AN: Last chapter! This chapter is set the next morning as everyone is arriving. The disclaimers are the same.
JJ feared what Hotch would say as she approached his office, but when Aaron Hotchner called you in for a meeting, you didn't refuse. She arrived at the door and knocked timidly.
"Come in."
She did so, closing the door behind her. She stopped a few feet away from his desk.
"Hotch," she said, "I'd just like to apologize for my behavior. I know that I've caused you a lot of problems over the past week or two, and I'm sincerely sorry for that. I know that manipulating Garcia to take me here was wrong, and I have no excuse for it. I ask that you don't hold her responsible for anything. It was all my idea."
"Take a seat," Hotch said, gesturing to a chair. JJ did as told. There was silence for a few moments before JJ looked pleadingly into Hotch's eyes.
"So, um, how much trouble am I in?"
"None," Hotch said, "I just called you in to check on you. How's the wrist?"
JJ used every ounce of energy she had to stop her jaw from dropping to the floor. Who was this guy and what did he do with Hotch?
"It's a little better," she said, "Seriously, though? I'm not in any trouble?"
"Am I ever not serious, JJ," Hotch asked, "That is, unless you want to be punished."
"Oh, no," she said, "I mean, no sir... Thank you."
"I'm glad your wrist is feeling better," he said. He nodded, signaling that she could go.
"Thank you, sir," she said as she stood. She turned and headed to the door before Hotch came to his senses and changed his mind. Her hand froze to the handle as he spoke again.
"And JJ," he said, waiting for her to turn back.
"Yes?"
"Your door handle," he said, "I had the repair man come in this morning before you arrived. Should be good as new."
Her blue eyes twinkled as she gave her boss a smile.
"Thanks, Hotch! I'll be back in here in about half an hour with our new case if that's ok with you."
"Sounds good," Hotch said as the blonde left, closing the door behind her. He watched through the blinds as she walked down the stairs and through the bullpen. A relieved smile started to form as he realized that the wall between them had finally been torn down and they were friends once again.
Outside, the clouds that hazed the morning sky dissipated, revealing the beautiful day to come.
AN: Obviously, I'd like to thank all of the people that took the time to read and/or review this thread! You are all amazing and I love all the support! Special thanks go to my friends zoni and doc! Without zoni, I would have never finished the San Jose case, she gave me vital information on Social Services and really the whole idea to have the Unsub work for Social Services. Doc gave me information about snow survival that definitely came in handy when writing about Hotch rescuing JJ! I'd also like to thank all of my friends on the CBS message boards that took the time to sift through all the randomness there before I started posting my fics on this website! I know that was a chore, but you guys did it anyway and I'm very grateful! So, with that, the Lost Files have come to a close! Hope everyone enjoyed them, and looking forward to writing future stories on here! Good night!