A/N: Next chapter. I hope you all like it.

Special thanks to red2013, Lexis4MorganPrentiss, jenny crum, Sophia0665, handsome-uks, guest, K8e1, BAUMember, Christiangirl and CM Fan!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 37: Moment of truth (part 2)

One day later…

Griffen sat down in the chair with anger. This was the last thing he felt like doing. Meeting with Hotch was like going to hell. The only thing that would keep him from going crazy was the fact that Lauren was with him. He had to behave in front of her. She was his boss after all. He always had a good relationship with Lauren and he knew she would do anything to protect him. She was already doing that. He knew she was taking a big chance on him. His name and reputation were slowly becoming a joke and she still hadn't fired him. He was and always would be thankful for that.

Griffen snapped back to reality when Hotch sat down in front of him. He didn't look at him. He just gave a blink to the woman next to him, letting her know he was ready to get it over with. He wanted everything to blow over and disappear from his life. But even then it wouldn't be easy because there was still something missing. JJ to be exact. The blonde's absence at the office was affecting him more than he wanted to admit.

''Are you ready, Mr. West?'' Hotch asked. He got a simple nod so he turned the camera on, recording anything that was about to be said. ''We have a few questions for you regarding Mrs. Jareau. Could you please state you name and job for the record?''

Griffen leaned forward. ''I'm Griffen James West and I'm senior partner at Parker & Watson.''

''How long have you been practicing law?'' Hotch asked, knowing the answer.

''For twelve years now.'' he answered. ''Nearly thirteen. That is if you don't get me disbarred.''

Lauren knew Griffen was already losing him sense of control. Rightfully so, but he needed to stay in line. ''Griffen!'' she whispered.

''I'll get straight to the point for you.'' Hotch began. ''Why did you hire Jennifer Jareau?''

''I was promoted to senior partner about three and a half years ago and I was allowed to hire my own associate.'' he explained simply. ''At the time she seemed like the perfect fit.''

''But why her? What was it about her that you liked?''

Griffen sat back in his chair, knowing he was going to be digging for information about his relationship with JJ. Even how personal it truly was. ''She was confident and persistent. She owned all the qualities I looked for in an associate. Like I said, she seemed perfect.''

''Did you hire her based on her appearance?''

''Of course I did.'' Griffen answered with honesty. ''A good lawyer radiates power and maturity. I saw that in her and I knew she could be an amazing lawyer one day.''

Hotch felt like he was in the perfect spot to expose the man in front of him. It was time for Griffen West to fall to the ground. ''But there was nothing you could base that on.'' Hotch contradicted. ''You met her and hired her on the spot.''

Lauren decided to interrupt at the moment. ''You have no facts supporting your statement, Mr. Hotchner.''

''I do have a testimony from Jennifer Jareau herself and it implicates a lot more than just faulty hiring.'' he hinted.

Griffen stayed silent, barely holding onto his control. He felt like jumping Hotch and beating him, but that wasn't the right answer. ''Next question.'' he suggested.

''Did you care about her at all?'' Hotch asked. ''Or was she just a distraction when you needed one?''

''If wouldn't pursue this line of questioning if I were you!'' Lauren warned, but Griffen rose from his chair and was about to walk out when Lauren continued. ''I would like to ask Griffen some questions myself.''

''Go ahead.'' Hotch said, giving permission. He watched as Griffen sat back down with a blank face, staring ahead of him.

''Is it true that people believe you're cold and hard?'' Lauren asked, surprising everyone in the room.

Hotch knew what she was trying to prove and it could backfire on him. ''Objection!''

''First of all, you started this line of questioning. Second of all, you can't object.'' Lauren said with annoyance. She turned her attention back on Griffen. ''Did you care about JJ?''

''I did.'' Griffen replied emotionally. ''I've had feelings for her since the first time we met.''

''So you slept with her?'' Hotch interrupted, taking advantage of his confession.

''Not recently, no!''

''But you did?'' Hotch stated.

Griffen remembered the day vividly. ''Yeah, three and a half years ago. It was the night I offered her the job.'' he explained. ''We were both in a bad place and it just happened.''

Hotch had him right where he wanted him. ''I don't believe you had feelings for her the first time you slept with her. You took advantage of her!'' Hotch said angrily.

Girffen sighed deeply. It felt like this was more about jealousy than anything else. ''You're unhappy!'' he commented, noticing that Hotch looked miserable.

''This isn't about me.'' Hotch shot back in anger.

Griffen rose from his chair. ''This is about both of us because this is revolves around JJ. The woman you love.'' he noticed. ''Your marriage hasn't been what you wanted it to be.'' he began. ''You look miserable and unhappy.''

''So?'' he asked.

''So?'' Griffen repeated. ''So what would you do if a young and beautiful woman walked into your life? Someone who could give you a second chance at life and show you what love has to offer. Someone great.'' he went on. ''Would you do it?''

''No, because I'm still married. I could never break that.'' Hotch admitted. In the past he had been willing to break Haley's heart, but his marriage did mean something.

''Exactly!'' Griffen pointed out. ''I couldn't do it because I would've lost my job.'' he started. ''Yes, I wanted to be with JJ, but I was her boss so I didn't start anything even though I wanted to every day I saw her. Each second I spent with her was torment.''

Griffen was silent, but Hotch didn't say anything either. He seemed blown away by his words. ''You see, I could never hurt JJ. I would never put her through harassment because I love her.'' he admitted. That was all he could say and he hoped it was enough. So he walked out the room and decided to let Hotch decide what would happen next. Griffen knew his feelings for JJ were going to play a major part in his decision. And if he truly loved JJ, he would make the right choice for her. He knew that had to be true.