Sorry about the wait! Finals and then the holidays had me pretty busy! Anyway, here's another chapter. As always, let me know what you think. Feel free to give me some ideas too! I'll take everything into consideration.

Chapter Eight

Three hours later, clad in jeans and light colored t-shirts, the team was gathered in the conference room in the Shady Point Police Department.

"Reid, get started on the geographical profile. JJ, get Garcia to pull up the backgrounds on the families, see if there's any connection. Prentiss, Morgan, go talk to the first two families; Rossi, take the third family. JJ, once Garcia is working on that we're going to see the last two families." Hotch ordered.

"She's already on it, sir. I spoke to her right after we landed." JJ told him.

Hotch nodded. "We'll meet back here in an hour.

As they were heading to the SUVs, Derek gently grabbed JJ's wrist, causing her to slow her steps.

"Hey, what's up?" She asked quietly, confused at his behavior.

"Nothing, I just wanted to say be careful." He shrugged sheepishly.

JJ smiled and nodded. "I will. As long as you're careful, too. I'd like to see my boyfriend tonight."

"Well, when you put it that way…" He smirked suggestively.

"Derek Morgan!" She exclaimed, smacking him on the bicep as they started walking again. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

"Can't help it, babe." He shrugged. "It's your fault."

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say." She shook her head as she yanked open the passenger side door to the SUV.

Derek chuckled and closed the door after her. "Be careful."

"I will!" She exclaimed exasperatedly. "Go! Emily's waiting."

Giving her one last look, Derek turned his back and walked away.

"Something you wanna tell me, JJ?" Hotch asked as he backed the SUV out of its' parking spot.

"Huh?" The blonde looked over at her boss, confused at his question. "What do you mean?"

"Just because I don't talk about it, doesn't mean I don't know." He replied. "I've seen the way Derek looks at you. And I know you feel the same way, even if you are or were in denial."

JJ remained silent, not want to say something wrong and jeopardize either of their jobs.

"Look, JJ, in actuality, you're not a profiler so the fraternization rules don't apply to you, and as long as it doesn't interfere with your work, there is no reason for Strauss to get involved." He told her, his voice full of sincerity. "I know Derek's feelings for you are genuine and who am I to come in between two happy people? This job makes relationships difficult, I know that better than anyone here, so when you find someone that understands, you hang onto them and don't let go."

JJ opened her mouth to respond but snapped it closed and waited a minute before trying again. "We're… giving it a shot."

"Since when? If you don't mind me asking."

"L-last night. Emily took me out for my birthday. We ran into Derek." She replied quietly.

"That explains the hangovers." Hotch chuckled.

"It was Emily's fault." JJ pouted childishly.

"I can't say that surprises me."