A/N: Here's next chapter. I hope you all like it! I'm so sorry for the wait between updates.

And for those of you who are following Life After 200, I am trying to get a chapter out but I have hit major writer's block for that one. And with everything going on in my life at the moment it isn't much easier to take the time to sit down and force myself to write something. But I promise, I will never leave any story unfinished.

Special thanks to BAUMember, snuggleUP, Christiangirl and guest!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 33: The exes

The next day came around quickly and it was time for JJ to move into Hotch's apartment. Once he had asked, the plans were put into motion very quickly and JJ couldn't have been more excited. She was more than ready for the next step and living together seemed to be it. But it was also something she wanted to keep from the agency at all costs. If Collins were to find out, she knew he'd easily pull her assignment and give her another mission, or maybe have her transferred. So JJ had decided to move in with Hotch, and keep her apartment as a safe house. The apartment already belonged to the CIA, but they had no idea that she no longer would be living there. She'd only use it when she had to work.

Hotch's apartment would he her real home, maybe even the first home she had since she was a little girl. It was something she never believed would happen again. But as she stood in the middle of the living, next to Hotch, looking at the room, she realized she was actually starting a completely new chapter of her life.

''Welcome home.'' Hotch whispered as he stepped beside her. He encircled his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against his body. He leaned down and kissed her neck in a teasing way, causing JJ to squirm in his arms as he held onto her. ''This is just the beginning.'' he said with anticipation.

JJ turned around and stood on her toes to kiss him. She walked to the other side of the living room and noticed that he had taken his old pictures down and replaced them with pictures of them together. ''You didn't have to do this.'' she said to him as he stepped next to him. ''You…'' she tried to say but he interrupted her.

''I wanted to, JJ.'' he interrupted. ''Haley is part of my past now, and these belong here.''

''Thank you.'' she spoke out. ''Do you realize that tomorrow is our three month anniversary?''

''Yeah, I know.'' he said happily. He walked back to the couch and was about to sit down when his phone started ringing. It wasn't his cell it was his home phone and late in the evening it had to be family or… He stopped, knowing he couldn't think about that name in that moment. So he took the phone, and his fear was confirmed. Haley. He thought to himself. The name brought both pain and a sense of dread to the surface. He turned to JJ who had dropped down on the couch and made herself comfortable with a glass of wine and a glass of scotch for him.

She looked up at him and saw the expression of pain on his face, unlike she had ever seen before. ''Who is it?''

''It's Haley, JJ.''

The fifth ring came on and JJ felt herself at a crossroads, but she wasn't about to tell him what to do. ''You should take it. It's fine. I promise.'' she said for reassurance, hoping she sounded convincing enough.

He pressed the accept button and immediately walked out of the living room and into his office where he could have a private conversation with her. ''Haley?'' he asked, still in shock.

On the other end of the line, Haley was completely surprised to hear the familiar and calm voice. ''Hi,'' she spoke out gently as a feeling of regret washed over her.

''How have you been?''

''I…I…I didn't know who else to call.'' she cried out. ''My mom…she's in the hospital, Aaron.''

The pained voice he heard through the phone caused his insides to turn. ''Oh my god. What happened?'' he asked sincerely.

''She was in a car accident and the doctors tried everything they could…'' she explained but then stopped. ''They declared her brain-dead. Now we have to decide if we want to turn off the monitors and kill her or let the machines breathe for her.''

''I am so sorry.''

''I don't know what to do, Aaron.'' Haley cried out. ''You were the only person I thought of calling. I just don't know what I am supposed to do.''

Hotch cringed as she continued to sob into the phone, understandably so. ''I can come to Seattle.'' he suggested, not thinking about JJ, just about Haley. ''Do you need me to come down there?''

''Are you sure?''

''I'll take the next flight out.'' he promised. ''Call me on my cell if anything changes. Hang in there, Hales. I'll be there soon.''

''Bye.'' she croaked out before the line went completely dead.

Hotch put the phone down on the desk and was ready to storm into his bedroom to pack a go-bag when he saw JJ standing in the doorway. He let his arm fall to his side in defeat, realizing his compassion had taken over and he had forgotten about JJ completely.

''That sounded serious.'' JJ began. ''You're going to Seattle?''

''Haley's mother is in the hospital and she needs me, JJ.'' he started off defensively. ''She's all alone.''

JJ stepped closer towards him, feeling pushed to the side. From the stories Hotch had told her about Haley, she seemed a little manipulative and that concerned JJ a lot, no matter what the situation was. ''What about her father and sister?'' she asked. ''They both live in Seattle, you told me.''

He took both of her hands in an attempt to keep them from fighting over Haley. ''I don't want us to argue about this.'' he began. ''But I've known Haley since high school and she needs me. I am asking for you to trust me.''

''I do trust you. I just don't know her.''

Hotch could see the hesitance on her face, but not only that, her voice was filled with it. So he pulled her closer and put his arms around her waist. He leaned in closer, just next to her ear, his breath against her skin. ''I. Love. You.'' he stated very simple and he didn't waste much more time to explain anything else or to convince her because he knew she'd trust him. He just felt it. So he kissed her deeply as his hands stayed on her back, and hers enclosed around his neck as she deepened the kiss.

JJ held onto him tightly, while the kiss send shivers through her body. She finally pulled away to catch her breath and she knew he had managed to settle her nerves. ''You should go. Just call me when you land.''

''I will.'' he said and then he walked out of the office to pack a bag in the bedroom and leave for Seattle as soon as possible.

About an hour after Hotch had left, JJ had called Emily when she realized they were both in desperate need of some girl time. JJ knew that Emily was still in town but she hadn't actually seen her since they first met, so she took Hotch's departure as some time to go out and have fun.

They had met up in one of the local bars that was Emily's favorite and drinks quickly had been served and kept coming to them. JJ was on the very of becoming drunk when she slammed another empty glass of tequila onto the bar. She threw her hand in the air to signal the bartender for another set of drinks. She then looked over and realized her friend was in the exact same state as her.

''So how's your thrilling assignment coming along?'' JJ asked curiously. She knew that Emily was working on a taskforce with Interpol and CIA, which meant it was something heavy, probably dangerous.

Emily sighed deeply before getting to the question. ''It's going to be interesting to say the least.'' she replied secretively. ''There's still a lot of work that needs to be poured into it, but it's going well.'' she went on. ''What about you and the hot FBI agent?''

JJ broke out in a laugh. ''He's visiting his ex-fiancé.'' she slurred. ''He's visiting his very beautiful ex-fiancé who he obviously still cares for, maybe even loves.'' she joked, even though it wasn't meant as a joke. The alcohol was getting to her and she was more laughing than being serious.

''Oh,'' Emily exclaimed after she had just downed another shot of tequila. ''That…that's really really bad.''

''She's blonde too. Maybe he likes blondes.'' JJ overanalyzed. ''My life is such a mess right now. I'm head over heels in love with a man who doesn't really know about the most important part of my life. I have to lie to him. And then…then there's Owen.''

At the mention of Owen's name, Emily was immediately looking up. ''What about Owen?''

''It's so damn hard to work with him with our past and me dating Aaron. I know he's jealous and it's killing me to see him hurt.'' JJ replied.

''Wait!'' Emily said loudly. ''You and Owen?'' she asked. ''You were the girl he was afraid to tell that he loved her, and then he made huge mistake and you two broke up?''

JJ was both surprised and sad at once. ''Yeah, me!'' she said, holding her hand in the air. ''Did he really talk about me?''

''It was the only thing he talked to me about for a year.'' Emily exclaimed as she shifted on the stool. The stool started to lose its balance and before she could support herself she fell to the ground hopelessly.

JJ immediately jumped up from her chair to check on Emily. ''Are you alright?'' she asked, her voice filled with real concern.

''Ouch!'' Emily said as she got up from the ground by taking JJ's hand.

''We should really get home. This is getting ridiculous.'' JJ breathed out when she finally realized how drunk they actually were. It was mostly because of their free time and to let go for once. With their jobs it was rare to have time to drink and relax for a change.

Once Emily was standing back on her feet, JJ pulled some bills from her wallet and put it down on the bar. They then pushed themselves through the crowd and stumbled onto the streets. To their surprise the streets were completely empty. No people or cars were around.

''I'll call us a cab.'' JJ suggested as she took her phone from her pocket but Emily stopped her by putting her hand on the blonde's wrist.

''Don't bother.'' she slurred. ''Owen's coming.''

''What? Owen?'' JJ repeated loudly, giving herself a headache. ''Why? Why would you do that?''

Emily looked back at JJ with a big smirk on her face, noting that she was obviously very bothered by Owen. ''I asked him to join us when he was ready, and he said he would here…'' she began and then she saw Owen walking towards them from around the corner. ''right now!''

''This day can't get any better.'' JJ moaned inwardly as she watched Owen nearing them, and she couldn't help but feel insecure by just looking at him. He was the type of guy every girl had secret fantasies about. He always looked mysterious and handsome with a touch of danger. And to JJ that had been exciting and thrilling at one point in her life, but that had stopped once he cheated on her. And then there was Hotch. A guy who was probably more gorgeous and handsome than Owen, but he somehow thought he didn't have the looks. But JJ knew better, much better. He had the dark hair, the brown piercing eyes, he was tall and his body was killer. She could gush about him for hours, days even. But what surprised her was that Owen still took her off guard, which she didn't want. She didn't want to look at him.

''Hello ladies!'' Owen greeted as he stepped in front of them. ''Am I too late?''

JJ and Emily both burst out into laughter. ''We're drunk. So hell yes!'' Emily yelled.

''Okay,'' Owen stated. ''Let's get you two home.'' he suggested, knowing neither of them could drive their own car home. They were obviously way too drunk to do so.

During the drive to Emily's house, the girls kept rambling on with each other, talking about everything that came up. Owen was just driving with a smile on his face as he heard the two in deep conversation. He was extremely happy to see that the two had become such close friends. He always imagined that Emily and JJ hit it off. In many ways they were awfully similar. Both dedicated to the job, but also longing for hints of a normal life. Wanting a normal life wasn't something JJ ever talked about, but he knew that since she met Hotch that she wanted it very badly. He was watching her move on without him, and in many ways it broke his heart. JJ had been the one constant in his life since he began training her, and then losing her rocked his world. He made the worst mistake of his life and he'd probably never be able to take it back.

''It seems like you two had fun.'' Owen said after they had dropped Emily off at her place.

''Yeah, we did. Emily is an amazing person and she's easy to talk to.'' JJ said as she noticed that Owen was going in the wrong direction. He was obviously driving to her apartment. ''You need to go left and after five blocks you can drop me off at the right.''

He didn't ask any questions because he had a feeling as to where she was going. She was going to him. To be with him. So he just drove and stayed silent as his thoughts wandered off to better times, at least for him.

He closed the distance carefully, watching her closely as she moved around the mass of people. It was her first official day at SAD and she fitted right in. He could see her practically glowing. She was so in her element that it even made him happy.

When he finally watched her leave the crowd, probably to have a moment to herself, he followed her into an empty office at the other side of the bullpen. She had pushed the door shut, but he still went inside and saw her leaning against the wall.

''How are you doing?'' he asked in amazement. ''You looked very happy out there.''

JJ looked up at him, searching for that support she always found with him. And after a few seconds she did. ''I am. I am very happy.'' she replied. ''I just don't know if I can do this job.''

With that he stepped forward, letting his rules fly out the window. He had been holding back since she started training with him six months prior. ''You can do this.'' he encouraged. He put his hand on her shoulder and slowly let it slide towards her neck, and then to her cheek. His hand stayed there and he caressed her cheek gently. He leaned in and waited to see if she'd pull away but she didn't. So he brushed his lips against hers, feeling the softness of her lips against his. She responded immediately and deepened the kiss fiercely with all that she had. It turned into the best first kiss he'd ever had as their lips and tongues moved together.

''Owen? We're here!'' JJ croaked out after he had pulled up the car in front of the apartment building. But he was just starting off into the distance, ignoring her multiple attempts to say goodbye.

When she felt her body respond to the drinking she had done earlier, she jumped from the car and held her hair as she threw up on the streets. She immediately heard Owen come into action and rushing to her side.

''Are you okay?'' he asked caringly as he held her arm. He moved in a little closer and gave her support by pulling her against his side as she hovered on the pavement.

''No, I am not okay.'' she said as she looked up at him with saddened eyes. ''I'm not okay with you being here, and being in my life. I'm just not okay with it.''

As Owen was speechless, JJ continued on. ''You weren't honest with me about your feelings for me. You weren't honest with me!'' she croaked out as the tears fell down her face. ''I was so mad at you, Owen. So mad because you ruined us.''

Owen pulled her closer and put his arms around her. ''I am sorry that I wasn't honest with you when I should've been, JJ.'' he began sadly, knowing because of her state that she still cared about him and that give him a wave of hope. ''I was trying to keep our personal lives from interfering with our jobs. I tried to do the right thing and I ended up making the worst mistake of my life.'' he said with shame. ''I'm definitely not perfect, JJ. I make mistakes and that was by far the worst one.''

''I know. It's okay.'' she whispered as her eyes began to flutter.

''I'll bring you upstairs.'' he whispered as he scooped her up in his arms. He held onto her tightly as he made his way up to the apartment she had whispered to him. He set her down on the floor and took the keys from her purse and opened the door to the unfamiliar apartment. He brought her into the master bedroom and put her down on the bed. He took off her shoes and pulled the blanket over her body and turned off the lights and closed the door to let her sleep.

He continued his way into the hallway when he caught a glimpse of the office. He peeked inside and saw dozens of case files spread across the desk. The fact was that he wasn't even supposed to be in there, but the curiosity got the better of him. He walked to desk and opened up a few case files, all of them murder cases, until he stumbled upon a case file that belonged to the Tyler Warren investigation. He recognized most pages, but on some of them were notes and details he had never seen before. He then turned another page and was shocked to see the name Howard Schmidt recurring on the page. He realized that the FBI agent was making a connection between the two, which the CIA had been trying to do as well, but it was something the FBI wasn't supposed to be involved in.

He took out his phone and took a few pictures and then put everything back where it belonged, realizing that Hotch was deeper into it that they ever imagined, and that was very bad for the CIA. But mostly for JJ.