Author's Note: Special thanks to the reviewers of last chapter: canny-bairn; SparkleInTheSun; 1xadzy3dgftw1xLSNx3dg1xMGG; zzz-zzz84; crazyobsession101; stefi; Black Angel of the Underworld; hxchick; LoveB -xo; and savetonight. Reviews genuinely make my day, so thanks for that.

Also, special thanks to brynnifer, SignedSealedWritten and littlegreenbottle for beta'ing this all. Thanks guys!

Sorry for the lack of an update, this chapter and the ones following it were driving me crazy. I think I fixed it though.

Hotch was aware of the gentle tracing along the cuff of his shirt before he felt a twinge of pang in his neck that reminded him where he spent the night. Creaking one eye open, he felt a pang of fatherly affection as JJ intently stared at the fibers of his long-sleeved dress shirt.

"Morning." Emily chuckled as he jumped back slightly in surprise. She was sitting in the chair he had vacated during the night, watching JJ who hadn't really moved since Emily had joined them.

"Morning." Hotch rubbed his eyes with his free arm, letting JJ continue to finger the buttons on the cuff of his shirt.

"How did she do?" Emily asked softly, not wanting to startle JJ.

"Uh, she had a nightmare." Hotch admitted, creaking his stiff neck. "I must have fallen asleep at some point."

Emily nodded easily. "It happens."

"Emily, wow." Hotch sighed, running his free hand through his matted hair. "I had no idea. I—" He looked at her with sincere awe, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." She waved off his apology easily. Truthfully, the fact that Aaron Hotchner had ensured that she had more than two hours of sleep had melted away any animosity she had previously held. Though she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel a pang of annoyance at how easily JJ had clung to him and allowed him to keep her nightmares at bay, she was thrilled that JJ could rely on someone else.

Ecstatic.

Overjoyed.

At least, she'd keep telling herself that's what she felt and maybe she'd believe it.

Because—even though it was absolutely irrational—part of her felt betrayed.

But no, she waved that thought off quickly, JJ needed other people, and if Hotch helped JJ through the night—in the mean time allowing Emily to catch up on some much needed sleep—then there wasn't a problem.

Again, she'd have to keep reminding herself of that one.

"Why don't the two of you sit here while I make breakfast?" Hotch offered, looking down to the woman tucked against him to make sure she was comfortable with the idea.

JJ shrugged and reluctantly released her light grasp on his wrist and Emily nodded appreciatively. "That would be great."

"How did you sleep?" Emily asked JJ, well aware that she may or may not respond.

JJ shook her head.

"What were the nightmares about?" Emily asked.

"The little girl." JJ replied in Spanish, tears springing to her eyes. "I couldn't save her. I tried. But I couldn't—I couldn't help her."

Emily closed the distance between her and the blonde with tears rolling down her cheeks. "JJ."

"I tried." JJ admitted, burying her head against Emily's chest. "I tried."

"I know JJ." Emily assured, though this conversation was pricking the Law Enforcement Official Strings that had long ago been engrained in her. "Can you tell me more about the little girl?"

JJ pulled back and shook her head softly, chewing nervously on her thumbnail as she visibly curled into herself.

"It's okay." Emily placated, frantically not to have this amazing improvement only serve as another setback. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

JJ shook her head once more, wishing she knew how to say everything she needed to.

She desperately wanted to tell Emily everything she knew.

She just didn't know how.

"Alright." Hotch smiled as he set out eggs, pancakes, and fresh fruit that he somehow managed to have prepared in a matter of minutes. "Breakfast is ready!"

Emily grimaced as she looked at the food displayed on the dining room table. "Hotch—it looks great, but I don't know that JJ will eat—"

Her comment was undermined by the younger woman sitting up at the table and easily eating a forkful of pancakes.

Traitor.

"Oh, so she'll eat for you." Emily muttered sarcastically, forcing away the pang of annoyance that meal-times never seemed to pass this smoothly.

But apparently now they did.

When Hotch was around.

"What can I say?" Hotch sat back smugly, pleased with himself at the sight of JJ eating something substantial. It felt good to be needed. "I have the touch." He scoffed sarcastically.

It may not have been as easy as he thought it would be, he realized, but it was enough.

Emily forced a wry smile on her face though she could feel her heart drop at the truth behind Hotch's words. After all of her efforts, all of the painstaking nights staying up while JJ cried herself to sleep, Hotch did seem to have the touch.

But it just didn't seem fair.

Forcing those thoughts aside, she focused on the blonde who slowly picked at the pancakes in front of her.

It may not be fair, but if it was helping JJ then that was all that mattered.

At least, that's what she would keep telling herself.

And maybe soon, she'd believe it.