A Bridge Over Troubled Water – Part 2

JJ savoured the silence. Although she loved Henry with all her heart, she had learnt to appreciate the rare moments of quiet when he was with Will. She had taken a long bath, very decadent for a Sunday morning.Now she was curled up on the couch, with a large mug of coffee, while she painted her toe nails. As she concentrated on her nails, she hummed along to 'White Christmas' on radio.

Once finished, she felt relaxed and calmer than she had in weeks. Work had been hectic; changing from the BAU had definitely not been the easy option. It was made worse by missing her friends. The team had been a family; they helped and supported each other. But now their life-styles clashed. When she was free they were busy with a case, often out of town, and frequently taking Garcia with them now. Slowly everyone was ebbing away. The intentions were good; Auntie Penelope and Uncle Spencer made sure they saw Henry, but everyone else? She hadn't seen Prentiss, Morgan and Rossi since Halloween. Then there was Aaron Hotchner. Even this was enough to make her smile. He had not been the one she expected to be in regular touch, least of all the one she was going to spent Christmas day with.

Picking up the phone in one hand and her coffee in the other, she slowly dialled his number. Jack surprised her by answering.

"Hey you, it's JJ, can I speak to your Dad please?"

"Sure," Jack answered, "Dad, it's JJ," he called.

"Thanks buddy."

JJ heard Hotch coming to the phone.

"Hi, how's Henry? Did he sleep well?" Hotch's tone was calm and even.

"He was so tired I even got a lay in, unheard of. You two OK?"

"Mmm," Hotch replied, watching Jack flicking through the channels and he slumped on the couch, still tired.

"I'm sorry I cut our day short, but I didn't want Henry to be too tired for his Dad, today. I hope you understand." JJ felt the need to explain her actions.

"Sure," Hotch understood.

"I was wondering if I could come over later. Henry is with Will until Wednesday. Maybe I could come over after Jack has gone to bed and we can chat." JJ wanted to talk face to face, this wasn't a conversation she wanted over the phone.

The tone of Hotch's voice lifted. "That would be great. Tonight would be good."

"See you later then."

. . . . . . . . . . .

The constant ring of the phone shocked JJ awake from a rare afternoon nap. Picking the phone up she answered wearily, "Hi, JJ speaking."

"Sorry JJ, its Hotch we've just been called in for a case. You know what it's like criminals, don't rest on a Sunday."

JJ sat silently, as she computed that this meant that she wouldn't get chance to speak to Hotch that evening.

"JJ, you OK? I've got to rush; I'll call you during the week. Is that OK?" Hotch was restless.

JJ recognised the urgency in his voice. She had heard it many times prior to a case. "No worries, I only wanted to talk to you about Christmas. Henry and I would love to spend the day with you. But we can sort that out another night."

"Great news, we'll look forward to it. Got to go; Garcia's about to start the briefing."

Hotch's last words cut through her like a knife. She hadn't realised how much she had missed the BAU until then. The briefing was her realm, not Garcia's. No disrespect to her friend, she was more than capable of doing a great job of anything she set her mind to. But that had been her job, her role. JJ was realistic enough to know the team would carry on without her, no-one is irreplaceable, but to hear they were carrying on so well. That hurt.

. . . . . . . . . .

Christmas Eve came round far too quickly. JJ packed presents and bags into the car. They had decided, though a series of quick, secretive phone calls, that Henry and JJ would come over Christmas Eve and stay until the Tuesday after Christmas. JJ had told Will that they were going to Hotch's for Christmas. He had asked her what was going on. JJ had been honest and said, she didn't know, she didn't yet.

JJ had not seen Hotch since their Saturday in the park. The case Hotch had gone off on had been a long one. He'd been out of town for ten days. JJ had shopped and dropped food off at Hotch's. Everything was ready, but JJ was unsure she was doing the right thing. It was too late to back out now. She checked Henry was buckled in well.

"You ready?"

Henry nodded, looking sleepy. He'd had a busy morning with his Dad. He rarely had a daytime nap now, but JJ suspected he may today.

Starting the car she sighed as she set off for Christmas at Hotch's. Her, Henry, Hotch and Jack.

. . . . . . . . . .

Sorry it's a short chapter, but it was a good place to pause.

Thank you to everyone that is letting me know what they think. Still want to know which ending you'd like me to post. Do Hotch and JJ get together or just stay friends? Will post the final chapter before Christmas.