Disclaimer: I don´t own any part of any of the shows used to create the story.
The other part of life
A/N Hello, my readers. Here I come with promised sequel to the story The Other Point of View, so you should probably read the story first. As most of my stories, this one also goes for the happyending and is seriously shipper friendly (see A/N2 in the end of the chapter)…be warned then;)
Here it comes
JJ sat in her car in front of the FBI building. She was wondering, if the decision she had made was right. Maybe it was just a childish instinct and she gave up to it under the influence of severe emotions. Maybe she talked it over too much with her friends. Maybe she was just naive.
And then there was the other 'maybe'. The fact that she might be found guilty and she might be forced to quit the FBI. She smiled. At least, someone would do it for her.
Realizing there was no rest for the wicked, she got out of her car. She checked her perfect outfit one more time and walked in.
The assistant in front of Strauss's office sent her right in with the they-are-already-waiting-for-you look. JJ checked her watch. She wasn't late, nor was she early. She was exactly on time. Smiling to herself contently, that even three weeks of forced holiday didn't change her habits, she entered the room.
"Good morning, Ma'am." JJ greeted politely and then turned to the other person in the room. She had expected him to be there, but his presence threw her off her mission a little anyway. With sharp "Good morning, Agent Hotchner" she forced herself to stay focused on the target.
If JJ's cold welcome surprised him, Hotch didn't let it show on his face as he nodded slightly instead of saying anything. He had had plenty of time to cool down during the three weeks JJ wasn't with the unit and he hated every single day of it. He even considered stopping the inquiry, but once the mechanism of suspension and following investigation started it was almost impossible to make it go away. There was no doubt in his mind JJ was going to be found innocent and fully restored in her position. He himself made sure of that in his statement. The only unknown for him was how long it was going to take them to be able to work together as easily as before. He hoped that after his apology (that seemed now unavoidable even for him) everything should go back relatively to normal. If he played it good, they might be again going for a lunch together in no time.
But there was one little flaw in his great version of the future. JJ didn't react as he had expected. She sat still during the time Strauss explained to her in boring legal language, that the evidence was reviewed and there was nothing to prove her guilt. He didn't listen for most of the time until his boss got to the part that JJ could go back to her duties immediately.
Then his castles on ice collapsed.
"Thank you, Ma'am" was JJ's obvious answer. Then she should have stood up and go with him back to the rest of the team so they could celebrate. But JJ wasn't done.
"I had had time to think during my suspension and I decided to hand in my resignation."
Before her bosses could shake off the surprise JJ produced the required paperwork.
"I realize it's very short notice, but I'd like for it to come in action immediately. I believe the team was able to function without me for the last three weeks, so it shouldn't be problem for them to continue further. I'm of course willing to help with sorting out the cases I've worked on and helping my replacement with any problem that might occur." JJ had the speech ready for two days.
"You could have quitted anytime during your suspension" Strauss couldn´t help to point out, but she didn´t show any real emotion.
"I could have" JJ was ready for that line "but it would make me look guilty and I'd like to quit on my own terms" she explained on her way out. There was no need for her to stay in the building any longer. Not anymore.
.oOo.
It was late afternoon, but the Jeffersonian labs were still quite busy. JJ sat with Cam and Angela, sipping coffee and discussing the latest article in local press when one of interns came to them.
"Sorry to interrupt, but miss Jareau has a guest." The intern said and immediately walked away.
"Gee, how can I make them start call me JJ?" JJ wondered, it had been four weeks since she started working for the Jeffersonian and only handful of her closest coworkers called her JJ.
"You can't, they are not comfortable around you" Angela started gravely and Cam looked at her surprised "You are too good looking to be working in science institute. You make nervous even the autopsy table" Angela finished the sentence making her boss nod in mocking agreement.
"Thanks, you really know how to make girl feel welcomed" JJ snapped back not completely pretending her satiety so she rather stood up and went to check who was interrupting her break.
She couldn´t be more surprised, if The President himself was waiting for her in the hall, then she was, when she had recognized the person that stood there for real, obviously uncomfortable.
"Hotch, what are you doing here?" JJ asked as soon as she was sure her voice wouldn't betray her unease.
The guest visibly relaxed when he saw familiar face.
"JJ, how are you doing?" he asked managing something smile-like on his face.
"You came here at work hours to ask me how am I doing?" she wondered. This time he smiled undoubtedly. JJ might have worked for whomever and she still didn't like beating around bushes. Although Jeffersonian was pretty high profile institute, Hotch was sure JJ would get bored here sooner or later. All he had to do was to wait.
"The JAG is taking over the prosecution of Petty Officer Margaret Scott in connection with the Legionella case and asked us to send them all our files" he informed, but JJ had already known about that. Mac was happy that it finally came to military justice, but she was furious that the young Petty Officer was involved. When the girls were IM-ing yesterday Mac left no doubt that she was going to ask to be the defense lawyer. And the Petty Officer couldn't wish for better one.
"So?" JJ asked. "Send the files to them. I don't see a problem" once more she went straight to the point.
"Garcia says that because of your major involvement she isn't sure about few files and she needs your help sorting them out" he spilled at once.
"That would be first" JJ pointed out in matter-of-fact way. She was starting to guess what was going on. And she was getting ready to kick someone's ass.
"Don't look at me, I'm just a middle-man" Hotch started with defense once he had noticed change in JJ's mood.
"Tell her I'll stop by after hours. I'll call her to agree the details"
"It's kind of pressing matter" Hotch explained. JAG is waiting for the files so they can start with prosecution.
"OK, so I'll give Mac call as well" JJ stated wondering how come she was so readily and eagerly dealing with issues of team she wasn't working for anymore.
"The prosecution is led by Commander Rabb, I don't think giving Mac call would sort it out" Hotch rightly pointed out.
JJ gave him teasing smile "I'm sure Mac can deal with Harm. And he'll have his file this evening"
"What files?" Cam asked as she joined them unexpectedly. JJ only then realized they were still standing in the middle of the corridor. Damn, damn, damn! How many people had seen them? She was here not even a month and now she was going to be the news number one...having tete-a-tete with her previous boss...damn!
"Dr. Saroyan" Hotch noticed her presence very coldly.
"Cam, I'm sorry, I'll be right back, It's the Legionella case and Hotch, I mean Agent Hotchner, needed some help" JJ babbled confused.
"Then you should help him" Cam said giving JJ innocent look. Cam knew it was going to cost her later, but watching JJ so helpless was just amusing.
"They need just some help with sorting out the files. I'm sure it can wait till after my hours"
"You have left less than two hours, and it would look terribly if the Jeffersonian wouldn't help the investigation. You wouldn't want to deal with that kind of publicity" Cam was visibly enjoying herself.
"Thank you, Dr. Saroyan, you are very helpful" Hotch decided not to question good fortune when it came his way and by putting hand on JJ´s back, he led still confused blonde outside.
Cam didn't even wait for the doors to close behind them when she wrote to Ziva and Mac.
'Guess who came by asking for JJ's help?' and too content with herself she leaned back on her chair and waited for answers.
Next: The answers :)
A/N2: OK, so I´m lame and I´m going for the obvious couples...at least concerning Mac, JJ and Ziva. But then there´s Cam. If you have any idea for some crazy couple-making (I have my favorite, but I´m not 100% into it), just write it into review or PM. I´m looking forward to your ideas.
