A/N: Just a teensy scene that came into my head after watching this weeks episode, so beware of the 'minor-est' of spoilers! LOL The title is after a Switchfoot song for anyone interested. Enjoy!
After pacing outside of her office for a good forty-five seconds in an incredibly un-Hotch like manner, he finally strode into her office without knocking.
JJ looked up from a file she was studying in surprise. "Come…in?" she said dryly.
"I got invited to go on a bike ride," Hotch blurted.
With a grin, JJ leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her pert chest. "From a girl you met on the playground?" she teased, her eyes glinting with humor.
"No," he immediately answered. "With a woman I met while training for a triathlon."
"Hotch! That's great!" JJ exclaimed excitedly.
Hotch stood there for a moment studying her face before giving a single nod. "OK, then," he said as he turned to go. "I should let you get back to work."
"Hotch," JJ said, standing. He turned around to face her.
"Why…" She took a deep breath. "Why did you tell me that?" she asked.
"I don't know," he admitted.
"Are you…are you asking my permission to go out with this woman?" she pressed.
He stood there for a moment his expression as unreadable as ever and remained silent.
"Hotch," JJ said, moving around to desk. She resisted the urge to reach out toward him. "Are you asking me if there's a chance of something between…"
Her voice trailed off, leaving the unasked question hanging between them.