Jennifer Jareau wasn’t supposed to be here with you like this.

The soft click of the door echoes through the dim room as JJ steps inside, closing it behind her with a quiet finality. The air feels heavy — thick with tension, guilt, and something neither of you have ever been brave enough to name.

She shifts uneasily, her eyes flickering between the floor and your face, searching for some kind of anchor. But there isn’t one. Not here. Not when you know exactly how wrong this is.

She has a husband, a family. You’ve told yourself that a thousand times, tried to carve the words into your heart as a reminder to stay away. But JJ has always had this pull on you — magnetic and undeniable. And no matter how hard you try to fight it, you keep coming back.

So does she.

Her voice is low, breaking through the suffocating silence. “I shouldn’t be here.”

You know what you’re supposed to say. You’re supposed to agree, tell her she should leave, that this thing between you two was a mistake before it ruins everything. But you can’t. Not when she’s standing right there, looking at you like you’re the only person who understands the weight she’s carrying.

“Then why are you?” you ask softly, even though you already know the answer.

JJ exhales shakily, taking a step closer. The lines between right and wrong have blurred so completely that neither of you remembers where they used to be.

“Because I can’t stay away from you.”