Disclaimed!
Thanks to everyone who is reading/following this fic. It's only a two parter but I've started writing a follow up if anyone is interested?
Let me know what you think :)
...
Seattle, January 2003
JJ stared across the view of Seattle while leaning back into Hotch's strong hold. "So after nearly two months of 'dating,' this our official, first date huh?"
"One of many to come, I hope." He kissed to back of her head as they watched the lights of the city flicker in the night time scene.
Instinctively, JJ turned and pressed a soft kiss against his lips. "Tell me something you've never told anyone else before. I want to know everything."
"Like what?" He prompted unsurely.
JJ bit her lower lip in thought. "Well, when I was a kid I wanted to be a lepidopterist and go travelling the world's jungles and country sides to find a new species of butterfly because butterflies remind me of my Dad and my sister. I never really got to spend much time with them as a kid except when we went hunting in the yard for butterflies to add to my collection. We lost them both by my 12th birthday."
"I'm sorry, but that's so sweet of you wanting to do something in their memory." He cooed with a smile.
"I was young and idealistic." JJ retorted with a nudge to his ribs. "Now tell me something you've never told anyone."
He pretended to think hard before complying. "I used to collect basketball cards and coins."
"Coins?" JJ attempted but failed to smother a laugh.
"Old coins can be cool." He shrugged haughtily.
"Seriously, you can do better than that." JJ pressed with a smirk.
He scanned his memories silently for a moment before his expression became serious. "I erm, I grew up... in an abusive household."
JJ stiffened upon hearing his revelation. "Oh my God, Aaron."
"I've never really told anyone before." His voice broke slightly as he spoke.
JJ's eyes widened. "No-one?"
"Sean knew obviously, and my Dad, he knew but he never did anything about it. My mother was the erm, abuser." Hotch expanded quietly.
The liaison stared up at him in shock. "What about your ex-wife, you never told her?"
"She knew I never got a long with my mom but by the time I met Hailey, I was older and stronger. I put a stop to the abuse and I made sure Sean never suffered at her hands. Hailey was a nice distraction to my home life and so I did my best to move past it." Hotch summarised tensely.
"Oh Babe." JJ consoled him by wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzled his neck.
Hotch tightened his hold around her waist and relaxed. "So, have I totally ruined tonight?"
"No, of course not." JJ pulled back and smiled up at him. "Thank you for telling me."
"I hate how weak I was back then." He mumbled suddenly.
She shook her head slowly in disbelief. "You were a child, Aaron and she was your mom. She should have protected you not hurt you. I wish I could have been there to stop it. I hate to think of you having to deal with that by yourself."
Hotch lifted one of his hands to trace his fingers along her jaw before returning to her waist. "I don't know what it is about you Jennifer Jareau, but I want you to know everything because I want to have everything with you."
"Wow." She inhaled quickly to catch her breath that was stolen at his words.
Smiling thinly, the profiler pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I didn't want to make tonight so serious. I wanted us to have fun."
"We have had fun. Besides, tonight isn't over, you know." She looked up at him through her eye lashes.
"It's not?" He asked with a small smile.
JJ shook her head and felt her grin widen uncontrollably at the sight of his dimples. "I happen to have a hotel room that the Bureau is still paying for and they do room service."
"Are you still hungry?" He asked in wonder as to where she concealed the amount of food she had consumed.
JJ eyed him coyly. "For dessert maybe."
...
Present day
JJ smiled in her sleep as her mind drifted through happier times with the man who had been her friend for the last eight years.
Memories of what they shared and what they discovered about each other, had JJ waking up with a sudden invigoration that had been absent from her life for a while now.
Opening her eyes, she frowned when she realised that she was alone in her bed even though she could smell his scent around her.
Stretching her arms above her head, JJ sat up and decided to freshen up before she went in search for the rest of the household.
Ten minutes later, the profiler wandered downstairs to find him standing in the kitchen, watching over a pan that he was frying bacon in.
Sensing her presence, Hotch turned and grinned broadly as he took in her relaxed appearance. His eyes trailed over her body without restraint, focusing on the low cut top which showed off her chest perfectly and her long bare legs.
Without a word, he crossed the room and dragged her into a heated kiss. She was hanging on to his upper arms when he pulled away and greeted her properly. "Morning."
"I thought we were getting to know each other better friends, spending more time together and taking things slow so we could figure out what it is we want?" She pursed her lips in humour.
"We are." He answered her with a nod before returning to the food on the stove.
"Right. Good." JJ cleared her throat before pouring herself a cup of coffee that the Unit Chief had brewed for them when he woke. "How did you sleep?"
"I slept like a baby. Your couch is really comfortable." He confirmed with a smirk.
"I've had many nights of falling asleep in front of the TV on that couch." JJ added awkwardly.
He cocked his head to the side, observing her silently. "How did you sleep?"
She pulled herself onto the kitchen counter next to him as she replied. "Good. Somehow I ended up in my bed upstairs."
"You were out cold. I didn't want to wake you." He smiled lovingly.
JJ reached out and ran her hand down his arm before pulling it back. "Well, thank you, for carrying me upstairs."
"So," Hotch eyed her almost giddily, "what do you want to do today?"
JJ sighed in heartfelt. "Unfortunately, I've got plans I can't get out of. I have brunch with the girls."
"I do not envy you." He chuckled deeply without a hint of disappointment.
The tired profiler groaned upon realisation of what lay ahead of her. "It's going to be horrific isn't it?"
"I'm sure Prentiss will help you out after Garcia starts talking about weddings and babies." Hotch quipped with a snigger.
JJ rolled her eyes. "You would have thought she would, but that Miss Prentiss is a devious one."
Hotch laughed again at the expression of dread that crossed her face. Forcing his gaze to stay on her face rather than drop to her chest or bare legs, the Unit Chief directed the conversation elsewhere. "What's Henry doing today?"
"He's coming with me to act as a buffer." The single mother stated with a scoff.
"Poor kid. Why would you put him through that?" He asked in amusement.
JJ raised an eye at him knowingly. "Hey we both used our kids yesterday when we needed buffers."
"Well I can't stand by while Henry gets subjected to Penelope Garcia's over exuberance." Hotch said with finality.
"But you'd let me go alone?" She asked with a gasp.
"She's your best friend." The senior profiler countered unsympathetically.
JJ cursed loudly. "Damn."
"I'm taking Jack to Dave's for Sunday lunch and to watch some sports. Do you think Henry would want to come?" Hotch asked hesitantly, knowing it was the first time he was asking to take Henry for a day out without his mother present.
"Brunch with his mom and aunts," she weighed her hands in front of her, "or a fun day with the boys. What do you think he'd rather do?"
Hotch took hold of her waist with his hands to still her. "I'll try and find a way to make it up to you."
JJ gasped slightly as she watched his eyes darken lustfully and imagined that her eyes were a similar sight. "What... do you have in mind?"
Before he could lower his mouth onto hers, the two parents heard their already hyper boys tumble down the stairs and into the front room.
The weekend cartoons were quickly turned on the TV, causing the two adults in the kitchen to separate in laughter.
Hotch tucked a lock of her long blonde hair behind her ear with a stunningly lovable smile. "Why don't you go and corral the boys and I'll plate up breakfast."
JJ eyed the tray of pancakes and bacon in the oven "You can make pancakes now?"
"Well Jack kind of demands that he's fed on a daily basis." Hotch retorted dryly.
"Kids these days. They expect far too much." JJ joked light-heartedly.
Within minutes the four of them were sitting in the kitchen in JJ's small suburban home. Henry and Jack were chatting away making JJ and Hotch unable to get through their meal without laughing out loud at their son's similar humour and antics.
Looking around the table, JJ swallowed her coffee with a small smile. Maybe they could achieve a happy ending together or perhaps they were about to ruin eight years of unbearably, torturous hard work.
...
Thanks for reading!
