Author's Note: So here's a secret.. I actually uploaded these chapters some time in May. The day I uploaded them though, just so happened to be a day that FanFiction notifications were down, so I'm sure none of you realised that it had been updated. Since I've reread these final chapters and added a ton of content, I'm realising that that was a blessing in disguise. At the time I actually deleted them soon after uploading them because something didn't feel right. I'm glad that I did, because I'm far happier with what I've written now. So, there are two chapters after this that are already written and just need a little proofreading. I apologise for making you wait, and even more so if that now means that you have to reread the whole story again. But either way, I hope you enjoy. Be sure to let me know what you think. :)
Chapter Fourteen; Heaven
Nine sets of eyes stared expectantly, awaiting a response from the unwanted agent that they were almost certain would be a negative one. JJ certainly had a way with words, she always had, but there was too much riding on this decision to get ahead of themselves and assume that she had gotten through to him.
His aged face remained vacant at first, giving nothing away to the nine people in his presence – but he couldn't hide the strange warmth in his chest; the foreign sense of compassion, pride, admiration that was a direct result of their camaraderie. Somewhere, very deep down, he found a memory laced with reason – the reason that he had joined the FBI, the reason that he had lost sight of many years ago. Stepping forward, he finally spoke. "Miss Jareau," he held out his hand, "you are a credit to the bureau. And a credit to them."
JJ looked to the agent's hand before following his gaze to her family and friend's surrounding her. "They're a credit to me, Sir." Still, she didn't take his hand, and after a second, the older man understandingly pulled it away. "They believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself, when you didn't believe in me. I'm lucky every single day because I have them in my life and whatever decision you make, I can take it, because I have them. I'm not naive enough to think that I can set the world to rights with a few eloquently spoken words, but I do believe that we do some wonderful things with this unit and I never want to stop being a part of that."
"You won't have to, Miss Jareau. Honestly, the director had already made his decision. Granted, it's for reasons that are definitely nothing to do with your benefit and are more to do with the Bureau's reputation, but he had already made his decision nonetheless."
JJ was confused. Did this mean she was fired or..
"Your job is safe, Agent Jareau." He purposely addressed her by her professional title. "We had to see if you were still able to do your job, and I think you just proved that wonderfully. Of course, I wouldn't recommend talking to someone of authority that way in the future, but you've definitely proved yourself. Your badge and gun will be returned to you by Monday morning."
"I.." JJ was at a loss for words – a very untypical trait for a communications liaison. Reaching out her hand, she spoke again. "Thank you, Sir."
"You're more than welcome." Agent Blakely spoke, taking the offered hand before disappearing into the conference room to collect his belongings.
"Congratulations, Jayje." Morgan smiled as he pressed a kiss to the younger woman's head and ruffled Henry's hair. "I have some candy in my desk with this little guy's name on it." The dark agent smiled, purposely trying to give JJ a moment to reflect on what had happened and speak without any little ears listening. "What do ya say, Henry?"
A small brow furrowed in contemplation; of course he wanted the candy, but a part of him was wholly afraid that his mother was going to disappear again if he let go of her. "Um.."
"Honey, I will be right here." JJ held out her pinky for Henry to latch onto. "I promise that I'm not going anywhere."
"Okay, mommy." Henry beamed, taking his mother's words at face value without another thought as he wriggled out of her arms and took ahold of Morgan's hand.
"Welcome back, Jayje." Garcia enveloped JJ in a big bear hug, almost lifting her from the ground.
"It's good to have you back." Reid spoke quietly with a smile and Rossi nodded his head in agreement.
"It is." Strauss chimed in as she turned to leave, but a hand stopped her before she made it too far.
"Ma'am, I.." JJ began. The typically cold and distant relationship she, and all of them, had had with Erin Strauss over the years left her very uncertain as to how she should show her gratitude for what she had done, but when words failed her, she found herself flinging her arms around the older woman's neck and speaking with sincerity. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Strauss was a little taken aback, uncertain as to what was happening, but within a second she allowed her arms to wrap around JJ. "Any time, Agent Jareau." After a moment, Strauss finally stepped back and firmly into the character that JJ had grown to know and.. hate, over the years. But there was something different in the older woman's eyes, even as she spoke, as well as the use of her nickname, that told her something had changed. "I don't think I need to tell you not to pull anything like this again. I will see you Monday, JJ."
CM-CM-CM
"Where's Hotch?" JJ questioned some time later once the team was done reflecting on the past four weeks of their life, and more specifically, the past four hours.
"He was here a second ago.." Emily spoke as she looked around mindlessly. "Perhaps he's in his office." She looked back to JJ and instantly recognised the look in her eyes. "You should go speak with him. Henry is fine with us, sweetie. Don't worry."
JJ nodded slowly before making her descent up the steps towards Hotch's office. She knew that she had disappointed him, had caused him unnecessary stress, and such knowledge made the three seconds that it took to reach his door the longest that she had ever endured. Knocking gently, she opened it and stepped inside once a voice beyond the door acknowledged her presence. "Sir-"
"Close the door and take a seat, JJ." Hotch spoke without looking up from the papers in front of him. "You have mandatory counseling starting Monday which you will attend twice a week until I am satisfied. I can't keep you out of the field because we need you, but I assure you, I would be if that was an option." Still, his eyes hadn't looked up from his papers. "As for you and Emily.."
JJ's heart jumped to her throat. She had been so overwhelmed by recent events that she hadn't even stopped to remember their need to remain professional and subtle – even when talking to the director's assistant. She had basically admitted, to everyone that should be kept in the dark, that her and Emily were far more than platonic, and had done so without a thought for the repercussions.
Hotch finally looked up, a faint twinkle in his eyes. "I think it's the best decision that you've ever made. Aside from coming home, of course. But I think Emily played a big part in that too."
JJ visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"As long as it doesn't affect either of your ability to do the job, there won't be any issues, but I'll be watching you both like a hawk."
"Yes, Sir." JJ spoke, trying to suppress a smile.
"Good. Now you can leave. Take Emily with you, I think the two of you have a lot to discuss." Hotch spoke, a glimmer of something else entirely in his eyes. "She's a good one, Jayje. She isn't him."
"I know.." JJ spoke with certain eyes. "I know, Sir."
With a curt nod, Hotch spoke again, his eyes returning to his papers before he was even done talking. "Good. I'll see you Monday."
JJ rose from her seat, stopping with her hand against the door handle to speak again. "Sir.." She paused for a moment until Hotch's eyes met hers. "Thank you."
CM-CM-CM
"Do you think Hotch genuinely didn't need us, or was he trying to get rid of us?" Emily questioned as the two women walked out of the elevator and into the parking lot, Henry holding tight onto their hands and skipping between them.
"Perhaps a bit of both." JJ's face scrunched a little. "Though, probably more of the latter."
Emily laughed. "That's what I thought."
"Mommy.." Henry spoke as the three came to a stop at Emily's car.
"Yes, sweetie."
"Can we go to the park? I have something to show you!" The small boy jumped up excitedly.
Receiving a quick nod from Emily, JJ spoke. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea." And it really did. After the month that she had had – after the month that all of them had had – the thought of spending a few hours doing something as simple as taking a trip to the park with Emily and Henry truly seemed like heaven to JJ. "We should stop by home first though. Mommy needs a change of clothes, and I think we should rustle up a picnic. How does that sound?"
"That sounds good cos I gotsta get my ba-"
"You'll ruin the surprise, Henry." Emily shook the small boy's hand to get his attention and stop his rambling. She knew what he wanted to show JJ; it was something that had filled her own heart with pride a week ago when he finally got it and honestly, she couldn't wait for JJ to see too.
His little eyes widening, Henry pursed his lips and ran his finger along them like he was zipping them closed, before twisting at the corner to mimic a lock and throwing away the fake key. "My lips are sealed."
Both Emily and JJ laughed at the small boy's clearly unrecognised mistake in his gesture.
"Almost, sweetie." Emily spoke with a smile as she unlocked the car door. "Come on, hop in."
CM-CM-CM
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Emily spoke quietly as she pulled up outside JJ's house.
"I have to be. I can't stay away forever, you only have so many clothes that don't make me look like a mini you." JJ winked as she unclipped her seat belt and exited the car to help Henry out of his seat.
Emily knew that the joke was purposely made to hide fear, but she took it nonetheless and exited the car. There was clear apprehension in JJ's steps as they walked up the driveway, and the brunette purposely laced her fingers with the younger woman's as Henry jumped down from her arms and ran for the door.
"Hey Henry, not so fast." JJ grabbed the little boy's arm and pulled him back as the front door was opened and he darted instantly for the stairs. It was so irrational, but she was afraid, terrified even, of the small boy being alone in his bedroom.
Noticing the look on JJ's face, Emily nodded her head and watched as the blonde woman finally, reluctantly, relinquished her grasp on Henry and allowed him to continue on up the stairs; only speaking once the little boy was out of ear shot. "Garcia and I already checked the place. He's perfectly safe, JJ."
With a sigh, JJ walked through to the living room and flopped down on the sofa. "I know, it's ridiculous. But I can't help it, Em. I'm terrified of losing him again. Of losing all of you again."
"Listen to me, Jayje." Emily knelt down, resting her hands on JJ's thighs. "You are loved, so loved. We're a family, all of us – you, me, him, the team. We're not going anywhere. You never have to be afraid of that. Okay? And even if you are, I will be here to remind you that there's no need."
With a genuine smile making it's presence known in her eyes, JJ spoke. "Hotch was right about you."
"Why what did he-" Emily stopped as a smirking JJ moved from the sofa and headed for the stairs. "Hey, you can't say that and just disappear, Jareau! What did he say about me?" Jumping up to her feet, Emily followed in the direction that JJ had just headed. "Hey, unfair!"
CM-CM-CM
"How the hell is it this warm today?" JJ spoke as she, Emily and Henry walked across the grass and in the direction of their favourite spot an hour later.
"Don't complain." Emily smiled.
"Yeah mommy, don't complain!" Henry spoke with a smile, his backpack bouncing against his back as he skipped alongside the two women.
"Oh so you're both ganging up on me now?" JJ feigned hurt. "Maybe I should just-" The blonde stopped instantly as something came into her line of sight. "What are they.."
"I thought you could use a day with your family." Emily smiled. "I made a call to Garcia and she worked her magic to get them all out of the stuffy office for the rest of the day. They're apparently at some conference here in DC and unfortunately won't be in for the rest of the afternoon."
"Emily.." JJ spoke softly, so overwhelmingly grateful that she was at a complete loss for words.
"Mommy, it's Jack! Can I go play? Can I?" Henry bounced as he caught site of the small, dark haired kid running around with Hotch.
"Ye-" JJ hesitated for a moment – she really had to get used to allowing Henry a little freedom; she couldn't keep him on a leash for ever because of her own fears. "Yes. Just no wandering off and you listen to Uncle Aaron, okay?"
"Okay, mommy!" Henry yelled as he ran off in the direction of Hotch and Jack.
"Come on." Emily spoke, grabbing JJ's hand and leading her over to the four agents currently sat beneath a large oak tree.
It was thirty minutes later when Henry finally finished causing chaos with Hotch and Jack, and JJ had loved being witness to every second of it – every second of all of this.
Laying beside her on a sun lounger as colourful as it's occupant, was her best friend and self-proclaimed tech goddess; sipping on a glass of lemonade and drooling over a topless Morgan as he arm wrestled with Reid. Somewhere by the small table of food, beneath the shelter of the large tree, was Rossi, making notes for his new book and not-so-inconspicuously handing Henry an extra donut each time JJ told the little boy that he didn't need anymore sugar. And on her left side, was Emily - beautiful, incredible, perfect, Emily - leant back against the tree behind her, a Kurt Vonnegut book in her hand, and a small smile playing against her lips. It was perfection; a very rare glimpse of normality that each of them seldom got to be a part of and she couldn't help the content smiles playing against her lips.
"Aunt Emmy?" Henry spoke as he bounded over.
"Yes, sweetie." Emily responded instantly, holding her thumb against the page that she was reading as she turned the book face down in her lap.
"We gotsta show mommy." He spoke with expectant eyes.
"Oh, we do." Emily closed her book completely, concern for losing her page long forgotten. "Why don't you go get it."
Running back over to where Hotch was still running around with Jack, Henry picked up his backpack and dug out a baseball and child-sized glove, along with a slightly larger adult sized one, before darting back over to Emily.
"Mommy! Mommy! Watch!" Henry yelled as he handed Emily the ball and adult-sized glove and ran several feet away.
"I'm watching, honey." JJ spoke with a smile, laughing softly when the small boy parted his legs and crouched a little, resting his hands against his knees. "You look like you're getting the hang of that."
The small boy remained focused, oblivious to his mother's comment as he trained his eyes on the ball in Emily's hands.
"It only took 103 attempts and a very tired Aunt Emmy." Emily rolled her eyes and smiled as she turned back to Henry and tossed the ball in his direction, which he immediately caught, almost dropped, and then grasped tightly hold of again as he jumped up and down on the spot.
"Did ya see that mommy? Did ya see? I caughted it!" The blonde boy grinned as he ran over to JJ and jumped into her lap.
Yes, this really was heaven. Complete heaven. But like most things heavenly..
"He sure has grown up."
The smile fell from each of their faces as they turned towards the voice. JJ wrapped her arms around Henry a little tighter, Emily protectively stood to her feet, as did Rossi, Morgan, Reid and Hotch, and Garcia simply leant forward in her sun lounger, dropping her shades to give the unwanted visitor the best evil glare that she could muster.
"Will?"