Author's Note: Putting a poll on my profile really helped. Usually I have such indecision on which show to focus on, I end up not writing for weeks or picking an entirely different one.
Unfortunately, there was a 4 way tie so I just picked up my notebook and started writing, seeing which ideas would stick. Criminal Minds won out.
READ THIS: I just now got into this show so many of my details will be off. Guidance would be appreciated in the form of a PM or review.
As for the story itself, it will be a romance between JJ and Hotch. There's so much potential for them and I hope TPTB pick up on it eventually. The timeline is after Hotch's divorce but Will and JJ…well, they are definitely not having a Henry anytime soon.
Here's the first chapter and hopefully you guys will want more.
Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"- Austin Powers
"Jennifer, wait!"
She would not. Running outside of her boyfriend's home, she hurried into her car and burned rubber down the street. She should've known something was about to go wrong. Her life had settled into a wonderful rut of work and Will. Every day, her feelings became deeper and she dared to hope for the future, to tentatively plan for more.
That had been her mistake.
A case had wrapped up early and she had decided to surprise him. When she had arrived, she had found the front door open and the place trashed. Loud groaning could be heard from upstairs. Worrying for his safety, she had sprinted to his bedroom, ready to take on any attacker.
Instead of being attacked however, Will had been beneath a secretary from the local PD.
The bitch's smug and knowing look had been enough to let her know that it was not a "moment of weakness". She had been cheated on for at least a month.
Unable to handle it, Jennifer Jareau had done what she did best (other than her work): she fled.
Pulling to a stop in a 7-11 parking lot, she turned off her car and finally let the tears fall. This wasn't supposed to happen. Will was supposed to have been different. He was supposed to be the love of her life, her soul mate. He wasn't supposed to end up being another bitter disappointment and yet another man to hurt her.
How could he do this to her? What had she done wrong?
Sobbing harder, she hadn't noticed the little boy approaching her car until he knocked on the window. Looking, she was struck by the familiarity of the boy's eyes. She knew those eyes. Searching her memory, she tried to place the little boy. When concern filled the boy's gaze, it hit her like a baseball bat.
Those were Aaron Hotchner's eyes.
This is Hotch's son. What's he doing here by himself? Where's Hailey?
Opening her car door, she opened her mouth to speak but Jack's soft voice made her wait.
"Agent JJ, why are you crying?" the six year old asked, slurpie forgotten.
"How…how do you know my name, sweetheart?" she asked.
"There's a picture of you in Daddy's wallet. He said that he calls you JJ and that you work with him and Uncle Rossi and you're really smart and nice. Did somebody hurt you? Do you need a band-aid?"
Smiling sadly, she replied, "I don't need a band-aid, Jack."
"But somebody hurt you. I can tell. You have sad eyes.", he insisted.
He was already a profiler. It probably ran in the family.
"It's complicated. Where's your mom?", she evaded, not wanting to burden the young child.
"I'm with Daddy. He told me to stay near the car but I saw you crying over here. Here he comes. I'm gonna go get him. He always makes me feel better when I'm crying."
Before she could protest, the little boy was off like a shot, making a beeline for his father. When Hotch saw him, he knelt down and listened to him attentively. Jack pointed to her and Hotch looked at her. She tried to smile at him but it probably came off as a grimace.
Jack was leading him over and she could hear their conversation as they came closer.
"…she said that she didn't need a band-aid but I still think someone hurt her real bad. Daddy, why would anybody wanna hurt Agent JJ?"
"I don't know son but I'll figure it out."
"Like you do with the bad peoples?"
"Yes. I'll be nicer with JJ, though."
Jack broke away from his father and she walked to meet them near a bench.
"I got him for you." Jack said with pride as he got in the car.
"Thank you, Jack."
Hotch looked at her and she couldn't help but notice how different he looked. He wasn't wearing a suit. In fact, he was actually in jeans and a BAU sweatshirt. Still, he was Hotch, her boss and her friend.
"What's wrong, JJ? Who hurt you? Was it Will?"
JJ nodded and he asked sharply, "Did he put his hands on you?"
"No! He didn't hit me, Hotch. He just…I found him with another woman. They were in bed together." she admitted shamefully.
To her surprise, he hugged her and she let him, enjoying his body heat.
"I'm sorry. I was afraid that this might happen."
"So was I, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised." she replied bitterly as she broke the hug.
"Why?"
"This happens to me all the time. Every time I get into a relationship, I'm either cheated on or left behind. It's always been like that. Will's just another example. Maybe I should just give up on men and relationships altogether. Do the whole cat lady thing.", she explained matter of factly.
"No. You just need to find the right person. Although, there aren't any guarantees after you do. Look what happened with me and Hailey."
"That's not very comforting, Hotch."
"I'm out of practice when it comes to this." he replied dryly, making her smile slightly.
After sighing, she said, "Well, I better go. I've got a date with You've Got Mail and some ice cream. Enjoy your time with Jack."
She moved to get up but his hand on her wrist stopped her.
"Yes?"
"Well, I don't think you should alone right now and I was wondering if you'd like to join Jack and I for dinner."
Even as warmth filled her with the invitation, she found herself protesting, "I don't want to intrude…"
"It's okay, Agent JJ! Daddy made spaghetti!" Jack called from the backseat of the car.
JJ smirked and asked Hotch cheekily, "Did you burn the house down while you were at it?"
He excelled at many things but cooking was definitely not one of them.
"No, I did not, thank you. I can cook pasta." he replied defensively.
"And…"
"Pasta."
JJ laughed and then said, "Okay. I'll meet you there."
The little smile on Hotch's face made the warmth increase and some long suppressed butterflies return to her stomach.
Oh, no. She couldn't start that again. Hotch was the only man to never let her down and she didn't want to lose that just because she was rebounding. Besides, men only hurt her and love wasn't meant for her. Will had just proved that again.
But, what if he's different? What if he's the one I'm looking for?
Dinner was definitely going to be interesting.
