A/N: Here's my next chapter. I hope you all like it.

Special thanks to red2013, Christiangirl, Westie80, Sophia0665, jenny crum, K8e1, CM Fan and Snowbeardolphin!

And a huge amount of thanks to CriminalCrazy!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 11: Revisiting history

The weather was rainy and the sky was filled with clouds as Hotch and Morgan approached the law firm. Hotch could see that Morgan was intimated by his surroundings as they walked inside. People were walking around in expensive suits. It wasn't a place that ever seemed to fit JJ's lifestyle, yet she married the man who was the best in his profession. Griffen managed to get what every corporate lawyer ever dreamed off. That was to get their own name on a major firm, which is what Griffen did. He had gotten everything he wanted, along with a happy family life. But something in his life had gone wrong. The team knew the attack had nothing to do with JJ's life but everything with Griffen. Hotch thought it was related to a case. It seemed like the only option.

Hotch stepped out of the elevator and just walked where he was supposed to go. It was as if he had been there yesterday. Everything was the same. He still recognized the people and the atmosphere. It was too familiar to his liking. But as familiar as it was, something was also very different. People seemed off. Some were crying and others were sitting behind their desks, working. The air was filled with grief and sadness. It was to be expected, but the emotions around him caused a chill to go down his spine. He kept walking through the hallway, hoping to find a better feeling somewhere else.

Morgan followed Hotch as he passed by the reception. He realized he had been there before, which didn't seem odd at all. Morgan knew Hotch used to be an ADA. He just didn't know if he ever crossed paths with Griffen. ''You know the way.'' he commented.

Hotch stopped in front of the office of Lauren Parker. Usually, the woman would be with her head in paperwork, but that wasn't the case. Lauren had her back turned towards the door as she was looking out the window. Hotch softly knocked on the door, hoping he wasn't scaring her. ''Hi,'' Hotch croaked out when the black-haired woman turned around with tears in her eyes. ''I am so sorry!''

Lauren was barely hearing Hotch as she tried to gather herself for her visitors, but it wasn't really helping her. Instead, it made things worse. ''How did this happen?''

''That's exactly what we're going to find out.'' Hotch started. ''Lauren, this is SSA Derek Morgan. He's one of the FBI agents on the team.''

Lauren rose from the chair and extended her hand for Morgan. She gave him a friendly nod. She gave Hotch a quick pat on the shoulder before she sat back down. ''How is JJ holding up?'' Lauren asked with concern. She heard about the situation early in the morning when Tracy informed her over the phone. It was a moment of horror and the voice of Tracy on the other side let her know enough the moment she picked up. It was bad. Griffen had passed away. A dear friend and colleague had died. The news had been shocking to everyone at Parker & West.

''She's holding it together. For now.'' he replied. ''She still has to see Lucy, so I think it will really hit her when she has to explain what happened.''

''I haven't seen JJ in months and I wish that had been different.'' Lauren began. ''But I just didn't have much time with work and home. I guess we kind of lost contact when she left.''

''When did JJ leave?'' Morgan interjected.

''JJ left about four years ago.'' she replied. ''She was about to be promoted to senior partner.''

Hotch was taken aback by that news. It was very unlikely for such a young senior associate to become junior partner in a short time. ''Senior partner?'' Hotch wondered out loud. ''How did that happen?''

Lauren rose from her chair and walked towards the other side of her office where she had several pictures. She took one of her, JJ and Griffen. It was taken on the night of their engagement party. ''When Griffen was in the process of hiring an associate, he wanted to find the next him. And he did. In most ways, but as good as JJ and Griffen both are, they're also very different.'' Lauren explained. ''Griffen lacked in his emotions. He had them.'' she assured. ''But he only showed them when he felt like it. He was the kind of lawyer who would do anything for his clients, but he never got personally involved. JJ was a different story.'' she went on. ''JJ's morals and values made her the best I had seen in years and sometimes I thought she could be better than Griffen, but her sense of righteousness cost her.''

''Yeah, I know.'' Hotch agreed. ''JJ's not the type of woman to hurt anyone. Even for a win.''

Lauren handed the picture to Hotch to let him take a look at it. ''They might've been different when it came to their jobs, but in their relationship they were equal.'' Lauren said. ''I had never seen Griffen so happy. JJ lifted him up and their marriage was an example to us all.''

''Well, we know Griffen's death has nothing to do with their personal lives.'' Morgan began. ''We think it's connect to his work.''

''Are you sure?'' Lauren asked in astonishment.

''We are.'' Hotch replied simply. ''Are you aware of any high profile cases he was working on?''

Lauren shook her head. She couldn't believe it had something to do with one of his cases. She knew about all of them and it seemed nearly impossible. ''I can't think of any client who would've wanted to harm Griffen.''

''What about Isaac Cohen?'' Hotch wondered.

''No, it can't be.'' Lauren spoke. ''He moved to Europe about three years ago. I remember that Griffen told me that he got a job out there after the suspension of his license.''

''We'll check it out, but this murder is too gruesome to have been ordered by Cohen. But I just needed to know for sure.'' Hotch explained calmly. ''Do you mind if we check Griffen's office and his case files?''

''Go ahead.'' Lauren said. ''And tell me when you need something.''

''We will, Ma'am.'' Morgan said politely. Hotch had already stepped out of the office to go Griffen's office.

He hoped to have a moment to himself as he walked through the hallway. It wasn't easy to be confronted with so many past demons. And being at that office didn't help. It reminded him of loss. But not that loss had become even worse, especially for JJ. It was a place where Griffen would always be remembered as a legend.

Hotch stopped in front of the corner office. It was the same one he had seven years ago. But his furniture had been moved around and his office was filled with pictures of friends and family. But mostly of JJ and Lucy. Hotch felt his heart break as he looked at one picture of JJ and Griffen. Griffen was standing behind her and had his arms around her waist. They looked truly happy and Hotch wished JJ hadn't lost him.