Disclaimed!
Here's a recap, only read if you can a) be bothered, b) can't remember what happened over the course of 35 chapters, c) don't mind mild cursing, d) want to read a long, probably confusing passage...
You've been warned...
So far in 'Learning in the Truth'
Hotch and Beth broke up and she's married to another dude, who just so happened to be an old friend of Hotch's who he had introduced her too (sorry Beth lovers). Anyway, he got over it and concentrated on helping his friend, JJ through her tough times, because let's face it, he's had a couple of rough patches over the years.
Henry kept having seizures and had to overcome some hearing loss which was affected by a clot which was operable. During his first stay in hospital, before the story begun, JJ found out she was pregnant with her second child through suffering a miscarriage. JJ and Will's marriage broke down to not being able to support each other through the loss and during Henry's illness and filed for divorce shortly after. Will's now focused on work and an undercover operation and as been out of contact during Henry's second stint in the hospital.
Then one fateful night, aka the first chapter of this story, JJ's mom, Sandy shows up on JJ's front doorstep with a familiar face... Rossi.
Sandy tells JJ that seeing her daughter go through so much in recent times with Will and Henry, made her realise that her daughter needed as much family around her as possible. Which led to Sandy revealing the truth about JJ's father, Marty... Marty Jareau is not JJ's biological father, David Rossi is.
Rossi and Sandy met on a military base, when Sandy and JJ's older sister went to greet Marty home from time away. The Jareau's marriage was on the rocks and Sandy sought comfort from a stranger. Years later, Sandy realised that JJ had been working with her real father all along but didn't say anything. Rossi only remembered Sandy at JJ's wedding and that's when he realised he had a daughter.
Neither of them told JJ straight away, she had just got married, so she was definitely pissed when she found out. So was Strauss, who is dating Rossi but she got over it and so did JJ eventually. Only then, Henry fell ill again, but recovered and Rossi paid of JJ's debts without her knowledge. He also interfered in her relationship with Hotch, who was well aware at that point, that he liked JJ more than a friend and was prepared to act on his feelings only his old friend managed to freak him out about his feelings.
Hotch confused JJ about his intentions and when she thought they could actually make something work between them, he pushed her away. Needless to say JJ got pissed off again, at both Rossi and Hotch. She quit her job with the BAU and got a great promotion at the 'Counter Terrorism Center' while still not talking to Hotch and Rossi, but Strauss got involved and gave the two men a push to make things better and now everyone is starting to get along again and trying to work out how to be a family together.
Caught up?
Phew...
Let me know what you think.
...
Over the spate of three weeks, Jennifer Jareau and Henry Jareau LaMontagne's lives returned to some sense of normalcy after months of chaos.
The mother and son had a weekly routine of day time activities involving physical therapy to restore Henry's balance and speech therapy to aid the young boy's progress all the while trying to keep on top of his school work. Sunday lunches had been successfully continuing at Rossi's mansion were restored and evolved with the inclusion of Strauss, Jack and Hotch every week.
The female profiler had already begun looking over paperwork for her new job role and had even managed to return to the BAU office for a few half days to get some of her affairs in order after a visit from her mom, Sandy and her partner Phil, who offered to look after Henry.
Weekly pizza nights had also restarted for the Jareau's and Hotchner's, allowing the four to readjust into a new type of friendship. Both Jack and Henry had seemingly become closer, even though they believed their separation was entirely to do with Henry's time in hospital and not the difficulties between their parents.
JJ and Aaron on the other hand were working through their issues the best way they could think of.
The television flickered brightly, providing the dark living room with its only light source.
JJ's hips bucked as Hotch ground into her, their lips meshed together with bruising force. Her hands were clawed into his short dark hair as his hands were occupied under her T-shirt. JJ wrapped her jean clad leg around the profiler's waist, groaning as his movements trapped her in between him and the comfortable couch, sending tremors through her entire body.
Realising that they were seconds away from loosing complete control, in the dimly lit living room while both their sons slept upstairs, JJ lowered her hands to his shoulders and pushed him back sharply. "This isn't, taking it slow."
He grinned down at her breathless words, faintly noting her dishevelled hair, swollen red lips and flushed cheeks in the darkened room. "You're the one who wanted to make out."
"Make out, not make me forget who I am, where I am and leave me needing more." She chuckled lowly as he reluctantly pulled away to adjust himself.
"But it was fun." Hotch countered as he firmly held her legs across his lap.
JJ laughed before she slowly sat up straight, running her hands through her messy hair. "We missed the end of the film."
Shifting in discomfort, he glanced over to the TV where the credits were rolling. "That's alright I enjoyed what we were doing more."
"I'm sure you did." JJ replied coyly as she leaned forwards slightly to re-fasten her bra clasp under her t-shirt.
Taking one of her hands in his, Hotch brought it to his lips and kissed her palm. "Thank you for inviting us over for pizza night again."
She smiled appreciatively before resting her head onto his shoulder as she leaned back, sideways on the couch, with her legs still hanging over his lap."You do realise, Mr Professionalism that I'm still technically under your supervision at work."
"Just until the end of the week, then you can continue to be under me on this couch." Hotch smirked half heartedly.
JJ rolled her eyes with a snort. "Wow, I see what you did there."
Hotch smile wavered while he ran his hand up JJ's left leg from her knee to her thigh and back again a few times, as he internally debated whether or not to broach the subject that had been on his mind for the last two weeks. "Are you really sure you want to leave the BAU?"
JJ sighed dejectedly. "No, but it's what Henry needs me to do, right now."
"What about you?" He queried, kissing the top of her head.
She shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I'll be fine."
"What about us?" Hotch grabbed her legs as she attempted to move. "JJ, we need to talk about this at some point."
"And we will." JJ lifted her head and kissed his cheek.
Laughing, Hotch shook his head in mock annoyance. "JJ, you can't get around me by kissing me."
"Really?" She smirked knowingly.
Catching the amused glint in JJ's eyes, Hotch sighed. "Okay so you already did earlier by asking me if I wanted to make out after I asked how it was going with you and Dave but this is important."
"Why is it important? If anything, us, as a couple will get easier once we're not working together, day in and day out." She groaned, sensing the situation turning more serious.
Hotch clasped her knee with his hand. "You don't have to leave the Bureau though. Hell, you don't have to leave the BAU. I could pass your chain of command to someone else."
JJ scoffed. "To who? My Dad, Morgan, Blake?"
"Morgan and Blake are senior agents, they could handle a little extra paperwork during evaluation season." He stated.
"I'm on the same pay grade as Morgan now with doing extra communication work. And as much as I respect Blake, there's a reason she hasn't been promoted up since she arrived. I'm not a junior agent anymore Aaron, and as much as I adore my colleagues, I don't want to move backwards in my career." She countered honestly.
Hotch raised his eye slightly in question. "Strauss could always..."
"No. She's practically my stepmom now. You've seen her with Rossi when they're together, it's a little sickening." JJ laughed awkwardly.
"I don't want you to make all the sacrifices." He sated sincerely.
"I've told you, where we're concerned, this is a good thing not a compromise or a complication." JJ edged forwards slightly and kissed his jaw lightly. "The Counter Terrorism Centre has offered me a more than generous package and I know a lot of the players there already. I have connections which I can work to help me on my way and better still, I'll be able to spend a hell of a lot more time with my son."
Hotch smiled solemnly. "I'll miss working with you every day."
"Me too, but it's not as if we'll go days without talking again. We'll work us out and who knows, this could be the best thing for our relationship." JJ countered positively.
He raised an eye coyly. "Maybe I could even start everyday with you in bed, once we get everything on track that is."
"If you play your cards right, I don't see why not." She giggled softly before manoeuvring her legs off his lap and shifting so she was straddling his muscled thighs.
Resting her hands against the back of the couch and pressed Hotch into the cushions as they began kissing once again.
As Hotch's arms snaked around her body and his fingers began creeping up the back of her shirt, JJ mumbled incoherently before pulling back sharply. "We shouldn't do this here, one of the boys could walk in."
Hotch growled unhappily. "JJ."
Laughing at his pained expression, she pressed a chaste kiss to his soft lips. "My bedroom door has a lock."
They eyed each other closely. Their budding relationship had gone no further than making out on the couch and sneaking gentle explorations of the other's willing body. As they held each other, both were still obviously hesitant of taking the next step in case it ruined what they had managed to restore.
Without warning, Hotch took the initiative and moved off the couch, securing JJ's legs around his waist as he lifted her in his arms. JJ squealed into his neck, attempting to be as quiet as humanly possible, not to wake the boys but finding it difficult as they rubbed together as Hotch walked them into the hallway outside the living room.
Before they made it to the first step on the stairs, a light tapping noise on the door distracted them.
Hotch's elated eyes quickly drew together creating a deep frown and a disappointed moan escaped JJ's lips when her shoulders drooped. Without letting her go, Hotch walked them to the door and inspected who the late night caller was. As he opened the door, Hotch simultaneously eased JJ to the ground and turned her to face the familiar face.
JJ froze in surprise before the emotions of the last three months came to the surface. "Will, what are you doing here?"
...
Will had to come back into the picture at some point might as well make it the worst moment possible :P
Thanks for reading!