A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all of the amazing reviews. I love them all and they're greatly appreciated. And I thought I'd let you all know I'm going to do a sequel after this story is over. Thanks for all the input!

Special thanks to Westie80, jenny crum, AvngAngl, Sophia0665, K8e1, Christiangirl, guest, CM Fan, red2013 and handsome-uks!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 25: Crossroads

The next morning JJ walked into the office with a better mood. Her conversation with Hotch had lifted her spirit and a weight was taken off of her shoulders. She still didn't know what to do, but everything seemed a little clearer. She knew what he wanted and where he stood. She just needed time to figure out what she wanted, but most of all what she needed. She couldn't jump into a relationship without putting any thought into it. She had to think straight. Which was exactly why she needed to talk to Tracy about it. She would probably give some good advice.

But when JJ reached Tracy's desk, she was nowhere to be found. JJ quickly glanced into Griffen's office and he was also not there. So she turned around on her heels and decided to go to her own desk to work on her research for some cases.

When she walked into the bullpen she noticed it was completely empty, which was weird because she was too late. But when she looked over at her desk, she saw Griffen sitting in her chair with an angry expression. She decided to ignore him. For some reason he seemed to have it out for her and JJ didn't know why. ''Where did everyone go?'' she asked, pulling up a chair and sitting next to him.

''You're late!'' he pointed out. ''I'm beginning to think you're not suited for this job at all.''

''What a shame!'' JJ replied, her tone of voice low and annoyed. She wanted to know what his problem was. Something was definitely wrong between them and Griffen seemed to be the one with the problem. ''I didn't take this job to be yelled at, Griffen. I'm not here to be your personal assistant and I'm so sick of being treated like one.'' she yelled out, rising from her chair. ''What the hell is your problem?''

''My problem?'' he repeated. ''I trusted you and I have to hear from some ADA that you've had a relationship with him!''

JJ froze in astonishment. She never wanted Griffen to know about her past with Hotch. It was the most private thing in her life and she had to find out that he himself told Griffen about it. And she suddenly realized that his anger was justified because she did know her past with Hotch could've put the Lewis case in serious jeopardy. ''I never thought…'' she tried to say, but he interrupted her.

''…that I would find out?'' he asked, shifting in the chair uncomfortably. ''That makes it even worse.''

JJ approached him, but he held up his hand to stop her from coming closer. ''My past with Aaron is complicated, Griffen.'' JJ began, hoping he would ever understand her need for privacy. ''When it ended, my world came crumbling down because I had invested so much in that relationship. I nearly lost two of my best friends just so I could be with him.''

JJ stopped for a moment but he still didn't say a word. So she decided to keep talking until he would say something. ''He had no right to say anything to you. That was out of line.'' she went on. ''I don't want him to ruin our relationship, Griffen.''

He finally rose from the chair with questions racing through his head. ''What relationship?''

''You know what I mean, Griffen.'' she replied firmly. ''I know we both liked each other enough to work together in peace, but now it's all gone.''

He no longer felt like listening to her endless explanations. It was all very simple. She had lied to his face and it hurt him pretty badly. ''I hope you're no longer interested in him, Jennifer.'' he stated. ''The guy is full of shit and I got to experience that, so I hope you don't fall for his charms again.'' he said as he started to walk away from her.

JJ ran after him, grabbing his wrist and he whirled around in anger. But she saw something more on his face. It was pain, like she had never seen before. ''I'm so sorry, Griffen.'' she apologized. ''I never meant for this to happen or for you to find out like this.''

''I don't care anymore.'' he shot back. ''Keep working on the deposition for next week. It's going to be a long and dramatic one and I need you to be prepared.'' he ordered and he finally walked out when JJ had nothing else to say.

JJ turned around and sat down in her chair. She had her head in her hands as she groaned out in frustration. This couldn't be happening. She never wanted her work to be so complicated. It was supposed to be hard and she knew that, but it wasn't supposed to be so difficult as it had already become.

Tracy walked into the bullpen, knowing Griffen had been there to talk to JJ alone. She tried to stop him from being so nasty, but even she couldn't keep him from going. It only reaffirmed her belief that Griffen was having feelings for the blonde associate. It was definitely something new for Griffen. ''Hey!'' Tracy greeted as she walked towards JJ. ''How are you?''

JJ looked up and shook her head. ''I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Tracy.'' she said simply. ''I talked to Aaron last night and everything seemed to be going into the right direction and then today I find out he told Griffen about our relationship.''

''You have to ask yourself what's more important to you.'' she hinted. ''It's either your job and relationship with Griffen or Aaron Hotchner.'' she explained, knowing JJ was in a difficult position. ''The two don't exactly mash.''

JJ knew her problems were her own and that she couldn't ask for anyone's advice but she hated the position she was in. ''I guess I need to figure this out on my own.'' JJ said, her voice filled with pain. ''I'll work from home for the rest of the day.'' she announced, rising from her chair. She grabbed her bag with all the folders and left the bullpen in a hurry. She desperately needed some space from the busy office to let her head rest. She had too many decisions to make, but she couldn't make a decision without contemplating all of her options and she had a lot of them. She was still young and the world was at her feet. She could go in any direction she wished to go.

It was around eight when JJ decided to put her work away and make some dinner. But her decision was cut short when a knock on the door made her turn around. She walked towards the door, wondering who was visiting. She wasn't expecting anyone. She just hoped Hotch wasn't stopping by again because she would definitely yell at the man for ruining her working relationship with Griffen.

She swung the door open and almost fainted when she looked into the eyes of the person across from her. ''Sean?'' JJ gasped.

Sean felt as if he hadn't seen her in ages. He stared at her stupidly, laughing as he stepped forward. The sweet smile on her face was filled with surprise and happiness. ''Hi, JJ!'' he whispered, taking her in his embrace. The hug lasted long as they both felt the comfort of their friendship wash over them.

JJ finally pulled away, still shocked by his unannounced presence at her apartment. But she loved it. She loved Sean. He was one of her best friends and they had only grown closer after their break-up seven years earlier. They even stayed in contact after Hotch choose to be with Haley. ''I can't believe you're really here.'' she said. ''It's been two years since I last saw you.''

''I got your letter and I just needed to come down here.'' he began. ''I almost choked when I read that Aaron was back in your life.''

JJ walked over to the couch after closing the door. She sat down next to Sean and gave him a playful punch to the shoulder. ''You're here.''

''Yes, I am.''

''You have to tell me everything about Africa, Sean.'' she began. ''I just can't wait to hear all of your wonderful stories.''

Sean nodded in agreement. ''Well, you've read most of them in my lengthy letters.'' he stated simply. He sat straight up, noticing JJ was avoiding the subject that needed to be talked about. ''But right now I want us to talk about your dilemmas.''

''It's your stupid brother. As always.''

''What has he done, JJ?'' Sean asked as he felt his heart break for JJ. He was there after their break-up and he knew that JJ was completely heartbroken. He didn't want his older brother to cause JJ more pain than he already had. ''I'll hurt him if he comes near you.''

''Well, it's a little too late.'' she replied. ''He came by yesterday and told me his marriage was over because he loves me.''

''Do you believe him?'' Sean asked curiously. He wondered if JJ still trusted him or if she ever would again. Sean certainly hadn't. His relationship with Hotch was on good terms when he was dating JJ, but after he broke up with her Sean couldn't deal with him at all. He felt like Hotch had torn apart JJ's entire life. He had made a mess of everything in it and Sean wasn't willing to forgive him for his actions. So their relationship stayed civil, but that was all it ever was.

''I don't know.'' she answered. ''I know I don't trust him and I'm definitely not ready to be with him.''

''Just be careful, JJ.'' Sean warned her.

JJ knew he was right. Trusting Aaron Hotchner could be another fatal mistake. He had broken her heart into a million pieces when she was a teenager. She knew she couldn't handle another amount of that hurt. She felt too vulnerable to handle something like that ever again. So for now she realized she had to keep her relationship with him on the down low. It was best for her and that was all that mattered for now.