It's the day after christmas and Rossi is hosting the annual BAU christmas party. After opening all the gifts, the team is enjoying each other's company and chatting amongst themselves. Almost everyone on the team has a significant other: Emily is with Derek, Garcia is with Kevin, Reid with Maeve, and Rossi is with Straus. The only two that were alone this christmas were JJ and Hotch. JJ and Will split almost a year ago, and it was Will's turn to have Henry for christmas. As for Hotch, well, he hasn't found the right woman to be with since Haley. Everyone knows JJ and Hotch have a special relationship and are perfect for each other, they just haven't admitted it yet. That may change before the new year.
As everyone started gathering their things to go home, they heard Garcia's voice as she came running back into the room.
"I have something for you lovely people, and I expect you all to be there," Garcia announced as she started handing out gold, glittery invitations that only she would have made. They were for her New Year's Eve party, and everyone seemed to be excited about attending…except JJ. With the face JJ was giving her, Garcia knew they would be talking about this while JJ drove her home.
"Penelope, I'm not sure I'll be able to make it to your party, I may have Henry. Besides, it's not like I have someone to kiss at midnight like everyone else does." JJ explained, scared of letting her friend down.
With a mischievous grin, Garcia replied, "Actually, there is someone else who won't have a new year's kiss."
"Oh my gosh, Pen! You cannot be serious! There is no way he would ever kiss me. Plus, he's my boss!" JJ exclaimed.
"Um, JJ, have you looked in a mirror? Any man on the planet would be lucky to have a chance at kissing you. And, he's not so bad-looking himself, with that tall, muscular body, that dark hair and those blue eyes. And, I see the way you two look at each other. You two just need to admit that you're secretly in love with each other, and be happy already."
JJ started to blush. She stayed quiet because she couldn't think of anything else to say back. After all, she was in love with her handsome boss, and had been since she met him. It would be useless to try to deny it. Penelope Garcia was one of JJ's best friends and always knew when she was lying. Penelope smiled at JJ's silence, and decided to enjoy the rest of her ride home in peace and quiet.
As JJ pulled in the driveway of her friend's home, she gave her friend a playful smile and said, "So, the party starts at eight, right?"
Garcia nodded and laughed as she got out of the car to go inside.
"Goodnight, Jayje." Garcia told her.
"Goodnight." The blond replied with a loving smile.
It was almost 10:30 on New Years Eve and everyone was at Garcia's except JJ. She told Garcia that she would be late because she wanted to spend some time with Henry before dropping him off for bed time at Will's. Finally, the doorbell rang. Morgan, impatient to tease his teammate for being late, ran to answer the door. Shocked to see the gorgeous blond wearing a gold, long-sleeved, short, and very tight dress with her hair in perfect, loose curls, Morgan stood there stunned and only managed to mutter one word.
"Wow," Morgan muttered.
JJ laughed, "Are you going to let me in or stare at me all night?"
"Right. Sorry, Jayje." Morgan replied, blushing, as he stepped to the side to let her in.
As she walked in the door, she immediately spotted Hotch. He looked just as mesmerized by the blond as Morgan did moments earlier. Feeling a little self-conscious, JJ decided to grab a drink and then make her rounds greeting all of her friends. A little frazzled, JJ thought to herself as she found her way to the kitchen. Maybe Pen was right. Judging by the way Hotch looked at me when I walked in, maybe he really will kiss me tonight.
As the night went on, JJ found herself getting easily distracted by Hotch. He was wearing the charcoal grey dress shirt that brought out his eyes. She loved it when he wore that.
Everyone was in the living room watching the countdown. Emily cuddled up in Derek's lap on the couch, and the rest of the team either on the couches or chairs around the room chatting. JJ was leaning against the doorway, admiring her family when Hotch walked up behind her.
"You look beautiful tonight." Hotch said.
His voice sent chills up her back. JJ turned around and thanked him as she smiled, trying not to blush. They stood there, both knowing the look in each other's eyes. Hotch wanted nothing more than to tell her how he felt, but he wanted to do it when they were alone.
As they stood there and continued to chat about their boys, JJ and Hotch heard the rest of the team starting to count down to the new year. Hotch knew he wanted to kiss her, but he was worried about how she'd react. The team got down to 2 and he was so nervous. Deciding quickly, Hotch grabbed JJ and gave her a quick kiss. Hotch was nervous and about to apologize when JJ reached up and kissed him back, her soft lips crashing down on his. Neither of them wanted to stop, but they were getting carried away. Hotch finally pulled away.
"Happy new years, JJ" Hotch said with a smile.
"Happy new years, Hotch"