Archive of Our Own

Tara reached her handout to meet Emily’s strong grip. Their eyes locked for just a second too long and Tara broke her gaze as she felt her cheeks flush.

“It’s all true,” Emily chuckled as she retracted her hand. “But I must say, I’ve heard so much about you as well. I’m glad you’re part of the team”

"So are we because Tara's just so…” Penelope swooned as she made googly eyes at Tara.

“Marvelous,” Emily finished Garcia’s sentence with a chuckle. It was true, Garcia had gushed about Tara since the day she arrived at the BAU. Penelope had also been rather sure that Emily would get along famously with the newest BAU member, both professionally and otherwise.

After the obligatory hugs and ‘hellos’ the team began to set up in the round table room to start looking over the case files. This was going to be a grizzly case and Emily had spent the past 8 hours on a jet. She knew if she was going to be of any help she would need caffeine.

She had been back on coffee since she first moved to London, when she was trying to get used to the time change. Afterwards her old addition had stuck around.

“I’m going to grab coffee,” she told JJ after a friendly embrace. “I’ll meet you guys in there.”

“It is so  good to see you,” JJ smiled as she unconsciously squeezed Emily’s hand.

Emily made her way to the kitchenette and made herself right at home with a stale donut as she prepared a fresh pot of coffee.

“I’ll have some of that,” Tara said as she let out a yawn. “So, if you don’t mind me prying, what’s the deal with that ?”

Emily looked at her, confused. “With what?”

“You…JJ?” Tara asked with a head nod towards the conference room where she had a clear line of sight of JJ staring back wistfully towards the kitchen.

Emily choked on her donut. “Well, that’s a very long story,” she sighed, taking the seat nearest Tara.

“It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have asked,” Tara added quickly.

Emily shook her head, “No, it’s not like that. It’s been years. It’s just,” Emily pressed a pensive finger to her lips. “Do you believe in the one that got away?”

Tara thought for a moment, “You mean, as in, everyone has a soul mate? And sometimes that soul mate marries the wrong person and you’re stuck watching them have the life you were supposed to?”

Again, Emily was taken a back by Tara’s bluntness. “Yeah — something like that”

“No,” Tara replied. “That’s all bullshit. I believe we make our own happiness with whatever person we’re with. I don’t think love is pre-determined.”

Emily shrugged, “I guess. But now it’s my turn, what’s the deal with you and PG?”

Tara looked shocked, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Sure,” Emily laughed as the coffee pot chirped and the ready light clicked on. “I’ve been here ten minutes and I see how you look at her. I look at JJ the same way — well, I used to”

She poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Tara. “You do know, Penelope's heart will always belong to Derek?” Emily said as she laid a comforting  hand on Tara’s.

Tara sighed, she knew that was true. “Is it safe to assume yours will always belong to JJ? Or are you willing to be … persuaded?”

Tara let her hand linger on Emily’s as she accepted her cup of coffee from the brunette. Emily pulled her hand away so suddenly she nearly dropped her own cup in her other hand.

“Pardon?”

“Well, we seem to have a lot in common. You know, falling for the strong women of the BAU,” Tara said as she sipped her drink,  “Maybe it’s time for both of us to move on? Maybe it’s time for us to get to know one another…better?”

Emily blushed, she hadn’t felt butterflies about a woman in ages. She sipped her coffee to hide her smile, “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

Emily ushered her hand forwards to motion towards the conference room where the team was waiting. On their short walk , Emily could feel Tara’s gaze lingering. Emily didn’t even try to hide when she instinctively bit her bottom lip as she turned to meet Tara’s eyes. They both smiled with understanding.

When they joined the team, Emily looked at JJ and for the first time in seven years she felt like things would be okay.