A/N: Here's next chapter. I hope you all like it!

Special thanks to jenny crum, K8e1, Christiangirl and Jareau37!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 11: Real life

Hours later, Hotch sat in his new office, still getting used to the confines of his own privacy at the office. Not only was that hard enough, but informing his team members, now his subordinates, of the unexpected news was quite terrifying. But it worked out great. Everyone was happy for him and he fully believed he could do the job. It had been his dream for many years and he was finally living up to it. The only major downside was the overflow of paperwork he was experiencing on his first day. Cases were already stacking up and it was his responsibility to make a choice as to where the team was going next. It was a lot of pressure, but after hours of consideration he had taken his pick. They were going to Nashville, Tennessee where young women disappeared from public establishments. He had looked over the case and discussed it with his team before they went home.

Now, he had to go himself. To an empty apartment, while he could only think about the blonde he wanted to see so desperately. He had missed her since her saw her last. Something about JJ put him at ease. Maybe it were those big blue eyes, filled with spirit and brightness. Or maybe it was her personality. He just didn't know. He just knew he needed to see her again. He wanted to do something special for her, and he knew exactly what to do.

He jumped up from his chair after turning his laptop off and he put on his jacket. He quickly left the office and texted JJ on his way out the building as the excitement coursed through his body.

JJ was lounging on her couch when her phone rang. She immediately sat up and smiled at the name. Her entire face lit up and she felt the chills everywhere. No one had ever made her feel so excited about a simple message on a cellphone. It felt idiotic, yet she felt that way. She also didn't want it to go away anytime soon. She read the text and her smile only became bigger. He wanted to meet with her in two hours. He had given her an address for the meet. She immediately jumped from the couch. She still had to shower. When she came home from her long workout she never took a shower. She just dropped to the couch and fell asleep, again. So she raced to the shower and peeled off all of her clothes.

A few minutes later she was wearing her robe and trying to figure out what to wear, how to wear her hair and how much make-up to put on her face. She had totally forgotten what it felt like to feel pressure about her outfit. Not that she wanted to look super fancy, but she just wanted to look good. It was the least she could do. She was lying to him after all. She didn't even know how much she could tell him about her life. She had to report the relationship to her boss if it was to become serious. And deep down, she knew that was a real possibility. She just had to stay around long enough to have a chance. But she also had to learn to open up her heart again. It was going to be a long road. The last guy, or Owen to say, had broken her. He hurt her pretty badly and the memories still felt too fresh. Now, she was going to focus on the guy she was going to see, knowing he was different. She had seen it. She had felt it. So she pulled clothes from her closet and proceeded to get herself ready for their second date.

Hotch was standing on the corner of the street when a cab pulled up right in front of him. He smiled when he made eye contact with JJ, who was still seated in the back. He watched as she paid the driver his fair. And then she stepped out of the cab, and his mind was once again blown away. She looked even better than the other night.

Holy shit! This cannot be real… He whispered to himself as he looked at her from head to toe. He was nearly choking and the evening hadn't even started yet. She was wearing a short white lace dress with a dark blue blazer over it. Her hair long smooth hair flowed in gentle waves around her face and framed it perfectly. She looked amazing to say the least.

''I am at a loss for words.'' he admitted as he took her hand as she stepped onto the pavement. ''Hi!'' he said, putting a sweet kiss on her cheek.

JJ felt the heat in her body rise when he got closer to her. ''Hi!'' she grinned out in happiness. She leaned back slightly and took in his expression. It was reflecting hers.

''I missed you!'' he admitted boldly before she was about to say anything. He noticed a moment of doubt in her eyes, and he immediately felt guilty for being so forward. ''I'm sorry!''

''Don't be!'' she said quickly, hating her inability to admit her feelings. ''I missed you too.'' she croaked out with the courage she was somehow able to find. It was always hard for her to truly express her feelings to anyone, especially someone who had such a big impact on her already. But as she gazed into his eyes, she felt comfort wash over her. It was reaffirming and unsettling at the same time. How did he do it? He was so calm, so handsome, so sweet, and most of all so amazing.

''You look incredible.'' he whispered as he stepped closer towards her. He cupped her cheek, seeing that the bruising had gone down a lot. It was barely seeable. ''It looks like you're a quick healer.''

''Yeah, I am.'' JJ agreed simply as she felt him take her hand in his. She squeezed it softly in appreciation. ''So, what are we doing tonight?''

Hotch moved to the right as he still held onto her hand. ''This is one of my favorite places outside the city.'' he began. ''I like to come here when I have a bad day or when I need to clear my head.''

She was suddenly very curious to see what place he was talking about. It seemed strange to her that he wanted to meet fifteen minutes outside DC, but when they turned around the corner, her breath hitched. She stopped and looked at him in awe. They were standing in front of a beautiful small park, filled with candles. ''Did you do this for me?''

''I wanted to do something special for our second date.''

''This is amazing. What a beautiful place.'' she sighed out as they walked into the park. Her heart was racing as she just looked around her. It was gorgeous. No one had ever done anything like that for her. ''You didn't have to do all of this.''

He turned to the left where the candles stopped and surrounded a bench. ''I wanted to.'' he said, pulling her towards the bench. He took the paper bag from the bench and let JJ sit down first. ''I got us some Chinese take-out.''

''It smells amazing.'' she remarked as he pulled the food from the bag and passed some along to her. She leaned back against the bench and realized the park was completely empty. It was amazingly romantic. There was a soft breeze, a clear sky with stars, and the candles just topped it off.

He sat down next to her in contempt. She loved it. He was glad about that. She didn't care to eat on a bench. She just looked at her surroundings and took it all in. It was all he could've hoped for. He knew it would be the beginning to another perfect night.

Hotch rose from the bench when they were done eating. He walked to the bin and dropped the trash in it. He walked back to JJ, who was already standing next to the bench. She was looking around and smiled when he returned to the spot. He stopped next to her, and for a moment they just gazed in each other's eyes. It had been another night of fun and good company, but Hotch couldn't help but notice that it was hard for JJ to open up. Or to even ask anything about him. Their conversations had been about everything, except them.

''Do you want to take a walk?'' he wondered, suddenly noticing a chill going through her body. He took off his coat and put it over her shoulders.

JJ's heart warmed at the amazing gesture. He truly was a gentleman and she loved that about him. ''Thanks.''

''You look cold so I just wanted to warm you up.'' he said as he started walking. He walked closely to her so their bodies were touching. ''I feel like we've talked about everything tonight, except us. What about you?''

''What do you want to know?''

He shrugged his shoulders. He wanted to know everything about her. It seemed like you could never stop getting to know her. He found her intriguing. She had already made an impression on him without him really knowing who she was. ''So, you work as a lawyer?'' he asked. ''Do you like it?''

''Well, like is a big word at the moment. I guess, I don't. I am more like a fixer for the company, instead of a real lawyer. Sometimes I wish I could just quit and find a job I like.'' she with honesty. She really didn't like her job in that moment. She couldn't be honest with him about a lot and that broke her heart. He deserved more. And for a moment she wondered if walking away would be a better idea. But as she gazed into his eyes, she just couldn't. She had to get to know him. ''But that's life I guess. Not everything goes as planned. People lie and betray our trust and we're left to fix the damage.''

''It sounds like you're talking about a personal experience more than something you fix at your job.'' he pointed out. He immediately noticed a change in her expression.

JJ stopped and looked back into his eyes, feeling her emotions surface. It had been a long time since she felt so much. It was taking her off guard. ''You're right!'' she admitted, and she was finally going to say something real. She wasn't going to lie about her name or her job, but she was going to tell him something real about her life, just a few details would be changed. ''When I told you I hadn't been in relationship for a long time, I lied.'' she revealed, her voice shaking. ''I was twenty-four when I met this guy, who seemed to be everything I ever wanted. He was charming, handsome and he was older than me. I fell head over heels in love with him.''

Hotch realized her story wasn't going to end well when she stopped to catch her breath. He cupped her cheek and held her other hand to let her know he was there. To comfort her the best he could. ''It's okay…'' he whispered warmly.

''The relationship ended a year ago after seven months of being together. It was sort of like a whirlwind romance.'' she went on hesitantly. ''He ended up cheating on me when things became too serious for him. He just ran off and ended up in our bed with a strange girl.'' she said with watering eyes as she flashed back to the picture of Owen in bed with some other woman.

''I am so sorry, JJ. He doesn't deserve you at all.''

JJ felt the comfort coming from his voice. It washed all over her, and it calmed her down. ''I also said, I wasn't looking for a relationship. And I am not.'' she breathed out. ''But here I am, standing in front of this amazing man and I know I want to try this with you. You make me feel so much I haven't felt in a long time.'' she confessed as the first tear fell down her cheek. She felt him wipe away gently and she couldn't help but laugh. ''Thanks for being so understanding!''

''Always!'' he spoke as he put his arms around and he pulled her close at they kept walking through the small park. They were almost nearing the end, but he just wanted to savor the moment for a little while longer. He felt her put her head on his shoulder and the urge to kiss her grew a lot stronger. So he stopped in his tracks and waited until she faced him, with question marks all over face.

''What is it?''

''I just really want to do this…'' he said, leaning forward and putting his hand on her waist at the same time. He pulled her closer as she closed her eyes. The other hand went into her hair as he lingered for a few seconds. His heart was pounding as he leaned in closer.

JJ wasn't prepared for this at all. But their lips touched before she could truly register what was happening. Her worries and morals faded as she responded ever so softly. It was magic as his lips moved against hers. The connection of their lips was perfection. And the pain she had felt earlier was gone.

His world changed when she kissed him back. Something inside of him was forever altered. A kissed had never been that perfect in this entire life. It was a new feeling. Something to treasure for the rest of their lives.

He broke away to catch his breath and he could do nothing but stare at her. What is it about her? How can someone be this special and perfect? And why am I so lucky to have met her?

For a moment he didn't know what to say to her. He was still trying to register what just happened. ''That…that was…oh…I have no words for it.''

''It was amazing! More than amazing.'' she smiled, knowing she was putting him at ease. ''The entire night has been amazing.''

''I know.'' he agreed. He turned back around and JJ followed him closely as she slipped her hand in his. They made their way back through the park. When they were at the beginning he knew the night was about to end. ''You could come to my place for a drink if you want.'' he suggested.

''That sounds nice.''