Epilogue

Three months after the events in the hands of Greg Jones, Hotch showed up at BAU to bring JJ to work. They had moved in together with Jack and Henry very quickly and Hotch sometimes dropped her off at work before going to work himself. He had gone back to lecturing and now actually enjoyed it.

When JJ stepped out of the lift Hotch wheeling himself next to her, the whole team was already in the bull pen. Hotch greeted them warmly but felt nervous. He didn't know what their response would be to what he was about to do and he was still feeling ambivalent himself due to the circumstances around the events. But he wanted to show the team that there were good days, when the good guys made a difference.

Hotch parked his wheelchair next to Emily's desk and while the team were bantering between themselves, he stood up and took two hesitant steps towards them. The people in the room fell silent with stunned expressions and then he was faced with torrent of questions, smiles, laughter and hugs.

And Hotch stood tall and proud, grateful that from the grief and horror, something good had come out.

Author's notes: And that was all she wrote . I hope you have enjoyed this little story. Thank you so much for reading and all the comments you have left! I feel like I might have the courage to write some more after your kind feedback so maybe you will see me again...