Title: Someone to Watch over Me
Author: Ann
Pairing: Prentiss/JJ
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and its characters are the property of CBS. No infringement intended.
Spoilers: Season 3 Episode 2.
Summary: Another behind the scenes look. This one takes placed at the end of 'In Birth and Death' - Season 3 Episode 2.

***

Emily leaned against the vanity and tilted her head as she fingered the bandage over her eye. It was the first time she'd actually given any thought to possible scarring. The adrenaline had worn off the minute she'd stepped across her threshold, and the injury made itself known with a soft, steady drumming behind her eye. She'd never seen the 2x4 coming at her, her focus had been on the school nurse instead.

"Stupid, Em. You know better." She hissed when the stubborn tape finally came free, taking a few hairs of her eyebrow along with it. Flipping on the light above the vanity, she noted bruising had already begun.

"Damn; you look like you've been in a prize fight." Emily shook her head and opened the drawer, pulling out tape and gauze to redress her wound. The ringing of the doorbell stopped her progress. She looked from the door to the mirror and then back again. Shrugging, she decided on the door, hoping the injury would scare off the unwanted visitor.

With her hand on the lock, Emily peered through the peephole. A nervous JJ was glancing around and shifting from foot to foot. Emily turned the deadbolt and opened the door.

"Hey."

"Oh, hey." JJ was practically tap dancing. "Um, I just wanted to see how you were doing."

Emily chuckled and pointed at her injury. "Other than losing a few rounds to Rocky Balboa, I'd say I was just making it."

The two women just stared at each other until Emily finally stepped back and fully opened the door. "Would you like to come in?"

"Sure." JJ moved inside and stood in the foyer as Emily locked the door.

"Can I interest you in a drink? I certainly could use one." Emily gestured to the living area.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"What? Drinking?" Emily walked into the other room with JJ following closely behind.

"Yeah, with your head injury and all."

"I haven't taken anything, so there's nothing for the alcohol to mix with." Emily headed straight for the bar.

"Don't you think it'd be better if you took something for the pain and forgot about the drink?"

"You're not my mother." Emily snapped out her reply and turned to face her colleague. JJ had definitely struck a nerve.

"I didn't mean anything by it, Emily. I'm just worried about you."

Emily closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry, JJ. I'm just tired."

JJ eased forward. "Does your head hurt?"

"Yes." Emily's voice broke, and she swallowed the sob that threatened to escape. The pressure of the last few days was finally coming to a head.

"Come sit down, Em." JJ placed an arm around the other woman and led her to the couch. "Where do you keep your painkillers?"

"In the top drawer of the bathroom's vanity." Emily leaned her head back against the couch.

"Okay, just rest; I'll be right back."

Emily just nodded her reply. A few moments later, JJ returned with two pain pills and a glass of water. "Here, take these."

Reaching for the pills, Emily tossed them into her mouth and gulped down the water. "Thanks."

"No problem. Why don't you lie down? Maybe sleeping will help."

"Okay, I'll see you out first." Emily moved to stand.

"I'm staying the night, Emily."

An uninjured eyebrow rose, and JJ quickly explained her reasoning. "I know the doctor checked you out and said you were fine, but you've got a head injury. I don't think you should be alone tonight."

"So, you plan to what? Watch me sleep?"

"That's precisely what I intend to do. Now, slip off your shoes and stretch out on the couch."

Emily protested, but she still pushed her shoes from her feet. "Do you really think I can sleep knowing that someone is watching me?"

JJ smiled. "As a matter of fact, I do."

Emily laid her head on the sofa cushion and pulled her legs up on the couch. "Well, just so you know, I'm just going to rest my eyes for a few minutes. I have no intentions of sleeping."

"Okay, Em. You rest your eyes then." JJ began to count to herself as she watched Emily close her eyes and breathe deeply. By the time she'd reached fifty, Emily was out like a light.

JJ slowly stood and moved towards the couch. Kneeling on one knee, she moved a dark strand of hair from the wound before lightly tracing around the injury.

"Sleep, Em. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."

***