A/N: Chapter 4 is up! This was a fun one to write, so I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you so much to those who reviewed and to all that have read! I must send a special shout out to my loyal reviewers who comment on every chapter: jekkah, SSAmolloy7 and canny-bairn. I am sending each of you cyber hugs (do those exist?). Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Jake's Companion 4

I let out a tired sigh as I close Jack's door, leaving it cracked open. It took me a while to get him back to sleep this time; tonight has been bad and I'm not entirely sure it is over yet.

I wander into the living room and poor myself a drink, knowing I won't be going to sleep. I am worried about Jack and it is keeping me up at night whether Jack has one nightmare or four. I walk over to the couch with my glass and fall down into it. I take a sip and contemplate how I am going to get Jack and I through all of this. I hold my tumbler on my lap and lean back, closing my eyes. I can feel my exhaustion in my bones but my mind won't allow me to rest.

It is hard. I knew we weren't through the worst of it, but deep down I thought Jack and I were defying the odds of the grieving process. I should have known better.

There is a buzzing on the end table and I pray it isn't work. I set down my glass and pick up my phone. I have a text and it is from JJ.

Henry and Boo.

Attached to the message is a picture of Henry snuggled up against Boo, both of them fast asleep. I quirk up the sides of my lips, but my weak smile turns into a grimace. For my son's sake, I envy Henry. He is content and sleeping as my son should be. I stare at the picture and wonder when Jack will be able to dream carefree, happy dreams again.

The image tugs at my heart. I'm pleased to see Henry fast asleep, something he's been struggling with since Will left, but my concern for Jack selfishly overrides my feelings.

One little boy is dreaming while the other is plagued with nightmares. I desperately wish Jack was the one in the photo, sleeping peacefully and feeling safe like I know Henry is.

Before I can stop it, jealousy sparks through me. Instead of answering JJ I lock my phone and discard it back onto the table.

/XXX/

Jack is bouncing with excitement as we walk up to JJ's door. He lets go of my hand and runs the rest of the way to push the doorbell. Twice. This is the most carefree and happy I've seen him in a while so I don't admonish him for his impatience. My son looks over to me and motions for me to hurry up. I pick up my pace and reach JJ's door just as she opens it.

"Jack!"

"JJ!" He gives her his obligatory hug, but lasts for barely a second before he runs into the house.

"Take off your—" but I realize it is no use to tell my son anything because he's already in the living room. He's on the floor next to Henry and is hugging Boo. She's licking Jack in greeting and he's loving it.

"It's okay, Hotch. Henry does the same thing." She shuts the door and locks it before she joins me and watches the boys playing with Boo. The dog's plush toys are all over the floor as she runs after the ones Jack and Henry toss across the room. She begins to tease them by not giving back the toys which makes the boys giggle.

I'm fascinated; in less than a minute at JJ's he is back to his old self. As promised, JJ has already managed to "make it all better" for my son.

I let out a chuckle at the sight and glance at JJ to see her reaction to the spectacle. I'm surprised when I find her watching me with a small smile on her face. Her eyes are searching mine and we stare at each other for a few seconds before blush taints her cheeks and she clears her throat.

"Come on," she says, "help me finish dinner. Boo will entertain those two for a good twenty minutes at least."

I follow her into the kitchen which smells delicious. "Are you making cookies, too?" I lean over the oven and peek inside.

"Hey! That was supposed to be a surprise, nosy!" She hits me with the towel she is holding and I immediately straighten. She narrows her eyes at my smirk.

I raise my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay!" JJ turns, trying to hide her smile, and goes to get a pot from a cupboard. "What can I do?" I ask her, rolling up my sleeves. I glance up and see her bent over, reaching in, and I can't look away.

"You can fill this with water and boil it." She stands and hands over the pot. But I don't take it, because I didn't hear her at first.

"Huh?" I ask, out of my reverie. A slow, knowing smile appears on her face and I know I've been caught. I can feel the blush rise from my neck to my cheeks.

"Boil the water, Aaron," she instructs, taking a step towards me and offering over the pot. She has an eyebrow arched and is smirking at me and I want to die of embarrassment. I take the pot and walk to the sink.

"Will Jack eat some carrot and celery sticks?"

I glance over my shoulder to answer. "Yes. But count on him eating at least three helpings of macaroni and cheese, he loves the stuff."

"Don't worry, there's plenty to go around." JJ comes up to the sink to rinse the vegetables. She gives me a smile and patiently waits for me to finish.

The water is just about to where I want it so I move the faucet to her side of the sink. "Here you go," I say easily.

"Thanks," she replies.

I head to the stove and can't help but think about how in sync the interaction between us is. I attribute it to all of our years working together, reviewing cases and taking long plane rides. Meeting at Jake's has shown me a whole other side to her, too. I like it.

"Jack seems to be okay tonight," JJ observes. She is shaking out the celery and carrots onto a paper towel, but giving me most of her attention.

I turn on the burner and lean against the counter, crossing my arms. "Yeah, but honestly I don't know how long it'll last. I have a feeling we aren't past the worst of it yet." JJ studies me and bites her lip. I can tell she wants to say something. "What?"

"He'll get better, Aaron. He will because we are all here to help." She gives me an encouraging smile before she continues. "And I still say you should take Boo back with you for a few days!" says, referring to our earlier discussion at Jake's.

"Ha! You won't get her back if I do that! You know the minute I told Jack we were coming here tonight his face just lit up. It was…" I allow my sentence to drift as I nod. "It was great! The whole car ride I heard nothing but 'Boo this' and 'Henry that'." I shake my head and smile at the memory.

I hear laughter trickle into the kitchen from the living room. JJ leans towards the kitchen door and peeks into the living area and begins to giggle. I love those giggles.

"I told you Boo and Henry would be good for him."

JJ carries the rinsed vegetables over to the island so she can begin to skin the carrots. If I was brave, I would tell her she was just as good for him as Boo and Henry. Instead, I pick up the knife she set on the counter and start cutting the celery into little sticks for the boys. We work together in silence that is sprinkled with Jack and Henry's laughter, and the scene is domestic and familiar and simply comfortable.

At least, comfortable enough for her to start humming a song. I think it is the theme song to Henry's favorite Saturday morning cartoon. I smirk because I know she has no idea she's doing it. Thinking she's distracted, though I should know better, I reach over and grab a carrot stick on the edge of her cutting board.

"Hey!" JJ lightly smacks my arm, all humming ceased. "Those are for dinner." I look at her and take a bite, chewing it enthusiastically. I offer the other half to her, holding it up to her lips. She huffs and opens her mouth, taking it from my hand.

"JJ! Those are for din—"

She hits me again and I can't help but laugh.

"Better watch it, Hotchner, or no cookies for you!" she scowls, but a second later she's laughing along with me.

And all four of us are laughing. It's perfect.