Title: The Heart Wants What It Wants
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairings: Jennifer "JJ" Jareau/Emily Prentiss
Characters: Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, William LaMontagne Jr.
Rating: G
Length: 388
Summary: JJ decides to follow her heart.


"I can't do this anymore." JJ rushes out as soon as the call connects.

"Good." Will knows exactly what she's talking about. After kissing Will in front of the team in the Miami police station, JJ told him how the case made her aware of her feelings for Emily. Before she could say anything though, Emily suggested she date Will. JJ asked Will to be her fake boyfriend so she could convince her team (and herself) she was straight. He agreed. "What changed?"

JJ leans against the bridge's railing and takes a moment to order her thoughts, her emotions reflected in the rough, choppy water below.

"This case," JJ sighs. "One of the victims... she had a fiancé. She told me how they struggled to reach this point of their lives. Their family, friends, and colleagues had trouble accepting them for who they are and not who they loved." JJ's voice catches in her throat, "They were going to be married... They were finally going to be happy. All for it to be taken away by a man they didn't even know!" JJ, remembering the gruesome details, slams a clenched fist against the railing in front of her. "This job is dangerous... We risk our lives every time we take a case. I don't want to miss my chance at happiness. Emily... she's my best friend... I love being around her. But it's not enough anymore. I need to tell her how I truly feel."

"Good for you, JJ. You're finally going after what you want. I'm so proud of you. You deserve to be happy."

JJ hears the smile in his voice and smiles back. "Thanks, Will. For everything. You made me think I actually mattered."

JJ and Will became close friends over their time together. He was the one person she could talk to when she wanted to distance herself from work. He encouraged JJ to be herself without worrying about other people's opinions.

"You do matter, JJ. Please remember that." Will stressed. "Now go get your girl! She's waiting for you."

"Alright, alright." JJ chuckles as she hangs up, feeling lighter than she had before the call. Telling Emily her feelings is the right thing to do. With anticipation coursing through her veins, JJ turns and walks off the bridge, heading to her heart's destination.