A/N: I hope everyone still likes the story.
Special thanks to velizara95, samcarter1980 and the guest reviewers.
Please review!
I don't own criminal minds
Chapter 7: Three months later
Three months passed by and the BAU team was successful. They definitely had their hard cases. Since JJ joined the team everybody became closer than before. They went on more outings with the whole team and even Hotch came along more often. They all realized it was all because of JJ. She became part of the family quickly and everyone accepted it. JJ got to know a different side of Hotch and the feelings never went away and if it was possible they increased every day. She was always able to repress her feelings and nothing happened between them after the weekend in New-York but sometimes they exchanged longing looks or purposely touched each other on the arm. Every once in a while JJ saw Hotch struggling with his body when they were alone. She decided not to pay too much attention to it.
Hotch realized that JJ quickly became part of the team and that she was the glue keeping the team together. He knew he definitely had feelings for her but those only were shown in some inappropriate dreams or when he couldn't control his body when they were alone together. His marriage with Haley was still slowly falling apart. He tried to be home as much as possible and Haley saw that he was trying the best he could but she still couldn't live with his work.
JJ arrived at the BAU around 8 every morning. She had a routine and it felt right. First she would put on the coffeemaker and go back to her office to check if there were new cases that needed to come first. At 8.05 she would walk back and get two cups of coffee. Hotch always walked in when it was ready and he would take one. They said their hello's and went back to their respective offices.
But today she walked over to the coffeemaker and Hotch walked up to her.
''What, you're trying to make me look bad by coming into the office earlier?'' she asked.
''JJ'' he said with fear in his eyes.
JJ immediately knew that there must be something wrong.
''Penelope was shot last night. The doctors just called me. She made it through surgery and they told me she's stable. Can you call the rest of the team? Were not touching another case until we get the person who did it'' he ordered.
''Of course Hotch. Can I go to the hospital to check on her?'' she asked.
''Yes go. She is going to need someone by her side'' he said and he walked back to his office.
While JJ drove to the hospital she called all the team members to tell what was going on. They all wanted to go to the hospital but JJ told them that Hotch wanted them back at the office to find out what happened.
JJ walked into Penelope's room and she saw she was already awake.
''Oh my god Pen. Are you okay?'' she asked.
''JJ, is that you?'' Penelope asked while opening her eyes.
''Yes, it's me. What happened? I thought you were going on a date with the hot guy you met in the coffee shop? JJ asked with the panic surfacing in her voice.
''He shot me'' she said with the tears in her eyes.
JJ sat down in a chair next to Garcia's bed and held her hand.
''I am so glad that you're okay. When Hotch told me you were shot, it scared the hell out of me. I know I have only been part of this team for three months but you guys are like my family and can't lose you'' JJ explained.
''Of course you're a part of the team'' Garcia replied.
''Garcia, can you give me his name?''
''James Colby Baylor'' Garcia whispered.
''Do you have any idea what he wanted from you?''
''No. I don't know''
''It's okay. Take it easy'' JJ said.
JJ called the team and gave them the name. She stayed at Garcia's side the entire day. The team tried to find out what happened. After working the entire day they found nothing.
Morgan decided to stay with Garcia for the night and JJ went back to the BAU. JJ tried to get the local police to release the information about the investigation but they didn't give her anything. The team started to get frustrated because they had no idea what was going on.
The next morning Morgan took Garcia home and the unsub tried to attack her again.
The team started looking into cases Garcia was working on and they found the identity of the unsub. His real name was Jason Clark Battle.
Before the team could arrest him, he appeared in the bullpen with an IA agent. He was there to get the cases out of Garcia's system. Morgan called Hotch to let them know Battle was in the bullpen. Hotch slowly walked out of his office and told Dave what was going on. They slowly walked to the middle of the bullpen but before they could get control of the situation, Battle held a gun to the head of the IA agent.
Morgan, Prentiss, Reid and Garcia could see what was going on. They were looking at the video surveillance.
''Battle drop your gun'' Hotch ordered.
''You're a cop, you know the way this will end'' Rossi added.
''You think I am afraid of the FBI'' Battle yelled.
In the meantime Derek called JJ and updated her on the situation. JJ was still in her office and she could probably get an angle on the unsub. JJ drew her gun and slowly ran towards the bullpen.
''I don't know. Drop the gun Battle'' Hotch ordered again.
''Or what?'' Battle asked.
Hotch and all the other agents inside the bullpen had no way to shoot him without endangering the life of the IA agent. Suddenly he saw JJ appear behind the glass doors and he looked at her for a second hoping Battle didn't notice it. Battle did notice Hotch was looking at someone. He turned around. JJ shot at him right away and Battle fell to the ground. JJ looked up and realized she just killed someone for the first time and she started to feel sick. Hotch noticed the shock in her eyes.
The rest of the team arrived a few minutes later. They all were glad it was finally over.
Garcia saw JJ sitting on a table in the corner of the bullpen and walked towards her.
''Hey'' Garcia said softly.
''Hey''
''I never wanted you to have to do something like that''
''I would do anything to protect my family'' JJ replied and she knew that was the truth.
Garcia gave her a hug and walked back to Morgan.
JJ walked back to her office. She never thought it would feel so bad that kill someone. She knew it was never a good thing but Battle almost killed someone she cares about and it surprised her that she felt this way. She started to think about the comment she made that she would do anything to protect her family, she knew that was true. She only wished it worked out in the past. She felt tears stinging in her eyes. There was a soft knock on her door that startled her.
''Come in'' JJ answered.
Hotch walked in JJ's office and he saw in her eyes that she was struggling with something. In the last three months nothing happened between them but he knew he definitely felt something for her and he didn't want to see her in pain.
''Hotch, what are you doing here?''
''I came to check on you. It's never easy to shoot someone, especially when it's your first time''
''I am okay Hotch. You don't need to check up on me'' JJ said softly.
Her feelings for the stoic Unit Chief became stronger every day. The late nights in the office talking over cases were her favorite times with him. She saw the concern in his eyes and it made the sick feeling she had fade away.
''You're a member of this team. I am responsible for you and when something like this happens I need to know how you're dealing with it'' he said with sympathy.
''I know. I just never expected to feel so bad about it. I know he was a dangerous man but that doesn't change the fact that I took someone's life. I honestly don't know what I feel. I am happy that Penelope is safe. I guess that's the most important thing''
''Yes that is important and feeling guilty about taking someone's life is understandable. I actually didn't expect anything different from you''
''What do you mean?'' she asked.
''JJ, you are a kind and sweet person. Getting to know you over the last couple of months has been great and I knew that you wouldn't take it lightly to take someone's life. I say that as a compliment. The way you talk to victims or their families, it's almost like you are in their shoes. You just handle everything with so much grace that I am starting to wonder when you might break down. I know that you're a private person but don't make the mistake of bottling everything up inside of you. It's okay if you lose it every once in a while'' he explained.
''Thanks I guess'' she said softly.
Hotch walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulder to comfort her. They both felt shivers going through their bodies when Hotch touched JJ. Hotch's mind suddenly flashed to their intimate moments they shared and in New-York when he touched. He didn't understand how the slightest touch or even a short look could drive him crazy. He felt the excitement rushing through his body and he couldn't keep his control. Hotch started to move his hands towards her breasts but he was interrupted when JJ pulled his hands away.
''I'll go check in with the rest the of the team while you….uh..you know recover or something'' she said as she walked away.
Hotch's face flushed red at her comment and he sat down in her chair. He couldn't believe he didn't keep himself together.
When JJ started walking towards the bullpen she heard a voice call out her name and she turned around.
''Agent Jareau'' Haley said quickly.
''Hello Mrs. Hotchner. How are you?'' JJ asked.
''I am fine. Have you seen my husband? I got a call from Agent Anderson and he told me what happened today'' she replied worried.
''Agent Hotchner is in my office'' she said quickly. She saw Haley walk away towards her office. JJ walked into the bullpen and saw that the rest of the team was working with the exception of Morgan and Garcia.
JJ thought they all needed a distraction for tonight. They needed to relax. She realized they couldn't go out because of Garcia's injuries.
''Hey. Are you all still working?'' JJ asked and they all turned around.
''Yes. Just catching up on some paperwork. Why aren't you in your office?'' Emily asked surprised.
''Well, Haley showed up and she's talking to Hotch in my office'' JJ replied.
''That must be fun. I hope Hotch can fix his marriage before it totally falls apart'' Derek said with concern.
''Why? I thought they were doing fine. At least that's what Hotch told me'' JJ said.
''I don't think there doing fine JJ. Haley and our handsome boss-man have been having trouble before you even started here'' Garcia added.
''Okay. Well I wanted to invite you guys over to my place tonight. I thought we could watch a movie and have something to drink with the exception of Pen. Just to celebrate that PG is doing fine and that we are all still alive'' JJ said.
''That sounds great. I am in'' Emily said and turned around to work on her paperwork.
''Rossi!'' Derek yelled.
Rossi opened his door with a cranky look on his face.
''What?'' he asked.
''Are you coming to JJ's place tonight? For a movie and some nice drinking'' Derek explained.
''Yeah, sounds like fun. We need it after what happened. Great idea'' he said and closed his door behind him.
''So what about you two?'' JJ asked looking from Derek to Garcia.
''We're in'' they said at the exact same time.
''Fantastic'' JJ said.
In the meantime Haley walked towards JJ's office and walked inside.
''Aaron!'' she said.
When Aaron heard her voice he jumped out of the chair and walked over to Haley to give her a peck on the lips.
''Honey, what are you doing here?'' he asked surprised.
''Really Aaron. I got a call from Agent Anderson. He told me there was a shooting at the BAU. Didn't you even think about calling me? To let me know what happened and that you were okay. I hate what you do Aaron and when you don't tell me what's going on I don't even have a chance to understand it''
''Nothing happened Haley. I am okay'' he answered quickly.
''I didn't know you were okay and I think I deserve to know these kinds of things. You're my husband Aaron. You have a responsibility towards me and Jack''
''I know that. I never did anything that would make me less of a father to Jack and you know that, Haley. Can't we just for once talk about something other than my job or my responsibilities. I want to just have some fun. Just with each other Haley. I can't remember the last time we did something nice. When I come home early you are in bed and reading a book and when I try to do something you always ignore me. The responsibilities of our marriage are both of ours, not just mine'' he replied angrily.
JJ wanted to go back into her office but she heard Hotch and Haley fighting, so she decided to wait.
''You try do to something? Are you actually blaming me for not having sex with you every night? Come on Aaron, we both know you don't need it. From what I hear you say every night, I think you're dreams are enough for you to have a nice time'' she replied.
JJ never wanted to hear that part of the conversation. She knocked on her door.
'Haley, what do you mean?'' he said. He stopped talking when JJ stepped inside and he knew she heard that part of the conversation.
''Hello. I am sorry for barging in here. I need my purse'' JJ said as she grabbed it from her desk.
''Oh and Hotch, I invited the team to come and watch a movie tonight at my place. You and Haley are welcome'' she said.
''I don't know if I can make it but I'll let you know'' Hotch answered.
JJ walked out of the office but she heard Haley say something about her before she reached the elevators.
''Is she the one you have your dreams about? She sure is beautiful and she's younger. She would be perfect for you to have a sex life with'' Haley answered.
''Haley come on. Don't involve my agents in this. I wasn't talking about our sex life. I was talking about the way we used to be. The nights were could sit in bed all night and just talk about everything. Or the days when we didn't come out of our beds because we were too lazy and we wanted to stay together. I miss that'' he explained.
''We could have that Aaron. But we both know that your job is standing in the way'' Haley said before she walked away.
Hotch walked back to his office. He knew Haley was right but he gave everything he had to her. He had no idea what to do anymore. He sat down and started working.
''Aaron, are you going to JJ's place tonight?'' Rossi asked.
''I don't know yet, Dave''
''What's wrong? Did something happen between you and Haley?'' Dave asked. He knew that his best friend was having a lot of trouble in his marriage.
''Dave don't go there. I just don't know what Haley wants anymore'' Hotch said.
''I am sorry to hear that. Do you think you did something wrong?'' Dave asked.
''I have given absolutely everything to Haley, Jack and my job. Somehow it's not enough for Haley anymore''
''That can happen Aaron. Sometimes we reach our breaking point and Haley reached hers. Maybe you two just grew apart. I remember when you first started working here that you called her at least ten times a day and now you never do anymore'' he replied.
''You might be right. It's still hard to think about it. Haley and I have been together since high school and I am having a hard time letting go of that''
''I understand Aaron. You have known her for a long time and you have a son with her. It will never be easy to step away from a marriage'' Dave said.
''I think I have to. Haley and I have been separated for a couple of weeks and she told me that she wants a divorce'' he said.
''Well, I think you need some cheering up. Leave work early and come to JJ's place tonight. The rest of the team is coming so it might be a good distraction for you. I'll see you there Aaron'' Dave said and he walked out of Hotch's office.
JJ went to the stores to buy alcohol and to rent a couple of movies. She knew the team needed to relax. They all went through a couple of hard days and there was no better way to relax than to put on a movie and have a drink. The moment JJ got home she took a shower and wanted to change in something more comfortable. Before she could change herself there was a knock on the door. She put a rob on and walked towards the door. When she opened the door Aaron was standing in front of her. She didn't expect to see him this soon because the team would come in two hours.
''Hotch what are you doing here?'' she asked.
''Oh, I don't know. Rossi told me there's was going to be some drinking and I really need that right now'' he blurted out.
''What happened? You don't look so good''
''Nothing important happened. Do you have some scotch. I could really use a drink'' he pleaded.
JJ walked over to the kitchen and poured him a glass of scotch. Hotch poured the drink down his throat and stood up to take the bottle. An hour later he was totally drunk and JJ had no idea what to do with him.
''Hotch do I need to call Haley for you?'' she asked politely not wanting to make him angry.
''No no no. Don't do that. You heard me talking to her didn't you?'' he asked curiously.
''I heard part of the conversation and I heard the thing she said about me when I walked out of my office'' JJ said with a grin on her face.
''Oh that part. Hihi. She was right. I dream about you all the time. Do you know you're very pretty'' he slurred. He had no idea what he was saying because he was too drunk to realize it.
''You know Hotch, I think I'll call Rossi and let him pick you up''
''No don't. I just need to sleep. Can I sleep?'' he asked while walking towards JJ's bedroom.
When he reached the bed he let himself fall down and he fell asleep. JJ decided to just let him sleep.
About half an hour later everyone arrived. JJ pulled Rossi aside to talk about Hotch.
''Rossi, can I talk to you for a second'' JJ asked quietly.
''Of course''
''Hotch came here about two hours ago and he was acting pretty strange. I let him come in and he drank a lot of scotch. He's sleeping in my bedroom'' she explained.
''You didn't stop him from getting drunk''
''There wasn't much I could do. Every time I tried to get it away from him, he would start running away with it. What's going on with him?'' she asked.
''I think it has something to do with Haley. Is he still asleep?
''As far as I know he is. Do you want to wake him?'''
''No, we should just let him sleep. I think he can really use it right now'' Rossi replied.
The evening went by quickly. Around 1 pm most of them were tired and left to go home. Only Rossi stayed to take Hotch with him.
JJ and Rossi walked towards the bedroom. Hotch was still asleep.
''What should we do with him?'' JJ asked.
''I don't know. We can't bring him home. He has been separated from Haley for three weeks now and I think bringing Hotch home in this state will only make things between them worse''
''Can he come home with you? I think it would be kind of awkward to have my boss sleep in my bed the rest of the night'' she explained quickly.
''I am not going home. I am going to see my first ex-wife. Why don't you just sleep on the couch and tell Hotch what happened in the morning'' he said as fast as possible, hoping that he could leave Hotch with JJ.
''No. Come on Rossi he's your friend not mine''
''Oh come on JJ. Please. I'll take care of him the next time something like this happens''
''Okay fine. But you will pay. Believe me!'' she said as she followed Rossi to the front door.
''I believe you. Well I have to get going. Bye JJ''
''Bye'' she said while she closed the door behind Rossi.
JJ walked back into her bedroom to take some clothes. She walked into the bathroom, took a shower and changed into sweatpants and a sweater. She walked back to the bedroom and she didn't notice Hotch was awake.
''JJ, where are you going?'' he asked.
JJ jumped slightly when she heard his voice and she turned around to see him sitting against the headboard of the bed.
''I am going to sleep on the couch. You can stay in here. Rossi said you couldn't go home and he was going to one of his ex-wives. I actually thought he said he said he was going to see his first ex-wife. Well it doesn't matter. You sleep here and I will be out there on the couch. It's really awkward to sleep in the same place with my boss, but I guess after what happened between us it shouldn't and I am…'' she tried to say but Hotch interrupted her.
''…rambling. I know. You always do that when you get nervous'' he said as he looked into her bright blue eyes. JJ looked back but when she started to blush she looked away from him.
''I am sorry. I guess you probably have a hangover and you can't drive and it's already late. Just stay here and I will sleep on the couch'' she explained quickly.
She tried to walk away but she couldn't because Hotch took her wrist.
''JJ. Stay here. I will sleep on the couch tonight. Thank you for letting me crash here tonight'' he said and he walked out of her bedroom.
''Hotch wait! You need a blanket and a pillow'' she said while she handed it over to Hotch.
''Thanks JJ. Sleep well'' he said softly.
JJ crawled into her bed. She couldn't sleep. Her mind kept going back to Rossi's comments about Hotch and Haley. Were they really separated? Was is because of her? Does he have feelings for me? JJ kept asking herself those questions. After a while she decided that she was crazy for thinking that he really liked her. She tried to sleep but she lay awake and couldn't close an eye.
Hotch couldn't sleep either. He was thinking about the beautiful blonde, just a room away from him. He wanted so badly to be with here, to just feel that kind of passion. He knew he and Haley had lost that a long time ago. He was wondering if Haley wanted a divorce. His heart was torn between two woman. He knew Haley since high school and he couldn't just let her walk out of her life. Haley was perfect. She was a good mother, an amazing wife but sometimes she was to perfect. He knew he would always love Haley but was it the right thing for them to stay married while they were having problems. He couldn't do that to Jack. Even though Jack was young, he didn't want to do the wrong thing. He wanted to be a role model for Jack and at the moment he knew he was far from that. His feelings for JJ grew stronger with each day. The long nights talking about cases and making small talk about almost everything, were times he always liked. JJ was the most kind and warming person he had ever met. Her passion for her job and her strength were something he had never seen before and even though she was younger than him, it wasn't shown in the way she acted. There was also a side to JJ that was a complete mystery to him. She never talked about her family or her past and that didn't sit right with him. Deep inside he knew JJ was the kind of woman he could see himself with in the future. For now he had to focus on his wife but somehow JJ was always around the corner and she popped into his mind. He slowly drifted into a light sleep.
Hotch was wide awake when her heard JJ screaming. He ran to her bedroom and ran inside.
''JJ, wake up'' he said sofly. He saw JJ's entire body was covered in sweat and tears were rolling down her face.
''Get of me. Get of me'' JJ screamed out loud.
''JJ. It's me Aaron. I won't hurt you''
''Hotch?''
''I am right here. What happened?'' he asked with concern written all over his face.
''Nothing. I just had a bad dream'' she said quickly. She hoped he wouldn't ask more question.
''This doesn't seem like nothing, JJ. You're covered in sweat and you're crying. You can tell me. You're my friend. You can talk to me''
''I know. It was just a dream. I promise''
Hotch knew she was hiding something but he was too tired to argue with JJ. Instead he pulled JJ into a tight hug. JJ was surprised by his move. She let her head fall to his chest and they both slowly drifted to sleep.
