A/N: Here's another chapter. I hope everyone likes it!

Special thanks to Westie80, Sophia0665, Lexis4MorganPrentiss, jenny crum and Twilightangell!

And a huge amount of thanks to CriminalCrazy!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 30: Endgame

Hotch answered his phone when he reached the hallway. He was standing around the corner where people could barely see him. He didn't want to have this conversation in front of JJ. So he decided to call in a place where it was calm.

''Hey, Haley.'' Hotch greeted as he put the phone to his ear. ''What's going on?''

''Hi, Aaron.'' Haley greeted impatiently. ''Look, I get that you want to take care of JJ but I can't take care of Jack for the rest of the week. I have to work, Aaron.''

''I know, Haley. But this situation isn't easy. I can't just tell JJ to leave.''

''He's your son.''

''You don't have to tell me that. I love him and you know that. Jack is my entire world, Haley.'' he began. ''I know this is hard and I will try to make some time so he can come over. How does that sound?''

''I was hoping that you could take him the day after tomorrow because Ty and I want to go away for a couple of days.''

''Don't say his name. I can't hear his name.'' Hotch said angrily. Hearing that name made him cringe. He never talked about the true reason why his marriage fell apart and why he started a relationship with JJ. He didn't want his ego to be bruised but keeping the secret that his wife had an affair long before he ever did was painful. ''I'll check with Emily or Penelope if they can do something with JJ.''

''I'm sorry, Aaron. I didn't mean to upset you.'' Haley started. ''I know things between us are very difficult right now but I hope everything can be talked about one day.''

''It's actually pretty easy. I gave you a chance when I found out about the affair. I was willing to give you another shot but you blew it.'' he replied angrily. ''And when you found out about me and JJ, you acted as if I was the one who ruined our relationship.''

''You're right. I opened the floodgates.'' she admitted openly. ''I'll call you tomorrow. Take care, Aaron.''

''Yeah, you too.'' he said before the line went dead. He felt angry but the thought of JJ waiting in his office made him happy. He had someone in his life who he loved. And JJ was always going to be more than enough for him.

Hotch put his phone in his pocket as he made his way back to his office. He noticed that the door was wide open. When he walked in he didn't see JJ anywhere. But the open file on his desk immediately caught his attention. She knew he lied. They had more leads on Steven Hicks than he had been willing to let on. He didn't want JJ to worry about the investigation. He thought she needed to focus on her recovery. But he failed. She had seen the file. Hotch immediately pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed JJ's number. It went straight to voicemail. The panic went through his body when he realized that she probably knew where Hicks was. And the JJ he knew wouldn't just let him get away with what he did to her. This could be the end.

JJ had been driving seven hours straight before she finally reached her destination. Her body was filled with nerves but hate was the thing that took over every time she felt the nerves take her over. She knew she had to do this. He was the one thing that stood in her way of living her life. She needed to hurt him or confront him. She didn't know what she would do if she would actually see him again.

JJ parked the car in front an abandoned building. She knew it was right the address but it didn't look right. Hicks always described it differently. But it had to be it. She could feel it in her guts. So she pulled the gun from her bag and put it on her back and used her shirt to cover it. She looked at her phone one more time. She didn't want to turn it on. She knew she would have dozens of missed called and text messages from the team, saying they were worried about her. It was too late for her to be stopped.

JJ stepped from the car quickly and ran towards the building. She knew she could never win a fair fight because she wasn't physically fit. She didn't know if she could ever return to who she was once was, mentally and physically.

She made it to the door, trying to open it but it was locked. So she ran to the side where an old window was open. JJ climbed through the window. She ended up in a dirty and dusty room and it reminded her of the cell she lived in for six years. She reminded herself about the situation she was in. She couldn't think about anything else. She needed to search the entire house. But the sound of laugh sent shivers down her spine. It was the familiar laugh of the very man who ripped her life apart. JJ silently opened the door and saw a long hallway. She made her way to the left, knowing the sound came from there. She turned around a corner and then she saw him sitting in a chair with his back towards her. She felt like shooting him in that exact same spot. But she waited. It was too soon to take action.

''Hello Steven!'' JJ called out, her voice filled with hatred. She had the gun pointed at him when he turned around.

Steven knew that voice. He turned around to see JJ standing behind him with a gun. It didn't scare him. He knew she didn't have the guts to shoot him. She didn't have it in her. That was something he learned about her. ''Did you miss me, Jennifer?''

JJ walked towards him and pushed him to the ground. She slammed the gun in his face with every ounce of power she had. He collided with the floor and she took a step back. ''Shut up!'' she snapped. ''I am the one with the gun. The situation is reversed this time!''

''Do you really believe that, sweetie?''

''Don't call me that!'' JJ yelled as she pushed the gun against his head. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were hazy. She didn't know what to do. Everything inside her told her to just end his life. But a small part of her knew it wasn't right. ''You took my life and turned it into a nightmare! You took away my freedom!''

''So kill me!'' he dared. ''Kill me!''

''No!'' she screamed. ''No!''

''You'll never beat me! You belong to me.'' Steven said with a smirk. ''I created you.''

JJ drew back the gun and slammed it against his head once more. ''Don't!''

''I made you, Jennifer.'' he said. ''But I never thought you would've gone this far. Just kill me!''

''I hate you! You son of a bitch!'' she cried out, trying to keep control. ''You didn't make me.''

''You're going to kill me and when you do I will be the one who made you a killer.'' he whispered. ''You'll never get rid of me.''

JJ suddenly heard the door open. She immediately looked into the eyes of Hotch. She had no idea how he found her.

''JJ, don't!'' Hotch said when he saw JJ with the gun against Hicks' head. ''Don't do this.''

''Go away, Aaron. You shouldn't see what I am about do to!''

''You won't do this. You're not a killer.''

''I am now.''

Hotch shook his head as he slowly began to approach her. ''No, you're not.'' he began. ''The girl I knew six years ago wouldn't become a killer no matter what happened to her. You're better than him, JJ. You're good! Don't sink to his level!'' he added. ''Please!'' Hotch begged, but the look in JJ's eyes scared him and he no longer knew what she was capable of.