A/N: Here's another chapter. I hope you all like it!

Special thanks to JJmyst, guest, Beautiful-Liar13, jenny crum, BAUMember and Christiangirl!

I don't own criminal minds!

''Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.''

~ Leo Buscaglia

The sound of a high and squeaky voice echoing through the hallway of the apartment caused JJ to sit straight up as her heart started pounding in her chest. She had been in such a deep sleep that it took her a moment to register where she was and what happened that night. As she took in her surroundings, the calmness quickly washed over her. Knowing she was in Hotch's house made her feel safe and protected. She looked at the bedside table and noticed it was just a little past eleven o'clock. She removed the blankets from her body and carefully stepped from the bed, still wearing the black shorts and grey shirt from the night before. She instantly felt ashamed that she had showed up in that outfit on her boss' doorstep. But she couldn't go back. So she walked towards the door and opened it up and peaked around the door. She didn't see anyone but she heard whispers coming from the living room. She was about to pull back when she heard little footsteps coming her way, so she moved to the middle of hall and waited.

It didn't take long before Jack stormed into the hallway, his face full of excitement as he realized that JJ was in his home. He ran towards her and jumped into her open arms without a doubt. ''Aunt JJ!'' he exclaimed in happiness as JJ twirled them both around in the hallway.

JJ put him back down when she realized that he wasn't that easy to hold anymore. Jack had grown a lot since she last saw him. A hell of a lot and it saddened her that she hadn't seen him in such a long time. ''It's so awesome to see you, Jack!'' JJ said with excitement, realizing the boy had lifted her spirits immediately. ''How have you been?''

Hotch was leaning against the wall, just watching the sight in front of him unfold. For a few seconds he made eye contact with JJ as she looked over Jack's shoulder. He smiled back widely. He couldn't stop smiling as he heard Jack ramble on about school and his soccer games and JJ stayed kneeled in front of him as she talked to him without any difficulty. It made him very happy to see that his son was so fond of the younger profiler. Jack didn't see JJ very often but when they did it was sort of like magic. It just clicked immediately, just like with him and JJ. There was something genuine and down to earth about her that just made him feel comfortable. And he realized Jack was just as comfortable with her as he was. It was all he could ask for in that moment.

''Jack, your pancakes are ready.'' Hotch said to let the little boy know he could finally eat the breakfast he had been waiting for all week.

''Go eat your pancakes, buddy.'' JJ said happily as the little boy turned around. She waited for him to disappear before she approached Hotch slowly. They both stopped halfway and JJ noticed that he was actually smiling. It wasn't something she was very often, but she loved a smile on his face. It made him look so much lighter, happier even. It even made her smile. ''I…I…uh…thank you for letting me stay the night.'' she stumbled.

''You're welcome.'' he said as he looked down at her clothes. He realized she probably wanted to change into something more comfortable that would cover her up. ''You can borrow some of Beth's clothes.'' he offered as he walked towards his own bedroom. He waited for JJ and let her walk inside first. He quickly walked to his closet and pulled out a few things that JJ could wear. He knew the clothes were probably too big for her, but something was better than nothing. ''It's pretty warm outside and I thought we could pick up Henry and take the boys to the playground and get some ice-cream.''

''That's sounds nice.'' JJ said as she took the clothes from his hands. ''I just don't know if Will wants to spent some time with him.'' she said hesitantly.

''Of course, I understand. Let's go to your house after breakfast and then we'll see what happens.'' he suggested as he walked back to his door. He turned around to face her when she followed him out of the room. ''You can take a shower if you want to and I'll make us some breakfast.''

''Sure,'' JJ agreed. She stayed glued in the same spot as Hotch left her alone in his bedroom. She took the moment alone to take in her surroundings. His bedroom was a lot like him. Quite cold and distant on the outside but if you looked closer, warm and inviting. He had several pictures of himself and Jack, and there was one of him and Beth. She lifted the picture up and looked at it closely. He looked absolutely happy in the picture as his arms were wrapped around the brunette. JJ was happy for him that he had finally found someone that made him happy, but deep down, a place hidden deep inside of her, she couldn't help but wonder if Beth was really the right person for him. But she knew it wasn't her place to question his relationship with another woman, because it wasn't. She was just a friend, so she put the picture back down and quickly stepped into the bathroom.

JJ was leaving the bathroom a few minutes later in Beth's clothes. They were a little baggy but she managed to make it look a little fashionable. She had put on a simple summery black dress with a blue cardigan and a belt wrapped around her waist to make it look as if she did fit into the clothes. She made her way through the hall and back towards the living room and kitchen. Once she was there, she was Hotch and Jack seated at the dinner table, both with smiles on their faces. It looked like breakfast had been cook and she could eat with them when she wanted to. But she couldn't help but feel a little weird about it. She knew she was supposed to do that at home with Henry and Will, and she immediately felt the guilt hit her like a truck. She had left her kid at home. What was she thinking? How could she?

''JJ, are you alright?'' Hotch asked when he watched her take a few steps back. ''JJ?'' he asked and this time she was turning around and walking out of his sight. He rose from his chair and gave Jack a quick nod before he left him alone to eat. He walked to the guestroom where he heard movements. He stepped inside only to find JJ gathering her things in a frenzy. ''JJ!'' he called out once again, and this time he caught her attention.

She looked up at him with her big blue eyes and let her stuff fall to the ground. She dropped down on the bed and put her head in her hands. ''I am so sorry!''

''What just happened?''

''Seeing you with Jack made me realize that I should be at home with Henry instead of here, bothering you.'' she spoke out sadly. ''I just…I have to find a way to work through my problems or I might lose everyone I care about.''

He stepped in front of her and bend down so he was on the same eye level as her. ''JJ, you're not bothering me at all. Plus, Jack adores you and is very excited to spent the day with Aunt JJ.'' Hotch repeated. ''Just relax, okay! It will all be fine.''

''How do you manage to be in control?'' she asked. ''How come you don't struggle?''

He finally sat down next to her to take the time to explain a little about himself. People overestimated him all the time. He wasn't always in control and he struggled just as much as every other agent. He just found a way to not show it. ''I struggle, JJ. I am not always in control of my emotions or actions.'' he went on. ''The truth is that I struggle. You might think I am a hardened man but I struggle all the time. With this life, my job and the costs it has. Everything I can't have because of it.'' he explained. ''But in the end I feel like it's all worth it because we save lives, we do our small part in making this world a better place. Sometimes we fail and other times we don't. That's the job.''

''You just hide it so well and sometimes I am so in awe of you in the way you handle everything so well.'' she added. ''You're an example to everyone in our team when it comes to handling our jobs.''

He shrugged his shoulders, feeling flattered by her response but at the same time he knew his way wasn't always the right one. Definitely not, and he needed her to know that. ''I've always wished I could be more like you.''

''Really?'' she asked in complete surprise. She had no idea why he wanted to be more like her. She had always looked up to Hotch as the best agent she knew. He was composed, trustworthy, an amazing leader and he was honorable.

''Over the years I have seen you with families and victims and it truly astonishes me.'' he replied. ''You put so much heart into your work. You are so gentle and caring that is sometimes shocked me. But it also worried me from time to time because I know it becomes much harder when you're emotionally involved.''

JJ nodded, knowing he was right. She had been trying to be less involved since she returned to the BAU. She came back stronger and more objective than ever before, but a part of her missed her old self. She missed that soft side, the way she was once able to talk to families and victims and the amount of joy she could pour into her work, knowing they saved another life. All those aspects had changed. For it was no longer about saving the victims, but it was about catching the unsubs and she knew it was the wrong motivation. She just never really realized that before. ''I…uh…stopped that after I came back.'' she admitted. ''Before Afghanistan my views were different. I hadn't seen everything yet, and it changed me. I have been a different person since I came back and I think my abduction changed me too.'' she went on without tears. It was a first in a few days and she felt relieved about it. ''I wished it didn't, but it has.''

''Change isn't always a bad thing, JJ.'' Hotch commented. ''People change all the time and it's up to you whether it'll affect you in a negative or positive way.''

JJ felt their shoulders touching, and it caused her eyes to look up at his. They were filled with compassion. ''I just have to find my way again.'' she croaked out, even though she had no idea how she was ever going to find her way again when she felt so completely lost. She just hoped that there would be a moment when everything would become clear and she'd know what to do.

''Come on, let's have breakfast!'' Hotch insisted as he stood up from the bed. He held out his hand and JJ took if for support as she smiled up at him. He let go of her hand when she walked out the door and he followed her into the kitchen where Jack was still working on his pancakes. He sat down next to JJ and watched as she shyly put some food on her place. He still couldn't believe that it was actually happening. The picture in front of him seemed so far out of reach, yet he was there. It was the picture you would see of a happy family, eating breakfast together, but he knew it wasn't his family. JJ belonged somewhere else, to someone else, and he knew her seat belonged to his girlfriend. So he focused solely on the moment and burned it into his memory so he could never forget it.

''Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.''

~ Mother Teresa