A/N: I'm having problems with replying to some of the reviews personally, not sure if it's fanfic or my browser, but I appreciate them a lot. Thanks so much everyone!

Chapter 26

Two days later, JJ had made her decision regarding her replacement, and had taken most of the day showing the new liaison around, introducing her to the team, and explaining her how they worked at the BAU. The new agent was then supposed to be shadowing her for the next two weeks until JJ's maternity leave officially began, to get a feeling for how JJ was handling her job.

But things hardly ever went as they were planned.

When her replacement had left the office, it was already shortly after six o'clock. Normally, JJ would go home herself now, especially since they didn't have a case, but she decided to wrap a little bit of her paperwork up as she didn't know if she would have time to do it with another agent breathing down her neck for the next couple of days.

She hadn't felt quite well all day, and was tempted to just leave things for the next day and go home, but knowing that it wasn't much anymore, she told herself to hang on for another hour or two.

Walking through the bullpen an hour later and distributing a few case files on her colleagues' desks, she realized that everybody else had already left. Even Hotch's office was dark, and that didn't happen too often, as he was not only their unit chief, but also the most notorious workaholic on their team.

"Jennifer, what are you still doing here?" she suddenly heard a voice from behind and jerked around.

"Jesus, Dave! Why are you sneaking up on me like that? Can't you announce yourself?" She blew out, startled.

"I'm sorry, JJ. I didn't meant to spook you," Rossi apologized contritely. "But seriously, why aren't you at home? It's past seven!" There was an underlying accusing tone in his voice that JJ usually tended to ignore, but as she wasn't at her best today, she was a bit annoyed with it, which was pretty much like her answer came out: "Not that it's any of your business, but I just wanted to finish a few things. I am practically on my way out."

"Sorry I asked," Dave muttered shortly, realizing that she was not in the best mood. He knew she was better left alone at moments like this, but when he noticed that she was rubbing a hand over her belly, and the other one over the small of her back, he felt concern rising in himself.

"What's wrong, Jennifer?" he asked worriedly.

"Nothing. Everything's fine. I just have an overactive baby today and a dragging pain in my lower back, probably from sitting at my desk," she explained quickly.

"Are you sure that's all? Maybe you should go and see a doctor?"

"Yes, I'm sure! Nothing to worry about." Her answer came out with more force than she'd intended it to, so she added in a calmer tone: "It's nothing that a long, hot bath couldn't take care of."

Dave wasn't quite convinced yet. Trying to argue with her, he was brushed off as she simply turned and kept placing the rest of the files on various desks.

"Jennifer! If you're not feeling well, you should go home and get some rest. Tomorrow's another day." He followed her through the bullpen and up to Hotch's office, where she dropped off the last folder.

"Dave, please! You're starting to get on my nerves! I'm just a little tired and on my way out now, okay?" she sighed.

"Let me drive you home then. You shouldn't be driving in your condition anyway."

"Are you trying to piss me off, David? I'm pregnant, not sick!"

"JJ, please let me drive you home," he almost begged her, having another little motive in mind. "I could help you with Henry, while you relax and have your bath."

JJ wanted to shout at him for pushing her, but the memories of him and her boy in his office from two days ago popped up in her mind and calmed her down somewhat.

"I'm sorry, Dave. I didn't mean to snap at you," she said quietly as they went back to her office.

Opening the door, she suddenly winced as a sharp pain rushed through her stomach. Stumbling in, she grabbed the back of a chair to hold onto.

"Ouch! That hurt!" She pressed out through clenched teeth.

"JJ, Jennifer, what's wrong? What is it, honey?" Dave called out, alarmed, slipping a strong arm around her waist to steady her.

"Your child is seriously determined to destroy my stomach today. What a kick!"

"Jennifer, sit down!" Dave carefully pushed her down on the chair, and knelt in front of her, laying a gentle hand on her belly and rubbed it soothingly. "Are you sure this was just the baby kicking?" he asked uneasily.

"What else do you think it was?" JJ bit back sarcastically.

"I don't know... maybe... It feels like you're in labor." he said haltingly.

"How would you know what it feels like? Are you the one who's pregnant here?"

"Sorry, wrong choice of words. Let me rephrase this. To me it looks like you're in labor."

"Can't be, I still have another three weeks," JJ denied.

"Yeah, but if I remember correctly, Henry was a little bit early as well," he reminded her, his hands still on her round bump.

"Maybe. But this feels different. This is kicking, not labor! After nine months, I should be able to tell the difference, don't you think?" JJ retorted, trying to get up from her chair.

"What are you doing?" Dave immediately wanted to know, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I'm going home now. Isn't that what you wanted me to do just five minutes ago?"

"JJ, I'm not sure if this is-" he started again, but she wouldn't let him finish the sentence.

"Don't say it!" God, she was really craving her hot water tub now!

"But Jennifer! Perhaps we should make a quick trip to the hospital and get you checked out. Just in case," he pleaded.

"Dave, once and for all. I'm fine!" JJ yelled, yanking up from her chair –

and stopped tracks.

"Oh boy!" she muttered as she felt something wet running down her legs.

"What is it?" Dave became more and more worried.

"Ehm, I hate to say it, Dave, but you were right," she admitted sheepishly, looking down on the small puddle between her legs and then up into his eyes.

"My water's just broke."