Author's Note: Thank you for the support regarding this story. I have been truly astounded. I know many of you are somewhat expecting a quick fix to this, like Hotch swoops in, carries JJ away and it's perfect happy family time. But this story isn't going to be like that. Believe me, Hotch will save the day, but he also recognizes JJ's not ready to leave just yet. Unfortunately, in this story, JJ is a little stubborn and unwilling to admit that there is a problem. But it wouldn't be a story if she didn't come to figure that out, now would it? :)
"Jack, can you get us a few apples?" Hotch asked his son nearly two weeks later, handing him a sack from the roll above the carrots and other vegetables. He could easily watch Jack as he grabbed the fruit, but knew how much Jack loved it when he was entrusted with any task whatsoever.
"Sure!" Jack snatched the sack out of his hands and ran toward the apple display as if desperate to prove that his father's trust in him was not erroneous.
Hotch smirked at Jack's excitement, thinking if just for a moment that maybe he was doing something right.
After all, Jack was an outgoing child that couldn't seem to contemplate a father acting violently for the simple reason that he was a bastard.
At least that was something.
"Dad." Jack whispered excitedly, suddenly by Hotch's side. "Is that Aunt JJ?"
Hotch looked toward the Bakery, surprised to see beautiful blonde with her back turned to them, apparently captivated by the lines of fresh bread that was stacked neatly along the wall.
It was unmistakable that the woman who had dodged his calls for weeks was now standing several feet away.
He had even stopped by her house and had Garcia check to make sure she was alright.
This was hell.
Hotch nodded and crouched down toward his son, "Do you think we should go say 'Hello'?" He asked.
Jack grinned and darted off excitedly. "Aunt JJ!"
JJ turned around, her own grin broadening as she saw Jack running toward them, grateful that the swelling around her left eye had finally gone away. "Look Henry, it's Jack, can you say 'Hi'?" She asked, looking down at her son who clutched the corner of his shirt in one hand while being completely engrossed in the game he was playing on his Nintendo-DS that she had saved for in order to get him for Christmas.
Henry kept playing, with only a brief glance around that signaled he had even heard his mother, he returned his focus to the game.
"Hi JJ." Hotch's smile was small and uncertain as he had no idea what to say.
"I don't have anything to say to you." JJ muttered as she felt Hotch standing next to her. "How's school going Jack?" She asked the ten year old excitedly.
"Great." Jack smiled, "And Mrs. Fienstein said—"
"Jack, just a second." Hotch interrupted, pushing his son gently behind him. "What did I do?"
"What did you do?" JJ turned to him incredulously. "You're supposed to be my friend! You humiliated me in front of my friends, Will's co-workers, people that I have to see every day." She seethed, pure rage radiating off her, "And you ask me 'What did I do'?" She snorted. "You beat up my boyfriend!"
Hotch cringed at the accurate description, particularly that his impressionable son might hear less than savory details about what happened the other night.
But truthfully, there was more than that.
If JJ didn't trust him—couldn't go to him—then how was she supposed to get away?
How could he help her get away?
"Like I said," JJ huffed, turning back to the baked goods in front of her, "I have nothing to say to you."
He fell silent for a moment, searching for the right words—any words—that could fix all of this.
I love you, just didn't seem appropriate.
And he wasn't sorry.
"I'm sorry I let it get this far." He settled on, finally able to articulate the truth that kept him up at night.
He saw JJ and Will almost every week at soccer games.
Sometimes they went out for pizza afterward.
And he missed it.
JJ's eyes widened, and though he didn't know what he had said to enrage her further, he easily saw the fire ignite behind her clear eyes. "What goes on in mine and Will's relationship is none of your damn business." She warned, her voice low and cold, nearly sending a shiver down his spine.
He tried to say something, but the seething look she gave him stopped him in his tracks.
He smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry." He said, not bothering to admit that the things he was sorry for and the things she wanted him to apologize for were nowhere close to the same. She wanted him to apologizing for trying to help, he was sorry he hadn't stepped in sooner. "Why don't I take you out for lunch?" He offered generously, "Let me make it up to you."
She hesitated and frowned, "No, it's fine. Will should be getting home soon and I only have cash on me. I'm trying to decide whether to buy bread or milk."
He frowned because he'd seen it before. He remembered days where his father had only given his mother $13 for a weeks worth of groceries. No mother, no parent, should have to chose between bread or milk, eggs or cheese, just so they could find a way to get by. He shook his head, trying to keep himself for projecting his own issues onto JJ.
She already had it bad enough, and hopefully he hadn't made it worse.
"At least," He pointed to the small deli inside the Super Market, "Let me buy you a bagel and a cup of coffee."
It killed him to see the hesitation, the worry, cross over her features.
Damn.
"Fine." She relented, the corner of her mouth twitching upward in a smile, "But you have to get Henry a doughnut."
"Deal." Hotch smiled. "Can I get you anything else?" He asked as they approached the little alcove designed for patrons to sit and eat while shopping.
"No." JJ smiled, "Bagel and coffee is fine."
He pulled the chair out for her, gesturing for her to sit while the boys slid into their own seats. "I'll be right back." He promised, shooting a look to Jack reminding him to be on his best behavior.
Minutes later, Hotch returned with two cups of hot coffee and several bagels and doughnuts. "Have at it." He smiled just as Jack finished some animated story about his school field trip.
JJ sighed as she pulled the Nintendo out of Henry's hands and placed it on the table. "Look what Uncle Hotch got for you." She smiled and held the doughnut up like a prize. Henry shrugged and quickly made a pass to snatch the device from his mother.
"No Henry." JJ scolded, placing the doughnut on a napkin in front of her son. Flashing a tired smile at Hotch, she added, "Kids."
"Yeah." Hotch returned the smile knowingly. "So is Will upset with me?" He asked conversationally, hoping to know for certain the fear that kept him up at night since his altercation with Will.
The jackass could be taking it out on her.
JJ shrugged, sipping her coffee gingerly. "I don't think so." She shook her head, remembering all too well whose fault Hotch's outburst was.
Hers.
"Garcia was right by you, I think he figures you were momentarily corrupted by her hatred of Will." She explained, trying to hedge around what had been one of the worst arguments she and Will had.
"I thought Penelope was Henry's Godmother." Hotch observed, confused as to what could have changed. "But she and Will, they don't get along?"
JJ snorted, "Um, in a word, No." She chuckled. "I swear, the two of them—" She trailed off as Henry abandoned his doughnut and pulled his handheld Nintendo toward him, instantly starting his favorite game.
"Henry, I said no." JJ repeated, grabbing the gaming device from her son's grasp and placing it in her purse. She smiled apologetically at Hotch as she pushed Henry's doughnut toward him, a clear indication that he should eat the treat without hesitation.
Henry's face screwed up angrily, slapping JJ's arm hard as he leaned across her to retrieve the Nintendo-DS.
"Henry!" JJ scolded, holding his hands gently in her own as she looked at him angrily. "Don't hit."
Henry ripped his hands out of his mother's and slapped her jaw, a loud crack sounding in the air as he reached toward the item that was simply out of reach.
Hotch looked on at the scene with disbelief.
This was a hell of a lot worse than he had ever imagined.
The loud crack had seemed to silence all activity in the Supermarket, every person in the store staring at the four people dumbstruck at the table.
Henry looked at his hand, flaming red and tingling from the contact and looked up at his mother's face in surprise. Before JJ or Hotch could react, the seven year old stood up and ran.
"I'd better go." JJ apologized, running after him.
"Dad?" Jack asked, not realizing that his father was captivated by the retreating blonde.
"Yeah?" Hotch replied, clearing his throat.
"Why is Aunt JJ walking funny?" The ten year old asked innocently, watching too as JJ retreated. "She looks like...she looks like it hurts."
Hotch closed his eyes in utter defeat.
Damn.