They had barely spoken since it had happened. She knew that he had to finish the job, to wrap things up neat and clean with the local PD. And she knew that if she gave into it for even a second, her hands would start to shake, and she'd never be able to stop them. So she kept her distance, simply letting her eyes meet his and giving him a small nod, letting him know that everything was okay.

That they were okay.

Which was why she was surprised at the knock on her door later that night. Morgan and Rossi and Reid had already checked on her more than once, and she'd practically had to beat Emily off with a stick. She groaned as she pushed herself off of the bed, ready to tell whoever it was in no uncertain terms that she was fine and all she needed was a little sleep.

But when she saw Hotch standing there, fists clenched at his sides, she opened the door quickly, concern etched on her face.

"Hotch?"

"May I come in?"

She stepped aside, hearing the tension in his voice. Resetting the chain on the door, she began to turn towards him.

"What's wrong -"

His arms were around her in the space of a heartbeat, and she found herself pressed against his chest, breathing him in. His embrace was crushing, but it was over before she'd even had a chance to really register it.

And that was when she saw that he was shaking. Pushing him back gently, she led him to the edge of the bed and sat him down before taking a seat next to him.

"Hotch, talk to me."

He stared down at the carpet, shoulders sagging, arms resting on his thighs. "I..." He shook his head, obviously frustrated with himself. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. "I don't do well with losing people," he said quietly.

"But you didn't lose me," she reminded him, her voice gentle. "You didn't let go until you saw Morgan and Rossi."

He turned his head to look at her. "And if they hadn't shown up?"

She shrugged. "We don't need to know that."

He nodded, but his eyes were still troubled. JJ just waited him out, knowing that he would talk when he found the words he was looking for.

"Do you still trust me?"

His question was quiet, and for a second, she wasn't sure that she'd heard him right. But she could tell that the answer was important to him, that it was the real reason he had shown up at her doorstep. Reaching out, she rested her hand on his.

"I'll always trust you, Hotch. That's what you and I do."

He nodded again. And then, slowly, his hand opened and he let their fingers entwine.