A/N: Some of you have probably been wondering why I haven't updated this story in nearly two months. The truth is that I had major writer's block concerning this story, and I'm trying to get back on track, which has been hard, but I am trying my absolute hardest.

This is the last chapter to this part of the story. But as promised, I am doing a sequel. I'll update it as soon as possible, hopefully within two days. It will be titled ''Lasting Life''.

I want to thank everyone for reviewing, reading, favoriting and following this story. It means the absolute world to me, and I wouldn't be doing this without all of you. I hope you to see all at my new stories or my others.

Special thanks to CMLeoLover, jenny crum, Christiangirl, BAUMember, guest and MariShal!

I don't own criminal minds!

"So I placed my heart under lock and key
To take some time, and take care of me
But I turn around and you're standing here"
~ Debra Cox

Two days later…

Once again JJ had shielded herself from the outside world, afraid to let anyone see her as she struggled with her fears, her life, but most importantly, her relationship with Hotch. Everything had come crashing down so fast, and in many ways her life was looking up again as well. Hotch was willing to build a life with her and to support her no matter what. But somehow JJ was scared. She was afraid of moving forward and taking a next step. Her entire life she had always believed that she could get through anything, and she was a strong enough person to get out on the other side. She had somehow survived her sister's death and her job at the BAU. She had survived that, but after being held and nearly sexually assaulted by Hastings the meaning of surviving had taken a completely different turn. She had never survived. She had simply lived, and she had it easy. But now. Now her life was a mess. She didn't know where her heart and head were at. Her entire life was in shambles and she didn't know what else to do. With Hotch she felt safe and wanted in a way she had only ever dreamed off. But everything that had happened made her a different person. Her marriage to Will was proof of that. They had been deeply in love once, and she believed nothing could ever tear them apart. And now they were separated and JJ was going to file for divorce. She just didn't know how she ended up so broken and lost.

But as that thought went through her head, she knew there was one place where she didn't feel that way. It was in the arms of the man she loved. So she rose from the couch where she had been wallowing for nearly two days and she grabbed the keys on her way out of the house, knowing she looked like a complete mess but she didn't care. She had to talk to Hotch. She had to let him know how she was feeling and where her feelings were at. Not only did he deserve that from her, but she wanted him to know.

About twenty minutes later, JJ was standing in front of his apartment door, her clothing soaked because it had been raining outside. She gently knocked on the door and waited for Hotch to open it up. When she heard the sound of footsteps her heart sped up and she took a step back, hesitating her decision. And then when she was about to turn around the door opened and she whirled back around to face him.

''JJ?'' he stumbled in surprise. ''What are you doing here?''

She looked into his eyes and felt herself get more anxious with each breath she took. ''I wanted to talk to you…'' she said with doubt, her voice low and soft. ''I want to talk about us.''

''I thought I made perfectly clear how I felt, and you walked away!''

JJ stepped forward, realizing she was finally doing it. The moment had come. She couldn't turn back now, and she was happy that she was finally going to admit what she really wanted and needed. ''I'm sorry for how I acted on the plane. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you, Aaron.'' she began as her voice began to shake. ''I just feel like I'm not good enough for you and that you deserve more than me.''

He grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace when he saw the tears slipping from her eyes. ''You are good enough, JJ. You keep selling yourself short, and I hate seeing that.'' he whispered as he held her in his embrace tightly. ''I am not going to give you time and space. I'm not going to stand on the sidelines anymore. I am not going to sit back as I watch the woman I love move forward with her life. I just won't!'' he stated as he broke away, making clear that he was no longer willing to give up something he wanted. ''My entire life I've done everything to make others happy, except for myself. And you make me happy, JJ! You!''

''I'm scared, Aaron.'' she blurted out. ''I'm such a mess right now and I have long road ahead of me.''

''I know. I want to be there with you through it all.'' he explained. ''I just want to be with you, JJ.''

She moved forward again and walked with him into the apartment once he stepped aside. He closed the door behind them, and JJ jumped into his embrace, her tears still falling down her face. They were tears of relief, pain, and happiness. She had taken another step towards her recovery and maybe even her future. Being in his arms felt so safe and so good that she never wanted to leave. And that moment as she just stayed glued in his arms, she felt happier than she hadn't been in a long time. For the first time in months she felt hopeful and she could actually see her future again. Things were clear and it sent a shiver through her body.

''Did you ever believe we would end up here?'' she asked as she took a step back.

Hotch pulled her with him to the couch where they both sat down, their knees touching. ''No, of course not.'' he answered. ''When I met you, I was married to Haley and I firmly believed that she and I were going to spent the rest of our lives together.'' he continued. ''But that's probably what you thought about Will.''

''Yeah, I did.'' she said. ''I think that everything that has happened in our lives so far was nothing we ever expected.'' she went on. ''I mean, you lost Haley because of Foyet. I was abducted and tortured. My life didn't really turn out at all what I thought it'd be.''

''You'll get through this, JJ.'' Hotch encouraged. ''It'll take time and effort, but I know you can do this. Look at Emily.''

The thought of her friend caused a smile on her face. Emily had dealt with everything courageously. In JJ's eyes, she was the epitome of strength. But JJ also knew that she never showed her emotions, and it made her wonder how she ever dealt with her trauma and past. ''Emily moved halfway across the world, probably to get away from her demons.'' JJ contradicted. ''What if I'm not able to move on from this? What if I'll never be the same person again?''

He took her hands and squeezed them softly. ''JJ, you're the strongest person I've ever met. You of all people will get through this.''

''Why do you believe in me so much?''

''Because I love you!'' he whispered. ''Because you might be incredibly stubborn, but I love you! And I know you can beat this thing.'' he went on. ''Your life is about so much more than what Askari and Hastings did to you. You have a wonderful son, friends who are like your family, and you have me. I'm with you one hundred percent.''

She leaned forward and let her lips brush against his gently as her arms wrapped around his neck. She felt him tug at her arms and he slowly pulled her onto his lap as their kiss intensified. She moaned into his mouth and for a moment she broke away when the moment seemed to be too perfect to pass up. Their heads were touching and their lips were mere inches away. ''I love you too.'' she whispered against his lips.

The words made everything more perfect for both of them. It was the start of their future together. A shared future that could take them anywhere.

But in his heart, Hotch knew that he and JJ could have everything together. They both just had to willing to fight for each other and for a better life. Which already seemed to be happening. JJ had taken her first step, and hearing her say ''I love you'' meant that she wasn't as broken as she believed to be. If anything she was more whole than ever.

''The thing about falling apart is that picking your pieces back up and building yourself up exactly as you had been before rather wastes the opportunity to put them back differently, to sculpt yourself into something new and more complicated, stronger, so that you never fell apart again. Or, if you did, you wouldn't fall quite so far.''

~ Unknown