A/N: Here's another chapter. I just love writing this story. It's a lot different from my others, so I hope everyone likes it.

Special thanks to red2013, K8e1, jenny crum, Westie80, CM Fan, BAUMember and Christiangirl!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 2: Unknown Feelings

JJ arrived at the office about half an hour later. The coffee was still on her clothes, but that didn't seem to bug her. It was something else. Her mind kept going back to her incident with the guy. Well, his name was Aaron Hotchner. Something about him stuck with her and she couldn't get him out of her mind. Maybe it was because she was in some desperate need of company. No! That's not it.

What was it about him? She had never felt drawn to another person like that. And as she closed her eyes in frustration, his endearing dimples flashed before her eyes. Maybe it was a sign for her. Maybe she had to look him up.

She quickly dropped her purse to the floor and she dropped down in her chair, preparing herself for stalking charges. She knew she was being crazy. She might even be overthinking things. She was only putting his name into a search engine. Nothing more. Just a simple…tiny act. It was nothing! But after typing his name into google, she felt her heart flutter when she saw pictures of him.

Yes, this is going to be the end of my life. Oh, JJ! Why couldn't you just let it go? She clicked on a link to a news article and her eyes quickly scanned the page. She read the first two passages.

FBI Agent becomes the ultimate hero

Seattle – FBI Agents sacrificed months of their lives to solve the vanishing of, Melissa Grand. The eight year old girl went missing twelve weeks ago, and the entire police force was alarmed by her disappearance. After three weeks of investigating the FBI got asked to assist with the case.

Two hours ago, Melissa Grand was finally found and her kidnapper died on the scene. Local FBI Agent, Aaron Hotchner, saved the girl's life by going into the house all alone. A gun fight pursued after entering the house, but no one, other than the suspect got injured.

Agent Hotchner has made no comments about the arrest.

Underneath the article were pictures posted. She felt her breath hitch as she just stared at the photos, realizing she let someone who could possibly be great walk away. In the photos he was holding the little girl in his arms as he carried her towards the ambulance.

JJ's heart was melting away as she kept staring at the pictures. Not only was she stalking a federal agent, but she was also starting to feel something for him. A man she barely knew. But his smile kept flashing into her mind.

This couldn't be happening to her, yet it was. The face of the stranger kept creeping into her conscious. It was so unfamiliar to her that it had actually become scary. How could a stranger already have such an effect on her? Was he really the perfect stranger like he said? Or was he just joking?

As those questions raced through her head, JJ clicked the website away, hoping he would vanish from her mind. But a voice inside her made her realized that possibility was limited. Something inside her had clicked and she was admitting to something for the first time. She was actually feeling something more than dedication and honor. She was feeling joy, for something so very unfamiliar. And she realized she couldn't let it go without fighting for it.

JJ turned around in her chair and she was about to stand up when she nearly bumped into her boss. She took a step back and returned his smile. ''I can't have another coffee stain, sir.'' she said sarcastically.

''I see,'' he began. ''I need you in my office right now.'' he said with concern.

JJ looked at, Tyler Warren, the man who had been her boss in the past four months. She still couldn't believe she was working as a legal advisor for a chemical company. It seemed surreal, but the moment she started she was thrown into the deep. The company had been struggling with a lot legal issues. ''Of course.'' JJ said. She followed him into the office where three other colleagues were seated. She gave everyone a hand before she sat down at the long table.

''What's the problem?'' she asked quickly. She wanted to change her clothes. She looked like a complete fool in her coffee stained outfit. But as always work came first.

Warren sat down next to JJ and sighed deeply before answering the question. ''We recently fired one of our scientist when he stopped showing up for work. He's threatening to sue us.''

JJ breathed in deeply, knowing it was going to be another long day of doing nothing but reasoning with a former employee. Or better to say, intimidate him. ''Give me his personal information and I will talk to him.'' JJ offered simply. ''This company can't have another lawsuit.''

''I'll tell my assistant to sent you the address.'' Warren replied happily. JJ had been a wonderful advisor, but she turned out to be so much more. She had become a problem solver within the company. He was happy with having her on board. ''Sometimes I think you're so much more than just a lawyer.'' he joked.

JJ laughed as well, faking it so she didn't look suspicious. She was a lot more than just a lawyer, but no one was allowed to know that. Keeping her cover was more important than anything, no matter how long it was going to take. ''Unfortunately I am not, sir.'' JJ responded. She rose from her chair and gave everyone a quick nod before she left the office. She hurried to her desk, wanting to do more research on Aaron Hotchner. At the thought of his name, a smile appeared on her face.

How am I supposed to approach him? Should I show up at the FBI? No! JJ forced herself to snap back to the reality. She remembered her conversation with Collins. She couldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment. She knew like no one else what it meant to be a CIA Operative. It was about giving up your own life in order to do something bigger and JJ had made that choice. But never before did she struggle with the oath that she took. Something inside her longed for love and friends. She had never fallen in love with anyone. Her heart had been surrounded by walls since she was a teenager and no one managed to make them crumble. A tiny part of her hoped that one day someone could do it and that she could let go of everything she believed in so she'd have a normal life.

Hotch sat behind his desk in the noisy bullpen, trying to concentrate on finishing his reports but his mind was in overdrive. It wasn't caused by the noise around him, but rather by the mystery blonde who didn't seem to leave his thoughts. Her smile kept flashing before his eyes and each time he felt the anticipation grow in the pit of his stomach. He almost punched himself for not asking her name, or her phone number. He let the chance of a lifetime slip away. But on the other hand, he knew he needed a break from love. His rocky relationship with Haley had been more than enough proof on that front. So he knew he had to move forward and take care of himself before he could dive into a relationship. For Hotch it was either a relationship or no love at all. He couldn't be a fling to someone. He would always need commitment and trust.

''Hotchner?'' a voice called out.

Hotch turned around to see one of his colleagues, SSA Baker, behind him. He jumped from his chair and walked towards him. ''Baker, what is it?'' he asked impatiently, hoping the man wasn't keeping him from his work.

''Haley is asking for you.'' he assured as he stepped aside to let him walk away. ''She's by the elevators.''

Oh god, here we go! Hotch thought to himself as he moved through the hallways. His break-up with Haley wasn't pretty, but he knew they would always share their loss. Their relationship had been great until they lost their baby girl when Haley was seven months pregnant. Afterwards, their lives changed forever. Their once loving relationship fell apart and both of them focused on work and ignored the other. They went days without conversation and after four months of it, they finally broke off their engagement.

Hotch froze when he saw Haley in front of the elevators. She looked better than he had seen her in a long time and it made him happy to know she was doing fine. ''Haley!'' he called out as he approached her.

Haley turned around at the sound the familiar voice. She returned his smile and gave him a quick but awkward hug. ''Hey,'' she greeted finally, her voice sad. It had been a while since she had seen him and all the feelings resurfaced. They had been through a lot together and it wasn't something she would ever forget. ''I wanted to let you know that I'm moving back to Seattle, Aaron.'' she announced simply.

Hotch wasn't shocked by her decision. Haley never wanted to move to DC in the first place, but she came with him when he got the job at the BAU. They promised to support one another, so they made the move but now she had no reason to stay in DC. ''I understand.'' he began. ''I guess this will be goodbye then.''

''Yeah, it is.''

Hotch sighed deeply and took her into his embrace. He held her tightly, realizing he was going to miss her. Haley was his high school sweetheart after all. They had been together for almost eighteen years. It wasn't something you just left behind and moved on from. ''Good luck, Haley.'' he whispered as he let her go. ''I'll call some time.''

Haley smiled when she realized he was still the same guy she met in high school. He was sweet, loving and caring. There was no evil in him. ''Thank you.'' she said thankfully. ''Be careful hunting down the bad guys!'' she suggested before she walked back to the elevator.

Hotch folded his arms across his chest as he waited for Haley to leave. A part of him wanted her to stay, so they could stay together. But the reasonable and rational part of him knew that they had tried too many times to count. They were better off as friends. So Hotch needed to find a way to move on. And as that thought crossed his mind, he once again had a flash of the pretty blonde from the Starbucks.