Chapter 5
Despite the productivity of his team Hotch got very little accomplished through the morning as he continued to try and sort out how he was going to approach JJ six months before he had originally planned. He often found himself standing at his window, blinds half drawn as he stared through them looking out over the unit as if invisibly standing guard over JJ, hoping that he wouldn't see Rossi make another move before he could figure out what to do next. In his heart the unit chief knew he would have to be more assertive and push back the fears of being hurt that were trying to tell him to not try and pursue the young blonde. He had felt a connection with her when she first joined the unit as their media liaison and that bond had only seemed to grow as the years passed. He had first admitted his feelings for her to himself when the jealousy first reared its ugly head in New York when he had realized that Will Lamontagne as more than just a passing distraction as he learned that she was pregnant with the man's child. He had kept his jealousy to himself, knowing there was nothing he could do now but sit back and watch as the relationship slowly dissolved, he didn't wish it to happen, in a sense he had hoped JJ could find the happiness that had eventually alluded him when Haley had finally had enough of feeling second to his work and his team.
As the morning passed he finally had to leave to attend a brief meeting and on his way back to the BAU he found the unexpected perfect opportunity to take his first step as he walked through the hallway back towards the BAU, entering just in time to hear JJ telling Emily that she didn't have plans that evening and would just be enjoying it with Henry so a girls night would have to wait. As the women parted Hotch tried to appear casual as he approached JJ, his heart thudding as he again extended the invitation for her to join he and Jack at the park. To his relief this time she accepted readily as they arranged a meeting time at the park at about six p.m. to give them both time to get the children after the workday ended.
It was barely an hour later when he was again monitoring the bullpen from his office window that Hotch felt a surge of triumph when he saw Rossi approach JJ and after a very brief interaction walk away, even though he couldn't hear the words the body language had told them that Rossi had tried to make new plans but had been told that she already had plans. He tried to keep a smug grin off his face when Rossi walked by sticking his head in the door, "you think a trip to the park with the kids is going to measure up to cooking?" Rossi showed a smirk of his own, as he stepped back out into the hallway. "How'd you like the biscotti?" He taunted with a parting shot as he went back to his office, effectively taking the edge off Hotch's feelings of success as he considered the comparison before deciding he would first see how the picnic went before worrying trying for anything more intimate.
The evening arrived quickly and Hotch was glad to find that they could still enjoy time together simply as parents and friends as they sat at the park and alternated between talking and playing with the children. To his delight they found many things outside of work to talk about, though he had effectively halted her and changed the topic when she first mentioned Rossi's name, making it clear he didn't want to talk about the man in any way shape or form. The realization confused JJ but she was having too nice a time to question it and simply skipped over any further mention of her time with the other profiler.
Hotch didn't know when he had felt more relaxed as the shadows began to draw causing them to pick up their things and head towards their respective vehicles in the parking lot. Hearing Rossi's words ring in his ears about the park not being any competition and even more so not wanting the evening to end just yet he impulsively suggested that they all go for ice cream next. He was admittedly surprised yet happy as she accepted his invitation and followed them to a nearby ice cream place, giving their orders before JJ helped lead the children to the table while Hotch waited to bring the ice cream.
"Is something wrong," JJ finally asked, as they had settled and begun delving into their treats. Hotch had barely spoken since the ice cream had been delivered, suddenly seeming very distracted as he almost mindlessly nibbled at his treat which was a definite contrast to the easy conversation they had experienced in the park.
"No, nothing," he finally responded, her question bringing his attention back to her eyes and away from where her pink tongue had been lapping up the chocolate cone. He tried to keep his face neutral as she looked at him quizzically, not wanting to admit to her that watching her lick even daintily at the sweet concoction had erased all his gentlemanly thoughts and sent his mind straight to the gutter.
"This is nice," he finally said, trying to think of something to fill the now awkward silence between them as he willed his body to quit responding to the images that had begun to invade his brain.
"Yeah, we should do it again sometime," JJ agreed easily, "the kids had a good time also."
Hotch could feel his heart hammer as he sensed his opening as he pushed himself to take the leap. "Maybe next time we could get a bite to eat without the children," the words rushed out, "you know somewhere we don't get crayons when we're seated," he suggested seeing her eyes widen as she digested his words.
"You mean dinner, at an actual restaurant, without the children?" JJ slowly repeated back what she thought she was hearing, her senses all suddenly on guard as she looked at Hotch through a new lens.
"Yes, you know at an adult restaurant for a change, don't know about you but I don't get to do that much," Hotch persevered despite the butterfly wings flapping madly in his stomach at the moment.
"I guess we could do that," JJ finally agreed slowly as she wondered if it was her imagination or not as it sounded like he was really asking her out on a date.
AN: Thanks to Crimstudent47, chiroho (know what you mean but sometimes it can be hard to profile I'd imagine where personal feelings are involved and getting in the way), Damhill, 14hpgirl19, velizara95, and starie78 for the reviews, hope you continue to enjoy the story.