Part 6
"We'll be happy to take Alice," Penelope told Dave and JJ. "You did name Aaron and I the godparents after all."
It was a week later and the Hotchners had come to visit as it was Saturday.
"We'll make sure she's looked after while you're otherwise occupied," Hotch promised solemnly.
"We have no doubt about that at all," Dave told Aaron and Penelope. "We just don't want to be separated from her, but this really is the best solution. We can't give her the attention she deserves with me trying to get a handle on being a vampire now and JJ helping me."
"We're going to miss so many of her first moments, her first step for instance or her first word," JJ said, looking rather upset at that.
"Yes, I know when know and I'm sorry about that," Hotch said, "but on the other hand, this is a rather unusual situation."
"Perhaps, we shouldn't've had a child before I turned Dave into a vampire but hindsight is a funny thing," JJ said.
"To be fair though, we didn't know about those medallions until after you were already pregnant," Dave reminded JJ gently. "Perhaps, if we had known that such a thing existed, things would have been different, but we didn't."
"You likely wouldn't have been there for most of their first moments anyway, because of your work, since you want to join Dave at the BAU," Hotch reminded JJ.
"You have a point," JJ admitted. "Still, I'd like to be there for my children, as much as I can."
"Believe me, I agree with that," Penelope said. "Aaron is the same way, because he's gone all the time and believe me, he regrets that, but on the other hand, we all have jobs that we actually enjoy doing, which is pretty rare for a vampire as old as he is when you think about it."
"Yes, that's true, so many people work for a living that don't actually enjoy what they do," Dave immediately agreed. "Aaron and I are lucky that we actually have jobs that we enjoy, even if they require a lot of overtime."
"I have no need to work for monetary reasons and neither do you, so that means that we could quit at any time if we started to not like the jobs we were doing," Hotch pointed out.
"Yes, I could retire at any point if I wanted to, but I actually enjoy what I do and the fact that I get to see Aaron several times the day is a bonus," Penelope agreed. "Well, the days he's just doing paperwork instead of being in some other city to help them out with some criminal anyway. Still, we're together a lot more than we would be if I just stayed at home with the children and that is invaluable to me as time with the man I love is precious."
"Something I definitely appreciate," Hotch smiled, kissing Penelope's cheek.
"It's going to be hard being separated from any children we have while we're working, but we're at least going to try it, as I wouldn't want Dave to give up his career until he's ready to retire," JJ said. "I have to admit though that it relieves my mind that he can no longer be seriously injured unless situation is rather unusual," JJ said.
"As much as we might want to we can't be with the children 24 hours a day, because even if we didn't work we have a right to some private time. You have a right to go to the beauty salon to or to go shopping or whatever else you want to do without the children tagging along and so do I," Dave told JJ. "We have to know when to cut the apron strings and we both know that'll be much sooner than it would be for mortal children."
"Your daughter is half human/half vampire so while she'll grow at an exceptional rate she won't grow quite as fast as a full vampire child, so you'll have a little bit more time with her, before she's all grown up," Hotch said.
"Well, that's interesting," Dave said. "So, we have what about maybe six years with her before she heads off to college."
"About that, as she's going to grow at slightly over half speed," Hotch said. "She'll be grown at 12 years of age instead of 7. The vampire genes are dominate of course, but the human half is still going to have some influence on her growth. They really are not that many half humans/half vampires around so we're just going to have to take it a day at a time."
"So, are you going to have any more children now that Dave's a vampire?" Penelope asked.
"I'm pregnant now and you'll be able to tell soon, maybe even by the next time you visit," JJ grinned rubbing her belly. "We did agree to at least a couple more before I possibly get a job with your unit and technically, I have time to have at least three more before I start with the BAU."
"Well, you sure do work fast," Hotch snorted amused.
"Hey, JJ and I talked about having more children, before I was turned into a vampire," Dave told Aaron grinning, not at all offended. "We decided to wait until after I had gone through the transformation, even if that happened in a way none of us were expecting."
"I wanted more right away, something we both agreed on," JJ agreed smiling. "As I said I have time to have at least three more before Dave will probably be able to rejoin society. Of course, there are no guarantees that he'll be ready after six months, but since he's a stubborn guy I would say that he likely will be."
"Probably," Hotch agreed.
"I'm certainly going to aim for that goal," Dave said. "I know that I might have to be here longer than six months, but I'm hoping that I have everything mastered that I need to by then."
"I predict you will be, because as JJ said you're stubborn and that will help," Hotch said.
"So, I'm assuming you're hoping for a boy this time," Penelope mentioned changing back to the subject that she really wanted to know.
"We are, but if we get another girl we'll still be happy about it," JJ agreed.
"At least you won't have long to wait, less than two months now," Dave grinned. "If I get another little girl I'll certainly be very happy about it, as JJ and I will have a son eventually. For all we know we could have five or six girls before we have a boy as it happens that way sometimes."
"Possibly, although I don't think it's too likely considering that you had a son by Caroline even if he died," Hotch mentioned. "I'm rather surprised you didn't have a boy for your firstborn."
"Bringing up my son used to hurt me, but ever since I met Jennifer it's been different," Dave said reflectively. "I will always miss James, but it doesn't hurt as much anymore when someone brings him up. James never had a chance to grow up, so his potential never got to be realized. I never got a chance to see him accomplish great things, to see him get married, start a family."
"It's sad, what you lost, but it happens sometimes, though not so much as it used to, since technology has improved so much," Penelope said feeling genuinely sympathetic and it showed.
"I know I was just unlucky," Dave's sighed.
"You certainly seem more rational, then other newborns I have known," Hotch commented.
"The answer to that question, is because Dave and I are truly mates so we were meant to be together through the centuries," JJ told Aaron, giving Dave's hand a loving squeeze. "We share a bond with each other, much stronger than the one he shared with Caroline because that was just love and affection, which are things that can fade if they are not nurtured. The bond between us, however, is different, as we'll always love and have a deep affection for each other, but our relationship will still require work if we are to remain as close as we are now. Still, we'll never lose the love we share unlike with humans who have not met their soulmate. Differences that would tear other couples apart won't do so for Dave and I or for Aaron and Penny because of that bond."
"That's got to be the most sensible explanation I've ever heard about bonds between vampires and their other halves, those that are truly meant to be together," Hotch said looking at JJ in a different light. "I'm going to have to remember your words in case I have to explain it to somebody in the future."
"You're welcome to use my words if you ever need to, as it's not like I have a patent on them," JJ said smiling.
"We'll take that one to once he or she is born if you like," Hotch offered. "Will be happy to help you look after them and make sure they visit you whenever possible."
"We'll see," JJ said, but it was something Dave agreed with
"I can't blame you for not wanting to part with your child, as you'll want to spend time with your new son or daughter," Penelope said.
"Yeah, we will, but we're going to have to look into hiring a nanny ourselves," Dave sighed. "You can't just leave infants or small children by themselves even if vampire infants grow incredibly fast. At least our children will never lose their parents due to some tragic event because we are vampires or at least it's not likely."
"No, it's not likely, but we can still be killed if we're not careful," Hotch said. "Still, it's nice to be invulnerable to almost everything."
"It will be," Dave agreed. "However, it doesn't mean that either one of us doesn't need to wear a bulletproof vest whenever we're in a dangerous situation, since we don't want most people to know what we are."
"Which will save our clothes at least from getting the bullet holes even if they don't actually harm us," Hotch said.
"It could also save you from something more dangerous as there are some things that can severely injure a vampire," Penelope reminded Aaron gently.
"You're right, sweetie," Hotch agreed. "They are unsubs out there that do their research and knows that two members of the team are vampires, even if one of those days behind at the office."
"That's going to be four members now," Dave mentioned and Aaron nodded.
"That's true," Hotch agreed. "Not much can injure us, but yes, there are some things that can like fire and maybe even acid though I've never been brave enough to test that one."
"I hope I never have to," Dave shuddered.
"Me neither," everyone else echoed.
"I suppose we should be going as we have a long drive back home," Hotch mentioned.
"Your relationship is still pretty new, especially since Dave was only turned into a vampire a week ago, so I'm sure that you want some time to yourselves with nobody else around," Penelope added smiling.
"We'll bring Alice by to visit next weekend, so long as I'm not out of town, which means both of us will be working," Hotch added.
"Feel free to bring your children to," JJ said. "I would love to see them."
"We'll do that," Penelope said.
"It's certainly doable," Hotch agreed. "We'll also have a specialist to help you givr birth come and visit when you get closer to your time."
"Well, so long as I'm only carrying one I should be able to give birth by myself with Dave's help, but having a midwife or something should help," JJ said.
"She only needs to be here for the actual birth," Penelope told JJ who nodded.
"I didn't have anyone when I gave birth to Alice, except Dave, so I don't really see the point actually," JJ admitted. "Given birth is a natural process after all."
"That's true, and you will have Dave here, so perhaps the midwife is unnecessary," Hotch said.
"I should have control of my strength by the time this one's born, so I won't hurt JJ or the baby when I'm helping her," Dave said. "If I don't get control of my strength by the time the birth is close, then we can see about getting a midwife out here. Talking to one now though and seeing if she'll come in an emergency is something you need to do now."
"I know just the person who's not afraid of vampires," Hotch said. "She's helped vampires give birth before, especially when it's twins."
"Well, good I'm glad you know someone," JJ said relieved. "I don't expect to have any problems but you never know."
"Better be prepared just in case," Penelope agreed.
"We'll be back to visit next weekend if possible," Hotch promised.
"We'll look forward to seeing you," Dave said, as he shook Aaron's hand, then he kissed Penny on both cheeks before giving her a hug.
"Here let me pack a bag for Alice," JJ said.
"I'll help," Penelope said.
"We'll buy Alice anything she needs, since I know vampire children, even ones that are only half grow at a great rate of speed. Don't worry about paying us back as we are her godparents after all," Hotch added to Dave who was about to offer to do that very thing.
"Alright fine." Dave gave in with good grace knowing that Aaron or Penelope for that matter were not exactly poor.
JJ and Penelope gathered some things for Alice and when JJ handed over her baby to her godmother she knew she had made the right decision, even though it was painful to see her daughter go. JJ knew though that neither she or Dave could give Alice the attention she deserved with Dave so busy trying to get control of his new abilities and with her trying to help him as much as she could.
"You'll see her soon," Penelope promised.
"I know that. I don't believe I would trust anybody with Alice, except for you and Aaron," JJ said. "I know you'll take care of her."
"We will," Hotch promised solemnly, as he held his goddaughter in his arms kissing her little cheek and she looked up at him trustingly.
Both JJ and Dave saw the Hotchners out and only when they're car disappeared from sight did JJ shut the front door.
"That was hard," JJ said leaning against the closed front door.
"Did you really expect it to be easy, after all Alice is only a little over a week old," Dave said.
"I suppose not," JJ sighed. "Actually, I knew it wouldn't be easy, because I've had children before, but I also raised them myself, so at least I had more time with them then I did with our daughter."
"We'll see her next weekend unless they have to work," Dave said.
"Let's hope they don't have to," JJ said.
"Well, I know just how to distract you," Dave said smirking, as he placed kisses all over JJ's face. "I know we made love for several hours, enough to get you pregnant anyway, but we also had Alice to look after, so we didn't do as much as that as I would like."
"Well, let's get started them," JJ said eagerly hopping into his arms.
"Yes, let's get started," Dave agreed, as he kissed JJ passionately. "You're what I've been waiting for all my life and I'm so glad we met."
"So am I," JJ said tenderly, even as Dave carried her into the master bedroom.
"That's been obvious since the beginning," Dave laughed.
~~~Dave and JJ~~~
Two months later
"Dave, JJ you should see this," Hotch said, as he produced some newspapers, as well as the transcripts of Strauss's trial.
Dave and JJ leaned over Aaron's offerings.
Dave read over the transcripts slowly, being careful with the pages because he knew he could rip them easily, as it was only paper. He had gotten much better at controlling his strength, but he still had to think about what he was doing so that he didn't destroy something accidently.
"30 years that's a lot," Dave said, as he read.
"That's true, but we all know that Strauss has likely destroyed more than one career, even if it didn't come out at the trial," Hotch pointed out. "Thanks to her being a federal agent the penalty was harsher. Not to mention Strauss tried to kill another federal agent, she'll be going into a federal facility, and those places are much worse than those run by the State."
"Well, I won't say she doesn't deserve it," Dave said, looking sad. "I just never imagined that Strauss would go so far, not unless she suffered some kind of psychotic break anyway."
"She committed the crime, so she should have known the consequences of that especially since she was a federal agent. Yes, I know she was obsessed, but she should've gotten some help with that before she did something that actually broke the law. Unlike most people she knew the consequences if she did something like shoot you Dave," Hotch pointed out. "I feel absolutely no sympathy for her, as she tried to destroy my career and I'm sure she did destroy other careers, careers of people who likely weren't as good at politics as I am or weren't as highly placed. People that were likely just starting their careers and had only been there a short amount of time, a few years at most. I'm sure we'll never know how many lives she destroyed with her vindictiveness or just because she took shortcuts rising through the ranks. To me, she was just a power-hungry bureaucrat that didn't care about anybody except herself. If she ever had any good qualities I never saw them."
"All true," Dave sighed, as he finished reading the transcript of Strauss's trial.
"I definitely don't feel any sympathy for her, as she nearly killed you after all," JJ growled. "I would've ripped her to pieces slowly so she would have been alive to feel the pain and only when the vampire in me was satisfied would I have crushed her windpipe putting her out of her misery. By the time I was done she would've been unrecognizable as Erin Strauss and I probably would've felt guilty afterwards, but not at all sorry for what I had done. One sure way to make me angry is to try or actually succeed at hurting you. Strauss would have known that she was going to likely be killed for nearly murdering you, because both of you have said on multiple occasions that she wasn't stupid. That we spared her life was only because we knew that she would suffer much more in prison and neither Aaron or I wanted her to death to be quick, but I at least had every right to kill her as quickly or slowly as I desired. Of course, since Aaron is such a good friend I would've allowed him to join me in torturing her if he wanted, so if she had actually succeeded I guarantee you I would have tortured her for years for her actions and not felt the least bit guilty for doing so."
"And I would've helped you," Hotch agreed his expression grim. "We could've made her pain last for a long time between us. I know how to torture someone so that they last a long time and I guarantee we could have done so for a decade or more without killing her completely. I might believe in justice, but if she had actually succeeded in killing the man I considered a brother well that would have been way too far for me and my inner vampire would have demanded vengeance, something that I would have given into. However, I doubt Penny would've helped out though as she's usually too gentle."
"I am too normally," JJ pointed out.
"It's different in your case, because Dave is your mate and if he had actually died, well, you would've acted more like a true vampire than you normally do. I wouldn't be surprised if you asked me to kill you after we were done with torturing Strauss, because you would have lost your mate for the second time, which would have driven you at least close to the edge. How does one of the less civilized vampire respond to an attack on their mate, especially if they're mate is mortal at the time?"
"Well, it depends on the vampire," JJ considered, "but still I see your point. I would have been even more furious then I was initially and I would've tortured her for as long as possible for what she had done. She would've died slowly and in considerable agony and the government wouldn't have been able to legally do anything, even though she was a federal agent."
"No, because certain concessions had to be made to the other species that shares this planet," Hotch agreed. "If some vampire's mate is a human or magical at the time, they can do almost anything to protect what is their's. If they're under some kind of serious threat for instance then they are allowed to kill the culprit, federal agent or not, so long as they don't take out innocents. That Dave nearly died because of Strauss's actions, well, you had every right to kill her as fast or as slowly as you liked. The only reason you didn't is Dave survived, but still, she'll likely die in prison and even if she doesn't she'll be in her 80s before she gets out."
"I think she's going to realize the enormity of her actions as her career is destroyed because of her obsession with me and I once believed that her career was more important to her then anything else," Dave said. "I can't help, but feel sorry for her, but I'm also glad that she's out of our lives."
"You have a right to your feelings," JJ told Dave. "I can even understand them, because you knew her much better than I did, but still, I think prison is the perfect place for her as she's bound to suffer, if not physically then mentally and emotionally."
"She is, because some of the worse criminals go in federal prison and she's a federal agent which is bound to get out at some point," Hotch said. "Those criminals hate federal agents, because they're the ones that put them behind bars. They won't care at all that Strauss was just a bureaucrat and not a field agent, so never put any scum in prison personally. She'll be tortured mentally and emotionally as you suggested JJ, but I suspect they'll probably also be some physical abuse involved. Rape for example. If the warden is smart she'll be put in a separate cell so that she doesn't have to deal with the rest of the population, even solitary confinement, but since such places are overflowing with the worst of mankind that's unlikely."
"I agree with Aaron, as I to doubt they'll even think about giving her special treatment, because she's in prison for a reason after all," Dave said shaking his head. "If she was someone important, like a witness and just in prison until after an important trial that takes down something like a major crime syndicate then it would be one thing. If that was the case they'd have to be kept in solitary, because witnesses have been known to be killed before even in someplace like a prison. I suspect that the other prisoners will eat her alive."
"Well, let's not worry about it. I say she got what she deserved, as she went way over the line and I'm not usually the vindictive type, but when it comes to you..." JJ said.
"Yes, believe me, I understand," Dave said, as he caressed her cheek gently. "I feel the exact same way about you, so I suppose you could say that we're overprotective of each other."
"Which is the way it should be particularly for those that are mates," Hotch said approvingly. "That urge to protect your mate is incredibly strong, even if you're not normally the aggressive type. We have to remember that as vampires our instincts, particularly to protect what's ours and to mate are the strongest we have. We'll do anything to protect either our mate or our children and won't let anything hurt them, particularly physically. We do this, even when we're well aware that they can protect themselves, because it is built into us to protect what belongs to us. Since I'm older I have a good control of my instincts, but still if anything threatened my mate I guarantee you I would deal with it and Penny would do the exact same, even if our methods would likely differ. At the very least I'd threaten whoever had dared to threaten my mate and if that didn't work I would take more serious action. At first I would tell that person exactly what could happen to them if they dared continue with their behavior and most people take these kind of threats seriously, but there are plenty of idiots or oblivious people that don't actually realize there are consequences for their actions in the world.
Dave snorted in agreement with that, but didn't actually say anything.
"If they didn't stop then I would be forced to follow through on my threats and that person would simply disappear. If that were to happen I wouldn't feel the least bit guilty, because they would have been warned," Hotch added.
Everybody was silent as Dave and JJ read the newspaper articles next, as Strauss's trial had been well-publicized.
"Well at least she finally got her comeuppance," JJ said finally, as she put the paper down, having read the article more slowly then she could have.
"Thank you for bringing the transcript of Strauss's trial, as it's not like we get much news out here," Dave told Aaron.
"I knew you would want to know and I also knew that it's not like you had cable, even if you do have a television or got a newspaper delivery," Hotch said simply.
"Yeah, there are some disadvantages to being out here in the boonies," Dave admitted. "Normally I'd go into town to pick up a newspaper when I wanted to, but I can't do that right now and Jennifer refuses to leave my side. I can't blame her for that, because I certainly wouldn't if I was the one that was an older vampire and she was the newborn."
"And you shouldn't, because you might be more rational than most newborns, but still you don't leave someone who's only been a vampire a couple of months alone, as that would be very foolhardy at least," Hotch said. "JJ is being very responsible.
"So, how's Alice and Penny doing?" JJ asked.
"Both are fine," Hotch promised JJ. "Both Penny and I are going to come back tomorrow, but I wanted to come up here by myself today to show you the transcript of Strauss's trial and also the newspaper. Neither one of us wanted to expose such a young child to such cruelty, as I figure that she'll find that out soon enough."
"Yes, she will, so thanks," Dave told and Aaron nodded.
"We might be vampires and technically, predators, but that doesn't mean we don't want to protect our children from the nastiness that's in the world. We'll teach them everything they need to know, as we're not going to shelter them like so many children are, but still, although Alice is now walking and even talking a little in my opinion she's still too young to learn that the world is full of violence," Hotch said.
"I'll teach her to protect yourself," Dave promised, "and I could use help with that when it's time."
"I'll be glad to help, as I want my goddaughter to be able to protect herself not only from other vampires, but from everybody. I want her to be smart enough to not be taken advantage of by somebody with a sob story," Hotch said. "There are too many naïve people in the world that get themselves hurt at least emotionally, because someone takes advantage of them and I don't want that to happen to any of my children or yours."
"Getting hurt emotionally is a fact of life, but still I agree," Dave said.
"It used to be that females were kept sheltered for the most part, but in today's society that's just asking to be taken advantage of," JJ said.
"Yes, centuries ago females were considered too delicate and a lot of times not too bright to really be let in on so many things," Hotch said. "Or at least that was true in high society, though not with the very poor."
The three of them chatted for a while before Aaron rose to leave.
"Both Penny and I along with Alice will be back tomorrow," Hotch promised.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Dave said, as he shook Aaron's hand.
Aaron returned the handshake and then headed out to his car, with a powerful stride.
"So, what do you want to do until Aaron and Penny return tomorrow with Alice?" Dave asked with a smirk already knowing the answer.
"If you have to ask that then I haven't trained you well enough," JJ smirked back
Dave said nothing and simply swept JJ up in his arms not having any trouble carrying her, though she was visibly pregnant, because she was over a month along and headed up to the master bedroom.
JJ just giggled happily and kissed the side of his neck not surprised by her mate's actions at all.
~~~Dave and JJ~~~
Epilogue
Six months later
"Welcome back, Dave," Spencer told Rossi quietly. "You've certainly been missed the last eight months."
"Thank you, Reid," Dave said as the two men shook hands solemnly. "Reid let me introduce you to my mate Jennifer Jareau."
"It's nice to meet you, though technically, we have met before even if we weren't at the time introduced," Reid said offering his hand.
"It's nice to meet you officially. Dave talks about you and the others all the time," JJ smiled genuinely. "Don't pick up Dave's bad habit, as he calls me Jennifer. Call me JJ."
Dave chuckled and Reid merely smiled, but JJ had been told that Spencer Reid rarely laughed, though she was hoping to change that.
"I think Jennifer is a beautiful name," Reid replied smiling. "I don't know why you object to it so much."
"Because that's what Seth, my mentor, the one that turned me into a vampire against my will used to call me and since I was changed against my will..." JJ explained. "Ever since then I've disliked it at the very least, although I allow Dave here to get away with calling me that."
Dave merely chuckled at JJ's playful admonishing look.
"Well, I can understand better now why you dislike your full name so much," Reid smiled. "I understand that you're supposed to start working here as our media liaison."
"Yes, she's already been through the interview and aced it and also through the Academy on an accelerated course, since she's only going to be our media liaison's," Dave smiled and it was clear he had a great deal of pride in his mate, which was as it should be.
"It will certainly make the fact that we haven't been together very long easier to deal with," JJ said. "The bond between us is still really new."
"And strong," Dave added.
"From what I have observed Hotch has a hard time when he and Garcia are apart," Reid said. "He's always much happier whenever they are together, even if that's only for an hour or so when we're having lunch."
"Their bond might be older than Dave's and mine but it's still relatively new," JJ explained. "That constant need to be together will die down in a few more years, just as it will for Dave and me, though we'll certainly have an easier time of it, since I got a job as media liaison and I'll be traveling with the team. The fact that we can work together and share a hotel room every night will only help us. Unfortunately, Penny stays here while Aaron travels for work so they can't be together as often as Dave and I are going to be."
"You need to remember to call them Hotch and Garcia at least while at work," Dave gently reminded JJ.
"Alright, you're right," JJ agreed. "That's going to take some getting used to."
"You'll get the hang of it fast enough," Reid said.
"Yeah, I will," JJ agreed smiling genuinely liking the younger man, though she certainly didn't look much older than he did, even if she was.
"Well, we had better report to Hotch that we're here," Dave suggested as he took JJ's hand in his own.
"So, I heard you had several children while you were away?" asked Reid.
"Five of them actually," JJ grinned happily.
"Why so many?" Reid asked, not asking how, having so many was possible, because he knew everything that there was to know about vampires that was out there for public consumption.
"Well, you already know that a vampire's gestation period is only two months and so long as I'm not wearing one of those medallions that Hotch told Dave about I got pregnant rather easily as I was less than 30 when I was changed into a vampire," JJ explained. "Both Dave and I wanted a large family, since neither one of us had any, though to be honest I did have a few children before Dave and I met, since I wasn't going to be a total eunuch."
"We hired a nanny just as Hotch and Garcia did to look after them, which is why I at least was gone two extra months instead of the six JJ thought it would take for me to get control of my new abilities. I interviewed applicants while JJ was at the Academy and then I just decided I wasn't going to start back until JJ was done with her accelerated training, as I wanted to be here to see her every weekend. I will miss my children fiercely, but I love my job and I'm sure that Jennifer will as well."
"Well, I suppose if you want a large family then you have every right to have one," Reid said finally.
"What about you any family?" JJ asked.
"My mother," Reid answered shortly, letting her know that the subject was off limits. "I wouldn't mind having some children of my own, but since that is not likely to happen..." Here Reid trailed off and didn't continue.
Dave gave JJ a look and shook his head to stop her from asking anymore personal questions
Reid had always been rather reluctant to talk about his past and all Dave really knew was that his father had abandoned the family leaving Reid to take care of his mother. That he had been severely bullied in high school and likely college and that he was a very nice young man with a genius level intellect. His fashion sense could use some work, since sweater vests had gone out of style decades ago, but Dave didn't feel he was close enough to the younger man to suggest that kind of thing so he said nothing.
"Well, it was nice talking to you, but we had better go see Hotch," JJ said.
"Yeah, you had better," Reid agreed smiling a little.
"I hope we can be friends," JJ suggested.
"I would like that," Reid said smiling.
Dave said nothing, as he led his mate up towards Hotch's office where he knocked on the door before entering.
"Welcome back," Hotch gaze warmed noticeably as he looked at the man he considered a brother and then at JJ who he had gotten quite fond of and he could already tell that they would be just as good of friends as he and Dave in time.
He had literally wanted to tear Erin Strauss apart for what she had done but had managed to restrain himself, but not without difficulty. If his feelings were strong he knew that JJ's would be at least a hundred times what he himself felt and there wouldn't have been much left of Strauss, as the bones would've been ground to powder and her flesh burned all while she was still alive and able to feel pain he was sure.
Even Morgan had wanted to do Strauss serious damage and not just because she wasn't well liked woman, but because Dave was a teammate and they were all pretty close, if only because they were in each other's pockets so much of the time. If you weren't a vampire you had to be able to trust the person that went through the door with you if you had the dangerous profession that they did and he had to admit that he worked with some extremely brave and more than competent men and women. They were some of the best people he had ever worked with and he been doing this a long time. Of course, meeting Penny had been the best part of working at the BAU because he probably wouldn't have met her otherwise and she was the light of his life.
"Thank you," Dave grinned his still slightly red eyes twinkling. It would be at least another month or so before his eyes returned completely to the brown they had once been. "It's good to be back. The time away was certainly good for Jennifer and me, but still I missed all this, missed seeing everyone."
"It was necessary though," JJ put in and both men nodded in agreement.
"It was," Dave told JJ gently kissing the back of her hand. "Still that doesn't mean I'm not glad to be back and that you'll be working with me is just perfect."
"Yes, I believe you'll be perfect as media liaison and that will certainly free me up for other duties," Hotch smiled.
"I'll certainly try," JJ said trying not to look embarrassed, because she was normally so modest, though she was certainly glad she couldn't actually blush.
"You'll do well," Dave said. "I know this."
"I believe that too, as I never would've hired you if I didn't believe you could do it," Hotch added.
"Thank you, for your vote of confidence I appreciate it," JJ smiled.
"You're welcome. Now I think it's time to introduce you to the others as they should all be here by now," Hotch suggested.
"Yes, they should be. We saw Spencer when we came in and talked to him for a few minutes before coming to see you, but he's the only one that knows I'm back and that you've hired someone new," Dave said.
"Actually I told the others that I hired someone new and that they'd meet today," Hotch said.
"I stand corrected," Dave smirked.
Hotch simply smirked back then rose and strode to the office door opening it. Dave and Jennifer also rose from where they had been sitting in the two seats in front of Hotch's desk and followed their boss and friend out the door.
"Well, everyone gather around," Hotch commanded. All the other looked up from where they were talking quietly with coffee cups in their hands. Reid in particular was an addict.
Once everybody was there from Morgan to Emily to Reid and even Garcia who was as addicted to coffee as Reid, even though she didn't really need to drink it, Hotch announced. "You all know Rossi, but this is his mate Jennifer Jareau who will be our new media liaisons. Make her feel welcome and I'm sure she will fit in with the rest of us in short order."
Everyone gathered around and began to ask JJ questions and Dave and Aaron and smiled at each other.
JJ was beginning to look a little overwhelmed, so Hotch said, "Don't crowd her, I'm sure you'll get to know each other in due time, even though I know it's exciting to have someone new join the team."
Morgan and Emily at least looked sheepish, as they were the ones that had been doing the crowding.
No one at least was rude enough to mention that the last time they had seen Dave he had been in very bad condition, because he had been shot by someone that no one had expected. The other three members of the team had been assured by Hotch that Dave was alive and going through the transformation to turn him into a vampire and that was enough for them to relax, because they trusted Hotch to be truthful with them.
Besides, Strauss hadn't been well liked, but even so, no one had expected her to go so far over the line as to shoot anyone, much less someone that was her subordinate, but then obsessions could do that to you. The hadn't thought about the fact that even highly successful people like Strauss could get obsessed, as that was just part of human nature, though some people were certainly more suspectable to obsessions then others.
"I'm here to stay, so we have plenty of time to get to know each other," JJ said smiling.
"Yes, sorry," Emily apologized. "We've just been hearing about you for some time and have been looking forward to meeting you. Dave even mentioned when we first found out about you that you were going to trying to get the job of media liaison. We've all been wanting to meet you for some time, mostly because you've made Dave so incredibly happy."
"It's all right," JJ said. "I would be very intrigued too if someone I was close to had met their mate so unexpectedly and they happened to be a vampire."
"It was just rather surprising," Morgan said after moment. "I know the government believes that every human at least has a soulmate, but even if that's true, not many humans find theirs."
"I've never understood the governments belief that everyone has a soulmate," Emily added.
"I agree with you," JJ smiled. "Still, I can't complain since I have Dave now. I wish I'd met him at least a decade ago."
"Well, he certainly would've been closer to you in age if you had," Emily suggested.
"That doesn't concern me," JJ said waving her hand dismissively. "Let people think what they will, because they will anyway no matter what you say. I meant, I wouldn't have been lonely, not if I'd had Dave."
"Yes, I can understand that," Morgan said slowly. "Vampires live basically forever unless they are killed, so you had every right to be lonely. Your species can get just as lonely as anyone else can as we need contact regularly. In fact, I would think it would be worse for you then it would be for mortals, because we eventually die, but you don't unless you are killed."
"While that's all true I'm certain not lonely anymore," JJ said smiling at Dave who was a short distance away talking to Aaron quietly. "I've been very lucky and I'm grateful that we found each other."
"Yes, I agree that you're lucky," Emily said enviously.
"Yes, I am," JJ said in agreement. "Maybe you'll meet someone for you someday."
"I wish," Emily said looking a little jealous.
"Well, welcome to the team," Morgan said offering his hand which JJ shook.
"Thank you. I'm certainly looking forward to getting to know all the people that Dave has mentioned occasionally since we met," JJ said smiling widely thinking that she was happier than she ever had been since Seth had attacked her. She had finally found her soulmate again and he was now near indestructible, just like she was, so what wasn't there could be happy about?
Life was good and that was all anyone could ask.