Part 4

"Emily Prentiss you are in so much trouble," JJ told her friend tapping her foot as she stared at her.

The two of them were sharing lunch together, a common event, when they could manage to fit it in.

"Oh why?" Emily asked innocently. Emily had been expecting this confrontation for some time, she was only surprised it had taken so long, as her friend didn't like to be set up on blind dates and that was technically what she had done.

"You know perfectly well why," JJ told her. "What have I told you about setting me up on a date, as if the last time wasn't a disaster."

The last time that Emily had tried to set her up on a date it had gone wrong from the start. The guy that Emily had set her up with, had demanded to sleep with her after only the second date. He was arrogant, rude, demanding, though he could be sweet when he was in the mood. The last straw though, the one that had made JJ dump him was he had demanded that, she just dump her kids on her mother, so they could spend more time together. She had nearly kicked him out the door after that and he had been confused as to why. She had informed him that if he couldn't get along with her kids then he could just leave and not come back. She was well aware that some men didn't want to deal with another man's kids and in that way Aaron was as different as night and day from those men, which made her love him all the more.

When she had told Aaron about the incident, just a year or so ago he had laughed himself silly, not at that actor's demand, but at JJ's reaction to it. JJ had been like a mother bear protecting her cubs.

That actor had come back to the studio all confused as to what had happened with JJ and Aaron had heard that somebody had explained to him, that he didn't have the right to demand she just dump her kids on her mother, so they could spend more time together. Doing so, to any woman that loved her kids, was practically committing suicide. He was only lucky that JJ had only figuratively kicked him out, instead of beating him to a pulp.

That actor had been arrogant enough to assume that JJ would just dump her kids on her mother to take care of on a permanent basis.

JJ had told Aaron at the time what did that guy really expect? I mean that guy was as dense as a bag of bricks, if he really expected me to just dump Henry and Michael on my mom. Now, while she looks after them a lot, I will not be told that they are an inconvenience and that's basically what he did.

Aaron hadn't blamed her at the time and still didn't. No female would ever tell him to get rid of his kids, or at least dump them on someone else, a family member, a nanny or a neighbor, if they wanted to keep dating. That had happened a time or two and he had shown whoever his girlfriend was the door and told them very politely it was over.

"I didn't pick well last time," Emily admitted. "That doesn't mean that you don't need to keep trying to find someone."

"Well, your judgment was seriously lacking last time," JJ said with a sigh of resignation. "I don't know how you ever thought that we'd be a good match. Fredrick Spinelli was as dumb as a bag of bricks, arrogant, rude, conceited, demanding. Sure, he was handsome, but I'd rather have someone as ugly as the Hunchback of Notre Dame then somebody like him, someone who is arrogant enough to demand that I dump my kids on my mother permanently. At least Quasimodo was kindhearted."

"Alright, so I made a mistake," Emily said, holding up her hands placatingly. "I just want to see you dating a great guy and maybe eventually marrying him. I know you have Henry and Michael and I know you love them, but that's not everything to a happy life."

"Have you and my mother been talking," JJ asked only partly joking.

"No, why?" asked Emily curiously.

"Because she told me basically the same thing not too long ago," JJ said.

"Well then, if two people who care about you, have told you the same thing then maybe you should listen," Emily suggested.

JJ simply rolled her eyes and didn't answer.

"So your relationship with Aaron, isn't going well then?" Emily asked.

"It is actually," JJ admitted blushing a little

"I have known you had a crush on him for several years," Emily said.

"How? I never told anyone," JJ protested.

"Let's just say there are always signs no matter how much you try to hide them," Emily grinned at her smugly.

"You should know better than to try to set me up," JJ told Emily accusingly. "It's not like I can't find my own man."

"Then you should've done so instead of being an eunuch," Emily told her friend bluntly. "All you did was go to work, perhaps go somewhere for dinner with some of your friends and then come home."

"That's what you do when you have two small children to look after," JJ protested.

"Having two small children does not preclude you from having a boyfriend or in finding one," Emily lectured.

JJ sighed, as she tried her best to distract herself, so she didn't have to listen to Emily's lecture. She admitted she hadn't really tried after Henry and Michael had been born, as she had been to busy taking care of them and after Frederick Spinelli she had been kind of scared to try again. There were so many lousy arrogant, no good men out there after all and this was especially true in Hollywood, the makebelieve capital of the world.

"Enough already," JJ finally said, exasperatedly. "I've heard all this before and frankly, I'm tired of it. My life is my own and while I appreciate the fact that you think I need to get a boyfriend, I don't need any help. I don't need one of my best friend's trying to matchmake."

"Well, now, you do have a boyfriend," Emily said in obvious satisfaction. "And that's all thanks to me."

"Alright, so it is and yes, our relationship is going well," JJ said for the second time. She should've known not to argue with Emily, she nearly always won, as she was very stubborn when she knew she was right.

"Aaron's already said that he wants to make it a permanent thing and while I would like that we'll just have to see how things go. If this doesn't work out I want your promise that you won't try to matchmake again at least not without telling me," JJ demanded.
"I can't see it not working out, as I've worked for Aaron long enough to know that he's a good guy, a steady guy and will adore your twin sons. Quite frankly, I never knew what he saw in Haley, even though I wasn't around when he married her. She always struck me as suspicious of every female that crossed her boyfriend's or husband's path and also temperamental. One of those that would demand a lot of attention from anyone she was dating. She was always very suspicious when Aaron had some of his closest friends in the business over for dinner, since at least half of them are female. Hell! She was even suspicions of Rochelle Reid who is at least 15 years younger than Aaron."

"She is 17 years younger," JJ said. "Aaron just introduced me to her brother a few days ago. He seems like a nice guy, just really shy."

"Yeah, I've met him. He is a nice guy, just really shy as you said, especially around females," Emily said.

"You interested in him?" asked JJ knowing the signs.

"I really like him, but he's so shy," Emily sighed. "He goes out of his way to avoid me at those dinners. I'm pretty sure he knows I'm interested, but probably figures that I won't be once I get to know him. I don't know why he's so shy, but I suspect, it has a lot to do with his childhood or could just be his personality.

"Probably partly his childhood," JJ said pensively. "Aaron told me some things and let's just say his father is a bit of a bastard. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if the father went out of his way to breakdown his self-confidence or at least didn't help him build any. Parents after all have great impact on their children."

"That's true," Emily said. "I might have to ask him out instead of waiting for him to do so."

"He'll never ask you out Emily, you should know that," JJ said shaking her head. "He's just too shy. He could barely speak to me when Aaron introduced me. At least he knows you better than he does me, so he'll probably won't be quite as shy."

"I think I'll have to do that then," Emily decided.

"There's a good chance he'll turn you down you know," JJ one time Emily nodded.

"Yes, I am aware," Emily said. "Still, I'm going to try. He's the first guy I've really been interested in for awhile. He's really intelligent for one thing, though that's not what attracted me, it is a bonus. He's really kind, one of the kindest people I've ever known."

"How do you know that?" JJ asked.

"I've seen it," Emily said. "He's actually not shy most situations, just quiet, but around females he's definitely shy. He's good with kids, as I've seen him with Aaron's three occasionally and also he was very kind to the children on tour that came with their parents."

That was rather interesting, JJ thought. Spencer would never be able to live his life, get out, go places, if he was shy in every aspect of life. A lot of men were shy around women, especially beautiful ones. JJ believed if she and Spencer spent some time together he'd eventually come to see her as a sister, like Rochelle. She was dating Aaron Hotchner after all and therefore, she wasn't available for anybody else, unless Aaron and her broke up, which wasn't too likely, as the man in question had made his intentions known. She had to admit that he had a good chance of her agreeing to marry him, as she was already more than halfway in love with the man.

"No more interference in my love life, Emily," JJ ordered. "I'm serious here."

"I won't have to so long as your relationship with Aaron goes well," was all Emily said, making no promises.

"I will not agree to go out on a date with anybody else you select," JJ said. "Of course, I know that probably won't be necessary, but still, you never know. If I had known in advance that you tried to matchmake me and Aaron, then I probably would've refused out of sheer principle and just because I don't like to be set up."

Emily stared at her friend and saw she was serious and had to admit that most people didn't like interference in their love lives, but still, that was a bit much.

"You actually would've turned down a date from Aaron Hotchner, who you've had a crush over several years, just because I set you up?" Emily asked in astonishment. "Are you crazy?"

"No, I just don't like anybody interfering in my love-life," JJ said. "If anybody's going to ask me its going to be on their own, with no help from anybody, even a best friend."

"All I did was show him your picture," Emily said, exasperatedly. "I didn't encourage him or anything, so Aaron basically, asked you out on his own. He's the one that became interested."

"You also gave him information on whether or not I was dating," JJ reminded Emily. "I would call that interfering."

"Information he could have discovered on his own. You know how rumors go around the studio," Emily swiftly replied. "I didn't tell him anything really personal JJ, I would never do that."
"Alright, fine," JJ conceded, giving into her friend, just like she always did, especially since she knew that Emily had the best of intentions. Her friend just wanted her to find a great guy and settle down, perhaps have another couple of children

~~~Aaron and JJ~~~

JJ sipped her glass of wine, as she listened to the conversation going on around her. Aaron had wanted to throw a dinner party with her as hostess and she had protested saying that she was hardly fit for the role. Plus, it also implied things, that everybody present would have no trouble understanding. It implied that Aaron intended to make her a permanent part of his life, as Aaron wasn't the type to have dinner parties with only a temporary girlfriend. JJ had given in eventually, because she knew that she'd never get over Aaron's loss if he dumped her, but since he had made his intentions plain JJ didn't see that happening. JJ had met Penelope Garcia that Aaron had mentioned and found that she liked the bubbly woman a great deal. She suspected that Penelope was usually always cheerful and if she was not something was seriously wrong. JJ could see them becoming great friends just like her, Emily and Alex.

JJ actually wished they had met several years ago, but it was enough that they had met now due to Aaron wanting to introduce to all his closest friends. She could actually see why Haley had been so jealous, as all the women were beautiful, but then, most women weren't ugly hags, even if they weren't traditionally gorgeous.

That just told JJ that Haley hadn't been secure in her marriage to Aaron, because she had seen any interaction with other women, through the eyes of jealousy and suspicion, instead of for what it really was and that was friendship. Most of these women were in relationships anyway and Haley apparently hadn't known that Aaron would never poach another female from someone else. It was why he had waited until she was free to ask her out.

"Having fun?" Aaron asked with a smile.

"I'm not sure fun is what I would call it," JJ said quietly. "I don't like being put on display like I'm some kind of ornament."

"You'll have to get used to that I'm afraid," Aaron sympathized. "Most people will figure that I married you, not because I love you, but because I needed help to raise my children or because I wanted someone to warm my bed. They will likely never consider the fact that if I just wanted somebody to warm my bed I could have a dozen females at my beck and call if I so desired. I don't have to marry anyone just to have sex, as I have no lack of females that would love just to sleep with me and therefore, help their own careers, because if they're smart they can use that as leverage to get better pay or better parts in different TV shows or movies."

"Believe me, I know," JJ said with an expression of distaste. "I know very well that's just Hollywood and most people will make assumptions. It doesn't mean I have to like it. I have been in the tabloids more over the last couple of months then I have in all the rest of my life combined. Considering I was never in the papers until we started dating that ought to tell you something. My life has been gone over with a fine toothcomb and even my twins got mentioned, paparazzi speculating on where they came from, since I had never been married. Luckily, they haven't found out about Will yet and hopefully, they won't."

"Yes, I'm sorry about that," Aaron said. "The paparazzi don't know how to give somebody their privacy, especially when you're dating the studio producer of one of the biggest studios in Los Angeles."

"Maybe I should stop dating you then, so my life will go back to normal," JJ suggested only halfway joking. She wasn't used to having her private life gone over looking for dirt.

"If that's what you want then I'll understand," Aaron said trying not to look upset at that. He really could understand JJ's point of view though. Her private life had been dragged through the mud over the last few months, as the paparazzi never got tired of looking for deep dark secrets. JJ wasn't used to having her life exposed for the public to digest.

"Of course, that's not what I want, you idiot," JJ chastised him, punching his arm lightly. "I was mostly joking, though not completely. Those paparazzi need to learn to respect a person's privacy though."

"It'll die down soon," Aaron said, more than relieved, that JJ wasn't willing to break up with him, so her life could go back to normal. This showed him that she truly cared about him and very likely loved him, though neither had said the words yet. Considering though, that he had made his intentions plain and JJ was a smart lady, she likely knew his feelings. She knew he was a careful man, not only with his kids, but with himself.

"I certainly hope so," JJ said rather fervently. "Dragging my name through the mud is one thing, but when they start on my kids and wonder about their origins...That's just one step to far for me. They are hardly old enough to defend themselves, so that means it's up to me."

"I can certainly understand that," Aaron agreed. "I was actually surprised you didn't punch that fella in the nose when he questioned you about your twins. You looked ready to rend him limb from limb."

"That guy is lucky that I got control of my temper, or I could have given him several broken bones," JJ said practically growling, as she remembered the confrontation and that idiot paparazzi that had gotten in her face.

"I think you frightened him," Aaron chuckled.

"I intended to," JJ smirked. "I might be very mild-mannered and nice most of the time, but when it comes to my kids I can be very protective."

"So can I of mine," Aaron agreed, kissing JJ cheek. "This is why I try to keep them out of the spotlight. I let very few people meet my kids and those that do know better then to mention them to others, especially the paparazzi. Anybody who gives those vultures personal information about them will soon be facing charges. Invasion of privacy for one, emotional trauma for another. I understand and accept that my name will be in the papers, because it's just part of the business. I knew what I was getting into when I chose this profession for my life, but my kids are different."

"I can't blame you," JJ agreed wholeheartedly. "I feel the same way about mine."

This was something she and Aaron agreed on 100%. They would protect their kids from the idiots of the world and that especially included reporters who should've known better, since kids could hardly defend themselves. Aaron could hem the paper that they worked for in so many lawsuits that they would regret ever going after his kids. Freedom of the press be damned, but then his kids or hers for that matter were minors and therefore, they should be off limits from people speculating about them.

"I suppose I should get out there and mingle," Aaron said reluctantly.

"I suppose I should too," JJ admitted, just as reluctant. "I'm hardly being a good hostess with me over here in a relatively dark corner hiding."

"I don't blame you really, you're not used to being on display," Aaron said. "Still, I didn't invite anybody that should annoy you, just my closest friends and associates. My apartment isn't really big enough for more than a dozen or so anyway. There's plenty of time for you to meet others that I'm not as close to, but who I have to associate with for various reasons. I can't really afford to offend a lot of people whether I like them all that much or not."

"We are going to have to invite those people to our wedding, aren't we?" JJ asked with a perturbed expression.

"Yes, we are, unfortunately," Aaron said thrilled that JJ had mentioned their wedding, as it meant that she did love him and wanted to marry him. Now, was not the time to bring up that revelation however, not with all the people milling around. He would ask her if she meant it later, once they were alone and their guests had left, though JJ wasn't usually the type to say things like that unless she meant them.

Both Aaron and JJ came out of their relatively quiet corner to mingle with their guests, though JJ headed straight for Rochelle Reid, as she had been wanting to meet her, ever since Aaron had introduced her to her brother.

She was going to try her best to set Emily up with Spencer since she knew her friend was interested. Emily wouldn't even be able to protest considering that her friend had set her up twice and JJ believed that deserved a little revenge. Alright, it was a relatively harmless revenge, since she knew Emily really liked the writer. Still, JJ believed that her friend deserved some form of payback for her meddling in her love life.

JJ figured that Rochelle was probably the only one that could get her brother to go out on a date with Emily, as she doubted even Aaron could get him to budge. She doubted Aaron would try either, as he wouldn't want to interfere in Spencer's life, at least in that way. For one thing, it might wreck their relationship or at least damage it, so JJ was going to have to do this on her own.

She finally cornered Rochelle and introduced herself. Both got to chatting and JJ found her very intelligent interesting young woman and really they weren't that far apart in age at all, not like her and Aaron anyway.

Finally, Rochelle agreed to try to gently convince or brother to accept a date from Emily, but she warned JJ that it wasn't going to be easy. She explained that their father had been so crappy that he hadn't done anything for his son and had in fact, deliberately said untrue things. Things that had stuck with Spencer ever since, due mostly to his eidetic memory.

JJ had been grateful that at least that Rochelle had been willing to try.

Finally, the evening ended and ushered everyone out the door. He then offered JJ one of the guestrooms.

"I think instead that we can share your room if that's okay with you," JJ suggested a little boldly.

"That's more than okay with me," Aaron grinned widely. "There should be a spare nightgown in the guest room, as people have left stuff here when they stayed over."

"I bet you Haley didn't like it when guests stayed, particularly females, considering how jealous and suspicious she was," JJ chuckled.

"Not very much, but since I slept with her and not them, she couldn't really legitimately say anything or at least not anything that would've been polite. The nightgown might be a little big on you, but it's been a laundered and it should be okay for one night."

"Okay, thanks," JJ said. "Mom knew I might not be home tonight so she won't worry."

"So been planning this all along, Miss Jareau," Aaron asked teasingly. "Have you been planning to seduce me?"

"Do you really need to be seduced, Mr. Hotchner?" JJ asked with a saucy wink and a swing of her hips.

"Not at all, Miss Jareau," Aaron said, not trying to conceal his eagerness. "I've been wanting to make love to you for quite sometime, but it's late, so I think that can wait until the morning. Jessica won't bring the kids back at least until noon, because she knew what we had planned for tonight."

"I'll look forward to it, Mister Hotchner," JJ said with a sexy wink. "If you'll just show me where that nightgown is I would appreciate it. It shouldn't take me too long to get ready for bed.

"Take your time, as I know you need to take your makeup off and there should be supplies for that in one of the guest bathrooms."

"Well, you just thought of everything, haven't you?" JJ said amused.

"It used to belong to Haley, but I didn't see any point of throwing it out," Aaron shrugged. "The two of you share basically the same coloring and the stuff to remove it is the same for all kinds of makeup, so I just decided to keep it in case some female guest needed it. I didn't see any point of throwing out hundreds of dollars worth of product when somebody else could probably use it."

"Well, you're very thrifty, I see," JJ said.

"I can be," Aaron said. "I know I have plenty of money to burn, but if something that was left here can be used by someone else, then I store it somewhere and don't throw it out, unless it spoils or something."

"Well, I think that's a very good policy," JJ decided. "I suppose some people would be grossed out about somebody else's makeup remover, but I am more practical. I do not want to fall asleep with all this gunk on my face, because it will only become smeared overnight and be even more difficult to remove. I do not want to look like a panda bear."

"And why not? Panda bears are cute and adorable," Aaron teased her.

JJ simply glared at him and Aaron fell silent, knowing he was close to getting in serious trouble.

"If you'll just show me where those supplies are, I'll join you in bed presently," Was all JJ said, once she was sure Aaron wasn't going to continue to tease her about looking like a panda. Aaron wiped the imaginary sweat off is brow when JJ wasn't looking, knowing that he had avoided getting in trouble.

He'd know better from now on, then to tease her about looking like a panda, though he couldn't understand why Jennifer was so insulted at the thought of looking like a cute panda bear. Every woman was different he knew, so he just shrugged. He would know better next time then to tease JJ about that, as he would never deliberately hurt her feelings.

~~~Aaron and JJ~~~