Series 7 One-shots: Proof

Disclaimer – I own nothing but the ideas.

As promised another chapter as soon as I could. Enjoy.

. . .

Prompt

Hotch: You okay?

JJ: Yeah, I will be. What about him?

. . .

JJ pulled up outside their house. Glancing up at the dimly lit front room, she sighed. Tonight was going to be their first night out in ages. It was going to be an adult evening without bath and bed time rituals. They were going to talk, and not about work! This was all part of the extra they had agreed they needed to make, to have a quality of life they deserved.

Instead she would have to face that look as Will surveyed the damage. He may even come out directly and say it – no matter what they had promised. As yet again her job had impacted on their life. There was no ageing with that and JJ knew it.

Stepping out of the car, and grabbing her stuff, she made her way through the wrought iron gate and up the path to the place they had made their home. Taking the steps with caution, as her muscles started to react to the pounding they had taken, she reached to unlock the door.

Before JJ could insert the key, the door opened. A look of sympathy on Will's face as he took in her injuries.

"I was starting to wander if you were camping out there all night," he soft southern drawl comforting to her ears, as he stepped aside to let her in.

JJ smiled weakly, "Plucking up courage," she replied honestly as she strolled past Will and into the lounge, dropping her bag on the way. The weight being too much for her shoulder to burden.

Without thought she poured herself a drink, the painkillers were starting to wear off and she had at least another hour until the next dose. JJ hated feeling weak.

"I've opened a bottle of wine," Will spoke, leaning against the doorway, watching her every move, "thought you might like it with our meal. I've ordered take out as I guessed you wouldn't feel like going out. Hope that's okay?"

JJ nodded as she swallowed the shot of whiskey in one, the amber liquid burning through her as she closed her eyes. She only hoped it would dull the pain on its way through her.

"Thanks," she said hoarsely, the drink having immediate impact.

"I have also run you a bath, figured you may want one before the food arrives," he nodded down the hall behind him.

JJ smiled, genuinely. It was times like this that she remembered why she loved this man in the first place. He was kind and considerate beyond any call of duty, and no matter how many times and how many different ways she had tried to push him away, he had stood firm. Always looking after her regardless of what she did or said. Placing the glass down, she stepped away from the temptation of another.

Walking towards him, JJ kissed Will gently on the cheek, "Thank you," she whispered, hugging him tight. JJ felt his soft fingers lift her chin; her eyes darted up to meet his, hoping the tears that pricked didn't fall.

"I was worried," he stated simply before brushing his lips over each of the cuts and bruises that littered her face, desperately trying to heal the hurt.

"I know," she answered, "and I'm sorry." She could find no other words.

JJ withdrew from his hold and made her way to the bathroom, striping the FBI T-shirt she had used to replace the top that had been ruined in the line of duty. Once in the bathroom, she looked long and hard in the mirror. It was not a pretty sight. A black eye, various cuts and grazes, she tried to recall the count Spencer had given her earlier, just to save herself counting again.

Earlier she had been proud, but somehow now seeing things in the comfort of her own home it brought the reality of the situation crashing down on her. Yet again her choice to rejoin the BAU was sending shockwaves through her family life. How was she supposed to explain the way she looked to her young son? How would he feel when he saw her like this?

Stepping into the warm water, the pine bubbles relaxing her tense muscles immediately, sinking low she let her mind drift. Yet her mind continued to drift back to Hunter.

. . .

Returning to the lounge, JJ had on jeans and one of Will's sweatshirts, relishing in the safety of his smell. She flopped down on the couch next to him, snuggling her head onto his shoulder, she was determined not to start another fight.

"Wanna tell me what happened?" Will asked sipping from his glass of wine.

JJ shook her head slightly and grimaced, she didn't really want to talk about it, but she knew she owed Will an explanation. "I had to stop him," she explained.

Will nodded; without saying a word, letting her talk. Ready to listen without judgement.

"I put my gun done to gain his trust. Hand to hand was my only option to disarm him," JJ paused, the scene relaying in her mind, "It's not as easy as the stuff they put you through in the gym."

Will snorted, unable to reign in his sarcasm, "What you mean Morgan never really gave you a beating? I'll have to talk to him about that."

JJ smiled softly, appreciating his humour, "I'll heal; couple of weeks and this is all gone."

"But . . ." Will added, knowing there was more.

"But," she sighed, revealing what was really cutting into her, "I'm not the only one affected by him. He has killed others' loved one and damn near killed the boy he had brought up as his own son. That doesn't heal in a couple of weeks."

Will wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her a little closer, kissing her on the head. He understood, even more he understood why she did the job she did. She returned to the BAU not just for the family unit it provided, but because she is a people person. Just like he remained a frontline cop, JJ had to be in the thick of it.

They both needed to know they had made a difference.

. . .

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

Anne Frank