For Kdzl's March Madness Angst Challenge. This is my first attempt at angst and to be honest I had no idea how to approach it so hopefully it will turn out ok when it is finished. Let me know what you think!

Chapter one

The weather was miserable outside, if the clock didn't read 10.21am it could have been night time as the sky in Virginia was a mixture of dark grey shades surely a sign that a much worse storm was approaching. The rain was pouring down the window of Hotch's office which he was in trance with. It was the first day the team were back in Quantico after a particularly harrowing case in Ohio and the paper work was mounting up. Hotch's attention turned to the photo of his son, Jack who was now seven, cheekily smiling to the person behind the camera. It was placed prominently on his desk with various files scattered around it. The photograph was taken about five months ago at Garcia and Kevin's wedding by JJ. She bought a nice photo frame for the picture and gave it to Jack to give to him for his Father's Day present. His thoughts floated to the blonde liaison down the hall. JJ and Will had been having difficulties lately according to Prentiss and although he was regretful that JJ was unhappy he was finding himself almost joyous that her relationship with the southern detective was coming to an apparent end.

He had loved Hailey and he knew that a part of him would always have those feelings for her. Even though they had been divorced nearly two years before Foyet brutally killed her he had practically shut himself off from everyone who threatened to get close enough to even attempt to bring him happiness apart from Jack. He tried to convince himself that it was because he was in love with her so much he couldn't love again but in truth it was most certainly because of the guilt and almost in fear of causing someone else pain.

Yet his feelings for JJ had started to grow stronger and he knows exactly when it started. Last year on a case in Nebraska they were paired off to talk to a parent, who had lost a child at the hands of the killer they were hunting, both were deeply affected by the conversation but it was JJ that went to him to make sure he was ok something that she had been doing for a while now. They had begun to talk and he had broken down. She sat with him for hours and they discussed everything from Hailey and Jack to the team, bad cases and even sports and music until they both eventually fell asleep. JJ was being a friend and he felt comfortable enough to open himself up to her only for nothing bad happening in consequence and that set off a chain of reactions to this point, sitting in his office happy in knowledge that JJ might be single soon. He shook his head and scrubbed his face, knowing that even if JJ was single what exactly would he do, she was his subordinate and they were friends.

He left his low lit office into the bright fluorescent bullpen to get a coffee from the kitchenette. Reid was busy scribbling a way oblivious to the world around him. Rossi's office door was slightly ajar with an orange glow shining through. Morgan and JJ must have been in there respective offices and Prentiss and Garcia were sitting at the table next to the kitchenette deep in conversation. He was busy preparing himself a coffee not trying to intrude into their discussion but eavesdropped none the less. Garcia seemed appalled by something and Prentiss appeared amused by it.

"It's just he's my little munchkin, I don't understand why she wouldn't have asked me to babysit the little cutie pie, I could just eat him up with his squidgy little cheeks and his..."

"Garcia, after the last case I'm pretty sure JJ doesn't want you talking about eating her son, you know creepy cannibal UNSUBS driving around in caravans picking up their victims." Prentiss interjected "and anyway she already feels bad that she's been leaving Henry with you when we go away on cases lately"

Hotch was frozen in place, was JJ and Will separated? He continued to listen in on the conversation, hope rising though him and his mind racing with all sorts of questions. He found himself gripping the coffee pot a little tighter; tying to remain composed but eager to know what was going on. Longing to know if he had any reason to walk to her office and suggest that maybe they should meet up for dinner or something you know to offer his assistance as a friend. A friend who is finding it increasingly difficult to look at her without his thoughts drifting to somewhere they shouldn't.

"Ooh hush now, she should know I don't mind after all it's what fairy godmothers are for. Besides all I want is my sunshine to be happy and Doug is doing wonders for her so why would I mind if I looked after Henry when she went dancing and I can totally freak out Kevin with the kids talk when we look after him....."

Garcia continued to ramble on but Hotch had to get away back into his office afraid that his emotions would finally betray him. He was too late. She had already moved on. Why was this so hard for him he knew nothing could have happened between them but still the thought of something could happen had been pretty good dream as of late. He stormed into his office practically slamming the door like a teenage whose been sent to their room and placing his coffee on the table so hard he nearly smashed the cup.

"Well someone's in a fine mood this morning!" Rossi smugly stated from the couch at the far side of the office "The coffee's that bad?"

Hopefully I'll update soon, I'm supposed to be writing an essay on multiculturalism and deviancy right now but got distracted by this. My plan is for a happy ending eventually hopefully its okay so far!