Author's Note: Thank you for the support regarding this story. I have been truly astounded.
JJ scrubbed furiously at the pan in front of her, not noticing that the residue had long since disintegrated under her hands.
Will was going to be home any second, and things needed to be perfect.
They had to be.
Because JJ wasn't the type of person who failed.
Ever.
She refused to be a failure as a housekeeper too, since she had already failed at most of her attempts at being a good girlfriend—or a good mother for that matter.
Maybe this time, she could get it right.
She was surprised Garcia hadn't called yet. She knew that Penelope was watching police reports, hospital incident reports—everything to try to protect her.
And after last night's misunderstanding, Penelope was probably freaking out.
But if Will knew she called Garcia, it would just start another fight. So JJ would wait, she would wait until Penelope called first. She knew Penelope was watching, waiting for a hint of something afoul.
And for some reason, JJ couldn't find it in herself to bristle that her friend was meddling in her life.
Garcia just didn't understand.
JJ didn't notice how the warm water gradually grew hotter and hotter, scalding her hands.
She just had to get this perfect.
She jumped as she heard the door open and slam shut, cuing Will's return home from work. Softly drying her hands, and only then momentarily realizing that her fingers were throbbing from the hot water, she forced a bright smile on her face despite cursing herself for not being better prepared.
Will was home early.
She should have thought of that.
Will seemed to stare through her as he surveyed the kitchen, easily detecting that dinner had barely been started. Grimacing, and without a word, he turned and retreated back to their bedroom.
"Will?" She asked, forcing away the hurt that cut her sharper than a knife at his dismissal as she hesitated in front of their bedroom door.
She bit her lip thoughtfully, wondering if she should try the doorknob or allow him to relax after a hard day of work.
"Will?" She asked again, cursing the way her voice broke slightly—even she could hear the vulnerability in her voice.
She hated feeling vulnerable. But she only felt this way because she hadn't had everything perfect—it should have been perfect.
Damn it, why wasn't it perfect?
Trying the handle to their bedroom door, she felt her heart drop to find it locked. If she could only talk to him and explain…
Her focus was drawn from the locked door by a gentle tug on the back of her pants. Looking down at the her seven-year-old, she smiled. "What's wrong Sweetheart?" Henry whimpered as he buried his head against JJ's legs. JJ winced as she felt the heat from his head permeate through the thin fabric. She bit her lip nervously, not for the first time feeling concerned that her son was not as vocal as other children his age.
Not as vocal, Will's voice sneered in her mind, He's practically mute.
She winced at the accurate description, just more evidence that she needed to be at home with Henry.
Because her son needed her.
Even if she was a failure.
"Do you not feel well?" JJ asked softly, cringing as she ushered Henry toward the kitchen, accidentally reigniting the pain in her chest.
Her ribs hurt.
But the pain, as odd as it sounded, made her at least know she was still there—that she could still feel.
She was alive.
Sometimes, it was nice to be reminded she could still feel something.
Abandoning her attempt to mend her straining relationship, she glanced back at the bedroom momentarily as she remembered that Will had the only key to the medicine cabinet.
For Henry's safety—she reminded herself, as if trying to convince herself that this entire situation was not horribly wrong.
But Henry had a fever.
Maybe a cool cloth could bring down the fever, she should probably try that before bothering Will after a long day of work.
She nearly cried out as Henry brushed against her arms, whimpering as he collapsed against her, only then realizing her skin was red and blistered from her earlier dishwashing.
She'd have to get some ice for that.
Once she took care of Henry.
A week later, Hotch watched from afar as Will kept a protective hand around JJ's waist while both talked to the animated Governor at his fundraising gala.
Ironically to raise money for domestic violence.
Hotch grimaced as JJ smiled politely, laughing at all the right times, her very frame the picture of poise and control.
But it was only because he was cataloguing her every move, each tick of her facial muscles, each movement of her eyes that he saw it.
The wince.
The cringe.
The fear.
She held herself perfectly, except for the momentary lapses—more like micro-expressions that lasted for less than a second.
No one could maintain that mask permanently.
Not even Jennifer Jareau.
He was vaguely aware of Penelope Garcia at his side, watching JJ just as closely as he was.
A woman spoke up from behind them, "Isn't that Captain La Montagne adorable?" The woman whispered to an unknown companion. "He and his wife are the perfect couple."
"Oh, you've heard they aren't married." Another woman spoke up.
"They have a son with autism." The first woman informed. "I mean…can you imagine a more beautiful couple?"
"He's so sweet with her." The second woman crooned. "You're right, they're a gorgeous couple."
Hotch shuddered at the thought of unsuspecting observers commending William La Montagne.
He wasn't sweet.
He was an abusive bastard.
A weasle.
Who didn't deserve to live.
"And did you hear he cried when their son was born." The second woman nearly squealed, "If only every man were so sensitive."
"I've heard he's a shoe-in for the next Chief of Police." The first woman agreed.
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Penelope grumbled under her breath, pasting a smile on her face as JJ glanced over in their direction.
Will noticed JJ's diverted attention and had Hotch been watching with less fervor, he would have missed the way the younger man pulled JJ closer, his fingers tight against her waist.
But even if Hotch hadn't been watching JJ like a hawk, he wouldn't have missed the wince that crossed her delicate features.
Hotch was across the room in a second, fury growing with every step, not bothering to see the way that Garcia cheered him on from behind.
JJ smiled as he approached, "Hotch, it's been so long." She greeted politely, despite the fingers that pressed forcefully against her side, reminding her of the man beside her. "Will and I were just saying—"
"Can I talk to you?" Hotch asked grimly, forcing himself to maintain control.
For JJ.
Because if he exposed her in front of everyone she would be humiliated.
But the bastard beside her was hurting her.
JJ glanced towards Will, and at his almost imperceptible frown she apologized with the perfect press face she had developed after years in front of the media. "We are actually probably going to go, maybe I can talk to you later?"
"If she remembers." Will teased, causing the group surrounding them to erupt in polite laughter. "Former Government Official, and now she forgets to return phone calls."
Hotch noticed the way JJ's cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
It was a little thing.
Not something he normally would have batted an eye against.
Except for now, he knew.
This was more than just teasing banter between a loving couple.
No, there was much more going on.
The calculating coldness in Will's eyes coupled with the hurt JJ could barely kept hidden seemed to ignite the feelings for the blonde that he thought he had long ago buried.
He reacted before he could stop himself, his forearm pressed tightly against the younger man's throat as he threw him against the wall. "Don't." Hotch growled, ignoring the curious stares from the other guests as his fist connected with Will's face. "Don't you dare touch her!" He yelled, his fist raised in the air as it prepared for another blow.
"Hotch!" JJ pulled at his arm, forcing him back as Will clutched at his throat gasping dramatically. "What are you doing?" She ran to Will, trying not to wince as he used her to stand back up.
"Don't you dare touch her." Hotch warned Will seriously, mindful of the security guards pressing toward him as someone kept him back from destroying Will from the face of planet. "Don't you dare."
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Will coughed as he regained his footing. Seeing Garcia's not so concealed joy at Will's ass kicking, Will narrowed his glar, "If—"
"Don't." Hotch repeated as security grabbed him forcefully by the arm and pulled him out of the room. "Don't you dare."