Disclaimer: I don't own CM or anything else copyrighted, and anything that belongs to someone else has been used without their permission.

(Just to warn you, this chapter and the next few contain some supernatural elements/discussions. I also apologize that this is shorter than the rest; I'm just trying to give those of you who want to read more something to, well, read. I'm toying around with some Hotch/Jaye oneshots. Any ideas/thoughts/preferences/suggestions? Please:D?)

Better for Everyone
Chapter Seven

"I know this will sound very strange, but do you think you could let me out at the park up ahead on the right? I need to take a walk. You won't have to wait on me; I can call Stacy to come and pick me up when I'm ready," Jayezma asked.

"I don't mind, but I'm not leaving you out alone at night. That would be highly irresponsible of me."

"You've met one too many serial killers, Aaron."

"Uh uh uh! What did I say about every conversation reverting back to them?"

"I'm sorry, but it's relevant! You're being paranoid."

"No, Jaye, I'm being concerned for someone I care about."

Seeing no reaction from her at his admission, Hotch was confused. When he glanced over at her, though, he saw a faraway look in her eyes, tinged with sadness and hurt.

He took her hand in his, waiting until she turned her gaze to him. When she finally did, he asked, "Jaye, would you mind if I came walking with you?"

She snatched her hand away from him as if he had scorched her. "Just drop me off at my house, please," she requested coolly. He could hear the tears in her voice.

He pulled the truck into the gravel lot of the park and cut the engine. "No. If I do that, you'll just come back out and go walking by yourself. I don't know what's got you in this state, but I'm not going to let you ride it out alone."

"Aaron, I can't." Her voice broke. "I've never—ever!—told anyone. Nobody who wasn't there knows. Everyone who knows is in denial, or is kind enough not to mention what happened. I just need to clear my head. I'll be fine after a walk. Can I please go walk?"

"If you let me come along."

He took her stony silence as an unwilling acceptance of his terms since she didn't protest.

"Okay. Good." Hotch unbuckled his seatbelt and left the cab, intending to go around and help her down.

He heard the opening of her door and expected to see her waiting with her head hung in defiance when he rounded the hood, but instead saw her shoes lying on the ground and the last of her blonde hair disappear down one of the paths.

Cursing under his breath, he took off after her.

After five minutes of chasing the emotional woman through the forest, Hotch heard the tearing of fabric, followed by a yell of "Well, just dadgumnit!" Heading toward the sound, he stopped short at the sight of Jayezma sitting off to the side of the path, silently crying and holding either side of the rend in her skirt.

Hotch crouched down and tentatively set a hand on her shoulder. It was then that he saw the gash in her leg.

"D*mn, Jaye, how did you manage that?"

"He pushed me. He ran after me, calling me names, and then he caught me and pushed me. Just like he did years ago! He still hasn't left me alone! Why weren't you there, JD? You promised me you'd always protect me. You promised, Judd! But he's still found me! And now he's hurt me! Every time, you've kept him away. You wouldn't let him hurt me! Why this time?"

As Jaye neared the end of her piece, sounding more like a child than a grown woman, Aaron realized that she wasn't talking to him. He followed her gaze up to the path to see a tall man in dress blues standing in the middle.

"You have someone else who cares for you now, Rosie. It's soon, and sudden, I know; but it's true: someone you could love more than you ever loved me. I won't hold that against you, or him, or the children. I will always love you, and maybe part of you will always belong to me, but he's your future; I'm the past. I'm gone, and now I'll watch over you. But let him take care of you. If you don't run from him, the monsters won't run after you. I want you to be happy, Jayegirl. Give the young'uns a kiss for me. Goodbye, Rosie." And like that, the Marine vanished.


Thank you for reading! I hope to get more up soon. Hope y'all've enjoyed it so far. :)

~Dixie