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

I realize that most of you don't like the presence of Haley and Owen in this story, but they're both in it for a reason. As for Owen, a lot more will be revealed about his intentions further into the story since this is really just the beginning. There's a lot more to come, and I hope you all will stick around for it!

Special thanks to jenny crum, Christiangirl and snuggleUP!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 42: Stronger than ever

After her meeting with Owen, JJ had gone straight to Langley and jumped into a meeting with Collins. But she didn't exactly get what she wanted, and she suspected that Owen may have had a hand in it.

Two hours earlier…

JJ was standing across from her boss as he sat behind his desk in his large corner office. JJ had explained to him what had transpired in the hours before. She had told him everything about the FBI and her meeting with Christian. Everything was suddenly becoming more and more dangerous and JJ was putting her own life on the line for her job.

''Sir, I'm asking for your permission to read Aaron Hotchner in.'' she expressed again, hoping he'd agree with her. But the look on his face wasn't exactly positive.

''No, not until after we have succeeded with this operation. I'm sorry, JJ. I can't allow you to read him in. This is a matter of International security.'' Collins interjected.

JJ turned around in disappointment and then faced him again. ''Sir, I understand where you're coming from, but I know he won't put this operation at risk if I tell him what is happening.''

''Agent Jareau, no!'' Collins stated firmly as he rose from his chair. ''You're an amazing agent, JJ. But you can't let your emotions drive your actions. Not in this field. It's too dangerous.''

''How am I supposed to do this job when I can't even be honest with the people I love?'' JJ confronted. ''Am I really supposed to choose between my personal life and my job? Is that it?''

He walked around his desk and sat down on the edge right in front of JJ. ''When you first started this assignment I told you not to get emotionally attached to anyone.'' he started. ''This job, this life, it's not something to take lightly, JJ. I know you risk your life every single day, but ask yourself why it is that you do it. Why do you risk your life while you could be anyone else?''

That had been the question that made her think, brainstorm even. Why did she choose the CIA? How did she end up at the CIA? The answers always seemed to be easy for her. She wanted freedom, no attachments. But she realized those weren't really the answers she was searching for. Like Collins had said, she could've chosen a normal life. But instead, she was a field officer for the CIA. When JJ started at the farm she had imagined it to be more glamourous than it truly was. But in many ways it was even better. She never expected to do so much good. She had prevented serious crimes, she had brought criminals to justice, and she simply made the world a better place.

Maybe doing good was just in her blood. Maybe she was born with it, and it had been ingrained in her. She didn't know what else it could be.

And as she sat in the apartment that she shared with her boyfriend, she realized Collins was right. She risked her life because she didn't want to be anyone else or do anything else. She was good at her job, and in some weird sense she loved it.

JJ was startled when the door to the apartment opened. She was completely surprised by the fact that Hotch was home so early. So she stayed seated on the couch and watched as he closed the door behind him, looking at her with concern. ''Hi,'' she greeted, her voice soft and tender. She felt some tension in the room since he walked in, which was completely normal after what had happened at the FBI earlier.

He dropped his belongings to the ground, and walked over to JJ with determination. He pulled her up from the couch without responding to her greeting. Instead, he pulled her close against his body and claimed her lips in a dominant and forceful kiss that blew them both away. The kiss was intense and brought so many emotions to the surface for Hotch. He let his hands wander across her body, his fingertips tracing over her belly, her torso, than her breasts and all the way up to her face as their lips stayed connected.

JJ moaned into the kiss, losing sense of reality. She had once again been swept up in their world, the only world which made her feel truly happy, so she didn't stop him. She kissed him back deeply and fiercely to show him how she felt. As his hands roamed around her body and as he started to rip the clothes from her body, she copied his actions. She made quick work of his clothing, and before she knew it her hands were planted on his bare chest. She pushed her own body against his to feel the warmth of his body against her own.

For a moment, he broke away and gazed into her blue piercing eyes, only to see love radiating from them. He still couldn't understand JJ's unlimited understanding of his job. She never got angry or even slightly disappointed. She always told him to never apologize for doing his job. So he cupped her cheeks as she gazed back at him, the moment sending sparks through his body. ''I love you, JJ. I love you so much!'' he whispered emotionally. He kissed her again, and pulled away again. ''I don't ever want to lose you.''

Tears were starting to sting in JJ's eyes at the weight of his words, yet to her it meant so much more. It was almost like a promise for their future together. ''I know neither of us planned on this,'' she began. ''Neither of us planned to fall in love again, yet we both did.'' she went on. ''And I know we have had our differences, but this is the only place where I want to be. Right here, with you.'' she breathed out.

His chest was heaving from the excitement. There they were. Standing practically naked in the living room while having a heart to heart during an intense make-out. It was something so incredible that it brought a smile to his face. Their chemistry wasn't just physical. The physical part of their relationship was amazing, and Hotch had never been as satisfied as he was with JJ, but with her all other parts of their relationship were also better than anything else he'd known before. She was a godsend to him. Sometimes he couldn't help but think that she was a blessing in disguise. ''I don't think I'll ever deserve you.'' he whispered as he looked down at her. She stood before him in her bra and panties and his only focus was on her eyes in that moment. The glow on her face, the way her lips were crooked as she smiled. It was all that he saw.

''That's not true, Aaron.'' JJ said as she put her hands around his neck. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, and then moved back to his lips, giving him several kisses. ''You do deserve me.'' she said hoarsely in between kisses.

He quickly swooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom and then gently laid her down. He leaned down and kissed her again, putting all his feelings in his kisses, and the way he touched her. He was going to show her exactly how much he loved her.

A few hours later when it was almost dark outside, they lay on their stomachs with the blanket covering their naked bodies. They looked at each other as they both tried to catch their breaths. It had been another few hours of intensity.

JJ's long hair was covering her back and framing her face as she stared back at him, her eyes filled with joy and love. ''Aaron,'' she whispered.

''Hmm.'' he responded, his hand reaching out to touch her. He put his hand on her arm and gently started stroking it.

She moved a little closer as they still stared at each other, just enjoying another special moment. ''I'm going to quit my job at Chemicaltech Industries as soon as everything has gone back to normal.'' she announced.

''Really?'' he asked, a little shocked about it. He always thought she loved her job, even though it seemed to be incredibly demanding just like his job. ''When did you decide that?''

''A few days ago.'' she replied. ''And laying here next to you only reminds me why I want to do this.''

''I don't understand what your job has to do with us.''

She looked up and supported her head on her hand, searching for a way to explain to him why she felt that her job stood between them. ''I got into law because I wanted to do something good, but in the end I don't want it to be at the expense of our relationship.'' she explained. ''I want to spend more time with you.''

''I understand, but my job is still going to be demanding. I don't see how you quitting your job is going to help us spend more time together.'' he went on, and he realized that JJ seemed to be lost in her thoughts. ''JJ?''

Her eyes snapped up to meet his after her thoughts had drifted away for a few seconds. ''Aaron, I…I…'' she stumbled. She was almost on the verge of telling him exactly who she was. The moment seemed to be perfect, but her earlier conversation with Collins kept raging through her head. And then the sound of a knock on the door threw her plan to the wolves. She wasn't going to tell him. She couldn't. At least not in that moment. And before she knew it he was jumping from the bed and putting on his sweats to answer the door.

JJ was still in bed when she heard a female voice, and the tone in Hotch's voice told her it wasn't a visitor they expected, or he expected for that matter. So she jumped from the bed and put on her panties and took one of Hotch's favorite shirts from his drawer. She pulled it over her body and walked out of the bedroom and into the living room where she suddenly heard nothing. There was just silence, and the occasional sound of breathing but that was it. It was a dreadful silence, disturbing even.

Hotch stood in his doorway, still baffled by the person that stood before him. He didn't want to talk, or listen to anything she had to say. ''Haley, what do you want?'' he asked again, hoping she would disappear before JJ would end up standing next to him and meeting Haley.

The blonde took a step forward to approach her ex-fiancé. ''I'm back in DC. For good, Aaron.'' she announced. ''I got my old job back and I found an apartment.''

''I thought you wanted to be in Seattle.'' Hotch contradicted.

''I did, but then I realized that the one thing I want…is…here.'' Haley admitted without shame. ''Aaron, can we talk about what happened four weeks ago when you came to visit me?''

The words caused JJ to cringe. Obviously what Haley wanted was to have her boyfriend back. She didn't know what else it could possibly be. And just the thought caused a wave of jealousy to surface and without any thought she walked to the door and stepped next to Hotch, leaning closely against him.

Haley was immediately taken aback when she saw the gorgeous blonde appear next to Hotch. But it wasn't just that. It caused her to feel threatened. She was wearing a black t-shirt that just covered her thighs. She had endlessly long legs, beautiful long blonde hair, and a killer body. Even Haley had to admit all those things. But what got to her the most was that she immediately noticed that JJ was younger than both her and Hotch.

And as JJ stared back at Haley, knowing the older woman was staring back at her with jealously and maybe even hate, she didn't feel much at all. She felt secure enough in her relationship with Hotch to believe that her presence wasn't a threat to their relationship.

Hotch on the other hand wasn't jealous or threatened. He was nervous. He didn't know how Haley would respond to seeing his girlfriend. If Haley was going to judge JJ, he knew she'd come with the conclusion that JJ was a better, hotter and younger version of herself. And maybe JJ was. But that wasn't why Hotch had fallen for her. He had fallen in love with her grace and purity. The same grace she was carrying in that moment as she extended her hand to introduce herself to Haley. It just confirmed everything he knew and loved about her.

''Hello, I am Jennifer Allen.'' JJ said happily.

Haley hesitantly took her hand and shook it. ''Haley Brooks.''

After introductions there fell an uncomfortable silence, which Hotch took as a sign to end it. ''You should go.'' he said to Haley. ''We're about to make dinner together.'' he explained. ''I'm happy that you're back in town.'' he said politely.

Haley was in complete and utter shock as she watched the two together. Hotch looked at JJ with a love and admiration that she had never seen in him before. ''Yeah, I'll go.'' she said and then she turned around and left the hallway as quickly as possible.

Hotch threw the door shut and leaned against it as he smiled widely at JJ. ''Thank you for that.'' he whispered.

''For what?''

''For being so…just for being you.'' he corrected. ''That right there is why I love you so much.''

As he moved closer to her, JJ jumped into his arms and put her head on his shoulder. She stayed in his warm embrace, letting the moment take her away once again. His arms were like her home. Home. It sounded so weird. She hadn't known the meaning of a home in nearly eighteen years. And now she had found it again.