Sorry for the delay, but I just got the Sims 3 Generations and it is VERY distracting.

Also, I've decided I'll take requests for one-shots. So give me a pairing and a prompt (please no H/P) and I'll write a story for you. If you want.

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Sixty

The next morning Emily and James stood in the kitchen close together. JJ still hadn't come down, and they were talking in low voices so she wouldn't hear them if she suddenly appeared downstairs.

''Should we wake her up? She'll be late for work,'' James stated as he glanced at the clock.

''I don't know...I have no idea how she's feeling now,'' Emily answered.

''But Em she can't stay in bed all day. I'll wake her up.''

''No, I'll do it.''

''Why can't I do it?''

''James, I love you sweetie but you have the emotional understanding of a brick. This is a very sensitive matter, one word could provoke her into doing something drastic. We need to deal with this very carefully. Don't say anything that might remind her of Will. Don't say anything about love. Don't say anything about family. In fact, don't say anything at all,'' Emily instructed him. She left him staring after her and walked up to JJ's room.

Emily knocked on the guest bedroom door. There was no answer so Emily just walked in. She hadn't been in this room since everything happened with Jacob. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of it.

She walked over to the bed where JJ was curled up in the blankets facing away from her. Emily walked around the edge of the bed to JJ's side. As she got closer she realised that JJ was very much awake. In fact, she looked like she hadn't slept at all.

Emily knelt down in front of JJ. JJ turned her eyes towards her and Emily noticed that her cheeks were stained with tears. There was red rims around her eyes and her hair was a mess.

''JJ, honey, how are you doing this morning?'' Emily asked, choosing her words carefully.

Emily's words seemed to knock JJ out of her daze and JJ straightened up a little. ''Not great. I don't think I slept at all,'' JJ answered groggily.

''I'll get you some coffee. Are you...do you think you can go in to work?''

''I think so. I have to move on, don't I? Get on with it, pretend like everything is normal...''

''JJ Hotch will understand if you need some time.''

''No. No-one else knows except me, you, James and Will. I can't let the team know yet.''

''They'll notice something is up yet.''

''I know they will, it's just that I'm not ready to tell them yet. I couldn't even tell Pen. Or Hotch.''

''I understand. And JJ, if you need help with it, I'm here for you.''

''I know you are. That's why you're so great. I better have a shower. Do I have time?''

''For a quick one, yeah. Just don't spend all day on your hair ok?'' Emily smiled, hoping to cheer JJ up a little bit.

''I won't. Where's Henry?''

''He's downstairs. He slept on on an airbed in our room. We figured you could use your sleep. But obviously you didn't get much.''

''No...I didn't. Is he ok?''

''He's fine. He thinks it's all one big sleepover.''

''Oh god...what am I going to do Emily?''

''Figure things out in your own head first JJ. Tell Henry once you know what's going on.''

''Yeah, you're right. Which part is the hardest though?''

''What do you mean?''

''Figuring out what I'm going to do, or telling Henry?''

''I...don't know. JJ, I could do it if you wanted me to. Tell Henry.''

''No, no I have to do it. Thanks Em, but it's my mess. I have to be the one to sort this.''

''Ok. I respect that. Just know you don't have to go through it alone.''

''...I better go have my shower now.''

Emily nodded and gave JJ some privacy. She walked back downstairs to James who was desperately trying to get Jennifer to eat something.

''Come on baby, just one bite, one bite. That's all I ask,'' he pleaded with her. She shook her head and he sighed in defeat.

''You're doing it wrong,'' Emily told him. She took the spoon and yoghurt pot off him and stood in front of Jennifer.

''Jenny, you gotta eat sweetie. You'll grow up to be a big girl if you do,'' Emily said to Jennifer. Jennifer looked at her as if she was considering it.

''Come on sweetie, I know you prefer solids but yoghurts are good for you. I promise I'll give you an orange later if you eat this.''

Jennifer's face lit up at the sound of oranges. She loved oranges, although she always managed to make a mess.

''So come on. Just eat the yoghurt and that juicy orange is yours.''

Jennifer reached out her hands and Emily handed her the yoghurt pot and spoon. Jennifer began eating it and Emily turned back to James, smirking.

''How long before I'm able to do that?'' he asked.

''There's just certain things only a mother can do James,'' Emily said, patting his shoulder.

''How is she? Jen, I mean.''

''JJ is...lost. She has no idea what she's doing, where she's going, what she really needs is just to sit down and think. I told her tha we're here for her one hundred percent of the way but it's like she didn't even register it. She's living inside her head. I'm not sure what to do with her.''

''God, damn I thought they were strong. They showed no sign of weakness, they looked perfectly happy together,' James said.

''I know, but maybe they were only strong on paper. JJ said she wanted to get married-''

''But Will didn't,'' James finished for her.

''Yeah. I don't blame JJ, she wasn't happy, she had every right to leave.''

''I know, but they seemed so strong. What if...what if the same thing happens to us?'' James worried.

''James, we're already married.''

''I know, I know. What I'm saying is that if even a relationship as strong as Will and Jen'd breaks down, what's the chance that ours could too?''

''James...you know I love you don't you?''

''I do. And I love you too.''

''And that should be enough in a relationship. It is in ours. But sometimes...people need more. I don't want more, you don't want more. But someday, and I hope it never comes, one of us might want more, if you get what I mean.''

''No, I don't.''

''What I'm saying is that nothing is set in stone. I'd never dream of hurting you, or leaving you, again, but sometimes you can't stop things from happening.''

''So basically you're saying that there's always a chance a relationship can go wrong?''

''Yeah, basically. I love you James and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else, but we're not perfect. We have problems, just like every other couple. One day these problems might get the better of us. We just have to make they don't.''

''Right. I get it. Kind of,'' James said, looking very confused.

''Come here,'' Emily smiled as she pulled him close. ''I'm going to make sure nothing ever tears us apart. Nothing. Not some sadistic UnSub, not some perverted sibling, not some less perverted more crazy sibling, no-one ok? This is forever James.''

''Fine with me,'' he smirked and he leaned down and captured her lips with his own. She draped her hands around his neck and pulled him closer to her, while his hands moved down to her waist. They kissed for a few more moments before they heard someone entering the kitchen.

JJ was staring at them with a sad, crushed look on her face.

''Oh my god JJ, we're so sorry,'' Emily apologised, immediately breaking away from James.

''No, no, no it's...fine. You're married, MARRIED, you shouldn't have to stop showing each other affection because of me,'' JJ said, and she could feel tears forming.

''JJ it's too soon...we shouldn't have.''

''It's fine. I could handle it before, I can handle it now.''

''Jayje...''

''Em, it's fine,'' JJ told her, ending the conversation.

''Uh, would you like some breakfast?'' James asked JJ, attempting to get rid of the awkward silence that filled the room.

''No, I'm fine. I'll get something at work,'' JJ answered, as she started packing up the stuff she needed for work.

''JJ you need to eat,'' Emily said.

''I'm not hungry. I'm leaving now anyway, it would be suspicious if we arrived at the same time.''

''No it wouldn't.''

''Yes it would. Wait a few minutes and then you can go,'' JJ told her and she quickly left after saying a quick goodbye to Henry.

''Well I wasn't expecting that,'' James remarked.

''I was. It fits, she's unsure of what to do, she's in inner turmoil, she would naturally become detached from people. For a while she's going to refuse help. She'll think she has it under control. But eventually if we keep at her she'll give in,'' Emily said solemnly.

''I sometimes forget you have a psychology degree. What do you mean give in?''

''That's what I'm scared of. She could have a complete breakdown. I'm scared for her James.''

Emily left the house ten minutes later. When she arrived in at work JJ was already handing out files to everyone. She had a blank look on her face, not like the usual smile she had. There was no warmth or cheerfulness radiating from her, and she barely interacted with anyone. She just handed them the file and moved on to the next person. A change as radical as this definitely wouldn't go unnoticed, especially in a room full of profilers.

Emily was the last person on JJ's hand-out list. She handed Emily her work for the day just as she arrived at her desk. For a split second JJ looked up at Emily with a pained, pleading look in her eyes. She was begging Emily not to tell anyone. Emily nodded and JJ moved on.

''Hey Prentiss, what's up with JJ?'' Morgan asked.

''I...I don't know,'' Emily lied. Thankfully her years undercover made her a competent liar. Morgan bought it.

''She's not usually like this. Do you think something happened to her?''

Emily thought for a second. She had to pretend like she knew nothing was up. JJ was her best friend. She should show the maximum amount of concern.

''I hope not. Maybe I should go talk to her.''

''Maybe. It might be nothing, but it's better to check it out.''

''Yeah I'll go. Can you get me a coffee?''

''Sure thing Princess,'' Morgan smiled and Emily left the bullpen, pretending to be worried. But she didn't even have to pretend that time. She was worried. JJ was drawing back into herself. And the irony of the situation is that would be Emily's reaction too.

She reached JJ's office and knocked on the door. Inside JJ looked up from her work and sighed. It was either Emily or Garcia. If she had to guess, Emily.

''Come on Em,'' JJ groaned.

''How did you...nevermind. Jayje, I just came in here because Morgan was wondering what was up with you. I know you're hurting sweetie, but you want to hide it and I'd try hiding it better if I were you,'' Emily said as she sat down across from JJ.

''Well maybe I'm not as good as lying as you are. Maybe I can't look my friends right in the eye and lie to them,'' JJ spat. Emily looked down at her feet, not saying a word. JJ was right.

JJ sighed again. ''Dammit Em I didn't mean that. Me and my big mouth. I'm sorry, it's just that, I'm confused. I'm hurting. I'm...scared. I don't want a long custody battle or anything like that. I still don't even know if I want Will anymore. Just ignore me. I'll probably be like this for a while.''

''J it's fine, I get it. Just try not to be too snappy around the team. Take your frustration out on me. Or James. Preferably James.''

''I think I can do that.''

''Good, and we can blame your mood on hormones,'' Emily smirked.

''Yeah, tell the guys I'm PMS-ing and they won't come near me all day.''

''And we can tell Garcia to stay away quietly. She'd understand it better than the guys.''

''Am I awful for not telling her?''

''No! No, of course not. It's still fresh, it's still raw, you haven't even dealt with it yourself. You only told James and I because you had to. JJ use today to think. You're away from the bullpen, you can only hear a small bit of noise but if you close the window you hear nothing. Take some time out and just think about everything. You don't have to decide today wha you want to do, let today just be the beginning. And if you need help or someone to talk to, just drag me angrily up into your office. Because you know, you're PMS-ing.''

''Thanks Em. I'll do that.''

Emily smiled at JJ and walked back down to the bullpen. She sat down and Morgan handed her her coffee.

''So?'' he asked.

''Women's problems,'' Emily answered with a slight smirk.

''Oh. Oh...''

A few days passed and JJ still hadn't decided what she was going to do. Will had visited Henry once, and JJ hoped his visit might make up her mind. But it didn't.

JJ devoted more of herself to work as well. Deep down, she knew it was compensation for her failure to decided a future for her and her son. She hated that she was indecisive, that she just couldn't make a decision and stick to it. Everytime she thought she had the solution another negative point popped into her head, and brought her back to the inner turmoil she had grown to know so well recently.

Over a week after leaving Will, JJ was staying late at work discussing cases with Hotch. Her heart wasn't in it today, and she couldn't focus. She kept thinking of Henry, and all she wanted was to go back home to him. But she had promised to help Hotch, and she was going to stick to that promise.

''Ok so this one has males murdered on the third Friday of every month for the last three months. Same victimology for each kill, but he uses a different gun for each murder,'' JJ said as she read out the information in the file in front of her.

''Indecisive, hasn't found his comfort yet. When he does he might escalate his kills. Watch it carefully, it could get dangerous,'' Hotch told her.

''Ok, but wouldn't it be better to check it out now?''

''The Franklin case is a higher risk, the sooner we leave for there, the better. Anyway the UnSub in the other case killed last Friday, we've still got a few weeks.''

''Ok, so Franklin tomorrow?''

''I think it would be best. I think we can wrap up here now. You seem tired anyway, I'm sure you want to go back to Henry and Will,'' Hotch half-smiled.

JJ was so blown away by the fact that he had actually smiled that she forgot to hide her reaction to Will's name. And a master profiler such as Hotch didn't miss this.

''What's wrong JJ? Is everything alright at home?'' Hotch asked with a look of deep concern on his face.

''Uh...yeah, yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?'' JJ lied.

''You just seemed a little...upset at the mention of Will. Is everything ok between you two?''

JJ stared back at Hotch as she considered what she was going to say. Something inside her was screaming to tell him that yes, everything was ok, but this was Hotch. Her boss, her friend, she couldn't lie to Hotch as must as she wanted to. She shifted her weight and looked down at her hands, because she knew that that action and her eyes would betray her. Doing that was easier than saying something out loud.

''JJ I'm so sorry. If you don't mind me asking, what happened?'' Hotch inquired as he instinctively moved closer to her.

''Um, I uh, I left Will. He...I wasn't happy, not for a long time, and I think I had to leave,'' JJ told him slowly. This was the first time she'd talked about this with anyone other than Emily or James. It was hard, but it was nice to get some of the pressure off her chest.

''JJ I'm sorry. What are you going to do about Henry?''

''I'm not sure yet. Henry and I are staying with Emily, and he doesn't know what's going on. Even I don't know what's going on.''

''What do you mean?''

''I don't know if I'm going back to him, or if the split is definite. I might go back to him if he offers to marry me. That's why I left. It's shallow I know-''

''It's not if you weren't happy.''

''That's what Emily said too. A few days ago if he showed up and offered to marry me I would have done it in a heartbeat. But now...I'm not sure. I know what it's like to live without him, and I think I kinda like it. I feel more...free.''

Hotch relaxed back a little in his seat. He couldn't help but feel relief when JJ told him she had left Will. He was sorry that she was upset, but he never liked Will. He seemed like an ok guy, but he wasn't right for JJ. Of course, he wouldn't let himself think about who was right for JJ.

''If that's what you feel, then tell him,'' Hotch advised her.

''It's not as easy as that Hotch. I have to think about what's best for Henry. He misses Will, and he's very confused. It would be heartbreaking to tear him away from his father.''

''But Will could still see him, right?''

''I know Will. He's a family man. He'll want to keep Henry, but I couldn't let that happen. If he can't have Henry, I know Will would go back to his family in New Orleans. I don't know how often he'll get to see Henry then.''

''Ah.''

''So that's what I've been thinking of the last few days,'' JJ said sadly.

''If you want my advice, and you probably don't-''

''No Hotch I do. I want to know what someone else thinks. I know Emily has her opinion but she's too afraid of hurting me to voice it.''

''I don't want to hurt you either JJ.''

''Hotch, I can handle it.''

''Well, ok. I think that you should do what you want to do. You're always so occupied doig things for other people, but you never do anything for yourself. This is your life JJ, and only you can decide what you want to do. So take some time out, and say to yourself ''What do I want?'' You want your son to be happy obviously, but you also want to get married. If Will isn't offering you marriage, then I'd recommend that you forget him. Move on.''

''You're right Hotch. I can't linger on him. I have to do what's best for me and Henry.''

''If you need time off to figure things out-''

''No. I know what I'm going to do. The answer has been right in front of me all along. Thanks Hotch,'' JJ smiled.

''Anything I can do to help,'' Hotch smiled back. He felt guilty for recommending to JJ that she leave Will for good, but if it made her happy, it couldn't be bad, right?

''EmPrent, what's up with JJ?'' Garcia asked Emily. For the first time since JJ had left Will Emily had stayed at work a while longer and visited Garcia in her 'lair'. She would have done it sooner, it's just that she was afraid Garcia would ask her about JJ. She thought leaving it until now would make it safe. Apparently not.

''Uh, well at the moment she is in her office with Hotch discussing cases,'' Emily answered.

''You know that's not what I mean. Don't play dumb with me EmPrent. Something is up with my fair-haired wonder maiden, and I will not rest until I know what it is. And I have a hunch you know what it is because you seem very nonchalant about the whole situation,'' Garcia said, her whole demeanour changing. The light-hearted, carefree Garcia had suddenly changed into threatening, scary Garcia.

''Nothing is wrong with JJ.''

''Emily.''

''It's not my place to say.''

''So there is something!''

''I never said that.''

''You didn't deny it either.''

''Yes I did...''

''Ok maybe you did. BUT there is something wrong with JJ. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Tell me Emily.''

''Why do you think something is wrong with JJ?'' Emily asked, deflecting Garcia's question.

''Because she's not her usual, perky, happy, positive self. She seems...different. Sadder. More serious. She doesn't talk as much either. She's all business. She's morphed into Hotch. That's it, she's a female Hotch. We should just call her Fotch from now on?''

''Fotch?''

''Female Hotch. Duh.''

''Ok. Sorry...''

''But the most noticeable thing about JJ is that she's not the positive person she usually is. She's so negative about everything. That's what I like most about JJ, she's a positive person. Just like me.''

Emily laughed at Garcia's comment. There was a huge difference between her and JJ on a good day.

''Garcia, JJ is a positive person. You're...you're like Santa Claus...on Prozac...in Disneyland...getting laid!''

''Ok so there is a SLIGHT difference but still! I want to know what's up with JJ.''

''Garcia, there is nothing wrong with JJ.''

''Damn your stubborness! Ok, at least tell me something is wrong with JJ. You don't have to tell me what it is, just tell me that I've been right all along.''

''Ok. Something happened. I can't say, JJ doesn't want me to. She'll tell you in her own time, once she figures everything out. I'm just there to make sure she doesn't do it alone.''

''Oh poor JJ. Is it bad?''

''I can't say.''

''Oh...make sure she does the right thing ok?''

''I will. I promise.''

I have to say that the Santa Claus on Prozac line is not mine. It's such a great line, I couldn't help using it. It was said in an episode of Friends by my favourite character Phoebe. Any of you guys watch Friends? Who's your favourite character? Random I know, but I'm curious!