Love in the Time of Chaos

Summary: AU. [Post Faceless, Nameless] "Being loved deeply by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." (Lao Tzu) A different take on the events of Season 5. Hotch/JJ pairing.

Rating: T

Author's Note: Ok, apparently I struggle with writing moments involving the whole team. This chapter was surprisingly hard for me to finish, and I'm still not terribly happy with it. Anyways, I apologize if this chapter isn't grand, and I promise to practice writing better team moments for the future. I hope you enjoy anyways!

JJ was glad that her left leg was the only part of her body that was bouncing as the SUV pulled up to the federal building back in Quantico. Morgan was driving with Prentiss riding shotgun and Reid was occupying the furthest backseat alone. None of them noticed JJ's uncontained joy at being back home. Rossi, sitting behind Prentiss, was the only one who could see JJ's leg bouncing uncontrollably. He kept stealing glances and tiny chuckles at her expense, earning him several intense glares from the tiny woman beside him.

JJ simply couldn't help it; she was anxious to see Aaron.

The SUV came to a halt, and the six team members swiftly exited the vehicle, all elated to be back in their beloved Quantico. They headed upstairs to the BAU, all deciding they would drop off their paperwork for the night and work on it tomorrow. Prentiss, Reid, and Morgan immediately stepped over to their desks, Morgan naturally teasing Reid the whole time as Prentiss jokingly joined in. "All I'm saying Pretty Boy is that it couldn't have hurt to have gotten Tricia's number. She clearly had a little thing going on for you."

Reid was bright red and Morgan and Prentiss were on cloud nine. "It's against protocol to engage in any intimate social activity with any law enforcement while on a case Morgan."

"Aw I'm sure anybody would agree that breaking protocol to get you some good loving would be just fine!" Prentiss was laughing uncontrollably, and even Rossi was chuckling at how utterly embarrassed Reid was.

JJ, a smile on her face, walked past Reid and ruffled his hair. "Guys, be nice to Spence." Reid sent her a grateful look before Morgan launched in again.

"C'mon now, we all know Reid needs a little love more than anybody else." Even JJ chuckled at that as she began to turn towards her office, stopping directly in front of the staircase leading to the "upper level" of the BAU. "Face it, the girl seemed interested, and it's not like any of us were going to tell Hotch!"

"Tell Hotch what?" Four heads whipped up immediately and joined JJ at staring directly at their boss as he stood in front of the stairs leading to his office door. He quickly scanned his team members before his eyes returned to JJ.

Rossi moved forward first. "One of the law enforcement officers had a little crush on our young genius and Morgan was pushing him to pursue her while we were in Charleston." Morgan and Reid both glared at Rossi's blunt honest. "Good to see you Aaron."

Everyone agreed with Rossi's sentiment and voiced their joy at seeing their boss back where he belonged, even if it wasn't in an official capacity. JJ just stood still, staring at Hotch.

Hotch smiled at everybody as he made his way down the few steps, stopping as he stood beside JJ. "Thanks." He turned back to JJ, confused by the look on her face. "What?"

"I was at that last meeting you had with Dr. Trout, and he told you explicitly not to enter this building until next Thursday. You're a good six days early, and I'm pretty sure he'd be pretty pissed off if he saw you right now."

The whole team stood slightly in awe at JJ reprimanding their boss, even though they could all recall a time or two that JJ had gone toe-to-toe with Hotch and gotten him to back down. It was the number one reason they all sent JJ into the line of fire when he got too intense for anyone to deal with and come out alive. JJ, while tiny and sweet as could be, was not one to be messed with by anyone.

Hotch raised an eyebrow as he stared down at JJ. "I'm fairly certain that pertained to an official work capacity only, so I'm sure he would be fine." He looked at the team before meeting JJ's eyes again. "I figured I'd come in and see you guys before you headed out for the night, considering you just got back." JJ was thrilled that even though she was surrounded by the best profilers in the world, no one in the room could hear how fast her heart was beating.

"Actually, Morgan, Reid, Garcia, and I were going to go grab a bite to eat real fast. We should all go as a team, spend some time together. It's been a while since we've all gotten to really hang out since Fo-"

Prentiss stopped herself mid-word, unsure of how Hotch's attack being brought up would be handled. Reid, Morgan, and Rossi all looked to Hotch, but JJ was the only one who slightly flinched. Hotch remained completely calm as though Prentiss's almost-words didn't effect him at all. Hotch nodded, followed by Rossi and JJ. "That sounds great, actually."

The team headed down to their cars together, agreeing to head over to the restaurant directly so no one had an excuse to pass once they got home. Garcia was already on her way and would meet them as soon as they all got there. Everyone divided to different cars, Rossi and Morgan taking one as Reid followed Prentiss to hers. Hotch glanced over at JJ as she glanced over at her car. "I'll drive you, we'll come get your car tomorrow."

JJ instinctively moved to argue but stopped herself before she started. She didn't care about leaving her car and she honestly wanted to spend some alone time with Aaron, even if it was just a car ride to a restaurant. She nodded and walked over to Aaron's SUV with him, hopping into the passenger's seat as he eased into the driver's seat. "Are you driving ok?"

Aaron nodded as he started the car, pulling out before the others as he led the way to the restaurant. "Surprisingly ok. No discomfort or pain."

"Good. I have to admit, I was worried you'd have to passenger to Morgan's driving for a while."

Aaron scoffed. "That'll never happen."

JJ chuckled softly, reaching over to rub Aaron's arm for a moment before pulling her hand back, slightly shocked at her own actions. "How was being on your own?"

"Surprisingly easy."

"No big missteps?"

"Nope. Everything was good."

"Oh thank God!" Aaron quickly turned to JJ, a chuckle escaping him at the relief in her voice. JJ blushed, realizing how ridiculous she sounded. "I just kept worrying something would happen and set your recovery back."

"What did you think would happen?"

"I don't know, you could fall and hit your chest on something or tear something by lifting something heavy or fall asleep on the couch and accidentally hit the doorframe as you walked to your room after turning all the lights out or your apartment building could catch on fire and you could hurt yourself heroically rescuing a little old lady…"

"My building burns down and I heroically rescue a little old lady? Honestly JJ?"

JJ blushed even redder; she was absolutely pissed that Aaron had the uncanny ability of making her blush worse than anyone else she had ever met. "It could happen! Fires are very possible, and I know you'd be the idiot that would go after all your neighbors to make sure they were all safe before you got out of the building yourself."

Aaron burst out laughing half way through JJ's explanation. "Wow." The two shared a look before they laughed together, Aaron turning back to the road as JJ turned to look out the window. Even after a rather embarrassing moment, she was so glad to be home and with Aaron.

Aaron glanced over at JJ, noticing the serene look on her face. He couldn't believe he had missed her as terribly as he had; from the moment she had walked out of his apartment he had found himself thinking about her throughout the entire day…almost every moment. He was worried out of his mind with her being out in the field without being there himself, even with Dave's promise that he'd keep an eye on her. He had wanted to stay permanently on the phone with her the whole case, but he knew he was being absolutely ridiculous. "Glad to be back?"

JJ sighed and rolled her head towards Aaron's direction, resting peacefully against the headrest. "Absolutely." He laughed, completely understanding her elation at being back in Virginia. The whole team understood the instant joy that flooded each of them when they arrived home after a case. JJ looked down at her hands, picking at one of her random fingernails. "This was one kind of tough for me."

Aaron nodded, glancing again at JJ before looking at the road once more. "Just remember you got him. I know the Stevens family is better now that he's behind bars. You did them and Mallory a great service. You did a great job JJ."

JJ looked at Aaron's profile, a large smile on her face. "Is it ok that I missed having you on this case?"

Aaron smiled, pulling into a parking spot and putting the SUV in park before turning to JJ. "I missed having you around the apartment. It was nice living with an adult again." The two shared a smile before opening their doors, joining their team as they headed in the restaurant, immediately spotting Garcia as she frantically waved her team over. Her eyes widened as she noticed Hotch, a momentary look of shock freezing on her face before she broke into a smile.

"Boss Man! I had no idea you were joining us!" She walked over and stood awkwardly, obviously wanting to hug Hotch out of instinct but unsure of what to do with her stoic boss. Morgan laughed at his goddess's crazy antics, placing a kiss on her cheek before sitting down at the table with Prentiss, Reid, and Rossi. Aaron smiled at Garcia, rubbing her back as he moved to sit between Reid and JJ, Garcia resuming her initial spot. "Oh my lovelies, this was such a brilliant idea! Whose brilliant idea was this?"

JJ shook her head, glancing at Garcia over her menu. "It was yours Penelope."

Garcia smiled brightly and bowed her head dramatically before returning to her menu, the entire team chuckling at her antics. Drinks and appetizers were ordered and the team immediately jumped into discussing the case the profilers had just completed. Hotch and Garcia were regaled with tales from the case, and Garcia was more than giddy about Reid's potential admirer, much to the poor genius's dismay.

Finally able to catch his breath after the enormous wave of laughter that encompassed the entire table at Reid's expense, Dave turned to Hotch. "So, you ready to get back to work?"

The whole team chuckled; all six members of Aaron Hotchner's team knew their boss was dying to get back to his life at the BAU. "I am. I'm ready to get back to life as normal."

Morgan chuckled as he took a swig of his drink. "Is JJ as messy a houseguest as her office makes her out to be?" The team couldn't help but chuckle at JJ's expense, and the laughter increased as Morgan received a very intense glare from the blonde almost directly across from him. Morgan winced, a giant smile on his face. "Damn Hotch, she definitely got pointers on perfecting that glare of yours!"

Hotch leaned over and rubbed JJ's arm, still chuckling as he turned back to Morgan. Dave was the only one of the team to notice the way his hand slightly lingered on JJ's arm. "She wasn't nearly as messy as I expected her to be. The mess must be a work thing only." JJ's glare was turned to Hotch, who just flashed her a big smile as the team burst into another set of laughter.

Dave, the only apparent supporter of JJ, turned against his long-time friend. "I can't believe JJ survived living with you Aaron. God knows you can be a royal pain in the ass whenever you feel so inclined."

Hotch made absolutely no move to argue. "I was sure I'd get her out of the apartment at some point." JJ sighed and shook her head.

"I know you're my boss and all…but I seriously wanted to beat the crap out of you the first night. You were such a pain in the ass!"

The laughter was now at Hotch's expense, who just stared at JJ with a small smile on his face. "Was I really that bad?"

"Oh my God, you drove me nuts! You stayed in the damn bathroom for like an hour and half just to get away from me!" Hotch joined in with the others, laughing at himself while watching JJ as she laughed. He couldn't help but love how her entire face lit up every time she laughed. It was one of the things he loved most about her.

"Aaron, driving someone nuts because he didn't get his way? I'm shocked! Ouch!" Dave rubbed his forehead where Hotch's piece of bread had made contact.

"Watch it Dave, I have plenty of stories about you when I first joined the BAU…"

The whole team ignored Dave's glare as they all came to the same conclusion. "TELL!" Dave threw his own piece of bread at Hotch's' head as he began a story involving Dave, raspberry vodka, and a very dirty, very graphic late-night phone call that was intended for his at-the-time fiancé, but actually ended up on the voicemail of Strauss's personal cell phone.

The profilers were almost unable to collect themselves at the end of the night.