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

Special thanks Sophia0665, Christiangirl, jenny crum, Westie80, red2013 (I'm so sorry for your loss! I hope you're doing okay.) and Katia XD!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 36: Hint of a normal life

The next morning JJ stirred in the large bed. She yawned as she opened her eyes. She took in the surrounding, knowing she had slept in Hotch's bed. She remembered waking up after the movie and they had something to eat and after that she changed into Hotch's sweats and she fell asleep before she knew it. She clearly needed the sleep and she felt good for the first time in weeks. But Hotch was missing. He wasn't in the bed. So JJ climbed from the bed in the oversized clothes. The grey shirt showed one of her shoulders and the sweatpants threatened to fall down with every step she took. But she didn't care. Instead, she took a quick look in the mirror before she opened the door. Her long hair was messy and her face was little pale from just waking up, but Hotch had to deal with it. That was what she looked like in the morning and she couldn't change it.

The moment she opened the door, the smell of breakfast his her nostrils. It smelled amazing and she immediately walked towards the kitchen. She felt her stomach rumbling and she knew she was hungry. When she reached the kitchen she saw the seriousness on Hotch's face and she couldn't help but laugh.

He looked up when he heard the laugh coming from the other side of the apartment. ''Good morning, beautiful!'' he said affectionately as he put down the utensils. He made his way towards JJ and stopped in front of her. He leaned down and claimed her lips in a passionate and desirable kiss. She deepened the kiss immediately and his body was once again on fire. He put his hands on her sides and started to push JJ in the other direction. She ended up with her back against the wall and Hotch covered her body with his own. And then he realized they couldn't do further. He wanted to. He needed to but the time wasn't right. So he pulled away from her. ''You look amazing.''

JJ felt like the life was knocked out of her. She was still recovering from the kiss and the sexual tension surrounding it. ''Hi.'' she breathed out, knowing it was all she could say. ''Good morning.'' she whispered against his lips. Their bodies were still close but then Hotch finally pulled away. ''So you can cook?'' she asked, following him into the kitchen.

''Only if I put some effort into it.'' he said. ''But I don't mind making breakfast for you.''

JJ squeezed his arm gently before she jumped on the counter. She was right next to Hotch as he kept making the mix for pancakes. ''You're too sweet.''

''Maybe today, but you know I'm not that sweet.'' he smirked. ''You even hated me in the beginning.''

''You can't blame me!'' she said defensively. ''You acted like a complete ass around Sean and me. You always blocked my path and you know how you acted…'' she pointed out.

Hotch sighed deeply, putting the bowl down. ''What changed your mind? When did you first change your mind about me?''

JJ thought back to months earlier, trying to remember when she first started to like him. ''Well, you weren't bad to look at from the beginning so that was a huge plus. But for me it started at the cemetery.'' she replied. ''That was such a dark moment for me and you pulled me out if. No one has ever been able to do that. You did.'' she explained. ''When did you first know? That you liked me, I mean.''

Hotch smiled, knowing the answer immediately. ''I liked you from the start, JJ. And teasing Sean was something I liked to do because I knew how much he hated it.'' he began. ''Normally when I meet a girl the relationship lasts a month. Maybe two. Not any longer. But with you I knew there was something different and I still can't put my finger on it.'' he went on as he started to make the pancakes. ''You're sweet, sensitive, kind, pure and I just want to be a better person when I'm around you. I just know it's real.''

His words send shivers through her body. The tears were almost stinging in her eyes because of his admission. She never thought anyone would see those things in her but he did. He saw her for who she was and not for what she could be one day. ''You're not so bad yourself.'' she said emotionally.

Hotch heard the trembling of her voice so he immediately turned around to see if she was alright. ''Did I say something wrong?''

''No, you didn't.'' she reassured. ''You're just really amazing.'' she whispered, jumping from the counter. She stepped next to him and just watched him cook. She hadn't been this happy since her family died. She was afraid she would never find that kind of happiness again but she had. In the most unexpected way and it made her realize how lucky she was.

''Pancakes are ready.'' he said, smiling as he looked at JJ who put the two plates on the table. ''I hope you like the eggs and the bacon.''

''It's perfect.'' she said, sitting down in the chair.

''It's probably a little cold though. I can heat it up.''

JJ put her hand on his arm to stop him from standing up. ''It's perfect, Aaron.'' she repeated. ''You don't have to go out of your way to please me. Your company is more than enough. You don't need to do anything special for me. It won't change how I feel.''

''Well,'' he said and he stopped for a moment to let JJ wonder what he was going to say to her. ''I was planning a first date.'' he confessed. ''I guess I should cancel it then?''

JJ almost choked on her pancake. She never thought Hotch would plan a date for them. He wasn't that type of guy. ''A date?''

''No, not anymore.'' he teased.

''A date would be fine!'' JJ said, hoping he was still going through with it. ''I like dates.''

He got the hint. ''Jennifer Jareau, will you go on a date with me?''

''Yes.'' she beamed. ''The food is really good.''

''I can see that. You've almost eaten everything.'' he noticed. ''I'm a guy so I need more food but most of it is already gone I see. I didn't know so much could fit in a tiny person like you.'' he joked.

''You keep underestimating me, buddy.''

Hotch was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. He rose from the chair and slowly made his way to the other side of the apartment, leaving JJ alone at the table. He didn't expect any company so he was wearing his sweats and a simple shirt. But when he opened the door he was surprised.

''Aaron Hotchner?'' one of the officers asked.

''Yeah,'' he replied. ''How can I help you?''

''I'm officer Lang and this is my partner, officer Sanchez.'' Lang introduced before he went on. Proper introductions were always important. ''We spoke to your mother last night about your father. She gave us a statement but we also need yours. We've already arrested your father and we're charging him with domestic violence and assault.'' he explained calmly.

For a moment Hotch wanted to laugh because his father was finally going to pay for his actions but he was able to keep himself together. ''When can I give my statement?'' he offered.

''It would be best to do it at the police station.'' Sanchez replied.

JJ overheard the conversation from the kitchen. She didn't know what she should do. In the end she decided to see what was really going. She made her way towards the door where she saw two officers talking to Hotch. One of them was bald and slightly older than the other.

''Hello.'' JJ greeted politely. ''I'm Jennifer Jareau.'' she introduced shaking both of their hands.

Hotch turned to JJ. ''I'm going to the station to give them my statement.'' he said. ''Maybe you should go home.'' he suggested.

''Yeah, of course.'' she said.

''We'll wait for you outside.'' Lang said before they both left Hotch and JJ to themselves.

Hotch closed the door and turned to JJ. ''My father is being charged with domestic violence and assault.''

''Oh,'' she said, wondering how he felt about it. ''That's good, right?''

''Yes, it is. He needs to pay for what he did to us. His time has come.'' he whispered. He was relieved that it was finally over. He no longer had to worry about Sean's well being around his father. But there was a small part that hurt, even though he wasn't willing to admit it at first. No matter what happened, Daniel was still his father and that was something no one could ever change. Not even Hotch could do it. ''I'm going to change.'' he announced.

JJ sat down on the couch and waited for Hotch to get ready. She wanted to be there for him, knowing this would be hard on him. She didn't want to be the nagging girl but she was on his side no matter what. He deserved it and she wanted to be there, so there was no point in leaving. But she wasn't going to tell Hotch that because he would insist that she would leave because he didn't want to ruin her day.

So as soon as Hotch was ready, JJ told him she would clean up breakfast and that she would leave afterwards. He didn't doubt her for a moment. He kissed her goodbye and left the apartment to meet the officers downstairs while JJ stayed glued to the couch, hoping he was going to be alright. A lot had happened in the last couple of days and she wanted Hotch to have some things to look forward to. He needed a distraction. JJ just hoped she was enough.