Summary: Hotch has decided to live again but a serial killer in California is trying to ruin the Holidays. Will the team be able to stop the killer and will Hotch get everything he wants for Christmas?
Author's Note: This story is written for angel85qcca for the Christmas Gift Exchange. Prompts were: Hotch/JJ; The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), Secret Santa, Christmas tree and hot chocolate.
This story has taken on a life of it's own and forced me to venture into trying to write a case fic. Plus I couldn't help myself and I added a good dose of Rossi/Prentiss too but JJ and Hotch are the main focus.
Spoiler Warning: The story references the events in several of the season seven episodes so be warned. However we are going to pretend Carolyn never resurfaced in Rossi's life and Hotch didn't meet Beth but he is still training for a triathlon.
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Criminal Minds but that role is still held by CBS. I do own all the spelling and grammar mistakes plus all plot holes, incorrect police/FBI procedures and inaccurate character depictions. :)
December 9th
BAU
Quantico, Virginia
"If no one has anything else, let's wrap up this meeting and go home for the week," Hotch said as he closed the last report in front of him.
"Boss, I have one more thing before we all take off." Garcia spoke up.
"Go ahead, Garcia."
"Thanks! As we all know Christmas is right around the corner, which means our annual Secret Santa. You all know the rules but just as a reminder. Everyone must draw a name from the hat and if you draw your own name then throw it back in and try again. Do not tell anyone whom you picked and that includes you Boy Genius. We don't want a repeat of last year."
"How was I to know Morgan was ease dropping and then told everyone I had drawn Rossi but didn't have a clue what to get someone who had everything?" Reid whined. The worlds coming out in his fast paced dialog when he got excited.
"It's ok kid!" Morgan said before Reid got too carried away.
"Back to the rules. The last and most important please remember to bring the present to the party in two weeks. Got it?"
"Baby Girl, we got it. Let's do this, " with those words Morgan reaches into the hat and draws out one of the tiny slips of paper. He takes a quick peak to confirm he didn't draw his name and then hands the hat to Reid. From Reid, the hat moved on to Rossi, JJ, Hotch, and Emily and then finally back to Penelope.
"Ok, my pretties. Good luck finding the perfect gift and don't tell anyone who you drew or it will spoil the surprise." Garcia said as she exited the conference room.
Everyone moved out of the conference room and back to their desks with the exception of Hotch who continued to sit and ponder the outcome of their little tradition. In past years, Hotch had been lucky and had always managed to draw one of the guys on the team. However his luck had failed him this year and he had pulled the one person he was hoping that he wouldn't have pulled out of the hat. JJ. He knew that if he was to pull anyone of the girls he was in trouble but with JJ it was even worse.
With JJ there was more at stake even though no one knew it but him. Hotch had always been closer to JJ than anyone except maybe Rossi but since JJ's departure last year things had changed. With her departure, there had been a gaping hole in the team but even worse Hotch was lost. The additional work that was caused for Hotch and the team paled in comparison to not having someone Hotch could talk to about both work and home. In addition, the team no longer had their secret weapon against Hotch's moods. JJ was the only one who Hotch would listen to when things would get really bad and she was the only one that was spared his frustration and anger. JJ was the balm to his tattered heart and soul. Without her daily presence, Hotch seemed more intense than ever.
Then the business with Emily happened and JJ had been there to help with the plan to keep Emily safe. With the secret, JJ and Hotch had become closer. When Spencer spent more and more time at JJ's, Hotch was the one JJ turned to for help on how to handle Reid.
And then came Hotch's transfer to Pakistan. Hotch was close to walking away from the FBI when it was recommended he take the position. He didn't want to be away from his son for six months. He had gone to JJ's place to talk about everything. However what he found made him forget about his reassignment.
Hotch stood outside of JJ's door ready to knock when he heard the loud voices from an argument currently being waged on the other side of the door.
"JJ, I can't believe you agreed to go back to the BAU without talking to me first."
"Will, I told you I was considering it."
"Yes, but I thought after we talked that you had decided against it," Will replied.
"No, Will. As I recall it your last words were "you forbid me to go back."
"But I don't recall it being your decision to make JJ. We are getting married. I thought you would consider my feels in your decision and even better yet you would consider what this would do to our family."
"Last time I checked you haven't proposed and I haven't accept any marriage proposal, Will. And the only thing I've thought about during this whole time is my family."
"JJ, I'm not talking about the BAU team. I'm talking about Henry and I. We should be your number one concern"
"You two are."
"No, I think you care more about your precious BAU family than you have ever cared about us."
Hotch was waging a war in his head wondering if he should leave or finally knock on the door. He didn't want to embarrass JJ by hearing their argument but he also wanted to make sure she was all right. He didn't believe Will would ever hit her in anger but he knew all to well that words could often hurt just as much.
"Will, you know that's not true."
"No, I don't know that. You are always there for them but never me. How many times has Reid been here since Emily died? I get how hard that must be but isn't there someone else he can go cry to? Why does it need to be you? Maybe you should tell him to see a physiologist. Then there is Garcia. I'm pretty sure you have spent more time with her than Henry lately."
"That is not fair. They are both are friends and Henry's godparents. I'm not going to turn Spencer away and PG is my best friend. Of course, we are going to talk and have the occasional girls night out."
"You know it's more than that. And don't even get me started about Hotch. I see the way you two look at each other and the way conversations suddenly stop when I walk into the room. You want him don't you? He's the reason why we haven't had sex in weeks."
"Dammit, Will. How many times do I have to tell you there is nothing going on between Hotch and I?"
"Well since I don't really believe you I guess you will just have to keep singing that same old line until you tell me the truth."
With that parting shot, Will opens the door to find Hotch standing on the other side. "Perfect. Your lover is here." Will storms out leaving the two friends in his wake.
"Hotch. I'm so sorry. He is upset and he didn't..." JJ stammered out. She was clearly embarrassed by Hotch hearing the remarks made by Will.
"JJ, please don't apologize for his behavior. I should have made my presence know when I first got here but I didn't want to make things uncomfortable." Hotch replied as he walked into her home and shut the door.
"Unfortunately, I think Will and I succeeded in doing that anyway."
JJ led Hotch over to the couch and took a seat. Hotch took the seat next to JJ on the couch. He was close enough to try and provide comfort if needed but far enough away that if Will came back he wouldn't be pissed.
"Are you ok?" Hotch asked with concern evident in his voice and face.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't know what to do any more about Will."
"JJ, I know things are tough. I wish we could tell Will and the team about Emily but it's too dangerous. He loves you JJ. He'll understand."
"I don't know if I want him to understand any more."
"JJ?" A confused Hotch asks.
Shaking her head, she says, "It's nothing Hotch."
"JJ, you know you can tell me anything."
"I know. It's just difficult. I have a hard time even admitting to myself that our relationship has been over for some time now but I'm just too scared to put an end to it. I've always had bad luck with relationships and I thought maybe this time I would get it right but I guess not."
Hotch takes JJ's hand in his trying to offer support. "JJ, I know better than most how hard it is when a relationship dies and I'm definitely not going to judge you. All I'm going to do is offer you a sounding board and I'll support you in any way I can."
JJ squeezes her hand around his in a show of thanks before whispering, "Thanks, Hotch."
"JJ, that's what friends are for."
JJ knew it. She shouldn't have let the show of affection from Hotch mean so much to her. She pulls her hand out of Hotch's and replies, "Yeah. Friends. So I know you didn't come over here to hear Will and I fight so what's up?"
"It's nothing." Hotch felt an ache form in his chest when JJ pulled away. He knew he had probably over stepped his boundaries but it felt so right holding her hand. In fact, he wanted to do more but he needed to find a way to make JJ see it too.
"No, if you came all the way over here it must be important."
"So I can't just come see a friend?"
"You know you are always welcome but I can see the wheels spinning in your head."
Hotch knew it was too late for him to back out of telling her now so he might as well get it over with. "You know me all to well."
"I would like to think so after all of these years but I know there are still a few mysteries I have yet to uncover."
Hotch shares a smile with JJ before saying, "Strauss came to see me today. I'm being reassigned."
The look on JJ's face was classic. She went from shocked to pissed off in two seconds flat. "Reassigned? No! She can't do that! You are our unit chief. This team needs you...I need you!"
Hotch's heart skips a beat at JJ's declaration and decides to let it pass for now because he is pretty sure JJ didn't even realize she said it. "It's only temporary she says. Morgan will be acting chief until my return."
"Return? Where is she sending you?" She asks but nothing prepared her for his next word.
"Pakistan."
JJ shoots up off the couch and begins pacing with nervous energy. She's so shocked by this development she starts rapid firing questions at Hotch. "Pakistan? Is she insane? What about Jack? How long?"
"She pitched it as a great opportunity for me but we both know she hates my guts so any chance she has at getting rid of me she will take it."
"So she is sending you to a war zone to do what? Fuck! I didn't think she was that much of a bitch."
Hotch snickered at JJ's response. Only Strauss could cause JJ to get this pissed and start swearing. "The job description is negotiator so she thought it was a perfect fit for me plus it helps to solve our budget issue. Strauss promises three maybe six months tops and then I'm back with the BAU."
JJ stops her pacing and comes to a halt in front of Hotch. She's almost scared to ask but she finally forces the words out of her mouth. "What did you tell her?"
"I told her I would think about it and give her an answer on Monday. If I accept, I ship out in a week. If I don't then my career at the FBI is over."
"Are you kidding me? This deal just gets better and better."
"I know. I don't know what to do. If it was just me, I could tough it out for the duration but it's not. I know Jessica will look after Jack if I need her too but I don't know if I can make it without the little man for that long. I have no idea how our armed forces survive without their family for so long." In his mind, Hotch adds I don't know if I can make it without you.
JJ finally settles back on the couch next to Hotch. "Hotch, they know they are out their protecting their family and that they are safe and sound and will be there when they get back. Just like Jack will be if you decide to go. Have you thought about your other option?"
"Yes, but it's not really an option. This job is part of who I am and I can't leave our family. I just needed time to rationalize this development and talk to someone...you about it."
JJ notices this decision hasn't been easy for Hotch and she finds that she's speaking right from her heart as she says, "I wish there was something I can do."
"There is. Will you check in on Jack and Jessica from time to time? Make sure they are both ok."
JJ links their hands together again to offer her support this time. Of course. If they need anything, they can come to me."
"Thank you."
"Hotch. There is nothing to thank me for. I would do anything for you and Jack."
"I know. I appreciate it. Well, I better get going. I need to talk to Jessica and I want to spend as much time with Jack as I can." Hotch says as he stands to leave.
JJ rises from the couch as well and follows him to the door. "I can imagine. I'll see you Monday."
"Bye, JJ" Hotch says before walking out the door.
"Bye, Hotch."
As Hotch's thought come back to the present, he knows he shouldn't have these feelings for JJ. He's her boss. There are rules against these things but he's fought it for so long. He wants her. Needs her. And somewhere along the way she has become his whole world and some how he was going to make her his this Christmas.
