Disclaimed!
I know a few people may have problems with this chapter but it's just so I could write the last couple of chapters. Hope everyone is still interested and as ever let me know what you think!
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Will hesitantly stepped out of the elevator after receiving JJ's vague response to his calls. A random agent had escorted him up to the twelfth floor, but the widely built agent immediately backed away as the profiler came into view behind the bureau sealed, glass doors.
Sighing the detective froze, as Hotch glared at him to stop. "Will."
"Hotch." Will replied with a nod, noting Prentiss observing nervously at her desk in the bullpen, behind the taller man.
"Prentiss handed in her transferral request today." Hotch stated matter-of-factly.
Nodding, Will looked guiltily to his shoes. "I know, she told me her decision before she left the house this morning."
"I hope your behaviour last night had no part in it." Hotch accused with a clenched jaw.
Will's eyes widened momentarily. "I know better than trying to pry an agent away from the BAU, Agent Hotchner."
His allusion to his strained arguments with JJ over the BAU, made the profiler flinch. "JJ doesn't need any more shit from you Will. Hurt her again and I'll break you. Am I understood?"
Stepping back from the intimidation, the Louisianan raised his hands defensively. "I'm just here to make things right."
Hotch stepped aside, allowing the shorter man to tentatively make his way to his former partner's office door. Looking back at the watching unit chief, as he continued to protectively hover at the end of the corridor, Will quietly knocked and entered the office.
As he entered the cluttered room, JJ nodded to him and indicated to the chair, but her attention was solely on the other person at the end of her phone.
"Thank you Agent Clark, I will inform my team immediately." JJ's professional mode was evident as she put the phone down. Watching her former boyfriend's eyes move around the room shiftily, JJ sighed and looked at her watch to move the conversation along. "You're late. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes."
"Traffic was bad and I ran into some interference on the way in." Will stated sheepishly as his gaze shifted to the door momentarily.
JJ leaned back in her seat and observed the Southern detective quietly. "Will, I don't have all day."
"I was hoping I could see Henry tonight." Will stated optimistically.
Tilting her head slightly, JJ pursed her lips before she spoke. "Sure, but it'll have to be after six but before seven."
He nodded reluctantly. "That's fine. I just need to talk to him."
"Why are you really here, Will?" JJ asked confident that there was something else going on.
Will avoided her eye line nervously as he sat opposite the quiet agent. Breathing out slowly, he looked at his hands before speaking. "JJ, Emily and I are getting married before the baby is born..."
"You're marrying her." JJ repeated calmly with a hint of a cynical chuckle. The hurt of their apparently reclaimed happiness hit her more than she would have liked. "What do you think the marriage mean for Henry?"
"I don't want to make your life any more complicated than I have already. I want to be a part of my kid's life. But I need to focus on Emily and the baby for a little while. I signed this, it gives you full custody of Henry." Will stated sadly and passed the letter over to the stunned agent.
Shaking her head, JJ was lost for words as the detective continued. "You deserve to be happy JJ, and so does Henry."
JJ raised her eyes in confusion. "Will, you've always been a good father, I don't get why you'd sign this."
"You were right. I have to concentrate on my new family. I don't want Henry to ever be heartbroken because of me. I don't want him to have hopes about me, when I can't be there for him all the time. I do want to be there for him, JJ, but I can't right now." Instantly Will bit his lower lip slightly, when JJ glared at him in disbelief. "Emily and I need a fresh start..."
Looking at the letter in her hands, JJ scoffed harshly. "You can't just waltz in and out of Henry's life, as and when you want, Will. He needs structure and he needs to know that you love him. Signing this doesn't mean that everything can be put on hold until you decide you want visitation."
"I know it doesn't. But you both deserve better. I can't promise I'll always be here for him and I want him to be happy and I know he will be with you. I really am sorry Jay, for all of this." He stated slowly, not sure why JJ's calm demeanour was worse than if she was screaming at him.
Taking a deep breath, JJ's eyes were wide as she responded in confusion. "What do I tell him, when he asks about you?"
"That I love him and that I always will. But I was a coward who messed everything up." Will replied with a twinge of sadness in his voice.
"Will, are you sure this is what you want?" JJ pressed seeing his doubt.
Nodding, Will stood and leaned against the back of his chair. "There's an address and phone number paper-clipped at the top of the form. I'd rather he knew the truth JJ. I never wanted to hurt either of you, but Emily and I need a new start and I don't want you to have to go through anymore than you have already. If Henry wants to contact me, I'll more than happy to talk to him but I think we both know you're a better person than me. You're a better parent. And Hotch..."
"Hotch is just a friend, Will." JJ reiterated, knowing that even as she said it, it sounded a tad unconvincing.
Smirking, Will backed towards the door slowly. "Sure he is. I'm sorry for everything JJ, really."
JJ sat back in shock, looking at the envelope lying on her desk. A soft tap on the door pulled her away from her numbing thoughts. Garcia poked her head through the door and sighed. "Hotch pushed me in your direction."
JJ smiled sadly. "Will wants a fresh start without Henry. He signed the papers that give me full custody."
"Are you okay?" The analyst queried, already knowing the answer.
Shrugging, JJ picked up the envelope and placed in her desk drawer. "We will be."
Down the corridor, as the two women talked, Will waited for the elevator to stop at the twelfth floor, alone. He immediately forced back his emotions, as he felt a hand press against his shoulder. "Babe, are you okay?"
Turning to see Prentiss staring at him in concern, Will shook his head. "I'm seeing Henry tonight to say goodbye for a little while."
"I don't understand why you're doing this Will. We can work something out so you can still be a part of Henry's life." Emily insisted, her voice lowered as an agent with a clipboard walked past.
His eyes glistened as he responded. "It's not forever but Henry and JJ deserve a hellova lot better than me."
"What about me and the baby? Would we be better off without you for a little while?" Prentiss asked in shock.
Looking at her baby bump, Will pressed his hand softly against her stomach. "Honestly, I don't know."
"Will. I thought we agreed..." Prentiss began but was cut off as he moved closer towards her.
Will kissed her forehead softly and smiled warmly, restoring some confidence in the brunette. "I'll always be here for you, Em. I love you and we're going to make this work, I promise. I just need you to make sure this is what you want."
"It is. I want us." She insisted reassuringly.
They kissed briefly, before the elevator doors pinged open and they separated. "Okay then, Mrs LaMontagne, to be. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into. A fresh start, as a family is going to be a whole new adventure."
Prentiss wiped away a fallen tear and smiled at his grin as he stepped into the elevator. "I can't wait to be your wife and to see this little one."
"See you at home, Em. I love you." Will spoke quickly before the doors shut, leaving Prentiss in the foyer, staring at the silver doors. Taking a step back the brunette slowly turned to look into the bullpen and pressed a hand to her stomach.
Things were changing.
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Dum Dum Dum, more drama to come, honest!
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