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

Special thanks to jenny crum, snuggleUP (I hope that this chapter explains why JJ left without a word.), westie80 and Christiangirl!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 45: Girl to girl

JJ hadn't been sure of what to do, yet she was still moving forward. Ever since her three month anniversary she felt that she needed to have a conversation with the woman who was obviously after her boyfriend. But when she heard that Haley had shown up at Hotch's office, JJ realized the woman had no boundaries and someone had to tell her where the line was drawn. She had obviously crossed it already and she knew Hotch would never really call Haley out on her behavior because they had a long history filled with hardships, and she could never ask him to do that. So she had decided to it on her own. She realized her exit at the restaurant wasn't the classiest move, but once she heard what Haley had done, the only thing that came to mind was to set her straight. JJ felt extremely guilty on walking out on dinner, but she could no longer deal with Hotch's ex-fiancé. She trusted Hotch with her heart and she knew he'd never betray, but she knew Haley was manipulative and got exactly what she wanted. And at the moment she only wanted her man back, who was now JJ's man so to speak.

So after pulling herself together in the cab, JJ had asked the taxi driver to go to Haley's address after she had asked Garcia where Haley Brooks exactly lived. And about twenty minutes later she was standing in front of a modest home in the suburbs, reminding her of her childhood. The streets were quiet and it was the typical place where families lived their lives outside of the city.

JJ walked up the driveway and stopped in front of the door, contemplating her choice. Was this the right thing to do? Did Hotch need to deal with this? Was she being insecure? Would this ruin everything she had with Hotch? All those questions raced through her head, and she didn't have any of the answers, but she did know that someone had to talk to Haley and raise the issue of her overstepping multiple boundaries. So eventually she rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open up the door.

Haley was walking up to the door, having no idea who the visitor could be. She didn't have any plans, but deep down she hoped it was Hotch since he knew where she lived. So she opened the door with a big smile written across her face. But as soon as she looked at the blonde that smile faded in an instant. JJ was the last person on earth she wanted to talk with, let alone see. In her eyes, she was just a rebound for Hotch until he came back to her. She still believed it. She believed that she and Hotch could have the future they always planned.

''Jennifer?'' Haley asked with suspicion as she stepped in the middle of the doorway as a sign that whatever conversation was about to unfold would be held on her doorstep.

''Hi, Haley.'' JJ began very politely. She wasn't going to be mean or angry for that matter. She was just going to have civil conversation with the other woman and explain that Hotch was really moving on. ''I think we need to talk about Aaron.''

Haley acted as if she didn't know what JJ was talking about. ''What's there to talk about?'' she questioned, her voice low and her tone cold. ''I don't think I'm the best person to solve your problems with Aaron.''

JJ took one step forward and then stopped again, feeling the phone vibrate in her pocket. She knew it was probably Hotch to check in with her, but she let it go. ''Why don't you want him to be happy?'' JJ asked simply.

''He isn't happy with you. I saw it with my own eyes.'' Haley shot back. ''He's only ever going to be happy with me.''

Her last sentence made JJ realize that she was delusional. ''I get it, Haley.'' JJ began calmly. ''You and Aaron have a history and I respect that. I will always respect that.'' she repeated. ''But he's finally moving on with his life and you're not letting him because you think he's supposed to be with you. But showing up at our apartment or his job isn't going to help you. There's no way you're going to take away what he and I have.'' she said with ease as her voice was calm and filled with compassion.

''Why him?'' Haley asked angrily, feeling like she was being put on the spot, which she was. And she hated it. Somehow JJ managed to stay calm and graceful, and that was something she never expected.

''Do you really need me ask me that?'' JJ challenged.

''You could probably have anyone you want, but you're with the man I love.'' she snapped.

JJ nodded in silence, feeling the death stare from the woman across from her. ''I don't want to have anyone. I just want Aaron.'' she went on. ''And to answer your question, Aaron is compassionate, he's selfless, he's kind, and it's real. He is real.'' she summed without any difficulty. ''So you can show up wherever and whenever you want to, but nothing is going to change. I love him and I'll fight to keep him in my life.'' she said and then she turned around, walking back to the cab that was still parked on the side of the street. She left with a feeling of contempt and fulfillment. She said exactly everything that needed to be said. Haley would never have the power to interfere in her relationship, and JJ just told her she wasn't going to give her any more of her time than she already had. She was done with it.

Haley on the other hand was left speechless. Time and time again Hotch's relationship with JJ kept surprising her. She had hoped, believed even, that the blonde would show up angry at her doorstep, but she continued to be calm and graceful, and that was something she least expected, and it was what got to her the most.

After spending some more time in the cab, JJ had called Hotch and asked him to meet her in their spot. She was walking through the small park where they had their second date, and it had become their spot. It was where they had their very first kiss and where JJ truly opened up to him for the first time about her broken heart. It was a bittersweet feeling to be walking there again, and now she felt even better about it. They had been together for several months but it felt like years to them both. It was almost if they had known each other their entire lives.

From the other side, Hotch was just walking into the park when he already noticed the familiar figure sitting on the bench. He fastened his pace and within seconds he was close enough to see her face. ''JJ!'' he called out, the nervous racing through him. She had disappeared from the restaurant without a word and he believed it was because she was angry with him, but as she stared back at him, a big smile was on her face and he had no idea why.

She rose from the bench and walked towards him happily. ''I'm sorry.'' she apologized immediately. ''I'm sorry for running out on you like that, but I…I just had to do something.''

''JJ, it's fine. I'm the one who is sorry.'' he assured. ''I should've never lied to you about Haley. That was stupid of me and I'll never do it again.''

JJ walked closer to him and flew into his embrace, feeling happier than ever. ''I don't think Haley will be a problem anymore.'' she whispered, feeling Hotch tense up as they kept hugging. ''I went to talk to her.'' she began.

Hotch pulled away in shock, hoping nothing bad happened. He knew Haley had a strong and big personality, and JJ on the other hand was sweet and could also be very strong and stubborn. She and Haley would definitely clash. ''What happened?''

JJ laughed when she traced the fear in his voice. ''I just explained to her that we're happy together and that no matter how hard she tries, she won't be able to break us up.'' she replied. ''That's all. I didn't yell or scream. I just told her how I felt and I told her the truth about us. That we're both extremely happy.''

''That's it?''

''That is it.'' she stated. ''I had nothing more to say. But I knew someone had to say something to Haley and when you mentioned her showing up your office I just got so determined that I ran out on and dinner, and I shouldn't have done that.'' she said again. ''I promise it won't happen again!''

Hotch pulled her flush against his body as her head rested on his chest. ''Do you realize how much I love you?''

''I think so.'' she whispered.

''JJ, you're more amazing than anyone I've ever met. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I don't ever want to lose you.''

His words caused a tear to fall down her face. His words always got to her in the most unimaginable ways. She had never been a crier, but he managed to bring it out in her. She stepped back again and just took a moment to look at him. ''It seems like things keep getting better for us with each day that passes by.'' she said. ''It's just such a coincidence that we met and the way we met.''

''Yeah, spilling that coffee was definitely the best thing I've ever done in my entire life.'' he joked, but he was actually very serious. It really was the best thing he'd ever done, even though it had been an accident. His life was forever changed the moment he first saw and he truly believed it was love at first sight. ''Let's go home.''

''Yeah,'' JJ agreed in a whisper as his arm wrapped around her and pulled her close against his side.

If anyone had asked her years earlier if she could ever be that happy again, she would've said no without a thought. But now she knew differently. Hotch was making her happier than ever, and she felt safe when she was with him, like she had never felt before.

And all JJ could hope for was that they'd spent a lifetime together. It's all she could think about when she was with him. She could imagine a normal civilian life with a house, and building a family together one day. It was a dream she never had, but the moment she met Hotch, she started thinking of it and it seemed to be all she wanted when she was with him. In a way he challenged her. With him she wanted different things than she ever had an ache for before. Before her assignment in DC, she imagined freedom and being a CIA agent for a long time to come, but now she was willing to give it all up for one man. She was willing to give up something that had been her entire world, just so she could truly be with him. And in that moment there wasn't anything holding her back from believing that she really could have that life with him as soon as her assignment in DC was over. All that was left to do was solve the case and inform Collins of her decision, which she knew wasn't going to be easy. He had been more than her boss. He had become sort of a father figure in her life, even though they definitely had their ups and down during cases. But if he cared for at all she knew he'd understand what she wanted. She simply wanted a normal life. With Hotch, and no one else.