Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and alerted to this story. I understand how this subject could be personal both to victims of abuse and to those who may have second hand experience. For that reason, I welcome anonymous and signed reviews. One review in particular touched me with her honest story. If you want me to remove it from where everybody can see, let me know, but just know that I am honored at your feedback.

JJ hesitated with her fist raised to knock on Hotch's door, sighing. She really didn't want to have to do this.

And it felt different, coming here in the light of the day, with no horrific argument still looming over her head.

Things were better between her and Will, and after the accident that happened the other day she was willing to do just about anything to keep the fragile peace

Even if it meant coming to Hotch and asking for his help.

Because they were happy.

And she couldn't ruin this for Will.

Mustering the courage for the barrage of questions she knew was about to face her, she knocked firmly at the door, grateful that she knew Hotch was home on a rare day off while the boys were still at school.

The door opened, and Hotch registered shock for only a second before the questions flew out of his mouth.

"Is everything okay? What did he do to you?" He asked immediately assuming the worst as he ushered her inside.

"Everything's fine." JJ smiled, brushing away the stray bangs that hung in front of her left eye. "I just came over to ask you a favor."

Hotch frowned, searching her face for any trace of deception.

Sensing Hotch didn't believe her, she rolled her eyes. "I came over because I knew you wouldn't believe me if I called." She explained, not bothering to add that if Will saw her making frivolous calls on her new cell phone, it would only spark an argument.

And things had been so good lately.

She didn't want to ruin that.

He chewed the inside of his cheek, inwardly recognizing that she was right. Because he didn't believe her now. "Everything's okay?" He asked again.

He had to be sure.

Because he knew better than anyone that abuse just didn't get solved overnight.

"I'm fine." She smiled reassuringly as she cocked her head to the side impishly, all while fighting the urge to be mildly annoyed. Hotch cared about her, they were friends.

And truthfully, it was kind of sweet that he was worried.

But she could take care of it.

She could feel his eyes searching through her, rolling her eyes once more, she sighed. "Fine. Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

"Has he hit you?" The words were out instantly.

"Hotch—" She sighed. He didn't understand, that hadn't happened since she had gone home. Things were better. The volatile relationship between her and Will was over.

And she couldn't be happier.

"Has he hit you?" Hotch repeated again, not bothering to entertain any excuse she could give him.

There was no excuse for hitting someone you loved.

JJ looked at him directly, grateful that she didn't have to qualify her answer. "No."

Hotch sat back, slightly mollified. That didn't mean it was over, but that was a small relief. At least he wasn't hitting her, though he hated to think what else might be happening.

They sat in silence for a moment, allowing that new facet of information to fall into place.

"You said you needed a favor?" Hotch prompted.

JJ's expression changed, and for a moment Hotch saw the grief cross across her features, immediately replaced by some emotion he couldn't identify. "You know how the school is having another one of those 'Picture Projects'?" She asked.

"Yeah, this time they want a picture of me and Haley before Jack was born."

"Yeah." JJ sighed, searching for the right way to explain. "Do you have a copy of that group BAU photo that we took at the Christmas Party before Henry was born? I'd ask Garcia, but—" She trailed off, not wanting to admit that she was avoiding her best friend.

Garcia would be furious.

And she didn't need another person telling her how awful Will was. She loved him, and he loved her. She didn't need another person reminding her of everything that was wrong with him.

Because he was the first, and maybe only, person to really love her.

And she couldn't be happier.

Except…

Hotch didn't bother to comment on what might make Garcia upset. "Yeah. Wait right here." He instructed.

He rummaged quickly through the box of photos in his closet. Moments later, he handed the picture over to JJ and saw a relieved sadness wash over her. "I thought you had a copy?" He asked conversationally.

"I did, but it got—" JJ hesitated before squaring her shoulders, "It—" She trailed off, wondering if she should really spend the time and explain when she knew he wouldn't understand.

He sensed there was more to the story, and torn between desperately wanting to know and being absolutely certain that he wanted to remain oblivious, he stayed quiet.

JJ knew that look, and though she knew she and Will were happy now, she felt compelled to explain. "It—it was a mistake. We were cleaning everything out, and Will started burning a bunch of old trash."

Hotch's stomach fell. "He burned it?"

He could hear the hesitation in her voice despite the bright smile plastered across her face. "It was an accident." She smiled reassuringly, "I had it in a box in our closet and he thought it was just some old garbage."

Hotch bit his lip, forcing himself not to make the observation that JJ was the last person to simply 'hold onto trash'. "Yeah, take that one, I should have another copy."

JJ sighed gratefully, "You are a life saver." She smiled, and despite his training as a profiler, he barely caught the slight hitch in her voice as she admitted, expressing the hint of vulnerability that made his blood boil. "My mom made me that album."

He recoiled as if he had been struck.

JJ's mom died only a year ago and Hotch had once caught sight of the album she must be talking about. It was obvious the album had been made out of love, and one night when he and JJ were finishing a project for Jack and Henry's school, he had caught a glimpse of the pictures carefully arranged on colorful pages bound together in a thick book.

And Will had burned it.

Hotch rubbed his worn hand over his tired eyes, as if by doing so he could erase the horror that was happening in front of him. "JJ, please—"

"I know what you're going to say." She stopped him, her eyes hardening stubbornly. "It's fine. It's over and done with. Mistakes happen." She said, though lately she wondered if Will's intentions weren't as innocent as she was lead to believe.

But the idea that your boyfriend was purposefully destroying family heirlooms hurt more than she could possibly fathom.

It was easier to believe it was an honest mistake.

Though lately, it was harder and harder to believe that.

IT WASN'T A MISTAKE! He felt like screaming. Instead, he nodded, knowing that if he allowed JJ to alienate herself from him that she would have no one to turn to.

He couldn't leave her alone.

"Mistakes can happen." He agreed, cursing the way her shoulders brightened with relief. Just not to you.