love us. Now, spill.”

JJ sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Her name is Dr. Skye Knight. She’s a trauma surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial in Seattle. She treated me when I got shot a while back, and then we ran into each other again in D.C. during that whole bombing situation.”

“And you went out with her after,” Emily added helpfully.

JJ shot her a look.

Reid tilted his head. “So… how did that happen?”

JJ hesitated, then shrugged. “I don’t know. We just… clicked. She’s—” She stopped, searching for the right words.

Emily smirked. “Hot?”

JJ rolled her eyes. “That’s not—”

Morgan grinned. “ Smart? Witty? Knows exactly how to push your buttons? ”

“Okay, yes, all of the above.”

Garcia sighed dreamily. “Ohhh, I love this for you.”

JJ shook her head, but there was a small smile on her lips.

Then, Rossi smirked. “So, when are you seeing her again?”

JJ hesitated, glancing at her phone. “Honestly? No idea.”

Garcia pouted. “Aww, long-distance romance?”

JJ shrugged. “Kind of. We both have insane schedules. I don’t even know when I’ll have time to breathe, let alone fly to Seattle.”

Morgan raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like an excuse.”

JJ crossed her arms. “Oh, really? ”

Morgan grinned. “Yeah. If you wanted to see her, you’d find a way.”

JJ narrowed her eyes. “You do realize you’re the one who always says relationships are complicated with our jobs, right?”

“True. But I also know you, Jareau. And if she’s got you this caught up, she’s worth the effort.”

JJ held his gaze for a moment before sighing. “Yeah. She is.”

Emily smiled. “Then you’ll figure it out.”

JJ exhaled, nodding slightly. “Yeah. I will.”

Garcia beamed. “ Ugh, this is so exciting. I need pictures.”

JJ blinked. “I—there aren’t any pictures.”

Garcia gasped in horror. “ Excuse me? ”

Reid frowned slightly. “Statistically speaking, most people take at least one photo when they spend time with someone they’re interested in.”

JJ huffed. “Okay, first of all, not helping. And second, it wasn’t that kind of—”

Emily suddenly grinned. “Wait a second.”

JJ froze. “What?”

Emily leaned forward. “Did she take a picture?”

JJ opened her mouth, then shut it again.

Silence.

Morgan grinned. “ Ohhh, she totally did.”

JJ groaned, rubbing her temples. “I hate you guys.”

Garcia gasped. “SHOW ME.”

JJ shook her head. “Nope. Not happening.”

Garcia pouted. “That’s just cruel.”

Morgan chuckled. “Come on, Jayje. What’s the harm?”

JJ crossed her arms. “Because it wasn’t a date.”

Emily smirked. “And yet, you let her take a picture.”

JJ sighed, muttering, “I didn’t let her. She just… did it.”

Garcia was practically vibrating with excitement. “Okay, but how ? Was it a sneaky candid? A cute selfie? Did she catch you mid-bite? Details, woman! ”

JJ groaned. “God, why am I friends with you?”

Morgan grinned. “Because you love us.”

“Come on, ” Emily drawled. “We’re not asking for, like, intimate pictures.” She smirked. “Unless you have those.”

JJ shot her a glare.

Morgan grinned. “Just one, Jayje. Let us put a face to the name.”

JJ huffed before pulling out her phone. “Fine. But just one, and then you all drop it.”

She scrolled for a moment before landing on a photo she had definitely not meant to show them—but somehow, it was the one she kept coming back to.

It was from the morning after the bombing, when she had brought Skye breakfast.

Skye, sitting across from her in her hotel room, holding a coffee cup with an amused smirk. The lighting had been soft, the morning glow making her sharp features look even more striking. But what stood out most—what JJ hadn’t been able to stop looking at—was the way Skye had been looking at her.

Not just amused. Not just entertained.

But curious.

Interested.

And maybe—just maybe —something more.

JJ hesitated before finally turning the phone around. “Here.”

The room was silent for exactly three seconds.

Then—

“Oh, damn. ” Morgan let out a low whistle. “Okay, I get it now.”

Garcia clapped her hands together. “JJ. She’s stunning. ”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “No wonder you’re all flustered.”

JJ rolled her eyes. “I am not flustered.”

Garcia smirked. “Honey, your ears are turning red.”

JJ groaned, snatching her phone back. “We’re just friends.”

Morgan chuckled. “Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, Jayje.”

Emily smirked. “We’ll check back in a few months.”

JJ sighed, shaking her head—but as she tucked her phone away, she couldn’t help but glance at the picture one last time.

Just friends.

Right?

Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital - Seattle

Skye had barely finished her coffee when a nurse poked her head into the lounge. “Dr. Knight, you’re needed in Trauma 2.”

Skye nodded, setting her mug down and following the nurse out. She could feel her colleagues’ eyes still on her, but thankfully, no one stopped her.

The hospital was running as usual—controlled chaos, rapid footsteps, hushed conversations, the sharp beeping of machines. Skye felt herself slip into work mode with ease.

By mid-morning, though, something strange happened.

It started in the ER when an intern, looking frazzled, hesitated before approaching her. “Dr. Knight?”

Skye raised an eyebrow. “Unless there’s another one running around, yeah?”

The intern blinked. Was that… a joke? From Dr. Knight?

“I—uh, I just wanted to confirm the suture method for the lac repair in Bed 6?”

Skye considered it, then nodded. “Simple interrupted. Go slow; make sure the edges are approximated well. If you screw it up, I’ll make you do it again.”

There was no snap, no sharpness. Just straightforward instruction.

The intern nodded quickly, still thrown off. “Yes, ma’am.”

Skye watched them scurry off and shook her head with a faint smirk.

Later, during a consult, she caught Arizona giving her a side-eye.

“What?” Skye asked.

Arizona sipped her coffee. "You're not scaring the interns today.”

“I scare the interns?”

“You terrify them,” Callie chimed in, not looking up from her tablet. “Pretty sure one of them considered dropping out of medicine last week after you yelled at him.”

Skye rolled her eyes. “That’s dramatic.”

Arizona leaned on the counter. “So, what gives?”

Skye frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

Callie exchanged a glance with Arizona before setting her tablet down. “You’re weirdly calm today.”

“Not as broody,” Arizona added. “Less ‘I will destroy you if you mess up’ energy.”

“Wow. That’s how you see me?”

“Yes,” both women said in unison.

Skye huffed. “Unbelievable.”

Addison walked in just in time to hear that. She glanced between them. “What’s unbelievable?”

“Dr. Knight is in a good mood,” Callie said, sounding borderline suspicious.

Addison narrowed her eyes at Skye. “Did you hit your head in D.C. and forget to tell us?”

Skye groaned, rubbing her temples. “Can’t I just have a decent day without being interrogated?”

Meredith, passing by, smirked. “No.”

Skye sighed dramatically and walked away before it turned into a bigger mess.

Noon

By lunchtime, word had spread.

“Okay, what the hell is going on with Dr. Knight?” One of the interns whispered to another as they stood outside the ER.

“She didn’t bite my head off this morning,” another added. “She just explained what I did wrong and moved on.”

The first intern looked around, as if making sure no one would overhear. “You think she hit her head in that explosion?”

Before they could speculate further, Skye walked past them, flipping through a patient’s chart. She didn’t glare at them; she didn’t even seem to notice their nervous glances. She just kept moving.

Which was very weird.

Attending Lounge

“You’re different today,” Addison commented as she sat across from Skye in the lounge.

Skye took a bite of her sandwich, completely unfazed. “Wow. You guys really need new material.”

“No, seriously.” Addison leaned forward, studying her. “You’re… dare I say, pleasant ?”

Skye rolled her eyes. “Don’t exaggerate.”

“I’m not.” Addison smirked. “Did something happen in D.C.?”

Skye paused for half a second before replying, “Other than the bomb ?”

“I mean after that.”

“Not really.”

She could mention JJ. She could say something about the blonde FBI agent who had a way of getting under her skin, in a way that didn’t make her want to push back.

But where would that get her?

Nowhere.

It would only lead her to be teased by her friends.

So instead, she smirked and took another bite of her sandwich. “Maybe I’m just growing as a person.”

Addison scoffed. “As if.”

Skye just chuckled. 

Addison wasn’t letting this go.

Skye could feel it even before the redhead leaned forward, setting down her coffee like she meant business. “Alright. Talk.”

Skye blinked. “About what?”

Addison narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play dumb. You’ve been… weirdly calm since coming back from D.C.”

“I told you, I’m growing as a person.”

Addison didn’t even blink. “Bull.”

Skye sighed and sank further into the couch. “Can’t a person come back from a bombing and just… enjoy breathing without being accused of emotional sabotage?”

Addison crossed her arms. “ Not when that person is you. ”

Before Skye could offer a witty retort, her phone—face-up on the table— dinged with a new notification.

Agent Terrible Judgement : My team is unbearable. This is your fault. Hope yours are also as unbearable as mine.

Skye’s eyes widened. She snatched the phone like it was a live grenade and turned the screen face-down. But it was far too late.

Addison leaned in slowly, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Agent. Terrible. Judgement? ” she repeated, like she’d just found gold.

Skye muttered, “It’s a nickname. It’s not what you think.”

Addison sat back with a smug expression. “Is Agent Terrible Judgement the reason you've been walking around here all zen and mildly delightful?”

Skye didn’t answer—just glared, cheeks beginning to tint the slightest shade of pink.

Right on cue, the door to the lounge opened and Amelia, Callie, and Arizona walked in mid-conversation. They stopped when they saw Addison grinning like a cat with a trapped mouse.

Callie blinked. “Okay, what did we just walk into?”

Amelia cocked her head. “Why do you look guilty, Skye?”

Arizona pointed. “And why is Addison looking like she just won the Powerball?”

Addison, still beaming, announced, “We were just discussing Agent Terrible Judgement. ”

All three women stopped in their tracks.

Amelia’s eyes lit up. “ Wait. Who’s Agent Terrible Judgement?”

Skye groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s… a contact name. In my phone.”

“Yeah, we got that,” Callie said. “ Why is that their name?”

Arizona leaned in. “And why do you look like you want to crawl under a table?”

Skye shot Addison a glare, but the woman looked utterly unrepentant. Resigned, Skye finally muttered, “Fine. You want the story?”

Everyone sat or leaned in, giving her their full attention.

Skye exhaled and leaned back. “You all remember that FBI agent I treated about a month ago?”

Amelia’s eyebrows shot up. “The hot one ?”

Arizona smirked. “The one we teased you about?”

Skye nodded, looking mildly pained. “Yeah. Her. ”

A brief moment of stunned silence. Then—

“OH MY GOD.” Arizona gasped.

Addison leaned back, victorious. “I knew it.”

Callie gasped, clutching her imaginary pearls. “ You saw her again? ”

Amelia’s grin widened. “Dr. Knight, you dog. ”

Skye groaned and dropped her head briefly into her hands. “It’s not like that.”

“Oh, it’s exactly like that. What happened?”

Skye resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “She was one of the agents in charge of the bombing at the D.C. convention. We ended up working together—helping people, coordinating triage, clearing the building. It was chaos, but we handled it well.”

Amelia looked unconvinced. “Uh-huh. Keep going.”

Skye looked away, as if annoyed with herself. “After things settled down, she asked me if I wanted to grab a drink. I agreed.”

The room exploded .

Amelia gasped. “You agreed ?”

Arizona adds. “Skye, that’s basically a date .”

Callie leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “Was she wearing the FBI windbreaker? Be honest.”

“Does it matter?” Addison asked. “Of course she was. That thing probably never comes off.”

Skye rubbed her temple. “Do you want to hear the story or not?”

Everyone fell silent again.

Then Skye speaks again, a bit more quietly. “We talked. And that’s it.”

Callie was already shaking her head. “That is not it. Keep going.”

Skye scowled. “She brought me coffee the next morning. Breakfast too.”

Amelia’s voice was a little too gleeful. “ In your hotel room? ”

Skye groaned. “Yes. We had breakfast. Together. In my hotel room.  It wasn’t a big deal.”

Callie made an exaggerated fan motion with her hand. “I think I’m swooning.”

Addison blinked. “ Wait. She brought you breakfast in bed? ”

Skye gave her a flat look. “I was dressed. It wasn’t—”

Addison held up a hand. “Nope. Don’t ruin it. That’s adorable. And romantic. And very not-just-a-casual-coffee thing.”

Arizona agreed, “ Breakfast in your hotel room? That’s kind of romantic.”

Skye rolled her eyes. “It was just food. And that was it. She had to fly back. I flew back. Nothing more.”

“Uh-huh,” Addison drawled. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Skye glared. “There was no hooking up. It wasn’t like that.”

Amelia squinted at her. “But you like her?”

Skye hesitated. “I don’t not like her.”

Arizona grinned. “That’s basically a confession.”

Callie grinned at Addison. “No wonder she’s been mellow. She’s infatuated. ”

“I am not infatuated.”

Addison raised her brows. “What do you call putting someone in your phone as Agent Terrible Judgement but still texting them anyway? ”

“A coping mechanism,” Skye muttered.

Arizona leaned back with a knowing smile. “So. What now?”

Skye shrugged, sipping her now-cold coffee. “I don’t know. We’re… talking. Texting. Not sure where it’s going.”

Amelia grinned. “Well, wherever it’s going, it’s working. You’ve been downright tolerable lately.”

“High praise,” Skye deadpanned.

But despite the teasing, the corner of her mouth twitched with the beginnings of a smile.

Addison reached for a fry from someone’s tray and popped it in her mouth. “So… when are we meeting her?”

Skye didn’t answer.

Amelia wiggled her eyebrows. “She is real, right? Not just a coping mechanism you conjured after the trauma?”

Skye gave her a dry look. “Yes, she’s real. No, you’re not meeting her. It’s… new.”

Addison smirked, leaning back in her chair with the kind of satisfaction only older sisters and lifelong friends could muster. 

“You say ‘new,’ but you’ve been hung up on her since she got shot in your ER. You literally yelled at a cardiothoracic surgeon for getting in your way that night.”

Callie nodded. “And don’t think we forgot that you didn’t yell at her . Even when she bled all over your floor.”

Skye groaned. “Okay, I get it, you’ve all been waiting for this moment.”

Arizona held up her hands. “Hey, we support your mysterious fed romance.”

“She’s not mysterious,” Skye muttered.

Addison sipped her coffee, then pointed out calmly, “You haven’t even told us her real name. You keep calling her ‘Agent Terrible Judgement.’”

Amelia leaned forward. “Yeah, what is her real name?”

Skye hesitated for a beat too long.

Callie’s mouth dropped open. “You do know her name, right?”

“Yes,” Skye replied quickly. “Jennifer Jareau.”

“Jennifer Jareau?” Arizona repeated. “Wait. JJ? ”

“Yeah,” Skye admitted. “You know her?”

“Oh, I think everyone who used to watch the news knows her,” Addison said, her tone amused. “She’s basically famous.”

Skye blinked. “…She is?”

“She was like FBI’s media face and their field asset. Gorgeous. Blonde. A sweetheart,” Arizona said, ticking off with her fingers. “No wonder you’re spiraling.”

“I’m not spiraling.”

“You’re spiraling adorably, ” Callie said with a grin. “It’s cute. Like a puppy falling down a flight of emotional stairs.”

Skye buried her face in her hands again. “Please kill me.”

Addison smiled and leaned closer. “We’ll consider it—if you introduce her to us.”

“We promise we’ll try to behave.”

Skye gave them a pointed look. “You say that now, but I know you.”

“Aww come on, we’re not that bad.”

“I hate all of you,” Skye muttered, trying not to look too affected.

“Oh no,” Amelia said with a laugh. “You love us. Just not as much as you love—”

“Don’t say it,” Skye warned.

Addison handed the phone back. “It’s okay. We’ll let it go. For now. ”

Skye narrowed her eyes. “You’re not going to let it go.”

“Not a chance,” Callie confirmed, grinning.

Arizona raised an eyebrow. “So when are you seeing her again?”

Skye blinked. “I don’t know. We didn’t plan anything yet.”

Amelia snorted. “You’re a trauma surgeon and she’s in the FBI. The chaos writes itself.”

Addison said, more seriously, “But if she makes you feel good… if she makes you feel seen, Skye… don’t run from it.”

The room suddenly felt quieter.

Skye stared at her coffee for a beat, then nodded. “…I’m not running. I’m just walking slowly.”

Arizona smiled. “Well. Let us know when you decide to pick up the pace.”

Skye snatched her phone again, muttering, “I’m going back to work.”

But as she stood and turned, Arizona called after her, “Tell Agent Terrible Judgement we said hi!”

“Shut up,” Skye called over her shoulder, but they could hear the smile in her voice as she walked out.

Once she was gone, Addison exhaled, a thoughtful look settling over her face.

Amelia noticed. “What?”

Addison shook her head. “Just… glad to see her like this.”

Arizona nodded. “Me too.”

Callie leaned forward again. “But when she does bring JJ around, we are absolutely grilling her.”

“Oh, without mercy,” Amelia agreed.

“Obviously,” Addison added.

They clinked their coffee cups together like it was a pact.

And just outside the lounge, Skye stood hidden behind the door for a second longer than necessary, looking at her chat with JJ.

Skye’s thumbs hovered over the keyboard for a moment before she typed back.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: You have no idea. Mine just staged an intervention over you.

And it only took a few seconds for the typing bubbles to appear.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Intervention?

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Yeah. Like, a full committee meeting. Addison found out you exist, then somehow Arizona, Callie, and Amelia shows up at that exact moment and they join with Addie to interrogate me. 

Agent Terrible Judgement: …Should I be concerned?

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Yes. Absolutely. My group is worse than yours. They’re like… vultures with coffee. And scrubs.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Bold of you to assume my team doesn’t own scrubs.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Oh no. You’re that kind of FBI team?

Agent Terrible Judgement: We adapt. We improvise. We borrow hospital laundry.

Skye snorted quietly to herself, leaning against the wall just outside the lounge.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Well, my people already planning an inquisition if you ever set foot in Seattle.

There was a longer pause this time before the dots reappeared.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Good to know. I’ll bring my interrogation countermeasures.

Skye’s lips twitched. She didn’t even notice the smile until it was already there.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Good luck with that. You’ll need it.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Bring it on, Doctor.

Skye locked her phone and finally pushed off the wall, heading back toward the elevators, still feeling the faint hum of amusement in her chest.

Her shift wasn’t over yet—but suddenly, the day felt lighter.

Chapter Text

Over the next few days, the conversation didn’t just continue, it escalated.

It started with quick morning check-ins.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Survived the morning briefing. Barely. Coffee count: 2.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Amateur. I’m on 3 and it’s not even 8 a.m.

Then JJ gives updates about bizarre BAU case quirks, peppered with sarcastic comments about her teammates. 

Skye countered with her own hospital drama like interns who couldn’t find a pulse, residents who nearly fainted during surgery, and the occasional catastrophe in the cafeteria that she swore could rival a crime scene.

By mid-afternoon, it was random commentary, sarcastic updates, and entirely too many photos of questionable cafeteria food—both of them trying to outdo the other with the worst-looking plate of the day.

Then came the late nights.

It started with JJ sending a picture of a ridiculously strong-looking cup of coffee at 1:14 a.m. with a caption.

Agent Terrible Judgement: I’m on my 6th cup. Your influence is ruining me.

Skye called her—without thinking, without even considering the time difference.

“First of all, you’re welcome,” she said the moment JJ answered, her voice low so as not to wake anyone in her building.

JJ laughed softly. “Second of all?”

“Second of all, that cup looks like it could strip paint off a car. Are you sure you’re not trying to kill yourself slowly?”

From there, the calls became more frequent. 

Sometimes they talked for twenty minutes about nothing at all—about the weather in D.C., the terrible new vending machine coffee in Skye’s hospital, or which TV show JJ’s team could never watch together without fighting. 

Other times, it was quiet, the kind of quiet where neither felt the need to fill the space, just listening to the other breathe as they worked or read through notes.

One evening, JJ FaceTimed her without warning.

Skye had just stepped out of the shower, hair still damp, when her phone lit up with Agent Terrible Judgement and an incoming FaceTime request.

“Seriously?” she muttered, but answered anyway.

JJ’s smirk filled the screen. “Wow. You look… relaxed. Must be nice.”

“You called me just to comment on my wet hair?” Skye asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Maybe I wanted proof you actually go home and sleep,” JJ said, settling back in what looked like her own bed. “You always look like you’re two surgeries away from passing out.”

Skye rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her mouth. “And maybe I wanted proof you own casual clothes.”

JJ glanced down at her hoodie. “This is vintage FBI loungewear, thank you very much.”

Their calls got longer after that—sometimes talking about work, sometimes about nothing at all.

One day, JJ gave her a tour of her kitchen while she made dinner, teasing Skye about the fact she had takeout containers on her counter from three different restaurants.

Another night, Skye answered a call in the on-call room, whispering so she wouldn’t wake Callie who’s sleeping across from her. JJ just smiled softly and told her to go to sleep, promising they’d talk tomorrow.

It wasn’t every day, but it was often enough . Enough to make Skye’s phone feel strangely empty on the rare day JJ didn’t message first.

And though they hadn’t said it out loud, the unspoken truth was becoming harder to ignore.

Neither of them wanted these conversations to end.

It was on Tuesday midnight when Skye’s phone lit up with an incoming FaceTime from Agent Terrible Judgement .

She groaned softly, dragging herself upright on the couch where she’d fallen asleep, still in scrubs. The TV was on mute, a mug of cold coffee forgotten on the table.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Skye said as soon as she answered.

JJ’s smirk filled the screen, faint shadows under her eyes. “Hypothetical question.”

Skye narrowed her eyes. “Hypothetical questions at midnight are dangerous. Proceed.”

JJ tilted her head. “ If, hypothetically , someone had a rare three-day weekend coming up… and, hypothetically , they wanted to spend it somewhere that wasn’t D.C.…”

“Uh-huh. And where is this totally hypothetical place?” Skye asks.

JJ gives a little smile. “Hypothetically? Seattle.”

That pulled Skye right out of her drowsiness. She sat back against the couch, trying not to let her expression change too much.

“In Seattle as in ‘passing through for work,’ or in Seattle as in ‘deliberately flying across the country’?”

JJ’s smirk widened. “Second one.”

Skye blinked slowly. “That’s a long trip for a hypothetical.”

“Yeah...” JJ’s tone was lighter now, but her eyes stayed on Skye. “Would that be weird?”

Skye leaned back against the headboard, chewing on her bottom lip. Weird? Yeah. Dangerous? Probably. But the idea made her chest feel too warm to dismiss.

Skye tilted her head. “Are you coming here to sightsee… or for something else?”

“Do I need a reason to see you?” JJ’s voice softened. 

That landed heavier than Skye expected, the words hanging there between them. She didn’t look away, even though it would’ve been easier to make some sarcastic deflection.

“You really don’t.” Skye said finally.

“So… not weird?”

Skye shaked her head. “Not weird. Might even be… nice.”

JJ smiled, a real one this time. “Good. Because I already booked my ticket.”

Skye blinked. “Hypothetical, my ass.”

JJ gave an unbothered shrug. “You said it yourself, it was dangerous.”

“What if I said I don’t want to see you?” Skye’s eyebrows rose in a challenging manner.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to wander Seattle alone, tragically lost and in desperate need of a local guide.”

Skye huffed a laugh, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

“Besides,” JJ countered, leaning back in her chair. “You would’ve ended the call five minutes ago if you didn’t want me there.”

 “You have way too much confidence in that profiler brain of yours.”

“Not confidence,” JJ said, leaning a little closer to the camera. “Evidence. You didn’t even hesitate when I asked if you’d want to see me.”

Skye raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought the FBI was supposed to protect people, not corner them on FaceTime.”

“Oh, I can protect you just fine.” JJ smirked, clearly enjoying herself. 

“You know my friends are going to treat you like a celebrity sighting, right?” Skye said, reaching for her cold coffee and making a face when she drank it. “Addison will make it her personal mission to interrogate you about every single detail of your life, Callie will take your side in every argument just to annoy me, and Arizona… well, she’ll probably just ask when we’re getting married.”

JJ’s smirk widened. “Good. Sounds like a warm welcome.”

“You say that now…” Skye said, her tone warning but amused.

“I’ve faced serial killers, Skye. I think I can handle a group of doctors.”

That made Skye laugh, loud enough to startle herself. “Oh, you have no idea.”

JJ just grinned at the sound, and for a second, neither of them spoke. The silence was easy, warm.

JJ’s gaze at Skye didn’t waver. “It’ll be good to see you again, Skye.”

Something in Skye’s chest tightened—not unpleasantly, but enough to make her shift in her seat. “…Yeah,” she murmured. “It will.”

Then JJ tilted her head. “So… I’ll see you Friday?”

Skye hesitated only long enough to grab her phone properly and sink into the couch cushions. “…Yeah. See you Friday.”

JJ’s smirk softened into something gentler. “Goodnight, Doctor Pain in the Ass.”

“Goodnight, Agent Terrible Judgement.”

JJ ended the call, and Skye was left staring at her own reflection on the darkened screen, still smiling like an idiot.

She should’ve been thinking about the logistics—her schedule, her shifts, the inevitable chaos her friends would cause when they found out JJ was coming.

Instead, all she could think was… she couldn’t wait for JJ to be here.

The next morning, Skye woke up in the exact same position she’d fallen asleep in—half-slumped on the couch, phone still in hand, screen black.

Her back protested the movement as she sat up, and she muttered something about needing to make better life choices before shuffling toward the kitchen.

The first thing she did was check her phone. No new messages from JJ. She told herself she wasn’t disappointed. (She was.)

She dragged herself into the shower, trying to focus on the day ahead. But her brain kept drifting—against her will—to last night’s call.

JJ’s voice, the way she’d said It’ll be good to see you again, Skye like it meant something more.

By the time Skye got to the hospital, she was running late, hair still slightly damp, and armed with her first of many coffees for the day.

Arizona was waiting for her in the hallway, arms crossed, eyebrow arched. “You’re late.”

“Good morning to you too,” Skye muttered, brushing past her toward the scrub room.

Arizona followed, smirking. “You were smiling when you walked in. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile before 7 a.m.”

Skye ignored her, tugging her scrub top into place. “It’s called caffeine.”

“Uh-huh.” Arizona leaned against the counter. “Or it’s called talking with a certain FBI agent.”

That made Skye freeze for a fraction of a second.

But that’s just enough for Arizona to grin like a wolf. “Oh my God, I was joking. You actually did it?”

“Zona—”

“Don’t ‘Zona’ me. Spill.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Are you going to see her again?”

Skye gave her a look that was meant to shut her up. It did not work.

“She’s coming to Seattle this weekend,” Arizona guessed instantly.

Skye sighed, pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “You’re insufferable.”

Arizona’s grin widened. “That’s a yes. Ohhh, the others are going to lose it.”

“Don’t you dare—”

Arizona was already pulling out her phone. “Too late.”

The rest of the morning was a blur of surgeries, consults, and one resident who nearly passed out during a trauma case, but Skye could feel the shift in the air.

Every time she passed Tedy in the hallway, the cardiothoracic surgeon was wearing a barely concealed smirk. Callie winked at her in the cafeteria. Even Meredith gave her a knowing look in the elevator.

Then when she cross paths with Amelia, she pull Skye into a corner. 

“Heard your FBI agent is coming to Seattle?” Amelia asks.

Skye narrowed her eyes. “You people really don’t have enough to do, do you?”

Amelia smirked, leaning one shoulder against the wall. “Oh, I have plenty to do. But this? This is way more entertaining. So… she’s coming?”

Skye glanced toward the hallway, making sure no one else was eavesdropping. “I’m not confirming anything.”

“That’s basically a confirmation,” Amelia said, tilting her head. “What’s the big deal? You like her, she clearly likes you, and—”

“I never said I liked her,” Skye cut in.

Amelia grinned. “You didn’t have to. You’re wearing the look. ”

Skye frowned. “What look?”

“The look people get when they try really hard not to smile when someone’s name comes up. Trust me, I’ve seen it a thousand times. Usually right before someone does something reckless, like letting a gorgeous FBI agent fly across the country to see them.”

Skye muttered, “You’re all impossible,” and tried to brush past her.

Amelia blocked her with one arm. “Oh, I’m just the messenger. You have no idea what’s brewing in the attendings’ lounge right now. Callie’s already planning questions for her ‘interview,’ Arizona’s writing a mental list of reasons she should be godmother to your future children, and Addison—well, Addison’s got the scary big-sister energy. JJ’s in for a ride.”

Skye’s lips twitched despite herself. “She’s going to regret this trip.”

“Or she’s going to love it.” Amelia’s grin softened, just a little. “Relax, Skye. You’ve been walking around here like a storm cloud for months. It’s good to see you…” She waved vaguely at Skye’s face. “Like this.”

Skye didn’t reply—because if she did, she’d have to admit Amelia wasn’t wrong.

By the time she got back to the surgical board, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Are your coworkers always this subtle?

Dr. Pain in the Ass: What did you do?

Agent Terrible Judgement: Nothing. Yet. One of them just followed me on Instagram though.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: …I’m blaming Arizona.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Arizona’s the blonde one, right?

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Yes. The one who always smiles.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Yeah… she just liked every single photo of mine going back to 2017.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Oh my God.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Should I be concerned?

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Very. She’s the pediatric surgeon. Which means she’s terrifyingly cheerful and has surgical precision.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Sounds like a challenge.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: This is not a challenge. This is a warning.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Noted. Still coming.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: You really don’t value your life, do you?

Agent Terrible Judgement: I’m an FBI agent. Risking my life is in the job description.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: And apparently dating me is too.

Agent Terrible Judgement: So it is a date.

Skye put her hand on her face, already feeling embarrassed.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: …I walked right into that one.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Yep. Friday can’t come fast enough.
Agent Terrible Judgement: Also… what’s the weather in Seattle like this weekend? Asking for a friend.

Skye smirked to herself, thumbs moving before she could stop them.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Rain. Always rain. Bring an umbrella.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: And maybe body armor. 

Agent Terrible Judgement: Body armor??

Dr. Pain in the Ass: For when my friends get to you before I do.

Agent Terrible Judgement: …Should I be worried that you didn’t deny that?

Dr. Pain in the Ass: I’m giving you a fighting chance.

Agent Terrible Judgement: You make it sound like I’m walking into an ambush.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: You are walking into an ambush. It’s just… catered.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Oh, so there’s food? Not scared anymore.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: You say that now. Wait until Addison breaks out the “so, how did you two meet?” interrogation voice.

Agent Terrible Judgement: I’ll just tell them the truth.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: …And what is your version of the truth?

Agent Terrible Judgement: That a certain trauma surgeon patched me up, glared at me the entire time, and somehow still made me want to see her again.

Skye froze mid-step in the hallway, the message sitting on her screen like it had weight.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: …You’re ridiculous.

Agent Terrible Judgement: And you’re not denying it.

Skye locked her phone before she could type something equally revealing, shoving it into her pocket just as Callie appeared at the nurses’ station, waving her over.

“Hey, Doctor Cheerful,” Callie called with a grin. “Got a minute to help me with a consult? Or are you too busy texting your FBI girlfriend?”

Skye glared, but Callie only laughed and Skye was starting to realize this weekend might be even more dangerous than she thought.

Chapter Text

The days leading up to Friday felt both too long and far too short.

Every hallway Skye walked down seemed to echo with knowing looks. Every time her phone buzzed, she had to fight to keep her expression neutral. 

Her friends were merciless—Arizona “accidentally” left her phone lying around with JJ’s FBI headshot pulled up on Google. Amelia hummed the Mission Impossible theme whenever Skye walked by. Callie was the worst—leaving sticky notes on her locker that said things like “Remember to breathe when Agent Hot Stuff arrives.”

By Thursday, even Meredith—who usually didn’t care about anyone’s love life—leaned against the counter during a chart review and said, “If she survives meeting this group, she’s a keeper.”

She muttered something unintelligible and fled before Meredith could press.

Skye had considered scheduling herself for a 72-hour shift just to avoid Friday entirely.

But Friday still came.

She walked into the attending lounge that morning only to find Addison, Amelia, Arizona, and Callie sitting in a row like a firing squad, coffees in hand, looking way too pleased with themselves.

“Happy Friday,” Addison greeted sweetly.

Skye narrowed her eyes. “No.”

“No what?” Amelia asked innocently.

“No. Whatever this is.”

Arizona leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. “So. Big night?”

“I have a double trauma shift tonight. That’s hardly a big night.”

“Mmhm.” Addison sipped her coffee, completely unconvinced.

Callie breezed in right then. “Joe’s tonight, right? Perfect chance to bring JJ.”

Amelia perked up from the couch. “Yes! That way she gets the initiation early. Shots, brutal questions, the works.”

Skye tugged on her lab coat, avoiding their eyes. “She said she’s still on a case. Not sure if she’ll make it today. Or tomorrow. Or…” she trailed off, more disappointed than she meant to sound, “maybe not this week at all.”

There was a collective groan, like a group of kids who’d just been told Christmas was canceled.

“Seriously?” Callie muttered. “We were ready to roll out the welcome wagon.”

“Yeah, nothing says romantic potential like tequila shots and a sticky bar floor.” Amelia added, wagging her brows. 

Skye dragged a hand down her face. “You all are insufferable.”

Arizona brightened. “So… tomorrow then?”

Skye gave her a flat look. “She said maybe.”

Addison smirked, sipping her coffee. “That’s not a no.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Skye shrugged unexcitedly.

For a moment, the room went quiet, the teasing softening at the edges.

Addison set her cup down, tone gentler. “Hey. It’s okay, you guys can meet later. Her job is  important too, right?”

Skye exhaled slowly, nodding. “Yeah, it is. I just…” She shook her head. “Never mind.”

Arizona nudged her shoulder. “You just what?”

Skye glanced between them, almost embarrassed. “I just… wanted her to come.”

Arizona’s grin softened into something warmer. “She’ll come when she can. And when she does, we’ll be ready to embarrass you properly.”

Addison smirked. “Oh, definitely. But maybe… not all at once.”

Amelia arched a brow. “Speak for yourself.”

The others laughed, but Skye only half-heard them. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out quickly, pulse jumping.

Agent Terrible Judgement: Case just wrapped. Might be able to catch a flight tonight. Don’t tell your friends—I don’t need them plotting my death before I land.

Skye bit back a smile, slipping her phone back out under the table in the lounge, ignoring the way Addison’s eyes immediately flicked toward her. She typed quickly.

Dr. Pain in the Ass: When do you land? I’ll pick you up from the airport.

She waited. Watched the little screen. Nothing.

Skye frowned, thumb hovering. She knew better than to expect instant replies—especially from someone still knee-deep in case files and wrap-ups—but the silence sat heavier than she wanted to admit. 

After a minute, she shoved the phone back into her pocket and told herself not to think about it.

✦✦✦✦

By the end of her shift, the teasing had ramped up again. Amelia ambushed her at the nurse’s station with a smug, “Joe’s is calling,” and Amelia looped an arm through hers before she could protest.

“You’ve been dodging us all week,” Amelia said. “You’re coming tonight. No excuses.”

Skye was too tired to argue, and honestly, the idea of sitting in her apartment waiting on a text that might never come sounded worse. 

So she went home, showered quickly, and changed into jeans and a leather jacket before letting herself get dragged toward Joe’s Bar.

On the walk there, she pulled out her phone again, thumb hesitating before she typed:

Dr. Pain in the Ass: Hey. Don’t worry if you’re still buried in the case. I’m heading to Joe’s with my friends.
Dr. Pain in the Ass: If you get the chance, just reply so I know you’re alive.

She stared at the screen a second longer, thumb hovering like she wanted to say more. Something about wish you were here or I’d rather be with you than them. But that felt too much, too soon.

Instead, she shoved the phone in her pocket and slid into the backseat of Arizona’s car, bracing herself for whatever chaos Joe’s bar had in store.

If JJ texted, she texted. If not…

Well. Skye told herself she wouldn’t keep checking her phone all night.

But as she pushed open the door to Joe’s, the warm hum of laughter and music spilling out, she knew that was a lie.

✦✦✦✦

Joe’s Bar

The bar was crowded but familiar, the kind of noise that pressed against Skye’s ribs without suffocating her. Arizona bee-lined to the counter for drinks while Amelia claimed a booth, dragging Skye and Callie in after her.

Skye sat with her hands under the table, phone facedown in her lap. She wasn’t checking, she told herself. Just… making sure it was close.

“Okay, this is painful to watch.” Arizona sipped her beer, eyes glinting. “Just relax, Skye. She’ll text.”

“I am relaxed.”

Callie snorted. “Yeah, because staring at your phone like you’re waiting for lab results is super chill.”

Amelia leaned across the table, stage-whispering. “You know, if you stare hard enough at that phone, it might actually text you back.”

Teddy smirked over her glass. “Honestly, it’s cute. Like watching a teenager waiting for their crush to text back.”

“I’m not—” Skye tried again.

“Sure you’re not,” Arizona echoed with exaggerated skepticism. “You’ve only looked at your phone, what, ten times in the last fifteen minutes?”

“Seven,” Amelia corrected. “I counted.”

“Traitors, all of you,” Skye muttered, taking a long sip.

“Relax,” Callie said, leaning forward. “If she’s on a case, she’ll text when she can. And if she doesn’t…” she grinned, “then we’ll just have to cheer you up. Shots, anyone?”

Skye rolled her eyes, but that didn’t stop her from glancing at her phone when it buzzed. Just an email. Her chest tightened with a mix of relief and disappointment she refused to name.

The conversation shifted—surgery gossip, a debate over the worst cafeteria meal of the week—but Skye’s focus frayed. Every few minutes, her hand drifted to her pocket, thumb brushing her phone awake under the table. Nothing.

✦✦✦✦

An Hour Later

By the time an hour passed, the edges of her patience had started to fray. She shoved her phone back into her jacket and forced a laugh at something Amelia said. 

“Still nothing?” Arizona leaned over, whispering just for her.

Skye shook her head, lips pressing into a thin line. “She’s busy. It’s fine.”

And then, Amelia choked on her drink.

“Don’t look now,” Amelia murmured suddenly, eyes flicking toward the door.

Skye followed her gaze despite herself.

And froze.

JJ, in jeans and leather jacket, stood just inside Joe’s, rain still clinging to her blonde hair. Her eyes swept the room once, and when they landed on Skye, her whole face softened. She looks travel-worn and tired, but she was here.

Skye’s breath caught.

Callie twisted in her seat, grinning. “Guess someone decided to crash the party.”

The noise of the bar blurred into background static. Skye was on her feet before she realized it, her pulse spiking hard enough she was sure her friends could see it in her throat.

“Surprise,” JJ said, a little breathless, like she’d run straight from the airport. “Sorry I’m late. Case ran long.”

Skye’s brain scrambled for words, any words, but all she could do was stare like JJ had just walked out of one of her dreams and into Joe’s bar.

Her friends? They absolutely lost it.

Arizona smacked Callie’s arm. “I knew it!”

Amelia raised her glass. “To the FBI agent!”

Skye wanted to sink through the floor. But JJ was smiling at her, soft and tired and warm, and suddenly the chaos didn’t matter.

“Skye,” Amelia whispered, stage-giggling, “your mouth is literally open. Close it before she notices.”

Skye snapped her jaw shut, cheeks heating. “Shut up,” she muttered, but it only made her friends laugh harder.

“Wow,” Arizona said, laughing into her drink. “She’s literally speechless. I didn’t know Skye even had a stunned setting.”

“Same,” Teddy agreed. “Usually she’s the one making us stammer.”

“Never in my life,” Addison agreed. “This is history in the making.”

“History.” Amelia repeated solemnly, raising her glass again.

JJ frowned, glancing between them. “Did I just walk into… something?”

“Yes,” Meredith said without hesitation. “Absolutely yes.”

“Don’t listen to them,” Skye cut in quickly, finally finding her voice. “They’re—idiots.”

JJ’s lips curved, that small, knowing smile that made Skye feel like she was standing too close to the sun. “Idiots, huh?”

Skye nodded. “And for the record, I can speak, I just… wasn’t expecting—”

“Me?” JJ teased, stepping closer, eyes glinting despite the exhaustion in them.

“Yeah,” Skye admitted softly.

“Okay, adorable,” Amelia cut in, motioning between them. “Hi, I’m Amelia, and on behalf of all of us—thank you for existing, because I’ve never seen her like this.”

Skye groaned. “I hate you all.”

JJ chuckled, tucking damp hair behind her ear. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Okay, Skye. Before you combust, can you kindly introduce us?” Addison asks.

“Okay, okay.” Skye shot them all a glare before stepping closer. “This is JJ. Jennifer Jareau. She works with the FBI.”

JJ gave a small smile, polite but warm. “Hi. Sorry to just… crash in like this.”

Callie leaned across the table, grinning. “Crash away. We’ve been dying to meet you.”

JJ shakes each of their hands. “I’ve heard… well, a lot about you guys already.”

“Not enough,” Amelia muttered, grinning.

Skye elbowed her. “And these,” she jabbed a thumb at the others. “are Addison, Meredith, Callie, Arizona, Amelia, and Teddy. They are the people who live to make my life hell.”

“Oh, no,” Callie corrected, “we live to watch you squirm. There’s a difference.”

JJ’s laugh broke through the teasing, soft and genuine. “You’re all… exactly what I imagined.”

Arizona’s brows lifted. “She talks about us?”

“Not anymore,” Skye hissed, eyes wide.

JJ bit her lip, amused, but took pity. She turned her attention back to Skye, her voice gentler. “Sorry I didn’t text back. The case dragged on longer than I expected. Then the flight got delayed an hour.”

Skye shook her head, relief loosening the knot in her chest. “You don’t have to apologize. You’re here. That’s… what matters.”

Her friends collectively oohed under their breath like a choir of twelve-year-olds.

JJ’s smile widened, eyes never leaving Skye’s. “I am here. I didn’t want you thinking I was ignoring you.”

Skye swallowed hard, trying to ignore the peanut gallery of surgeons at her back.

“Okay, fine,” Amelia cut in again. “She’s she’s thoughtful and hot. You’re allowed to be stunned, Skye.”

“Amelia,” Skye threw a napkin at her, but JJ was laughing now, and somehow that made her heart kick even harder.

“Don’t mind them,” Skye said quickly, glaring at her friends. “They’re feral.”

JJ smiled, leaning a little closer. “It’s okay. I like them already.”

Callie beamed like she’d won something. “Oh, we’re keeping her.”

JJ slid into the booth beside Skye, close enough their shoulders brushed. Skye tried to play it cool, but her ears were hot, and her friends noticed. Of course they noticed.

Addison set her drink down with deliberate weight, leaning forward across the table. “Alright, JJ. Since nobody else seems brave enough to start, I’m going first.”

Skye groaned. “Addie—”

“No, no,” Addison cut her off with a raised hand, big-sister authority radiating. “Listen, if you’re going to walk in here, looking like that, making her look like that —” she pointed at Skye, who scowled, “—then I get to ask questions.”

JJ smiled, calm in a way that made Skye both proud and nervous. “Of course, shoot.”

Addison smirked. “What exactly are your intentions with our dear Skye?”

Skye groaned, dropping her forehead into her hand. “You’re not my dad, Addison.”

“I’m worse,” Addison shot back smoothly. “I’m your big sister.” She tilted her head at JJ. “So?”

JJ’s lips curved, not even rattled. “Honestly? I’m still figuring that out. But… I know I like being around her.” She glanced at Skye, who immediately ducked her head. “A lot.”

Arizona clasped her hands together like she was at a wedding. “Oh my God. That was smooth.”

“Next!” Amelia piped up, nearly spilling her drink as she leaned forward. “JJ, if Skye was stranded on an island with only one snack, what do you think she’d pick?”

JJ blinked, caught off guard, then smiled slowly. “Twizzlers. The cherry kind.”

Skye’s head shot up. “Wait—how do you even—?”

JJ shrugged, a little smug. “You told me. First night we met.”

The table erupted. Callie slapped the table, laughing. “She remembers your candy preference? That’s soulmate-level dedication.”

Meredith, sipping calmly, chimed in, “Okay, serious one. You work with the FBI. That must be intense, dangerous, long hours, and lots of travel. Which makes me wonder…” her eyes narrowed just slightly, “…how exactly do you plan on making time for our Skye?”

Skye groaned. “Mer, not you too.”

JJ smiled politely, unfazed. “Honestly? It’s not easy. The hours are rough. But when something’s important, you find a way to make time for it.” She glanced at Skye as she said it, and that one look had Meredith raising her brows.

Addison’s mouth twitched, trying not to smile. “Hmm. Alright. Points for honesty.”

Teddy, though, leaned in like she was cross-examining a witness. “Do you know how much she works? Because if you don’t, you’ll find out quick. The only thing she’s married to right now is that hospital.”

“I could say the same about the BAU,” JJ countered, lips curving.

That earned her a round of approving laughter.

“Oh, she’s quick,” Arizona said. “Definitely quick.”

Amelia smirked. “Sharp enough to keep up with Skye. That’s new.”

Skye groaned again, muttering into her beer. “I’m never speaking to any of you again.”

JJ reached out under the table, brushing her fingers lightly against Skye’s hand—a small, grounding touch. She didn’t look away from the group, but the gesture was enough to make Skye’s chest loosen just a little.

Amelia, who’d been laughing until now, finally spoke in a serious tone. “So, JJ. Why Skye?”

The table stilled again, every set of eyes sliding back to JJ. Skye’s stomach dropped, but JJ only took a slow breath and answered without hesitation.

“Because she makes me want to show up. Even when I’m exhausted. Even when my job drains me. She makes me want to… be better. And she makes me laugh. That’s rare.”

“Last question—are you serious? Or is this just… whatever?”

Skye sat up straighter, tension sparking in her jaw. “Addison—”

JJ’s answer came before she could finish. Steady, sure. “I wouldn’t be here if it was just whatever.”

Meredith nodded. “You flew across the country to show up here. That says a lot already.”

JJ shrugged, almost sheepish. “I wanted to see her. That’s all.”

The table collectively melted.

Addison studied her a moment longer, then finally nodded, satisfied. 

“Addison Forbes Montgomery,” Skye muttered, “you’re unbearable.”

Addison smirked, taking a long sip. “That’s what sisters are for.”

Then Amelia slapped the table. “Okay, I like her. I vote she’s allowed to stick around. Seconded?”

Arizona raised her glass. “Seconded.”

“Thirded,” Callie added.

“Unanimous,” Addison said with a shrug. “But, she’s… not terrible. I’ll allow it.”

“Not terrible?” JJ repeated, smiling despite herself.

“That’s high praise from her,” Arizona stage-whispered.

“Very high,” Callie agreed.

“Unbelievable,” Skye muttered, but JJ only gave her that soft look again, the one that made it hard to breathe.

And Addison, watching carefully, didn’t miss it. She smiled to herself before tipping her wine glass in JJ’s direction. “Welcome to the chaos, JJ. Good luck surviving it.”

JJ clinked her glass back without hesitation. “Thanks.” Then she leaned closer to Skye, her smile soft and teasing. “I think I love them.”

And just like that, the table erupted again, a mix of laughter, teasing, and a chorus of oohs at the word “love.”

Skye finally dropped her hands, glaring at all of them. “Are you guys done humiliating me?”

Addison smirked. “Not even close.”

JJ just smiled at her, eyes warm. “Don’t worry. I don’t mind.”

The night wore on like a storm wrapped in laughter—loud voices, clinking glasses, Amelia’s wild tangents, Arizona’s dramatic reenactments of surgeries, and Callie and Teddy constantly tag-teaming JJ with mock-interview questions.

Skye was red-faced for half the night, muttering threats under her breath that nobody took seriously. 

JJ, on the other hand, took it in stride. She answered their questions when she felt like it, dodged others with dry humor, and somehow managed to earn points with all of them.

At one point, Amelia leaned toward JJ, her tone conspiratorial. “So, do you have siblings? Because if you don’t, congratulations—you’ve just inherited about six.”

JJ chuckled, but Skye kicked Amelia’s shin under the table, making her yelp.

By the time drinks were dwindling and the volume around them had dimmed into something softer, Skye leaned toward JJ, her voice low. “Want some air?”

JJ glanced at her, caught the faint plea in her eyes, and nodded.

Skye slid out of the booth under the cover of laughter, JJ following a step behind. No one noticed at first—until Amelia shouted after them, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” which earned another round of cackles.

“Children,” Skye muttered as she grabbed JJ’s hand and tugged her toward the back hallway, away from the noise. They slipped out the side door, the cool night air wrapping around them like relief.

For a moment, they just stood there, leaning against the brick wall of Joe’s, catching their breath from the whirlwind.

Skye let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “They’re… a lot.”

JJ smiled softly. “They’re amazing.”

Skye groaned. “Don’t encourage them. They’re already unbearable.”

“Mm, maybe. But they love you.” JJ’s voice was calm, steady, but there was something behind it—something Skye wasn’t sure she could meet head-on.

Skye shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, looking down the street. “They’re protective. Too protective sometimes.”

“You’re worth protecting.” JJ said simply. 

Skye’s throat tightened at that, and she turned, finally meeting JJ’s eyes. The glow from the bar caught the edges of JJ’s hair, made her look almost unreal. 

“You handled them better than I thought you would.”

“What, you think I don’t face interrogation on a daily basis?”

“Not like that .”

JJ smile, amusement softening into something warmer. “I liked it. Getting to see your world a little.”

For a second, Skye didn’t trust herself to speak. The weight of those words was too much and not enough all at once. 

She leaned back against the brick wall, exhaling. “I should’ve warned you more.”

“No need, I like surprises.” JJ said, stepping closer. “And I don’t mind answering questions if it means being here with you.”

The words made Skye’s throat go dry. She shifted her weight, trying not to stare too obviously, but JJ noticed anyway.

“What?” JJ asked lightly, a smile tugging at her lips.

“You’re… unfair,” Skye muttered. “Stading here and making everything sound—God, I don’t even know—perfect.”

JJ tilted her head. “I don’t know about perfect. But I know I’m glad I came.”

Skye swallowed, her bravado faltering under the honesty in JJ’s eyes. She looked down at her shoes, then back up, quietly vulnerable in a way she rarely allowed. “Me too.”

The silence that settled wasn’t awkward—it was charged, delicate. Skye’s pulse was too loud in her ears.

Finally, she muttered, “They’re going to give me hell when you leave, you know.”

JJ grinned. “Good. Means I made an impression.”

Skye shook her head, but her lips betrayed her with a faint curve. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet…” JJ let the word hang, her smile gentling as her eyes lingered on Skye. “You’re still here.”

Skye’s chest felt too small for everything pressing inside it. She didn’t trust herself to reply, not without saying too much. 

So instead, she nudged JJ’s shoulder lightly, muttering, “Come on, before they send a search party.”

But as they headed back toward the door, JJ reached down, lacing her fingers briefly with Skye’s. Just for a second. Just enough.

And when Skye glanced sideways, JJ wasn’t even looking at her—just smiling softly, like she already knew every answer Skye was too afraid to give.

The door swung open, spilling the noise of Joe’s back over them—laughter, music, the clatter of glasses. JJ let their hands slip apart before anyone could see, though the ghost of her touch lingered against Skye’s skin

Inside, the group immediately hollered like they’d been caught red-handed

“Took you long enough,” Callie teased, raising her glass. 

“Suspiciously long,” Amelia added with a smirk. “What were you two doing, hmm?”

Skye rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. “Talking. That’s allowed, right?”

“Talking,” Teddy repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. “Yeah, whatever you say, Skye.”

JJ only smiled, sliding back into the booth beside Skye like she hadn’t just stolen all the air out of the back hallway. “You have very imaginative friends,” she said lightly.

“Don’t encourage them,” Skye muttered, stealing JJ’s drink for a sip just to give her hands something to do.

The table erupted again—mock gasps, exaggerated cheers, Amelia dramatically clutching her chest. “She stole your drink. That’s it, JJ. She likes you.”

JJ smirked, not even trying to take the glass back. “Good to know.”

By the time the night wore down, the teasing had reached dangerous levels: bets on how long JJ would put up with Skye’s all-nighters, jokes about who was more married to their job, and Amelia starting a running tally of how many times Skye blushed in one night.

Skye grumbled the whole way through, but she didn’t retreat the way she normally did. She stayed. And when JJ’s shoulder brushed hers again, she didn’t shift away.

Later, when someone suggested a round of pool, JJ and Skye teamed up—and despite Skye’s insistence that she wasn’t very good, she sank two perfect shots in a row. JJ leaned down, whispering just loud enough for her to hear, “You’ve been holding out on me.”

Skye smirked. “Maybe I just needed the right partner.”

JJ raised a brow, lips twitching. “Careful. I might take that personally.”

By the time they all wandered back to the table for one last drink before heading out, the group was buzzing with the warm ease of good company. 

Skye had relaxed into it in a way Addison hadn’t seen in a long time—her shoulders weren’t so tense, her laugh wasn’t as guarded. Every time JJ leaned close to murmur something or brushed her hand against Skye’s, the sharp edges softened just a little more.

Callie stretched, grabbing her coat. “Alright, I’m officially declaring JJ’s initiation a success. She’s in.”

Arizona nodded, raising her glass. “Yeah, but if she hurts Skye, we’re all medical professionals. We know how to make it look like an accident.”

JJ chuckled, lifting her own glass. “Noted. Duly terrified.”

Skye groaned. “I hate all of you.”

Addison smirked, eyes flicking between Skye and JJ before she said casually, “Funny, you don’t look like you hate this right now.”

Skye shot her a glare, but JJ just smiled, calm and steady, and for once Skye didn’t rush to argue. She only muttered something under her breath that made JJ laugh.

Eventually, Addison leaned back in her chair, watching Skye laughing—actually laughing, full and unguarded, head tipped slightly toward JJ like gravity itself had made the choice.

Addison caught herself smiling, the protective edge in her chest loosening just a little. She didn’t say anything, though. Not now.

Meredith caught Addison’s look across the table—the faintest, softest smile tugging at her lips as she watched Skye with JJ.

Their glasses met in a quiet clink, the sound swallowed by the chatter around them. Meredith leaned in slightly, her voice low, meant only for Addison.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?”

Addison glanced at her. “What does?”

“Seeing her like that.” Meredith tilted her chin toward Skye, who was trying very hard to pretend she wasn’t blushing while JJ murmured something that made her laugh again.

Addison exhaled, a mix of relief and vulnerability. “You have no idea. It’s been… a long time since I’ve seen her let someone in.”

Meredith’s smile was small but knowing. “I can tell. You’ve been watching her all night.”

Addison didn’t even bother denying it. Her eyes were still on Skye, on the way she leaned in just slightly closer to JJ with every laugh. “I can’t help it. You know how rare this is.”

Meredith tilted her head, studying Addison. “You cared about her so much, Addie. I can see how much she means to you.”

Addison let out a quiet laugh, but it wasn’t dismissive. It was soft, tinged with a truth she rarely spoke aloud. “She’s… more than family. I don’t even know what word covers it. You know how much she means to me. She lets people think she’s untouchable, but I’ve seen her at her worst. I’ve held her through nights she couldn’t even hold herself together. After everything—her walls, her habits—I wasn’t sure she’d ever… find this. Someone who makes it easy for her to stay.”

Meredith’s hand slipped over Addison’s, fingers brushing gently against her palm.

Then Addison continue. “And God, Mer—she deserves someone who makes her want to stay. Someone who makes her forget the weight for a while.” 

Meredith leaned her shoulder against Addison’s, voice low and even. “Looks to me like JJ might be that person.”

Addison’s throat tightened, but her smile didn’t falter. “Maybe. And if she is, I’ll—” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “I’ll breathe easier knowing Skye isn’t fighting it all alone anymore.”

“And you too.”

“What about me?”

“You deserve this too, you know.” Meredith’s voice softened. “You’re smiling, really smiling. Skye’s not the only one who needed this.”

Addison’s gaze softened, finally tearing away from Skye to meet Meredith’s steady eyes. For a moment, the noise of the bar faded, leaving just the warmth of the woman beside her.

“You always know how to cut right through me.”

Meredith leaned in, her shoulder brushing Addison’s. “Only because I know how much she means to you. She’s family. And you’ve been carrying that worry on your own for too long.”

Addison’s throat tightened. She took another sip of her drink to keep from saying too much, but Meredith reached out, resting her hand lightly over Addison’s on the table. Steady. Warm.

“She’s going to be okay,” Meredith said firmly. “And seeing you like this, it makes me happy too.”

“You always know what I need to hear, you know that?” Addison whispered.

Meredith smirked softly. “Occupational hazard. Comes with being in love with you.”

Addison’s laugh slipped out, quiet and genuine, before she leaned in, cupping Meredith’s face. “Good thing it’s mutual.”

And there, in the middle of Joe’s, with the noise of laughter and clinking glasses all around them, Addison kissed her—slow, certain, a kiss that carried all the relief and gratitude she couldn’t put into words.

When they broke apart, Meredith’s forehead rested against hers, her smile soft. “Told you. Both of you are allowed to be happy.”

Addison let out a shaky laugh, nodding. “Yeah. Maybe it’s finally time.”

✦✦✦✦

Outside Joe's Bar

As everyone finally spilled out onto the sidewalk in a tangle of chatter and goodbyes, Amelia called out, “Hey, Skye! Don’t stay up too late!”

Skye groaned, burying her face in her hands. 

“Don’t worry,” JJ called back smoothly. “I’ll make sure she gets some sleep.”

The chorus of oooohs that followed could probably be heard three blocks over.

And Addison, watching Skye roll her eyes but not deny a word of it, noticed the way her shoulders stayed loose, the way her laughter lingered. Softer. Lighter.

Calmer.

And for once, Addison didn’t feel the need to step in.

JJ had it handled.

The crowd had mostly dispersed, groups splitting off toward parked cars or cabs. The air was cool, the city humming low around them. Skye shoved her hands in her jacket pockets, walking a little slower than the rest with JJ at her side.

After a beat, she cleared her throat. “So, uh… did you already book a hotel?”

JJ glanced at her, amused. “Not yet. I figured I’d find one nearby.”

Skye hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek before blurting, “You could just… sleep at mine.”

JJ stopped just short of a smirk, one brow arching high. “Oh?”

The heat crawled instantly up Skye’s neck. “Not like that. God.” she started, groaning as she rubbed a hand over her face. “That’s not what I meant. I meant I have other rooms. Guest rooms. You can sleep there. Not like—in a bed. With me. Obviously.”

“Obviously.” JJ’s smile widened, warm and teasing. “Relax, Skye. I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to,” Skye muttered, ears burning. “Your eyebrow said everything.”

JJ chuckled, low and warm, the kind of laugh that made Skye’s embarrassment both worse and weirdly worth it. “And I’d like that, actually. Staying at your place.”

Skye blew out a breath, trying to focus on walking straight. “Good. Great. Normal.”

“ Totally normal. ” JJ repeated, clearly entertained. “Relax, doctor. I’ll behave.”

“Mm-hm,” Skye muttered, half under her breath, though the corner of her mouth betrayed her with the faintest curve.