An: Hey, reviewers! I love you guys! Here's chapter two!

Oh, and as an explanation for why my updates are taking so long – I'm a transcriptionist now, which means I type for a living constantly. Convincing myself to type in my off time is not easy.

That Perfect Lie – Part Two

Jane is silent at the hospital. She hates hospitals. They're noisy, and even in the silent wards, minds are racing. The sheer volume of background noise makes her head hurt in the worst way.

Jack stands beside her, one hand on her shoulder, his best serious face on, and his mind blissfully blank. She uses him as a shield, and the pain diminishes enough for her to focus while the doctors and social workers talk to Hotch and Rossi. She leans against him. Thank you.

Dad does it for Uncle Spence too. he says. Apparently, we're good at keeping silent.

That makes her chuckle just a bit. You do look a lot like your dad right now.

I know.

Frankie and Henry are curled up on the second bed in the room, sound asleep, and the fact that Frankie can sleep at all right now reassures Jane more than anything. Her little brother has complete faith in their new family's ability to make things right.

But Jane has been taking care of Frankie for most of her life, and she's not willing to trust so easily.

The social worker sighs. "We'll have to take the kids into protective custody until we evaluate the situation." she says.

Hotch shakes his head. "No. We'll take them home with us."

The social worker just stares at him. "Mr. Hotchner, I appreciate that you want to protect them, but – "

"But they need stability." Hotch retorts, cutting her off. Jack almost smiles at his dad's I'm so not taking your shit tone. He loves that tone, especially when it's not directed at him. "They need to be with someone they trust who can protect them, and they do trust us. They would be living with seven FBI agents."

"Who recently were attacked in their own home." she points out softly. "You and one of your coworkers were hospitalized. It's a miracle you both survived."

"That was one incident." Rossi points out, taking over the conversation. "And the children were not there. Any time we're on a case, or we think we might be in danger, we get the kids out of the house for that precise reason. We can take care of these kids." He glances over at Hotch.

You realize that by trying to take Jane and Frankie, we run the risk of losing Jack and Henry.

I know.

Rossi nods but doesn't say anything more. Jane's eyes widen at that. The social worker sighs. "You're right. All of these years, and the children's lives have only been put in danger once." She tucks the clipboard under her arm. "We'll have to run a full investigation, and if Mr. Rizzoli shows that he is capable of taking care of his kids, he'll get them back. But for now – I think that can wait until tomorrow. Take the kids home when the doctor clears them. Get some sleep. If it counts for anything, I'm rooting for you." She offers a small smile and walks away.

Jane speaks as soon as she's gone. "You can't lose Jack and Henry because of me."

"He won't." Jack assures her. He stares up at his dad, still so very young and so very serious, and Hotch wonders briefly what he ever did to deserve a kid like Jack. "You heard the social worker. That means a lot."

Hotch nods. "Nothing is going to happen to any of you." he says quietly. "We won't let it." He turns to Rossi. "I need to call JJ." The older agent nods.

"Don't worry, I'll keep watch." Hotch smiles faintly and heads out into the hallway, phone already in hand. Rossi turns to Jane and Jack. He watches them for a moment before coming to sit on the bed next to Jane, on the other side of Jack. Jane looks up at him.

"You're not gonna ask?"

"No, not right now." he says softly. "That's a question for another night." He reaches out and squeezes her hand. "Get some rest, okay? Another hour or so and we can go home."

Jack seems to smile at that. Home, Jane.

She chuckles and leans against him, closing her eyes. Rossi still holds her hand, Jack supports her weight, and her little brothers are sleeping soundly on the other bed.

Yeah. Home.

She's never felt so at peace in her life.

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AN: And part two is incredibly short. I'm sorry! The next chapter will be the last part and it will be longer.