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

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

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 12: Breaking the news

Hotch was still staring around the office when he heard footsteps behind him. Thinking it was Morgan he turned and put a mask on his face to hide his pain. But it wasn't Morgan. It was Wesley Evans. In his days as a prosecutor Hotch knew the man very well. Just like Griffen he had a reputation. It was just a different kind of reputation. People called him the lawyer with heart, just like JJ. Hotch appreciated the man, even though he didn't know him personally.

Wesley stepped forward to approach Hotch. He stopped right in front of him. ''Hey,'' he said, extending his hand. ''I am Wesley Evans.''

''I know.'' Hotch said as he shook his hand. ''I'm Aaron Hotchner.''

Wesley showed a faint smile through his sadness. ''You were Griffen's biggest enemy.'' he said in a laugh. ''Everyone is in complete shock.''

''That's understandable.'' Hotch began. ''No one gets shot and killed in their own home without reason.''

''Do you know what happened?''

Hotch sighed deeply, knowing that question was going to be asked a lot more. ''I'm not at liberty to say anything about the investigation. But we're looking into Griffen's cases.'' Hotch explained. ''Was he having any trouble with anyone? His clients? Someone here?''

Wesley shook his head in response. ''I…I… don't know. I don't think so.'' he answered with doubt. ''I mean, he wasn't the easiest man to get to know and he certainly had his enemies. But no one would actually kill him because they didn't like him.''

''Okay,'' Hotch said in a whispered. ''Thanks for the info.''

''You're welcome. Tell JJ I am thinking of her. Everyone is.''

''I will.'' Hotch promised.

Morgan was about to step inside the office when Evans walked out. He quickly said a hello before joining Hotch inside. ''Another friend of Griffen?''

Hotch nodded as he walked to the desk. He opened the drawers and took out the files. ''We'll only take his case files and laptop for Garcia to check it out.'' Hotch explained. ''I want JJ to decide what to do with the rest. It's her decision.''

Morgan took the laptop and waited for Hotch to gather all the paperwork. He noticed that his boss had been on edge since they got to New-York and he didn't like it. Morgan wondered if he could actually stay objective during all of it. He knew from experience it was the most difficult to stay objective during a personal case. It could be literal hell. He just wished Hotch would really talk to someone to let it all out every once in a while.

It was around noon when Benjamin walked through the hallways of the hospital with a beaming little girl in his arms. He had been at a crossroads the entire day, wondering what to say to Lucy. It had been one of the hardest days of his life. He had a family of his own and he didn't even want to think about losing his wife or his son. It seemed impossible to deal with. But the worst was that JJ had to tell the little girl that her father was gone. That he could no longer put her to bed or sing her a song or read a bedtime story. That was all over.

He walked straight to the room where JJ was. He saw several people sitting in chairs outside of the room. He recognized Tracy and Sean and gave them a quick nod before he opened the door. But he stopped before he went in. He leaned down and put Lucy on the ground. He kneeled down in front of her. ''Lucy,'' he said gently. ''You're mommy is hurt so you have to be careful when you hug her.''

''I will!'' Lucy exclaimed. ''Is dad with mom?'' she asked.

Benjamin felt the ground underneath him disappear. ''Let's go see your mom, alright?''

He took her little hand and opened the door to see JJ with her eyes closed. But as soon as the door fell close behind them, her eyes opened.

JJ looked at her daughter and she immediately felt the tears return to her eyes. A part of JJ ached to tell her daughter the entire truth, but not knowing everything would be the best for her. And once JJ set that in motion there was no going back from it. JJ knew from personal experience that losing a parent changed the course of your life. But Lucy was even younger. She only had a father for four short years. He should've been in her life for at least thirty more years to come, but that was taken from her. Stolen for no good reason.

JJ opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to disappear before she could express them. She breathed in deeply and returned her daughters gaze.

Lucy ran towards her mom and climbed on the bed and flew into JJ's arms. ''Mom!'' she cried out.

JJ felt the pain in her body, but she didn't care. She closed her arms around Lucy and held onto her for dear life. JJ had been fortunate enough that her daughter wasn't home. ''I've missed you, sweetie.'' she said kissing the top of her head.

Benjamin saw the tears in JJ's eyes as he stepped next to the bed. He leaned down put a kiss on her cheek. ''I'm here, JJ.'' he whispered as he pulled away.

JJ looked at her friend and sighed deeply. ''I know, Ben. Thank you for everything. For keeping her safe!''

''It wasn't a problem. I would do it again.'' he said. ''I'll give you two a moment.''

JJ returned her focus to the little girl when Benjamin left the room. She leaned back down as Lucy was laying against her chest. JJ felt a moment of peace and hoped Lucy was going to understand what was happening.

''Are you hurt?'' Lucy asked suddenly as she stared into the same big blue eyes she had. ''Mommy?''

JJ sat up as the little girl sat down next to her on the bed to give JJ some space. ''I'm okay, sweetie.'' JJ said, wiping away the tears. ''How are you?''

''Amazing!'' she exclaimed. ''I played with Ricky all night and this morning.''

JJ smiled at the image of Lucy and Ben's son playing together. The two kids always got along great. ''Amazing, huh?'' JJ repeated as a soft smile appeared on her face.

''Why are you crying?'' Lucy asked with a sad face. ''I don't want you to cry, mom.''

JJ pulled Lucy into another hug. ''There's something I need to tell you.'' JJ began in tears as she put her daughter on her lap. ''It's about your dad.''

JJ felt her heart sink when she looked into those big blue eyes, full of wonder and love. Her daughter had been the greatest thing in her life and she didn't want to put her through the pain of a loss. But it couldn't be any other way. JJ just didn't have a choice. ''Your dad died last night, sweetie.'' JJ whispered softly and Lucy looked at her with confusion. ''He went to heaven last night.''

''Why did he go to heaven? I don't want him to go there.'' Lucy said, practically crying. ''Daddy didn't say goodbye to me. I don't want him in heaven!''

''I know, Lucy.'' JJ started. ''He had no choice. He got hurt and he was in too much pain so he had to go.'' JJ added, hoping she was going it the right way.

''But dead people aren't here. They disappear.'' Lucy cried out. ''Daddy isn't coming back?''

''I'm afraid not.'' JJ said as her own tears fell. JJ felt the weight of her daughter against her body as she cried into her shoulder. JJ held her for a while, feeling her body shaking as she cried. It was awful and horrifying. She didn't want do this, but it was all she could've done.

After a while JJ gently put Lucy down next to her. ''Lucy, I want you to look at me when I tell you this, okay?'' JJ said and the little girl shook her head. ''Your dad loved you very much and he always will. He will always be with you.''

''I love him too, mom.'' she cried out.

''I know.'' JJ whispered. ''I love you too!''

JJ noticed that she seemed to understand some of what was happening. So she lay back down and pulled the blanket over herself and Lucy as she crawled against her. JJ closed her eyes, replaying moments of Griffen and Lucy together. She was going to never forget and she would always reminder Lucy of what a great father Griffen was and that his love was unconditional.