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

As some of may know, I recently posted a spin-off to this story called ''Forever Loved''. So if you guys like this story you should check it out!

And I am extremely happy to announce that this story has been nominated for Best Het Romance and Best Characterization of JJ. Another story of mine, ''Life After 200'', was nominated for Best JJ/Hotch. I just want to thank you all for the nominations! I love writing these stories so much and your continuing support keeps amazing me and motivating me to keep writing. So thank you!

Special thanks to Westie80, 2Addicted2YourLove, guest, HotchRocks, jenny crum, Christiangirl, snuggleUP, GottaLoveCM and Jareau37!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 72: Unresolved Issues

She stood in front of the mirror, her fingertips tracing along the scars on her abdomen. The sight of the scars often reminded her of the painful encounter she had been through with Ward, but fortunately JJ was capable of moving forward with her life despite all that she had been through. She moved away from the mirror and towards the bed where her clothing for her interview with the DIA was laid out. For a moment she just stood still, wondering if she'd ever be able to enjoy a job in intelligence again. She wanted a normal life. But she wanted a normal life that would entail a job. Just like Hotch, she needed to have a job that meant something, and she felt that the perfect opportunity had presented itself when she had been called a week earlier about the job.

She quickly slipped on her clothing for the interview and stepped into the heels beside the bed. She felt a little nervous about going back out into the world. It had been a while since she had left the apartment on her own, but she knew she'd be alright. She had been a trained CIA officer after all. She quickly made her way into the kitchen where Hotch was making them breakfast, wearing his suit.

''It smells great.'' JJ said happily as she stepped next to him. ''Are you excited to get back to work?''

Hotch turned around to face her, pulling her a little closer as his hands settled on her sides. ''First of all, you look amazing.'' he said, leaning down to give her a quick peck on the lips. ''And yes, I am excited to get back to work. But if you need anything you can call me anytime, JJ.''

JJ took a sip of the coffee, her heart welling up because of his overprotectiveness. She was leaning with her back against the counter while watching him finishing the eggs and putting them onto the plates. ''I'm a big girl, Aaron.'' she said as she made her way towards the table. ''I'm going to be fine. Besides, it is about time for you to get back to work.''

''I just want you to know that I'm here.'' he said gently as he sat down next to her.

Time flew by as the enjoyed their breakfast together. Just as always everything between them way easy and comfortable, making it seem like they had been together for years.

After breakfast Hotch had said goodbye to JJ and stepped into car on his way to the BAU. During the drive to work, he couldn't help but feel unsure about JJ. They were happy and nothing would ever change that. But their relationship had been through so many changes, yet they hadn't really talked about anything together. They only spoke of the simple and happy things, but deep down Hotch wanted to resolve the fears he was feeling. Fears of losing her again, fears of JJ finding another job and going back into the field because being an agent was a big part of her. There were so many things left to discuss and he didn't want to push them away to make things easier.

He stepped off the elevator about half an hour later, being faced with the entire team. He had barely seen any of them since the hospital because all his focus had been on JJ. He couldn't hide the smile that crept up on his face as he watched the happy faces of his friends. ''Hey,'' he greeted happily.

''Hotch, it's good to see you again!'' Morgan said, shaking his hand quickly when he realized all the other team members had to greet their unit chief as well.

''You know, we had a bet going to see how long you could stay away from this place.'' Reid began, not realizing that the others were looking at him in complete disbelief that he just revealed that to Hotch. ''I won because I calculated…'' he tried to say, but Rossi jumped in before he could say another word.

''Reid, shut up!'' Rossi ordered.

The only person hiding away a few feet away was Emily, feeling unsure about seeing Hotch again. She had been the only person with the knowledge of JJ's whereabouts, not to mention that she hadn't shared her true intentions as to why she wanted the job at the BAU. And as time had passed she realized she wanted to stay. They had become her family, and she didn't want to lose that.

As Garcia had begun one of her unique ramblings, Hotch's gaze fell upon Emily and he immediately noticed the distance in her expression. So he excused himself from the others and walked towards her. ''Prentiss, my office please!'' he said professionally.

They walked into his office and Hotch closed the door behind him and turned on the lights. ''Have a seat.'' he offered. He walked around the desk and sat down in his own chair, feeling good about being back at work. As much as he loved being home with JJ, his job was also a big part of his life and something he couldn't stop doing. But he knew JJ was the same in that way. Their lives were good, incredible even, but they both had that drive to do good in the world.

''It's good to have you back, sir.'' Emily said nervously, her hands clenched together while looking at his stoic expression. She still couldn't read him, and the man JJ had once described to her didn't seem to exist at work.

''Thank you.'' he said gratefully. ''Emily, I know I have been hard on you.'' he acknowledged with regret. ''When you first started here I had my doubts about you, but you have proven to be a valuable agent to this team and I want you to stay.''

A wide smile crossed her face and it was as if she could finally breathe again. ''I wasn't expecting this after what happened.'' she admitted.

''JJ told me about your friendship and all that you have done for her.'' Hotch began. ''You helped out a friend in a time of need. I could never be angry about that.''

''How is JJ doing?'' Emily asked curiously. She had decided to give JJ some space after she had been released from the hospital. She knew from personal experience how significant it was to heal and recover on your own terms.

Hotch leaned back in his chair comfortably. ''She's doing good.'' he answered. ''She actually has a job interview today.''

''Really?''

''Yes, at DIA.'' he explained.

''Defense Intelligence Agency?'' Emily asked in surprise. ''I know some people over there.'' she went on. ''It's a good agency.''

''Yeah, JJ told me.'' he agreed, a part of him feeling relieved that Emily had confirmed that statement. Knowing that Emily had been friends during her time at the CIA, it meant that Emily had experience with intelligence agencies and her opinion mattered to him. ''I should start on these files.'' he said to let her know it was time to get back to work. He gave her a thankful nod before she left the office and then he focused on his work, starting with the stack of files that was on top of his desk.

It was later in the afternoon when the blonde was stepping off the elevator and into the bullpen of the BAU. The last time she had been there was when Hotch's old colleagues still worked with him, and that seemed like ages ago. Now, JJ actually new a few faces. The first person she spotted was Emily, who immediately rose from behind her desk when she noticed her as well.

JJ walked towards her and opened her arms. ''Hey, Em.'' she said happily as she hugged the FBI agent. ''It's really good to see you again.''

''You too!'' Emily agreed as she pulled away from JJ. ''How have you been?''

''I am doing surprisingly well.'' she confessed. ''I actually had an interview this morning at the DIA.''

''And?''

''I got the job!'' JJ exclaimed happily, seeing some other familiar faces staring back at her. She immediately recognized Rossi standing on the catwalk, and then there was Garcia. ''It's a desk job. I'll be advising the director on strategies for operations.''

Emily couldn't help but smile widely. ''That's amazing, JJ.'' she said. ''It looks like some people really want to talk to you.'' she pointed as the entire team, except Hotch was coming towards the two women.

JJ turned around and faced the team happily. There were two members she didn't recognized, so she extended her hand to the tall skinny one at first. ''Hey, I am JJ.'' she introduced.

''I am Reid. Spencer Reid.'' Reid introduced a bit nervously.

JJ then turned to the muscular built man and extended her hand again, but he seemed reluctant. ''JJ.'' she said as she shook his hand.

''Derek Morgan.'' Morgan said, feeling a bit uncomfortable in JJ's presence. His boss, his friend, had nearly died because of the job the blonde had, and he didn't feel like he could trust her.

Garcia could feel the tension rising so she jumped in between the two agents, and interrupted them. ''Hello, blondie!'' she said happily.

''Hey, Penelope.'' JJ greeted back. ''And do you like working here?''

''Oh, I love it. Thanks for recommending this place!''

''No problem.'' JJ said as she turned back to Morgan, noticing his suspicious attitude towards her. ''Agent Morgan, could we talk in private for a moment?''

Morgan simply nodded and walked to the other end of the bullpen, up the stairs and into the roundtable room where he finally stopped and turned around to face JJ. ''What can I help you with?'' he asked sternly.

''I know you're probably wondering about my intentions, and about everything that happened last month.'' she began, knowing the people in Hotch's life deserved an explanation for their friend being tortured at the hands of a psychopath. ''I want to answer your questions. All of them.''

Morgan walked around the table and then stopped. He was profiling the woman in front of him, and she seemed genuine in that moment, so he decided back off. He was just trying to protect Hotch after all that he had been through. ''What exactly led to the two of you being captured and tortured?''

JJ sat down in one of the chairs and put her arms on the table, ready to explain everything to him if she had to. She just wanted to let him know she truly loved Hotch. ''When I met Aaron I was on assignment here in DC.'' she began. ''I was undercover at a company that was suspected of selling bioweapons on the black market.'' she went on. ''During that time our relationship quickly developed and I was under orders to keep my identity unknown to him, but I always wanted to tell him who I really was.'' she said. ''Eventually a former target of mine arrived back in DC, and I discovered he was interested in obtaining the weapon that the company was selling.''

''Why did he capture you and Hotch?'' Morgan asked in confusion because he didn't understand what had been the motive behind that.

''The guy…'' she began, knowing she wasn't allowed to reveal his name. ''I killed his wife during an assignment overseas and he discovered this later on. He took me and Hotch as revenge.''

''Look, Morgan…'' she tried to say but he began talking before she had the chance.

''Call me Derek.'' he insisted.

JJ rose from the chair and walked towards him. ''I love him, Derek.'' she said, knowing it sounded simple. But to her those words meant everything. ''And after I met him, it just hit me.'' she went on. ''No one in my life knew my real name, my real job, my family, my dreams.'' she whispered emotionally. ''Aaron reminded me of everything I dreamed of when I was a kid. He made me ache for a normal life with him.'' she said as a tear slipped down her face because the emotions were overwhelming her. ''He's the only true thing in my life.''

''You seem to really love him.'' Morgan observed, his nerves put at ease by JJ's openness towards him. It made him realize that Hotch had found something real with her, and he was happy for him.

''I am going to see Aaron.'' she said before she left the room. She hurried onto the catwalk and quickly was walking into his office, her face filled with joy and happiness.

Hotch jumped up from his chair as soon as JJ walked in and he kissed her deeply, their lips coming together passionately and deeply. As always he got easily carried away while kissing her so he forced himself to pull away before things got too heated. ''How was the interview?'' he asked curiously.

''I got the job, Aaron.'' she whispered, waiting for his response because he had every right to be concerned about it.

''That's great, JJ.'' he said, pulling her into a hug gently. ''But I am still worried.''

JJ pulled away and looked into eyes, realizing he was really scared. ''What is it?''

''JJ, you were gone for over four months.'' he said sadly. ''Those are four months I'll never get back.''

''I know.'' she whispered in agreement. One hand went up to cup his face gently, her hands resting on his cheek. ''I. Will. Never. Leave. You. Again.'' she promised. ''You are the love of my life, Aaron. I am here, always and forever.''