Every author should branch out to unchartered areas- even if it means pushing boundaries and limits. And at the same time, an author should never be afraid to take a risk…even if it means writing about a subject that most people wouldn't go near. This is one of those times I've decided to take that risk. A close and dear friend of mine laid the challenge to write a crime fic and the aftermath of guilt, survival, friendship, and love. As horrific as the crime may be, the underlying message of love and strength is one I hope people get from my story.
I don't own Criminal Minds.
Song prompt: "Believe Again" by Delta Goodrem
Believe Again
JJ looked at her watch and sighed. It was a little past five and she was tired. It had been a long day. With the internal audit in full force, her mornings had been early and the nights long. But today she had hope on getting home a little early. She needed to hold that sweet little boy of hers. She needed to breathe in his sweet baby scent.
Standing up, she stretched. The filing was complete, and the reports were signed, and now it was time to leave. As she reached for her purse, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Slowly the door opened and Aaron Hotchner stepped in. "Hi JJ."
"What can I do for you Hotch?" JJ asked as she slid the purse strap on her shoulder and began stuffing her cell phone and blackberry inside.
"I need these last two reports done before you leave."
JJ sighed and dropped her shoulders. "Hotch…I just completed the audit report for July and I was getting ready to go home. Can't these wait?"
"I'm sorry about that," Hotch apologized sincerely. "I just got them myself. Strauss needs them first thing in the morning for the inspectors."
"Hotch…"
"Jayje, I promise the next ones I'll do."
Setting her purse down, JJ reached over and plucked the folders from his hands. "Just these two?"
"Yes."
"I'll have them to you as quickly as possible."
Hotch gave her a small smile. "Thanks Jayje. I owe you one."
"Yes you do."
"I'll walk you to your car when you get ready to leave."
"Sure." Sitting down, JJ glanced over the folders and started sifting thru the contents. Quickly she hit two keys on the computer and restarted the hard drive. "You'll be in your office?"
"Yes," Hotch answered as he watched the quick, efficient way JJ got back into liaison mode. Realizing she was already immersed in the paperwork, he turned around and left her alone.
Waiting for the computer to reboot, JJ picked up the receiver on her desk and dialed. One ring. Two rings. Three rings… Where were they?
"Will La Montange," the voice greeted on the other end as the phone was answered abruptly.
"Hi Will; it's Jen."
"Hello Jen. We were just getting ready to leave and meet you at the restaurant."
JJ bit her lip. "About that…I have to finish up a couple of reports that just came across my desk as the last moment."
"You're kidding me? We have a reservation at six."
"I know Will. But I have to get these reports completed before I leave."
"Just leave them."
"I can't do that; we're in the middle of an annual audit." JJ began entering information into the computer.
"Do you want me to cancel?"
"No, go. I'll meet you there."
"No you won't."
"Will, that isn't fair."
"No Jen," Will drawled sarcastically, "what isn't fair is that you care more about those people at the FBI than you do for your own family."
JJ sat up straight. "That's unfair! This is my job! How dare you say that I put this over my baby!"
"You do. I think you would lay your life down for Aaron Hotchner fast than you would for me."
JJ took a deep breath. She knew where Will was going. It was the same fight they had been having for three months: her FBI responsibilities or her home responsibilities. She wanted to know why she couldn't have both.
"Will…I don't want to get into this right now. I just have to finish up these reports and I'll be on my way. I promise."
"Like last night? Henry was in bed fast asleep by the time you walked thru the door."
"I really don't want to hash this out here. Let me get off the phone and finish these up and I'll be home in an hour. I promise."
The line got quiet for a long moment. "One of these days you're going to look around and I'm going to be gone."
JJ rubbed her temple. Another threat. This made how many so far? Six? "You don't mean that. We'll talk about it when I get home."
"Whatever you say Jen." Will slammed the phone down in JJ's ear.
Closing her eyes to ward off the sudden onslaught of a tension headache, JJ blindly replaced the receiver and took a deep relaxing breath. She was going to have to talk with Will…eventually. Somehow they were going to have to work around this bump in the road they had hit.
But not right now. The reports needed to be completed. Typing quickly, she began the input of information.
***
Knocking on the door of Hotch's office, JJ waited a moment before entering. Walking over to his desk, she extended the folders toward the back of the chair.
"Hotch?"
Spinning around, Hotch looked at her and raised a finger. "No. That isn't what happened. I don't care what he said happened after the arrest. I was there and police brutality did not occur…."
JJ waited for him to finish. Looking at her watch, she counted the seconds. She really needed to get home.
"Hotch," she repeated.
Placing his hand over the receiver, Hotch paused. "I'm sorry JJ. Can I help you?"
"The reports," she whispered.
"Thanks. Give me a minute."
JJ shook her head. "I really have to go. I'll see you in the morning." Giving her boss a small wave, she exited the office. She was going home to see her baby.
Hurrying down the steps, JJ made her way to the elevator. Pressing the button, she waited. She pressed it again.
"Screw it," she muttered and headed toward the stairs. It was going to be a little out of her way, but she needed the exercise. And she needed to clear her head before confronting Will.
Five minutes and seven flights of stairs later, JJ opened the door to the parking garage. Digging out her keys, she heard the faint sound of her blackberry.
"Dammit Will," she muttered as she picked up the pace. "I'm hurrying as fast as I can. Can't you give me a break?"
The blackberry rang again. Unlocking the car door, she got inside and buckled her belt. Inserting the key, she started the engine and reached for her blackberry.
"Jennifer Jareau."
"I should have known you would let me down…again."
"Will?"
"Were you expecting someone else?"
"No. I'm on my way to the restaurant."
"Don't worry about coming; we're done."
JJ searched for a response. "Then I'll meet you at home."
"See Jen…I'm not going home…at least to our home. I'm tired of being at your beck and call. I've found me a sweet young thing to get me thru the night. Because, if you've forgotten, I have my needs too," Will spat and disconnected.
Stunned, JJ turned off the blackberry and continued her drive home in silence. Deep down inside that feeling of something was about to go wrong began to gnaw at her gut.
"Go wrong?" she muttered, as she pulled her car alongside the curb near her apartment. "How can it possibly get worse than it already is?"
Turning off the engine, she grabbed her purse, got out of the car, set the alarm and walked to the front door.
"Darkness before the dawn, my ass." Turning the key, she let herself inside.