Disclaimed!
Sorry for the delay. This is the last chapter for 'Loosening up' but the last section of my 'Girl's night out' series will be up soon, seeing as the first chapter is already wrote. Hope people are still interested, let me know what you think!
While I remember... 'Calling all CM readers and authors! Join us for our first Profiler's Choice CM Awards on ! Help us choose the best of the best of the CM stories on , and let your voice be heard. Anyone with a account is eligible to nominate. Please check out the nominating ballot and rules at Chit Chat on Author's Forum at .net/topic/74868/30888142/1/. All rules and information are on the forum.' – I keep on forgetting to post this in my fics, but this fic wouldn't exist if I hadn't taken part in one of Tracia and Tonnie's challenges, so go and have a look on the Chit Chat forum, they've created a really fun and useful forum and welcome everyone with open arms!
Back to the story...Enjoy!
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JJ shaded her eyes from the blazing autumn sun upon exiting the large court house in DC, with her Blackberry glued to her ear. The Pennsylvanian sighed as she interrupted her friend's epic speech abruptly. "Em, I know you like weird guys but come on, is Wanda... right sorry, is Ted, really the best guy... okay, okay I got it, he took you dancing and you felt something but...Em?" JJ leaned against the cool brick wall as she waited for a response, "Hello?... Hi Garcia, I'm so sorry sweetie, how are you coping with Esther's diagnosis?"
A hand on her shoulder made the former agent jump. Hotch smiled as she faced him. "You ready?"
Nodding, JJ felt a heated blush rise to her cheek as they made eye contact. "I know Pen, I'm sorry. Yeah its Hotch we're about to go into court... I won't... I'm hanging up now... Penelope! Bye" JJ rolled her eyes as she hung up the phone and fell into strode with the profiler as they made their way into the old building.
"How is she now?" Hotch asked thoughtfully as silence dominated their conversation.
JJ shrugged, "She's still devastated about Ester being wrote off yet she still manages to be slightly intrusive"
"Morgan spent the whole day intercepting people before they entered her office, apparently there's been some serious mourning going on" Hotch shook his head at the morning's office drama
"Her parents gave her Esther for her Eighteenth" JJ informed quietly, it was common knowledge amongst the team that Garcia had lost both of her parents in a car accident when she was a teenager.
Hotch paused as they stopped at the security checkpoint before replying. "I didn't realise that..."
"It'll be okay, Garcia will find a new car to fall in love with and the world will be balanced again" JJ smiled warmly while they waited for the court to resume.
They made small talk about the fact that this was the last time she would testify for a BAU case and they politely talked about JJ's new job and Hotch's brother before a guard appeared, both breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the awkward ordeal was going end. "BRYANT!"
Hotch stepped aside to let JJ walk into the room first but hovered closely to her as they took a seat. Hotch cleared his throat, trying to relax his nerves. "Are you still free for coffee after this?"
"Sure" JJ smiled but hesitated to start another conversation as the room silenced for the judge.
Forty minutes later and the guilty verdict was announced. JJ had been the arresting agent in the case and more often than not would be the one to file an official report, so would attend court with which ever profiler drew the short straw, meaning they would have to try and prove that profiling was a valid tool in investigating crimes to a room full of doubters.
The unit chief thanked the federal prosecutor before leading JJ outside of the court room. "You don't miss it all?"
JJ scoffed as she turned her Blackberry back on. "I definitely don't miss court and pissy defence attorneys"
Hotch chuckled and was grateful that she was smiling back at him. "So do you want to get coffee at the diner across the street?"
"Yeah that's fine" JJ agreed instantly.
They walked into the bustling diner filled with everyone from prison guards, lawyers and family members of those standing trial. JJ found a seat away from the main gathering of people and waited for Hotch to return after placing their order.
She took a few deep breaths, and tried not to watch the man she knew she had increasing feelings for, instead her concentration was forced on the small menu of deserts on the table. Suddenly the chair in front of her was being pulled back and Hotch appeared looking rather nervous. "JJ I think I can guess what this conversation is going to be about and before you say anything, I need you to know that I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable..."
JJ's jaw dropped as he apologised. "Hotch I kissed you"
"You were drunk" He smirked when JJ rolled her eyes at the memory of throwing herself upon her former boss in the middle of the night. "That's no excuse"
A Hispanic woman brought two mugs of coffee to the table. "Here you go, just let me know if you need anything else" The pair smiled at the woman in thanks as she left them alone.
JJ took a sip of her drink all the while watching the profiler watch her. "Hotch, I like you as more than just a friend. But the last thing I want to do is ruin our friendship"
JJ's bluntness caught him of guard and Hotch could feel his eyelashes blinking fast as struggled to find his words. "JJ... I really do... I like you too" He let his gaze fall to the dark liquid in his cup before continuing. "But you've only been single for a little while and I'm not exactly sure if I can give you commitment. Not the type of commitment you deserve. I work too much and there's Jack and..."
JJ tilted her head, knowing what he was trying to say. "Hailey hasn't been gone that long and there would be other people to consider. The boys and the team..."
Looking into JJ's bright blue eyes, Hotch sighed in knowledge of what he was about to say, wanting nothing than more to tell the brunette to give him a chance. "I care about you JJ, if we started a relationship, I would want to make it work. I want to make you and Henry happy but I don't think either of us is ready for such a big change in our friendship, not right now"
They both leaned back in their seats, their gaze focused on the other in silence. JJ inhaled slowly, "Wow, we've just talked ourselves out of a relationship that doesn't even exist"
Hotch was the first to break the eye contact as he muttered, "I'm sorry"
"Don't be, really" JJ smiled sadly, not entirely knowing how she should respond to the unwilling disappointment she could feel flood her body.
"For the record, I've liked you a long time." Hotch smiled cautiously, not wanting to push his emotions on her.
JJ hesitantly guided her hand across the table and gently covered Hotch's before whispering. "Well that's good to know"
To match JJ's intimate tone, Hotch lowered his voice as his eyes met hers once more. "I've never wanted you to think that I'd act inappropriately towards you"
"You're not my boss anymore Hotch" JJ smiled and allowed her hand to linger on his warm hand before pulling away.
"No, I'm not" Hotch grinned sorrowfully, swallowing his regret of a potential relationship with the woman in front of him, the unit chief darted his eyes around the room momentarily. "You want some pie?"
Smiling sweetly, JJ nodded. "Sure"
Hotch made eye contact with the waitress that previously served them and cleared his throat as felt JJ's gaze on him. "We're still going to be able to talk right? I don't want to lose you JJ"
"Of course we are and to prove it, I have some big news" JJ straightened and placed both of her hands onto the table almost to steady her balance.
"Really? Big news?" Hotch widened eyes waited for her response in anticipation
JJ grinned as she prolonged the announcement to add drama and create a necessary distraction. "I've booked another hair appointment"
Hotch rolled his eyes mockingly. "Uh oh"
"I'm going back to blonde" JJ curled a lock of her hair between her fingers as she talked.
Hotch chuckled at her childlike expression, their usual comfortable ease returned as they sat facing each other. "Are you sure that's what you want?"
JJ nodded, smirking as the cheery waitress called, Hilda, according to her name tag, peered above them, with her pen in her hand. "So, what can I get you guys?"
...
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and alert especially those who have reviewed throughout this fic! Special thanks to; itscomplicated, crazyobsession101 and angry penguin, you're awesome!