Here comes the next chapter!

Chapter 7

Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us
To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side
Steps taken forwards but sleepwalking back again
Dragged by the force of some inner tide.
Pink Floyd (High hopes)

Hotch stood in the toy store, observing his son who was eagerly trying to choose a new action figure, when suddenly his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Hotchner?", he answered it, always keeping his eyes glued to Jack.

"Hey Hotch, it's Rossi!"

"Oh, Dave, don't tell me we have a new case. It's weekend!", Hotch groaned.

"Don't worry, it's nothing like that.", Rossi calmed him.

"Why do you call, then?", Hotch asked impatiently. He had promised his son to give him his undivided attention today and he planned on keeping this promise.

"I'm your friend. Can't I call you just because?", Rossi answered mischievously.

Hotch grinned slightly. "Maybe if you weren't Rossi. But you are. So why?"

"Fair enough.", Rossi laughed. "Well, I heard you and JJ had an argument."

Hotch groaned. "Let me guess. Garcia?"

Rossi laughed. "Wrong. For a change it was Emily."

"Emily?", Hotch wondered. "That's new. And anyway, it's weekend. I didn't know you communicate with Emily on weekends!"

"We have our ways and reasons.", Rossi answered mysteriously.

"Did I miss something?", Hotch asked, confused.

Rossi just grinned. Then he scolded seriously: "Now stop evading the issue, Aaron! So, what happened?"

"Dave, since when are you such a gossip girl? That's terrible!", Hotch complained.

Rossi laughed. "I'm not a gossip girl. I'm your friend and as your friend it's my duty to get you to talk so I can help you." Although it was said in play Hotch heard the seriousness and worry in his friend's voice.

Hotch hesitated but when he saw that Jack was far away enough so he wouldn't understand what they talked about he told Rossi about the argument between him and JJ and between him and Jack.

"That's not good, Aaron.", Rossi commented. "I know it's not your fault that you are in love with JJ but she will break your heart. It's been only two months that Will died!"

"I know, I know. You don't need to tell me.", Hotch answered grumpily. "That doesn't make it easier."

"I know, Hotch, love is complicated.", Rossi said compassionately. "And I know what I'm talking about after four marriages!"

Hotch sighed. "And what do I do about Jack? I can't forbid him to see JJ!"

"Don't worry so much, Hotch. Time will tell.", Rossi calmed him. "But do you know what I think you need?", he suddenly asked. "I think you need a little distraction. How about you and I go out tonight and have fun?"

Hotch wasn't very fond of this idea. "I have to stay with Jack.", he tried to talk his way out.

"Don't always abuse your son as an excuse!", Rossi scolded. "He can stay with Morgan."

"Morgan? He will forget to make my son a proper dinner!", Hotch complained.

"Then cook for him before he goes to Morgan.", Rossi tried to convince him.

Hotch wasn't used to being told what to do. Only Rossi dared to do that. And he was really good at it. "I don't like alcohol.", Hotch grumbled.

"Liar!"

"Dave, you are annoying, you know that?", Hotch exclaimed, irritated.

Rossi laughed. "I'm not annoying, I'm just determined. And you know that you will succumb to my determination!"

Hotch sighed, giving up. "Okay, okay. If I have to!"

Rossi grinned. "Very good. Then I will pick you up at eight." Hotch just mumbled something incomprehensible to himself. He didn't sound very enthusiastic.

Rossi laughed. "See you later, Aaron! And say hello to Jack for me."

"I will.", Hotch responded before hanging up.

JJ sat at the bar, staring into her glass. Garcia was gone to get new drinks while Emily looked at JJ, trying to figure out a innocuous subject of conversation. Sometimes Emily looked around as if she was searching for something. Finally Garcia returned.

"Here you go, my sweet sugar plums.", she announced, cheerful as always, and set down the drinks. Immediately JJ took the shot and gulped it down.

"Whoa, JJ, take it easy!", Emily told her warningly.

"I need alcohol. It helps to forget.", JJ said bluntly. Garcia and Emily looked at her worriedly.

"We definitely have to do something to distract you.", Garcia pondered. Then her face lit up. "I know what we can do! Let's play truth or dare!", she squealed excitedly.

"Oh no!", Emily groaned.

"Are you afraid that all your secrets will be disclosed?", Garcia teased her delightedly.

"You wish! I'm sure your life is way more interesting, if not scandalous…", Emily looked at her suggestively.

Garcia laughed with anticipation. "I cannot wait to tell you all those dirty details!"

"Too much information!", Emily shouted grinningly. "Already too much information!"

Garcia laughed loudly. "I see, that will be fun to play with you!"

JJ didn't listen anymore. Her thoughts drifted away… this song, it had played when she and Will had had their first date. Their very first date that hadn't really been a date, in that bar back in New Orleans. JJ smiled at the thought of it. Will had teased her like he always loved to do. She thought back to their first real date when Will had visited her in Virginia for the first time. They had danced. Oh, how much she wanted to feel him near her again…

"JJ! Hey, JJ! Earth at JJ!"

JJ suddenly started from her thoughts. "Yes, yes, what's up?"

Emily looked at her searchingly. "You okay?"

"Splendid, Emily. Stop asking all the time!", JJ snapped angrily.

"Sorry, JJ.", Emily answered despondently.

"Forget Will, just for one moment. Please JJ.", Garcia begged. JJ was just about start screaming at her and tears already began to prick in her eyes. How could she say that? She didn't know what she was going through! But Garcia resolutely held up her hand. "Don't you dare to tell me what I can or cannot understand. I lost my parents, remember? I know what I'm talking about!" Garcia seemed furious, a mood Garcia was rarely seen in. JJ knew she was unfair to her friends. It wasn't their fault after all.

"I'm sorry, Emily, Penelope.", JJ said despondently. "So, what were we up to?"

Garcia smiled. "That's my girl."

"Okay, JJ, you start.", Emily announced cheerfully. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare.", JJ answered. She felt adventurous tonight. Distraction. Maybe Garcia was right.

"Oooooh!", Garcia squealed excitedly. "You daredevil!" JJ smiled slightly.

"Hmmm…", Emily looked around pensively. "I've got it! Dance with Hotch!"

"What?", JJ asked with surprise.

In that moment Rossi and Hotch passed them.

"Oh, hey, boys, what a coincidence!", Garcia squeaked effusively.

Rossi didn't look very surprised but JJ was too busy avoiding Hotch's eyes to notice that. "Gee! What do you do here?", Rossi greeted them with a big grin.

Hotch shifted nervously from one foot to another. "Hello, Emily, Garcia, and oh, hey…JJ…" JJ smiled shyly at him when their eyes met.

Emily nudged her into the side. "Go, JJ, go dance with him! The dare, remember? You have to!"

JJ shook her head. "No, drop it! He hates me right now!"

Garcia laughed. "Exactly the opposite is the case!", she whispered teasingly into JJ's ear. JJ looked at her incredulously. Then she observed how Rossi sat down next to Emily while Hotch still stood indecisively next to the bar table.

Again Emily nudged JJ. "Come on, JJ! That's your chance!"

JJ looked at her, annoyed, but Emily went on nudging her until JJ finally arose. "Okay, okay!"

In this moment Hotch stepped up to JJ and gallantly held out his hand. "May I have this dance, Mylady?" JJ smiled.

You can't go back to before, but tomorrow will bring even more.
Wipe the dust of your love and let it shine!
Sofia Nizharadze (Shine)

I promise, in the next chapter JJ and Hotch will finally talk!