A/N: I'm glad you're all on board with taking this farther. The next chapter is half written. With luck I will post tonight.
I do not own Criminal Minds
She just sat there staring at the door he left through for a full twenty minutes. Her mind wasn't processing this. She had just been so happy a few minutes ago, so prepared to tell him exactly how much she loved him. And now, he left just as she instructed.
Right when the sobs would have risen from within her a knock on her door came simultaneous to her phone ringing. She grabbed the phone noting it was from Reid's house.
"Hello?" She answered as she walked to the door, wondering who was on the other side both hoping it was Hotch and praying it wasn't.
"Hey, its Reid." His voice was full of rushed panic. "Have you talked to JJ? She took my keys and isn't answering my calls. I shouldn't have taken a shower without someone here!"
She opened the door, relieved at the sight. Sighing audibly in to the phone, she calmed her friend. "She just showed up here." She turned to JJ standing at her door. "You almost gave us a heart attack!"
JJ shuffled in staring at her feet. It didn't escape Garcia's notice that she wasn't even wearing a coat, just the same scrubby bathrobe she had on earlier. And, she was barefoot.
"Do you want to talk to Reid?" she asked as she took in how sullen JJ seemed, exhausted as well.
JJ shook her head. "No. Please, no." She couldn't face hearing the pain she keeps inflicting on him in his voice. She needs to be away from the men she is disappointing, her son and her lover.
Garcia turned into the kitchen saying to JJ she was getting water and began to slightly lower her voice into the phone. "I'm sorry Reid. She doesn't want to talk."
He sighed. "I didn't think she would. She had a small fight with me after she woke up when you left. She says it's not fair to Henry or me that we have to put up with her. Like its some chore or something."
He really was a great guy. But, Garcia could see how JJ could feel that way. She sometimes felt like a burden herself, even on something as simple as when she first asked Hotch to stay the night in Dallas because she was afraid. Thinking of that almost made her cry again so she sucked in a long breath and forged on ahead. "Do you want me to bring her home? Or keep her?"
"I don't want to impose on you and Hotch tonight. I can come get her."
"No, no." she protested, a little too honest. "He's not here." She stopped herself from telling all just in time.
He caught something was wrong but decided it wasn't his business. "Uh-alright. So um, maybe keep her if that's ok? I will pick her up in the morning before you go to work."
She agreed it was probably best JJ stay where she felt most comfortable. There was a reason she came here after all and not anywhere else. "Of course. And Reid, I am sorry this is so hard."
"Don't apologize. You are keeping her sane Pen, I can't thank you enough."
"Any time slugger."
"Slugger?"
"I'm working on non-surname nicknames for everyone. Anyhow, call if you need to talk ok?"
Reid nodded on his end of the line. "Thank you, and if uh- you need to talk about Hotch, give me a ring."
She nodded on her end as well. "I won't, but thank you."
She hung up and turned her attention back to JJ, brining water and two Tylenol along with her after she noticed JJ keep rubbing her head in an obvious migraine approaching. JJ took the offerings gratefully, resting on the sofa and staring at the crappy game show on TV.
"I'm sorry to just show up here." Tears began poking at her eyes, thinking of how much of a nuisance she is being. God, she needs to get over this already! She hadn't been raped or killed like Evelyn.
Garcia caught those and the tone of her voice. "You just saved me from my own tears actually. Now what is going on?" she pulled JJ against her.
JJ took a few minutes to speak, the silence almost deafening to Pen as she waited to hear anything from her friend. "You weren't there when I woke up."
The sadness, the desperation in JJ's voice let Garcia see just how vulnerable JJ is right now, how much she herself was needed. "You need a good night's sleep. You want to stay over? We can have an old fashioned sleep over like we are kids again."
JJ looked up at her face, disbelieving. "Really?"
"Of course. I think I have some mud masks around. Wanna get all kinds of green and scary before we look our best again?"
JJ nodded and silently followed Penelope into the bathroom where she began going through her cabinets. Penelope watched JJ as she assisted in mixing the dry ingredients to best compliment their skin tones and needs. JJ was truly hanging onto her like a lifeline right now and it made her realize that she is the only person that JJ has actually had any real interaction with since the ordeal. Even Emily was being pushed back from her, less so than the men but still she wasn't clinging to Em either, not like how she was a magnet to Penelope's hip. It almost made JJ childlike in her need for Pen, like sick child that clutches to their mother's side for comfort. She realized she would probably have to let her share the bed tonight, just for that shared sense of safety. It was fine with her, she could use the comfort of a sister right now too.
JJ looked up from her work. "Do you think Derek would come over if you asked?" She had thought Hotch would be here, someone she could trust to protect her as much as Reid would but wouldn't be offended (not that Reid claimed to be) that she couldn't be close to them at all. But Derek would be good too, and that meant she could remain close to Pen all night if he took the sofa. She really didn't want to be alone right now.
"Alright. I can rope him into bringing ice cream and DVD's. He might stay on the couch, so we have a strong guy around, if that works for you."
JJ nodded and Garcia grabbed her cell. This was probably the best solution for the night anyhow, Derek could give her the emotional support to deal with this (and Hotch) that she needed. "Chocolate chip cookie dough work for you?"
JJ nodded. Garcia took the opportunity to make a suggestion. "Alright, I'll call. Why don't you take a shower and open up your pores for the masks? I have drawstrings pants and a t-shirt that will fit you. I'll tuck them through the door in a minute."
JJ hesitated before following the suggestion and reluctantly closing the door behind her.
"You alright baby girl?" Derek was panting, and it sounded like it wasn't simply from exercise based on that feminine giggle in the background.
"Oh. I didn't mean to interrupt anything." Who the hell is he with now? Emily? Wasn't she sure Em was with Rossi? Did Morgan pull a 'her' and take a 'personal' day?
She could hear his breathing calm to neutral as he moved away from the telling sounds. "No baby girl. Just finished actually. What's going on? I expected you would be in bed with Hotch at this time of night, I got the gossip memo on the hickey."
Oh just great. "I will explain that later. But, could you come over? JJ is here and I am not sure how to go about this, and I need ice cream, and I'm gonna cry and I need—"
"You only have to ask spice girl. I'm about ten minutes away, make it fifteen if I have to get ice cream."
She thanked him for his magnificence in all things friendship and hung up to get JJ her pajamas.
-Criminal Minds-
Emily answered the door, expecting it to be the pizza guy only to reveal an obviously inebriated Hotch at the door.
He was slurring his words. "Did I come to the wrong house or are you just always here now?"
"I'll ignore that." She called into the kitchen as she let Hotch inside and closed the door behind him. "Dave! Hotch is here!"
"Dave huh?" he raised his eyebrows suggestively.
She just gave him a 'shut your mouth if you know what is good for you' look and responded in mostly a pleasant, partly defensive tone. "He's been teaching me how to cook, but I burned tonight's dinner beyond recognition so we ordered pizza."
Sure enough the place certainly did smell like something had gone wrong.
"Whoa. How far ahead into the bottle are you?" Rossi went right up to his friend examining him, using those profiler skills. "What was the fight about?"
Hotch sat heavy on the sofa that Emily and Rossi led him to, burying his head in his hands. "She's in therapy."
Emily took a seat next to Rossi on the ottoman across from Hotch. "Isn't that a good thing? With what she went through?"
Hotch shook his head, the action quickening the effects of the last four shots of tequila he downed before the bartender called him a cab. "Before that. And she's kept this journal—all these sex dreams and some feelings for me in it."
"Alright." It was a statement and a question. Rossi wasn't really seeing the problem here. "So what? You saw it and it freaked you out or something?"
"No. I saw it Valentine's Day and it turned me on." Too honest in his drunken state. "She almost caught me feeling myself up in my office because of it." He didn't catch their shocked faces. "And she found out I lied to her about not reading it. I am such a fucking idiot. She kicked me out and I don't blame her."
Emily got up to answer the door when the pizza arrived, thankful to give the men an excuse to be alone. Personally, she thought kicking him out was a little much but she could understand the anger once she realized Valentine's was the first time that Hotch had anything romantic with her… it probably gave entirely the wrong impression.
Rossi waited until Emily walked past the living room into the kitchen, claiming she was going to make them up some plates with the pizza and the salad they salvaged from their already planned dinner, to give him a real chance to talk to his friend.
He gave him a gentle slap to wake him a bit from the drunken stupor. "Did you try to apologize?"
"Of course I did. She kicked me out though."
"Well, why did you read it in the first place?"
Hotch shrugged. "I don't know."
"Profile yourself." Rossi suggested, but it came out as an order.
Hotch took a minute. "I suppose I have a need for control." He ignored Dave's chuckle. "And I had been worried about why I didn't know she was in therapy."
"And…" he prompted, a little impatient at the moment.
"And I suppose because I didn't think I would ever have another chance at seeing what is in her heart."
Emily overheard all of this from the kitchen. It made her unbelievably sad to hear the pain in Hotch's voice at that last part. He had really loved her all this time and just didn't entirely know it, or he hid from it. But either way, he seemed desperate now. She was never more thankful that the team wasn't receiving cases now… life would be hell enough without all these other problems added on.
She brought the plates into the living room, ignoring Dave's dislike of eating on his fine Italian leather furniture and demanding that Hotch eat and try to sober up a bit. They all took a few minutes to munch on their food before she broke the silence.
"Give her a little time, ok? She's not going to want to see you right now. She avoids the source of her anxieties, like when she thought she had slept with Derek." She caught the little surprise on both of their faces and waved her hand to erase what she just said, it wasn't important. "Anyhow, write her an email or letter or something. Explain yourself but don't push."
Rossi nodded in agreement but she didn't have the chance to hear what other advice the profiler was doling out, she got a text from Derek. On way to Pen's. She and Hotch not good? What going on? JJ there too.
Hotch here, drunk. Bad fight. Why JJ there? She texted back quickly.
Babygirl her life line.
Emily sighed and turned to text Reid. JJ at Pen's. U ok?
Yes. No. Henry is sad because of it.
She sighed again, turning to Rossi. "I'm going to Reid's. He's going to need some moral support tonight and help with Henry I think."
He looked up at her as she stood. "What's going on? Is everything alright?"
She shook her head, noticing Hotch also seemed worried. "JJ ran off to PG's I guess. Henry is taking it all hard. I can't leave him alone." She half hugged each of the guys and looked back to Dave. "Take care of him tonight."
Dave nodded and watched her walk out the door. Hotch turned to him. "Will you please tell me if something is going on between you two?"
"Since you're drunk and might forget anyhow? Sure."
-Criminal Minds-
"Thank you for coming Emily." Reid hung up her coat, looking about ten years older for the lack of sleep and emotional stress he is under.
"Hi Aunt Emily." Henry greeted her, only giving a fraction of the enthusiasm his voice and hugs usually carry. "Am I getting a new mommy too?"
Oh the poor sweet child. "No sweetie. I am just here to be a good Auntie. I brought you a racecar for your collection." He visibly brightened when she placed the toy in his hand. "Why don't you get washed up for bed while I talk to—" she wasn't sure what he called Reid now.
Henry looked to Reid. "Daddy, can Aunt Emily read my stories tonight?"
Reid nodded. "That's what aunts are for. Go on, get your fireman pj's on that she bought you for your birthday."
It surprised Emily that Reid had been paying attention to Henry's gifts back then. He did always love Henry like a son, made a lot of sense now. Henry ran off and did as he was told so she turned her attention to Reid. "Sit down."
He did, heavily heaving himself onto the leather sofa. "I don't think I have slept in a week." He admitted, unashamed that between losing JJ, gaining a son, losing Garcia, and getting them back and dealing with everything else… he was exhausted.
"Well JJ is being taken care of, and I will take care of Henry. So you better sleep tonight, got it?"
He nodded. "Do you think I can do this?"
He sounded hurt, but she was unclear why. "Do what?"
"Raise Henry. Garcia said I would make a good dad. But I think about how confused he is, and without JJ here to comfort him…. I just don't want him to suffer."
"Oh Reid. That boy might be confused but he looked at you like a hero when he called you daddy just now. It's not going to happen overnight, but frankly I am surprised at how well he seems to have adapted to you."
Reid shrugged. "It's probably because over the last several months Will has hardly been around. I have been the one going to parent teacher conferences with JJ and taking him to the park, the doctors."
"So, see there? You're already a great dad to him. He knows it. It's just that JJ isn't around that he's confused."
She saw Reid's eyes water but said nothing as Henry returned to the room with his favorite book, the Lorax, in hand.
The three sat together on the sofa as Emily read the book aloud, pointing out funny pictures here and there. Henry said Jack liked this book too and momentarily Emily wondered if Garcia knew that, if Garcia would find herself arranging play dates for Jack and Henry. She shook the sadness of the possibility of that not happening from her head as she carried an almost asleep Henry to his bed and tucked him in.
"Good night sleepy head." She was never the most maternal person, but lately she had been trying to get used to kids.
"Good night Aunt Emily. Will you take care of daddy now?" He asked it in that sweetly innocent tone only children can manage.
She kissed his forehead. "You bet. Go to sleep."
She closed the door behind her and returned to her seat, noticing Reid staring at the blank television screen. "You alright there?"
Emily's heart broke at the whimper in Reid's voice, threatening to turn into a cry. "I never even had a TV until I started seeing JJ. I bought it so she would hang out here."
She reached across the sofa to pull the younger profiler into a hug. "She will be fine. I promise. Derek and PG can take care of her. She'll get better and you and her can live together, be happy."
He looked to the brunette. "Would you help me pick out an engagement ring?"
She successfully schooled her face out of shock, after everything else tonight she shouldn't be surprised by anything. "You bet. Just wait a while to ask, ok?"
Reid looked to the floor, nodded and got up to grab Emily a pillow and blanket. Before he could go to bed Henry came out of his room, rubbing his eyes of sleep. "Daddy, can I sleep in your bed tonight?"
It was music to Emily's ears in all honesty. Henry really needed Reid, and loved him. Thank goodness that JJ had encouraged a close relationship all these years between them. Reid picked him up and swung his son around before carrying him into his room and giving a goodnight to Emily.
She laid on the sofa, staring at the ceiling for the next two hours, wondering how everything seemed to have changed so rapidly for everyone else yet she is chugging along like a steam train. She gave a haughty laugh before she closed her eyes. Who would have thought that she would be happy and normal for once.
-Criminal Minds—
"Sorry I'm a little late baby girl. The first two markets I went to were all out of cookie dough ice cream." He had just got done with his texts to Emily and Rossi. He was actually a half hour late but the intel got was worth the while.
She kissed him firmly on the cheek before letting him in and taking the bags he was carrying to the counter. "Oh Sugar, you are the best. You know that?"
He nodded and followed her to the kitchen. He noticed JJ seemed freshly showered but was sitting stalk still just staring at the TV, it was obvious she wasn't watching but rather zoning out. "How long has she been like that?"
Penelope sighed. "Honestly? All day. When Hotch took Reid out to give him a break I stayed with JJ. She was so far gone Derek. She's not sleeping, she hasn't eaten anything in the last two days, she won't hug or really even look at Henry or Reid. I just don't know what to do."
Derek rubbed Pen's back to soothe her when it was apparent she was about to break into a large fit of sobs. "That's not all that's going on is it?"
She stiffened and turned back to scooping ice cream, deciding to melt some chocolate to go on top. With how emotional she is being right now no amount of chocolate is superfluous. "Can we talk about that later? Right now I need to focus on JJ."
Derek nodded. JJ's needs were immediate. He carried his and JJ's bowl to the sofa as Pen popped in one of the DVD's he brought over. Usually Monty Python is a good bet to cheer someone up, at least it's safe from violence or romance which could set either lady off right now. He handed JJ her bowl but did it in such a way that forced JJ to reach up for it so he got a clear looks at her wrists and forearms. No cutting. Good.
He made space between himself and JJ for Pen, aware that while JJ might be alright with him here she wasn't up for trusting men to be too close right now. Penelope started the movie and sat to eat her ice cream. She had to encourage JJ almost bite by bite to eat hers, a good half of it melting in the bowl that came to rest on the table the moment Garcia finished hers. She folded down into Pen's lap, burrowing her head into the fabric of her pants.
"Hey JJ, did you still wanna do masks? We can make Hot Muffin over here do one too." Penelope hoped Derek wouldn't argue, it was the only thing she could think of to make everything seem a little more normal and more playful. She couldn't handle much more of balled up JJ, it was scary and depressing.
Reluctantly, JJ sat up and nodded. "I will add lavender oil to his." And she walked to the bathroom.
Derek looked at Pen as soon as JJ was out of earshot. "At least she seems interested in that."
Pen shrugged. "It's the only thing she does. I think it's a bonding thing with me?"
Derek nodded in agreement. "I'm not stepping on toes am I? By being here?"
JJ came out just then. "No. Don't leave!" she looked panicked at Derek. "Please."
Derek went right to her, not quite hugging but comforting her with his arms on her biceps. "I'll stick around as long as you lovely ladies need me. But why JJ?"
She stepped away and looked to her feet. "What if someone comes for us?"
Garcia wrapped JJ in a hug. She had known JJ would be comfortable with someone strong around to protect them based on some of the things the blonde had said to her over the last few days. But she hadn't expected that JJ would be so frightened that someone would be coming, for both of them. "Oh JJ, he's gone. You know that right?"
JJ covered her face in shame and nodded. Garcia pulled her hands away. "Look at me. Don't you go all feeling bad about this. What happened, what you had to see… you listen to me sister, you and I are locked like this until we both get better. Got it? I need you." She twined her middle and index fingers, indicating how close she and JJ were going to be and it seemed to comfort JJ.
"Alright then ladies. Humiliate me with your cosmetics."
JJ laughed and set to work, not stopping until everyone was fully covered in their masks. Those laughs were the happiest Garcia had been around JJ in days, almost hopeful in their appearance. Once they removed them and everyone looked all nice and refreshed she pulled herself back into Pen's lap and finally, finally fell asleep.
Derek pulled Penelope into a half cuddle as she continued to stroke JJ's hair lightly. "You're really worried aren't you?" She only nodded. "Do you want me to carry her to your bed?"
She shook her head. "No. Not yet. Let's just stay here ok?" her voice was getting small, and she knew Derek could read the upset in her.
"What happened with Hotch baby girl? Emily said he's really drunk at Rossi's and you had a fight."
She stopped stroking JJ's hair for a second. Hotch never drinks, at least not to that extent. He must be upset too. The thought almost warmed her for a bit. He should be upset, if he felt anything for her.
"Baby girl?"
"He read my journal."
"You mean the sex dream journal?"
She looked at him, about to get just as mad at him as she did at Hotch. "How do you know about that?"
"Kevin told me about it after your fight. I didn't understand what he meant by 'It's not even you' when he was accusing you of another man." He shrugged, he hadn't expected anything about Hotch in there but he probably shouldn't have been surprised with that crush she has been suppressing for years. Honestly, she talks about him like he's a superhero.
She calmed at that and went back to stroking the blonde hair in her lap. "It's just. I mean—we sorta started that night, ya know? Not even a minute after he lies about reading it does he ask me to that accidental Valentine's dinner."
"Look Baby girl, I'm not saying to just forgive him willy nilly, but just try to think about it alright? Do you really think Hotch just started having feelings for you then? Or could it have just been a push?"
"I really don't know. I just can't trust him right now, ok?"
Derek nodded. Garcia had a lot on her plate right now. She always takes everyone's welfare to heart and places her own on the back burner. Right now JJ would overtake everything in her attention even if her heart really was breaking because of Hotch. She loved him, he was sure of it.
"Alright. But promise me you won't write him off for good just yet, ok?"
Reluctantly, she nodded. She was about to give up on love, frankly. But she knew if a man who hurt her is being partially defended by Derek then she needs to at least give a small chance left to get over it. But it is still too sore right now, and embarrassing.
-Criminal Minds-
The next day was simply difficult. Rossi had to get Hotch up and make him go home and shower and sober up. The only thing that got the man going was a reminder that Jack would be home later. That got Hotch into gear. He couldn't let his son see him like this.
He had found out from Rossi that Derek stayed at Penelope's last night and had to suppress a surge of jealousy, wondering if Derek finally came to his senses and realized how beautiful and amazing she is. The glass he was washing in his hand during the thought broke in his grip from the stress, cutting him sharply.
"God damn it!" he yelled, unaware that Emily had found the spare key he hides at the office and took the liberty of checking in on him before lunch.
"What did that glass ever do to you?" she asked, rotating Hotch and checking him out.
He leaned back onto the counter against the sink as she retrieved the first aid kit and began dressing the cuts. "I'm not handling this well, am I?"
She shook her head. "No. But if it makes you feel better she isn't either. She broke down in tears twice already."
"That doesn't make me feel better at all." Why would it? He hurt the woman he loves, at an already terrible time in her life, and she is sobbing. Nothing about that makes him feel better.
"You have to do something. You can't just stand around here breaking glasses."
"Well in my defense the thought of her sleeping with Derek is extremely enraging."
She looked up from her work. "She isn't—oh, you mean because of last night? Oh, no Hotch. JJ asked for him. She's afraid to not have a man around at all, she thought you would have been there. She needs Garcia but she is terrified they will both become victims again."
Hotch sighed. "I wish I could do something for them."
She shrugged. "You have been there for Reid. He needs a fellow father to pull strength from. Why don't you go over there later? I brought back your car from the bar and he kept Henry from day school today, promising him a day of some fun."
Hotch nodded. "Thank you about the car. It would do us both some good I think. Maybe I'll surprise Jack and keep him from his half day. I should call Jessica, ask her to drop him off here instead of school."
Emily was a little proud of Hotch right now. While he has always been there for the team, lately his efforts seem much more personal, more friendly rather than just the devoted boss-friend. If that makes sense. "It's a good idea Hotch. Spend time with Jack. Get out and get some air. It's really warm outside today. You could probably get away with a t-shirt even."
She finished wrapping his hand and he thanked her for her advice before calling Jessica. Once done he returned to the kitchen where she still sat. "Do you have any suggestions?"
She knew he meant about Garcia. "Find a gesture of some sort, preferably something where she doesn't have to see you. Sorry, but I think that would make it much worse. I'm gonna go. But before I leave, if you remember anything about my secret that Rossi told you last night, keep it to yourself, ok?"
He nodded. "Only one other person I would ever tell."
She understood and turned to leave.
Jessica arrived just a few minutes later and Jack's excitement of seeing his father earlier than expected was palpable. Once Jessica left, having given a good report on Jack's behavior the whole week, Jack asked his father what was wrong.
"What makes you think something is wrong?"
"You always hug me tighter when you are sad or worried."
Sheesh, his son was probably going to profile someday. "Aunt JJ isn't feeling well and Henry is sad and staying with Reid. So let's go cheer them up ok?"
Jack looked excited about that. Anything that would cheer Henry up would cheer Jack up too. He ran to his bedroom and grabbed a few of his favorite toys before joining his dad and nearly dragging him out to the car.
Jack talked his ear off the whole ride about everything he did over the week. Apparently his grandfather got him to like tomatoes and he had a Valentine of his own in a girl he met at the playground who later pulled his hair so he hates her now. Hotch chuckled, wishing he could keep Jack this young and innocent forever.
He knocked on Reid's door, noting the surprise on the younger man's face when he opened up.
"Hey Jack!" Henry called running to the door. "Did you know Uncle Spence is my real daddy?" he was so excited to see his friend and Hotch found it sweet he was also excited about his new dad.
"Really? Cool! Your old dad sucked."
"Jack!" Hotch scolded. "We don't say things like that. And who taught you that word?"
Jack shrugged. "Sorry daddy. Grampa says that a lot."
Hotch sighed, his ex-father-in-law had the mouth of a sailor. "Alright, go play."
The boys ran back to see Henry's new room and Reid took a seat with Hotch on the sofa. Hotch could read Reid's discomfort. "Sorry for just stopping over. I should have called."
"No. No. It's just, you know… fatherhood."
Hotch nodded. "Where's JJ?"
Reid sighed, wishing he could stop feeling so lost. "She's at the BAU on the couch in Pen's office apparently. They got permission from Strauss, wherever Garcia goes, there's my JJ."
At the mention of Garcia Hotch's heart did a little flip. He was glad she was finding a way to cope with JJ, even if she is breaking down and crying because of him. He's certainly hitting the edge of depression right now, so he decided to change topics.
"Let's take the boys to that new playground. Apparently Emily and Rossi are pushing for us to all go. She suggested it when she brought back my car. I found a Rossi-packed picnic in the back seat."
Reid agreed, happy to not have to make more plans on his own right now. "Come on Henry, Jack. Picnic!"
The boys came running, beating the men to the door and to the car.
JJ actually called Reid while he and Hotch were watching the boys play after lunch.
"JJ doing any better?"
Reid shook his head indiscriminately. "She's calmer with Garcia." He took a seat next to Hotch. "She says she feels bad that Garcia seems so sad today. She didn't see how upset she was last night. Sorry, I shouldn't—"
"No. I need to hear this." Hotch insisted, he had to know what he's done to her. If he had any idea she would be this upset and betrayed he would have burned the journal before reading a single page.
"JJ is going to come home tonight but she warned me she might go running back to Garcia's at any point."
"I'm glad she is running there at least. It's better than the alternative."
Spencer nodded. It certainly is better than her hurting herself in desperation or turning to drugs or alcohol. "So you were awfully inebriated last night, I hear. Should I be concerned?"
Hotch shook his head. "No. I just didn't know what else to do. Is there some gossip column on my life I am not aware of?"
Reid chuckled. "Might as well be. You know how Garcie always says we are a family? I guess news gets around pretty fast."
He chuckled to himself, only Emily seems to be able to keep secrets. "So, any suggestions for a worn out man?"
"Well, JJ says she thinks Penelope is embarrassed. You got to know all about her attraction to her and she still doesn't entirely know whether or not you feel the same. Now, she wonders if maybe it was pity or even just loneliness or an easy lay that brought you to her. Though, we both know that's not true." Reid gave Hotch a telling glance before turning his attention to Henry who needed his shoe tied again.
Once Henry ran back to join Jack on the seesaw Hotch continued looking straight ahead. "So you do remember that conversation then."
Reid nodded slightly. "I wouldn't forget that. You should tell her. It will make her feel less insecure." Reid advised. He didn't want to step over lines, but at this point lines were down all over the BAU, might as well take advantage and promote some love between his two friends.
Hotch took some time to think about it and pulled out a pad of paper from his car to draft a letter to Penelope. An few hours later, when he was sure she had left the office for the day he snuck into her lair and left the envelope on her keyboard, addressed simply as Penelope.
Little did he know what trouble that letter would cause in the coming days.