A/N: Hey all. Here's the latest chapter. Hope you like and hope you let me know what you think. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Chapter 11: Apologies:


JJ pulled her SUV up in front of the downtown office building. She put the car in park, but left the motor running. Letting out a sigh, she turned to look at her passenger.

"Are… are you sure you don't want me to come up with you?" she asked tentatively. They'd already talked about this and he'd been pretty adamant about only accepting a ride from her, nothing else. "I… I could wait, I don't mind…"

"No," Aaron replied harshly.

She winced at his tone, nodding her head. She'd known what his answer would be, so why she bothered pushing she did not know.

A second later, she heard him sigh. "I'm sorry, JJ…"

"No, it's all right," she allowed; nevertheless, she was grateful for the apology.

He turned to face her, eyes soft. Moments like this she could see the old Hotch behind the pain. "I'll be all right, really," he assured. "Go. I'm sure Henry can't wait to see you."

She couldn't help it; the thought of her baby put a smile on her face. She really couldn't wait to see him.

"Ok," she agreed, she reached for his hand to give it a squeeze. "Ok, but call me when you're done. I'll come get you, we can get dinner…"

"JJ, it's not nece—"

"Call me," she interrupted him firmly. JJ only let go of his hand when he nodded his assent.

She watched him reach for the door handle but hesitate. Quickly, he turned around and leaned into her, surprising her with a kiss to the cheek. He pulled back to look at her; he seemed to want to say something, but didn't know how. That was ok with her, the gesture said enough for her.

She reached a hand up to caress his cheek in reassurance. Looking into his eyes, she tried to convey her own message. She held back her sigh when she saw the look of unworthiness flash across his dark eyes.

"I'll see you in a bit," he said, departing swiftly.

JJ sat there, still, watching his disappearing back slip into the building. It was a look she'd hoped to cure him of. But, Rossi had made her see that she couldn't do it alone. Two days ago when Rossi had interrupted their alone time together she'd wanted to believe that she'd be enough. But, she of all people should have known that love was never enough. Her sister had been loved, dearly, and she still…

"Oh God," she murmured to herself. "Please let him get better…"

She let out a sigh, checking her watch, Will was expecting her. Despite the sadness she felt at the moment, she just couldn't wait to see her child. Living without him this past month was very hard.


Hotch rubbed his palms against his black pants for what was probably the tenth time since arriving. He looked around the small waiting room nervously, assessing the other people in the room. The man sitting across from him was in his mid-twenties and the fingers of his left hand were tapping rhythmically. Hotch thought he was probably counting something off. In his mind he diagnosed him: obsessive-compulsive disorder. The older woman sitting adjacent to him had eyes that hadn't stopped darting around the room since he'd gotten there twenty minutes ago. Paranoia, he thought.

What was he doing here? He didn't belong here. These people had legitimate problems of the mind. He didn't have the same issues. He'd just lost his son and as a result he wasn't sure life was for him. It was perfectly understandable, he thought. What did people expect of him? To be jumping for joy?

No, he didn't need to be here. He knew what his problems were, they couldn't be cured. With that thought, he stood up to make his way out. Just as he was about to step forward he heard, "Mr. Hotchner?"

Startled, he looked around for the source. The receptionist behind the desk was eyeing him carefully, a friendly smile on her face. "Dr. Carson is ready for you…"

Hotch looked back towards the door. Could he do it, could he just leave? He looked back at the woman, her eyes still glued to him. He let out a sigh. Nodding his head, he followed her, resigned for the moment.


It was rare Henry allowed her to do this anymore. She was holding him in her lap while he played with one of his toys. Both of them were content with just each other's presence, neither really saying anything.

She leaned forward, putting her lips to his blonde head. JJ took in the scent of him, the sheer presence of her baby, feeling rejuvenated with each passing minute in his presence. She hadn't known she needed this until Will had opened the front door and her little man rushed towards her, giggling happily with open arms. She missed Henry something fierce.

"I can't," she heard Will's voice say adamantly. "I can't. Put Williams on it… Crap! I forgot. Well… I can't, I've got my son tonight…"

JJ frowned as she listened into the barely concealed conversation. It sounded like a work call Will was taking.

"Henry," JJ spoke quietly. "Can you go get me your drawings? I'd love to see them."

Henry turned, a big grin on his face, nodding his head enthusiastically. And then he was hopping out of her lap, running for the stairs.

JJ stood up and made her way to the kitchen. She made it there just in time to hear Will say in resignation, "I'll see what I can do…"

He hung up the phone and put his hand against his forehead, letting out a long, tired sigh. JJ gazed at him concernedly, seeing the tired lines around his eyes; she could have sworn they hadn't been there a few months ago.

"Will?" Her ex jumped, startled. "Sorry…" she murmured. "Everything all right?"

Another sigh. "There was a triple homicide downtown; they need me to come in…"

"Now?" she questioned.

He nodded. "JJ, I need you to take Henry for the night… I'm not sure what time I'll be home…"

JJ grimaced. As much as she loved the idea of having her baby by her side for longer, she wasn't sure it would be a good idea.

"JJ, please," Will stated incredulously.

"I don't know, Will, I've been staying at Aaron's," she explained. "I'm not sure having Henry there would be good for him…"

He frowned at her. "I understand, JJ, I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important. Come on…"

Still hesitating. "I just—"

"Come on, taking care of your kid isn't too much to ask," he shot at her angrily.

Feeling like he'd just slapped her, JJ winced. "Will, I… I know… I…"

He blew out a breath, holding his hands up. "I'm sorry, JJ. That was… I'm sorry, I've been—"

"—stressed," she finished for him. "I'm sorry, too."

Each of them nodded their heads, accepting each other's apologies.

She pursed her lips together. Will had been nothing but helpful through this tough time. And now, she realized, he needed a break.

"Will, I'll take him," she assured. "For the night."

"JJ, no, you're right, I'll… I'll find someone else," Will argued. "Penelope… or even Reid."

She shook her head. "No. You were right. And… I miss him," she said, with heartfelt feeling. "God, I've missed him."


Well that's it for this chapter. Hope you liked. Next up, a glimpse into Hotch's therapy session and how does he feel having Henry as a temporary houseguest.

Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing: jekkah; angry penguin; sugarhigh9394; and HotchRocks.

I'll try to update soon.