Author's note: Glad you guys like this story so much. Honestly, I'm pretty surprised. Anyways, thank you so much for the reviews. I really liked the idea of Hotch being in a witch costume, so I want to incorporate that eventually. Thanks Mrs. Dr. Robert Chase for that fantastic idea (and also thanks for the laughs I had when picturing Hotch dressed a witch). ;)
You really know you love someone when all you want is for them to be happy, even if that means that you are not a part of it.
It seemed like they'd been at the costume store for hours, plucking costume after costume off of racks, each one looking too itchy, too uncomfortable, too exposing. It seemed like they'd never decide on one.
Hotch found his way around the store eventually, landing on the Adult Women's costumes section and staying there, eyes scanning each costume longingly, rubbing his chin with his fingers. JJ had found him about six minutes later and stood by his side, folding her arms.
"Are you thinking about dressing as a naughty nurse?" she asked, her tone serious but her words sarcastic.
Hotch didn't break his concentration for a moment. He was still just staring. Then he shook his head. "No. I'm trying to find you a costume."
JJ nodded, then eyed the choices just like he was doing. Everything was either slutty, super-short and too lacy for JJ's taste. She wasn't entirely sure what she wanted to dress as, and to be honest, she damn near forgot about her own costume. She pretty much thought this shopping trip was for Hotch and Hotch only.
Hotch stared for about a moment more until stepping forward and grabbing a costume in a clear plastic bag with a photo of a tall blond on the cover, giving a salute, dressed a sailor. He passed it to JJ, eyebrows raised.
"Oh, no way buddy, I would never wear this." but she took it in her hands anyway, staring at the picture of the girl. The girl actually sort of looked like JJ, but maybe was slightly more curvy. JJ actually wished she had the girl's body. One of the reasons why she didn't want to try it on was because she knew she wouldn't look that good in it.
"I thought you said you'd try on whatever I picked out?" he said.
JJ rolled her eyes. "Yes, I did," she then added, "but that was when I figured you'd have more respect for me and pick out something less...trashy." Okay, maybe trashy was a harsh word. But still. One look at this costume and anyone could tell it wasn't something JJ would usually wear. She thought Hotch would know that.
Hotch paused, then crossed his arms too. He opened his mouth to talk, then shook his head and decided against it.
"What were you going to say?" she pressed, nibbling on her bottom lip.
He shook his head again.
JJ nudged his arm with the back of her hand. She wasn't about to let it go. If he was going to suggest a slutty costume, the least he could do is explain why. "Come on, Hotch, was it?"
"I just thought," he readjusted his feet then looked up at the costumes. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself again, his eyes fixed on a certain costume.
JJ tried not to roll her eyes again. "Hotch, come on, your confusing me now." she said, obviously becoming agitated.
Hotch ignored her, then stepped forward again and grabbed another costume. This one was completely different. He stared at it, chuckled, then handed it to her.
JJ looked at the image, at first, surprised and was about to say no. Then she looked at it longer. She decided it was probably the best she was going to get. The text on the photo read SEXY KITTY. She wanted to laugh, mostly because she was actually considering trying it on. Again, the brunette on the picture appeared to have more curves in her hips than JJ did. JJ envied her, too. Not that it should have mattered, but she didn't want Hotch thinking this girl looked better than her. The suit had thin tank top straps, and it was head-to-tie fake-leather, tight to the skin. The girl in the photo had high-heeled black leather boots on, which wasn't included in the costume, but JJ knew Prentiss probably had a similar pair somewhere at her apartment she'd be able to borrow. On the brunette's head, was soft black cat ears. A thumbnail picture at the bottom shown the backside, in which the costume had a long furry tail with a white tip.
JJ shoved the sailor costume into Hotch's chest. "I'll try on the cat one." she said with a sigh. It was actually kind of cute, but she was going to act like it was a big burden to pull it on. Hotch nodded, fighting a grin.
JJ headed off into the dressing room, locking the door behind her. She stared at herself in the long, clear mirror. She hated dressing room lighting. Her skin looked so pale under the harsh lights. She sighed and began undressing, then pulled the costume out of the bag. She stepped into it, the faux-leather hugged her ankles and thighs instantly, and she could only imagine how much tighter it was going to be once it was zipped. She then pulled the straps over her shoulders and tried to zip it all the way by herself, but it wasn't easy. She just couldn't get it all the way up. She wished she had another set of hands. Eventually, after several cuss words muttered and a cramped pair of hands later, she zipped it to the top. She stared at herself, then laughed, putting the cat ears on like a diamond tiara. She turned around and wiggled her tail in the mirror, then giggled into her palm.
She knew Henry would love this, and he'd probably enjoying tugging on her tail and ears. She stared at herself longer, checking each angle, then decided to show Hotch right then or she never would. She didn't look bad in it, either. The suit hugged her body, making her shape appear curvier and sexier than it really was, but she still didn't look like the brunette, in her opinion anyway.
She walked out of the dressing room, leaving the clothes she arrived in a pile on a bench inside the tiny dressing room. "I don't know about it..." she warned, her voice loud and clear, so Hotch would know what to expect.
When she stepped out, her face looked shy and embarrassed, her cheeks flushed. Hotch burst out laughing. Then he instantly threw his hand to his mouth, trying to choke back his chuckling.
JJ looked instantly offended, putting her hands on her hips. "Thanks a lot, Hotch. Wow."
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that," he corrected. "It fits you great, really."
A random girl in the store walked by, costumes hung over her arm, stopped and looked at JJ. "Listen to him. It looks fantastic."
JJ flashed her a thankful smile. "Thanks." she said, then turned to Hotch. Truthfully, his opinion was all that really mattered.
"Do you like it?" Hotch asked.
JJ nodded. "You know what I like best?"
He raised his eyebrows.
"The tail." she spun around and wiggled her tail like she did in the mirror. The tail swung happily like she was an excited cat. Hotch laughed, his eyes lighting up.
JJ really did like the costume. Not short, not too revealing, not too sexy. But the one thing she didn't like was how Hotch was reacting to it. He seemed to like it, but he wasn't saying much. His arms were still folded, his lips were tight and he wasn't smiling. Sure, that was Hotch's normal face, but still. She didn't know what she expected of him, but she wanted him to do something, say anything. She walked back into the dressing room, her heart sank a little bit, though she didn't quite get why.
"I know I haven't bought a costume yet, but..." Hotch began talking, waiting outside of the dressing room as JJ got dressed. "I'm kind of hungry. Should we do this another time?"
JJ paused. "How about we just go somewhere to eat then?"
Hotch paused next. "Do you want to?"
JJ stepped out, back in her everyday clothes, the cat costume folded safely in the clear plastic bag it was wrapped in originally. She stood beside him. "Sure, I could eat."
Hotch didn't seem to mind the idea. But again, he didn't seem particularly thrilled with it, either. Not that she needed him to be. But she wanted him to be.
Hotch and JJ had arrived in separate cars. Hotch walked over to his, his keys about to go into the lock on the door. JJ paused. "You sure you don't want to just drive with me?" she asked, her hair blowing in her face by the wind, soft tousled waves brushing her pink cheeks. She looked adorable with the sunglasses on the top of her head. Hotch couldn't stop thinking that. She just looked so pretty. He jingled the keys in his hands, pondering the idea.
"We have to come back anyway." she reminded him.
He looked confused.
"We have to buy you a costume, remember?" she then walked closer to him and took his keys from his hands. "And this way, we have to come back."
Hotch looked at her, almost still looking confused and a little bit weary.
"Come on, my stereo cranks." she then shoved his set of keys in her back pocket decisively then crossed her arms. Hotch sighed and shuffled his feet over to her car, which was only parked about two rows behind his. He climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up, then she pulled out.
"Where are we heading?" Hotch asked.
JJ pulled her sunglasses over her eyes. "Wherever you'd like to go."
Hotch paused, glanced at her for only about a second, then back at the front window. "Why are you doing all of this with me?" he asked, his voice dropped to a subtle lower tone.
JJ glanced at him, then stopped at an intersection. "Whaddya mean?"
He lifted his shoulders then adjusted his seat belt, like he was uncomfortable. He wasn't uncomfortable physically, he just felt awkward, not sure how to say what he wanted to say. "Your taking me costume shopping, out to lunch..."
JJ made a turn, eyes focused on the road. "We work together. I'd do the same for anyone else on the team." that wasn't quite true. She loved every one of her team members, but the thought of going costume shopping with Morgan seemed like torture. Not torture like stabbing or whipping, but more like plucking your eyebrows. A pain, more accurately. Shopping with Morgan could be hell. He would've made her try on the sluttiest of costumes just for kicks and giggles.
Hotch stayed quiet. Then he peered out of the passenger's window. "You said your stereo cranks."
"It does." she replied. Then she caught on. He wanted it on. Right. She flicked the nob and jazzy music began playing. She thought, maybe, she heard a scoff come out of his mouth.
"That's not from me..." she quickly switched the nob to change the station. "Will sometimes likes to listen to it..." she felt her cheeks turn warmer. She was embarrassed, and she wasn't sure why.
"Wasn't going to ask." Hotch muttered, almost inaudibly.
JJ nodded. "Right. Of course not." she muttered back. Then she flipped the station again, rock music blaring out. AC/DC "You Shook Me All Night Long" began streaming out, the beginning guitar and drum set cranking merrily. JJ glanced at Hotch, who didn't seem to mind it, then turned it up louder.
"I love this song." she yelled over the music.
No response from Hotch. Just quiet stares out of the window. Then she turned it up louder, the first verse words streaming out. JJ mouthed along to the words.
She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean, she was the best damn woman I had ever seen...
JJ found herself singing out loud once the chorus became closer. And then she heard another voice singing along. It was Hotch. She didn't call him out on it or mock him for it, although she wanted to, because he probably would've stopped.
Then the chorus began screaming out. You shook me all night long, yeah you shook me all night long. And soon JJ was banging on the steering wheel as a drum set and Hotch and her were yelling as loud as they could, singing along and laughing.
Hotch and her, once stopped at red light, began clapping along to the music, Hotch occasionally banging his hands on his legs to the beat. The song went by too quickly, and once it ended, they continued laughing. Then she turned down the volume to talk.
"I told you it cranks."
"It really, really does." he replied, almost breathless.
They talked about AC/DC all the way to the restaurant they had passed by randomly and decided to try.
Hotch and JJ never ended up going costume shopping after that. However, they agreed to go back to the store that upcoming weekend. If they didn't have to work, of course. JJ and Hotch went to the restaurant, had lunch and then a small course of dessert, which JJ finished off, who was known for her relatively big appetite despite her small frame. She got home around six o'clock, AC/DC still singing along in her mind. She found herself singing the words when she walked in the door. Will was half-asleep on the couch watching a fishing show with Henry zonked out beside him.
"I'm home." JJ cooed, running over to kiss Henry's soft little cheek.
Will rubbed his eyes. "Your home late," then he spotted her bag. "Find a costume?"
JJ stroked Henry's soft light hair, then nodded. She couldn't stop her smiling around Henry. "Yeah. I'm going to be a cat." she raised her hand and put her hand like claws. "Meow."
Will laughed, stretching out his arms. "I'm so tired. Long day at work yesterday," he then tickled Henry's stomach with his two fingers. "And a long day at the park with Henry today."
JJ felt a ping for missing it. Then it subsided. She'd spent tons of days at the park with Henry. What's one day of missing it? Her eyes clouded over. So many thoughts running around in her mind. Poor Henry at the park without his mommy witnessing him sliding down the red slide he loved so much. He was so proud of himself the first time he went down it without closing his eyes in terror. Poor Will at home without his girlfriend and the mother of his child (although the fact that he was watching fishing made her kind of glad she stayed out). And just Hotch. She wanted him. Damn, she was digging herself a hole. She heard her cell phone ring, buried deep inside her purse.
"Have you eaten yet?" Will asked, brushing lint off of his shirt. "I haven't."
JJ nodded, fishing for her phone. She found it and answered it right before it went to voicemail. "Emily?" she answered.
Will rolled his eyes at the wall. JJ pretended not to see it. She thought Will didn't mean for her to.
"Hey JJ, what are you doing tonight?" Emily was talking loud, like she couldn't hear her over the background music blaring.
"I just got home after shopping," why mention Hotch? "Why? Where are you?"
"Everyone's out for drinks. Morgan and I found this nice little bar and grill close to downtown the other night, and we invited the whole team, before we have to go back to work in the morning. Whaddya say? Bring Will."
JJ paused, then cupped her hand over the phone and looked at Will. "Will, you want to go out and eat with the team?"
Will paused then shrugged. "If the neighbor will babysit Henry."
JJ nodded. "We'll see if the babysitter can watch Henry and I'll call you."
"Alright. Let us know." Emily said, laughing at something someone said beside her.
JJ walked off into their bedroom, closing the door slightly. "Is, uh, is Hotch with you guys?" she whispered.
"What?" Emily yelled.
"Hotch. Is he there with you guys?" she wanted to slap herself for asking.
"Yeah. Rossi managed to convince him. How 'bout that? Poor guy needs a little fun every now and then, ya know?"
JJ nodded, a smirk forming. "I couldn't agree more."
The babysitter agreed to watch Henry, but basically asked for a slight raise in payment because of the inconvenient short notice. JJ agreed, wanting to go out, and Will tried not to act like he was too cheap to do so. JJ took a bubble bath and got changed before heading out, and while she was thumbing through something to wear, she found her old AC/DC black and gray baseball tee. She threw it on along with a tight pair of jeans. She knew Hotch would appreciate it. Emily texted her the address and after a few wrong turns and a little arguing, they found their way there.
JJ was still slightly annoyed with Will when they pulled in. Why was he taking it out on her that she didn't know the way there?
"I'm just saying, you've lived here long enough." he said, unbuckling his seat belt. JJ let the metal on her belt slam against the door. She rolled her eyes and then stepped out.
"I misread the directions. Not a big deal. We're here, aren't we?"
Will walked over to her side and put his arm around her shoulders. "Yes, we are," he hugged her closer to his chest. "Don't get all pissed off about it, it's not a big deal, like you said." he tried to smile, but JJ was annoyed now. She wanted to push his arm off, but she was chilly and stupidly forgot her jacket.
As soon as they walked in, Emily greeted them, acting slightly tipsy. JJ pulled her in for a hug, instantly in a better mood. She then hugged each one of her team members like they hadn't seen each other in years. Will shook their hands and only hugged Garcia. Will sometimes seemed too unsocial when it came to JJ's team members, and that bugged her. He was supposed to love them like she did.
She stopped at Hotch, who was sitting down at the table awkwardly, and she waved.
"Oh my God, what is with you guys?" Emily stared at JJ's shirt. "Hotch is wearing an AC/DC shirt too."
JJ raised her eyebrows then grinned bright at Hotch. Hotch's cheeks turned pink, then he pulled off his jacket and exposed his AC/DC tour shirt. JJ marveled at it, admired it and then gave him the brightest smile. And she damn near fainted when he gave her a just as big smile back.
Author's note: I was listening to that AC/DC song pretty much the whole time while writing this. It just stayed on repeat. Haha. Hope you guys enjoy.
