A/N: Here's next chapter! I hope you all enjoy!
Special thanks to Westie80, Sophia0665, jenny crum and Twilightangell!
I don't own criminal minds!
Chapter 28: Maybe
JJ's eyes stayed in front of her as Hotch drove towards the parking lot. Nothing had changed about the building. Everything seemed the same. It suddenly hit her that in the six years that she was gone that people just lived their lives. She didn't expect differently but the thought scared her. She had lost six important years. In those years she could've settled down with someone. Or she could've climbed the ladder of the FBI. So much could've been different. But she didn't want to think about the what ifs. They could only make things harder than they already were.
Hotch stopped the car and turned his attention to JJ. ''We can go back.'' he reassured to let her know that she didn't have to do this. ''No one will blame you, JJ.''
''I want to do this. I need to do this.''
''Let's go then.'' he said, stepping from the car. He walked around to JJ's side to open the door for her but she beat him to it. He suddenly was reminded that working with JJ used to be amazing. She was one of the best and he loved that she grew so quickly. Right now it felt like the old times. As if they were coming back from a case and they needed to catch up on the loads of paperwork.
JJ walked ahead of Hotch as they entered the large building. Even inside nothing had changed. Security seemed to be the same. JJ watched closely as Hotch got them through security. He was in his element. This was the man she fell in love with once. His undying devotion to his job was her main attraction to him. She was the exact same in that department. Her job used be her life. She just never expected that her job would also turn her life upside down.
Hotch saw that JJ's attention was all over the place. He also noticed that she was extremely vigilant and on edge. She had every reason to be but it pained him to see her like that. JJ used to be the carefree girl who did whatever she wanted to do. ''I'm right behind you.'' he assured when he saw that she looked over her shoulder.
JJ stopped in front of the elevator and pushed the familiar button. She stepped backwards so she was standing next to Hotch. ''It feels just like old times.'' she smiled out. ''It's good.''
''I was just thinking the same thing.'' he agreed. ''You look like you're going to work.''
''I'm wearing skinny jeans with a black t-shirt. This wasn't exactly what I used to wear to work, Hotch.''
''I think you look amazing.'' he complimented and he liked that JJ took it the right way.
''Thanks. You look good too.'' she replied. ''I see your taste in suits hasn't changed and that's definitely not a bad thing.''
The elevator doors suddenly opened while JJ and Hotch were still stuck in their conversation. They suddenly heard a cough coming from inside the elevator which caused them both to look up.
Hotch looked into the eyes of the woman who had made his job extremely hard on him. ''Ma'am.'' he said to Strauss as kindly as he possibly could. ''I brought JJ with me.'' he announced when she stepped to his left.
Strauss turned around when she finally recognized the blonde. She knew her BAU team had been on her case. She just didn't expect her to be in the FBI offices. Strauss always figured that JJ was going to make an exceptional agent one day and the loss also affected her in a way she never expected. Strauss turned to JJ and put on her friendly face. ''It's really good to have you back here.'' she said, shaking JJ's hand. ''It wasn't the same without you. I hope I can talk to you about a return to the FBI.''
JJ was shocked by the words that were actually coming out of the older woman's mouth. ''Thank you, Ma'am.'' she said. ''But I have to pass up the job offer. I don't think I'm capable of returning to the FBI any time soon. I have a lot to deal with right now.'' she explained.
''I understand.'' Strauss said when the elevator stopped at the sixth floor.
Hotch put his hand on the small of JJ's back to guide her out of the elevator. ''Goodbye, Ma'am.'' Hotch said nicely.
JJ didn't say her goodbyes. Instead, she walked out of the elevator and to the right where here office used to be. She heard Hotch talking behind her but none of his word registered in her brain.
''That was cold. I really don't like the woman.'' Hotch began. ''I mean, how could she offer you a job? Who does that?'' he rambled on but he stopped when he saw that JJ was standing in front of her old office. He had never seen such a intense stare before. He knew why she was staring like that. It was because nothing had changed.
The first thing she saw was the nameplate on the door. It was her name. Jennifer Jareau was actually on the door. She turned around to Hotch as a tear escaped her eye. She wiped it away before having the courage to talk. ''Is this for real?''
''It is.'' he answered simply.
JJ turned around again and she stopped right in front of the door. She let her fingers slide over her name. It felt utterly weird. Her name was still there but it did mean that no one had forgotten about her after all this time and that meant the world to her. She put her hand on the doorknob and opened the door in one quick motion. Even inside everything was the same except for the stacks of case files that used to be on her desk.
Hotch followed her inside and closed the door behind them. He watched as JJ looked around her. ''Everything is in the same place, JJ.'' he said to answer the question he knew was coming. ''When Anderson replaced you he couldn't take your office. He told me he wasn't a replacement because he realized he never would be. So he called himself a new addition to the team and he took a desk in the bullpen. We never needed your office so we kept it like this.'' he explained. ''I used to come here every morning while you were missing and I would think of all the good and bad memories we experienced here. For me it was a reminder of what I once had and that those memories would be with me for the rest of my life no matter what would happen to you.''
''I can't believe this.'' she cried out. She was touched. She could feel Hotch's love. It was overwhelming and it caused the tears to become worse than before.
''Do you remember what happened here?'' he asked intently.
''Of course I do. It was the first time we slept together.'' she answered. ''I never forgot, Hotch. That night has changed my life forever.''
''Yeah, mine too.'' he said as he took a step towards her.
JJ was with her back against the desk. She realized what he was doing when he put his hands on both sides of the desk. It was the same move he made that night. But this time his expression was even more real. This time she knew his intentions would be real and nothing was standing in his way. But no she had obstacles standing in her way.
She finally put a hand on his chest to stop him from going further. ''We shouldn't do this. It feels wrong.'' she tried to say.
Hotch responded by cupping her face and putting a hand on her waist. ''How is this wrong, JJ? Does it feel wrong to you?''
''No, it doesn't.''
Hotch was leaning forward, their lips almost touching. He could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. It electrified everything inside of him. ''Do you think it's wrong for us to be together like before?'' he asked. He waited but she didn't answer him. He could see the fear and the doubts in her eyes. But there was also a hint of hope for him. Somewhere he could see the warmth and love. That was what he needed to see. That was the JJ he hoped would come back. Now he just needed an answer to his question.
