Note-this was written for Chit Chat on Author Corner's March Madness Challenge. The prompt was JJ/Hotch, Highway to Heaven. There is a small mention of a spoiler in this one shot.

You Make Me Smile

JJ and Hotch

April 2011

It was hard to even look them in their eyes for him. He had spent a lifetime rarely showing the full depth of his emotions, meaning he had plenty of practice in hiding his true feelings from the world. But even after years of seeing and experiencing an array of horrors in his life, horrors he fought from ever showing anyone how they affected him, Aaron Hotchner still wasn't fully prepared to live this day-to-day masquerade.

It left him with a bone weary tiredness that just didn't go away.

Standing outside of the office building on that warm, spring day he stifled a sigh, his jaw clenched tight and suggested to the rest of them "Coffee?"

But no one was in the mood after going through the grief counseling session. One by one the majority of them made their apologies and then turned to wander off toward the parking lot, finally leaving only JJ standing there.

When they were out of ear shot she said "I feel like such a fraud."

"Its not about what we feel. Its about what had to be done." There was a long moment of silence, as he stared at the passing traffic, before he turned and looked at her. Seeing the fatigue on her face, the bags around her eyes, the weariness in her that was in all of them these days, Hotch softened. "That offer for coffee is still on the table."

She motioned to a shop across the street and down a ways, and they started to walk there. JJ said "I think I'll get mine to go. Since I have a rare day off, when I really should go do paperwork or clean my closets or something useful, I think I'll take a drive out to the beach. Henry is with Will today anyway so its not like anyone will miss me at home."

"If you ever need someone to talk to about the split-"

"It was a long time coming but thanks, Hotch."

They went into the coffee shop, ordered and after they had their drinks they headed back outside. JJ asked "So what's on your agenda for the rest of the day then?"

"I really should work on this year's budget. I have to decide where another ten percent can be cut even though I cut twenty last year."

She smirked. "Can't you think of anything you'd rather do?" Raising her eyebrows and slightly shaking her ice coffee drink she silently insinuated that he should join her at the beach.

Though he had a lot of paperwork to catch up on the idea of going back to that office felt like a cold, cruel death sentence at the moment. With a small smile he agreed to join JJ on her drive.

They took the scenic route to the ocean, driving along a twisty highway, with the radio playing rock and rock songs from the eighties. Neither laughed, talked or even smiled much but it was still nice to be there, enjoying the day in a way they never had gotten the chance to before, at least not together, and probably never would again.

JJ was the only person it was easy to be around right now. The only one he didn't have to hide anything from or feel guilty for lying to. Hotch knew this whole situation was not about him and he had no right to complain about how hard it was on him. He had never expected it to be an easy secret to keep. Still it sat on his chest like a boulder that got heavier with every passing second.

Only now, as they left Quantico behind, did he start to feel, if only for a moment, he was free. Later they sat at an outdoor cafe, drinking sweet tea and eating stone crabs, catching up on all the things that had changed in both their lives since she had taken a job for the State Department.

For just a few hours they were both able to let go of their pain, guilt, anger at Ian Doyle and Emily Prentiss (who didn't exist anymore anyway). Those hours were brief, a fleeting time to feel like someone else for both JJ and Hotch.

When she dropped him back at the parking lot, to get his car, later that evening he said "Thank you for a lovely day."

"We should do it again some time. We could bring the kids. Henry is a little scared of the water but maybe now that he's older this year he'll take to it better."

Though Hotch doubted they'd ever find the time for a perfect day like that he gave her a small smile (why was it that this man who rarely smiles, smiles most for her? It was something he should think about but he wasn't sure he was ready to face the answer.)

Hotch told JJ "I'd like that a lot."

And he would. He always liked spending time with her. There just never seemed to be enough time for relaxing with his good friend. Like there was very rarely anything in their lives to smile about, except for their boys.

But she made him smile. She always had. So if she called him for another day at the beach, Hotch would put aside his paperwork and make the time to go. God knows, he could use more chances to smile in his life.

THE END