A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited or followed this story!
Special thanks to samcarter1980 and guest!
I don't own criminal minds!
Chapter 3: First day
After dinner, JJ took a shower and decided to go to bed early. Hotch had to work the next day and he wanted to go over some last details before he left. But as JJ lay awake in her bed, she couldn't help but feel terrified. Sleeping was always the hardest thing for her to do. She had nothing to take her mind off her struggles. She tried to fall asleep, but she couldn't stop imagining the hands around her neck. Or the collision with the wall that had become a regular occurrence. But the worst of all was the cold metal of the gun she could still feel against her head. The fear of dying consumed everything she did.
Her entire body was covered in sweat. She rose from the bed and walked into the bathroom. She stopped in front of the mirror and lifted her shirt. The bruises on her stomach made her feel sick. She was covered in them and she knew it would take a while before they would be gone. They only reminded her of the past and that was a place she wanted to forget. This was supposed to be a new start, but she still couldn't get him out of her head.
She slowly and quietly retreated back to the bedroom and climbed in the bed with the hopes of getting some sleep. She needed to show Hotch that she was worth what he had already given her. This job was perfect for her. It was exactly what she needed.
The next morning JJ was woken up by her alarm. She jumped from the bed in an instant. She was happy to have a reason to get out of bed. She looked through the curtain, noticing it was another beautiful sunny day outside. She almost sprinted to the closet and put on shorts and a simple tank top. It was basically what she lived in. She left her bedroom not knowing what she was supposed to do. The house was quit so she decided to go upstairs and check on Jack. She silently walked the stairs. Hotch had given her the tour the day prior, so she knew exactly where to go. She turned towards Jack's room. But she suddenly collided with something hard and wet. She fell backwards on the ground.
''Oh JJ!'' Hotch exclaimed as he bumped into the blonde. ''I'm so sorry.''
''It's fine.'' JJ said quickly when she heard the worry in his voice. She gazed into his eyes, but they slowly checked out his body. He had a toned body. He looked strong and like a real man. And he was wearing nothing but a towel. The situation brought a blush to her face. She couldn't deny that he was a very attractive man.
''It was my fault.'' JJ began as she pushed herself up from the ground. ''I didn't look, sorry.''
''So, we're both saying sorry.'' he said confidently. He noticed that JJ looked at him. It gave him a boost of confidence.
''Is Jack awake?''
''Yes, he is. He wanted to wake you up for your first day.'' Hotch explained. ''He really likes you.''
''That's sweet.'' JJ said happily. ''I'll make us some breakfast.''
''You don't have to.'' Hotch interrupted immediately.
''It's what I am here for.'' she told him.
Hotch stayed in his spot when JJ returned downstairs. Why was he so happy? He had been miserable for months and now he suddenly felt something again. Was it JJ? Or was it just the moment? He returned to his own bedroom, hoping he would ever sort those questions out.
Jack was happily eating his breakfast at the table. It had been a long time since he had a real breakfast that tasted good. He knew his dad didn't have much time, but he longed for more time with him.
''Do you like the pancakes, Jack?'' JJ asked as she stood up to clean up the table.
''Yeah, I do.'' Jack said happily as he finished the remainder of pancakes on his plate.
Hotch was eating his breakfast as he read the newspaper. He loved to see JJ and Jack interact. They already seemed to be getting along. There wasn't more he could've hoped for. He was glad that he found someone he could trust Jack with.
''Jack, you need to brush your teeth buddy. We'll leave for school in ten minutes.'' Hotch said to make sure Jack was on time. He wasn't fast in the morning and he needed an extra push.
''Is his school close by?'' JJ asked nervously.
Hotch put away the paper. ''It's a ten minute walk from here. I always drive Jack but I know he loves to walk or cycle.'' he answered. ''I don't mind if you walk or cycle. It's your choice.''
''Okay. Is there more I need to know?''
''If something happens when I am on a case, you can call Jessica Brooks. She's Jack's aunt and she lives nearby.'' Hotch explained as wrote down the number for JJ. ''But I don't think you'll need this.'' he reassured her.
''So, you don't know when you're home or at work?'' JJ wondered aloud.
''I never know what my weeks are going to look like. But we have a lot of cases and we always help with most of them.'' he explained. ''Which means I am barely home. But Jack can stay with Jessica on the weekends when I am not home so you have the weekends off.''
''Okay,''
''I'll make sure that Jack will be brought home today. I want you to take it easy and get used to your surroundings. And I'll do anything I can to be home early tonight.''
''That's okay.''
''Jack?'' Hotch called out. ''We have to go buddy.''
Jack stormed down the stairs and stopped next to his father, looking up at the two adults who were both looking at him. ''See ya, JJ!'' he said as he walked into the hallway to put on his jacket.
''Bye, Jack.'' JJ said softly.
Hotch turned around to JJ before he left the house. ''Make yourself at home. I hope to see you tonight.''
''Yeah.'' she agreed affectionately, reminding herself she needed to keep a distance. ''Good luck at work!''
''Thanks.''
Hotch rushed out of the elevator and walked to the bullpen. He sighed out deeply when he noticed that the team wasn't there yet, until he heard familiar footsteps.
''Aaron, you're five minutes too late. What happened?'' Rossi teased as he followed his friend inside the bullpen.
Hotch turned to the kitchenette to get a cup of coffee. ''Nothing happened, Dave. I just hired a nanny and we talked for a bit.''
Rossi smiled. ''Is she pretty? Did she make an impression on you?''
Hotch grabbed the coffee and walked to his office as he ignored Rossi. Rossi was always being a tease when it came to women or anything related to women. He sat down at his desk and took a zip of the hot coffee.
''Tell me!'' Rossi pleaded.
Hotch finally looked up. ''How old are you, Dave?'' he asked with annoyance. ''She's just a nanny. I am just glad I finally found someone who can take care of Jack. It gives me less to worry about.''
''Sure.'' he agreed. ''But what does she look like?''
Hotch knew he was going to keep asking until he got a honest answer. ''She's hot, pretty and sweet. Are you happy now?''
''Oh, that's the best combination you know. Can you set me up?'' Rossi joked. ''I need some ladies in my life.''
''You're a bastard!''
''What?''
''She's twenty-four, Dave. And I think if she would've been older you would still be out of her league.'' Hotch said. ''And I think she wouldn't fall for someone like you. Plus, she might even have a boyfriend.''
Rossi leaned back in the chair. He already saw a protectiveness in Hotch's expression, which meant a lot if it was about someone he just knew. ''She might!'' he pointed out. ''Aaron, it's alright if you move on.''
The conversation suddenly turned serious and Hotch didn't like it. He still didn't like to talk about Haley. It was a subject that hurt him when he even thought about it. ''I don't want to talk about this. Dave.'' Hotch explained politely.
''I get it.'' Rossi said, rising from the chair and turning to the door. ''But just think about it. You deserve to be happy, Aaron.''
Hotch sat back in his chair, remembering the past two years of his life. It had been far from easy. He missed the intimacy in his life, but he felt guilty when he even tried to think about another woman. Haley still meant everything to him. He had shared everything with her and there was no way he could ever move on from that.