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

Special thanks to handsome-uks, Westie80, Christiangirl, Sohpia0665, K8e1, Kimd33, jenny crum, red2013 and Snowbeardolphin!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 25: Just a start

After her conversation with Lauren, JJ left her office and slowly but surely made her way to Griffen's office. Her body cringed when she stepped inside, a feeling of powerless emotions hitting her straight in the face. It was harder than she expected it to be. Moments she spent in the office came rushing back, and she tried to keep herself together. To not fall apart. She rushed to the chair and sat down behind the desks, knowing it was all really over. She still couldn't believe it. But the cold chair was enough proof of his absence. Griffen was always at the office in the time. He never missed a day of work and JJ always admired that about him.

And as she sat in that office, the desire to keep his memory alive was overwhelming. But she didn't know if she would ever be able to fill his shoes. Not to mention that she was a detective, and she was also offered a job by the FBI multiple times. She was just at another crossroads and she needed to make an impossible choice and in that process she didn't want to let anyone down. Lauren deserved a good partner at the firm. The question was just if JJ was capable of being that great partner.

''Lauren told me you were coming.'' a voice from behind said sadly. ''How are you, JJ?''

JJ turned around in the chair, seeing Wesley Evans standing in the middle of the office. She rose from the chair and stopped right in front of him. ''Hey,'' she greeted. ''I'm doing fine.'' she lied, hoping her former boss didn't see it.

''I know you, JJ. That was a lie.'' he contradicted. ''But how are you really?''

JJ sat down on the couch, following Wesley as he took a seat on it as well. ''I felt pretty good this morning.'' she started. ''But now, I am just thinking about a lot.''

''She offered you his position?'' he asked and JJ responded by nodding slowly. ''Well, it's an amazing chance and I understand why Lauren wants you to take Griffen's spot within the firm.''

''I just don't know how I can ever replace him, Wesley.'' JJ stated with a heavy heart. ''It's not easy for me.''

He put his hand on hers, trying to give her some comfort. ''No one will ever replace him. That's just impossible. But you're forgetting that you were one of the best partners before you left.'' he went on. ''You'll do an amazing job. I know it.''

''Don't you want the position of managing partner?'' JJ wondered.

''No,'' he answered. ''I don't want to carry that burden. It's not just about how you are as a lawyer, but it's about commitment and leadership. I don't think it's the right thing for me. But you would be perfect.''

JJ sighed deeply, smiling in response. ''Did Lauren put you up to this?'' she asked bluntly.

''Absolutely not.'' he responded quickly. ''I like Lauren, but I don't let her use me as a messenger.''

''Yeah, I remember. You just use other people.'' JJ said. ''I remember you doing that with me a couple of times when I was still an associate.''

''Ah, you were young and impressionable.''

JJ was about to talk when Emily walked inside the office without knocking. ''What is it?'' JJ asked with worry in her voice. The look on Emily's face was urgent.

''Hotch just called me and he said he needs me at the station immediately.'' she began. ''You have to come with me since there's no one else who can watch you.''

''I can stay here, Emily.'' JJ reassured but she soon realized that it wasn't an option at all. ''Yeah right, Hotch will kill me if I am not protected.

''Exactly.''

JJ rose from the couch and walked to Emily. ''I'll talk to you soon.'' she said to Wesley before she left the office, feeling like she was leaving Griffen behind. It was like a punch to the stomach.

At the station JJ joined her partner, Adam, at his desk to catch up. She hadn't seen him for a few days and she wanted to know what was going on with the case since the FBI wasn't telling her anything. She felt like she had a right to know.

Emily looked back for a moment to check on JJ. Once she noticed the blonde was fine, she walked inside the conference room, only finding Hotch, Rossi, Garcia and Reid there. ''Where's Morgan?'' she asked.

Rossi stepped forward. ''Derek has been following Ava Peterson since her arrest.'' he started. ''He didn't find anything suspicious until now.''

''What's going on?'' Emily asked, a hint of desperation in her voice. She realized something was very wrong when she noticed the look on Hotch's face.

''Ava Peterson left her apartment for the first time today and Morgan followed her to a bank.'' Hotch said sadly. ''She was shot before she entered the bank.''

''Oh my god,'' Emily whispered. ''When?''

''About an hour ago.'' Garcia said.

''We believe it was Anthony Hall who struck again.'' Rossi went on. ''He shot from one of the higher buildings in the area and he left a pair of black leather gloves on the roof.''

Emily barely heard a word Rossi said because she was thinking. Pieces in her head were coming together like pieces to a puzzle. ''Garia, can you pull up information on the bank?'' she asked flatly.

Garcia duck behind her laptop and started typing away and had the information on the bank within seconds. ''Nothing important to find about this particular bank.''

''Do they have safety deposit boxes?'' Emily asked curiously.

Hotch stepped back and let Emily think, knowing she was on to something big. She had that look in her eyes.

''Yes,'' Garcia replied.

Emily turned around to Hotch instantly. ''We expected that Ava Peterson was having an affair with Griffen West, yet she didn't tell us anything when we wanted to ask questions.'' she rambled. ''She's a journalist, Hotch!''

''So?'' he asked.

''What if she was working on a story and Griffen had insight on a case?'' she said. ''What if they met to talk about the case and it got them both killed?'' she added. ''The key!''

Hotch knew Emily had to be right. It was the best they had found in a long time. ''Let's go to the bank.'' he said. ''Rossi and Reid, stay with JJ!'' he ordered. He was out of the station within seconds. This seemed to fit every lead they had and he hoped it was all real and that the mystery would finally be solved.