Disclaimed!
Hi to everyone, hope some people are still interested, I know there have been some delays and lots of chapters, but I keep changing things and it's taking time to get back into the flow of the story. But I am determined to finish it :)
Let me know what you think!
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Smoothing down his cowlick, JJ traced down his stubbly jaw softly with her fingers, realising his breathing had altered, the liaison smirked at the movement behind her partner's closed eyelids and spoke softly. "You're awake"
"I didn't..." Hotch muttered hoarsely as his eyes struggled to open fully against the pain and the harsh light streaming through the plastic blinds.
"Shh, it's okay, try not to move" JJ stated calmly, turning around to shut the blinds before taking the injured agent's hand as his eyes widened while they adjusted.
"I didn't know" He said groggily, searching the blonde's worried eyes for her understanding.
JJ looked down at his pained expression and his tightened grip as he struggled to stay awake against the abundance of drugs the doctors had given him. "Do you want me to get a nurse?"
"Jaje, I didn't..." Hotch's breathing became heavier while he shook his head, his chocolate brown eyes shutting momentarily as JJ pressed the button to get the nurses attention.
Sighing at his stubbornness as his eyes opened once more, silently begging her to understand something, JJ leaned closer as she spoke. Hoping that even if he faintly whispered what he was trying to tell her, she'd catch it. "What didn't you know?"
"I..." Raising his hand up to cup her cheek, he paused to look at her then shook his head, his confusion evident as she took his hand off the side of her face, kissing his palm as she placed it down by his side.
"Just close your eyes and go to sleep, I'll be right here when you wake up" JJ kissed his forehead and waited till his eyes shut once more before she let go of his hand. Watching his face relax, JJ smiled as she heard his tired request before he completely succumbed to the drug fuelled sleep. "Don't go"
"Never" JJ leaned down to kiss his lips softly as his breathing evened out. "I love you"
The room was softly lit the next time Hotch slowly opened his eyes, the blinds were shut and no light bordered the seams, meaning it must be night. Wincing at the pain shooting though his side, the profiler squinted down at the small hand that rested on his stomach, the pain being caused as his young son, pressed firmly into his side, fast asleep and oblivious to his father's conscious presence.
Looking to his left hand, he followed the soft hand covering his, up to JJ's peaceful resting face, who was sat in the chair, closest to the bed. A small gash, cut her forehead above her eye but still she looked beautiful, he mused, as he spotted Henry also asleep in her lap his small fist scrunching her crumpled shirt.
Hearing a grumble, Hotch looked left at his eldest friend who was staring at him concern. "Are you okay? Do you need..?"
Breathing through the pain as he spoke, Hotch whispered quietly trying not to disturb his sleeping family. "Don't... wake them up... I'm fine, just sore"
Rossi looked at him sceptically. "You had us all worried. Are you up for talking or do you want me to get the nurse?"
"Hmmm" Hotch replied dreamily, the morphine still in full effect as the unit chief ran his right hand through his son's brown hair, with his eyes shut tightly.
Rossi rested a hand on Hotch's arm, trying to get his attention by hovering above him to get into his eye line so the profiler didn't move and strain himself. "JJ said you were trying to tell her something earlier, about what you didn't know?"
"I don't remem..." Hotch began to answer slowly, every muscle seemed to ache and his heart was pounding, but a soft voice turned his attention away from the experienced profiler and too the chair next to him.
"Hey, you're awake again" JJ croakily spoke as she adjusted Henry and squeezed her boyfriend's hand before she let go.
Hotch's smile widened as JJ stared at him, worry etched over her face as he responded quietly. "Hey"
"How are you feeling?" JJ asked lovingly, moving Henry slowly not to disturb him as she placed him on the seat and off of her lap.
"Just sore" Hotch half smiled, he knew she wouldn't accept any of his words right now, she knew him better than anyone.
Seeing the lingering looks, Rossi cleared his throat and edged away from the couple. "I'll get the nurse"
"Thanks Rossi" JJ smiled thankful that he was giving them a minute alone.
Jack sighed and moved against him again, making the profiler smile at his childlike innocence even though there was a sharp pain through his side.
Seeing his inability to hide the soft wince, through the pain, JJ ran her hand over Jack's cheek before moving his little hand of his father. "The boys wanted to see you. Jack didn't want you sleeping all alone"
"I bet I look a treat" Hotch quipped sorely. His face was darkly bruised around both of his eyes and jaw, there was a gash on his cheek and his lips was swollen and bloodied.
Leaning down to kiss his lips softly, JJ's words were murmured against his chapped lips. "You look just fine, besides, I warned them that you'd be bruised. Do you want me to move him?"
"No" Hotch replied instantly, his hand protectively going to his son's side. "I want him close"
Understanding, she nodded while placing one of her hands back on top of his scrapped hand and the other to the side of his face faintly, hoping the loving gesture wasn't painful. "I thought I'd lost you"
"It's not that easy" Hotch replied with a small smile, both the fear and the love radiating from JJ's eyes were notable and he moved his hand so their fingers could entwine.
Letting her free hand trace his jaw, JJ smiled warmly as she attempted to quell her watery eyes from shedding the tears that had been building up for days. "I love you Aaron"
"I love you too" Hotch croaked through a thin smile intensely staring into his girlfriend's eyes, not wanting to break the intimate contact.
JJ adjusted herself so she sat more towards him on the bed. A comfortable silence took over the pair as Hotch rubbed his thumb up and down JJ's finger, his eyes focused solely on hers as she asked her question. "Do you remember what happened?"
Closing his eyes momentarily, Hotch sighed and shook his head. "Not really"
"It's okay. It'll come back to you" JJ reassured while her free hand moved down to his neck, massaging just under his hairline on the back of his neck.
He could feel her warm, shaky breath on his cheek as his mind drifted to nothingness at the blonde's gentle and caring touch.
Feeling his brown eyes heavily close, he forced them to reopen to see JJ smiling down at him, her relief that he was relaxed because of her touch was evident in eyes. He raised his hand to her head, just below the small cut, before lower his hand tiredly to her forearm. "You're head"
"It's just a bump. I guess my body needed a new injury after I nearly healed off a few months ago." JJ quipped with a smirk that widened as she watched a genuine smile cross her boyfriend's face, causing the cute and deep dimples at either side of his mouth.
"I should wrap you in cotton wool" Hotch half chuckled as JJ rolled her eyes at his attempted humour. "I should do the same to you"
"I'd enjoy that" The profiler's voice suddenly went quietly husky as he raised his heavy eyes suggestively.
Giggling, JJ leaned down hovering playfully above his mouth as she murmured and squeezed his hand at the same time. "Such a dirty mind"
"Sorry to interrupt. How are you feeling Agent Hotchner?" The couple looked towards the door suddenly, where a male doctor and Rossi stood, smugly watching the affectionate pair.
Standing back, JJ kept his hand in hers and gave him a look that read 'tell him the truth'. Hearing a reluctant sigh, the blonde smirked as Hotch started to speak. "My chest aches"
"Why don't we move your son to the couch and I'll take a look" The doctor replied as he walked around the opposite of the hospital bed to where JJ was standing.
Rossi went to the Doctor's side, looking to JJ as he placed a hand under Jack's head. "I'll take Jack outside, why don't you bring Henry?"
JJ looked down at her injured boyfriend worryingly, not wanting to leave his side, even for a moment. Sensing her uncertainty, Hotch tilted his head and smiled reassuringly. "I'll be fine JJ"
"I'll be just outside, okay?" JJ replied tenderly, kissing him briefly before lifting Henry to her chest, so his head rested on her shoulder.
Following Rossi outside, JJ turned to look at the doctor examining Hotch's wounds making his face scrunch in obvious discomfort.
Letting out a shaky breath, the media liaison's eyes fell from the scene in the hospital room to her sleeping son and Jack who was now resting against Garcia as Rossi placed him down next to the rest of team, all wide awake, watching JJ's tired gaze, her mind raced as she realised that she wasn't entirely sure where they went from here.
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Yeah I couldn't kill him in end. I have wrote a chapter when he died but thought people would be happier with this outcome, especially seeing how in my other fic, Because love sometimes hurts, things aren't going so well for JJ atm.
You're reviews are inspiration and encouraging, and in turn I like to give shout outs. Thank you too; mummacass, Alece, Myspaceisdaocean, crazyobsession101, JJandHotch4ever96, jekkah, deeda and Hotch Fan!
You're brilliant for reviewing, thank you!